HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-26-10The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, October 26,
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, Beranek, Chiao and Parrille
ABSENT: None
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
Senior Administrative Assistant, Billie Tone
Hogle Ireland Consultant, Laura Stetson
Bon Terra Consultant, Kristin Keeling
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.
MINUTES
ARCADIA PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 7:00 P.M.
Arcadia City Council Chambers
PUBLIC HEARING
1. GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
General Plan Update, Final Environmental Impact Report, Proposed Zoning Code
Amendments, and New Official Zoning Map
Mr. Kruckeberg and Ms. Flores presented the staff report.
Chairman Parrille asked for questions from the Commissioners.
The Commissioners chose to first hear from the audience.
Chairman PamIle asked for questions from the audience.
Ms. Jane Yu, thanked the Commissioners for the opportunity to voice her concerns about
zoning for her property at 1012 S. First Avenue. She said that her family purchased their
home in 1988 and it was a nice, quiet neighborhood at that time. However, because her
property is surrounded by C -2 zoning, the neighborhood has seen some significant changes
with an auto repair shop and remodeled health club and swimming pool being added across
the street. Ms. Yu said that she is concerned that rezoning in the General Plan Update may
have a further negative effect, particularly in regard to noise.
Mr. Kruckeberg said there are no changes proposed in the General Plan Update for that
area. However, Mrs. Yu may want to consider requesting a noise evaluation of the area.
Ms. Beth Constanza, Executive Director of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce, said that the
General Plan Update was very interesting and that it contained lots of good ideas but she
felt that the local business community should have been more involved in the development
of the Plan.
Mr. Kruckeberg pointed out that three members of the General Plan Advisory Committee
were also members of the Chamber of Commerce and that staff conducted several
workshops sponsored by the Chamber. In addition, there were two General Plan Update
meetings specifically for local realtors and business people. He noted that staff made a
concerted effort to involve local business people and to take their input into consideration.
MOTION:
It was moved by Commissioner Baderian to close the Public Hearing. Without objection the
motion was approved.
Chairman Parrille asked if the Commissioners had any questions.
Commissioner Baderian asked if water resources could accommodate the projected
population. Mr. Kruckeberg said that a water supply assessment is part of the
Environmental Impact Report and as a result of this assessment, staff has been assured by
all the suppliers of water for the city that the necessary resources will be available to
accommodate the projected population increase.
Commissioner Baerg asked about the proposed regulations for designated parking spaces
for accessory dwelling units. Ms. Flores explained the proposed regulations and how they
would apply to accessory dwelling units.
Chairman Pamile asked if parking regulations were reviewed for all uses or only for mixed
use. Mr. Kruckeberg said that only mixed use and R -3 zoning parking uses were evaluated
in the General Plan Update.
Commissioner Beranek asked how the Gold Line Station and parking structure will be
integrated into the General Plan Update. Mr. Wray explained that staff will conduct
inspections as construction proceeds on the Gold Line and that the city will design the transit
plaza in accordance with the plan envisioned for the city.
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Commissioner Chiao asked how the new policies in the General Plan Update would be
applied to a new development. Ms. Flores explained that any new development would be
subject to both the General Plan policies and zoning regulations and that both sets of
policies are designed to be compatible, with neither taking precedence.
Commissioner Baderian asked if Police and Fire resources would be able to accommodate
the projected growth and development in the city. Mr. Kruckeberg explained that this issue
was explored in depth with both Police and Fire officials to ensure that the policies of the
General Plan would allow them to meet their intemal needs and response time requirements
and that staff and Police and Fire officials were satisfied.
Commissioner Baerg noted that some of the parking back -up requirements in the R -3 zone
were reduced and he asked if the proposed regulations are similar to those in other cities.
Mr. Flores said that a survey revealed that the proposed regulations are, indeed, common in
the surrounding cities.
Chairman Parrille asked about the proposed increase in density from 24 to 30 dwelling units
per acre in the R -3 zone. Mr. Kruckeberg said that developers in Arcadia often build fewer
units per acre than permitted and the proposed recommendation includes the establishment
of a minimum number of units to insure that R -3 lots are developed in accordance with R -3
expectations.
Commissioner Beranek asked about the future of horse racing in the city. Ms. Flores said
that the long term vision includes horse racing, but if it were not to continue throughout the
life of this plan, the replacement use should not compete with the existing mall or downtown.
Mr. Kruckeberg noted that horse racing could only be replaced with a world class project.
Commissioner Chiao asked about the proposed update of the zoning map. Ms. Stetson said
that the zoning map will be updated to be parcel specific and to make sure it corresponds
with the General Plan Update. In addition, the zoning map will be refined and modemized to
more efficiently reflect of the General Plan vision.
