05/20/1999GRAND TERRACE PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
MAY 20, 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 May 20,
1999 at 7:00 p.m. by Chairwoman, Fran Van Gelder.
PRESENT: Fran Van Gelder, Chairperson
Matt Addington, Commissioner
Mary Trainor, Commissioner
Don Larkin, Commissioner
Patrizia Materassi, Community and Economic Development Director
John Lampe, Planner
Pat Peterson, CEDD Secretary
ABSENT: Doug Wilson, Vice -Chairperson
6:50 P.M. CONVENED PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION
• Information to Commissioners
- Powerpoint Presentation showing the new marketing CD prepared for
distribution to all businesses who express interest in locating in Grand Terrace.
- Director Materassi advised commissioners of the CEDD staffing situation.
Joann Lombardo will be doing economic development follow-up on leads to
bring new businesses into Grand Terrace. Cathy Perring will be working at the
counter two days per week in addition to working on special assignments.
• Information from Commissioners
- Chairwoman Van Gelder reminded Commissioners to speak directly in to the
microphone so that all comments and questions are clearly on the record.
- Chairwoman Van Gelder inquired about the status of the Food Connection
Restaurant re -opening for business after their fire. She asked if anyone from
the City of Chamber of Commerce has contacted the owner to determine of
they need some sort of assistance. She said she learned at conferences that
we need to retain and maintain our current businesses. Director Materassi said
the Building Director has attempted to contact the owner, Mr. Negrete.
Planning staff has spoken with the property owner Mr. Shamolian, who said Mr.
Negrete told him two weeks ago work would be beginning immediately. To
date, no permit application have been filed. Director Materassi said she will
send a letter to Mr. Negrete.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 2
May 20, 1999
6:59 P.M. ADJOURNED THE PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION
7:00 P.M. CONVENED SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD/
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
* Call to Order
* Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner Trainor
* 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
ITEM#1
COMMENDATION FOR PLANNING INTERN RAUL COLUNGA
Chairwoman Van Gelder asked Commissioner Addington to read the Commendation.
Mr. Colunga accepted the commendation and thanked everyone.
ITEM #2
CUP-98-04/E-98-10
APPLICATIONS FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
TO EXPAND THE EXISTING USE TO INCREASE PRODUCTION OF
MANUFACTURED MOBILE MODULAR STRUCTURES INCLUDING PORTABLE
CLASSROOMS AND OFFICE TRAILERS.
AMERICAN MODULAR STRUCTURES, INC.
21516 MAIN STREET, GRAND TERRACE, CA
Staff Planner John Lampe told the Commission members staff needs additional time to
evaluate this case. Applicant now plans to modify his original application to expand hours of
operation and take additional space in the adjacent parcel to the south, formerly occupied by
the BFI recycling site.
MOTION
PCM-99-10
Motion by Commissioner Trainor to continue this agenda item to the Planning
Commission meeting on June 17, 1999.
Seconded by Commissioner Addington.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 3
May 20, 1999
MOTION
VOTE
PCM-99-10
Motion carried. 4-0-0-1. Vice -Chairman Wilson absent.
ITEM #3
GPU-99-03/E-98-07
SECOND WORKSHOP ON REVISION/UPDATE OF THE OPEN SPACE ELEMENT
CITY OF GRAND TERRACE
CITY-WIDE
Staff report was presented by Planner John Lampe. Since the first Planning
Commission review of the Open Space Element in November, 1998, staff made several
changes and expanded the draft element. Additional background information has been
gathered. Trail map information was received from San Bernardino and Riverside
Counties. An open space inventory was conducted of the City, and slope and
ownership information was analyzed for the Blue Mountain area. The purpose of this
workshop was to review the new material and the overall element content.
The Government Code dictates the content of an open space element. One
consideration is an area necessary for the preservation of plant and animal life. The
Curator of Biological Sciences at the San Bernardino County Museum was contacted
regarding endangered or threatened plants and animals. Grand Terrace potentially has
two threatened species - the California Gnat Catcher and Quino Checker -Spot Butterfly.
Both are listed under the Federal Threatened or Endangered Species Act.
Staff compiled an inventory of existing and proposed open space areas to serve the
recreational needs of the community. The draft element suggests the City apply the
standard of 4 acres per thousand of population to determine if there is adequate open
space in the form of parks and recreational areas for the projected population of the
City. Following this standard the City needs to acquire an additional 9 acres for park
land.
Mr. Lampe said the draft open space element discusses the relationship to the other
elements of the General Plan. The open space element has one of the most detailed
statutory requirements of the Government Code and is the broadest in scope. It
overlaps many other elements of the General Plan. Open space policies issues will
also be discussed in the Recreation Element, Land Use Element and the Conservation
Element.
The primary role of the Open Space Element is to identify undeveloped lands which
should be set aside for open space.
The draft element contains an Executive Summary to expedite its review. The
summary contains the major implementation programs. Appendix D, a compilation of
the four element goals, the nine objectives and various implementation actions was
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 4
May 20, 1999
added. This appendix will be used to draft the Strategic Element of the General Plan to
detail implementation of the various elements.
Chairwoman Van Gelder complemented staff by saying the draft element is very
comprehensive and detailed.
Commissioner Larkin pointed out a typographical error on Page 9. He referred to figure
2 on Page 3, pointing out that the Wilderness Park is not listed. Staff said better maps
and tables will be included in the final element when it comes for final approval.
Director Materassi asked Planning Commission members if there were suggestions to
make the Executive Summary easier to read. She said the Executive Summary of each
element will be placed in a binder at the counter for public information. Commissioner
Trainor suggested placing the tables of each element in the summary. There was
consensus on this suggestion. Commissioner Larkin suggested balancing the language
in the endangered species section to avoid discouraging possible developers. Staff
said when a project is proposed on property where there is a reasonable expectation of
biological resources the developer would submit a biological survey of the site. A
professional biologist would survey the site. The survey could include possible
mitigation measures to allow the project to proceed.
Director Materassi said the purpose of Appendix D, the list of goals, objectives and
implementing actions of the open space element, is to use it to prepare the Strategic
Implementation Element. The Strategic Implementation Element will coordinate timing
and financially evaluate implementation of the other General Plan Elements. All
Commissioners present agreed the idea of a Strategic Implementation Element is good
and that it should help City Council in their job of allocating funds for implementation.
7:27 P.M. ADJOURNED SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW
BOARD/PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
NEXT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TO BE HELD ON JUNE 17. 1999.
Respectfully submitted,
Approved by,
trizia Materassi Fran Van Gelder
Community and Economic Development Director Chairperson, Planning
Commission
05-25-99: pp
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