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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJANUARY 23, 2007 . . . . MINUTES ARCADIA CITY PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, January 23,2007,7:00 P.M Arcadia,City Council Chambers The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, January 23, at 7!00 p.m., in the Arcadia Council Chambers of the City of Arcadia, at 240 W. Huntington Drive, with Chairman Olson presiding. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL: PRESENT: ABSENT: Commissioners Baderian, Beranek, Hsu, Parrille and Olson None OTHERS A'ITENDING Councilman P.eter Amundson Community Development Administrator Jason Kruckeberg Planning Services Manager Corkran Nicholson Associate Planner Jim Kasama Senior Administrative Assistant Billie Tone SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS ,Mr. Kruckeberg distributed a petition from the residentswitliin 300 feet of2401 EI Monte Ave., the address of the proposed wireless telecommunications facility, agenda item 2. He also presented additioDal materials that were delivered with the petition and told the, Commissioners that it would be'available for their review. Mr. Kruckeberg introduced two memos from Associate Planner Jim Kasama. Thefirst memo recommended the addition ofa condition ofapproval for items I and 2 of the agenda requiring a lease with the city for the cell sites. The second memo noted that the staffreport for item 3 incorrectly states that the height of the roof ridge of the subject residence would be increased. This is not the case. Finally, items 1 and 2 of the agenda incorrectly Ilsted an appeal period. The resolutions have not yet been prepared and the appeal period will actually end five days after approval of the Resolutions. TIME RESERVED FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON NON"PUBLIC HEARING MA'ITERS - Five-minute time limit per person None #I . . . . PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS 1. PUBLIC HEARING CUP 06-14 and ADR 06-32 375 Campus Drive Omnipoint Communications, Inc. A subsidiary ofT-Mobile USA, Inc. Pete Shubin of Sequoia Deployment Services, Inc. has submitted an application for a Conditional Use Permit and Architectural Design Review fof a wireless telecommunication facility comprised of a 50~foottallmonopole antenna support camouflaged as a pine tree, an array of 12 panel antennas, four ground-mounted equipment cabinets in a concrete block enclosure, and associated underground utility runs. The staff report was presented by Associate Plannerfun Kasama. The public hearing was,opened. The applicant, Mr. Pete Shubin, One Venture, Suite 700, Irvine, CA, voiced agreement with all conditions of approval including the added. requirement for a lease with the city. He also offered to answer questions on the project. Commissioner Beranek asked, if real pine trees would surround the monopole and Mr, Shubin said that the density of mature pines at the proposed site was one of the reasons it was"chosen. Mr. Shubin further noted that the existing pines range from 45 to 70 feet in 'height and that,there are many smaller trees as'well. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner,Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Hsu, to close the public hearing. Without objection the public hearing was closed. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Beranek, seconded by Commissioner Hsu, to approve Conditional Use, Permit 06-14 and Architectural Design Review 06-32 as recommended by stafl: subject to the conditions in the staff report including an amendment requiring a lease with the city for the site. Commissioner Baderian asked if a Negative Declaration would be adopted and Mr. Kruckeberg replied that it would. AYES: NOES: Commissioners Baderian, Beranek, Hsu, ParriIleand Olson None PC MINmEs 1-23-07 P.age-2 ~ . . . . Mr, Kruckeberg once again noted that the appeal period would begin upon adoption of the Resolution, probably at ,the next meeting. 2. PUBUC HEARING CUP 06-15 AND ADR 06-20 2401EI Monte Avenue Omnipoint Communications, Inc. A subsidiary ofT-Mobile USA, Inc. Joseph 1. Spieler of A Vll.A, Inc. has submitted an application for a Conditional Use Pennit and Architectural Design Review for a wireless telecommunication facility comprised ofa 50-foot tall monopole antenna support camouflaged asa pine tree, an array of six panel antennas, a two-foot (2'-0") parabolic dish antenna, and six (6) ground-mounted equipment cabinets in a concrete block enclosure. The staff report was presented by Associate Planner Jim Kasama, Mr. Kruckeberg explained that both of the proposed cell sites on.the agenda are city properties and nonnally approval of a Conditional Use Permit would ,not be required. In this case, sta1ffelt thatapublic.hearing was a good way to deal with a structure of this type and size, Le., a private facility, on city property. Typically, cell facilities.go where necessary and if it's not on city properties, like a well site