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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAUGUST 12, 2008 . . (I) MINUTES ARCADIA .PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, August 12,.2008, 7:00 P.M Arcadia City Council Chambers The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 7:00 p.m" in the Council Chambers of the City of Arcadia, at 240 W, Huntington Drive, with Chairman Beranek presiding, PLEDGE OF.ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Commissioners Baderian, Baerg, Parrille and Beranek ABSENT: Commissioner Hsu MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Parrille, to excuse Commissioner Hsu from tonight's meeting, The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting, OTHERS A TIENDING City Councilman Gary Kovacic . . Development SerVices Director Jason Kruckeberg Community Development Administrator Jim Kasama Associate Planner Tom Li AssistantPIanner Steven Lee Assistant Planner Jennifer Turcios Senior Administrative Assistant Billie Tone SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS Mr, Kasarna directed the Commissioner's attention to two letters of opposition and a revised list of conditions of approval related to Item.1. He also pointed out an email regarding Item 4, TIME RESERVED FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON NON-PUBLIC HEARING MA TIERS - Five-minute time limit per person None . . PUBUC BEARING 1. TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. TPM 07-05 (69775) RESIDENTIAL MOUNTAINOUS DEVEWPMENT PERMIT NO. RM 07-01 OAK TREE PERMIT NO. TR 08-04 An approximately 83-acre property generally located north of the terminus of VISta Avenue and north and northwest of Canyon Road, Nevis Homes The applicant is requesting a Tentative Parcel Map for a three parcel subdivision, a Residential Mountainous Development Pennit for grading of an approximately 3-acre area of the site and the development of two residences, and an Oak Tree Pennitfor removal or encroachment upon twelve oak trees during grading and construction of the two proposed residences, Assistant Planner Steven Lee presented the staff report. Commissioner ParriIle asked about the hours of operation for trucking on this project. Mr, Lee said that the hours listed under mitigation measure 4.3 are limited to 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Monday through Friday and 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday to avoid school and rush hour traffic, The public hearing was opened, Mr, Leonardo 0' Anconia, Studio R, the project designer, represented the applicant, Nevis Construction, and said they have read the staff report and conditions of approval and agree to comply, He said that they worked extensively with the ArchitecturaI Review Board Chairman, Mr. Ralph Bicker, and with representatives of the city to refine the project. He further noted that the project originally included eleven residences with very steep driveways and severe grading. After careful consideration, they deCided that two residences was the most that could be built without adversely effecting the neighborhood. He believes that six months is easily enough time to haul graded material to the landfill. Regarding the third property, the owner hopes to donate it to some sort of foundation or conservancy that would maintain it as open space, hut so far'has been unable to find an organi7Jltion .willing to take it on. Mr, Jeff Lee, said he will comply withthe conditions of approval, however,he asks for clarification on item 1.5 which refers to a $200,000 fund.to be used for maintenance of the third lot Mr. Lee questioned the amount lind the necessity for establishing the fund. He said he preferred the original wording which did not specify an amount, only that the owner would provide for maintenance of the property, Commissioner Baerg asked if Mr. Lee was asking for the amount to be revised. Mr. Lee said that he was only asking to revert to the original wording of the condition, PC MINUTES 8,12.08 Page 2 Mr. Ralph Bick! Highland Homeowners AssociatiO~hitectural Review Board Chairman, said that the project has the support of the Homeowners Association. He said that the applicant cooperated with the ARB, incorporating features such as flat driveways and retaining walls in the rear, and that the Association is satisfied with the project, Mr, Bicker asked that his letter in support of the project be included in the record, Further, he stated that the ARB is willing to work with the applicant as necessary on mitigation measures, Chairman Beranek asked if anyone wished to speak in opposition to the project None MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Parrille to close the public hearing. Without objection the public hearing was closed, Commissioner Baderian noted that there was a potential for removal of nine to twelve oak trees and that he did not see any conditions requiring replacement of the trees, Mr, Lee explained that the consulting arborist recommended planting acorns from nearby trees to revive the oak tree population and to stabilize the