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02/18/1999GRAND TERRACE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 18, 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 February 18, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. by Chairwoman, Fran Van Gelder. PRESENT: Fran Van Gelder, Chairperson Mary Trainor, Commissioner Don Larkin, Commissioner Patrizia Materassi, Community and Economic Development Director Raul Colunga, Planning Intern Pat Peterson, CEDD Secretary ABSENT: Doug Wilson, Vice -Chairperson Matt Addington, Commissioner 7:04 P.M. CONVENED SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD/ PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING * Call to Order * Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner Larkin 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 February 18, 1999 ITEM#1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES - JANUARY 7, 1999. MOTION PCM-99-05 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES - JANUARY 7, 1999 Motion by Commissioner Larkin to approve Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of January 7, 1999, as corrected by Commissioner Larkin. Seconded by Chairwoman Van Gelder. MOTION VOTE PCM-99-05 Motion carried. 2-0-1-2. Commissioner Trainor abstained. Commissioner Addington and Vice -Chairman Wilson absent. ITEM #2 V-98-01 APPLICATION FOR SET BACK VARIANCE DUE TO LOT CONFIGURATION AND EXISTING BUILT ENVIRONMENT TO BUILD A 916 SQUARE FOOT GARAGE STRUCTURE. DOUGLAS LETH FOR PROPERTY OWNER VICKI BAILS 12713 BLUE MOUNTAIN COURT, GRAND TERRACE, CA Director Materassi said staff has received a letter from Mr. Leth to request withdrawal of his application for variance. The application requested a variance larger than staff could approve so a Planning Commission Public Hearing would have been required, and in addition, City Engineer advised Mr. Leth complete grading plans would be a requirement. Mr. Leth was not in agreement with either of those requirements. In short, what began as a simple project in Mr. Leth's eyes turned out to be an expensive and more difficult project; nonetheless, requirements were to protect his own property from erosion from Blue Mountain. MOTION PCM-99-06 Motion by Chairwoman Van Gelder to withdraw the application for V-98-01. Seconded by Commissioner Trainor. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 3 February 18, 1999 MOTION VOTE PCM-99-06 Motion carried. 3-0-0-2. Commissioner Addington and Vice -Chairman Wilson absent. ITEM #3 DU-99-01 APPLICATION FOR DETERMINATION OF USE ALLOWING AN OFFICE -TYPE USE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF A RETAIL COMMERCIAL CENTER LOCATED IN THE VILLAGE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT IN THE BARTON ROAD SPECIFIC PLAN (BRSP). COLLEEN CROSS FOR COMPUTERTOTS 22597 BARTON ROAD, UNIT #B, GRAND TERRACE, CA 92313 Staff report was presented by Planning Intern Raul Colunga. He advised Commission Members the proposed use is one of office/administrative support services for the Computertots business. Computertots provides computer instruction for children, but there will be no instruction at subject location. This agenda item was brought to the Planning Commission for determination of use because the Barton Road Specific Plan requires review on a "case -by -case" basis of business/office uses on the ground floor in this commercial center. Factors to be considered include: parking requirements, visibility from Barton Road, economic hardship and center vacancy rate. The commercial center consists of three buildings on two parcels. Applicant has indicated to staff she is not concerned about visibility from Barton Road or signage as this location is an administrative office for her business. Considering the uses of other tenants in the center and that of Computertots, available parking is sufficient; 43 of the 51 spaces available will be utilized. Regarding the hardship issue and the center's vacancy rate, property owner, Mr. Poutre, has advised staff that including Computertots he will still have 50% of his suites vacant. He desires to have Computertots as a tenant to help increase his cash flow. Staff recommended the Planning Commission support staff findings to allow first floor occupancy for administrative office use by Computertots at 22597 Barton Road, Suite B. Commissioner Trainor said she supports this use but asked Director Materassi about the original rationale of restricting this use. Director Materassi reminded Commission Members the Barton Road Specific Plan recommends retail uses in the Village Core. The rationale behind this recommendation is to encourage pedestrian traffic and increase retail tax revenues. Director Materassi suggested a possible amendment to the Barton Road Specific Plan at some time in the future which would allow a staff determination in cases such as this when applicant meets all criteria for approval. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 4 February 18, 1999 Chairwoman Van Gelder asked applicant and property owner in the audience if they would like to address the Planning Commission. Rex Poutre 22614 Arliss Dr. Grand Terrace, CA 92313 Mr. Poutre said he is the owner of the center at 22597 Barton Road. He said he still has 3,200 square feet available for rent. He said he feels he fits into the hardship clause and asked the Planning Commission to approve the Computertot use. Dan Cross, co-owner of Computertots He complimented staff for the work on the staff report. As a long term Grand Terrace resident he recommended allowing office uses in the entire center. It always looks better for spaces to be occupied than empty. He pointed out that Domino's is primarily a take-out business so he does not feel the required 16 parking spaces is really necessary. MOTION PCM-99-07 Motion by Commissioner Trainor to approve DU-99-01. Seconded by Commissioner Larkin. MOTION VOTE PCM-99-07 Motion carried. 3-0-0-2. Commissioner Addington and Vice-chairman Wilson absent. Chairwoman Van Gelder welcomed Computertots to Grand Terrace and wished applicants success. Commissioner Larkin suggested when staff brings the anticipated amendment to the Barton Road Specific Plan allowing staff approval of an office use on the first floor in the Village Core that staff build in some triggers. I.e. if 50% or greater vacancy staff to make the determination. He suggested if less than 50% vacancy it should come before the Planning Commission for determination. He said this office use is certainly a better use than sitting empty. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 5 February 18, 1999 7:25 P.M. ADJOURNED SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD/PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 7:25 P.M. CONVENED PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION • Information to Commissioners Director Materassi advised Commissioners the City is looking for ways to reduce expenses. She asked if they feel they would like to continue their APA memberships. She asked if they find the articles of value and interest. How would they feel about reducing the number of memberships and sharing the mailed information. All commissioners present agreed they find the APA information informative and helpful. They appreciate the need to conserve funds however, and agreed they would like to receive two memberships among them to share. Director Materassi thanked commission members who attended the budget forum on Wednesday, February 17, and informed commissioners there will be additional forums in the future for public information. Director Materassi reminded Commission Members of the City Council Meeting on March 25, 1999, when Dr. John Husing will be presenting the findings of his economic base analysis. In addition, planning staff will be giving an update on the GIS and Economic Development Division work of the Community and Economic Development Department. Director Materassi updated commission members on the Rite Aid project. Director Materassi advised commission members the City Manager will be conducting additional City fiscal status informational meetings; the next one will be on March 16, for the Chamber of Commerce. The goal is to reach and inform every voting citizen before the June utility tax ballot measure. • Information from Commissioners • Commissioner Larkin reported on the League Planning Commissioner's Orientation Workshop he attended January 22, 1999 in Escondido. He found it informative. The roles of staff, Planning Commissions and City Council in the planning process was discussed. Another session discussed the General Plan and zoning consistency. CEQA was discussed as it relates to the broad planning process. The biggest benefit to him personally was the session on the Brown Act and Conflict of Interest Claws. Although he was familiar with these subjects he found the discussion of recent legislation, by the attorney present, very interesting. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 6 February 18, 1999 Commissioner Larkin also attended the 4"' Annual Planning Commissioner's Forum sponsored by the Inland Empire APA in Fontana, on January 23, 1999. One segment pertained to consultant firms utilized to increase citizen participation in the General Plan update process and in large scale developments. Large maps, models and photographs were among the tools used to encourage citizen participation. He commended staff and the General Plan Task Force for the citizen participation and involvement they achieved in our General Plan update process. Another segment dealt with analyzing fiscal and economic issues, and the impact of zoning and development issues as related to sales tax revenue to the City. The method of evaluating the impact of a potential commercial development vs. benefit to the City was also discussed. He observed that the developer speaker's opinions were certainly biased relating to the planning process. There was also a discussion panel of general issues. Commissioner Larkin said Grand Terrace is unique in that we do not experience many problems other cities do. Chairwoman Van Gelder also attended the Wh Annual Planning Commissioner's Forum January 23`d. She said each attendee received a binder of information for reference, that contains a detailed section relating to the Brown Act. She picked up an important tip about acknowledging concerns expressed during public participation. She said Planning Commissioners should see themselves as those in the audience see them. To increase public participation in the City she suggested working with local schools to design and implement a program in which the city's future visions are developed by the students. Le. essay contests, zoning map designation/coloring, physical models, illustrations, etc. Having a junior or senior high school student as a Planning Commission member was suggested by Director Materassi. Chairwoman Van Gelder stated the windows on the Smoke Shop and Grand Terrace Liquor Store are covered with signs and asked staff to do something about the signs. She said there needs to be something done with the windows at Village Food and Wine. Since the store is now closed the signs should be removed from the windows. Chairwoman Van Gelder said she is concerned and interested in having 7 Planning Commissioners instead of the current 5 members. She said she will not talk with City Council about this issue without the concurrence of staff and Commission Members. In her opinion the broader perspective of having input of 7 members is important. She asked the commissioners present how they felt about this issue. Each Commission Member expressed concern about the fiscal impact to the City of enlarging the commission membership to 7 members. They agreed unanimously that they feel the community diversities are better represented by 7 commissioners. Commissioner Larkin suggested setting a date in the future to discuss and re-evaluate the commission membership numbers. With a consensus recommendation of the Planning Commission the City PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 7 February 18, 1999 Council can then make the decision that is practical from a fiscal sense and one of participation. Commissioner Trainor concurred with Commissioner Larkin. 8:06 P.M. ADJOURNED PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION NEXT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TO BE HELD ON MARCH 18. 1999. Respectfully submitted, Approved by, �t �/' la, Pa rizia Materassi Fran Van Gelder Community and Economic Development Director Chairperson, Planning Commission 04-07-99: pp r w:\planning\minutes\02-18-98.min