Minutes - 08/15/2018 CITY OF GRAND TERRACE
PLANNING COMMISSION/SITE AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD
MINUTES a AUGUST 15, 2018
Council Chambers Special Meeting 6:30 PM
Grand Terrace Civic Center. 22795 Barton Road
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Tom Comstock convened the Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission
and Site and Architectural Review Board at 6:00 PM.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairman Comstock.
Attendee Name, Title ;Status Arrived
Tom Comstock Chairman _ Present
Tara Cesena Vice Chair Present
Jeffrey Allen _ Commissioner _ Present
Edward A. Giroux Commissioner Present
Jeffrey. McConnell Commissioner _ Present
Sandra Molina Planning & Development Services Director Present _
Ivy Tsai Assistant City Attorney Present I
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
1. Motion: APPROVAL OF AGENDA AUGUST 15, 2018
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Tom Comstock,.Tara Cesena, Jeffrey Allen, Edward Giroux, Jeffrey McConnell
PUBLIC ADDRESS .
None.
A. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approval of Minutes— Regular Meeting — 07/19/2018
RESULT:, ACCEPTED,AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER:. Tom Comstock, Chairman
SECONDER:, Jeffrey McConnell, Commissioner°
AYES: Comstock, Cesena; Allen,Giroux, McConnell
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Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission/Site and Architectural Review Board August 15, 2018
B. WORKSHOP
2. Workshop on Housing Trends.and Products
Sandra Molina, Planning and Development Director explained that this is the second
installment of the series of workshops to augment the Planning Commission's
experience and knowledge in the area. Director Molina explained that she has attended
a workshop given by PlaceWorks in the City of Redlands and thought this would be a
very good workshop for the Commission.
Randy Jackson, PlaceWorks President gave the Power Point presentation for this item.
Mr. Jackson provided an overview covering. The Development Review Process,
'Residential Product Types and Community Case Studies. He provided a description of
the typical site plan review process.
Mr. Jackson described the difference between the builder paradigm old formula and
new formula and all the benefits of using the new formula. He gave a description of the
change in US households by type to understand the market and recommends building
for the strategic perspective regarding demographic drivers and . residential
development. He covered the Median SFD New Home Cost based on the necessary
income to be able.to purchase a home in the community versus the actual average line
of salary in the city for most of the population. Based on annual salary in our city only 42
percent of.our community can theoretically afford to purchase a home which is a major
concern.
Mr. Jackson continued to describe Density and Lifestyle-Driven Site Planning providing
a detailed description of what needs to be improved. Some ideas he spoke of where
how to reduce the amount of land required for development, providing more interesting
neighborhoods - both look and, feel, increased percentage of smaller lots and attached
product in each phase. He also provided a variety of examples for different housing
densities and products.
Director Molina stated that most of the time when speaking to developers about condo
maps there is a reluctance because of financing and insurance. She asked if that has
changed and if the City would see more condo.maps available.
Mr. Randy Jackson stated that individual subdivisions are condo maps which are very
efficient. He described the different circumstances in which they can be utilized and the
advantages of each.
Chairman Comstock asked if the increase in density has had an effect on traffic within
the infrastructure of the area.
Mr. Jackson stated there will be more traffic however nothing outrageous. He added
that the next generation will. see a downplay on cars and more use of Uber-type
services. He provided examples of case studies in cities like Clovis, Tustin, Chino and
Stanton Plaza where he covers community master plan development.
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Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission/Site and Architectural Review Board August 15, 2018
Commissioner McConnell asked what the advantages of higher density are.
Mr. Jackson responded that density could. level the . price down expanding the
opportunity for first time buyers to purchase a home. The negative side would be more
traffic however the architecture review process could allow for increased parking.
Commissioner Allen asked Mr. Jackson to provide an example of a City that has
commercial zoning on the ground level with residents stacked above.
Mr. Jackson explained the best example would be Tustin, CA.
Vice Chair Tara Cesena asked if density increases how does the City come up with the
numeric portion of green area per the square footage of living area.
Mr. Jackson explained the standard guideline for parkland.is five acres per 1,000.
Commissioner Giroux asked .if there have been any negative reviews regarding the
increase in density and when communities are not happy with the outcome.
Mr. Jackson stated that the first thing to consider is how each structure will function and
how it will fit in with each individual community.
Director Molina commented on Fire Department regulations and added that Fire
Department does review new development and that all new residential units.being built
require sprinkler systems. She.also went over on-site green space requirements adding
that they are reviewed by code and granted based on a sliding scale. The parking scale
is also reviewed by code and depends on the number of bedrooms in a home.
Commissioner Allen asked if the Commission can, review the design of a project before
it begins..
Chairman Comstock commented that Commission reviews projects towards the, end
and would like them brought in earlier so that they can ask questions regarding design
review.
Director Molina stated Staff can look at the option of having Commission involved in the
process to address design or establish a subcommittee to review the design structure
on Commission's behalf.
CONDUCT A WORKSHOP ON HOUSING TRENDS AND PRODUCTS
RESULT:' NO ACTION TAKEN
C. INFORMATION TO COMMISSIONERS
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Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission/Site and Architectural Review Board August 15, 2018
Director Molina announced the last Movies in the Park is scheduled for August 25, 2018
at Susan Petta Park.
D. INFORMATION FROM COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Comstock stated;that Alan French, Public Works Director, deserves
recognition performing an exceptional job in the City. .ln 1997 he had.a sewer.issue in
his neighborhood which created three to five inches of standing water that was ongoing.
Director French and his staff- resolved the issue and he would like to recognize the
Public Works.Department for the great work.
ADJOURN
Adjourn to the next scheduled meeting of the Site and. Architectural Review
Board/Planning Commission to be held on September 6, 2018.at 6:30 p.m.
om Comstock, Chairman of the Grand Sandra Molina, Director of Planning and
Terrace Planning Commission Development Services.Department
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