01/19/2006 -All
Community and Economic Development
(ALHORNIA Department
22795 Barton Road
Grand Terrace
California 92313-5295
(909) 824-6621
GRAND TERRACE PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
January 19, 2006
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 JaAuary 19, 2006 at 7:03 p.m.,by Chairperson Doug Wilson.
PRESENT: Doug Wilson, Chairperson
Matthew Addington, Vice Chairperson
Brian Whitley, Commissioner
Tom Comstock, Commissioner
Robert Bidney, Commissioner
Gary Koontz, Community Development Director
John Lampe, Associate Planner
Michelle Boustedt, Planning Secretary
ABSENT: Brian Whitley,.Commissioner
7:00 P.M. -CONVENE SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD/
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
• Pledge of Allegiance led by Commissioner Bidney
• Roll Call
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Charles Hornsby
22656 Brentwood Street
Read the 4th Amendment and how he thinks it applies to the current situation in town --
`� search and seizers. Quoted John F..Kennedy of 20 years ago. On eminent domain, he
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Mike Ravenclone
21868 Grand Terrace
There has been no traffic studies or traffic enforcement. He regularly sees people exceeding 45-
50 miles per hour down Grand Terrace Road. He was requested to hold his comments on the
subject until it comes up on the agenda.
Jo Stringfield
22273 Barton Road
Ms. Stringfield agreed with all Mr. Ravenclone' said. She said it wasn't her plan to sell her home
--that she had stated that before -- and now she's at the point where, "if I can't live in my home, I
feel that I should have the right to participate." It's her property, and she was raised here. She
shouldn't have to feel guilty because "I inherited." She has lived in the community, and took
care of her parents. She feels the City has tried to make her feel guilty because she owns
property, and is taking away her civil rights of owning property. She wants it on record that she
has an attorney now, and she plan on trying taking care of herself. She's tired of being pushed
around and treated rude.
Bobbi Forbes
11850 Burns Ave.
Ms. Forbes spoke in regards to the amateur radio antenna tower. On Lark, she said she wanted
to give an update as far as a Realtor sees it. She is trying to sale a house on that street, and hasn't
sold it yet. The buyer is buying another home in town. They released their contingency for the
sale of their Crane St. home so they don't lose the other home, and they have done that. She and
others are hoping that everyone who is making amendments or changes to the tower be
successful, so that these people can be able to get a fair price for their home on Crane St. People
who come to the open house make comments about the tower.
STAFF
Director Koontz announced that Michele Boustedt, Planning Secretarv,will be transferring
to the Finance Department. He then introduced her replacement,Rose Smith, as well as
Richard Garcia,the new Assistant Planner who has replaced Jeff.
ITEMS:
1. MINUTES Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of
December 15,2005
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RECOMMENDATION: Approval
Vice Chair Addington requested corrections:
' He is not shown as attending the meeting.
• Page 6, Fesco Engineering should be changed to Fuscoe Engineering;
• Page 8, In the motion that he made,there needs to be a clarification on Item 3.
MOTION PC-01-2006: Vice Chair Addington made a motion to approve with corrections
of the minutes of December 15, 2005
Commissioner Bidney Seconded the motion.
MOTION VOTE
PC-01-2006: Approved 4-0-0-0
2. SA-05-26; E-05-25: Applications filed to construct a one-story single-family residence
with 1, 484 sq. ft of living area and a 535 sq. ft. garage.
APPLICANT: Stonewood Construction Company on behalf of the owners,
Samir and Mirna Zaharia.
LOCATION: 2,060 sq. ft. vacant lot on the north side of DeBerry Street;
approximately 110 ft. west of Stonewood Drive in the City of
Grand Terrace.
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RECOMMENDATION: Open the Public Hearing, receive testimony, close the Public
Hearing and approve the Resolution for Approval for SA-05-26 to
construct a one-story residence and approve E-05-25 categorically
exemption, and if this project qualifies to be in the class of projects
which is exempt from CEQA review. The project is recommended
by Staff.
