HomeMy WebLinkAboutJULY 8, 2008
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MINUTES
ARCADIA PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, July 8, 2008, 7:00 P.M.
Arcadia City Council Chambers
The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, July 8, 2008
at 7:00 p.m., in the CoUncil Chambers of the City of Arcadia, at 240 W. HuntingtonDrive, with
Chairman Baderian presiding.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Commissioners Baerg, Beranek, Hsu, Parrille and Baderian
None
PLANNING COMMISSION REORGANIZATION
Chairman Baderian called for nominations for Planning Conimission Chairman and Vice
Chairman. Commissioner Parrille nominated Commissioner Beranek for Chairman.. The
nomination was approved by voice vote with none dissenting.
Commissioner Beranek nominated Commissioner Parrille for Vice Chairman. The'
nomination was approved by voice vote with none dissenting.
Commissioner Beranek assumed the Chair.
OTHERS ATTENDING
City Councilman Gary Kovacic
Deputy Development Services Director/City Engineer Phil Wray
Community Development Administrator Jim Kasama
Senior Planner Lisa Flores
Assistant Planner Steven Lee
Senior Administrative Assistant Billie Tone
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
None
TIME RESERVED FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE
PLANNING COMMISSION ON NON-PUBLIC HEARING MATTERS - Five-minute time
limit per person
None
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CONSENT ITEMS
Due to a conflict of interest on the first item, Chairman Beranek left the Council Chambers
and Vice Chairman Parrille assumed the Chair.
I. DETERMINATION OF USE
126 S. Santa Clara St.
Arcadia Teachers Association
Determination that office space for the Arcadia Teachers Association be considered an
allowed use in the M-l Zone.
Jim Kasama presented.the staffreport.
Chairman Pro Tempore Parrille asked if a vote was required on this type ofissue. Mr.
Kasama said that no vote is requried but that stafIwould prepare a Resolution based on the
determination of the Planning Commission
Commissioner Baderian asked what factors should be considered to determine whether a
Text Amendment or a Zone Change would be more appropriate. Mr. Kasama said that a
Text Amendment could be used to allow general offices iil the M-l zone but whether it
would be possible to limit that to the Association's type of office is questionable. A Zone
Change wOlild mean changing the zoning to one that allows general offices, There are
industrial uses in this area and it is generally not advisable to create a block of
nonconforming uses by changing the zoning. However, thereis one transitional zone, the
C-M., CommereiallManufacturing Zone, that allows a combination of commercial uses and
very light industrial uses. This could be appropriate. as there is commercial zoning on the
blocks to the east and west of this block. Mr. Kasama noted that properties zoned for
industrial use in Arcadia are quite limited and careful consideration should be given before
rezoning those existing industrial properties.
Commissioner Baderian asked about the timeframe required for a zone change. Mr.
Kasama said that it would take a couple of months to research and prepare a
recommendation for the Planning Commission, and then it would be presented to the City
Council.
Commissioner Baderian said that he is not in favor of recommending a Text Amendment or
Zone Change because of the limited commercial/industrial property in the city.
Commissioner Hsu said that he visited the site aDd saw commercial property to the east and
west of the site. He said that the placement of the site may warrant a zone change to
Commercial to be consistent with the rest of the street.
Commissioner Baerg said that he felt it was not a good use of city resources to implement a
Text Amendment or Zone Change to accommodate a single tenant and that he was not
aware of greater need for office space in the city.
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Commissioner Hsu asked if the MUnicipal Code requires a specific ratio of industrial space
to commercial space within the city. Mr. Kasama said it does not, however, industrial uses
lite underrepresented because Arcadia is a desirable address and the types of rents limits the
types of tennants.
Commissioner Baderian noted thatthe Commissioners had two options, i.e., recommend a
Text Amendment or Zone Change, or make no recommendation at all.
Chairman Pro Tempore Parrille called for a motion. Hearing no motion, the item was
dismissed with no recommendation.
Chairman Beranek rejoined the meeting and Vice Chairman ParriUe relinquished the chair
to him.
2. UPDATE ON CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. CUP 06-16 (RESOLUTION
1768) FOR A BADMINTON CLUB AT 12336 LOWER AzUSA ROAD
Assistant Planner Steven Lee presented the staff report.
Commissioner Baderian expressed concern that the applicant had not yetcomplied wiih all
the conditions of approval of the CUP and asked what the city's policy is in such cases.
