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Home My WebLink AboutMARCH 11, 2008 (I) . MINUTES ARCADIA PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, March II, 2008, 7:00 P,M, Arcadia City Council Chambers . The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the City of Arcadia, at 240 W. Huntington Drive, with Chairman Baderian presiding, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Commissioners Baerg, Beranek, Hsu, Parrille and Baderian ABSENT: None OTHERS AITENDING Development Services Director Jason Kruckeberg Senior Planner Lisa Flores Associate Planner TomLi Administrative AssistantBillie Tone SUJ>I>LEMENTAL 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 - Five-minute time limit per person None 1. PUBUC HEARING- TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO, 08-01 (70266) 615 S. Second Avenue Lim Jeuh Hwie (Property Owner) The applicant is requesting approval of a Tentative Parcel Map for a2-unit residential condominium project, The staff report was presented by Associate Planner Tom Li. The public hearing was opened, Me, Hank Jong, Civil Engineer, representing the applicant, offered to answer questions on the project, Chairman Baderi&ed Mr. long if the applicant would & to comply with the recommendations in the staff report and MJ', long ;!Ill they would. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Parrille, seconded by Commissioner Hsu to close the public hearing, Without objection the public hearing was closed, MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Hsu, seconded by Commissioner Parrille, to approve Tentative Parcel Map No, 08-01 subject to the conditions in the staff report. Commissioner Parrille noted that the project was consistent with the General Plan and Zoning Regulations, ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: Commissioners Baerg, Beranek, Hsu, Panille and Baderian None There is a ten day appeal period from the date of the decision, Appeals are to befilild by March 21,2008, 2, PUBLIC HEARING - TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. 08-02 (70292) 77 W,Las Flores Avenue Elite Decor Center, IDc, The applicant is requesting approval of a Tentative Parcel Map for the subdivision of a 30,280 square-foot, single-family residentiallnt into 2 legal lots, The staff report was presented by Senior Planner Lisa Flores, The public.hearing was opened. Mr, Hank long, Civil Engineer, representing the applicant, directed the Commissioners' attention to the Assessor's map projected on the screen. Mr, long pointed out three properties in the same blOCk as the project site with a width of 75 feet, concluding that the proposed sites are consistent with the neighborbood and meet. city requirements, Commissioner Parrille asked what the size of each lot will be after the subdivision. Mr, long said that each lot will have a width of75 feet and depth of200 feet for a total of 15,000 square feet, Chairman Baderian asked Mr, long if the applicant would agree to comply with staff's PC MINlITES 3-11~ Pogo 2 recommendations.sted in the Staff Report, Mr. long ~ will comply, Commissioner Hsu asked about the plans for the oak trees in the front yard. Mr, long said the applicant has made plans to protect the trees duringconstriJction and to retain the trees, Mr, Ken.Ma, the owner of the proposed site, said he hired an arborist to advise him on how to protect the two oak trees during construction because the trees are essential to the property and he intends to preserve them. There will be one oak tree on each lot. He also pointed. out that there are several properties east of the site with a frontage of75 feet. Mr. Michael Crane said he is the consultingarborist on the project and that he made his first site visit today to examine and. measure the trees, He provided a copy of his report summarizing his visit and recommendations to staff, He said he believes that the project can proceed without damage to the trees as long as certain precautions are followed, Commissioner Parrille asked ifMr, Crane will be present during construction to insure the safety of the trees, Mr, Crane said that he will be there at critical times like the installation of protective fencing and the excavation within the oak tree protection zone. The following spoke in opposition to the project: Ms, lanetRaymond, a neighbor, said she strongly opposes the subdivision. She pointed out that the properties around the site all have a frontage of 100 plus feet