or a park, it could potentially go on city right'<lf-ways which would n()t require Commission approval. When the city receives applications. for structures on city facilities like this, it allows a look at aesthetics and how itfitsintothe,neighborhood. The city does not have that option on right'<lf- ways. It's important to be a aware of this distinction as there may be more of these types of applications in the future. Commissioner Baderian pointed out thattheCEQA worksheet, page 13, item 17, mandatory findings of significance, item D, states that there is no negative environmental impact from these facilities. The public hearing was opened. Mr. Joe Speiler, 6254 Avila Road, Yucca Valley, represented T- Mobile. He said that he is also areal estate broker and general contractor. Mr. Speiler said that T -Mobile's very successful family plan marke!ing program has highlighted local deficiencies in certain residential areas and that this instaliation should address that problem. He further noted, that'he hal; been working with staff for over a year to find a appropriate location for this facility. He stated that he is aware that the neighbors have signed a protest petition against the project based on health issues. However, he assured the Commissioners that the FCC carefully regulates the levels of electronic output from these sites and that congress,has passedtheteleeommunications actaffrrming that, based on numerous scientific studies, these sites are safe and there is no reason to reject a site for health issues. Commissioner Hsu asked about the frequency and power level of the electronic output from these sites., Mr. Speiler deferred to Mr. Neal, a radio engineer. PC MINUrES 1-23.67 Page 3 eJ Mr. Neal, 303 S.chibald Ave" ~ated that a power o~m one sector is typically 150watts and in three sectors it would be 450 watts. The frequency range that is being used is 1900.megahenz and the engineer will assign a fixed frequency once the facility is on the air. Mr. David Eng, 125 W. Palm Drive, lives across the street from the site. He said he is an aeronautical engineer, registered in California, and he expressed concern that ,these sites may not be safe. Because he is conCerned about the effects of radiation on his three children he asked if the wireless facility could be moved to a commercial site. Mrs. Christina Fiorenza, 2411 EI Monte Ave; lives next to the site, She expressed concern about the effects of radiation on the health of her-family, particularly her elderly mother, She was also concerned about the risks involved in having'a fifty-foot tower next to her home in an earthquake or severe wind storm. She objected to the project on aesthetic grounds, explaining that the facility would.beunattractive and would reduce the value of her property. Mrs. Fiorenza said she moved to Arcadia from Argentinainany years ago because Arcadia was a Community of Homes, and now she questions why this antenna would be erected in a residential area. Mrs. Fiorenza asked the Commission to consider these factors whenthey'inake their decision on this facility, Mr. Robert Munoz, 200 W. Palm Drive, also lives next to the proposed site and said he agrees with his neighbor, Mrs. Fiorenza. Heis also concerned about health issues, safety and property values. He asked why this facility is being'proposed in a residential area and stated that he opposes the project. . Mr. Juan Fiorenza, 2411 EI Monte Ave., said he agrees with his wife, Christina Fiorenza, who spoke earlier. He is concerned about the health effectsoflivingnext,to the tower, the unartI:active.appearance and the negative imPact on property values. He'also,asked why this facility is being,proposed in a residential neighborhood. Mr. Shubin,said that he understands these concerns and that they ate common. He said he feels this site is the best solution for the city and iesidents.He further noted that T- Mobile worked with staff for a longtime to find a location where the tower would not be obtrusive and that the only other, alternative is to place the tower in the public right-of- way. Mr. Shubin feelstbat property values will not be effected, the poles are well engineered and will not fall in an earthquake or storm. Further, several scientific studies in the US and 'abroad conclude that the carefully regulated, radio frequencies are,safe. Commissioner Baderian asked ifT-Mobile has had any history of disruption to TV, radio or other home electronic devices from the installation of these towers. Mr. Shubin replied that he was not aware of any. Commissioner Baderiiul asked exactly how far north the pole will' be from the property at 24117 Mr. Shubin said it will be 42 feet north of the property line. . Commissioner Parrille,asked if there are any other. improvements on the property and if it is currently being used for any residential purpose. Mr, Shubin said ,that there is some type of pump house apparatus and no residential use. PC MINUTES 1-23~7 Page 4 . . e . . MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Beranek, to