Associate Planner Lampe greeted the Commission and presented his staff report. The subject
site is an approximately 8,000 sq. ft. parcel located on the northerly side of DeBerry Street, about
100 ft. westerly of intersection Stonewood in this location. Some members of the Commission
may remember that we had a parcel map on this property about 2 1/2 -3 years ago, in which the
subject site, the original parcel, divided into two lots with the large back yard of this house being
split off as a separate lot. At that time, there was no specific development proposal for that
particular lot, but the property owner in this house has now come in and hired Stonewood
Construction to construct a home for them on this rear parcel. The property, of course, is located
in the low-density residential category of the General Plan,the R1-7200, both the lot size and the
proposed project is consistent with the City's zoning and General Plan. The rear yard and area of
the parcel is presently vacant. The surrounding area is developed to essentially single-family
residential homes to the south, west, east, and north of the site. DeBarry Street, running along
the frontage of the subject site, is a 66 ft. wide collector street and is developed with curbs,
gutters, and walks at this location.
The site plan for the proposed house is shown on Sheet P1, and will have approximately(just shy
of) 1,500 sq. ft. of living area with a two-car garage in front. The garage will be turned to the
side so that the garage door will not face the street. There apparently is a specific request, and
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the client is developing this house. The garage will be about 535 sq. ft. in•size. All zoning
setbacks and coverage provisions of the underlying zone have been met for this project.
The floor plan as shown on Sheet 1 of the Staff Report shows that a Great Room, Living Room
in the center of the house, a dining room, three bedrooms, two full baths, the laundry room, and
breakfast nook will all be part of the floor plan of the house.
The elevation shows that the house will have a contemporary type of look. There will be river
rock veneer around the front of the house to add to the architectural embellishment of the house.
It will have an orange or reddish tile roof. The applicant has brought in a sample of the roof tile
for the Commission to look at along with the color board. The landscaping plan, which is also
shown with the site plan, shows that the front yard will be landscaped with trees, shrubs and a
ground cover. The preliminary grading plan shows how the property will be graded. This was
shown on Sheet P2 of the Staff Report given to each member of the Commission. The drainage,
of course, will be around the house flowing out to the street. This grading plan was basically
taken from the one that was submitted for the preliminary grading for the parcel map, which was
part of that public hearing.
In conclusion, and as indicated by the Chairman, this particular project does qualify for Class 3
Category Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act, which allows for the
construction up to 3 single-family residences without going through the formal environmental
checklist process. As indicated, we do have a color board that we can give to the Commission
showing the house will be painted in earth-tone colors, which we feel will be compatible with the
appearance of the surrounding neighborhood. Associate Planner Lampe concluded his staff
report.
Vice Chair Addington: Richard, on the grading plan, there is no topo shown. Are you aware of
whether this project proposes any grading other than the remediation grading for this report for
the foundations?
Rich Shields: No. We are going to require a precise plan, and that will show the flow lines, and
we also will need to get a water quality management plan. Richard was correct in assuming that
it flows to the street. Yes. You're correct. There is also a drainage easement on the westerly
property line that doesn't belong to this property, but belongs to the property to the west. They
are not going to utilize that, but it is right on that property line.
Chair Wilson: There is a feature on the front elevation of the residence that shows almost like a
column next to the archway. The archway kind of frames the front door. Has there been any
discussion in relation to the width of that column? The width of that column could maybe be
expanded slightly to look a little more attractive.
John Lampe: Might I suggest that we ask the applicant to expand on that when she comes up.
Chair Wilson invited the Applicant to speak.
Corinne Robinson
_ Stonewood Construction Company
22145 DeBerry St.
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I am Corinne Robinson, President of Stonewood Construction, and I need a copy of the plan to
answer your question.
Chair Wilson: See how the arch frames the front door. It gets a little skinny down there. I think
we're talking about 12 inches or in that range. I wonder if it might be better if it was a little bit
larger--makes it a little bit more attractive.
Ms. Robinson: I don't have a problem, and I don't see an objection to the way this is, actually.
Twelve inches when you put your arches there. If you will notice, it matches the arch on the
other side. This is a pop out here in front of it, right there. That's a recess right next to it. So,
they actually match in size. So, I can't really see a reason to change it.
