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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAUGUST 9, 2005 '(I) . MINUTES . Arcadia City Planning Commission Tuesday, August 9, 2005 7:00 p.m. in the Arcadia City COlUICiI Chambers PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 at 7:00p.m. in the Arcadia Council Chambers of the City of Arcadia, at 240 W, Huntington Dr. with Chairman Lucas presiding, ROLLCALL: PRESENT: ABSENT: Commissioners Baderian, Hsu, Olson, Lucas Commissioner Wen MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Baderian to excuse Commissioner Wen from tonight's meeting. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. OTHERS A TTENDlNG Community Development Administrator Donna Butler Planning Services Manager Corkran Nicholson AsSociate Planner Tom Li Assistant Planner Andrew Gonzales Senior Administrative Assistant Silva Vergel SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS None TIME RESERVED FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON NON-PUBUC HEARING MATTERS (5 MINUTE LIMIT PER PERSON) None 1. PUBLIC HEARING MP 2005-07 178 WL Longden Ave, Gary Alzona & Dean Lee Consideration of a street side yard setback modification for a two-story single-fumily residence on a reverse comer lot. The staff report was presented and the public hearing was opened. . . Gary A1zona, 1380 Main St., Venice,. Dean Lee, 1927 S. Third Ave" were present. Mr, AIzona distributed reference materials that showed. the surrounding area, The subject property is substantially Smaller than the others in the immediate area. He stated that they desired to create a home that would fit in Southern California. They thought this is very important and wanted to build a simplistic home with an open feeling and created an atrium that would provide a light and airy space. They pulled back the main mass of the building from the corner. The 30. angles allow the light to come in and provide architectural diversity, Their design is about proportion, scale and architectural emphasis. No one else spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item, MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Olson to close the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with no one dissenting, ROLLCALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Baderian, Hsu, Olson, Lucas None Commissioner Wen Chairman Lucas referred to some of the homes that Mr. AIzona referred to in the distributed material and Ms. Butler indicated that those homes were constructed prior to the new regulations that were adopted in 2003. In answer to a question by Commissioner Olson, Mr, Gonzales said that staff has been working with the architect. Staff felt that the house was too square'and in order to break up the flat fa~e they suggested theflowetpotsbut those could easily be removed, Commissioner Olson. felt strongly that when a home is being constructed from scratch, especially on' a large lot, they should comply. He indicated that he was not convinced based on the testimony that these modifications should be granted, even though the home will be less square footage than the maximum lot coverage allowed by code. He did not think that it would secure an appropriate improvement, prevent an unreaSonable hardship or promote uniformity of development, MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Baderianto deny MP 2005- 07 subject to the conditions in the staff report, ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Baderian, Hsu, Olson, Lucas None Commissioner Wen Aroadia City Planning Commission 2 819/S . . Chairman Lucas noted that there is a five working day appeal period. Appeals are to be filed by August 161h. 2. PUBLIC HEARING MP 2~8 1523 Holly Ave, Marty Zialcita Consideration of a street side yard setback modification for a two-story single-family residence on a reverse corner lot, The staff report was presented, Mr. Li explained that this project carne before the Planning Commission recently and it was denied due to the number of requested modifications. They have since redesigned and scaled down the project. The public hearing was opened. Marty Zialcita, 1687 Hill Dr" Los Angeles, said they have revised their plans and are now requesting fewer modifications, He asked for approval by the Planning Commission, No one else spoke in favor of orin opposition to this item, MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Olson to close the public hearing, The motion passed by voice vote with. no one dissenting. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Baderian, Hsu, Olson, Lucas None Commissioner Wen MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Baderian to approve MP 2005-008 subject to.the conditions in the,staff report. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Baderian, Hsu, Olson, .Lucas None Commissioner Wen Chairman Lucas noted that there is a five working day appeal period, Appeals are to be ftIed by AuguSt 161h. 3. PUBLIC HEARING CUP 2005-14 Arcadia City PWming Commission 3 819/S . . 657 W. Duarte Rd. Joe Borland Consideration of a conditional use permit to retain an on-site storage container for the purpose of securing business records, . The staff report was presented. In reply to a question by Chairman Lucas, Mr, Nicholson stated that .if they were to add on to the building, their parking requirements would increase and noted that the current parking is substandard. The storage container does not add to the square footage of the building, thus, it is not calculated in the required parking spaces but'it does occupy a space. There were no permits issued for this container. The public hearing was opened. Joe Borland, 657 W. Duarte Rd., distributed material and photos to the-Planning Commission, Ms. Butler mentioned that staffhas had problems with the use of storage containers throughout the city, that are not in compliance, and staff is currently working on a number of similar issues, Mr.. Borland said .that he has been a physical therapist in the City for many years. The subject storage container is an area where medical records are stored that. have to be destroyed and cannot be shredded. This secure container has been on this site since 1961, thus, when he acquired the property in 1980 it already existed. The aerial photo in the staff report does