06/06/2019 CITY OF GRAND TERRACE
PLANNING COMMISSION/SITE AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD
4a MINUTES • JUNE 6, 2019
Council Chambers Regular Meeting 6:30 PM
Grand Terrace Civic Center• 22795 Barton Road
CALL TO ORDER
Vice. Chair Tara Cesena 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 Planning Commissioner Jeffrey McConnell.
Vice Chair Cesena introduced. the new Planning Commission Secretary, Sarah
Gutierrez and thanked her for joining the team.
ROLL CALL
Attendee:Name'
Title Status , Arrived
Tom Comstock Chairman ( Absent f
Tara Cesena Vice Chair f Present
Edward A. Giroux Commissioner Present {
Jeffrey McConnell Commissioner Present E
Jeremy Briggs Commissioner j Present
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
1. Motion: June 6, 2019 Approval of Agenda
RESULT:. ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Tara.Cesena,.Edward A. Giroux, Jeffrey McConnell, Jeremy.Briggs
_ABSENT: Tom Comstock
PRESENTATIONS
None.
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Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission/Site and Architectural Review Board June 6,••2019
PUBLIC ADDRESS
None.
A. CONSENT CALENDAR
None.
B. ACTION ITEMS .
None.
C. PUBLIC HEARINGS
V Site and Architectural Review 19-04 and Environmental 19-03
Haide Aguirre, Assistant Planner gave the PowerPoint presentation for this item: Site
and Architectural Review 19-04 for the construction of a 3,627 square foot single family
home, located on La Cadena Drive, between Palm and Litton
Avenues .
Commissioner Edward Giroux requested confirmation that the road is not being
widened in front of the property, only that installation of curb and gutter is required.
Alan French, Director of Public Works confirmed that Commissioner Giroux's
understanding is correct.
Commissioner Jeffrey McConnell requested clarification that the City is requiring the
applicant to perform improvements to make the street conform with the curb.
Director French.stated that the alignment of the curb would run through the Applicant's
frontage.
Commissioner McConnell asked ,.if the public right of way with the dedication runs
farther back on the property.
Director French confirmed that to be true.
Commissioner McConnell asked if the Applicant must put .up a bond for further
improvements.
Director French,confirmed that is correct.
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Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission/Site and Architectural Review Board June 6, 2019
Commissioner McConnell asked if the Applicant is required to place a fence around the
property.
Assistant Planner Aguirre stated there is an existing wood fence on the north side of the
property. Applicant is proposing to match the fencing and place it on the west side.
There is chainlink fencing on the south side, which is not permitted by the zoning code,
therefore the City is requiring that wood fencing be installed.
Vice Chair Cesena opened the public hearing at 6:45 p.m.
Vice Chair Cesena closed the public hearing at 6:46 p.m.
The Planning Commission held discussion regarding the requirement of including a
specific percentage of pollinating plants for this project and all future projects.
Robert Khuu, Assistant City Attorney recommended that the discussion regarding the
requirement of pollinating plants for future projects return at a future meeting.
Sandra Molina, Planning and Development Services Director stated that a code
amendment could be brought back to the Planning Commission to address pollinating
plants as a requirement for all future projects.
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 EXEMPTION PURSUANT
TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT, APPROVING SITE
AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW 19-04 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 3,627
SQUARE FOOT SINGLE FAMILY HOME, LOCATED ON LA CADENA DRIVE
(APN: 0275-083-09), BETWEEN PALM AND LITTON AVENUES
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Tara Cesena, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Edward A. Giroux, Commissioner
AYES: Tara Cesena, Edward A. Giroux, Jeffrey McConnell, Jeremy Briggs
ABSENT: Tom Comstock
D. DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Workshop/Discussion on the Provisions and Requirements of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Tracy Zinn, Principal with T&B Planning, Inc. gave the PowerPoint presentation on the
California Environmental Quality Act and the Environmental Impact Report Process. Ms.