Chair Wilson: Well, why don't we work with Staff and just see if maybe we can make it a little
bit meatier. I think it would lend to the design. There is not a lot of shadow on the front of the
house,that's why I was going to suggest it.
Ms. Robinson: Well, it's one of those things that is kind of irrelevant -- a couple of inches. If
you're talking about making it two or three feet wide, no, I would object to that.
Chair Wilson: Thank you. I understand that. Do you or anybody have further comments in
relation to your project?
Ms. Robinson: No. It's just a pretty straight forward simple project consistent with the
neighborhood; and since I live right across the street, and have for 35 years, I wouldn't be putting
something there I found objectionable.
Chair Wilson closed the Public Hearing and brought the item back to the Commission.
Vice Chair Addington: This question is directed towards the Commissioners. In your opinions,
are the east west elevations kind of bland or do you think a small architectural feature such as
small pop-outs that are covered with stucco would add to some shadow relief out there?
Considering those two sides are being seen by the adjacent neighbors.
Chair Wilson: I have no personal preferences.
Commissioner Bidney: I don't have any personal preference. The house faces DeBerry, and the
side yard, and the back yard to the front house, and the other house faces DeBerry and it sides to
the west. I don't remember reading whether there was fencing between the two properties. I
guess it would be fencing in the back yard west of the house. If there is a six-foot high fence
along there then there's no need to add additional solutions on the west side.
Ms. Robinson: Thank you. In fact, I should have shown something on the plot line.
Chair Wilson: In relation to the plaster texture as proposed. Is it a washed? I know we've got a
color board.
Ms. Robinson: It is a rough stucco finish.
Chair Wilson: Oh. O.k. Do we have any further discussion? Please vote.
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Michelle Boustedt: Motion carries all ayes.
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MOTION PC-02-2006: Commissioner Comstock made a motion to approve SA-05-26 and
E-05-25.
Vice Chair Addington seconded the motion.
MOTION VOTE
PC-02-2006: Approved 4-0-0-0
3. SP-05-03, SA-05-21,
SA-05-22 Tentative Tract Map 05-04 (County No. 17861) and E-05-03 to
construct 18 single family, detached modular homes on 2.55 acres.
APPLICANT: Dennis D. Jacobsen Family Holdings II, LLC
LOCATION: 21941 Grand Terrace Road (An approximately 2.55 acre, vacant
parcel located on the easterly side of Grand Terrace Road just
north of the Grand Terrace Mobile Home Park.
Director Koontz: Before we do the staff report, as you did note, staff has received a request from
the applicant for continuance to address various issues. With that in mind, we would like to
( know if you would like a full presentation or an abbreviated presentation?
Chair Wilson: I think we are safe with a full presentation tonight, and then we'll just count on
the fact that we're going to receive further public testimony in the future.
John Lampe: Thank you Mr. Chairman and members of the Planning Commission. On the
overhead to your right is the subject site which is a half acre, "L" shaped parcel located on this
location on the easterly side of Grand Terrace Road just north of the Grand Terrace Mobile
Home Park in this location. The site is partially enclosed by a variety of existing fencing
including block walls, chain link and wooden fences. The parcel is generally flat but does have a
2-3%percent grade towards the street, which is Grand Terrace Road.
The surrounding area is developed to single family residential on the westerly side of Grand
Terrace Road, a mixture of single family in this location — to the north, and two duplexes and
additional single family to the northeast of the subject site. To the southeast of the subject site is
a very large vacant field that is zoned for commercial purposes as is an existing RV Park in this
location to the direct south of the subject site. Again, this is the Grand Terrace Mobile Home
Park with about 65 spaces; that mobile home park has been there for a very long time, I'm sure
you have heard of it.
The site plan which is marked Exhibit 1 in the package that was given to the members of the
Commission shows that proposed development consisting of 18 single family detached modular
units on the site. All of the proposed units will be two stories in height. The proposed lot lines
- or the darker lines in this location will be extended slightly beyond the building footprints to
maintain a minimum building setback of five feet and a minimum lot size of a little over 3,000
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square feet. The actual smallest lot is 3,200 square feet and is located in this location. Each unit
will have a two car garage located towards the front of the unit or to the side with a driveway to
the 30-foot wide private street, which is in a loop configuration running through the middle of
the development.
