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12/06/2007 Community and Economic Development Department (A L I f O R N I A GRAND TERRACE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 6, 2007 The regular meeting of the Grand Terrace Planning Commission was called to order at the Grand Terrace Civic Center,22795 Barton Road. Grand Terrace, California, on December 6,2007 at 7:00 P.m.,by Vice Chairman Addington. PRESENT: Matthew Addington, Vice Chairperson Darcy McNaboe, Commissioner Brian Phelps, Commissioner Gary Koontz, Community Development Director John Lampe, Associate Planner Rich Shields, Public Works Director Jerina Cordova, Planning Secretary ABSENT: Tom Comstock, Commissioner Doug Wilson, Chairperson 7:00 P.M. CONVENED SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW.BOARD/ PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING • Call to Order • Pledge of Allegiance led by Brian Phelps • Roll Call • Public address to Commission shall be limited to three minutes unless extended by the Chairman. Should you desire to make a longer presentation, please make written request to be agendized to the Director of Community and Economic Development. 22795 Barton Road • Grand Terrace, California 92313-5295 • 9D9/ 824-6621 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION William Kaminsky 11818 Burns Avenue Mr. Kaminsky addressed an environmental situation regarding composting. He stated that the smell of,composting goes through his windows and wanted to know the restriction on stench. He spoke to the City's code enforcement regarding his complaint and stated there is nothing that can be done by law. ITEMS: *Note:There we no items for review ADJOURN PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION CONVENE PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION/WORKSHOP ITEMS: 1. SUBJECT: General Plan Update Workshop#11 (Sustainable Development) Director Koontz stated that he would discuss three items. The primary topic was Sustainable Development. The second was a follow up to the Commission's request to Staff to do some land use calculations for comparisons between the existing General Plan and the Proposed General Plan. The third was the status on the Low Mod Housing fund. Commissioner Brian Phelps invited a guest to discuss what Stater Bros does in terms of Green Development. SCOTT LIMBACHER Stater Bros.,Vice President of Development Mr. Limbacher provided a brief statement on Stater Bros. newest store features. The most concern was "Carbon Footprinting" because it was getting a lot of press. Stater Bros' newest store design will feature innovative green design refrigeration systems. Using those types of systems will reduce the carbon footprint by three million eight hundred thousand pounds. Stater Bros have upgraded most of their stores to accommodate the environment. Commissioner Phelps questioned whether or not the type of lighting Stater Bros. used to save energy would allow for use of passive lighting as opposed to using electricity. Mr. Limbacher stated that 160 solar tube sky lights were installed in the store for critical peak events in the event they were forced to turn off lighting. Commissioner Phelps questioned the refrigeration system used by State Bros. to heat or reheat water. Mr. Limbacher described the refrigeration system - used by Stater Bros. Commissioner Phelps requested advice on what items the City should focus on in regards to heat reclaimed systems. Mr. Limbacher described his trial and errors since 1975 2 ' using heat reclaimed systems. He suggested not getting overly enthralled with water treatments because there is a lot of smoke and mirrors. Commissioner Phelps discussed L.A.D. technology. He inquired if the technology was able to be used on street signs. Mr. Limacher stated that Stater q gY g Bros. is using L.A.D. technology for their exterior signage. L.A.D. technology is an up and coming technology. Commissioner Phelps asked if Mr..Limbacher had any suggestions on what should be included in the Sustainable Development Element. Mr. Limbacher referred Commissioner Phelps to the California Building Code for what should be included in the City's Sustainable Development Element. Director Koontz inquired on whether Stater Bros. had evaluated alternative fuels on delivery trucks and what kind of success has there been. Mr. Limbacher stated that twenty plus vehicles are dual-fueled with diesel and liquefied natural gas. Director Koontz questioned the cost benefit of going "Green". Mr. Limbacher stated that as long as you keep expenditures to a twenty four month payback it is beneficial. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Director.Koontz proceeded with his presentation on Sustainable Development. Director Koontz defined Sustainable Development as the balance between economic growth and environmental protection. Sustainable Development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The term Sustainable Development was used by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature in a 1987 report and has been used ever since. Director Koontz_ stated that Environmental Sustainability, Economic Sustainability and Social-Political Sustainability should all be considered in order for it to work. In 2005 a policy was prepared by the United Nations for countries and jurisdictions that established a baseline to look at Sustainable Development. When addressing a Sustainable Development Element you must look at energy, waste reduction, urban design, urban nature, transportation, environmental health and water for it to be a consolidated system. Director Koontz summarized energy, waste reduction, urban design, urban nature, transportation, environmental health and water. Director Koontz discussed energy, renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate change (global warming) and used examples such as contacting the electric company for tips on efficiency and buying "green power". Global Warming is a global issue however it is worth addressing. He also discussed waste reduction and gave examples on all of the listed topics including zero waste such as not producing waste. There is an amazing amount of generated waste that needs to be reduced; manufacturer responsibility by negotiating with the consumer to use less packing material; consumer responsibility; urban design; green building; urban planning by putting uses next to each other that are compatible, slums, urban nature, parks; habitat restoration, wildlife; transportation and the need to reduce the amount of vehicle miles traveled and gas consumption; public transportation and using clean air vehicles, congestion reduction, environmental health, toxics reduction, healthy food systems, clean air, water, drinking water access, source water conservation and waste water reduction. 