01/17/2019 CITY OF GRAND TERRACE
PLANNING COMMISSION/SITE AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD
MINUTES • JANUARY 17, 2019
Council Chamber Regular Meeting 6:30 PM
22795 Barton Road • City Hall
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Tom Comstock convened the Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission
and Site and Architectural Review Board at 6:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Edward A. Giroux.
ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title I Status Arrived
Tom Comstock Chairman Present
Tara Cesena Vice Chair { Present
Edward A. Giroux Commissioner Present
Jeffrey McConnell Commissioner ` Present f
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
1. Motion: January 17, 2019 Approval of Agenda
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Edward A. Giroux, Commissioner
SECONDER: Jeffrey McConnell, Commissioner
AYES: Tom Comstock, Tara Cesena, Edward A. Giroux, Jeffrey McConnell
PUBLIC ADDRESS
None.
A. CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Approval of Minutes — Regular Meeting — 10/04/2018
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Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission/Site and Architectural Review Board January 17, 2019
Continued until next Site and Architectural Review Board/Planning Commission meeting
will be held on February 21, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.
RESULT:, CONTINUED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: ' Jeffrey McConnell, Commissioner
SECONDER: Edward A. Giroux, Commissioner
AYES: Tom Comstock, Tara Cesena, Edward A. Giroux, Jeffrey McConnell
B. PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. Site and Architectural Review 18-10, Variance 18-02, and Environmental 18-10
Haide Aguirre, Assistant Planner, gave the PowerPoint presentation for this item and
introduced the applicant from Crestwood Communities represented by Patrick Diaz. She
continued to provide the details of the staff report and concluded with addressing
questions sent in via email by concerned residents.
Chairman Tom Comstock anticipates discussion regarding the block wall and asked
Planning and Development Director Sandra Molina if she would prefer to wait until the
developer present's more information.
Sandra Molina, Planning and Development Director stated any questions regarding the
staff report should be directed to the staff first, then asked to the developer during public
hearing
Chairman Comstock stated he believes it is important to have all the information up
front so that the public has all the details before the hearing is open.
Director Molina stated she will clarify discussion regarding the block wall. She
addressed the applicant is proposing to build a precision block wall with a decorative
stone cap. The precision wall is requested due to the elevation from the wall to the
street which will be significantly different. The wall will not be visible from the street and
will be below grade. Staff recommendation is to allow the wall design. The wall that will
be built along the basin, the applicant is proposing to add split face on one side. Staff
recommends the split face be added on both sides of the wall.
Terry Kent, Crestwood Communities provided a quick background of the company. He
provided clarified details regarding materials and structure. He also provided details
regarding maintenance and cost.
Commissioner Jeffrey McConnell asked if there are landscaping plans for the wall and if
the public will have easy access. He also questioned if there would be any protections
for Lot B from the burros.
Mr. Kent stated there would be minimal landscaping and the public access would be
from one property owner to another. He addressed there will be no protection in place
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Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission/Site and Architectural Review Board January 17, 2019
from the burros as the area is meant to be an open passageway.
Michael Thunquest, Grand Terrace, stated he would like for the appealing feature to be
added to the visible side of Kingfisher and would like to make sure the block wall will not
cross over the easement. His only concern was the dust in the area due to construction
as well as the hours of operation.
Todd Campbell, Grand Terrace, stated his concerns regarding pad elevation, grading
plans, the catch basin for rain, the precision wall and the decorative options.
Director Molina address the pad elevation; stating the grading of the property is part of
the tract plans that have already been approved. Regarding the grading plan that was
requested, staff is in communication with the City Clerk to ensure that the plans can be
released due authorization necessary from the property owner. At this time the speaker
will have to communicate directly with the planner. Regarding the precision wall the
condition applied was for the wall to be decorative and there are various decorative
options the Commission can select from.
Alan French, Public Works Director, responded to the catch basin for rain and stated
there should be BMPs structures in place and they will have an inspector out to ensure
it is working properly. Regarding the dust mitigation concerns, there will be a water truck
on site and there will be signs in place to provide a phone number for any dust concerns
to be addressed.
Chairman Comstock asked if a road is usually required to be placed along the
easement.
Director Molina stated the design did not have a road and that each property will have a
fence on the property line. It will not be necessary for vehicles to be driving along this
area. Also, the solar panel concerns can be assessed with the applicant to see if they
will be willing to assist.
Mark Roberts, Grand Terrace, stated he agrees with the decision to have the split face
design on both sides of the block wall. He recommends revising the plan home size and
stated the plans submitted do not seem like much of an improvement compared to the
neighboring areas.
Doug McCollins, Grand Terrace, stated the catch basin is filled with mud. Stated the
sandbags that were placed to help prevent the mud from entering the properties did not
work. He added the block wall must have decorative rock on both sides.
Bobbie Forbes, Grand Terrace, asked if motorhome parking will be accessible for the
residents of this new neighborhood.
Rod Vasquez, Grand Terrace, stated he agreed with his neighbors regarding the block
wall and that it should have decorative rock on both sides. He asked if the wall will have
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Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission/Site and Architectural Review Board January 17, 2019
weep holes at the bottom for drainage and how that will affect his home if it does.
Patrick Diaz, Crestwood Communities, addressed the RV parking and stated the
properties do have 12-foot setbacks on the garage sides and there will be vinyl fencing
on properties. He added RV parking will be at the discretion of the property owners. He
addressed there will not be any weep holes on the block wall. He added they do have a
V gutter on the property side that will catch any drainage along the block wall. He also
addressed the cost differences between spit face versus precision which is a difference
of 25 - 30 percent.
