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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFEBRUARY 27, 2001 . @) . MINUTES . Arcadia City Planning Cnmmisslon Tuesday, February 27, 2001 7: 15 p.m. in the Council Cham hers 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, February 27,2001 at 7:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City of Arcadia, at 240 W. HuntingtonDrive with Chairman Murphy presiding. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Commissioners Huang, Olson, Murphy ABSENT: Commissioners Bruckner and Kalemkiarian MOTlON It was moved by Commissioner Huang, seconded by Commissioner Olson to excuse Commissioners Bruckner and Kalerrtkiarian from tonight's meeting, The, motion passed by voice vote with.none dissenting. OTHERS ATTENDING Council Member Chang Community Development Administrator Donna Butler Assistant Planner Kenneth Phung Secretary Silva Vergel SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMA nON FROM 8T AFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS None MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Huang to read aU resolutions by title only and waive reading the fully body of the resolution. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. . TIME RESERVED' FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON NON-PUBLIC HEARING MA TIERS (5 MINUTE LIMIT PER PERSON) None 1. MINUTES of2/13/01 . . MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Huang to approve the MinUlesofFebruary 13th as published. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Huang, Olson, Murphy None Commissioners Bruckner and Kalemkiarian 2. PUBLIC HEARING TPM 01-003 18.Alice St. Hank long Consideration ofa tentative parcel map for a2-unit residential condominium project. The staff report was presented and the public hearing was opened. No one spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item. Chairman Murphy closed the public hearing. Commissioner Huang said that they have already approved and.reviewed modifications for this project. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Huang, seconded by'Commissioner Olson to approve TPM 01- 003 subject to the conditions listed in the staff report. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Huang, Olson, Murphy None Commissioners. Brucl91er and Kalemkiarian Chairman Murphy noted that there is a ten-day appeal period. Appeals are to be filed.by March 12th . 3. PUBLIC HEARING CUP 01-004 639 W. Duarte Rd. Rachel.Chung Consideration of a conditional use permit for the on-site sale of beer and wine at an existing eating establishment that is located within 150' of residentially zoned property, RESOLUTION NO. 1635 Arcadia City Planning Commission 2 2111/01 . . A ,resOlution of the Planning Commission, of the City of Arcadia, granting CUP 01-004 for the on-site sale of beer. and wine at an existing eating establishment located within ISO' of residential property at 639 W. Duarte Rd. The staff report was presented. Staff said that prior to receiving State approval (ABC), the city would need to approve their request. This permit would allow them.to serve alcoholic beverages. The public hearing was opened. Jeremiah Javier, Gary Wang & Assoc., 639 W. Duarte Rd., was present on behalfofthe applicant. No one else spoke in favor of or in opposition to this itelTh Chairman MUrphy closed the public hearing, In response to a question by Chairman MUrphy, Ms.. Butler said that it IS not necessary to add a condition with regard to obtaining approval from ABC. That is a mandatory requirement. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissiqner Huang to approve CUP 01- 004 and adopt Reso. 1635 subject to the conditions listed 'in the staff report, ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Huang, Olson, MUrphy None Commissioners.Bruckner and Kalemkiarian Chairman MUrphy noted that there is a five working-day appeal period after the adoption of the resolution. Appeals are to be filed by March 6, 200 I. 4. PUBLIC HEARING CUP 01-006 65 r W. Duarte Rd. Huang Ke Consideration ofa conditional use permit to operate a computer arcade from II :00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m, 7-days a week. RESOLUTION NO. .1634 A resolution of the Planning Commission, of the City of Arcadia, granting CUP 01-006 to operate a computer. arcade from 11:00 a.m to I :00 a.m., 7-daysa week at 651 W. Duarte Rd. The staff report was presented. Staffsaid that the Planning Commission.approved a similar typeofan establishment on Baldwin Ave. Arcadia City Planning Commission 3 2127/01 . . Chairman Murphy remarked that the location on Baldwin only has lOunits. He asked where a bike.rack would be located. He could not see a logical location for it. He thought that most of their customers would be younger than 16 years old and a bike would be their primary'source of transportation. Ms. Butler said the location of the bike rack would have to be approved. They could create an area inside the building similar to what they did on Baldwin Ave. There are no standards as far as how many bike racks they must have. This type of an establishment appeals to high school students who would be able to have quick access to the internet; Tqere was an article in the Arcadia Weekly with regard to this type of businesses, specifically the location on Baldwin. The photo in the paper showed high school students who patronize them They have hired. high school students who work there and assist their customers if they need help. The City would have the ability to revoke the CUP if problems arise. Commissioner Olson was concerned with the Memo from the Police Dept., which he