3 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or L.E.E.D. Program is a certification system. You are able to plan a project and apply for certain levels of certification that reflects how sustainable the project is. It applies to residential, commercial, industrial and institutional type uses. Not only is it used on new projects it could also be used on major renovation projects. The L.E.E.D. program also includes certain criteria: Site Selection such as finding an infill project; Brownfield's Development such as cleaning an old site and improving the environment; Transit Oriented Development such as being close to public transportation; Site Design such as the layout of the buildings to maximize use; Storm Water Management such as the Water Quality Management Plans; Heat Island Effect and avoiding large parking lots with little to no shade; Light Pollution and too much lighting (Palomar Observatory); Water Efficient Plumbing such as using water saving toilets, faucets and shower heads. Director Shields discussed Title 24. 'The State of California created the California Energy Commission which is responsible for the current adopted energy standards enforced by Building and Safety. The task is to reduce the energy in California. California is considered the lead on energy consumption. Energy efficient materials are now a requirement for new construction and remodeled buildings. The minimum requirement for sealing insulation in a single family home and commercial is R30. R factors range up to 50. In every new building the City puts in setback thermostats on the heating systems. The minimum requirement for a heating system for energy usage is a 13 seer which has come up from an 8 seer in prior years. There is mandatory high efficiency indoor lighting however it does not apply to the old incandescent light fixtures. Using dimmer switches is also a way of being efficient. There are certifications given on all of the Energy Systems and Certificate of Occupancies if they are all inspected and signed off. California is in the forefront of requiring new buildings to comply with current energy standards adopted by the State. The City's Building and Safety department cannot require Energy Star equipment however the benefit is explained to the applicants on installation thereof. The California Building Officials are currently putting together a document on green building and energy efficiency. Director Koontz stated that the City is ahead of the curve with Title 24. However the City needs to be careful on how far it goes because it could take us a step back. GENERAL PLAN Director Koontz requested the opinions of the Planning Commissioners on how to approach implementation of the Sustainable Development Element. Director Koontz planned on approaching the element by using the seven goals established by UN Urban Environmental Accords. Director Koontz established a goal for energy use per capita reduction by a given year (e.g. 15% reduction by 2015). The City is pioneering with its Sustainable Development Element and there - are not many examples that the City can use; which makes it difficult to set a goal. Director Koontz requested guidance from the Planning Commissioners in setting a realistic goal. 4 Commissioner McNaboe believes that you need to know what the current usage is and how that `- usage compares to average. Commissioner Phelps requested a reasonable goal and requested research from Staff. Director Koontz stated that Steve Berry, Assistant City Manager, is in. charge of the establishment of a City energy policy for all City facilities. Staff is currently working on a purchasing policy and energy conservation policy. They will be included in the element Expanding recycling efforts is something the City can do reasonably. Vice Chair Addington stated that the City was mandated by the State to reduce trash by twenty percent (20%). Director Koontz stated that the City is a residential community and thirty percent (30%) of a typical house is green waste. Recycling programs are essential in this Element and its goals. Vice Chair Addington invited the public to speak. PATRICIA FARLEY 12513 Michigan Street Ms. Farley stated that trying to get the City to be concerned about circulation and pollution is laughable. Ms. Farley believes that noise pollution needs to be looked at. Ms. Farley does not see control from the City. She requested market gardens where the new high school is going to be. JEFFEREY McCONNELL 21578 Walnut Mr. McConnell brought up the subject of Stater Bros. He heard that Jack Brown leased out the building on Barton for fifteen years and believes he will sub lease it to keep competitors out. He is concerned with that facility because it goes through the City and contaminates the air. Mr. McConnell stated that City of Loma Linda and Riverside had solar panels on their carports and you could also use them on shopping centers. He also suggested starting incentive programs. Director Shields stated that the City does have electrical service areas. A photovoltaic solar system will hopefully be installed on top of the fire station for its electricity. Commissioner Phelps questioned at what point photovoltaic solar systems be beneficial to residents. Director Shields stated that you would not recap the cost unless you were a young home buyer and planned on living in your home for life it would not reap any benefit until the manufactures reduce the cost of the systems. Director Koontz moved onto Land Development and addressed Commissioner McNaboe's concern on whether it be mandatory or voluntary. Staff recommended that it be voluntary until there was a better understanding of what was going on. The new Redevelopment project by the freeway will be as "Green" as the City could possibly make it. Vice Chair Addington stated it was a good idea to keep it voluntary and let the State enforce mandatory. 