Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMAY 8, 2001 . . . MINUTKS . Arcadia City Planning Commission Tuesday, May 8, 2001 7:15 p.m. in tbe Council Chambers Planning Commission proceedings are tapeorecorded and on file in the office of the Community Development Division. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pl~nnine Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, May 8, 2001 at 7:15 p.m. in the Council Chamber~ of the City of Arcadia, at 240 W. Huntington Drive with Chairman Murphy presiding. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Commissioners Bruckner, Huang, Kalemkiarian, Olson, Murphy ABSENT: None' 011rERS ATTENDING Council Member Gail Marshall Development Services Department, Don Penman Planning Services Manager Corkran Nicholson Associate Planner, James Kasama Assistant PlannerCandyceBurnett Secretary Silva Vergel SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS Mr. Nicholson stated that a revised Page 3 of Minutes and sevetalletters have been distributed with regard to public hearings on tonight's agenda. TIME RESERVED FOR THOSE IN THEcAUOIENCE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON NONopUBLIC HEARING MATTERS (5 MINUTE LIMIT PER PERSON) None 1. MINUTES of 4/1 % 1 MOTION It was moved 'by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Bruckner to approve the Minutes of AprillOtb as revised. ROLL CALL: . . AYES:' NOES: Commissioners Bruckner, Huang, Kalemkiarian, Olson, Murphy None 2. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING MP 01-002 -380 W. Norman Ave. Josh Hoang Huang . Consideration of.a 30'-0" westerly street ~ide yard setback in lieu of a 40'-0" special setback required along Holly Ave. for a new dwelling. This item is continued to the Planning Commission's May 22nd meeting. 3. PUBLIC HEARING TM.53448 45-51 Bonita Ave. Hank Jong Consideration of a tentative map for a 6"unit residential condominium project. The staff report waS presented ana the public hearing was opened. Scott Chang, 11823 Slauson Ave., Santa Fe Springs, said they were in agreement with all of the conditions in the staff report. . No one else spoke in favor or opposition to this.item. Chairman Murphy closed the public hearing. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Kalemkiarian, sec.onded by Commissioner,OIson.to approve TM 53448 subjectto the conditions listed in the staffreport. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: Commissioners Bruckner, Huang, Kalemkiarian, Olson, Murphy None Chairman Murphy noted that there is a ten day appeal period. Appeals are to be tiled by May 21. 4. PUBLIC HEARING TM 53491 1029 Sunset Blvd. Hank Jong Consideration of a tentative map for a 6-unit residential condominium project. The staff report was presented and the public hearing was opened. Arcadia City Pla.riliin,g Commission 2 5/8/01 Sc~tt Chang, 11823 Slauso~ve., Santa Fe Springs, said they W'in agreement with all of the conditions in the staff report. No one else spoke in favor or opposition to this item. Chairman Murphy closed the public hearing. MOTION lrwas moved by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Huang to approve TM 53491 subject to the conditions listed in the staff report. ROLLCALL: AYES: NOES: Commissioners Bruckner, HUang, Kalemkiarian, Olson, Murphy None Chairman Murphy noted that there is a ten day appeal period. Appeals are to be filed by May 21. 5. PUBLIC HEARING TPM 01-005 24-26 El Dorado St; Chia- Hao Chang Consideration ofa tentative parcel map for a 2-unit residential condominium project. The staff report was presented. and the public hearing was opened. Tom Kao, Tritech Assoc., 135 N. San Gabriel Blvd., San Gabrie1,said they are in agreement with all of the conditions in the staff report. No one else spoke in favor or opposition to this .item. Chairman Murphy closed the public hearing. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Huang, }econded by Commissioner Bruckner to approve TPM 01-005 subject to the conditions listed in the staff,report. ' ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: Commissioners Bruckner, Huang, Ka:lemkiarian, Olson, Murphy None Chairman Murphy noted'thatthere is a ten day appeal period. Appeals are to be tiled by May 21. Arcadia City Planning Conunisswn 3 5/8.101 . . 6. PUBLIC HEARING MP 01-005 317 Warren Way Binh K. Do Consideration of modifications for a proposed rebuild of an existing one-story dwelling. The staff report was presented and the public hearing was opened. Binh Do, 8821 Garvey, Rosemead, said they are in agreement with all of the conditions in the staff report. - No one else spoke in favor or opposition to this item. Chairman Murphy closed the public hearing. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Ka1emkiarian, seconded by Commissioner Bruckner to approve MP 01-005 subject to the conditions listed in the staff report. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: Commissioners Bruckner, Huang, Kalemkiarian,OIson, Murphy None Chairman Murphy noted that there isa five working day appeal period. Appeals are to be filed by May 15. 