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
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