and that the proposed subdivision will have a negative impact aesthetically on the neighborhood and will contribute to overcrowding. Ms, Barbara Archer, a neighbor, saii! that she ~ote a letter of opposition to the project, She asked if the same rules apply to all areas. of the citY and what is meant by the term "setback", Mr, Kruckeberg briefly explained the application of residential zoning throughout the city and defined'the term "setback", Ms, Archer presented a petition in opposition to the project that was signed by several neighbors, She said that although she had not had an opportunitY to speak with all the residents on the street she felt that many of them would not favor this project, She pointed out that most of the properties have 100 foot frontages and that this project would place two narrow lots in the middle of the block. Ms, Archer asked the Commissioners to consider the interests of the residents in the neighborhood. In response to the opposition, Mr, long pointed out that the lot is 150 feet wide making it considerably larger than the lots surrounding it and therefore inconsistent with the neighborhood, He feels the subdivision will be consistent with city requirements and setbacks and building regulations and should be approved, MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Hsu, seconded by Commissioner Beranek to close the public hearing, PC MINUIllS 3;11~8 Page'! Without objectiae public hearing was closed. . Commissioners Parrille and Hsu asked about the restrictions that apply to this type of project and Mr. Kruckeberg briefly explained the Subdivision Map Act, Commissioner Baerg noted that the property is on the border of the R-O and R-I zones and that if it were situated a few feet to one side a 100 foot frontage would be required. Commissioner Beranek pointed out that the street is in transition with other new projects ongoing, Commissioner Baerg agreed that there is an eclectic mix of homes on the street. CommissionerHsu said that he reviewed the findings and found nothing on which to base a denial. MonON: It was moved by Commissioner Beranek, seconded by Commissioner Parrille, to approve Tentative Parcel Map No. 08-02 subject to the conditions in the staff report. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: Commissioners Baerg, Beranek, Hsu, Parrille and Baderian None There is a ten day appeal period from the date of the decision, Appeals are to be filed by March 21, 2008 CONSENT ITEMS 3, MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 26,2008 RECOMMENDATION: Approve MonON: It was moved by Commissioner Beranek, seconded by Commissioner Parrille, to approve the minutes of February 26,.2008 as presented, ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: Commissioners Baerg, Beranek, Hsu, Parrille and Baderian None . MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION Mr, Kruckeberg said that the March 25 and April 8 meetings may be cancelled and the Commissioners will be notified. PC MINUTES 3-11-08 Page 4 Commissioner Ale said that he will be on vacation in.first part of April. Commissioner Beranek reminded the Commission that he will be going to Sacramento on the 25th of March for the League of California Cities Planners Institute and Expo, MODIFICATION COMMITfEE MEETlNGACflONS Commissioner Panille reported that the Modification Committee approved MC 08-03 and Administrative SFADR 08-04 at 1812 S, Eighth Avenue subject to conditions, FURTHER MATTERS FROM STAFF Mr, Kruckeberg directed attention to the article on housing elements given to each Commissioner, He said the article described how cities are dealing with RHNA numbers and housing in general. He noted that the City Council has decided to waive Parks fees on most projects currently in process, He said the Council will discuss the new city hall at their next meeting and that the General Plan consultant has begun their process, Mr, Kruckeberg also said that interviews are being held for his replacement and he expects an offer to be made within a week or two. Commissioner Panille asked about the city' siegal obligations on projects such as the one at 77 West Las Flores, He suggested that it might be helpful to have legal council available for certain issues, Mr; Kruckeberg said that the city attorney reviews staff's findings before they are presented to the Commission but that the Commission still has the option to deny if they do not agree with the findings, He also said that the City Attorney