7. PUBLIC HEARING cup 01-008 1023 S. Baldwin Ave. Margaret Wong Consideration of a conditional use permit to expand the hours of operation for an existing computer arcade from 5:00 p.ITh-1:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m., and.to increase the number of computer stations from 20 to 30. The staffreport was presented. Mr. Nicholson said that a petition was submitted representing individuals that own businesses within the same center, some of whom are withdrawing their original opposition With regard to the Police Report, hesaid,that there was a report that customers were there:prior to 5:00 p.m. and utilizing the'machines. The public hearing was opened. Margaret Wong, 2211 S 8th. Steven Rab~ 848 W. Huntington Dr., said that currently they have 20 stations. Their customers are both kids and adults who come there and engage in activities with each other and/or intemetactivities. They Arcadia City Planning Commission 4 5/8/0 1 . . check in when they come in and check outCwhen they are done. They have incurred a problem when they first open because many show up at the same time right when they open. It is because of this reason that they are requesting the increased number of machines. They'believe that the increased machines will alleviate any waiting time. They have a waiting room for their customers who are waiting to use their machines, so that they are not loitering. Itis not their intent to increase their customer base by increasing the machines. They are just trying to accommodate their current clientele. They are not attracting clients from outside the City. Playtime is generally one hour, They also feel that changing the opening hour to earlier time would help in the "bottle neck" situation. They just want to meet the demand. WIth regard to the parking issue, he said that one reason for the 5:00 p.m. opening was so there would be no parking problem because most of the businesses are closed by then. But, most ofhis clients that come at that early hour are .students who ride their 'bikes or carpool. These bikes are stored on bike racks within their unit. With regard to the Police Report,.hefelt that they really were not in violation of the.spirit of the law. The kids are thereto tise the,machines. In response to complaints, by his neighbor, Mr. Patel, owner of Discount Video, they added sound deadening boards in the wall and ceiling to reduce the noise. They have done everything .in their power to accommodate Mr. Patel, going so far as offering him some of the supplies so that he could build up his side of the wall and ceiliilg. But, Mr. Patel wanted him to do that portion for him. He refused and eventually they discarded the excess material. This has drastically reduced the noise level to their neighbor. Their speakers are not facing his establishment. He described their floor plan. He silid that they have couches set up with free games for the kids who are waiting so that they have something to do instead of just wondering around in the plaza. They originally started out with the focus on networking and sales but that. portion of the business has not been as .successful,although, they still provide that service. They are generallybtisier on weekends. He thoughtthat they might have a 40% occupancy during the week. He felt discriminated against and explained that the bar and restaurant have customers who will walk outside and smoke right in front. Yet, his customers are not allowed to do so. Because of complaints, he has requested from his customers to walk away from Discount Video to smoke. His customers do not generate a lot of noise. Most of the businesses in the center are in, favoT of the increased hours. His customers patroniZe the other businesses in the center, such as the hair salon, optometrist, and the food establishments. Anna Hym, 1019 S. Baldwin, owner ofJheCleaners, asked how this CUP ~as approved? This is not a good influence on kids. To allow kids to stay out that late carmot be good. She did not think that parking is an issue. Speaking as a parent, the more important issue is thai kids can stay out late here. Is it really a safe place for them? In response to a question by Commissioner Kalemkiarian, she said that the kids do gather around outside and many times she has witnessed them smoking. Some even wait on the other side ofthe street waiting to be picked up. In rebuttal, Mr. Rabi said in all their dealings with many of the owners and managers of the uses in the center, they have never met Ms. Hym. He thought that she probably has them confused with the other video store which is located on DtIarte Rd. He said that parents should deal with their kids if they are out too late. He can only say that if they are there at that late hour, they are either over 18 OT have permission to. be there. He agreed that school kids do need to go home and study. He could not say that Arcadia'City Planning CommiSsion s 5/8/01 . . . the cars that are parked there for several hours are his customers. He asked that they'd be able to open earlier when schools have minimum days and during the summer. Ms. Wong also indicated that this cannot be the owner of the cleaners in their center. They have never seen nor spoken with her. No one else spoke in favor or opposition to this item. Chairman Murphy closed the public hearing. Commissioner Kalemkiarian remarked that the parking survey showed no count when his business was open. Mr. Nicholson replied that the majority of the businesses close at 5:00 p.m. This is a random count survey. In response to a question by Commissioner Huang, he said that the other similar type use which was approved recently by the Planning Commission is at 651 W. Duarte Rd. They have 30 stations and are offering classes during the day. Chairman Murphy was concerned with the size and parking. The applicant originally request 20 stations and that'is exactly what he got but now he wants to increase it. Commissioner Olson said that this is just not a