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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFEBRUARY 13, 1962 .' '. '. ROLL CALL MINUTES Lor SPLIT No. 353 . . MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA FEBRUARY 13, 1962 The Planning Cpmmission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session in the Council Chamber of the City Hall at 8:00 P.M., February 13, 1962, with Chairman Golisch presiding. PRESENT: Commissioners Acker, Forman, Rutherford and Golisch. ABSENT: Commissioners Ferguson, Michler and Norton. OTHERS PRESENT: Councilman Phillips, Planning Director William Phelps, and Planning Secretary, L. M. Talley. The approval of the minutes of January 23, 1962 was deferred until the next regular meeting. The Planning Commission considered Lot Split No. 353 - Joseph Angelo Li Cause, 15 West Duarte Road, previously referred to Commissioners Ferguson, Forman and Acker. This split is requested to improve the parking and egress -and ingress to the Lyndon Swimming School to the north. It has been a real hazard in the past for the cars to exit onto Santa Anita Ave. during the peak traffic period. This would provide exis~ onto Duarte Road. Commissioner Forman had reviewed the matter and felt that it would provide a better situation due to the service station being removed and the additional piece origin- ally used by Mr. Lyndon had been lost as a result. The fence was approx- imately 20 feet further south than is now indicated. The discussion which followed pertained to the width of the driveways - 10 feet - which would be too narrow in this zone. Even R-3 requires a 12-1/2 foot driveway. The Engineer's report stated that if the lot split is granted the following conditions should be imposed: 1. File a final map; 2. Pay a $25.00 recreation fee. The Staff report stated that this property is in Zone C-2. It is proposed to sell Parcel 2, including the driveway, to the owner of the property at 921 S. Santa Anita Avenue and that the 40 foot parking lot to the west and Parcel 1 shall remain in common ownership. Also, the applicant should reserve an easement for drainage over the east 10 feet. The remaining 40 foot wide parking lot for Parcel 1 would make it difficult for cars to turn around to exit onto Duarte Road. Commissioner Acker stated that he felt the property was being divided and that the future development of the area would be difficult to handle cutting it into such small pare-eLs. There is the possibility that this property, in the future, could be developed to a much better use. The Chairman stated that he had investigated the property and felt that the Commission is primarily concerned with good planning and zoning and to put the ownership of Par cel 2 in with the property on Santa Anita Avenue would preclude any real development in the area. He felt that the applicant should attempt to lease the property which would give February 13, 1962 Page One - .--J.' MOTION HARDING'S GARDENLAND VARIANCE . . adequate parking and would fulfill the requirements. From a planning stand- point it was not good to split a prime loe. The Planning Director stated that the report neither recommended for or against the proposed split. But, from his own viewpoint, it would not be good planning to permit the split. Motion by Commissioner Acker, seconded by Commissioner Rutherford that the request be denied. The motion lost by the following vote: (i'I."h AYES - Commissioners Acker, Rutherford and Norton NOES - Commissioner Forman ABSENT - Commissioners Ferguson, Michler and Norton. It was explained to the applicant that four votes were required for action, and that the matter would be reconsidered at the next meeting. A request had been made to reconsider the variance of Harding's Gardenland and a chain link fence on the alley, north of Live Oak Avenue, west of Second Avenue. Commissioner Rutherford had been at the Zoning Committee meeting called to study this matter, and stated that when the variance was originally submitted, it was decided that the fence should be to screen the material placed behind it, and the Zoning Committee concurred with this opinion. Rather than a chain link fence, it should be a type to screen from view the materials allowed to be stored behind it. He stated that the Engineer- ing Depat;tment had recommended that plastic strips be used in the fence now constructed, or something similar. The Planning Secretary read the portion of the resolution pertaining to the requirements imposed, which stated: "The entire area of subject property to be graded, and all but the easterly 23 feet thereof be fenced with a concrete block wall, grape stake fence, or similar type, to screen the stored materials from view". Commissioner Rutherford stated that the intent was that all materials so stored should be screened from the street, which would require some type of solid or semi-solid fence rather than a wire fence. Commissioner Golisch stated that upon viewing the property, he felt that the type of fence now constructed was more beneficial to the type of material being stored behind it, and it looked very good, and if it were used just for that purpose it should be satisfactory. The one point, however, seems to be the matter of communication between the Commission and Mr. Harding as to what was the intent of the particular discussion and if the area is used only for the storage of shrubs and trees and plants of that nature, it would seem satisfactory. The general consensus was that it should be a closed fence. The Zoning Committee felt that it shouM be closed up. Charles Harding stated he would be willing to sign an agreement as part of the variance that only certain materials would be stored in the area. If any other material is stored it would be in violation of the variance. There was a misunderstanding on his part, and how the area appears with this type of fence and the materials now stored is evidenced and is a definite improvement. February 13, 1962 Page Two ~ .'