11/18/1999GRAND TERRACE PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 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 November
18, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. by Chairwoman, Fran Van Gelder.
PRESENT: Fran Van Gelder, Chairperson
Matt Addington, Commissioner
Mary Trainor, Commissioner
Maryetta Ferre', Commissioner
Patrizia Materassi, Community and Economic Development Director
John Lampe, Planner
Pat Peterson, CEDD Secretary
ABSENT: Doug Wilson, Vice -Chairperson
7:00 P.M. CONVENED SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD/
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Call to Order
Director Materassi welcomed new Commission Member Maryetta Ferre' to the Planning
Commission. She told everyone Ms. Ferre' was a member of the General Plan Task
Force and is currently the Principal of Terrace View Elementary School.
Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner Addington
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.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 2
November 18, 1999
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: None.
ITEM#1
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 16, 1999
MOTION
PCM-99-23
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 16, 1999
Motion was made by Chairwoman Van Gelder to approve Planning Commission
Meeting minutes of September 16, 1999.
Seconded by Commissioner Addington.
MOTION
VOTE
PCM-99-23
Motion carried. 4-0-0-1. Vice -Chairman Wilson absent.
ITEM #2
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 21, 1999
MOTION
PCM-99-24
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 21, 1999
Motion was made by Commissioner Addington to approve Planning Commission
Meeting minutes of October 21, 1999.
Seconded by Commissioner Trainor.
MOTION
VOTE
PCM-99-24
Motion carried. 4-0-0-1. Vice -Chairman Wilson absent.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 3
November 18, 1999
ITEM #3
WORKSHOP IN PREPARATION FOR CONSERVATION AND LAND USE ELEMENTS
Director Materassi's presentation combined three sets of principles of urban planning:
the Ahwahnee Principles, Smart Growth and New Urbanism. She explained why this
material was presented to the Planning Commission in this format; why this information
is so important for the City; how these principles are becoming the center of attention;
and she also said staff will bring this information back at a future meeting to discuss
what should be adopted for City codes from all of this material. Staff will make
recommendations, asking for Commission Member guidance after an opportunity to
evaluate the material.
The Importance of the Material to the City -
The Director reiterated the evaluation of this material is very important for various
reasons:
1. This material is new since the General Plan Task Force Strategic Action
Plan was approved. These principles are being incorporated into State
and Federal regulations and should be reflected in the City's General
Plan Elements as they are updated.
2. The new Land Use Element update deals with the proposal of mixed use
and density issues on Barton Road. The City code currently does not
have standards for mixed use development.
3. Another important issue is mixed housing types, i.e., town homes, single
family and condos. She said it is important to consider what the market is
proposing and also make sure each new project is an asset to the City.
These principles of urban planning will help to evaluate new projects.
4. It is projected that 1.5 million people will move to the Inland Empire during
the next ten years. The State requires each City plan ahead to build
housing, so it is important that Grand Terrace determine where and what
type of housing will be built in the City to house the newcomers. The
Task Force recommended building denser housing around the downtown
area and the preservation of Blue Mountain as open space.
How these Principles are becoming the Center of Attention -
Various factors are affecting policy -making such as:
1. There were areas on the east coast where downtown areas were
deteriorating with high vacancy rates. After much effort to revitalize the
areas, the decision was made to re -zone the tall office buildings for mixed
use of retail and residential with great success.
2. Another impact was made by a change in HUD standards for public
housing whereby new mixed use projects should pay attention to design
and provide for public meeting places, and consider social interaction
needs of residents. Creating space identity is now fundamental.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 4
November 18, 1999
3. Some People are finding they prefer the convenience of mixed use
developments over the traditional single family home in the suburbs,
isolated from basic neighborhood services.
4. Support by Vice President Gore is another reason the Smart Growth
concept has become so popular. He has recently been promoting the
idea of Smart Growth.
The Director said in early planning periods high rise living was popular with restricted
exposure to parks and nature. However, its negative aspects were soon clear and the
trend swung all the way to suburban, low density, single family homes. The new Smart
Growth and New Urbanism principles are now moving toward the middle, somewhere
between the high rise buildings and the isolated single family suburban homes, with
proposals for medium density residential integrated with appropriated neighborhood
services or mixed use development
Director Materassi read the Community Ahwahnee Principles:
1. All planning should be in the form of complete and integrated communities
containing housing, shops, work places, schools, parks and civic facilities
essential to the daily life of the residents.
2. Community size should be designed so that housing, jobs, daily needs and other
activities are within easy walking distance of each other.
3. As many activities as possible should be located within easy walking distance of
transit stops.
4. A community should contain a diversity of housing types to enable citizens from
a wide range of economic levels and age groups to live within its boundaries.
5. Businesses within the community should provide a range of job types for the
community's residents.
6. The location and character of the community should be consistent with a larger
transit network.
7. The community should have a center focus that combines commercial, civic,
cultural and recreational uses.
8. The community should contain an ample supply of specialized open space in the
form of squares, greens and parks whose frequent use is encouraged through
placement and design.
9. Public spaces should be designed to encourage the attention and presence of
people at all hours of the day and night.
10. Each community or cluster of communities should have a well-defined edge,
such as agricultural greenbelts or wildlife corridors, permanently protected from
development.
11. Streets, pedestrian paths and bike paths should contribute to a system of fully -
connected, interesting routes to all destinations. Their design should encourage
pedestrian and bicycle use by being small and spatially defined by buildings,
trees and lighting; and by discouraging high speed traffic.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 5
November 18, 1999
12. Wherever possible, the natural terrain, drainage and vegetation of the
community should be preserved with superior examples contained within parks
or greenbelts.