The submitted Specific Plan that goes along with this project states that the proposed project will
be carrying out the same design concept that was established under an adopted Specific Plan that
was approved about fifteen years ago for this site. Although looking at the old file and what was
approved--that was for a slightly different configuration of the lot sizes and it was for stick built
type of housing. We did provide in the staff report to the members of the Commission a copy of
the old map, Tract 14016, which was recorded in the early 90's. Some of the lots on the site plan
will have short driveways. Scaling out, it appears to be about six feet or so from the private road
to the garage doors. The remainder of the lots will have deeper driveways where a vehicle can
be parked in the driveway in front of the garage. Additional parking will be provided as parallel
parking along the portions of the interior looped street. If you add up all of the parking,
including the parking that will be in front of the garages, there will be about 71 spaces for the
prof ect.
There are two common open space recreational areas shown in the project. A pool area in this
location and another open space recreational area with no specific amenities, although it does
show in the landscaping plan that it will be landscaped.
There are no other recreational facilities that are shown on the individual lots such as patios in
the back yard and side yard areas, possibly because the yard areas are so small for each
i, individual unit. The developer is proposing to replace the potpourri of existing fencing with a
six foot block wall; however, there was no indication of the submitted exhibits or the Specific
Plan as to the design and appearance to the proposed wall. In addition there was no indication of
what kind of interior fencing that would be proposed between the individual units for this
project.
The project will have basically two floors plans. These were included in the staff report as
Exhibits 2 and 3. Exhibit 2 which is Plan 2sfp31-6 will have a total of 1,697 square feet of living
area and will contain a living room, kitchen, dining area, master bedroom, bath and laundry on
the first floor. On the second floor, there will be two additional bedrooms and bath. The second
floor plan has a very similar layout with a slightly larger living area consisting of 1,766 square
feet.
The architectural style of the project features a colonial style of architecture in the words of the
Specific Plan. This was shown on Exhibit 4. The exterior finish will be wood siding with
cultured stone veneer along the base of each proposed residential unit. The proposed
architectural style for the other floor plans is somewhat similar as shown on Exhibit 5 in the
package that went to the members of the Commission.
There was a preliminary landscaping plan that we included in the package as Exhibit 6. This
plan shows a generalized plan palate including trees, shrubs and vines, and the generalized
planting for the site. It also shows that there will be some additional planting at the entrance of
the facility along Grand Terrace Road, but we should keep in mind that there is a request from
the Public Works Department for additional street widening and improvements along Grand
Terrace Road. So, some of that landscaping will probably have to be modified for street
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widening. In addition, the common areas and landscape areas will have to be maintained by a
- homeowners association that will be a part of the approval process for this project.
This is a proposed small lot subdivision or as some would say a PUD type of subdivision.
Therefore, the necessity to file a tentative tract map, which was labeled as Exhibit 7 in your
package. Lots 1-18 will be residential lots with Lot 19 being the private street loop system
together with the pool location and the open space areas, including the other open space
recreational area across the street from the pool. The individual lots will range from 3,195 square
feet to 4,773 square feet. If you add all of the lots up and divide by 18 you get something like
4,000 square feet for the average residential lot.
Also submitted with the package was the preliminary grading plan shown as Exhibit 8. As we
noted before, the site is fairly level and the Specific Plan does contain the statement that finished
grades will be approximate to the grade of the adjoining properties. All lots will be drained to
the street where the water will flow towards Grand Terrace Road, and there will be two catch
basins in this location at the entrance way off of Grand Terrace Road to pick up the water
draining from the site. Part of the scheme for the drainage is to have the proper water quality
filters as part of the water quality management for this project.
We did receive with the submittal of the package, two color boards for the project showing the
proposed color scheme for the project. Also, we have received colored elevations, which are to
the Commissioners' left, where you will see two floor plans. One of the plans will be colored in
the general blue theme and the other floor plan will have a green color.
{ This project was reviewed by staff to determine the potential environmental effects. We did
complete the initial study that is required by the California Environmental Quality Act; and it is
staffs conclusion that this project, because of it's limited size, could quality for a mitigated
negative declaration -- that a small project like this will not have adverse impact on the
environment. Also, in the staff report,we did provide to the Commission the mandatory findings
for the zoning code that have to be made before a project like this for the site and architectural
reviews and the tract map can be approved or recommended to the City Council.