good center. Parking will always be an issue. He did not think that the increased stations would increase the demand for parking drastically. Although, code looks at this use as an "arcade", it really is not. As he mentioned for the other use on Duarte Rd., this is the wave of the future. He did not have a problem with the increased hours. He felt that his request to open earlier on minimum days and summer time was reasonable. He would not mind his kids going here. Their machines would be nice to work on because they offer high speed DSL lines. Commissioner Bruckner said that this is a new type of a use. They have been open only 3-4 months. This is not enough time for them to basis an expansion on. There seems to be an impact, otherwise the applicant would not be here requesting this and be defensive about his customers smoking. He felt they should be open for one year and if there are no problems at that time they can consider extending hours and the number of machines. But, to do so now is pTernature. He felt that they made a reasonable decision when they originally approved this. This use seems to have a negative impact on others. He was not inclined to approve and expand a use that has been operating for only 3-4 months and increase it by 50%. Chairman Murphy agreed that this action would be premature. There is a problem there. Adding 10 more stations will only add to the problem. He felt that the use should be there for a while before increasing the number of stations. He did not mind extending the hours. Commissioner Kalemkiarian was agreeable with extending the hours. The youth in the City need to have a place to go. He could not see how the parking could be a problem and understood the applicant's frustration. He couldn't see how adding more stations would make a difference. Commissioner Huang had no problems with extending the hours to 1 :00 p.m. He felt that would be fair. He suggested continuing the item, if the Planning Commission felt they needed more time to evaluate it. Araulia City Planning Commission 6 5/S/01 Co~sioner Bruckner felt !Y should be in operation for one y! prior to granting them more machines. He felt that applicant has mislead them. Commissioner Olson thought 1 :00 p.m. Commissioner Kalemkiarian asked Commissioner Bruc\aier why he objected to increasing the numbe! of machines? Commissioner Bruckner replied that would be increasing the business by 50% which would increase the number of kids by 50%. Originally, this applicant sold this business as a sales and educational office. He was appalled by his tactics. Mr. NicholSon said that this is not only a video 'game arcade. Commissioner Bruckner said that this was sold to them as primarily an educational type of an establishment with a sales office and there would also be video games on site, incidental to the main use. Commissioner Olson said the location that Commissioner Bruckner is referring to is the one on Duarte Rd. and not this one. Commissioner Kalemkiarian said this was presented to them as internet gaming. At the last meeting, Mr. Rabi indicated that players could play against each other. He did not think that they should have to wait. Mr. Nicholson said that it is difficult to discuss this due to lack of experience in dealing With this type of a business. He suggested,revisiting this issue at a set date If the Planning Commission approves it. Discussion ensued with regard to when to revisit the issue and whether to exti:nd the hours of operation. It was the consensus, of the Planning Commission to revisit this'issue 9-months from the original date of approval of January 9th. The extension of hours to 1:00. p.m. was,agreed by all. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Kalemkiarian, seconded by Commissioner Olson to approve CUP 01-008 subject to the conditions listed in. the staffreport and directed. staff to prepare the appropriate resolution. The approval grants the applicant to open at 1 :00 p.rn. Planning Commission is to review the issue 9-tnonths from the original date of approval (J8O. 9). The number of stations are to remain as,the original approval (20). - ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: Commissioners Bruckner, Huang, Kalemkiarian, Olson, Murphy None Chairman Murphy noted that there is a five working day appeal period after the adoption of the resolution. The resolution will be adopted on May 22 Arcadia City Plarmijlg Corrimissi9n 7 5/8/01 . . 8. TEXT AMENDMENT 2000-001 Los Angeles Turf Club A request to continue Section 1 of Ordinance 2119 to allow horseracing and other sporting and special events of a national odnternational signIficance to be telecast via satellite feed . seven (7) days a week until no later than 1 :30 a.m. Mr. Penman presented the staff report. Mr. Penman said the primary alternative was to approve the extension with a sunset clause. It would remain unless the City Council rescinded the approval. Since there have been no activities,at the race track, it is difficult to make changes and to compare, so they have not been able to apply the performance standards that were set. Police Dept. has not had any complaints with regard to off track betting. . The public hearing was opened. Pete Siberell, Santa Anita Race Track, 285 W. Huntington Dr., was present to support staff's recommendation. They had plarmed on,havIng a couple of outdoor eventsbui after reviewing the events they felt that it would not make financial sense. Many of the events that were discussed were deemed not to be marketable. He did not