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12/05/1996GRAND TERRACE PLANNING COMMISSION 1VII1'4UTES OF REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 5, 1996 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 5, 1996 at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman, Jimmy W. Sims. PRESENT: Jimmy W. Sims, Chairperson Fran Van Gelder, Vice -Chairperson Matthew Addington, Commissioner Gerry Ellis, Commissioner Doug Wilson, Commissioner Larry Mainez, Associate Planner Hally Cappiello, Associate Planner Pat Peterson, Community Development Department Secretary ABSENT: Moire Huss, Commissioner Mary Trainor, Commissioner 7:00 P.M. CONVENED SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD/ PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING * Call to Order * Pledge of Allegiance led by Commissioner Ellis. * 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 Community Development Director. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: None December 5,1996 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 2 ITEM #1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES - NOVEMBER 21, 1996 MOTION PCM-96-80 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES - NOVEMBER 21, 1996 Motion by Vice -Chairperson Van Gelder to continue this item to the meeting of December 19, 1996, per request of staff. Minutes are not yet ready for review. Seconded by Commissioner Addington. MOTION VOTE PCM-96-80 Motion carried. 5-0-2-0. Commissioners Huss and Trainor absent. ITEM #2 SP-96-01\E-96-02 A SPECIFIC PLAN APPLICATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW TO ADD TWO TOWERS (75' and 80' HIGH), TWO CONCRETE BLOCK BUILDINGS (24' x 50' and 20' x 241), AND ONE GENERATOR SHELTER MEASURING 8' x 141, TO AN EXISTING UNMANNED COMMUNICATION FACILITY. P & L INVESTMENTS/BESSIE F. AND DENIS W. KIDD 26,779 SQUARE FEET OF A 40 ACRE PARCEL (APN #277-181-013), AT THE TOP OF BLUE MOUNTAIN IN THE CITY OF GRAND TERRACE, CA Staff report was presented by Larry Mainez, Associate Planner. He explained the location is actually the entire 40 acre parcel. An environmental review was conducted by staff and it was determined that a negative declaration is applicable. The zoning is RH (Residential Hillside). Zoning to the south is RH. Parcels to the west are R1-20. Parcels to the east are in the City of Colton and zoned Residential Estates District in the Reche Canyon Specific Plan. The General Plan designates the north and south properties as Hillside -Open Space. Properties to the west are low density residential. The City of Colton has also designated the parcels to the east as low density residential. The zoning ordinance requires a specific plan for development of the zone district. Commissioner Huss joined the meeting. The proposed project is consistent with General Plan goals. As conditioned staff feels it will be compatible with the surrounding area and permitted uses. He showed some overhead transparencies and a short video which illustrated the trip to the summit along the access road, the existing site and the equipment inside a typical existing building. December 5,1996 Page 3 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Associate Planner Mainez said the proposed specific plan is very short, however minimally meets the California Land Use Law. Staff is in support of the proposal as presented with minor changes to be discussed in detail. The new proposed structures are to be located on 1.5 acres in the southeastern portion of the 40-acre parcel. Phase 1 of the project is for one tower by P & L Investments. Phase 2, by the County of San Bernardino is for 1 tower. Mr. Mainez said he received a comment from Ed Kruse, owner of the adjacent parcel, with a similar tower. Mr. Kruse is concerned the San Bernardino County tower may interfere with the communication to/from his tower. Mr. Mainez said there may need to be some minor adjustments in the placement location of the towers/equipment to maintain a clear path of communication for each tower. The purpose of this new project is to enhance communications. Applicants will provide, as conditioned and agreed to, an access easement through every parcel the access road runs through. Commissioner Wilson asked staff why Fire did not require an all weather surface access road with a 20' minimum width. There was a discussion among staff and Chairman Sims about the lack of concern from Fire due to the remoteness of the project, construction materials, and the vegetation clearance requirement from buildings. Commissioner Wilson asked if there was a discussion with Fire about the safety issues related to steepness of the road and difficulty in maintaining the roadway, if someone were injured on the mountain. Mr. Mainez said according to his recollection Fire's main concern was that of the propane tanks. He said he would like to research the safety/access issue with Fire and the City Attorney. Vice -chairperson Van Gelder said she is not concerned about these issues because apparently the Fire Dept. is not concerned. They have not even required the normal turnaround for fire equipment as they have in the past. Staff recommended the Planning Commission approve SP-96-01 and E-96-02, subject to conditions of approval. Chairman Sims asked Mr. Mainez if the fuel/propane tanks will be enclosed in a concrete structure. The response was affirmative, as a condition. 7:55 P.M. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Alex Eddie P & L Investments 17331 Calvo Drive Santa Ana, CA 92705 He said there are no great fire hazards at the top of Blue Mountain as there is nothing to burn. The building is concrete block and has been there since 1972. The steel towers and concrete building with a steel fire door don't burn. There have been several fires since 1972 and the Fire Dept. Is not concerned. He said the issue of fire safety is moot. He said December 5,1996 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 4 during a fire the Fire Dept. gets to the top with 4-wheel drive vehicles and earth moving equipment. He does not desire to build a paved surface as it would be very expensive. The current access is sufficient for current and foreseeable needs. Chairman Sims asked Mr. Eddie about staff's earlier comment that the orientation and location of the towers and buildings may change. Mr. Eddie said the County plans to orient their project at the time of permit application. Mr. Eddie said Mr. Kruse's concern about interference with his microwave path by the County project will be addressed by the County. Chairman Sims clarified with Mr. Eddie that the only uncertainty of location and orientation is with the County project; the P & L project is firm. Chairman Sims asked about enclosure of the fuel tanks. Mr. Eddie said there will be compliance with fire requirements. The propane fuel tanks would supply fuel to standby generators in an emergency. Chairman Sims discussed size and ventilation concerns with Mr. Eddie regarding enclosure of the tanks in a concrete structure. Staff said there is no concern about allowing flexibility regarding orientation and location of the County project or deviating from condition requiring the tanks be enclosed in a concrete structure. Commissioner Addington asked Mr. Eddie to describe the size of structures and antennae as proposed. Mr. Eddie said the tower would be 80' tall. Antennae will be added as users are found. They can range up to 12' dishes on the lower portion of the tower; dipoles are 4-5' tall; others may be 12' tall with small lobes; and small 18-24" dishes. Paul Sheridan 1743 Myra Ave. Rialto, CA He said he is the representative for the County of San Bernardino in their project. Chairman Sims asked him to discuss possible orientation and location changes on the site and the fuel tank concerns. Mr. Sheridan said the number and direction of dishes and antennae can be flexible. The orientation/location change is resulting from a new customer and new communication path since filing of this application. Regarding the fuel tank issue he said they have built over 20 similar sites within the past 5 years. CAL OSHA is the regulatory agency for fuel tanks, not the local fire agency. Per their pressure vessel group tanks are not allowed in any kind of structure. They must be open air and certified by the vendors who make them. Of the 25 tanks currently installed county -wide there has been no vandalism by gunshot detected. Chairman Sims asked Mr. Sheridan if it will be possible to make the orientation and location adjustments within the parameters of the site. Mr. Sheridan said yes. He responded to the question of tower height that there are two criteria for determination of tower height. The distance the signal must travel and the number of antennae which must go on the tower. The current plan is for 4-5 dishes, 8' to 20' long antennae above the dishes, receive radio antennae and then transmit radio antennae at the top. Mr. Sheridan said he has no concerns regarding the access road. December 5,1996 Page 5 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Ed Kruse 38970 Avenida Venita Murrietta, CA He said he owns the communications site due south of the proposed project. He said he has been in this business for 30 years and builds approximately 9 of these sites per year. He said he has 3 concerns: 1) the proposed County tower location which would interfere with two communication paths currently being licensed. He suggested the conditions of approval be amended to say the placement of the County tower shall not interfere with his existing tower paths to the Cajon Pass or to Valley College; 2) The proposed site is approximately 3' higher than Mr. Kruse's site creating a drainage problem which requires shoveling mud after rains. He suggested applicants place a swale running in a east -west direction to re -direct runoff, a 2 ft. retaining wall or possibly regrading applicant's site; and 3) recorded legal access via the access road. He requested this to be a condition of approval. Chairman Sims said there is a proposed condition of approval to require evidence of right of access. This is required before issuance of permits. 8:30 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED MOTION PCM-96-81 Motion by Chairman Sims to re -word Condition #9 to read, "all fuel tanks and potentially hazardous substances associated with this project shall be enclosed within a structure, if applicable, and secured within a locked chain link fence subject to approval of CDF, Cal OSHA and Building and Safety." Seconded by Vice -chairperson Van Gelder. MOTION VOTE PCM-96-81 Carried. 