On November 3, last year,the Community Development Department sent a four page incomplete
letter to the applicant listing various items that needed to be corrected, modified, and/or provided
to make the applications before you this evening complete. Following a second submittal of
materials, including revised exhibits and a revised Specific Plan, the department sent a second
letter on December 20th, 2005, which was nine pages in length and outlining an additional
critique of the application and the submittals. On January 9th of last week, we received a third
submittal for this application, including a third set of revised drawings and a third revised
Specific Plan.
On the following day, January 10th, the Community Development Staff met with the Director of
Building and Safety to review the third submittal of materials. The staff continues to have
concerns and issues regarding this project. We have listed in some detail the concerns that the
staff has about the design of this project and the proposals made by the applicant. Basically, they
seem to revolve around the exhibits and engineering issues. Beyond that, even if these issues
were resolved in a fourth submittal of materials and exhibits, the staff would have a general
concern for the overall design concept for this project. What you have before you this evening is
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a small lot subdivision, needless to say. Even more critical, I think that design is even more
important to make something like this work. Staff is not sure that what we have seen so far,that
the proposed architectural concept as proposed by the Applicant, accomplishes this goal at this
location.
As I have said earlier in the presentation, the color scheme that was submitted with the green for
some of the floor plans and blue for the other plans also does not seem to work. We have too
many issues to make a specific recommendation for this project this evening.
As was generally indicated at the start of the hearing on the project, we feel at this time that the
Planning Commission basically has three options. One is (which as you have, apparently,
already indicated you were going to be continuing this project) to allow the applicant another
chance to revise the exhibits and drawings to the staffls satisfaction. The second option would
be to go forward and approve the project instructing us with what findings and conditions that
you wanted to make for it, and the final third option would be to simply deny the project.
That does complete my presentation, Mr. Chairman. I will be happy to try and answer any
questions that you or the other members of the Commission may have at this time.
Chair Wilson: Does the Commission have questions for staff before we- open the Public
Hearing?
Vice Chair Addington: I didn't notice any sidewalks on the exhibits. Are sidewalks proposed?
Director Koontz: No.
Vice Chair Addington: Without sidewalks, does this project meet ADA requirements?
Rich Shields: Well,there are other projects that are located within the City of Grand Terrace that
have roll curbs with no sidewalks that have been approved recently, so I would have to say that ..
Vice Chair Addington: But you said roll curbs and sidewalks, and this one doesn't have
sidewalks.
Rich Shields: Roll curbs without sidewalks. I don't think it meets ADA for sidewalks, but then
they are not supplying sidewalks. So, if you're not supplying sidewalks, then you didn't have to
meet the ADA requirement.
Vice Chair Addington: So if someone was coming in from the public walking, they would have
to take access by means of a private road?
Rich Shields: Yes, and that someone could be someone that would be disabled or non-disabled.
Vice Chair Addington: Okay. So that is allowed under the ADA laws?
Rich Shields: Yes.
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Chair Wilson: Any other questions of staff or comments before we open up the Public Hearing?
Alright then, we will begin by asking the Applicant and his representative to come forward and
_ state your name and address to speak on behalf of your project if you so desire.
Mark Holly: My name is Mark Holly and I am a consultant for Douglas Jacobsen. My address
is 22347 La Palma Avenue in Yorba Linda. As mentioned earlier, we have requested a
continuance, so I can go through and-talk about the entire project or just answer some questions.
Chair Wilson: At your pleasure. We are glad to hold comment until the next meeting if that will
work out for you.
Mark Holly: Let me address some of the issues right off the bat. I would like to address this
color scheme issue. The reason you see the two colors on the board is to identify the different
floor plans as opposed to the colors that are actually proposed for the plan. The colors that will
be proposed will be beige or neutral colors. So that's the first thing. So I will go down the list
here. On the tentative tract map there is mention of an Edison easement. There is a facility that
Edison has there. It is an existing easement, and what we are doing is getting a letter from
Edison to address that question to either reduce that house in size or change it so that we
maintain a minimum five foot setback from the easement.
