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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMAY 14, 2002 (i) . . MINUTES Arcadia City Planning Commission Tuesday, May 14,2002 7:15 p.m. in the Council Cbamben 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, May 14, 2002 at 7:15 p.rn. in the Council,Charnbers of the City of Arcadia, at 240 W. Huntington Drive with Chairman Kalemkiarian presiding. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: ABSENT: Commissioners Baderian, Murphy, Olson, Kalemkiarian Commissioner Huang MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Kalemkiarian, seconded by Commissioner Olson to excuse Commissioner Huang from tonight's meeting. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. OTHERS ATTENDING Council Member John Wuo Community Development Administrator Donna Butler Associate Planner Joe Lambert Senior Administrative Assistant Silva Vergel SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS Ms. Butler said a.revised agenda Was distn"buted. TIME RESERVED FOR,THOSEIN THEAVDIENCE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON NON-PUBLIC HEARING MATTERS (5 MINUTE LIMIT PER PERSON) None MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Baderian to read all resolutions by title only and waive reading the full body of the resolution. The motion passed by voice vo.te with none dissenting. 1. MINUTES 4/23/02 . . MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Baderian to approve the Minutes of April23ri1 as published. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Baderian, Murphy, Olson, Kalemkiarian None Commissioner Huang Commissioner Huang arrived at 7:20 p.rn. 2. PUBLIC HEARING TPM 2002-007 242 W. Duarte Rd. & 243 W. Magna Vista Hank Jong Consideration of a tentative parcel map creating two lots ftom one. The staff report was presented. Mr. Lambert indicated that this project did not require any modifications. The public hearing waS opened. Scott Chang, 11823 Slauson Ave., Santa Fe Springs, said they .are in agreement with all of the conditions in the staff report. He indicated that they are aware of the requirement regarding tree preservation. Ronnie Morago, 258 W. Magna Vista, was concerned with the type of development. He wanted to make sure that the property along Duarte would have adequate setback and be in line with the homes in the area. He indicated thathe did not want the look of the area destroyed by this development. Chairman Kalemkiarian remarked that this is only a subdivision of the lot. The homes will have to comply with code requirements when they are developed. If they do not, then public hearings Will be held. Ms. Butler explained that there is a special setback along Duarte Rd. which they will have to comply with. She explained how the setback is calculated. Pujie Zheng, 1201 Ewell Ln., was concerned with all the construction that is taking place in the area. There seems to be larger homes developed and less landscaping provided. The area has a nice atmosphere and he wanted to maintain it. He was concerned that another large house would jeopardize the natural beauty of the area. Chairman Kalemkiarian said that the tree preservation plan would allow staff to review the landscaping plan and approve it prior to demolition. suifr would have to review the removal of any trees. The new Arcadia City Plauning Commission 2 5114102 . . codes that were adopted by the City recently address the issues oflarge homes and have helped scaling them down. Ms. Butler said that if they comply with code there would not be any more public hearings. Staff tries to preserve as many trees as possible and within reason. In rebuttal, Mr. Chang said that they are aware of code requirements. No one else spoke in favor of or in opposition to thisitern. Chairman Kalemkiarian closed the public l1earing. In response to comments by Commissioner Olson, regarding requiring a larger setback on Magna Vista, Ms. Butler said that the Planning Commission would have to show cause as to why they would be imposing a special setback. They would have to comply with the setback of the average of the two adjacent developed lots. Commissioner Olson said that he liked what they have now. It is a natural Jot split. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Baderian to approve TPM 2002-007, file the Negative Declaration, subject to the conditions listed in the staffreport. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: Commissioners Baderian, Huang, Murphy, Olson, Kalemkiarian None ' Chairman Kalemkiarian noted that there is a ten day appeal period. Appeals are to be filed by May 24. 3. PUBLIC HEARING MP 2002-010 & ADR 2002-006 25E. Huntington Dr. Hong,Ming Soo Consideration ofan appeal of the Development Services Department's denial of the ADRfor a proposed 1,470 sq. ft. expansion to an existing office building and requesting a parking modification for 4 parking spaces in lieu of22 for the proposed expansion for a total building area of 5,390 sq. ft. The staff report was presented and the public hearing was opened. Robert Ritner, 25501 Ferraro Dr., Mission Viejo, said they have just completed improving the ~e of the building. The business is growing and they would like to remain in the existing building and do not want to move to another location. Recently, there were two properties that were improved; an office building to the east and a dental office with retail stores in the front. One provides zero parking spaces and the other was approved a reduction from 4 required spaces down to 2 spaces. The real estate office is a less intense use than a retail store. Many of their clients come during the evening hours and Arcadia City. Planning Commission 3 5/14102 . . weekends to sign documents. Many of the agents are ,not there during the day. The traffic generated by this site