object to the sunset clause. Vince Foley, 320 Cambridge, said that one year ago he spoke adamantly against this. He felt that the dialogue last year was vei'yconstructive. The race track has reached out to the community and,haS even had dialogue with the City's HOAs. They have shown theirconcem to the area neighbors. Th~yhave always been agood neighbor. In the past year, their management has tried very hard and made efforts to get to know the community and reach out He believed that if they did have events there, Santa,Anita would ,pay special attention to them because they are truly concerned abouttheir neighbors. David Medina, 332 Harvard, said that his property abuts Santa Anita. He agreed with Mr. Foley's comments. They have indeed made numerous efforts to be a good neighbor. He supported the extension. No one 'else spoke in favor or opposition to this item. Chairman Murphy closed the public hearing. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Bruckner, seconded by Commissioner Olson to reconunend approval ofTA 2000-001 to the City Council. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: Commissioners Bruckner, Huang, Kalemkiarian, Olson, Murphy None Arcadia City Planning Commission 8 518/01 . . 9. TEXTAMENDMENT 2001-002 Consideration ofa text amendment creating a new section in the S-1 (Special Use) Zone adding design review procedures for new structures, additions and exterior alterations at the Santa Anita Race Track. Mr. Penman presented the staffreport. Commissioner Bruckner asked if any portions of the building, particularly the grandstands are eligible for National Registrar as far as historic issues. Would it be appropriate add a condition that any building eligible for listing and any alterations to the site be compatible with nationally recogruZedstandards for dealIng with historic. structures. Mr. Penman said this issue has been discussed with Santa Anita They have expreSsed concern with doing that because this would bring in a different level of review. He suggested that if the Planning Commission believes that.is an appropriate condition then they should recommend it to City Council. From a CEQA standpoint, whether it is on the register or not, they would look at it, regardless. That is mandated under CEQA. Anything that is reviewed by Planning Commission or City Council and is considered a discretionary action would require CEQA review and they would have to look at historic preservation and architecture. Commissioner Bruckner said that he is talking about standards that are nationally recognized that provide and also recognize the need for flexibility and modernization of spaces but also set"the ground work for how the process would be done on a going forward basis and acknowledge that there are buildings there of significant historic quality and therefore, standards that are used throughout the country and have a great track record of working well might be added. The public hearing was opened. Pete Siberell, Santa Anita, 285 W. Huntington Dr., said that they are m agreement with this recommehdation. Mr. Penman said that they have discussed this with their corporate representatives. When the City Council discussed this ata Study Session, they had a couple of their representatives present. He did not know how they would feel with regard to issues. raised by Commissioner Bruckner. They are well aware 6fthis and have notraised any objectiQns to the pr(jcess. Vince Foley, 320 Cambridge, said that his previous remarks hold true here also. He strongly recommended.the ADR procedure. Scott Sayer, 444 W. Huntington, was in favor of placing future alterations to the grandstand under the purview of the city. He was surprised, and rather distUrbed, to learn that thls was not already the case. At least, the city is belatedly correcting this very large oversight. He went on to say that there is no mention of the Interior Department's guidelines for remodeling historic structures. Unquestionably, the grandstands have historic content. He has had some tangential experience with the federal guidelines. They are very explicit, and qUite different from the directives listed in item 9273.2.11 A,B, C, D, and E. He suggest that, before this is approved, staff should review Arcadia City PhlMiog CoottriiSsion 9 518/01 . . it against the federal standards. At least, add some direction to staff in the text regarding when to invoke those gUidelines. There is no mention of the state mandated CEQA process. It is his. understanding that the CEQA statutes ,contain their own requirements for triggering an EIR. However, if so, somehow this was overlooked when the grandstands were altered, or rather adulterated, by the current track ownership. Perhaps, this is covered in other parts of the city code. But, if it is, there isn't any linking language in this text. This should be checked by staff. Though the applicant has been asked to prepare a specific plan for the property, there is no mention in the text Tegarding exactly what circumstances require a specific plan, or a modification 'to one. Perhaps, this is'alsocov'ered in other parts of the city code. Staff should check before approving this. There's time to address these issues. Santa Anita Racetrack is currently number nine on the National Trust for Historic:preservation's list of most endangered historic places in the country. He was pleased that the city is finally taking some steps to protect this resource in our town. It's too late for Anoakia. Maybe, they can do the right thing this time. No one