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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMARCH 11, 1958 '. ROLL CALL HINUTES VARIANCE Margolin ,r~, HINUTBS PLANNING COMMISSION OF THB CITY OF ARCADIA REGULAR HBBTING MARCH 11. 1958 The Planning COlIDDission of the City of Arcadia met in regular seasion in the Council Chamber of the City Hall, 'at 8:00 o'clock P.H., March 11, 1958, with Chairman Vachon presiding. PRESENT: Commissioners Acker, Davison. Forman, Michler, Pratt, Robertson, and Vachon. ABSENT: Noaa: .' 0THIlRS PRESENT: Councilman Reibold, Nicllin, Carozza, Cook, Talley, and Mrs. Andrews. . The minutes of February 25,1958 were approved as written ~d mailed, The ColIDDission considered a decision on the application of Vivian J, Margolin for a zone variance to allow C-3 uses and automobile parking on property at the northwest corner of Santa Anita Avenue and Las Tunas Drive. A letter from Mrs. A. J. Clark, 109 Sandra Avenue was read, in regard to the Margolin property. She would like to have it on record as being definately in favor of Sandra Avenue being left a dead end and the wall and turn around being constructed to safeguard her privecy, health, and welfare. She would prefer not to. have Sandra Avenue extended to Las Tunas Dri.ve. Communication from David S. Clart. 103 Sandra Avenue, stated he believed that a buffer strip of at least ten feet in width bordering the eastern side of hia lot, was vital to the protection of its residential privacy and value.' The proposed road from the east end of Sandra Avenue BOuth to Las Tunlls Drive would act as a satisfactory buffer for the residents at 102 Sandra Avenue and 103 Las Tunas Drive, but would do nothing to protect his hODl6 at 103 Sandra Avenue. The bedrooms of his house are lea a than 25 feet from the present boundary line, beyond which is proposed commercial parking. A wall alone would not keep the car lights and noises from disturbing the privacy of his home. He requested the right to purchase. at a nominal p'rice, a strip of land bordering the east side of his lot. not less than 10 feet wide, to give him a protec- tive buffer area. In this area, be can plant protective foliage tbat will help obliterate objectionable noises and lights. Anotber letter from H. B. Dawson, 84 Sandra Avenue stated that be has felt secure in the fact that he lives on a quiet dead end street., His wife and he both feel that the Commission has two choices to consider: 1. Let Sandra Avenue remain a dead end. with a turn around at the end of tbe street, or 2. Continue Sandra Avenue straight through to Santa Anita Avenue in accord with other streets travelling east and west.. He cannot see tbe reason for funnelling Las Tunas taaffic directly into Sandra Avenue. Donald O. !trag. from a law office in Alhambra, wrote that the Arcadia Collgregational Church, a. client of his office, had requested that tbey notify tbe Commission that in determining any conditiolls which they might wisb to prescribe for the 806ing and/or building on the Margolin property, it should be conSidered that the Arcadia Congre- gational Church has an easement for a pipeline ruuning in a general east-west direction along the northerly portion of tbe subject pro- perty, and from said land's abuttment with Sante Anita Avenue and March 11.. 1958 Page one . /~- ~. ~) running approximately as far as tbe rear of tbe present building now situated on the adjacent land owned by the Congregational Church. The actual location of this easement cannot be presently described in the latter, but they would supply tha exact location upon the Commission's request. Should any construction of buildings, walls, paving, or any work or improvement be cOlllpleted, these would have to be clone so as not to interfere with the church's right of easement. The report of the Zoning Committee was read. Chairman Vachon felt that in view of the letter they had received relative to Arcadia Congregational Church, that another stipulation ubould be put into the conditions, that the two property owners involved resolve the problem of water line easeme.nt if one exists. Commissioner Robertson asked if the alley to Santa Anita Avenue, which was termed a service alley, would have access to the parking area. The Secretary replied that it would. Mr. Margolin had planned one way traffic for delivery to the stores; coming in off of Santa Anita Avenue, unloading at the Stores, and going out through the parking lot. Mr. Robertson questioned heavy trucks turning in off of Santa Anita Avenue without creating a problem. He did not feel that with a twenty foot dedicated all~y, and the present width of Santa Anita Avenue., that heavy trucks could pull into the alley without diffi- culty. Mr. Michler said that this was discussed at the Zontng Committee meeting and he agreed that a hazard would exist. The Secretary aaid that he had talked with Mr. Margolin, and he said. that he waa going to try to work out a mutual arrangement with the service station so that customers could enter and park mutually over the grounde. Commissioner Pratt questioned the available parking and stated that the preferred ratio at Sears is 7 to 1; and this