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01/07/1999GRAND TERRACE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 7, 1999 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 January 7, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. by Chairwoman, Fran Van Gelder. PRESENT: Fran Van Gelder, Chairperson Doug Wilson, Vice -Chairman Matthew Addington, Commissioner Don Larkin, Commissioner Patrizia Materassi, Community and Economic Development Director John Lampe, Planner Pat Peterson, CEDD Secretary ABSENT: Mary Trainor, Commissioner 7:00 P.M. CONVENED SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD/ PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING * Call to Order * Pledge of Allegiance led by Vice -Chairman Wilson * 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 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 2 January 7, 1999 ITEM#1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 19, 1998 MOTION PCM-99-01 Motion by Vice-chairman Wilson to approve November 19, 1998 meeting minutes, with changes in the third paragraph of page 6 as requested by Commissioner Larkin. Seconded by Commissioner Addington. MOTION VOTE PCM-99-01 Carried. 4-0-0-1. Commissioner Trainor absent. ITEM #2 PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 9, 1999 MOTION PCM-99-02 Motion by Commissioner Larkin to approve the minutes of the November 9, 1999 Special Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Addington. MOTION VOTE PCM-99-02 Carried. 4-0-0-1. Commissioner Trainor absent. ITEM #3 V-98-01 APPLICATION FOR SET BACK VARIANCE DUE TO LOT CONFIGURATION AND EXISTING BUILT ENVIRONMENT TO BUILD A 915 SQUARE FOOT GARAGE STRUCTURE. DOUGLAS LETH FOR PROPERTY OWNER VICKI BAILS 12713 BLUE MOUNTAIN CT., GRAND TERRACE, CA 92313 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 3 January 7, 1999 MOTION PCM-99-03 Motion by Commissioner Addington for discussion to continue this agenda item to the next Planning Commission meeting. Seconded by Vice-chairman Wilson. Pursuant to Commissioner Addingtons request Director Materassi explained the property just recently had an erosion problem. The City Engineer subsequently is suggesting grading conditions to control the erosion. Applicant is working with his own engineers to resolve the grading issues. In addition, applicant is now exploring the idea of adding a room addition at the same time since he will be making a Planning Commission appearance for the garage addition. Director said it may take a couple of months before applicant is ready to proceed. MOTION VOTE PCM-99-03 Motion carried. 4-0-0-1. Commissioner Trainor absent. ITEM #4 GPU-97-01/E-98-15 GRAND TERRACE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE - AIR QUALITY ELEMENT CITY OF GRAND TERRACE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT CITY-WIDE Staff report was presented by Planner John Lampe. He told the Planning Commission the Air Quality Element is being updated in-house by staff. This proposed Air Quality Element is the work product following the Planning Commission workshop of November 19, 1998. Several additions and deletions were made pursuant to Planning Commission recommendations at that workshop. Copies of the staff report and proposed element were mailed to the General Plan Task Force, South Coast Air Quality Management District and the Bicycle Commuter Coalition of the Inland Empire. Copies were also available for public review in the Grand Terrace Library and City Hall public counter. Three residents were selected and copies were mailed for them to review so we could obtain their unbiased opinions of the proposed element. No correspondence nor phone calls were received concerning the proposed element. Mr. Lampe said the air pollution in this region affects the health and scenic views of all who live and work in the area. However, air quality in the region is improving. 1997 was the best year on record, with only one Stage 1" smog alert as compared to 1977 when there were 121 Stage 1" alerts. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 4 January 7, 1999 In 1977 the South Coast Air Quality Management District adopted the most recent Air Quality Management Plan. This plan was required by the California Clean Air Act to meet State and Federal standards. Local government is called upon to play an active role to assist in reducing emissions through implementation of specific actions. Our proposed Air Quality Element, part of the Citys General Plan, will act as a guide to the City in meeting its obligations to assist in improving the regions air quality. Mr. Lampe handed out copies of a proposed ordinance approving the Air Quality Element and read it into the record. Director Materassi made the following suggested additions/changes to the proposed Air Quality Element: Page 4, under "Air Quality Conditions" Director suggested the original draft wording should remain because it discusses the history of the region. After discussion by staff and Commissioners it was decided the first paragraph under the heading "Air Quality Conditions - History of the Region" should read as follows: "Around the turn of the century, Southern California promoters boasted of the healthful air in the Southern Califomia region. Sanitariums were established, particularly in the