Commissioner Ed Giroux asked if the alternative wall would be changed what
percentage would that be.
Mr. Diaz replied they would add a pilaster at about every 100 feet to help break up the
wall.
Commissioner McConnell asked if the block wall will be built on the applicant's property
and if there is a current wood fence in place.
Commissioner Giroux referenced to the V ditch and asked if there will be interference
with the neighboring properties.
Mr. Diaz replied there will be no interference with the neighboring properties and
explained all building and construction will be maintained within their own property lines.
Commissioner McConnell asked if there had been any market surveying and about the
safety of the water tower.
Mr. Kent replied they have already managed a market study and decided they did not
want to reach the limit of what is allowed per code or fill the neighborhood with big
houses. He believes the price range point will be an estimated $490,000.00 to
$550,000.00.
Mr. Diaz added there will be a water truck on site to help maintain the dust mitigation
and there will also be signs in place with the superintendent's phone number available
for residents to call and address their concerns. He added they will work with the
residents who own solar panels and is willing to work with them as best they can. He
also commended staff and thanked them for all their assistance.
Vice Chair Tara Cesena addressed the decorative measure regarding the block wall
and agreed the decorative aspect should be evenly divided on both sides of the wall.
Commissioner Giroux commented he understands it can be difficult to manage a fence
line when there are many property lines involved. He appreciates the applicant will work
with the neighbors to make it pleasurable.
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Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission/Site and Architectural Review Board January 17, 2019;
Commissioner McConnell, asked staff if there is a code that indicates which direction a
wood fence should face. He stated a block wall is required to have an expansion joint
every 40 feet and asked if this is going to be a solid filled block wall. He also asked what
the approximate lot widths are going to be for the proposed Kingfisher properties.
Director Molina stated there is no code in place regarding which way a wood fence
should face. She added that the staff recommendation is for the Commission to
determine what the decorative materials should be.
Mr. Diaz addressed the design of the wall and confirmed it will comply with the City's
standard code. He also confirmed there will be expansion joints along the side of the
block wall and addressed the measurements for the wall will be approximately 650 feet
Chairman Comstock determined there are seven lots along Kingfisher Street and they
each measure an approximate 80 feet.
Director Molina clarified the lots are 82 feet in width and added the applicant is willing to
apply a pilaster every 50 feet along the wall.
Chairman Comstock suggested a pilaster on every corner of each property line would
be more appealing and help to show a division of the property lot lines. He provided a
breakdown of the construction cost, materials and stated the applicant is willing to
provide what is necessary and appealing.
Vice Chair Cesena commented she agrees with the pilasters being placed at an
estimated 82 feet mark to make the wall more appealing and help line up the property
lines.
Chairman Comstock proposed the amendment to condition number 26 advising a
pilaster at the corner of each adjacent lot to keep it symmetrical at approximately every
80 feet.
Commissioner Giroux asked if the pilaster is indicative to both sides of the wall and
questioned if the property lines on Kingfisher differentiate from the ones on the
proposed development.
Harold Duffey, City Manager, addressed that the current residents on Kingfisher will be
able to view the wall. However, the future residents of the proposed development will
not be able to view the wall because of the elevation drop.
Commissioner Giroux stated with respect to restrictions, he would like to make sure the
amendment number 26 references to the property lines on Kingfisher.
Chairman Comstock proposed further specification to amended condition number 26 to
state the property lines referenced are the ones on Kingfisher.
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Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission/Site and Architectural Review Board January 17, 2019
Commissioner McConnell asked if there are any proposed landscaping plans and asked
if it would be possible for staff to look in to requiring native vegetation for a new
development in the future.
Director Molina recommended deletion of Condition of Approval No. 1 under Public
Works special conditions because it is related to an offsite power pole that was not part
of the original approval.
Commissioner Comstock closed the Public Hearing at 8:30 p.m.
1) CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING, AND
2) ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION/SITE AND
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD OF THE CITY OF GRAND TERRACE,
CALIFORNIA ADOPTING AN ENVIRONMENTAL ADDENDUM PURSUANT
TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT AND APPROVING SITE
AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW 18-10 AND VARIANCE 18-02 FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF SEVENTEEN SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES ON TRACT
NO. 18071 LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF PICO STREET AND 150 FEET
EAST OF KINGFISHER ROAD
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Tom Comstock, Chairman
SECONDER: Tara Cesena, Vice Chair
AYES: Tom Comstock, Tara Cesena, Edward A. Giroux, Jeffrey McConnell
C. INFORMATION TO COMMISSIONERS
Sandra Molina, Planning and Development Director, provided the Planning Commission
with a detailed cover memo regarding information for the onsite drainage feature for the
project on Grand Terrace Road and Vista Grande Way.
D. INFORMATION FROM COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Jeffrey McConnell reviewed his previous request asking staff to
investigate the benefits of a natural habitat for landscaping.
Commissioner Jeffrey McConnell is concerned regarding dumping that takes place on
Vivienda Ave.
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•, Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission/Site and Architectural Review Board January 17, 2019
ADJOURN
Adjourn to the next scheduled meeting of the Site and Architectural Review
Board/Planning Commission to be held on February 21, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.
T m Comstock, Chairman of the Grand Sandra Molina, Director of Planning and
Terrace Planning Commission Development Services Department
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