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Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission/Site and Architectural Review Board June 6, 2019
Zinn provided information to the Planning Commission on the following:
CEQA Background
o Definition of the term Project and Discretionary Project
o Discretionary vs. Ministerial Projects
o How the CEQA Process Starts
o Determining the Lead Agency
o Key Participants
o Who Prepares CEQA Documents
o Types of CEQA Documents
o Determining the CEQA Document Type
o If the Project is not Exempt from CEQA, Decide which Documents to
Prepare
o Definition of Significant Effect on the Environment
o Tools for Determining Significant Effect
Environmental Impact Reports (EIR)
o Purpose of an EIR
o Types of EIRs
o Tiering
o Environmental Topics Typically Analyzed in an EIR
o Steps in the EIR Process
o Notice of Preparation
o Prepare the Draft EIR: Required Contents
o Direct/indirect Impact vs. Cumulative Impacts
o Example of Technical Reports Prepared in Support of an EIR
o Mitigation is the Key Components
o Feasible Mitigation
o Mitigation Measures
o Example Noise Mitigation Measure
o Alternatives to the Proposed Project
o EIR Must Reflect Lead Agency's Independent Judgement
o Determination when the EIR is Ready for Public Distribution
o Notice of Completion/Public Notice
o Responding to Public Comment
o Consideration and Approval of the Final EIR by the Decision-Making Body
o What Does CEQA Not Do
o Findings of Fact & Public Hearings
o Statement of Overriding Considerations
o Post Notice of Determination with County Clerk
o Statute of Limitations for Litigation
o Administrative Record
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Minutbs Grand Terrace Planning Commission/Site and Architectural Review Board June 6, 2019
Vice Chair Cesena asked if the history of a parcel impacts the decision on whether or
not to perform an EIR.
Ms. Zinn explained when the Notice of Preparation goes out to the public, the current
physical condition of the property is established in the EIR.
Commissioner McConnell asked for a definition on the type of notice that needs to go
out to the public.
Ms. Zinn stated that a Notice of Preparation goes to the State Clearinghouse and the
newspaper where staff normally notices a public hearing.
Commissioner McConnell asked how the City would proceed with a Notice of
Preparation.
Director Molina informed the Commission that the City would publish, post at three
public places and mail notice to those properties located a minimum of 300 feet of the
property, although that standard is being reviewed to increase notification efforts.
Commissioner Giroux asked if a resident outside of the notice boundary could request
input on the project.
Ms. Zinn stated anybody can request their input be heard on the project.
Commissioner McConnell asked where does the agency gather its information? As an
example, an applicant performs a sound study or traffic study, is that part of the CEQA
report.
Ms. Zinn stated that staff would review the report and have to agree that it is objective
and complete.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Bobbie Forbes, Grand Terrace thanked Ms. Zinn for her precise presentation.
Jeff Allen, Grand Terrace asked if a plan change always require CEQA to start over
again.
Ms. Zinn explained if there was a prior CEQA review, the lead agency would look at the
prior document and decide if the change is substantial. If the change is substantial, then
there would be an addendum to the prior document.
Mr. Allen asked if event centers who are required to hold a CUP, do they need to go
through the CEQA process because an event can have an effect on an area.
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Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission/Site and Architectural Review Board June 6, 201S
Ms. Zinn stated it is highly likely that an event would fall under an exemption.
Karen Suarez, Grand Terrace asked what is that people are advocating for in terms of
making state changes to CEQA laws. She would like a better understanding of where
the abuse is that is talked about in the newspaper.
Ms. Zinn explained that the CEQA process has become more litigious over the last ten
years or so. The CEQA statutes and guidelines reflect the body of case law. As CEQA
documents are opposed and taken to court, there are decisions rendered by courts and
when decisions are made, they can be relied upon. The abuse that is spoken of is
opportunistic groups that may not necessarily have a legitimate interest in the
environment, they are looking for some other advantage. There may be a group that
has found a way to use the CEQA process for monetary advantages or getting a
monetary settlement from the applicant.
CONDUCT A WORKSHOP/DISCUSSION ON THE PROVISIONS AND
REQUIREMENTS OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN
E. INFORMATION TO COMMISSIONERS
None.
F. INFORMATION FROM COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Jeremy Briggs pointed out a typo on the agenda. He wanted to confirm
that the next scheduled Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June
20, 2019.
Commissioner Giroux thanked staff and volunteers for a great job at Community Days.
It came out very well and was a successful event.
Commissioner McConnell asked when staff can bring back the pollinator discussion.
Director Molina could not provide an answer to his question at this meeting; however,
staff will look at the schedule to see when the item can come back to the Commission.
ADJOURN
Vice Chair Cesena adjourned the Site and Architectural Review Board/Planning
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Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission/Site and Architectural Review Board June 6, 2019
Commission at 7:55 p.m. The next scheduled meeting of the Site and Architectural
Review Board/Planning Commission will be held on June 20, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.
�/j �4024w,
Tdm Comstock, Chairman of the Grand Sandra Molina, Director of Planning and
Terrace Planning Commission Development Services Department
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