close the public bearing. Without objection the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Baderian pointed out that the staff report says the property is currently used by the Police DepartmentJor SWAT practice and was once a well too. Mr. Kruckeberg confirmed the use of the property for SWAT practice and asked Mr. Tom Tait, Deputy Public Works Services'Director, to comment on plans for the well. Mr. Tait said that there are plans for a new vertical well on the site with environmental review beginning this year and design and construction in the nextfiscaI year. Commissioner Olson asked if the cell tower or the planned well would have any adverse effects on the two oak trees on the site and Mr. Tait said they do not anticipate any problems with the oak trees. ' MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by 'Commissioner Beranek, to approve, Conditional Use Permit 06-15 and Architectural Design Review 06-20 as reCommended by staff, subject to the cOnditiolls in tbe staff report including an amendment requiring a lease wltb the city for,the site. Commissioner Parrille pointed out that,many times there are concerns about p~perties next to high tension lines and other eIJvironmental concerns, and, in fact, property values are not effected. He also said that as properties develop and re-develop over time residents do not have,a right to a continued view of the mountains. He concluded that the site has been devoted to public use and should continue in that vein. AYES: NOES: Commissioners Baderian, Beranek, Hsu, Panille and Olson None Chairman Olson noted that there is an appeal period after the adoption of the resolution and notice will be sent to those who spoke tonight. 3. PUBLIC BEARING MP 06-12 435 Stanford Drive Tami D. Ciranna Tami Ciranna bas submitted an application for a Modification to allow a 21 '-0" northerly second floor side yard setback in iieu of the 35'-5" setback required by Code for the remodel of an existing attic into a master suite. PC MINUTES 1-23-07 Page' ~ . 'e The staff report _resented by Associate,P!anner Jim .a. The public hearing was opened. Ms. Tami Cirranna, the applicant, and Mr. JimKtihn, the architect, offered to answer any questions on the project, Mr. Arnold Welch, 436 Stanford Drive"said he lives across the street from the site and that he was glad, to note that the raised rootline will not' obstruct the view and therefore he had no objection to the project. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner ParilIe, to close theptiblic hearilig. Without objection the public hearing was closed. . MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Hsu, to approve MP 06-12 as recommended by staff; subject to the conditions in the ,staff report. AYES: NOES: Commissioners Baderian, Beranek, Hsu, ParrilIe and Olson None Chairman Olson noted that there is a five working day appeal period. Appeals are to be, tiled by January 30. CONSENT ITEMS 4. MINUTES OF 1-9-07 RECOMMENDATION: Approve MOTION: It, was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Beranek to approve the minutes of January 9, 2007 as submitted. ROLLCALL: AYES: NOES: Commissioner Baderian, Beranek, HSIl, Pan:ille and Olson None MATI'ERS,FROM CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION Councilman Amundson said that Commissioner Beranek had asked him about the possibility of training classes for the Commissioners. Council Amundson said that there, PC MINUrES 1-~7 Page 6 tJJ . . is money in the.et for this type of training and he w~courage the Commissioners to attend since they have some big issues coming up. MODIFICATION COMMIITEE MEEUNG ACTIONS Chairman Olson said that there was only one item on the agenda for the Modification Committee this morning and itwas approved. MATIERSFROM STAFF CommUnity Development Administrator Kruckeberg said that the League,of California Cities ' had some Planning Commissioner training sessions coming up and he would advise of any other opportunities as they arise in the future. Mr. Kruckeberg said that the only items on the agenda for the February 13 meeting, at this point, are the two Resolutions for the cell tower projects approved at this meeting. He asked if the Commissioners wanted to cancel the February 13 meeting: or if they would prefer to approve the Resolutions to avoid delaying the appeal period, Commissioner Baderian andChainnan Olson said that they would prefer to have the meeting to get the issues resolved in a timely manner. Commissioner Parrille said that he may not be able to attend the February 13 meeting but the other Commissioners ,said they expect to attend so there will be a quorum. Commissioner Beranek asked about reviewing the information received, for the Caruso meetings. Mr. Kruckeberg said that staffwould provide information on materials and processes for the, Caruso meetingsattheFebruary 13 meeting. ADJOURNMENT 7:50 D.m. . Is/Jason Kruckeberg Secretary, Arcadia Planning Commission PC MINUTES '1-23-07 PSJlc7