slope, Commissioner Baerg pointed out that thesupplementaI recommendations may need to be renumbered. Commissioner Baderian questioned the amount of the endowment Mr, ~a explained that the amount was based on the fact that a $6000 tax: lien has been placed on the property yearly to cover the cost of maintenance and $200,000 is the amount needed to generate $6000 in interest annually, MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Baerg, to approve Tentative Parcel Map No. TPM 07-05 (69775), Residential Mountainous Development Permit No. RM 07-01 and Oak Tree Permit No. TR 08-04 subject to the conditions in the staff report and adopting the recommendations of the City Attorney in respect to item 1 j of the, mitigation measures, ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Baderian, Baerg, Parrille and Beranek None Commissioner Hsu There is a five working day appeal period after the adoption of the Resolution. PC'MINIITES 8-1~8 PIl8"3 . . 2. TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. TPM ~ (66337) 42 Genoa Steet James Li A proposed Tentative Parcel Map for atwo-unit residential condominium, Associate Planner Tom Li presented the staffreport, The public hearing was opened, Mr. Jack Lee of CaLand Engineering represented the applicant. He said that the project was approved in 2006 and that the grading and fmal map are with the county for plan check and review, The recent surveying and repaving of Genoa Street delayed the project past the expiration date, hence the need to reapply, ComIilissioner parri)le asked staff about the prior application for the two-unit development Mr, Li responded that the subdivision was approved on. May 23, 2006, and that the approval expired after two years, MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded. by Commissioner Parrille to close the public hearing, Without objection the .public hearing was closed, MOTION: It was moved by Comrnissioner.Baderian, secOnded by Commissioner Parrilla, to approve Tentative Parcel Map No, TPM 08-03 (66337) subject to the conditions in the staff report, ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Baderian, Baerg, Panille and Beranek None Commissioner Hsu There is a ten day appeal period. 3 RESIDENTIAL MOUNTAINOUS DEVELOPMENT PERMIT NO. RM 08-01 383 Torrey Pines Dr. Ms, Anni Wei The applicant is requesting a waiver of the conditions of approval in Sections 3,8 and 3.11 of City Council Resolution No. 5274 for a deckthat extends outward from the top of the slope on the west side of383 Torrey Pines Drive. Mr. Kasama presented the staffreport. PC MINIJTES g.12.o8 Page 4 . . Commissioner Baderian noted that the Commission is being asked to approve a recommendation that in the past was denied by the City Council and he asked what changes merit this reconsideration, Mr. Kasama explained that it has been 22 years since the City Council's conditions were imposed, and in that time the hillside has changed in appearance because it has been relandscaped, and the foliage is now-fully mature The public hearing was opened. Ms. Anni Wei spoke on behalf of her parents, She said that they are willing to comply with all recommencations. Mr. Bart Stryker, Civil Engineer, said that he designed the modifications to the deck to conform to Fire Department and staff,recommendations. He also mentioned that he was the original design engineer for the Whispering Pines project and that he feels this deck design preserves the flavor of the original plan and is an asset to the property. Commissioner Baderian asked Mr, Stryker and Ms, Wei. if they were aware that the deck was illegal when it was originally built. Mr. Stryiker said that he was hired after the fact to plan a retrofit. Ms. Wei said that her parents did . not know that the deck was illegal at the time it was built but that they are very anxious to keep the deck and will conform to any requirements imposed in order to do so. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner ParriUe to close the public hearing, Without objection the public hearing was closed, Commissioner Baderian asked.ifthe vegetation added to the slope is sufficient to meet Fire Department criteria, Mr, Kasarna said that it is and that based on the applicant's photos and his own observations, the deck is'not obtrusive and the retrofit project is not to interfere with the mature vegetation. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Parrille, seconded by Commissioner Baderian, to approve Residential Mountainous Development Permit No, RM 08-01 subject to the conditions in the staff report. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Baderian, Baerg, Parrille and Beranek None Commissioner Hsu There is a five working day appeal period after the adoption of the Resolution. PC MINUTE8 8-12.j)8 Page' . . 