HomeMy WebLinkAboutFEBRUARY 22, 2000
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Arcadia City Planning Commission
Tuesday, February 22, 2000
7:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers
Planning Commissicm proceedings are tape-recorded and on file in the office of the Cominunity
Development Division.-
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, February 22,
2000 at 7:15 p.m in the Council Chambers of the City of Arcadia, at 240 W.Huntington Drive with
Chairman Richard Bruckner presiding.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Commissioners Huang, Murphy, Bruckner
ABSENT: Commissioners Kaiemkiarian and Sleeter
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Huang, seconded by Commissioner Murphy to excuse
Commissioners Kalemkiarian and Sieeter from tonight's meeting. The motion passed by
voice vote with none dissenting.
OtHERS ATTENDING
Council Member Gail Marshall
Community Development Administrator Donna Butler
Associate Planner James Kasama
AssistantPlanner Candyce Burnett
Secretary SilvaVergel
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
Staff distributed.revised Minutes ,rod a letter from EastlWest Bank regarding CUP 98-018.
TIME RESERVED FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE
PLANNING COMMISSION ON NON-PUBLIC HEARING MATTERS (5MlNUTE LIMIT PER
PERSON)
None
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Due to lack ofa quorwn, the Minutes were continued until March 14"'.
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2. PUBLIC HEARING CUP 98-018
141 E. Duarte ReI.
Rev. Chi-Chong Chang
Consideration of revisions to the conditional of approval for the previously approved
theological seminary.
The . staff report Was presented.
Staff indicated that no objections were received to the request. The Planning Commission would
adopt a new resolution at their next meeting. The parking is based upon the number of students and
not on the square footage of the building. He said the letter that was distributed from EastlWest
Bank allows them to utiliZe their parking space. The bank is less than 500' from the subject
property.
Ms. Butler explained that the parking requirement for a.school is I parking space per 35 sq..ft. but
they looked lit the number of students as opposed to the square footage.
Commissioner Murphy expressed concern over how far the bank was and that the students would
have to cross the street.
Chairman Bruckner replied that the parJdng in some schools. is much further than the bank~s parking
lot.
The public hearing was opened.
Chi Chang, 2048 Whitebluff Rd., San Dimas, said they have complied with all of the City's
requirements. He thought they have been a very good-neighbor and believed thaHhey are a valuable
addition to this neighborhood and beneficial to the community and the entire city. They help
strengthen the moral values of the City. They have 34 on-site parking spaces. Foothill Federal
Credit Union (FFCU) has given them permission to utilize their parking on a case by case basis.
FFCU has approximately 70 parking spaces. The EastlWest Bank has 37 parking spaces.
In reply to a questiqnby Commissioner Murphy, Mr. Chang did not know what they would do if
their neighbors withdrew their consent in using their parking. He introduced the pastors, which were
seated in the audience.
Raymond Petzhilt, 302 S. Second, said he is the pastor of the church at the comer of santa Anita and
Colorado Ave. Together, they have raised the soCial and spiritual values of the congregation. Their
intent is to alleviate racial tension in the community.
Chuck Bradley, 112 E. Duarte, Rd., said he is the owner of CRB Insurance. He said the applicant
haS:been a good' neighbor.
Margaret Kwong, 850 El Campo, Pasadena, was in favor of the request. Most of the students are
professionals. They would be attending the evening classes. They do not cause any disturbance in
the area
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Victor Chen, 263 W. Camino Real, said he has lived in this fine City for many years because it is
such a wonderful place to live. He thought this would be a good addition to the City.
No one else spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item.
Chairrnan Bruckner closed the public hearing.
Chairman Bruckner said the FFCU parking is mostly vacant except when they have their car sales
which seems to be 3.4 times annually. He thought staff should review the code regarding how many
times they can have these types ofsliles.
Commissioner Murphy'said the parking is tough at this site. If they need to increase their usage and
there is not ample parking, possibly they should be looking for another suitable site. He did not like
satellite parking that is down and across the street. This could be a potential problem. Mr. Chang
cannot assure him of what plans they have if anyone of his neighbors chose to withdraw their
conSent for the use of their parking. He was bothered that there is no permanent arrangement.
Chairman Bruckner responded that the parking across the street at the 99~ Only store is much more
cumbersome. He could not-remember ever seeing a problem at this site.
In response to concerns raised, staff said that a covenant Would be. required for each different site.
The covenant would be in place even if the property was sold. If anyone of the participants wanted
a release from the cOvenant, the City would need to review and approve it. If the covenant was
removed, the applicant would be notified that 'he would have to reduce the number of students to
comply with AMC- the occupancy would. have to comply with the available parking.
The public hearing I"!lS re-opened.
Mr. Chang explained that FFCU did not want to give them a blanket approval to utilize their parking
but would allow them uSage on a case by case. He said FFCUhad written and mailed a letter to the
City. He summarized the content of the letter since staff indicated that he bad not received said
correspondence.
Chairrnan Bruckner closed the public hearing.
Staff reiterated. what would happen if one of the participants requestedrelease'ofthe covenant. The
applicant would need to reduce occupancy to comply with the available parking.