is much less than the adjacent uses. They conducted a parking count on two days with counts being taken at Various times of the day. They counted a total 0000 parking spaces. The maximum cars parked were 158 and.the least was 143. He went on to say the parking is not stretched to the limit. In fact, there is an office with no parking spaces and a retail use with only 2 spaces, yet it generates much more traffic than this use. In respOnse to a question by Commissioner Huang, Mr. Ritner replied that it would be too costly to build a second story office building. The tenant would have to move out during construction and it would disturb the business. They are attempting to meet the current needs of the tenant. The Denny's parking was discussed briefly and Ms. Butler noted that these parking spaces were counted by Mr. Ritner and they are not part of the City parking lot. Ms. Butler said that the City recently conducted a parking study and the figures are pretty close to what Mr. Ritner stated. Mr. Ritner said their parking is usually well utilized. They would like to add 4 more agents, so they would only be using 4 of the public parking. Ms. Butler confirmed the reduction of the parking spaces fur the uses that were cited by Mr. Ritner. Robert Battike, owner ofRemax, 637 Sycamore Dr, said they have very high volume agents. They'd like to add 4-5 more agents and would like to provide offices for thern. Most of the agents and clients come in through the back of the office and the front door is rarely utilized. Because of that, they would like to create a nice reception area at the rear. They have decided to staff this office with only their top agents. Their agents are attracted to them because of the ease and the abundance of parking and that the site is centrally located in the City. They have a waiting list of interested agents who would like to join them but they currently do not have the space for them. The plans that have been submitted are based upon providing 6 more additional agents which would increase them to between'25-26 agents. Most of their agents come in the morning and are not there all day. There is plenty of parking available on the weekends and they have never experienced any parking problems. Their hours of operation is from 9:00 a.In. to 5:30 p.rn., (K\ays a week, and 10:00 a.In. to 4:00 on Sundays. They do not hold staff meetings at thislocation. They rent a room in a church where all of their offices meet. Shelly Rubin, 274 Sharon Rd., said that she is the beneficiary of their property which is in trust at 20 E. Huntington Dr. She asked that this request be denied because she felt that they should be abiding by code requirements. She did not want overbuilding and creating an odd assortment of structures: This would be unfair to the citizens. Her property is In full compliance. If the Cityoontinues to allow over development, tbereWill be a parking shortage. Businesses come and go but once parking spaces are lost they are gone forever. Mr. Ritner said that when a new business comes in it would have to meet code requirement and they would have to prove that there is no negative impact. Parking spaces are not necessarily lost forever. Their branch is sought by agents because of all the amenities that they offer such as the abundance of parking spaces as well as each agent having their own enclosed office and not cubicles. No one else spoke in favor of or in opposition to this itern. Chairman Kalemkiarian closed the public hearing. Arcadia City Planning CommisSion 4 SII4/02 . . Ms. Butler said there are some time limits imposed on certain parking spaces. There are a few with 20 or 30 minute limits. It is difficult to determine share of parking spaces for all the uses downtown. A formula was used in the 60's to aid with the parking district. The south side of Huntington Dr. also uses the parking district. There have been additionsthrougbout the years to the businesses. One, of the two most recent additions, did reduce parking from 6 spaces down to 4. There was a project that was recently approved with no parking spaces. The Agency staff recommended denial of this proposed expansion. Commissioner Baderian said the City is looking at ways to bring in business and revitalize the area and he was confused how on the one hand the Cityistrying to encourage business to come into the area and then throwing stumbling blocks out in front of them. Commissioner Olson said that real estate offices create a lot of traffic. He wondered if the site is too small for a growing business. He could not comprehend bow they could allow them to increase square footage and reduce parking spaces at the same time. Chairman Kalemkiarian did not think that parking is a problern. Based upon the figures provided by the applicant, only 60% of the parking is utilized. He thought it is underutilized. He did not think that 6 agents would adversely impact traffic, after all, this is a business district. Commissioner Murphy agreed. The parking is there for people to use. It is underutilized now. Commissioner Huang said that he works with the ARA in Los Angeles. They provide incentives to bring in business to revitalize an area. In this case, he fult thatthe City should encourage development and waive parking. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Murphy, seconded by Commissioner Huang to approve MP 2002"010 & ADR 2002-006 based upon the findings that it Will secure an appropriate improvement. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: Commissiorters Baderian, Huang, Murphy, Kalemkiarian Comfuissiortet Olson Chairman Kalemkiarian noted that there is a five working day appeal period. Appeals are to be filed by May 22nd. NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS 4. REPORT REGARDING THE MODIFICA nON COMMITTEE Report on proposed Ordinance pertaining to the composition of the Modification Committee. The staff report was presented. Arcadia City Planning Commission 5 5/14102 . . Commissioner Olson felt that if the City Attorney has recommended this change then it would be appropriate. He has discussed it with staff Ms. Butler said that any Commissioner or City Council member could appeal a decision of the Modification Committee without paying a fee. Chairman Kalemkiarian felt that it is a good idea to have a Commissioner on the committee because otherwise the same people that are reviewing the items over the counter are later voting on the project. It does not seem to bea fair way to go. Commissioner Murphy said that although he can see the Attorney's view there would be no representative from the community, even though it would be'a public hearing. He fult that the third person should be an outside person. In , reviewing the staff report, not even one incidence has been outlined Where there was a problem. There is no reason to change it from its present format. Commissioner Olson agreed bm he also supported the Attorney. Going with the City Attorney's recommendation would provide due process for the applicant. On the other hand, this procedure has been in place since 1954 and has worked, so why change it? Commissioner Baderian said in the City of Pasadena, where he is employed, 4 of their City Council members serVe on 4 different committees. Each gets to vote on the projects that comes before their respective committees and can also vote on the same projects during City Council meetings. Their attorney does not object to that practice. In essence, their City Council members get to vote on a project twice. It is important to have community participation and having someone other than a staff member. Ms. Butler said that this was not initiated by Planning staff. The City Attorney's reasons for the proposed changes are clearly stated in his memorandum. The previous City Councils liked having an outside member serving on the Modification Committee because it offers a different perspective and point of view. Another alternative might be to have an independent person appointed to the Committee. The City Attorney felt that it would be more appropriate in case of an appeal if the full body of the Planning Commission could vote on a project, Whereas, in the present case, if an item is appealed to the Planning Commission the Commissioner that sat on the Modification Committee could not vote on that item. Commissioner Baderian said that if it is not broken why fix it? This change should only go through if there is a definite legal violation. , Commissioner Olson did not think that the make up of the Modification Committee should change. He suggested that the Planning Commission direct staff to forward their comments to the City Council. It is important to keeping mind that a decision could always be appealed to the Planning Commission and then to the City Council. Commissioner Murphy said that the Modification Committee should have a representative from the City Council and the Planning Commission which is an appointed body would be that, representative. However, if the City Council feels strongly into changing the make up of the Modification Committee, Arcodia city Planning Commission 6 S/14102 . . then instead of staff members on the Modification COmmittee at least one department head should be sitting on that board. Commissioner Olson suggeSted having an option of bypassing the Planning Commission altogether and going directly to the City Council if a person appeals a decision. Ms. Butler said thattbe proper procedures should be followed. Commissioner Huang agreed. The process has been working. If this change does go through, he suggested the Modification Committee agenda be listed as a consent item on the Planning Commission agenda for their review. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner OlsOn, seconded by Commissioner Baderian recommending to the City Council that the make up of the Modification Committee not be changed. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: Commissioners Baderian, Huang, Murphy, Olson, Kalemkiarian None 5. RESOLUTION NO. 1669 A resolution of the Planning COmmission of the City of Arcadia, California, denying CUP 2002-005 for a cafe at 201 S. First Ave. RESOLUTION NO. 1670 A resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia, California, granting CUP 2002-002 to sell beer and wine for off "site consumption at an existing drive-through retail business at 34LE..Foothill Blvd. Ms. Butler read the titles of the resolutions. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Baderian to adopt Resolution Nos. 1669 and 1670 and formally affirm the, decisions of Apri123rd and the votes thereon. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: Commissioners Baderian, Huang, MUrphy, Olson, Kalemkiarian None Chairman Kalemkiarian noted that there is a five working day appeal period. Appeals are to be filed by May 22od. Arcadia City'Planning Commission 1 S/14102 . . MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL Chairman Kalemkiarian welcomed Mr. Wuo. Council Member Wuo summarized the actions taken by the City Council MATTERS FROM PLANNING COMMISSION Commissioner Huang said that his daughter is back home and Will probably require more surgery. He Will be present for the remainder of the meetings. MODIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING ACTIONS Commissioner Olson recapped actions taken by the Modification Committee. MATTERS FROM STAFF I. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS 2. UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS Ms. Butler discussed the upcoming agenda items. ADJOURNMENT 8:45 p.rn. /s/Donna Butler Secretary, Arcadia Planning Commission Arcadia City planning CommiSsion 8 S/14I02