HomeMy WebLinkAboutAUGUST 24, 1999
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MINUTES
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Artadia City Planning Commission
Tuesday, August 14, 1999
6:00 P.M. AT 701 W. FOOTHILL BLVD.
ROLL .CALL:
PRESENT: Commissioners Huang, Kalemkiarian, Sleeter, Bruckner
ABSENT: Commissioner Murphy
1. PLANNING COMMISSION TOUR OF THE ANOAKIA SITE
2. ADJOURN TO 7:15 P,M, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
The Planning Commission toured the Anoakia site prior to the meeting,
OTHERS ATTENDING
Council Member Gail.Marshall
City AttOrney Michael Miller
Community Development Administrator Donna Butler
Planning Services Manager Corkran Nicholson
Assistant Planner Candyce Burnett
7:15 p.m. in.the Council Chambers
Planning Commission proceedings are tape-recorded and on file in the office .of the Community
Development Division,
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Planning Commission of the City of.Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, August 24,
1999 at 7:15 p,m, in the Council Chambers of the City of Arcadia, at 240 W, Huntingtonprive with
Chairman Richard Bruckner presiding.
ROLLCALL
PRESENT: Commissioners Huang, Kalemkiarian, Murphy, Sleeter, Bruckner
ABSENT: None
OTHERS ATTENDING
Council Member Gail Marshall
City Attorney Michael Miller
Comniunity DevelopIi1e~t Administrator Donna Butler
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Planning Services Malr Corkran Nicholson
Assistant Planner Kenneth Phung
Secretary Silva Vergel
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SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
A letter was received from Helen Wells with regard to item no, 3,
TIME RESERVED FOR THOSE IN THE .AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE
PLANNING COMMISSION ON NON-PUBLIC HEARING MATTERS (5 MINUTE LIMIT PER
PERSONO '
None
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Sleeter, seconded by Commissioner Kalemkiarian to read all
resolutions by title only and waive reading the full body ofthefesolution,
1. ~Sof~10~9
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Sleeter, seconded by Commissioner Huang to approve the
Minutes of August 10lh as published,
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
Commissioner Huang, Kalemkiarian, Sleeter, Bruckner
None
Commissioner Murphy
2, PUBLIC HEARING CUP 99-014
11 W. DuarteRd,
Chung-l Wu
Consideration of a conditional use permit to operate a tutoring center for students in grade
school through. high school, from 3:00-8:00 p,m" Monday through Friday, and from 1:00-
6:00 p,m, on Saturdays.
RESOLUTION NO , 1596
Aresolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia, California, granting CUP
99-014 for a tutorial center at 11W.Duarte Rd,
The staffreportwas presented,
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Staff indicated that the drivewln Duarte Rd. would be rightturn only ~
The public hearing was opened.
Chung-I Wu, 11W. Duarte Rd., was in agreement with all of the conditions in the staffreport.
No one else spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item.
Chainnan Bruckner closed the public hearing.
Ms. Butler explained that the Planning Commission can recommend to the Parking Place
Commission to paint the curb red but they cannot direct the applicant to paint it. The Parking Place
Commission can then review and vote on that issue. The intent of condition no. 3 is so the children
are not dropped off at the curb.
Commissioner Sleeter was concerned about backing up traffic to the comer and that children would
be dropped offiatthe curb.
Ms. Butler responded that the curb is painted red near the comer.
Commissioner Murphy thought that it would be inconsistent to require them to paint the curb red
since they have not-required that from other similar uses.
MOTION
It was moved by Com.Jllissioner Murphy, seconded by Commissioner Kalemkiarian to
approve CUP 99-014 and adopt Reso. No. 1596 subject to the conditions in the staff report.
ROLLCALL:
AYES:
NQES:
Commissioner Huang, Kalemkiarjan, Murphy, Sleeter, Bruckner
None
Chainnan Bruckner noted that there is a five working-day appeal period. Appeals are to be filed by
September 1st.
3. PUBLIC HEARING TM 52745, CUP 99-004 &DEIR
701 W. Foothill Blvd. - NWC of Baldwin Ave. and Foothill Blvd.
The purpose of this hearing is to receive testimony on the DEIR, TM 52745 and CUP 99-004
for. a 31-unit planned residential. development.