thought was vague. - , Commissioner Huang agreed. He asked if they have any problems with tbese establishments? Ms. Butler said they have not noted problems with the location on Baldwin. The Police Dept; was comfortable with 30 units. At a later date. if they decide to add more machines, they would need a new CUP. Originally, when tbe arcade was opened at the comer of Duarte Rd. & Second Ave., it was tbought that problems would be associated with it but that has not happened. The Police Dept; keeps,an eye out for potential problems. They have to act based upon evidence rather than the possibility or assumption that there might be problems. Staff said that the applicant has not indicated whether they would have an on-site security guard. He stated that the applicant had indicated that they would like to provide beverage vending machine. Ms. Butler said the Planning Commission could require a security guard as a condition of approval. She indicated that condition 5 was deleted based on advice from the City Attorney, She was not sure how many and what kind of computers the library had available. She noted that the location on Baldwin is adjacent to a multiple-family project. The patrons could use these computers to play interactive games, to surf and research tbe internet or use their software. The public hearing was opened. Ke Huang, said they are in.agreement with all of tbe conditions listed in the staff report. He noted that the arcade portion would be only part of the business. They would be offering super fast machines. They are contemplating offering morning training classes ranging from web design to certificate courses. These classes would be free to City' employees and on Tuesdays seniors could take classes at no cbarge.Basically, they are offering the opportunity for their patrons to lease their computers on site. They will be installing top of the line software. Their internet access would be reliable and fast. Their customers can design web sites, play interactive games, research the internet or do 'their homework. Many of their software programs are expensive and tbeir patrons would not have to worry about purchasing them They also provide computer solutions for small business. They are an all purpose computer service lab. Their goal is to meet the community's needs. They are planning on hiring a security guard to ensurea safeenvironrnent for their patrons and the high school students. Arcadia City PJanning Commission 4 2127/01 . . Commissioner Huang asked how many employees would there be'at anyone time? How do they plan to advertise their classes and their training hours? He wanted to see their business plan. Does the applicant have any experience in this type of a business? Mr. Ke said that in addition to the security guard, they would have three full time employees at all time who would maintain the server, assist customers and students with the use of the computers, teach them how to use the,intemet and provide basic computer information. Theyplan to advertise their services in the local paper. Their training would probably be from 8-11 a.m. This is their first computer lab. Chairman Murphy said that in their packet, they received a letter of opposition that included a copy of their flyer which was dated December 2000. This flyer indicates that there are almost 70 machines available. It appears from this flyer that the emphasis of the bilsiness would be. mostly the games. He could not see how they could offer all the above services. How can they offer training, be a computer lab and at the same time be a game arcade? He was not comfortable with this concept. He asked that if this is a computer lab then why would they be providing a securIty guard? ' !'vir, Ke said that this would not be jlist ail arcade but also a computer lab. He anticipated that most of their patrons would be there after school. The purpose ofrhe security guard would be to avoid any possible problems. The interactive games would allow their patrons to play against each other. They have plenty of space within the building for a bike rack. They are not open yet for business. Henry Wong, 22i1 S. Eight Ave., was concerned that this deserted center would become a gathering location for undesirable activity and mischievous children would gather there and go to the liquor store and purchase liquoran<,i cigarettes. There is a large parking lot with a liquor store at one corner. Ms. Butler said that it would be unfair to the applicant to deny this request based upon whilt'the kids might do once they leave his premises. It is up to the liquor store to moIiitor their customers. They have to comply with regulations that apply to liquot'Stores. The applicant cannot control.his customers once they leave his store, Mr. Ke said the other businesses in the center would benefit from his business. He submitted a petition signed by businesses who were in favor of this use. No one else spoke in.favor of or in. opposition to this.item. Chairman Murphy closed the public hearing. Commissioner Olson asked if the old 99~ Only store space is vacant? Has anyone submitted plans to occupy that space? He was concerned that with a wide open parking lot and vacant stores, kids would hang around without supervision. He asked how late the restaurant stayed open? Ms. Butler replied that the space is still vacant. There were proposed plans but the applicants backed out. She felt that a security guard could help with the activities there. The city has .not experienced a serious problem with similar establishments. The on-site restaurant is open late, Staffsaid that the.restattrant can stay open until I :00 a.m. but due to lack of