Mr. Kasamapointed.out that the applicants have stated their intention to apply for revisions
to the conditions and he suggested reviewing the matter again in thiee months to verify
compliance. If the applicant is still not in compliance, staff would recommend revocation.
Commissioner Baderianasked what would be the result of revocation, and Mr. Kasama
explained that the applicant would be notified of a hearing to determine,jf they can continue
operating or if they would have to close.
Commissioner Beranek asked who enforces these rulings. Mr. Kasama said that Code
Services Officers could monitor the operation and refer the matter to the City Attorney if
the applicant continues to be noncompliant
Mr. Lee noted that the only condition the applicant has failed to comply with is locking the
doors when daylight ends. Instead they remain open until 10:00 p.m.
Mr. William Chen and Mr. Scott Chen, the owners of the badminton club, explained that it
is difficult to monitor the doors since their patrons frequently use them to access the
parking lot. They stated their intention to apply for removal of this condition within the
neXt week. They pointed out that ~ey have their staff patrol the parking lot and
surrounding area for the safety of their patrons and neighbors.
Mr, William Chen also said that they conferred with the City Engineer on signage and
followed his advice on where to place the signs.
Commissioner Baderian pointed out that even after six and a half months; the applicants
have not met all the conditions of approval. Therefore, he requested a report on the status
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of the operation based on all existing conditions within three months. There being no
objection, the recommendation was ordered.
3. GENERAL PLAN ADVISORY COMMI'lJ'EE (Oral Presentation)
Senior Planner Lisa Flores presented a report on the status of the General Plan Advisory
Committee (GPAC).
Chairman Beranek asked what time the GPAC meetings will start. Ms. Flores explained
that the meetings will begin at 6:00 p.m. and that after the first meeting in July, a series of
meetings will start in September. At present, there are seven meetings scheduled.
Commissioner Baderian suggested that Chairman Beranek ,represent the Planning
Commission at these important meetings and that Vice Chairman Parrille serve as
alternate in case the Chairman is not available. Chairman Beranek and Vice Chairman
Parrilleagreed.
CONSENT ITEM
4. MINUTES OF JUNE 10,2008
MOTION:
It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Parrille to approve
the minutes oOune 10, 2008 as submitted.
Since there was no objection, the minutes were approved as submitted.
MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION
Councilman Kovacic reported that the City Council voted'unanimously to adopt a budget
for 2008-09 which includes significant cuts and revenue enhancements including a ten
dollar processing fee for business licenses, a fifty percent increase in fees for design
reviews'for single-family and, multi-family projects, a fifty percent increase in grading
review fees and added fees for environmental studies. The cuts and added revenue
resulted in an anticipated surplus of$200,OOO.
Mr. Kovacic reminded the Commissioners that the summer concerts at City Hall on
Thursday evenings start this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Also, the Arcadia Fire Department
will be at the Museum with their 1926 fire truck on July 12 at 2:00 p.m. to meet the
public and answer questions. On Sunday, July 13, the Historic Society will dedicate a
marker commemorating the site of the first City Hall building aUirst Avenue and
Huntington Drive.
Mr. Kovacic reported that during his General PlanUpdate.interview, he.expressed
concern about the changes on Baldwin Avenue. He said he feels that Baldwin Avenue is
not the thriving commercial district envisioned by residents in the past, and he hoped the
General Plan Update would address this issue.
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Chairman Beran' mention~'t~t a 'few months ago the tmmiSSioners had requested a
joint meeting with the City Council to exchange ideas and discuss issues of mutual
concern and that onewas to be scheduled after the elections. Mr. Kovacic agreed to
follow up on this with the Council.
MODIFICATION COMMI'lJ'EE MEETING ACTIONS
Vice Chairman Parrille reported on the last two Modification Committee meetings where
a total offive items were reviewed and all five were approved.
FURTHER MATTERS FROM STAFF
Mr. Kasama said that T-Mobile'sapplication for a Conditional Use Permit for a cell
tower at Orange Grove Park would be on the agenda for the July 22 meeting. He
explained that T -Mobile was previously a co-locator rather than the applicant on a similar
application. This time they submitted an application in their own name.
Mr. Kasama also said that the two lot subdivision on Canyon Drive, an illegal deck on
Torrey Pines Drive, miscellaneous Text Amendments and anew house at-54 I West Live
Oak Avenue with a front yard modification are among the applications that will be
scheduled for review in the near future.
ADJOURNED TO JULY 22, 2008
7:55 p.m
Is/Jim Kasama
Secretary, Arcadia Planning Commission
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