Chair Wilson: I think staff has clearly stated that they would like to know what the nature of the
animal is, and so you will be working with staff on that.
Mark Holly: Yes, we will provide that. The second issue that staff had was the Exhibit showing
the access for the fire and garbage trucks. There was a drawing that we prepared, which is
Exhibit 9 on the package; but Exhibit 9 does not show the correct truck turning movements.
There will be limited traffic, so I don't think it will be a problem.
Chair Wilson: Have you had the fire department take a look at that as a preliminary step?
Mark Holly: No, it was just submitted through staff.
Chair Wilson: I would suggest that you get that done.
Vice Chair Addington: Also, looking at your Exhibit 9, it looks like your curbs for your vehicles
are conflicting with the parking out there, which I doubt the fire department will approve.
Mark Holly: We'll drag those over the curbs is what you're saying?
Vice Chair Addington: I'm just looking at your Exhibit. I don't think there's enough room to
turn and have parking at the same time.
Mark Holly: Okay. I can address that later with the engineers. I can't do it right now.
Chair Wilson: Great. That's what we will be looking for. There is an issue here on Item 5, and
I'm going to cut to the chase a little bit. The inconsistency -- whether it's going to be rolled
curb. Is that what it's going to be?
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Mark Holly: The plan is to have a combination of both vertical curb and a roll curb. The roll
curb will be where all the driveways are. The vertical curb will be along the side of the parallel
parking, and that will prevent the cars from going up on the grass and so on.
Chair Wilson: There are issues with line of sight distances and some other things. Unless you
have something specific that can't be handled by staff, I suggest we go ahead and deal with staff.
Mark Holly: The one line of sight issue that I do know that has been mentioned is the house in
the corner there, and I think that we can re-arrange that house on there so that we increase the
view back across from traffic. We can solve that, and we will do that with staff.
Chair Wilson: Just for our own edification, what kind of fencing is proposed between the lawns.
Mark Holly: At this time,there are none. It was just proposed to be open.
Chair Wilson: Is there anything else you would like to bring up at this forum? .
Mark Holly: Just the drainage. The site backyards will be draining to the side yards, and the
side yards to the street; then down the gutters and picked up by the catch basins.
Chair Wilson: Do the catch basins connect to the City drainage systems?
Mark Holly: Yes, they do. There is a large inlet just on the frontage there, and we have
proposed to use that. Any water collected would be run thought the fossil filters to treat it.
Vice Chair Addington: In regards to the off-site drainage, how are you accepting the off-site
flows from the north and the east?
Mark Holly: Any flows that we can provide. Openings in the walls,.if necessary. We will have
the block walls to allow that to come in, and we can run it between the homes. That's somewhat
of an engineering issue, but that's what I would suggest.
Vice Chair Addington: You can do this without causing any flooding on the upstream
properties?
Mark Holly: Yes, you can size those openings to handle that.
Matt Adddington: Along your south property line, it appears you're retaining about three feet
against the existing walls, how are you dealing with that?
Mark Holly: The foundations will be a little bit deeper along the area so that you would have a
little bit of a retaining wall, and there would also be a 2 to 1 slope. That will be worked out with
engineering.
Vice Chair Addington: On the next drawing you provide, you will show detailed sections of all
of that?
Mark Holly: Yes, we will.
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Commissioner Comstock: I feel like I need to hold your feet to the fire just a little bit on this.
We received two copies of letters that the Community Development Director sent to you, and I
don't know if it was you or your company outlining several items and then a nine page letter
with additional items. I just want to ask why weren't those issues addressed the first time, and
had to re-write again the second time; then, we find that when this project was submitted to us,
how come that was not addressed the third time?
Mark Holly: Well, first of all, we would like to apologize for the lack of ability to be able to do
the checklist. Again, I know that we turned around quickly, that's the only excuse that we have
and I can assure you that it won't happen again.