business, they close earlier. Chairman Murphy said the Baldwin location was approved for 10 stations. The difference between them is that the location on Baldwin is primarily a computer store with stations in the back but the Arcadia City Planning Commission 5 2127/01 , . . . proposed use is an arcade. Almost everyone has computers at home. Most of these kids probably take computer classes at school and use their. computers at home. To him it was logical to draw the conclusion that the kids would go there only to play the interactive games and nothing else. He did not feel comfortable with that and his instincts told him that this was definitely not a good idea. Plus, the applicant does. not have a good business plan. This is too critical to approve. He could not support it. In response to a question by Commissioner Huang, staff said thanhe anonymous letter was the only one received. There was. one person who called and inquired but it is possible that the letter.was written by the same person. He said that.the location on Baldwin is approved for 20 stations. Ms. Butler explained that if the applicant decided to offer training classes the CUP would have to be amended. The Planning Commission can limit the hours of arcade activities. Commissioner Huang was troubled with 30 stations. He did not feel comfortable with that number, He thought their hours should be similar to others that they have already approved. He noted that this parcel is adjacent to a residential use., He wanted to see a business plan prior to approving that would address the arcade portion as well as the training aspect of the business. The business p Ian should outline how they are proposing to implement their plans? He noted that they do not have experience with a training center or an arcade. He Was not totally against this proposal but did not feel comfortable with it as propOsed. Commissioner Olson was not opposed to reducing their hours to midnight because he wasconcemed that they would be the only business in the center open that late. He thought their layout of30 stations was nice. This is the trend. Unfortunately, not everyone has computers or ones that are as fast. Kids want filst computers. and it is frustrating to work with dated computers. The Library is very crowded. This,type ora business will benefit and seJ"Ve the needs of the community. Since the kids would have to pay for theirseJ"Vices, he thought this was a useful tool to do things other than just play games. With regard to the letter in oppOsition, he said that the writer seemed to raise many incorred issues. There was a lot of misunderstanding and misrepresentation iri said letter. Therefore, he discounted the letter. Times are changing. He would rather see this type ofause than a true arcade with pinball machines. He liked the idea of offering classes and hoped that if they approved it, they could reach out to the community and offer classes. He was-in favor of the' use. He did share the same concern that a business plan was not included. He felt comfortable with the ability to revoke the CUP should problems arise. Chairman Murphy said that he would be in favor of this if it was a tutoring school or a computer lab. But, this.is an arcade. The applicant has not submitted a legitimate business plan. He felt that it would be presumptuous of them to approve something that is this radical. This should be denied. The applicantcanthenappeal to City Council who can make that decision. He thought that this is a decision that the City Council should make. Ms. Butler said that it is obvious that the application will not be approved tonight. She suggested continuing this hearing to allow the two absent Commissioners the oPpOrtunity to voice their opinions and to allow the applicant the opportunity to provide additional information. The applicant will incur an appeal fee if this is dehied. This is the wave of the future. Commissioner Huang thought that continuance was a,good option. He wanted to'see more information. Commissioner Olson agreed. He suggested to the applicant to be well prepared. He was interested to see how they would advertise and some of the flyers, Arcadia City Planning Commission 6 2127101 . ~ . . . . Chairman Murphy thought it would be a good idea to get input from the two absent Commissioners. He asked who was the anonymous letter from? Ms. Butler indicated that all tenants and residents withiii a 300' radius were notified of tonight's meeting. A new public hearing notice would not be mailed out for the continued hearing. Chairman Murphy re-opened the public hearing and asked Mr. Ke if he was in agreement with the continuance? . Mr. Ke was in agreement with the continUance. Commissioner Huang said that he wanted to see Mr. Ke's commitment-on the training portion of the business and how he would address the arcade portion in his business plan. MOTION It was moved by. Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Huang to continue the public hearing to the Planning Commission's,March 27m meeting. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Huang, Olson, Murphy None Commissioners Bruckner and Kalemkiarian MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL Council Member Chang recapped the recent actions taken by City Council. MATTERS FROM PLANNING COMMISSION None MODIFICAtION COMMITTEE MEETING ACTIONS Commissioner Olson recapped thee actions taken by mod Commissioner. MATTERS FROM STAFF 1. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS 2. UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS None ADJOUfu'l TO MARCH 27 8:30,p;iii. /-) ./ , - ,.~ , tt::' ~. ." 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