~ MOTION HIGHWAY PLA"f./ MOTION PUBLIC PARTICI - PATION REPORTS . . Commissioner Acker stated that if there is a consideration of error in interpretation, with the type of construction placed on the property being satisfactory, it would seem that some legal advice should be obtained as to whether or not a covenant or agreement could be obtained spelling out the type of materials that could be stored. Moved by Commissioner Acker, seconded by Commissioner Golisch. that the fence as now constructed be allowed to remain, subject to the signing of an agreement or covenant as to the specific type of materials to be stored behind it. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Acker, Rutherford, and Golisch NOES: Commissioner Forman ABSENT: Commissioners Ferguson, Michler and Norton The motion was no~ carried because of a lack of majority vote; therefore, the matter will be on the agenda for the next regular Planning Commission meeting. An 6pinion should be obtained from the City Attorney as to the type of instrument to be prepared covering the type of materials to be stored; and also so that the matter may be considered before the entire Commission. The LoS Angeles County Regional Planning Commission had submitted Amendment No. 458 to th~ Regional Planning Commission Master plan of Highways which outlined certain changes in the Master Plan. The Amend- ment proposed to remove Durfee Ave, a parkway, between Lower Azusa Road and the East Hondo Parkway, and Durfee Avenue, a secondary, between East Hondo Parkway and Arrow Highway. Change Durfee Avenue, a parkway, between San Barnardino Road (Ramona Boultvard) and Lower Azusa Road to a secondary highway. A public hearing on this matter will be held before the Regional Planning Commission in the near future. A map of the area was presented, and a discussion followed. Moved by Commissioner Acker, seconded by Commissioner Rutherford and unanimously carried that the Planning Commission refer the matter to the City Council with a recommendation of approval, and that a representative should be present at t~e public hearing. Mr. Joseph Angelo Li Cause, 15 West Duarte Road, stated that he did not speak at the time of the lot split hereinabove discussed, but would like to have the matter reconsidered. He was informed that it would be on the agenda for the next meeting inasmuch as the action did not receive a majority vote. Mr. William Hoffeditz, Engineer for the developer of Tract No. 17508, presented a map of the tract. He stated that certain negotiations were pending and some decision would probably be reached immediately relative to the purchase of additional property and if this purchase is culminated, the developer will again present the tentative map. This would relieve the present plan of the one parcel that had been under consideration but not approved. The matters referred to the Department by the Commission at the last meeting, namely, the off-street parking, the off-street parking, the compatibility of uses in commercial zones, and the upgrading and revising the restrictions in the R-3 districts. February 13, 1962 Page Three '" .-4, ADJOURNMENT . . The Staff work has not as yet been completed in its entirety in a form for presentation. Basic work has been done on the off-street parking requirements. This is still in a preliminary form or stage of development. Copies have been given to members of the Zoning Committee. It is hoped that Staff and the Zoning Committee would meet again and would have a proposal to present to the Commission. \ The only other item of interest if the result of several meetings held with members of the Central Area Landowners' Association of Downtown Arcadia. Some of the property owners are very sincere and very desirous of upgrading the area. They have been approached with the basic plan that before an attempt is made to develop a plan for that. area that there be some general idea of where they want to go and whether this is in line with the overall plan for the development of the entire city, as spelled out by possible policies of the Planning Commission and the possible policies of the City Council. It has been suggested that prior to the preparation of a plan to be called a "goal" or "objective" course for Downtown Arcadia, it is hoped that some of the things could be spelled out in general of what is anticipated and some .of the things desired, and some of the ways this can be accomplished. To this end, the Planning Department has prepared a rough outline of the report which will be completed so that copies may be distributed to the Commission, to the Central Landowners' Association, and other interested parties. If there are differences of opinion as to how, what, when and where these things can be done, it would be bett~r to argue them out before an actual plan is developed. The idea is to spea a little more time in the beginning so that the ultimate plan can be developed uniformly and meet the needs of the area. There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 8:50 P.M. I?Y'N. ~( L. M. TALLEY, Planning Secretary February 13, 1962 Page Four MOTION (R-3) REPORT ADJOURNMENT . . It was also moved by Commissioner Norton, seconded by Commissioner Forman, that the restrictions in the present R-3 should be studied and that the compatibility of commercial uses should be given attention. These matters should be referred to the Zoning Committee and a report submitted to the Planning Commission. The Planning Director summarized the status of the Downton area progress. He stated it was in the exploratory stage. That goals should be determined and then proceed to set up methods of development. There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 10:45 P.M. t~.. L.M. TALLEY, Planning Secretary