is less than 1 to 1. It was pointed out that the total number of cars that can be parked in the area provided on the ground and elevated is 1,033. . The Secretary stated tbat Mr. Margolin has more than the area re- quired by ordinance; his floor area is bui:lt up by the three story building, therefore calling for mere parking area. The, ordinance states that in C-3 zones one balf the area of the land shall be used for parking, which would be 293,000 square feet, and he has 255,00(\ counting the upper parking. Mr. Carozza stated that it is common knowledge that as time goes on, the center island of Santa Anita Avenue, will be reduced to provide two full lanes of traffic flow in eech direction with a paeking lane on each side. He also stated that at alleya near Huntington Drive the center parkway had been opened to provide access to the alley and that it was a possibility to open up Santa Anita Avenue near this proposed alley. Mr. Nicklin asked if the Commission desired to make any recommenda- tion concerning the claimed easement for the pipe line. He stated that normally the Planning Commission does' not enter into the field of the private rights of the parties involved. His only concern here is if there is an ea_nt at that location and the CommissiOn is approving a plot plan which would propose to cover that ease- ment, and the pipe line is not relocated there is going to be oonfusion. He believed that there was no recorded easement, but thatdoe!l not mean that there cannot be one by implied reservation. t~ ":.. . _ March 11, 1958 Page Two Lor SPLIT NO. 196 Lor SPLIT NO. 197 .,,-,--~/ The pipeUne is in fact on the property someplace and it would appear to him that plsnniftg Would require the removal of the pipe- line from an area which is going to be almost a dedicated alley. Commissioner Davison suggested that they add that the easement be resolved between the two interested parties. Moved by Mr. lUchler, seconded by Mr. Forman, that the appUcation of Vivian J, Margolin for a zone variance to allow C-3 uses and automobile parking on property at the northwest corner of Santa Anita Avenue lIIld Las Tunas Drive be recommended for approval subject to the conditions as specified by the Zoning Committee report with the additional request that the involved parties resolve the sit- uation of a pipeline easement. ~id motion WQs carried by the following vote: AYES: Commissioners Acker, Davison, Forman, Michler, Pratt, Robert- son, and Vachon, NOES: None No. 196 - I!mIIllI K. Brammeier, 1216 S. First Avenue; referred to Mr. Aeker and Hr. Michler. This split 18 to divide a small strip 7.75 feet wide to be used with a larger parcel to the south which eventually will be included in the subdivision on the extension of Greenfield Avenue. The City Engineer's Report was read. Hr. Acker inspected the property and he felt that the small piece of 7.75 feet c:ould only be used with the parcel to the south, and the lot split was agreeable with him, Moved by Mr. Acker, seconded by Mr, Michler, and carried that lot split No, 196, Emma K. Brammeier, 1216 5. First AV8Due be re- commended for approval, aubject to the following conditions: 1. File a final map with the City Engineer. 2. Record a covenant to guarantee that the 7.7 S foot parcel will not be used as a separate building site and will be held under the same ownership with the north 138.75 feet of the east 157 feet of lot 7, Tract No. 808. No, 197 - Holger A. Valentine, 211 E. Live Oak Avenue, referred to Mr. Acker and Mr, Michler, This property has a servtce station on parcell and there is a block wall built along the south line of parcel 4. It is proposed to divide parcel 4 nort~ of the block wall and add it to lot 13, to the north, which is zoned R-3, Parcel 2 is under lease to the oil company, but, the owner hae the right of ingress through to the rear of parcel 3, which faces on Live Oak Avenue. The City Engineer's report was read. The Secretary added that under a previous st~dy on Live Oak Avenue there was consideration of an alley at the rear of all of this property, This split would eliminate any alley but possibly there is no call for it because to the east, on lots l-and 2 there is now a church c:onatructed. Neither Mr. Ac:ker or Mr. Michler saw any need of an alley in this location under the circumstances. The Chairman questioned whether parcel 2 ahould be a separate parcel because it would create a 27 foot lot, actually subdivided as far as the C~ty is concerned, as a separate parcel in C-2 zoning, on which a building could be built. . Mar.ch 11, 1958 Page Three r ~ _ h- t"l . ....i"ll<'-f ", \.- \::--' c.,..' c.-- TRACT NO. 18568 USB CLASSI~ ~ICATION ,..