Chairrnan Btucknerwas pleased that there was a legal mechanism in place if one of the participants
wanted to withdraw from the covenant.
Based upon concerrl8 raised by Commissioner Murphy, Council Member Marshall said that the
bank's parking lot is not utilized in the evenings;
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Murphy, seconded by Commissioner Huang to approve CUP
98~018, subject to the conditions listed in the staffreport.
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ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Commissioner Huang, Murphy, Bruckner
None
Commissioners Kalemkiarianand Sleeter
Chairman Bruckner noted that there is a five working day appeal period after the adoption of the
resolution. The resolution will be adopted on March 14th: Appeals are to be filed by March 2 t st.
3. PUBLIC HEARING TM 53075
135-9 Genoa St.
Hank Jong
Consideration.ofa tentative map fora 5cunit residential condomiirium project.
The staff report was preSented and the public hearing was opened.
Scott Chang, EGL Assoc., U 823 Slauson, Santa Fe Springs, said they are in agreement with all of
the conditions in the staff report.
No one else spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item.
Chairman Bruckner closed the;public hearing.
MOTION
It was. moved by Commissioner Huang, 'seconded by Commissioner Murphy to approve TM
53075 subject to the conditions listed in the staffreport.
ROLLCALL:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Commissioner Huang, Murphy, Bruckner
None
Commissioners Kalernkiarian and Sleeter
Chairman Bruckner noted thatthere isa.ten day'appeal period. Appeals are to be filed by March 300.
NON PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
4. SADR 99-074
1.130 S. Baldwin Ave., #B-]
Erwin Jones ofMina- Tree Signs
Consideration ofan appeal of the conditional approval for two wall signs for "Charles
Schwab". The modification portion. of this hearing (MP 2000-5) has been withdrawn by the
applicant.
The staff report was presented.
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Staff explained that the proposed signs are too far apart. The separation needs to be reduced. The
letters need to be moved closer together, to comply with the City's sign regulations.
In response to a colllII1ent by Chairman Bruckner, Ms. Butler said that the sign must fit into a
specific box area As the allowed box gets smaller, the sign will be reduced in size. Because of the
channel letters, and the distance between the signs, this lookS like two separate signs and not one
sign.
Staff said that the sign as proposed in the. English characters are twice the size of the non-English.
There is a 2 to 1 ratio, which exceeds code requirements. The building has a lot of architectural
features and the applicant's intent is to put the sign in the middle of the columns to give it a visual
balance. Their reasoning for spreading out the non-English letters is to make the sign visibly
balance with the English characters.
Coqrrnissioner Murphy thought that they need to comply with the ordinance.
Ernie Jones, 1233 E. Roilald, Stockton, submitted a revised plan that he said complied with code.
After examining the new plan distributed by Mr. Jones, Chairman Bruckner said that he could not
see any difference with what has been proposed and wmit was distributed. He thoughtthey were the
same.
Mr. Jones explained that what he distributed shows the reveals of the building. Their'intent was to
balance out the sign in between the columns of the building. If they are not allowed to do that the
sign would look out of balance. Most of the tenants in .this center have been allowed to center their
signs between the columns.
Chaitman Bruckner remarked that the code is very specific. He statedthat,not aU of' the signs are
centered. He wanted the integrity of the ordinance to be maintained.
Council Member Marshall thought that the sign would look much nicer if the non-English characters
were underneath the English letters.
Commissioner Huang thought they need. to comply with the sign ordinance. He suggested
condensing the non-English characters to accomplish the 1/3 rule and to make in proportion with the
English characters.
Ms. Butler said the code is specific. If their request is approved, she feared that it would set a
precedent. She did not think that the signs should be too far apart. She remarked that there are other
tenants that. have more than one unit and some of their signs are spread across the architectUral
features. She thought that the sign should be in proportion and centered within the two units. She
recommended that design No, 2, on Page 2 ofExluoit B be approved. The sign needs to comply
with the l/3-2/3 regulation and the characters need to be closer to each other.
Commissioner Murphy agreed. He did not want to make an exception.
Staff said that the location of the sign on the building is not an issue.
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It was the consensus of the Planning Commission to suggest that the sign be on"two lines -with the.
large English characters on top and the Smaller non-English characters on the bottom.
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Murphy, seconded by Commissioner Huang to deny the
appeal ofSADR 99-074. :
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Commissioner Huang, Murphy, BruckIler
None
Commissioners Kalemkiarian and Sleeter
MA TTERSFROM CITY COUNCIL
Council Member Marshall summarized the election activity.
MATTERS FROM PLANNING COMMlSSON
Commissioner Murphy commended City Staff and the California Conservation Core for all their
assistance during the storms; He even saw the City Manager assisting them by putting up cones.
MODIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING ACTIONS
Commissioner Huang recapped the actions taken by the Modification Committee.
MATTERs FROM STAFF
1. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS
2. UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS
Ms. Butlerinforrnedthe PlAnning Commission of upcoming agenda items.
ADJOURNMENT
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