5 SCOTT LIMBACHER Stater Bros.,Vice President of Development Mr. Limbacher believed that green buildings can be as easily maintained than non-green buildings with a selection of the right materials. He mentioned that you have to be careful on selecting things for energy conservation. He gave an example of photovoltaic panel solar cells. He stated that the payoff of free electricity is being paid by the manufacturer because the energy used to make the panels uses about five years of energy and the panels only have a ten year lifespan. He stated that you have-to be aware of selection. Commissioner Phelps believed that some things should be mandatory or strongly encouraged. Director Koontz agreed with the areas that made sense; however, mandating areas such as Title 24 is not a good idea. Director Koontz addressed incentives on a voluntary basis. He stated that a lot of cities are cutting fees and processing time as an incentive for green buildings. Director Shields took over the topic and stated because the City is small he is "Fast Tracking" projects within two weeks. Expedition of a faster turnaround is not possible. Vice Chair Addington suggested lowering fees. Director Shields explained that the City increased most of their fees, however, the Building and Safety department has not increased their fees since incorporation. Vice Chair Addington suggested that the wording should reflect "if the City should ever increase Building and Safety's fees a discount would be applied at that time". Director Shields agreed and also suggested the - discount of Development Impact fees. Commissioner McNaboe questioned what the fee was for a L.E.E.D. certification. Director Koontz stated that he was not certain. Commissioner Phelps wondered if there were any other types of incentives for small cities. PATRICIA FARLEY 12513 Michigan Ms. Farley argued that the City just raised its fees. Director Shields explained to her that the City raised most of their fees except for Building and Safety fees. WILLIAM KAMINKSY 18181 Burns Avenue Mr. Kaminsky explained that he was a plan checker for twelve different cities and stated that any project which took more than three trips to review would require a new permit. This,perfected projects as well as incurred fees for the City. Director Shields informed Mr. Kaminsky that because the City is so small he is able to avoid multiple trips by meeting before hand as well as telephone communication. i 6 SCOTT LIMBACHER Stater Bros.,Vice President of Development Mr. Limbacher addressed the audience and asked how many people were.aware that by replacing your air conditioner unit with a unit that met efficiency standard you are entitled to a check from the Public Utility Commission in a rebate form. He stated the rebate information needs to be displayed in the building department. Director Shields shared his experience with rebates and stated that he does inform those that come to his counter. PATRICIA FARLEY 12513 Michigan Street Ms. Farley wanted to know if it was possible to control future business placement and used Wilden Pump as an example. Director Koontz stated that was what Development Review was for through the Planning Commission. If it is a new use it would-have to go through the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA). GENERAL PLAN ACREAGE COMPARISON Director Koontz addressed the Planning Commission with his follow up to their request for an acreage comparison for the existing General Plan and the proposed General Plan. A few changes were made as indicated on the power point presentation. Vice Chair Addington expressed his issue with the "General Commercial" changes because it would take away from the tax base. Director Koontz explained that a majority of the percentage would be located in the "Mixed Use" zone. Commissioner Phelps inquired on whether the changes would affect the State's mandated affordable housing numbers. Director Koontz explained that the residential component of a mixed use could, theoretically be affordable. Vice Chair Addington stated that it would be a good idea to include this matter in the general plan. A screen check of the general plan should be ready within a few weeks for public review and delivered to the Planning Commissioners for review. Director Koontz stressed that this was not a formal review. LOW/MODERATE HOUSING FUND Director Koontz addressed the Planning Commission with his follow up to their request for Low/ Mod Housing. Director Koontz proceeded with his power point presentation on the Low/Moderate Housing Fund. 7 • Information to Commissioners Director Koontz reiterated that a General Plan screen check package would be delivered to the Planning Commissioners soon. • Information from Commissioners Commissioner McNaboe requested an update on the Starbucks building project. Director Koontz stated that no application had yet been filed. NEXT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 15.2007. ADJOURN PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION Respectfully Submitted, Approved B , - Gary L. Koontz attlii� A n Planning Director Vic Chairman 8