05/07/2015 tc t
CITY OF GRAND TERRACE
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES a MAY 7, 2016
Council Chambers Regular Meeting 6:30 PM
Grand Terrace Civic Center• 22795 Barton Road
CALL TO ORDER
Convene the Meeting of the Planning Commission and Site and Architectural Review
Board.
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Giroux.
Attendee Name ( Title Status } Arrived
Tom Comstock (Chairman Present
Ryan Stephens ( Vice-Chairman ( Absent
Jeffrey Allen ( Commissioner ( Present
Tara Cesena ( Commissioner ( Present
Edward A. Giroux Commissioner P Present
PRESENTATION
None
B. PUBLIC ADDRESS
None
C. CONSENT CALENDAR
None
City of Grand Terrace Page 1
Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission May 7, 2015
r,r '). CONTINUED ITEMS
J 1. Approval of Site and Architectural Review (SA) 14-07 and Environmental 14-04 for The
Construction of a Two-Story Residence on the Property Described as APN: 0275-282-
20 And Located South of Vivienda Avenue, Approximately 160 Feet West of Burns
Avenue
Commissioner Giroux recused himself at 6:36 p.m. from participating in the discussion
because he lived near the proposed project.
Community Development Director Molina presented the staff report on the continued
item, Site and Architectural Review 14-07, stated that the applicant was directed to
revise the conceptual landscape: plan and rear architectural elevations to address
privacy concerns from surrounding residents. Director Molina stated the primary
concerns of the surroundings neighbors at the last Planning Commission meeting held
on April 16, 2015, were the privacy issues and the visibility the property owners would
have into their yards.
Director Molina presented the revised landscaping plans, explaining that staff contacted
a landscape architect of one of the professional firms the City contracts with to obtain
recommendations on .the proposed trees. The landscape architect advised against the
bamboo trees stating they would be too invasive and recommended the Carolina Laurel
Cherry trees, instead. Director Molina stated that they are evergreen trees that would fill
in and grow up to forty feet in height.
With respect to the architectural elevations, Director Molina stated that the architectural
elevations and floor plans have been revised to show that the second story outdoor
patio has.been enclosed with a 36" wall and privacy glass. The privacy glass will either
be tinted glass or frosted glass.
Director Molina explained that earlier that afternoon she met with Commissioner Allen
and noticed that Condition No. 15 was already addressed in Condition No. 21, and
recommended deletion of Condition No. 15.
Chairman Comstock opened the Public Hearing at 6:43p.m.
Katie Guthrie, Grand Terrace resident, stated she opposed the proposed two-story
home.
Bobbie Forbes, Grand Terrace resident, opposed the proposed two-story home stated
she had the largest yard in the neighborhood and has no trees, making her property
visible to the property owners of the two-story home. She also stated she would be able
to see the new owners through the windows, as they would her, so it would be a privacy
issue on both ends. She further stated the home would have the opportunity to look into
every yard in the area and she does not approve of it. Ms. Forbes also requested trees
be planted by the property owners in her yard. Ms. Forbes stated she welcomed the
new neighbors.
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Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission May 7, 2015
Juanita Odenbaugh, Grand Terrace resident, opposed the two-story home because it is
�. not visually harmonious as described in the plan. She requested forty foot high trees a
total of twenty pots ten inches apart. Ms. Odenbaugh stated she did not, find a
contingency in the resolution that states the landscaping will be maintenance after the
property owner sells the property. The resident stated she opposed the project but she
welcomed the new neighbors.
Michael Simon, Grand Terrace resident, stated he took the time to speak with the
Developer on the home construction at the last Planning Commission meeting held on
April 16, 2015. He did not come to a mutual agreement with the Applicant on his
suggestions. He still opposed the project and-felt like the owners are not interested in
working hand in hand with the surrounding residents.
Jeffrey McConnell, Grand Terrace resident/business owner, stated the surveyor offered
a covenant.