---, \..._---, , Mr. Hege, representing Mr. Valentine on this. Illli.tter, stated that Parcel No. 2 is an easement granted to the teneral Petroleum Corporation. He was under tbe impression that it was a lease with an easement back to Mr. Valentine. however. it 18 an easement from Mr. Valentine to General Petroleum Corporation; He added tl1at Parcel No. 2 would either have to be made, a separate parcel or included with Parcel No.3, which is the portion that is being re~ tained by Mr. Valentine and he will went the right of ingress and egress over that approximately 20 foot area. He also added that a covenant filed against Parcel No. 2 that it shall not be used for building purposes would be acceptable. He was sure that Mr. Valentine loIOuld be glad to record such a covenant., and also with reference to the Bngineer's report, he certainly had no objections to the change of zoning on ,Parcel No. 4 from C-l to ,R-3, because it is the whole intention of this to get sufficient area on Lot 13 with which to build an apartment. M:lved by Mr. Michler, seconded by Mr. Acker, and carried that Lot Split No. 191, Holger 1". Valentine, 211 E. Live Oak Avenue be re.c:ommended for approval subject to the folldlwing conditions: 1. File a final map with tbe City Engineer. 2. Provide a sewer lateral for Parcel No, 3. 3. Dedicate 12 feet from Lot 13 for widening Second Avenue. 4. Pay $25.00 recreation fee for Parcel No.3. ..;- 5. Record a covenant to insure that no building will be constructed on Parcel No.2. M:lved by Mr. Michler, seconded by Mr. Acker and carried that the Co~ission institute proceedings to change the zone of Parcel No. 4 of above Lot Split No. 197 from Zone C-l to Zone R-3 to conform to the zomllng of Lot 13,Tract No. 12565. Communication from W,L. Hoffeditz, engineer, requesting an extension of one year on Tract No. 18568 located north of Longden Avenue between Santa Anita Avenue and Second Avenue, approved by the Co~ission on March 12, 1957 and by the City Council on March 19, 1957. He had been unable to proceed with the project heretofore because of one of the eleven property owners had been unable to complete necessary refinancing. He requeated that an extension of one year be given in order to complete installation of street improvements; no changes have been made on the tentative map aince it was approved by the City Council, Moved by Mr. Robertson, seconded by Mr. Acker, and carried that the request for the extension of one year on Tract No, 18568 Ikocated north of Longden Avenue between Sante Anita Avenue and Second Avenue be recommended for approval, subject to the same conditions that applied to the original approval. Request of Randolph Weltner that the busineas of aroll.er skating rink be classified as a use permiSSible in Zone C-2. Letter from Mr. Waltner requesting that the classification of the C-2 lot for uae as a roller skating rink and building in which shott religiOUS and spiritual programs may be held for young people; in connection with the operation of said roller skating rink, h8 would like to have a snack bar to serve light refreslllllents and soft drinks. He expectad to cater mainly to church groups which, during the courae of an evening, would have a devotional period. The property would be used mainly in the late afternoons and evening and Saturday and not during the regular business day, except during school vacations. The grauting of permission to use this property for a roller skating rink will not be detrimental to the public health or welfare, but will be an asset to the entire c01lllDUllity and its young people, Various young people's groups and church groups will be invited to partic:ipate on an appointment basb. On oc:casion, tbe rink will also be thrown open to the general public and at suc:h time as it is also anticipated that ~ short devotional period will be held. The property is being purc:hased for use as a roller skating Marc:h n, 1958 Page Four SIGN IN ZONE C-l BOWLING ALLEY r~ , rink and unless it can so be used, he will receive no benefit from its ownership. The use of this property for a roller skating rink will not interfere with the use of other property in the neighbor- hood. There are several empty lots surrounding it, and the erec- tion of the rink will build up the neighborhood. ; The subject property is lot 16, Block 82, the second lot north of La Porte .Street on the west side of First Avenue. It is SOxlSl and is zoned C-2. . The Chairman stated that he had discussed this matte.r with the Zoning Committee and felt that a roller skating rink and a bowling alley were similar, and a bowling alley is permitted to operate in a C-2 zone. Ordinance No. 823 states that a skating rink is on8' of those uses that takea a special permit from the Clty Council regardless of the zoning, Moved by Mr, Robertson, seconded by Mr. Michler, and canied that. the City Attorney be requested to draw a resolution classifying a roller skating rink as a use permissible in Zone C-2. A decision of t~e application of Francis L. Cook for a ~ost sign in Zone C-l at 123 8. Duarte Road was considered. It was referred to the Commission by the MOdification Committee. It was felt that since a variance for a sign had previously been granted to the restaurant on Las Tunas Drive by the City Council, that it would only be fair to grant this application. The application is for a sign 23" wide, and IS feet high erected on a pole. The lower end to be 8' minimuDJ from the ground; the pole to be set back from the existing curb 2S' along the westerly property line, Moved by Mr. Michler, seconded by Mr, Pratt, that the application of Francis L. Coo~ for a post sign in Zone C-l at 123 8. Duarte