Chainnan Bruckner explained that the Planning Commission would only be hearing testimony
tonight. There will be no discussion of the project among the Planning Commission.
The staff report was presented.
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Ms. Butler explained thatth& assesses the project and can add mlating measures if needed.
The additional mitigating measl!res will become part of the conditions of approval. Both the City
Council and. the Planning Commission will hold public hearings on the project when the Final EIR
(FEIR) is completed. The consultant and staff will respond to all comments and letters received by
September 4th. A1lresponses will becomepartoftheFEIR. The public hearing for the FEIR, the
vesting tentative map and the CUP will be heard at one time and not be considered individually.
The public hearing was opened.
Mary Bale, 940 W. Duarte Rd., #16, President of the Arcadia Historical Society, said her.group has
tried for many years to save this property and its history from being destructed. They want the
houses on the lot to be saved or reconstructed. This property brings a sense of pride to the
CQmmunityand lures visitors to the City. This site is known statewide and every attempt should be
made to save it.
Meyer Piet, 757 Anoakia Ln., said he resides in a small ranch style home and has been there for
many years. They assisted the City to annex this property many years ago. When this property was
rezoned, Mr. Gilb, who was a Council' Member at that time, assured the community that if and when
the property was developed, :it would have full size city streets.
There are a couple of things that he likes about the proposal:
1. That the project is isolated and that there would be little or no traffic increase on their street.
2. He was pleased to see the wail llIld the wrought iron gates would remain.
The things he does not like about the project are:
L 28' wide streets with rolled curbs are unacceptable. The streets should be at leas~the width of
Anoakia Ln. Their street. is 40' wide and it only serves 7 homes. The proposed streets would be
a mess on trash days, especially, when considering that each home will probably have a
minimum of 3 cars. That would be at least 90 cars in this area. It would be difficult for
emergency vehicles to get through the development. 28' wide streets are ridiculous.
2. There needs to be two exits onto Baldwin. One access in' not enough.
3. Why do they need a gated private community in the City? They are going to be removing
precious, mature and rare oak trees. The property is unique and.beautiful.
4. They will probably build large 2-story homes that will have the look and feel of a 3-story house.
The height of the proposed. homes should belimited to 24'.
5. There should be adequate side and front yard setbacks. The driveways must be wide.
He asked that the planning Commission keep in mind that once the developer develops the property
he will leave and forget about the area but the residents will be left "holding the bag". It the
Planning Commission's responsibility to keep the area beautiful. He suggested that the developer
study the area and return with severely altered plans. He requested that under no circumstances
Anoakia Ln. be utilized during construction and that the new homes should comply with the new
regulations that were recently adopted.
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Michael Mulvehill, 640 Arbolada, said the development is too dense. He was concerned about the
emergency access roads. The lots are too small for this area. What about the oak tree ordinance?
Shouldn't the laws apply to everyone? He did not think that the variance regarding the removal of
oak trees should be granted.
Sandy Snider, Associate Curator of History, The Los Angeles County Arboretum, read a letter that
was submitted to the City and is a part of the staff report. The letter in part stated that it is
unfortunate that the estate, which holds significant historical value to the entire San Gabriel Valley,
cannot be preserved. The Arcadia Historical Society, the Los Angeles County Arboretum and the
Arcadia Public Library have met and all agree and support all of the four Mitigation Measures listed
on page 17-18 of the document.
L A documentation survey must be required. Copies should be held by all of the above listed
organizations tomaximize access.
2. The permanent display described in the second mitigation measure would provide and integrate
preservation that would. enable area residents to learn more about the historic importance and
unique features of the site.
3. The City should solicit and review proposals developed by a qualified historic preservation
professional. All options should be considered including restoring the main building on site;
relocating the main building; recreating rooms or spaces at another .location such as the
Arboretum. .
4. A preservation professional must be on the site during. demolition to ensure appropriate removal
and handling of historic elements. If any areas are relocated or recreated, the architectural and
decorativeJeatures.shotild be retained to. ensure the integrity of the spaces involved.
Arnold Kruse, 645 W. Foothill Blvd., was not-pleased with the direction that the City was going. He
will soon sell his property partly because they no longer need a large home and partly because
Arcadia is not like what it used to be many years ago. Things have-changed.
Marsha Blackwell, 610 Woodland Dr., Sierra Madre, said her children attended the Anoakia schools.