else spoke in favor or opposition to this item. Chairman. Murphy closed the public ,hearing. Mr. Penman said that he is not very familiar with federal guidelines. If that is the recommendation, staff will research and try to present to the City Council with more iriformation. This item is scheduled before the City Council on June Stli. The zoning ordinance does not need to mention CEQA because CEQA is'present. It is a requirement of law. CEQA guidelines have been adopted by the City and any time there is a discretionary .decision made, CEQA review is. done. It begins with initial study and then a determination is made on what level of environmental reView is required. That is automatically present,and does not need to be in the zoning ordinance. The General Plan' (GP) requires a specific plan or a master plan when the south parking lot is developed for the entire site. If they were to proceed with only a portion of development, specifically related to the, race track, according to the GP they would not need a specific plan for the who Ie site but other issues would be triggered.. It would still require an EIR because of potential impacts. There is a trigger in the GP for when a specific plan is required. If it is just directly related to the race,track itseU;it would still have to go throUgh full CEQA review and public hearings before both the Planning Commission and the City Council. He felt that there is no need to specifically reference the GP or specific plan in the design review objectives. The GP already requires a specific plan if they would be developing any commercial or non-horse racing related. He went on to say that the City does not have a historic preservation ordinance but there is a state model that can be utilizedlf a local agency would like to implement it. CEQA review would require the City to consider those and findings could be made ona project based on the CEQA review in terms of establishing conditions or mitigation measures for preservation. Some of the language in the proposal discusses some of the objectives of maintaining the architectural compatibility with the existing grandstand architecture but it does not go as far as Commissioner Bruckner suggested of actually having utilizing federal or state standards. The fact that it is eligible would force staff to look at it in the environmental impact report. If the Plarming Commission would like them to consider it, they could recommend to the City Council that staff research this and in the report to the City Council what that would translate into in terms of review process and what would have to be adopted and implemented. Arcadia City Planning Commission 10 SI8/01 . . Commissioner Bruck!1er said .that it would be a shame if at the minimum they did not acknowledge that there are historic resources on the site and compatibility with historic resources. He suggested that the Planning Commission ask that staff, research this. and volunteered his staff from the Historic Preservation Department from the City of Pasadena He thought that it is very important to at the least provide some boundaries when the review is on-going. These have been adopted by many communities and have worked very well: MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Bruckner, seconded by Commissioner l(alemkiarian to' recommend approval of TA 20pl"002 to the City Council. The Planning Commission recommends including the acknowledgement of the number of potential historic resources on this site and require that staff investigate Federal Secretary of the Interior standards. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: Commissioners Bruckner, Huang, Kalemkiarian, Olson, Muiphy None NON"PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS 10. MP 00-028 444 W. Los Altos ley Chung Consideration of revised designs for a single-family dwelling. The 'staff report was presented. Staff said that the applicant is. in agreement with staff's recommendations. Mr. Nicholson said that this is an improvement over what was previously proposed. MOTION It was moved by. Commissioner Bruckner, seconded by Commissioner Olson to approve the revisions to MP 00-028 subject to the conditions listed in the staff report. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: Commissioners Bruckner, Huang, Kalemkiarian, Olson, Murphy None MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL Council Member Marshall summarized the recent actions taken by City Council. She mentioned that she hoped,to have an "Arcadia Veteran's Guest Book" available in the Historic Museum when it opens. All Arcadia residents and/or staff members who are veterans are welcome to corne in and sign this book. Arcadia City Plamiing CoIIuDissioD '11 511l/O1 . . She discussed 'in length how she visited Merle Norman, a histone museum in Sylmar that houses personal train car of Clara Baldwin. She also indicated that another train car belonging to Anita Baldwin was located in the east and she thought it would be very nice to have it brought over here. MATIERS FROM PLANNING COMMISSION None MODIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING ACTIONS Commissioner Olson recapped the actions taken by Modification Committee. MATIERS FROM STAFF 1. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS 2, UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS Mr.. Nicholson surinnarized the actions taken by City Council and the upcoming Planning Commission items. ADJOURN Secretary, Arcadia Planning Commission Arcadia City Planning Commission 12 518/01