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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9-14-10MINUTES ARCADIA PLANNING COMMISSION 7:00 P.M. And COMMUNITY WORKSHOP 7:30 P.M. Tuesday, September 14, 2010 Arcadia City Council Chambers The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the City of Arcadia, at 240 W. Huntington Drive with Chairman Parrille presiding. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairman Parrille led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Commissioners Baderian, Baerg, Chiao and Parrille ABSENT: Commissioner Beranek It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Baerg to excuse Commissioner Beranek. Without objection the motion was approved. OTHERS ATTENDING Assistant City Manager /Development Services Director, Jason Kruckeberg Deputy Development Services Director /City Engineer, Phil Wray Community Development Administrator, Jim Kasama Senior Planner, Lisa Flores Associate Planner, Tom Li Senior Administrative Assistant, Billie Tone SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS There were 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 There were none. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. MODIFICATION APPLICATION NO. MP 10 -03 AND SINGLE- FAMILY ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN REVIEW NO. SFADR 10-42 2215 Holly Avenue Sanyao International, Inc. (Designer) The applicant is requesting the following Modification and Single Family Architectural Design Review for a proposed new single family residence on an R -1 single family zoned property: Associate Planner, Tom Li, presented the staff report. Commissioner Baderian asked what area the notices to property owners covered. Mr. Li said that the notices were sent to owners of property within 100 feet of the proposed site. This included eight neighbors. He also said that there was no response to the notice. The Public Hearing was opened. Chairman PerriIle asked if anyone would like to speak in favor of this project. Mr. Robert Tong, representing the property owner, said that all conditions are acceptable and offered to answer questions. Chairman Perri Ile asked if anyone wanted to speak in opposition to this project. There were none. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian to close the Public Hearing. Without objection the motion was approved. MOTION: ROLL CALL A 25' -0" front yard setback in lieu of the 40' -0" special setback required (Sec. 9320.39.1). It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Baerg, to approve Modification Application No. MP 10-03 and Single Family Architectural Design Review No. SFADR 10 -42, subject to the conditions in the staff report. AYES: Commissioners Baderian, Baerg, Chiao and Perri Ile NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Beranek There is a five working day appeal period after the approval/denial of the applications. Appeals are to be filed by 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 21, 2010. CONSENT ITEMS 2. MINUTES OF AUGUST 24, 2010 RECOMMENDATION: Approve the minutes of August 24, 2010. PC MINUTES 9-14-10 Page 2 MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baerg, seconded by Commissioner Baderian, to approve the minutes of August 24, 2010 as presented. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Baderian, Baerg, Chiao, and Parrille NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Beranek MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMISSION None MODIFICATION COMMITTEE AGENDA Chairman Parrille reported that an application for a Modification to legalize non permitted additions to two legal- nonconforming units at 274 -276 W. Duarte Road was approved at the meeting this moming. MATTERS FROM STAFF UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS Mr. Kasama said that the upcoming agenda will include a request for an extension on a Conditional Use Permit and a study session on the General Plan update. He added that the study session may be scheduled before the regular meeting of the Planning Commission, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers Conference Room and that the Commissioners would be notified as soon as plans are finalized. RECESS Chairman Parrille called a recess at 7:12 p.m. RECONVENE Chairman Parrille called the meeting back to order at 7:30 p.m. COMMUNITY WORKSHOP 7:30 P.M. 3. ZONING CODE AMENDMENTS Citywide Mr. Kruckeberg and Ms. Flores presented a report on the proposed Zoning Code Amendments to achieve consistency with the 2010 Draft General Plan as well as a general update on the status of the project. After the presentation, they invited comments from the audience. Mr. Samuel Kuo asked when the proposed changes in zoning will occur. Mr. Kruckeberg explained that the proposed General Plan and Zoning Code Amendments will be presented to the City Council at their November 16 meeting and he projected that they will be in place by January 1, 2011. PC MINUTES 9 -14-10 Page 3 Mr. Armando Gonzalez said he understood that the proposed location of the platform for the Gold Line Station was changed. Mr. Kruckeberg explained that the platform was originally going to be located on the east side of First Avenue, across from 24 Hour Fitness. However, the new proposed location is on the west side of First Avenue, next to the location of the new parking structure. This is considered a safer area for pedestrians and will be adjacent to a gathering place and open space. Mr. Kruckeberg said that no mixed use zoning is proposed for this area at present. He also noted that at present, there are essentially three parking spaces required per unit which is a very high standard. This requirement would change to 1.5 parking spaces per unit, and one guest space for every two units. Mr. Gonzalez asked about the number of parking stalls planned for the Metro Station. Mr. Kruckeberg told him that at