foothills of the local mountains, to bring tuberculosis patients from the East Coast of the United States to the clean, dry air of Southern Califomia. Rapid industrial growth followed these early years and, by the mid- 1940's, the region had the distinction of having the most polluted air in the nation. Much of this is due to the unique regional climate and topography of the South Coast Air Basin (SCAB) which includes the portions of four counties. The City of Grand Terrace lies at the easterly side of the basin. (See Figure 2 for a map of the South Coast Air Basin.)" Page 21, Implementing Action 1f, regarding support and development of a diverse multi -modal ground transportation system. Add "i.e. intra-city shuttle" at the end of Implementing Action #1f. Page 22, Implementing Action 3, regarding support and development of a diverse multi - modal ground transportation system. Add "and attend the Colton Joint Unified School District. i.e. establishment of bicycle lanes and an intra-city shuttle" at the end of Implementing Action #3. Page 23, Objective 7, Implementing Action #3, regarding City support to eliminate excessive curb idling. Change the first sentence to read "The City will support the elimination of excessive curb idling as funds are available, whenever this control measure is implemented by the South Coast Air Quality Management District." Balance of Action #3 to remain as is. Page 25, Non -Motorized Means of Transportation, Objective 10, regarding provision of bicycle and pedestrian pathways and facilities to encourage non -motorized trips. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 5 January 7, 1999 Add Implementing Action #4 to read "The City will develop a Bicycle Master Plan to continue to be eligible for State and Federal funds for installation of bicycle lanes and related facilities." Page 28, Convert Objective 6, "Support tree planting programs to reduce air pollutants" to a Goal. Director said one of the best ways the City can help reduce emissions is by planting trees. Tree planting is consistent with other goals of having attractive corridors and pedestrian pathways. If public awareness is developed then funding will come. Director read an excerpt from the "Summary of Benefits from Trees", a publication from the USDA Forest Service Southern Region. Page 28, add Objective 17, to support the Tree Planting Goal "Implement an urban and community forestry program for tree planting and management, as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Region." Add Action #1, to support the Tree Planting Goal "The City will combine its beautification programs which include tree planting with air pollution reduction efforts to both beautify the City and to improve City air quality. Trees have been found to be a very effective biological agent to remove air pollutants and improve air quality. Tree leaves absorb carbon dioxide and other poisonous gases and, in turn, replenish the atmosphere with oxygen for us to breathe." Add Action #2, to support the Tree Planting Goal "Renderings of an ideal Barton Road and Mt. Vernon corridors streetscape will be developed as funds allow to provide examples of the City Vision for streetscape to prospective developers." Add Action #3, to support the Tree Planting Goal "Develop and pursue funds for implementation of a tree planting and management program U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines which includes but is not limited to tree inventories, participation of schools and other community groups, sources of grant funding, etc." Add Action #4, to support the Tree Planting Goal "While the program is being developed, adopt a tree ordinance to regulate the planting, maintenance and removal of trees in right-of-way and City facilities." Add Action #5, to support the Tree Planting Goal "For every tree removed from City parkways, a new tree will be planted of a mature size or two trees of a smaller size." Add Action #6, to support the Tree Planting Goal "The City shall study the feasibility of adopting a city-wide tree preservation ordinance." Add Action #7, to support the Tree Planting Goal PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 6 January 7, 1999 "The City will initiate the project and pursue funding for a median on Barton Rd. to include appropriate large scale/tall trees." In conclusion, Director Materassi suggested one more addition: a summary in the element listing all 6 goals and 20 objectives. Director Materassi recommended approval of the element with the suggested changes and additions. The Planning Commission had no further questions of staff. 