Bobbie Forbes, Grand Terrace Resident, welcomed the property owner's and
mentioned she was still in opposition of the two-story home and her privacy would be
compromised because of the home. She stated she'd hope the property owner's would
considered her privacy concerns stated earlier.
Chairman Comstock addressed Grand Terrace resident Bobbie Forbes and reminded
her that her concerns did not pertain to the current Planning Commission meeting and
could not be discussed, unless regarding the landscape plan. The disagreement she
had of the two-story home should have been addressed on April 16, 2014 Planning
Commission meeting_as the public hearing had already closed.
There being no further comments in favor or in opposition, Chairman Comstock
closed Public Hearing at 6:54 p.m.
Assistant City Attorney Tsai clarified the required findings and reread agenda packet
page number ten.
Commissioner Allen applauded the developers for putting forth all their efforts in the
revised landscaping plan because all the trees were facing the north end. The
Commissioner stated irrigation needs to be on a system to prevent vegetation from
drying or being over watered with the new water restrictions that will be in place. He
very much likes the desert landscaping look and suggested it to the applicant. He does
not feel there should_be a specific tree size set. He was surprised and pleased that the
property owners were willing to hear the neighbor's suggestions.
Chairman Comstock stated, "I would like to make a comment. We have here the battle
between property owners that have the rights to property. We go in to build the
homeowner has the right to meet the zoning code. As a planning commissioner we are
required by law to make sure any new construction that is built on the property is built
by the code and the City of Grand Terrace has a zoning code that allows two-story
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Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission May 7, 2015
construction. As several of those or hundreds of those homes are built, surrounded in
t Loma Linda, even two-story of homes mixed among single story homes. Sitting here
going through my mind harmonious conditions, that were brought up I have to say I'm
glad that we have variety that makes the neighborhood look pleasing. Having said all of
that, I also want to .bring up Commissioner Allen brought up that property owner has
done everything that they can do on all the objections that have been brought up. I'm
going to be leaving the landscaping up to the Planning Department. I also believe the
change to the balcony portion don't require another major reworking of the home;
having said that, I believe it is best we could do. I move to approve the approval of Site
and Architectural Review (SA) 14-07 and Environmental 14-04 for the construction of a
two-story residence on the property described as APN 0275-282-20 and located south
of Vivienda Avenue, approximately 160 feet west of Burns Avenue and the amended
conditions 15 and 21."
Commissioner Allen, second the motion to approved the Site and Architectural Review
(SA) 14-07 and Environmental 14-04.
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2015-04, A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF GRAND TERRACE ADOPTING A NOTICE OF
EXEMPTION AND APPROVING SITE AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW 14-07 TO
CONSTRUCT A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE ON A PARCEL LOCATED SOUTH
OF VIVIENDA AVENUE APPROXIMATELY 160 FEET WEST OF BURNS AVENUE
(APN 0275-282-20)
-RESULT: APPROVED [3 TO 0]
AYES: Tom Comstock, Jeffrey Allen, Tara Cesena
ABSENT: Ryan Stephens
RECUSED: Edward A: Giroux
E. INFORMATION TO COMMISSIONERS
Community Development Director Molina, stated Riverside Highland Water Company
planned to present at a future Planning Commission meeting, the new state law water
restrictions.
The Planning Commissioners were pleased to hear this information and looked forward
to the presentation.
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Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission May 7, 2015
INFORMATION FROM COMMISSIONERS
. Chairman Comstock asked staff to provided a time frame on the completion of the
freeway reopening off the 215 south bound.
Community Development Director Molina.responded the owners of 22050 Commerce
way, were still working on the reconstruction plans.
ADJOURN
Chairman Comstock adjourned the meeting at 7:07p.m.
The next. scheduled meeting of the Site and Architectural Review Board/Planning
Commission to be held on May 21, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.
Af
tom,Comstock Sandra Molina
Chairman of the Grand Terrace Planning Community Development Director
Commission
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