is available to attend Planning Commission meetings if requested, Chairman.Baderian suggested a joint meeting with the City Council on the General Plan and other issues after the elections, perhaps this summer or early fall. ADJOURNMENT 7:50 D,m. Is/Jason Kruckeberg Secretary, Arcadia Planning Commission PC MINlITES 3~l1.o8 Page , . . SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT IS VOLill;i ARY - YOUR A TTE1\'DANCE & PARTICIPATION DOES NOT REQUIRE SIGNING TillS DOCUMENT. PRINTING YOUR NAME, ONLY ENABLES THE SECRETARY TO CORRECTLY SPELL YOUR i'\A,\1E & ADDRESS, Please PRINT your name and address below: NAME ADDRESS '-C\... q IDO? c...L &.. ~(Ot:>? q /0;..0'] 'c/ I C0 q/DD ? , . . . ..- Arbor Care Inc. Arboricultural Consulting & Plant Health Care Post Office Box 51U2 Pasadena California 91115 TellFaI: 626-737-4007 March 11, 2008 RE: Preliminary evaluation of feasibility and impacts of root pruning on two mature Coast Live Oaks at 77 West La Flores Avenue, Arcadia 91007, General Observations Both oaks are in good condition, They have full canopies, good structure, no signs of dieback, moderate bleeding on trunks which can be a sign of root rot, nicely exposed root collars with no signs of decay on buttress roots, (See photos on next page) . Tree on the east has a trunk diameter (DBH)of 46 inches, . Tree on the west has a trunk diameter (DBH) of 41 inches, . The distance between each tree (outsides of trunkS) is 46 feet, . Each of the trunkS is 37 feet from.the foundation of the existing house, Root Pruning- Taken from Root Pnminlt Hagen. Broce W, International Society of Arboriculture Western ArboristV. 33 #2 pp, 18-22 Decisions regarding the minimum distance from the trunk and the extent of root removal should be based on the potential impacts of both tree health and root stability, Tree roots are concentrated near the soil surfilce, and even minor digging can cause significant damage to tree root systems unless adequate precautions are taken, Root cutting, depending on severity, can cause dieback or decline by restricting water and nutrient uptake. Loss of roots close to the trunk can also have an immediate destabilizing effect and can ultimately lead to severe root decay, There are no well-defined standards regarding.the percentage of root mass that can be cut without appreciably affecting tree health because there are so many variables involved. It's not uncommon, though, for trees to survive after losing more than 50 percent of their root systems. The number, size of roots cut, and distance from the trunk are more important than the percentage of roots cut. The loss of roots on one side of a tree at about five times the trunk diameter is generally considered to be acceptable, depending on tree health, condition and root distribution, This distance would have to be increased if cutting was.to be done on two or more sides of a tree. It.is recommended that a clearance of seven times the trunk diameter if cutting on two or three sides and 10 times the diameter if all four sides will be impacted, 46" X 5 = 230" (19 ft.) 41" X 5 = 205" (17 ft.) 46" X 7 = 322" (27 ft.) 41" X 7 = 287" (24 ft.) 46" X 10 = 460" (38 ft.) 41" X 10 = 410" (34 ft.) . . . ._0- Two oaks with tnmk diameters measuring 41 and 46 inches aN 'hfeet above grade stand 46 feet apart from each other. Eai:h tree is37 feetfrom thefoundation of the existing house. '---.---- -- FROM : . f'i-D.IE />l). . Mar. 10 2l!08 1il9:19AM Pi Man:h 3, 2008 To: City of Arcadia DeveloptnllIll: Services Div. R8: Application No.: Ten1lII:ive Partel Map No. 08-02 Locatio)): 7T W. Las Flores Ave., Arcadia, Los Angeles CoWJty Gentlemen: We are very muehagBinst ~asubdivisiDn oflot. T1 W. Las FIoresiuto two separate "lots. The ~ of lots in this mea are 100 ft. or more wide. This panicuJar lot is located in the middle of the block. Chopping this Iotin two dowugradestbe sonounding neighborlwod and the oWlllll ambience and allows fur the beginnil1g of 8 trend. We would hope tbal An:adia does IIOt stoop"to desnoying a fine tmdition of homes by slicing up parcels and reducing the quality oftbis area as bas happened in some oftha smroll1ldiDgcitjes. lnaddItioll,thcrearetwo vecylaiF Qnt';tmttling Live Oak troes in the from yard that are prou:cted. ' Where can we find documentation oflot 'IfgJ,'! What is the width of tile lot? ~~ Barbara Arcl!cr The An:her:Family 111 W.LasFloxesAve. An:adia, ea.. 91007 cc:Jrd(ip~_ ~~ '~~ - ~~.I/~d6 ~. J Iou \J l.\.lI4u\'\ "S<I tl 1. r