4. MODIFICA nON NO. MP 0~5 AND SINGLE-FAMlL Y ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN REVIEW NO. SFADK 08-22 541 West Live Oak Avenue Sean Vim (Architect) The applicant is requesting the following Modifications and Architectural Design Review approval for a proposed new two-story single-family residence: A A 33' -8" front yard setback in lieu of the required average setback of lIT -3"; and B. A 15'-0" easterly side yard setback in lieu of the required 17'-9" for an exterior staircase, Assistant Planner Jennifer Turcios presented the staffreporl. Commissioner Parrille asked to clarify the location of the exterior staircase and if there are any similar structures in the area. Ms. Turciossaid that the staircase is on the east side of the house, next to the driveway and there are no other exterior staircases in the area, The public hearing was opened, Mr, Sean Yun, the architect on the project, said that the staircase does not encroach on the required setback and that the applicant would prefer to demolish the accessory structures rather than remodel. Commissioner Parrille asked why the applicant wanted an exterior staircase, Mr, Yun said it was to provide convenient access to the pool and guest house from the family room, Commissioner Parri1Ie asked if the applicant was planning to rent the second floor to a tenant and Mr, Yun said no because there is no kitchen upstairs, He added that the staircase would be wood frame and either stained or painted, MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Parrille to close the public hearing, Without objection the public hearing was. closed. Commissioner Baderian asked it; in fact, the staircase would encroach into the required setback. Ms, Turcios said the first floor portion would not, but the landing would encroach into the second floor setback. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Parri1Ia, to approve Modification No, MP 08-05 for request A and deny request B, and to approve Single Family Architectural Design Review No, SF ADR 08-22 subject to the conditions in the staff report. PC MINUrES &-12-48 Page 6 . . ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Commissioners Baderian, Baerg, Parrille and Beranek None Commissioner Hsu There is a five working day appeal period from the date of the decision, CONSENT ITEMS 5. MINUTES OF JULY 22, 2008 MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner ParriUe, to approve the minutes of July 22; 2008 as submitted. Without objection, the minutes were approved as submitted, MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION Councilman Kovacic reported that the City Council is encouraging residents to conserve water by ten percent. He said that the Par 3 Golf Course proposals, including the.KARE Youth League's proposed purchase of2.7 acres, wiU be reviewed at the August 19 Council meeting, He reminded the Commissioners that the last concert will be on August 14 and also that the joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission will be held on September 23, Councilman Kovacic asked. the Commissioners to come to the joint meeting prepared with questions and comments for discussion with the Council. Commissioner Baderian said he will not be available to attend the joint meeting but he will submit questions,in advance. Commissioner Parrille asked if a design for the reconfiguration of the golf course had been submitted and Councilman Kovacic said they had a preliminary design that includes a two story driving range. Commissioner Parrille asked how a fair price for the golf course will be determined and who pays for the proposed reconfiguration, Councilman Kovacic said that these factors have not been addressed yet. Councilman Kovacic said that at the joint meeting he would like to learn about the progress made in instituting new design standards with the Single-Family Architectural Design Review program which has been in place for over a year. He also expressed interest in discussing the benefits and disadvantages of the program, Chairman Beranek said he attended the first meeting of the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) and there were twelve attendees, He reminded the Commissioners that the meetings are open to the public, PC MJNUrES 8-12-48 Poge 7 . . MODIFICATION COMMlTfEE MEETING ACTIONS Commissioner Beranek said there was only one item on the agenda and it was for a new garage. It was approved without conditions, FURTHER MA TIERS FROM STAFF Mr. Kasama reviewed upcoming agenda items and said that, at this time, there are no items scheduled for September 9 so the meeting will probably be cancelled, Commissioner Parrille asked about the ruling on the Shops at Santa Anita project Mr,Kruckeberg replied that the judge ruled against eleven items in the EIR and invited the City and Caruso'and Westfield to file statements of objection. The judge is asking for clarification on certain items to be filed by September 4 for a September 29 hearing. By then the judge will have read the objections and clarifications and will direct one of the parties to prepare a final order. Ifrequired, an addendum or revisedEIR will be prepared which will take at least nine months so it could be a year before the revised document is presented to the Planning Commission, ADJOURNED TO AUGUST 26, 2008 8:12 p,m Is/Jim Kasama Secretary, Arcadia Planning Commission PC MINUTES S.Il-OS Page 8