Commissioner Bidney: I've studied this quite a bit, and I just can't see how I could vote for this
project with a two-story building when everything else in the area is single story. It doesn't
conform to anything in the area. I don't know how you're going to revise this to come back here
later on and I'm not satisfied with what you're going to do unless it's a single story. It's too
crowded. There's no patios, no bar-b-ques, no fences for neighbors, so you can't even come out
in the back yard and yawn without affecting your neighbor; and as it stands right now, unless
there's an extreme differential coming back to us, I'm afraid I've got to vote no on this, and
that's my expression of truthfulness.
Director Koontz: At this point staff needs to step in a little bit. Bear in mind that there is an
approved adopted Specific Plan and a recorded tract map already on this, and it has been there
since the mid 1990's.
(� Chair Wilson: And this particular project as proposed does actually adhere to the zoning that is
on this Specific Plan?
Director Koontz: It's the exact same number of units as the original Specific Plan that was
approved and it is an adopted plan that had two-story units on it. So there is a worst case
scenario. The plan that got approved originally is still a valid plan until something else takes its
place. So, if someone wants to develop what was recorded and what was approved under the
original plan and build that, it's going to be very difficult to change that.
Commissioner Bidney: How many houses were in that plan?
Director Koontz: Eighteen, the exact same number.
Commissioner Bidney: The map I saw originally was something like fourteen single story units.
May have been an old map.
Director Koontz: When this project came up, we went through the old files to compare what was
originally approved and what the applicant is proposing now.
Commissioner Comstock: In looking at the architectural styling of these homes, whether they be
single story or two story, I don't think I could be in favor of this project the way it stands; and
the way the architectural styling is done on those. To have the entire houses surrounded
primarily with lap siding to me is...we need to break that up. We need to have more of a stone
veneer in front of the home and side of the homes. Also, the majority of the people that will be
going by this property will be looking at the side of the homes; and in looking at the side of the
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homes I noticed that it looks like we've got a single wide mobile home placed upon a double
wide mobile home in many respects. I drove down La Cadena west between Center Street and
Columbia and there is a manufacturer over there of similar homes, in fact I noticed that the
architectural styling of the roof and the pop out of the roof in the front is identical to what you've
submitted in the plans here. And just pulling up there with my wife today, I asked her what she
thought of that plan and how it looked. She said that it was not attractive at all. I would have to
agree with her. I've shown the plans to a couple of other people, and they also are in agreement
that it doesn't look like very good architectural styling. I would like to see something come back
that has some very serious changes in the way the architecture has been put together. I
understand that you are using modular housing to try to cut down on costs; and I'm not opposed
to modular housing, as long as it does not look like modular housing. And I think most of the
residents in the area are also not opposed to having a decent project come, but what we have
before us as far as the architectural detailing, I don't see that as being very attractive at all.
Mark Holly: I appreciate your thoughts on it. We will take another look at the plan, but we do
have some additional elevations and actual photos of some of these units, and when they are
finished they do not look like a trailer park and they are not a typical modular home with low
angle roofs and so on. This looks more like a finished home when it is done.
Chair Wilson: Thank you, and perhaps you may want to work with staff to give us some
examples.
Vice Chair Addington: Should this item be continued tonight, when it comes back, can we have
a copy of the original Specific Plan and documents as a reference on this one?
-" Director Koontz: Yes.
Vice Chair Addington: Okay. Also to share with you Mr. Applicant regarding this project, this
project is submitted to us on so many levels that is technically incomplete. I really feel that we
are wasting our time here tonight. I am really disappointed with the quality that was brought in
and the lack of detail that was brought in, and the fact that your professionals by law never
signed or put their seal on the documents. I understand that you are also the developer for our
Town Square Project, and you know I'm not having a good fuzzy feeling about that Town
Square Project right now.
Chair Wilson: We will invite any other representatives for the applicant's project to speak, and
we will invite those who have issued a request to speak to come forward, but we will ask you to
consider that you may want to hold your comments for a later time. We will begin with Mr.
Michael McClellan.
Michael McClellan: My name is Michael McClellan and I live at 21868 Grand Terrace Road. I
have seen no traffic studies on Grand Terrace Road. There is one exit for this development and
that's on Grand Terrace Road. It was stated earlier that the drainage will be on Grand Terrace
Road. There is only drainage on one side of Grand Terrace Road. There are no curbs and
gutters on the west side of Grand Terrace Road, and I regularly see the people speeding up and
down Grand Terrace Road and directly up and across to the trailer park. Several times, I could
not get out of my own driveway because of the amount of the traffic from the trailer park. How
is this going to affect another individual that has his house directly across from this
development? Thank you.