Commissioner Baderian noted that the General Plan Update includes a major statement on
the importance of bicycles and he asked for comments on this subject. Mr. Wray said that
the General Plan Update Circulation Element shows potentially good bike routes and that
this will be a useful tool in implementation of bike lanes and the pursuit of grant funding for
this purpose.
Commissioner Baerg asked if any of the state agencies that were notified of the EIR had
any problems with the plan. Mr. Kruckeberg said that 14 official replies were received from
various state agencies and that staff responds to all points raised in these letters. He noted
that none of these agencies expressed any concerns or suggested any inadequacies of the
city's responses.
Chairman Parrille asked if a desirable project is proposed next year that does not meet the
objectives of the updated General Plan can it still be accomplished. Ms. Flores explained
that if that occurred, the City Council would be able to consider a General Plan Amendment.
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MOTION:
Commissioner Beranek asked about the recommendations for Live Oak Avenue. Mr.
Kruckeberg said that a change in development standards to allow larger Tots to be
redeveloped with mixed use projects, the doubling of the floor area ratio, shared parking,
etc., are some of the incentives recommended to encourage property owners to redevelop
this potentially attractive commercial corridor.
Commissioner Chiao asked how the plan addresses the projected increase in traffic in the
city. Mr. Wray pointed out that the EIR included traffic models of future growth and
recommended land use changes. Hot spot areas where roadways are expected to be
impacted by future growth were identified and mitigation measures were developed. In
addition, he added that staff will continue to enhance the traffic signal program.
Commissioner Baderian asked if the mitigation and monitoring program is reviewed yearly or
on a project -by- project basis. Mr. Kruckeberg explained that the program is reviewed
annually to ensure that growth is mitigated to a level that is not significant to the
environment.
Commissioner Baerg asked what concems were most commonly expressed by residents at
the community workshops. Ms. Flores said that many residents voiced concem about
traffic, parking and transportation in the downtown area. Mr. Kruckeberg added that
comments on the Gold Line were also prevalent and, of course, Tots of questions about the
effect on each individual's particular property.
Chairman Parrille asked where most of the proposed changes in the plan would occur. Ms.
Flores said most of the change would occur in downtown and the Live Oak area. Mr.
Kruckeberg said that the detailed implementation plan will serve as a key that allows the
Planning Commission and City Council to identify and assign priorities.
Commissioner Beranek mentioned that many residents have expressed concern related to
the size of single family homes and he asked how this issue is addressed in the Plan. Ms.
Flores explained that the General Plan Update does not specifically limit the size of a home
but provides policies that apply to the size, mass and compatibility of a home with the
neighborhood.
Commissioner Chiao asked if the projected growth will lead to significant impacts on the
Arcadia School District. Ms. Stetson said that representatives of the school district and PTA
have assured staff that projected growth can be accommodated. She also pointed out that
fees on new development support schools and insure that funds are available to
accommodate growth. In addition, school district officials can use the projections in the
General Plan Update in their own future planning.
Each Commissioner thanked staff on behalf of the entire community for their diligent efforts
in development of a thoughtful and inspiring vision to serve as a guide to future
development.
It was moved by Commissioner Beranek, seconded by Commissioner Baderian, to approve
the General Plan Update, the Zoning Map and certification of the FEIR with the project
requirements and mitigations outlined in the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting program
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(MMRP) and the Statement of Overriding Considerations (SOC) set forth in Section of the
Staff Report.
ROLL CALL
AYES: Baderian, Baerg, Beranek, Chiao and Parrille
NOES: None
CONSENT ITEM
4. MINUTES OF OCTOBER 12, 2010
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the minutes of October 12, 2010.
MOTION:
It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Beranek, to approve
the minutes of October 12, 2010 as presented.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Baderian, Baerg, Beranek, Chiao, and Parrille
NOES: None
MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMISSION
Mr. Kasama asked the Commissioners about their availability for meetings during November
and December.
MODIFICATION COMMITTEE AGENDA
Chairman Parrille reported that MC 10 -29 for wall signs and MC 10 -32 for the addition of a
second story were both approved at the meeting this morning. A third item, TRH 10-01 and
THE 10-20, for an oak tree that was removed without a permit and trenching that encroaches on
a neighbor's oak tree, were denied and forwarded to the City Attomey for action.
MATTERS FROM STAFF UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS
Mr. Kasama said that the November 9 meeting will include review of a Business License
Revocation and a proposed project at Baldwin Plaza.
ADJOURNED
ATTEST:
ary, Planning Commission
8:20 p.m.
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