13. The community design should help conserve resources and minimize waste.
14. Communities should provide for the efficient use of water through the use of
natural drainage, drought tolerant landscaping and recycling.
15. The street orientation, the placement of buildings and the use of shading should
contribute to the energy efficiency of the community.
Director Materassi explained the work she did with the General Plan Task Force
already incorporates these basic, lifestyle -oriented principles, especially in relation to
densifying our City Center.
Smart growth is one of the urban planning forms to reach sustainable development as it
allows for conservation of agriculture lands of open space and also it helps clean the
air, etc. Cities are recommended to evaluate these principles and adopt them as
applicable to their own circumstances and as fits the community goals.
New Urbanism
New Urbanism is oriented toward the design of neighborhoods and subdivisions.
Endangered Species Act
Planner John Lampe gave a brief presentation about the Federal Endangered Species
Act Symposium he attended on Friday, November 5, 1999. The Endangered Species
Act has a bearing on how local jurisdictions deal with conservation issues. The Act
was enacted in the 1960's and significantly expanded in 1973. The Act provides for
protection of listed species which are those species in danger of becoming extinct or
are threatened to become extinct. The Act describes the "taking," harming or killing of
endangered species and the punishment associated with such actions. The U.S. Fish
& Wildlife Service administers the law dealing with "incidental taking" which allows
development, providing there is mitigation to protect that species.
Mr. Lampe said most of the panels throughout the symposium dealt with problems of
implementing the Act and difficulties citizens, local jurisdictions, and property owners
are experiencing with the Act. Robin Lowe of the Riverside County Habitat
Conservation Agency spoke on the 8-year process to get approval of the Stephens
Kangaroo Rat Habitat Conservation Plan. Another speaker from the State Department
of Fish & Game said the State is involved in a natural community conservation planning
effort, a more voluntary approach to get property owners and jurisdiction to prepare a
more regional plan to allow development and species protection. According to
Riverside County Supervisor Tom Mullin, that county will be including a multi -species
habitat preservation plan in the County's new integrated general plan. During the
implementation phase Riverside County is expected to purchase from 40,000 to
120,000 acres for habitat preservation.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 6
November 18, 1999
Commissioner Trainor asked if there are any endangered species in Grand Terrace.
Mr. Lampe said there have been no formal studies in the City, however, staff has been
told there is a potential for two endangered species in the Blue Mountain area. Director
Materassi added the sage brush which provides habitat for endangered species also
needs protection.
Director Materassi concluded by saying staff will bring an evaluation of specific
standards and recommendations of the New Urbanism, Smart Growth and the
Ahwahnee Principles to be incorporated into the Land Use and Conservation Elements,
for proposed adoption by the City.
7:45 P.M. ADJOURNED SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD/PLANNING
COMMISSION MEETING
7:45 P.M. CONVENED PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION
• Information to Commissioners
- Global Cities Conference
Director Materassi said she recently attended the Global Cities Conference
at the UCLA School of Architecture & Planning. People attended from
around the world. The major theme was sustainable economic growth. One
recommendation was to center developments around industrial clusters, i.e.,
Silicone Valley, where 28 cities and counties in the region joined forces to
attract the high tech industry. Associations of cities around economic
clusters should determine common goals and those goals need to be
responsible to future generations, not short term fixes.
- Plants, Sites & Parks, Oct./Nov. Issue, G.T. ad in Calif. Supplement
Director Materassi gave each Commission Member a copy of the recent
economic development ad that ran in Plants, Sites & Parks Magazine to
attract industries to Grand Terrace.
- Annual Status Report to the Governor's Office of Planning & Research re
G.T. General Plan Update
Director Materassi gave each Commission Member a copy of the annual
status report she recently wrote to the State on the General Plan Update.
The Circulation Element update was approved in August, 1998; the Air
Quality Element update was approved in February, 1999; and the Housing
Element update was approved in May, 1999. She invited Commission
Members to attend the City Council meeting on December 9, 1999, to
support the Open Space Element as presented by staff.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 7
November 18, 1999
- December City Hall closure for reconstruction
There will be some reconstruction done of the City Hall structure around the
elevator shaft and second floor bridge. The reconstruction will necessitate
closure of City Hall. It is currently anticipated the closure may occur
December 27 through 29, 1999.
- Planning Technician hiring status report
Four ads have been run to attract applicants for the Planning Technician
position. Most candidates have no work experience at the public counter.
Another possibility is to eliminate the Planning Technician position and
create a contract position to perform specific tasks.
- December 2, 1999 meeting
Director Materassi told Commission Members it is necessary to hold a
Commission meeting on December 2, 1999, to amend the American
Modular Structures CUP conditions of approval. The deadline for on -site
and off -site water improvements has not been met.
• Information from Commissioners
- Commissioner Trainor asked for an update on the Pigeon Pass regional traffic
situation.
Director Materassi said she has no update on the Pigeon Pass, however,
several cities are currently in the process of evaluating the traffic increase
on Reche Canyon Rd. Unfortunately the degree of participation by Grand
Terrace is questionable because the engineering budget is exhausted.
- Chairwoman Van Gelder asked staff when the new Rite Aid will be open.
Director Materassi said there is no set date at this time.
- Chairwoman Van Gelder invited everyone to have refreshments in the foyer in
honor of the new Commission Member, Maryetta Ferre'.
8:02 P.M. ADJOURNED PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION
NEXT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 2. 1999.
Respectfully submitted,
Approved by,
Patrizia Materassi Fran Van Gelder
Community and Economic Development Director Chairperson, Planning
Commission
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