7:40 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING OPENED LARRY MAINEZ REPRESENTING THE BICYCLE COMMUTER COALITION OF THE INLAND EMPIRE P.O. Box 1523 San Bernardino, CA 92401-1523 He said he sits on the Board of Directors for the Bicycle Commuter Coalition, as Director of Government Affairs for San Bernardino County. Part of his responsibility is to appear at public hearings such as this one to ensure safety factors are included in each applicable General Plan Element addressing bicycle routes. Mr. Mainez's suggestions included: Objective #1- add "civic groups" in addition to the Chamber of Commerce. He said his organization (BCCIE) is currently working with the City of Redlands by going to employers to educate them about bicycle commuting. BCCIE provides bicycle lockers for employees who ride bicycles. The coalition is also involved in the Electrical Bicycle Assist Program to provide electric bicycles to employees to ride to work. Bicycle racks on public transportation buses are a result of grant funding from BCCIE. Objective #10 - add the word "safe". I.e. Provide "safe" bicycle and pedestrian pathways and facilities to encourage non -motorized trips. Objective #10, Action #1 - Reword to say "Promoting a pedestrian friendly streetscape to encourage walking and bicycling. Objective #10, Action #2 - Replace the phrase "bike routes" with "safe bicycle commuter routes". Page 28, Objective #6, Support tree planting programs to reduce pollutants. Mr. Mainez suggested a statement such as "The City will establish and enforce a tree preservation and planting ordinance for the public right-of-way as well as private property." Mr. Mainez suggested the section pertaining to multi -modal transportation for "youth and seniors" should reflect "all citizens". PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 7 January 7, 1999 He suggested deleting the section on Page 27, Action #2, pertaining to the City hiring people who live within the City, and suggested making housing affordable to City employees using Redevelopment funding. PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED Mr. Lampe said some of the safety issues brought up by Mr. Mainez should probably addressed in the Circulation Element. Director Materassi said the tree preservation ordinance is a good idea but it is something the Planning Commission will need to recommend to the City Council as it expands beyond the public right-of-way. Director Materassi said the issues of safety and the multi -modal transportation are addressed well in the Circulation Element. Commission members agreed to add the wording suggested by Mr. Mainez. Chairwoman Van Gelder and Commissioner Larkin suggested rewording Action #2 on Page 27. The wording "The City will encourage businesses to employ. . .", deleting the word "requiring" was suggested. Staff agreed. Regarding the suggested tree preservation ordinance, Commissioner Larkin expressed concern about the potential financial burden involved to property owners if they are "required" to replace one tree with two, as the example was given. He said he is in favor of encouraging citizens, but not mandating them to plant trees. Commissioner Wilson suggested an ordinance requiring any tree removed in the public right-of-way be replaced with twol5-gallon trees. Commissioner Addington said he is very supportive of a tree ordinance. He also said he would like to see more trees in parking lots. Consensus was to recommend to City Council a tree ordinance for the public right-of- way. Commissioner Larkin suggested "Review feasibility of establishing a tree preservation ordinance" as an action in support of the tree planting goal suggested by Director Materassi. Chairwoman Van Gelder commended staff on the work done on the Air Quality Element. MOTION PCM-99-04 Motion by Commissioner Addington to approve the proposed Air Quality Element with those revisions as discussed and agreed upon, along with the Negative Declaration, and send it forward to the City Council with a recommendation of approval. Seconded by Chairwoman Van Gelder PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 8 January 7, 1999 MOTION VOTE PCM-99-04 Carried. 4-0-0-1. Commissioner Trainor absent. 8:05 P.M. ADJOURNED SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD/PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 8:05 P.M. CONVENED PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION • Information to Commissioners Director Materassi asked if all Commissioners are planning to attend the January 23, 1999 Planning Commissioners Forum at Fontana City Hall. All four Commissioners in attendance expressed interest in attending. Director Materassi talked about the status of the Town Square and Rite Aid Projects. • Information from Commissioners Commissioner Larkin pointed out some interesting articles in the "Planning" magazine. Commissioner Larkin expressed concern about the recent vacant store fronts (Village Food & Wine, the Spanish Bookstore and the gas station at the corner of Mt. Vernon and Barton Rd.) He suggested a workshop in the future to discuss what the City is doing to promote businesses. Director Materassi said she will bring a report to a future meeting showing the successes we have had. Director Materassi said just recently we have received an inquiry from a broker interested in consolidating the gas station property with the Pure Design property. She also stated the Village Food and Wine has always struggled in an attempt to be successful. It has never been the "gourmet deli" it was originally supposed to be. Chairwoman Van Gelder asked Director Materassi to find out who can and will remove the paint from the windows on the Village Food and Wine building. NEXT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 4. 1999. Respectfully submitted, Approved by, Pa rizia aterassi, Director Fran Van Gelder Comm. and Econ. Development Dept. Chairperson, Planning Commission 04-05-99:pp c:\office\wpwin\wpdocs\planning\minutes\01-07-99.min