Road be approved subject, to the specifications as outlined in the application. Said motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Commissioner Acker, Davison, Forman, Michler. Pratt and Vachon. NOES: Commissioner Robertson The final plans. for the bowling alley on Las Tunas Drive in Zone D were considered, The plot plan submitted was in conflict with the Zone D requirements of Resolution No. 2888 in the following matters: Item 7 requires a wall or screen type .landscaping to separate automobile parking from the street. Landscaping of a portion of the street parkway was' proposed as an alternate. Item 10 requires a 10 foot setback from the street. The footings for the arches of tbe front entrance were shown to encroach slightly into the setback area. Item 13 requires a 6 foot high masonry wall along the east property line of El llIDnte Avenue. Tbe plan proposed a 4 foot high wall. MOved by Mr. Michler, seconded by Mr. Acker, and carried that final plans for the bowling alley on Las Tunas Drive in Zone D be approved as submitted except that the wall along 81 Monte Avenue shall be six feet high. March 11, 1958 Page Five FREBWAY ZONE CHANGES LEAGuE OF WOBBN VOTERS ORDI1VANCB NO. 990 RESOLUTION NO. 218 Report of the City Engineer on th~ ~form8tional freeway meeting held in Azusa, on rebruary 27, 19.58 was presented. ' Mr. Carozza stated that the Commission had been aUppUed with copies of thl!. report merely to keep them informed as to the latest informa- tion applying to the freeway. The Sectetary was instrbcted to proceed with setting a' date for hearing on the pending application for a chenge of zone to Zone R-3 on property near Las TUnas Drive and' Baldwin Avenue. The City Attorney was requested to prepare the necessary resolution t~ institute proceedings on the pending application for a change to Zone R-3 on Duarte Road west of Holly Avenue and including additional property to the west. to include all the property between Holly Avenue and th~ present commercial zone east of Baldwin Avenue. The Secretary read a no.te t.o the Planning Commission inviting them to attend the League of Women Voters Candidates Meeting on Tuesday, March 25. at the Rolly Avenue School AuditoriUlll from 8 to 10 P.M. It was pointed out that this was a regular CODllDission Meating date. The Commission conSidered a decision and recommendation concerning Ordinance No. 990. Mr. Carozza'read his report of the study which had been made by the Planning Division. The Committee which had met with citizens had previously met and conSidered and discussed the report. It was their opinion that Ordinance No, 990 was a sound ordinance and that any relief indicated for individual lots should be by means other than amendment of the ordinance. The matter of creating a new residential zone to cover certain areas of deep lots was discussed. It was felt that the lots that migbt fall into such a catagory were not of sufficient nUlllber and might be too widely separated to warrant auall a zone. The matter of zone variances for these cases was considered. It was agreed that some method of expediting the proceedings to shorten the time required for such a procedure should be studied. Also that it migbt be necessary to make some change in the length of time in which a variance IIlUst be used. Mr, Cain questioned some of the statements of the City Engineer's report. He also thought that deep lots where it is possible to subdivide the rear portion, should be considered the same as those where the subdivision has been accomplished. except that the extreme rear portion of the lot should be denied any buildings until it is subdivided. Upon questioning by Mr. Nicklin, Mr. Cain stated that a period of one year or two years instead of the present six months period in which to exercise a variance would help alleviate tbe problem. Moved by Mr. Pratt, seconded by Mr. Robertson, and carried that the report of the City Engineer be approved and recommended for approval by the City Council. Also that the matter of processing of variances should be studied for a method of expediting the procedure and reducing the'time required for processing such applications. Mr. Nicklin introduced Resolution No. 218, entitled a "Resolution of the City Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia, California, recommending the granting of a variance to pemmit an addition at the rear of an existing professional office building; the establishment and operation of a pharmacy therein, and the erection and msintainance of a sign at 600 West Huntington Boulevard~' The resolution. as aubmitted, proposed a limit on t.he 8IDOunt of show case which would be allowed in the professional pharmacy. The Commission felt that this limitation would not be needed. and the item waa eliminated. March 11, 1958 Page Six . . ,r-, Moved by Mr. Acker, seconded by Mr. Porman, and carried that the reading of the full body of Resolution No. 278 be waived. , Moved by Mr. Robertaon, seconded by Mr. Pratt, and carried that Resolution No. 278 as amended be adopted. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. 'f.}J1., . Vn~ L. M. TALLEY ,. Planning Secretary March 11, 1958 Page Seven