There are mallY different species of trees and animals on this site. The City of Pasadena is a good
example of what cities should do to preserve history. The development of this' property would be a
travesty of justice. There'were many art pieces that were housed on this property. They need to focus
on the destruction of these. oak trees. The Engelmann oak is a very rare tree and the removal greatly
affects the genetic stock of the tree. It is viriually impossible to transplant oak trees. Most do not
survive the transplant. It is their duty to. save the heritage of this site.
Kris Miller Fislur, 525 Woodland Dr., Sierra Madre said she is a Council Member in the City of
Sierra Madre, although, she is not speaking in that capacity tonight. Her brother attended this
school. Her parents live in this area and they have a very large property. She thought that a 22,000
sq. ft. lot is too small for this area.
She commented that Ms. Blackwell is an expert in her field, a landscape architect. She urged the
Planning Commission to consider her cornments.andtake.them very seriously.
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She went on to. say that this ilcts everyone. It is a significant projt She was shocked to hear
that the buildings were planned to be demolished. She asked that the walls, gates and entrances be
preserved. She agreed with Mr. Piet's comments about developers who will be gone soon after the
project is completed and the community will have to live with it.
Mary Young, 1279 Oakglen,pastArcadia City Council Member, said she was on the Council when
they voted on the oak tree preservation ordinance. She did not think that this developer should be
granted the variance to remove all these oak trees. She thought they should work around the .oaks
that are on the property. and develop the homes around them.
Margaret Hermann, 1919 S. Second Ave., said they recently moved here from N. Carolina. They
lived in a. historical home in N. Carolina, where preserving .historical homes are very common.
There are untold possibilities for this property. This site isa magnet for the. community. She urged
the Planning Commission to preserve what is there. They don't have any idea what type of an
impact removing these historiCal homes will have. If they are granted a permit to develop, then they
should work around the trees.
Peter Adkins, 2026 Sinaloa, Ave., A1tadena,CEO at the Los Angeles County Arboretum, said that.it
is very unlikely that any transplanted. oak tree would survive. He suggested requiring the developer
to provide a "guarantee/insurance" so .if the replanted oak trees do not survive, they City could take
action.
No one else spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item.
Chairman Bruckner closed the public hearing, He asked the Planning Commission if they wanted to
make any comments tonight as the Planning Commission or if they wanted to write individual
letters. He noted that all comments and letters must be.submitted to the Community Development
Division by September 4th, so the consultant and s~ can respond to them. He wondered if they
should schedule a meeting prior to the September 4th deadline so they can make' their comments to
staff.
Commissioner Kalemkiarian thought that it would be better if each Planning Commlssionerwrote.a
letter and submitted.it to staff.
Commissioner Murphy agreed. He wondered if the Planning Commission could get a summary of
all the commentS that was received by the audience priorto the September 4th deadline. Ms, Vergel
replied that she would prepare them and forward.it to thePlanniog Commission.
Ms. Butler explained that the FEIR would address all of the concerns, issues and letters that are
received by the above September 4th. The FEIR will be scheduled fora public hearing before both
the Planning Commission and the City Council. The FEIR is an informational document that
addresses the environmental issues as they relate to the project. The EIR does not address the pros
and cons of the project. The EIR sets forth environmentally superior alternatives to the project and
provides mitigation measures to address environmental issues that are considered significant. All
conditions of approval will bea part of the vesting tentative map and the CUP. The City Council
will certify the FEIR.
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Pat Mann, CottonlBeland AsJlates, remarked that whether the planlg Commission acted as a
group or made their comments individually, they have to respond to each item. Although, it would
be more meaningful if they acted as a body.
Commissioner Murphy changed his mind and. thought it might be better if they acted as a body as
opposed to individual Planning Commissioners.
Commissioner Kalemkiariandisagreed and said regardless of if they act.as a body or individuals, the
city must respond to all comments. They can offer their comments like the testimony that was
received tonight.
Commissioner Huang said in acting on other EIRs, the Planning Commission did not act as a body,
rather as individuals.
MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL
None
MATTERS FROM PLANNING COMMISSON
None
MODIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING ACTIONS
Chairman Bruckner recapped the actions taken by the Modification Committee.
.MATTERS FROM. STAFF
I. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS
2. UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT
8:25 p.m.
tng Commission
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