3-2-1-1. Commissioners Ellis and Addington voted "no". Commissioner Huss abstained and Commissioner Trainor absent. MOTION PCM-96-82 Motion by Vice -Chairperson Van Gelder to amend Condition #11, to substitute the term "legal rights of access" for "rights of access". Seconded by Chairman Sims for discussion. Motion withdrawn by Vice -chairperson Van Gelder. December 5,1996 Page 6 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes MOTION PCM-96-83 Motion by Commissioner Huss to require applicant to install a drainage swale running east - west to divert water runoff from Mr. Kruse's property. Motion died for lack of a second. Commissioner Addington said he has reviewed the specific requirements of a specific plan within the California planning and zoning laws. He said he disagrees with staff that this proposed specific plan meets all requirements of the law. He reviewed the proposed specific plan as submitted and feels there are essential elements missing as well as filler pages inserted. He said he personally could not approve the proposed specific plan as submitted. MOTION PCM-96-84 Motion by Commissioner Addington to deny approval of SP-96-01 and E-96-02. Seconded by Commissioner Ellis. Chairman Sims said he had a discussion with the Community Development Director, wherein she told him this project conforms to all requirements. MOTION VOTE PCM-96-84 Failed. 2-4-0-1. Commissioners Addington and Ellis voted to deny the specific plan. Commissioner Trainor absent. MOTION PCM-96-85 SP-96-01/E-96-02 Motion to approve SP-96-01 and E-96-02 as amended. Seconded by Vice -Chairperson Van Gelder. MOTION VOTE PCM-96-85 Motion failed. 3-3-0-1. Commissioners Addington, Ellis and Wilson voted "no". Commissioner Trainor absent. December 5,1996 Page 7 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Commissioner Addington recommended the applicant revise the specific plan and resubmit to staff. He said as it currently stands he does not feel there are enough design guidelines and standards to make it a good, working, planning document. Specifically, he wants to see the maximum development allowed, and how much open space to be retained. Although it is in the staff report the specific plan itself lacks clarity as to these two issues. Chairman Sims said it is staff's responsibility to make the changes in the specific plan as amended by staff and conditioned by the Planning Commission. Mr. Mainez said the City Attorney can re-evaluate the specific plan once again. He reiterated the specific plan in its current form does meet minimum requirements under the state law. MOTION PCM-96-86 SP-96-01/E-96-02 Motion by Chairman Sims to approve SP-96-01 and E-96-02 as amended by staff and conditioned. Seconded by Vice -Chairperson Van Gelder. MOTION VOTE PCM-96-86 Carried. 4-2-0-1. Commissioners Ellis and Wilson voted "no". Commissioner Trainor absent. 9:00 P.M. Chairman Sims turned the meeting over to Vice -Chairperson Van Gelder and excused himself for the evening. ITEM #3 BRSP-96-01/E-96-13 AN APPLICATION TO AMEND THE BARTON ROAD SPECIFIC PLAN TO ALLOW ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF TECHNICAL AND TRADE SCHOOLS WITHIN THE BRSP. (THIS ITEM 2 OF ORIGINAL AMENDMENT WAS CONTINUED FROM THE 11/21/96 MEETING.) CITY OF GRAND TERRACE BARTON ROAD SPECIFIC PLAN AREA A brief staff report was presented by Larry Mainez, Associate Planner. This was a portion of the original Barton Road Specific Plan Amendment presented to the Planning Commission on November 21, 1996. There was a very brief discussion on November 21, then a motion to continue discussion of the portion of the amendment on December 5, 1996. The purpose of this amendment is to add the specific use of technical and trade schools to the use matrix of the Barton Road Specific Plan. The addition of this type of business would potentially increase pedestrian traffic within the City and commerce as a whole. December 5,1996 Page 8 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Mr. Mainez showed the Planning Commission a list from the phone directory of types of technical, trade and vocational schools in response to Commissioner Ellis's question as to what type of schools would be allowed. He also said any such application will come to the Planning Commission with a CUP application. MOTION PCM-96-87 BRSP-96-01/E-96-13 Motion by Vice -Chairperson Van Gelder to approve BRSP-96-01 and E-96-13 to allow technical and trade schools. Seconded by Commissioner Wilson. MOTION VOTE PCM-96-87 Carried. 5-0-0-2. Chairman Sims and Commissioner Trainor absent. ITEM #4 DISCUSSION REGARDING ALLOWANCE OF SCHOOLS IN GENERAL WITHIN THE BARTON ROAD SPECIFIC PLAN AREA. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT BARTON ROAD SPECIFIC PLAN AREA Staff report was presented by Larry Mainez, Associate Planner. Council member LeeAnn Garcia brought this item to the attention of the Planning Director. She feels that higher education and professional education type of schools should be considered for inclusion into the matrix as an acceptable use in the Barton Road Specific Plan area. Many universities use satellite locations for higher education programs. Although it is a similar use to technical and trade schools it is not exactly the same. This use would also require a CUP. MOTION PCM-96-88 Motion by Commissioner Addington to include this higher education/professional education type of school to item 2 of the BRSP-96-01/E-96-13 amendment for review and approval by City Council. Seconded by Commissioner Huss. MOTION VOTE PCM-96-88 Carried. 5-0-0-2. Chairman Sims and Commissioner Trainor absent. December 5,1996 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Page 9 9:25 P.M. ADJOURNED SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD/PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING NEXT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 19, 1996. Respectfully submitted, arty Nginez, AssociatelLamer for the Director 01-16-97:pp Approved by, Jimmy W. S' Chairman, Planning Commission t' ZL_al - Fran Van Gelder Vice -Chairperson, Planning Commission c:\office\wpwin\wpdocs\planning\minutes\ 12-05-96.min