not show the storage container and that is probably because when it was taken, the container was picked up by the service that destroys the documents. He indicated that in as many years that he has owned this property he has never had one. complaint about the storage container. He did not realize that this container was not permitted until July 2004, 'This contaiJierhas been painted to match the building and is unobtrusive, The container is storing medical.records for other medical practices as well as his own, Ms. Butler indicated that some of the photos that were submitted by Mr. Borland show containers on the outside of the buildings and explained that these are recycling bins with separate regulations and cannot .beused as8 comparison, Dan Hsaieh, 657 W, Duarte Rd., said that he is the owner and operator of a business on the subject property that has been there for the past 9 years. The container is painted the same color as the building andis non-intrusive and in fact.he has never had,anyone comment,or question it. It blends in with the building and is not visible from the street. He was surprised when he heard of this hearing, Bryan Miles, 2055 Vista Ave, Sierra Madre, said that he has been a property manager since 1972 in the area and has managed this property since 1980. The staff report indicates that the container is unsightly but that is staff s opinion. Further, the report states that it is "not a suitable means for outdoor storage", again this is staff's opinion. The repOrt also includes an aerial photo of the area showing that the container is not there but it is clear that this was probably taken when the container was removed from the property to discard the records, The container is not visible from the street and is surrounded by walls, He attested to the fact that since he has been managing this property, the container has been there. Arcadia city PIanuing Commission 4 8191' . . In answer to a question by Chairman Lucas, Mr, Miles said that in his many years of experience as I property manager he has. never heard of a similar complaint and felt that this was retaliatory. April Guzman, 9128 Hermosa Dr., Temple City, said that she is the manager at 660 W, Duarte Rd" anc said that the container is not visible from her building, She did not view it as a hindrance or an eye sore. Joan Marcoita, 539 W. Palm Dr., Glendora, wanted to provide a character witness for Mr. Borland, Thi! container is not visible and the only reason a complaint was made to the City about this container w~ because Mr, Borland made a complaint to the City about a neighbor. No one else spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Hsu to close the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with no one dissenting, AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Baderian, Hsu, Olson, Lucas None Commissioner Wen In reply to a question by Commissioner Baderian, Mr, Nicholson said that all of the 5 prerequisite conditions listed in the staff report must be satisfied to approve the CUP, Ms, Butler indicated that Finding No, 4 does not apply to this case. Mr. Nicholson said that the Fire Department's conditions of approval must be complied with if thi! request is approved, Commissioner Olson said that even though the parking deficiency is not an issue today, it could be i) the future, The parking is already substandard by 23 spaces. Even though the container is not visibl. from the street, approving this could set a precedent. Just because the container has been there man) years is not a justification for approval. Commissioner Baderian felt that the Planning Commission should be consistent. They have had OthCl requests that have come before them for existing features that did not comply that were denied. He dic note think that theyeshould waiver from that policy. He was trying to see if a compromise could-be reached but could not find one. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Hsu to deny CUP 2005-01' subject to the conditions in the staff report and direct staff to prepare the appropriate resolution. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: Commissioners Baderian, Hsu, Olson, Lucas None Arcadia City Planning Commission s 81915 . . ABSENT: Commissioner Wen Chairman Lucas noted that there is a five working day lfpeal period after the adoption of the resolution. The resolution will be adopted on September 13 . Appeals are to be filed by September 21", CONSENT ITEMS 4. TIME EXTENSION 211 San Antonio Rd. Carol Howard Requesting a one-year time extension for MP 2004-09 for modifications granted for an addition to the main dwelling. 5. TIME EXTENSION 425 N, Santa Anita Georoe Faschino <> <> Requesting a one-year time extension for CUP 2002-11 and ADR 2001-055 to replace an existing retail building with a new automobile fueling station. 6. MINUTES OF 7/12/5 RECOMMENDATION: Approve Ms, Butler read the titles of the Consent items. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Hsu to approve the consent items. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Baderian, Hsu, Olson, Lucas None Commissioner Wen MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION Council Member Marshall thanked for the Planning Commissioners who came to the event honoring service personnel. She indicated that things seem to be a little quite right now but anticipated that . activity would be picking up soon. MODIFICATION COMMITIEE MEETING ACTIONS Arcadia City Planning CormriiSJriOn 6 819/5 . . . Commissioner Olson summarized the action taken by the Modification Committee. MATTERS FROM STAFF I. CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS 2. PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA ITEMS Ms, Butler distributed a confidential memorandum from the City Attorney, which discusses the contact between any land use applicants and City Boards and Commissions. She stated that the meeting has been scheduled with realtors, architects and builders on August 181h to discuss single-fumily architectural design review. She said that staff is extremely busy with the major projects that are in the works, even though it may seem like things are slowing down, ADJOURNED TO 7:00 P.M, SEPT, 13, 2005 8:20 p,m, /slDoDDa Butler Secretary,.Arcadia Planning Commission Ar<adia City Planning Commission 7 819/5