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06-01-2017CITY OF GRAND TERRACE PLANNING COMMISSION/SITE AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD MINUTES ● JUNE 1, 2017 Council Chambers Regular Meeting 6:30 PM Grand Terrace Civic Center ● 22795 Barton Road City of Grand Terrace Page 1 The City of Grand Terrace complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you require special assistance to participate in this meeting, please call the City Clerk's office at (909) 824-6621 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. If you desire to address the Planning Commission during the meeting, please complete a Request to Speak Form available at the entrance and present it to the City Clerk. Any documents provided to a majority of the Planning Commission regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection in the City Clerk's office at City Hall located at 22795 Barton Road during normal business hours. In addition, such documents will be posted on the City's website at www.grandterrace- ca.gov<http://www.grandterrace-ca.gov CALL TO ORDER Chairman Comstock convened the Meeting of the Planning Commission and Site and Architectural Review Board at 6:30p.m. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Giroux. Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Tom Comstock Chairman Present Tara Ceseña Vice Chair Present Jeffrey Allen Commissioner Present Edward A. Giroux Commissioner Present Gregory A. Goatcher Commissioner Late 6:42 PM APPROVAL OF AGENDA 1.Motion: AGENDA JUNE 1, 2016 Let the record reflect Commissioner Goather was not present during this vote. RESULT:ADOPTED [4 TO 0] AYES:Tom Comstock, Tara Ceseña, Jeffrey Allen, Edward A. Giroux AWAY:Gregory A. Goatcher PUBLIC ADDRESS There were no request to speak forms from the public. Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission/Site and Architectural Review Board June 1, 2017 City of Grand Terrace Page 2 A.CONSENT CALENDAR 2.Approval of Minutes – Regular Meeting – 03/16/2017 RESULT:ACCEPTED [4 TO 0] MOVER:Jeffrey Allen, Commissioner SECONDER:Edward A. Giroux, Commissioner AYES:Tom Comstock, Tara Ceseña, Jeffrey Allen, Edward A. Giroux AWAY:Gregory A. Goatcher B.PUBLIC HEARINGS 3.An Amendment to Title 18 of the Municipal Code Amending Section 18.73.060 of Chapter 18.73 of the Zoning Code Relating to the Dedication, Improvement and Maintenance of Public Improvements Director Molina presented a staff report with a PowerPoint presentation, which she described as a “housekeeping item” regarding the maintenance of public improvements. Examples of such maintenance include the landscaping of the perimeters of subdivisions, the removal and planting of trees, and graffiti cleanup. Typically, when cities create maintenance districts, there is an escalation factor which captures increased costs of living, utility costs for street lights, water costs, etc. Director Molina explained that the way Grand Terrace maintenance districts were set up, did not allow for such escalators. Since 1989 the City has not been able to increase rates without property owner’s consent, which has not been successful. Therefore, City staff recommends that the zoning code be revised. Director Molina proposed the section heading of 18.73.060 be revised to include "maintenance" and under section 18.73060, paragraphs B and C would be added. Paragraph B states that all new development projects shall be annexed into the existing landscape and lighting maintenance district. Annexation into the landscape and lighting maintenance district shall be required as a condition of approval for a subdivision, conditional use permit, or site and architectural review approval. Paragraph C states that the City may also require that maintenance of perimeter improvements also be included with the landscape and lighting assessment district. Public Address There were no request to speak forms from the public. Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission/Site and Architectural Review Board June 1, 2017 City of Grand Terrace Page 3 Deliberations from Commission: There were no written communications regarding this item. Commissioner Giroux inquired if the ordinance would pertain to individuals as well as new construction developers. Director Molina explained that the amendment does not include personal additions to household, and only pertains to new projects. Commissioner Allen sought clarification about the special district's extra assessment for street lights in addition to property tax, which all residents pay, but do not all directly benefit from. In response, Assistant City Attorney Bettenhausen explained that the assessment districts can be placed on top of property taxes because that amount collected from property tax is not necessarily enough to pay for the cost of lights and landscaping maintenance. He also pointed out that it will be a condition of approval for all new development projects to be annexed into the lighting and landscaping assessment district. The objective of this ordinance is to have new development pay for its own benefits, i.e., street lights. Vice Chair Ceseña further explained the ordinance by comparing the landscape and lighting assessment district to an HOA overall, a number of commissioners were concerned with the extra assessment, as it appeared to be a double taxation. Commissioner Giroux sought further clarification asking Director Molina if residents without street lights are paying for street lights through their property taxes. Molina explained that indirectly, they do. Property taxes go into the City's general fund and a small percentage of that fund does pay the cost of street lights. However, the general fund is dispersed into multiple things, such as law enforcement. Chairman Comstock, along with Commissioners Allen and Giroux all voiced their support for the ordinance, as they see the benefits despite the extra fee. There was one public comment from resident Jeff McConnell who felt that the ordinance may be too broad. He felt tht there are many constituents who prefer not to have street lights, like the neighbors on his street. The City needs to identify where lights need to be and who benefits from them. Commissioner Giroux responded that there is no doubt that street lights are important for pedestrians, police, drivers, and emergency vehicles. Vice Chair Ceseña added that while some things are used more personally from our tax dollars, others are not. City funds are not growing at same rate as new development. She supported the ordinance Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission/Site and Architectural Review Board June 1, 2017 City of Grand Terrace Page 4 in efforts to get new development on track for the betterment of the City of Grand Terrace as a whole. 1)CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND 2)ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF GRAND TERRACE, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL AND REPLACE SECTION 18.73.060 OF CHAPTER 18.73 (GENERAL REGULATIONS AND EXCEPTIONS) OF TITLE 18 (ZONING) RELATING TO THE DEDICATION, CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS RESULT:APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER:Tom Comstock, Chairman SECONDER:Tara Ceseña, Vice Chair AYES:Comstock, Ceseña, Allen, Giroux, Goatcher C.INFORMATION TO COMMISSIONERS Director Molina noted there was no information to the Commissioners, other than the announcement of "Community Day". D.INFORMATION FROM COMMISSIONERS Chairman Comstock inquired about any updates on the development near the freeway. Director Molina shared that the property had been purchased from the City and that The Lewis Group is master planning the area. A specific plan will be required for 80-100 acres. Commissioner Goatcher asked about the tire recycle business, as he saw possible activity on site. Director Molina informed him that City Council did revoke the conditional use permit and tires are being removed from the site. The City is monitoring the site. Commissioner Allen asked for an update regarding the Habitat for Humanity project on Michigan Street. Director Molina said the project is undergoing a plan check. Commissioner Goatcher inquired about the possible widening of Westwood Street to which Director Molina replied that she is unsure but will speak with the City Manager and Public Works. Minutes Grand Terrace Planning Commission/Site and Architectural Review Board June 1, 2017 City of Grand Terrace Page 5 Chairman Comstock sought a status report on an upcoming coffee shop. Director Molina reported that the applicants have submitted a first plan check and plans are moving forward. ADJOURN Adjourn to the next scheduled meeting of the Site and Architectural Review Board/Planning Commission to be held on June 15, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. _________________________________ Tom Comstock, Chairman of the Grand Terrace Planning Commission _________________________________ Sandra Molina, Director of Planning and Development Services Department