present there are 300 parking stalls planned but that is expected to ultimately increase to 800 stalls. Mr. Gonzalez asked if any consideration had been given to an additional parking structure at a distance of one or two blocks that would encourage pedestrian traffic through a retail development. Mr. Kruckeberg said that the City Council approved a downtown parking study that is not part of the General Plan, which will serve as a great resource when developing parking plans. Mr. Gonzalez expressed support for the recommendation to increase building height from 45 feet to 48 feet. He said this change would provide incentive for development. An unidentified woman asked if eminent domain will be a factor in the General Plan update. Mr. Kruckeberg explained that the city's redevelopment agency does not have the power of eminent domain for private developments. He explained that all properties that the city has recently acquired for development have been the result of private negotiation, but the Gold Line Construction Authority is involved in negotiations for the property it needs. Ms. Talio Yamashiro asked if changes to the R -1 zone would allow a granny house with a kitchenette and bedroom to be built in the rear yard. Mr. Kruckeberg explained that the city already has regulations that allow a guest house in R -1 zones if the lot is 15,000 sq. ft. or greater. The guest house may be no larger than 600 sq. ft. and a legal covenant stating that the guest house will not be used as rental property is required. He noted that it is possible, under the new zoning code amendments, that the covenant may no longer be required. Ms. Yamashiro explained that as she ages, she would prefer to live close to her family rather than in a convalescent home and that a granny house would be ideal. She suggested increasing the allowed square footage restriction to 1000 sq. ft. Mr. Kruckeberg explained that he appreciates her concerns and will forward her remarks to the City Council. Mr. Jack Burk said that he was happy to come to the Workshop and leam about the proposed zoning amendments. He said he was impressed with the quality and amount of work staff had done on the project and he appreciated the opportunity to comment. He suggested adding PC MINUTES 9-14-10 Page 4 prominent icons to the city website for agendas and workshops. Mr. Burk noted that in the past, young people who grew up in the city could not afford to live in the city when they got out of school but he hoped this would change. He said that he sympathized with those who preferred to live in a granny unit rather than a convalescent home and hoped that this issue could also be addressed. He expressed support for an increase in building height and density as long as these changes were made in proportion and did not affect the character of the neighborhoods. Ms. Mary Rovarino questioned the increase from 25 to 30 units per acre in the R -3 zones especially in regards to increased traffic. Mr. Kruckeberg said that traffic circulation is addressed in the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) and that since 25 years of growth is difficult to project, the common practice is to use a worst case scenario approach. Obviously an increase in density will impact certain intersections over time and the intersections will need to be improved. The change from 25 to 30 units per acre is not particularly significant and can be adequately mitigated. Mr. Wray also explained that when new units are built, the developer is required to pay traffic impact fees and those fees are used towards widening impacted intersections and other traffic related improvements. As the new General Plan is implemented, the fee structure will be updated to mirror the increase in density. Ms. April Seymour asked if any changes were being contemplated for the parking lot behind the businesses on Huntington Drive. Mr. Kruckeberg explained that the parking lots are currently commercially zoned and the city has no intention of selling to a private company. It's possible that a parking structure may be considered for that site at some time in the future. Mr. Gonzalez suggested the location for the parking structure for the Gold Line platform should encourage pedestrian traffic and provide an opportunity to walk through a retail area. He noted that this would generate tax revenue for the city and energize the area. Mr. Wray explained the location of the parking structure location and that there will not be a direct connection from the structure to the station platforms. So there will still be a fair amount of pedestrian travel required that will offer an element of exposure to the street and retail businesses. Mr. Gonzalez asked if there will be retail space near the station platform. Mr. Kruckeberg said that eventually it is the City's hope that retail will be included near the platform area. An unidentified man said he hopes that the City will show better judgment for the next 25 years than has been evident in the last 25 years. He said a 10,000 square foot home on a 5,000 sq. ft. lot is an example of poor judgment. He reminded the Commissioners and staff that the citizens are counting on them to make the right decisions and he hopes they do a better job than they have in the past. Mr. Kruckeberg explained that the floor area ratio issue has been dealt with by the City Council and Planning Commission before and will continue to be an issue. PC MINUTES 9-14-10 Page 5 Mr. Kruckeberg told the audience to contact Senior Planner, Lisa Flores at Iflores @ci.arcdia.ca.us for answers to questions about specific properties. He thanked the audience for their attention and comments and turned the meeting over to the Chairman. Chairman Parrille thanked the audience for their participation and adjoumed the meeting. 8:44 p.m. ADJOURNED ATTEST: L Planning Commission lanning Commission PC MINUTES 9-14-10 Page 6