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Ken McClellan: I live at 21882 Grand Terrace Road and I have lived there for approximately
some 30 odd years. First is the drainage you talked about. We don't have to worry about it this
year, but in some years when we've had a lot of rainfall, it usually runs down Grand Terrace
Road and down my driveway. And I think there needs to be more engineering than what he
talked about. That's one concern. The other concern is that you're putting 18 houses on two and
a half acres. I have two and a half acres, I came to the City once before and they told me I could
only put five houses on 1 acre. Is this zoned R2 or is this zoned differently?
John Lampe: The property is zoned R2. The maximum density is 9 units to the acre and I think
that staff report indicates that the overall density is about 7 units for this project.
Chair Wilson: Is that typical for an R2 designation or is this under the Specific Plan?
Director Koontz: That's the standard density under the R2 zone.
Ken McClellan: We were up here years ago when you were going to put 50 apartments there.
The zoning was changed to R2 with an agricultural overlay. Now, unless that changed, it is still
the same. Those of us across the street have large lots, and I hate to see people crammed into a
3,000 square foot lot with a house 1,600 square feet and the house is as big as the lot. As the
gentleman there said, there's no room for a patio, and there's no room for even a sidewalk. If
they want to reduce this down to a livable number of units, I'm not opposed to it, provided they
make adequate drainage procedures. And the other thing is the traffic, as my son had mentioned,
on Grand Terrace Road. It should be called the Grand Terrace Road speedway. And if the
Planning Commission can do anything about it, I would sure like to see a couple of speed bumps.
I've seen a motorcycle go down there close to 100 miles per hour, so I think this would only
exasperate the traffic conditions. Thank you.
Jeffrey McConnell: I'm always grateful, that you, Commissioner Doug Wilson, explains things
to the people here so in that light I want to explain something to everybody here, because it's
very misunderstood about modular housing. Even Mr. Comstock made a statement that was not
true. He said he's not against modular housing but he said that as long as it doesn't look like
modular housing. .Well, that doesn't make sense. One of the biggest misconceptions about
modular home building the industry faces is that they think its like a trailer home, but it's not that
at all. One thing it is not is a trailer. It is constructed on a chassis, which is built in a factory, but
it's built like pieces of a puzzle, and is transported to the site and then put together like a puzzle.
It's not like what you see traveling down the road, those are pre-manufactured homes. I
understand this very well. I'm currently developing in Rialto with a pre-manufactured home and
am well informed about the situation. A pre-manufactured home does not appraise the same as a
house or a modular home. It can only be appraised with other manufactured homes. A modular
home is built better than a stick built home. It's built with, at least, 10% more building materials
because it has to withstand transportation from the factory to the site. I grew up in a modular
home, by the way, and it's actually built better than any stick built home. The thing about a
modular home is that it doesn't look like a modular home. You can make a modular home look
like a regular stick built home. So the basic reason for the developer is to save time and save
money. You can put one together in seven days and deliver it to the site. It can look like a trailer
or it can look like a really nice custom home. This architectural design does look a little funky,
and I would appreciate it if they improved the architecture. There are many things that you can
do with a modular home. You can customize it, you can Google modular homes and you will
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find a wealth of information to understand what modular homes really are. So, I didn't get a
chance to go and look at the site, but one of things that I am really concerned about since these
'+ are individual homes, lots I mean, is that the CC&R's include the landscaping in the front, so we
don't have a green lawn, brown lawn, green lawn, brown lawn. What Mr. Gary said about in
1994 is true. There was a Specific Plan that was approved, and I am aware of it. The developer
did not buy one lot, he bought 18 separate tax bills and he can build that. He can thumb his nose
at us tonight and he can go back and build the 18-unit Specific Plan. So, I am glad that he is
building something nicer than condos, because as a great white man once said here in Grand
Terrace, the difference between a condo and an apartment building is about five years. And it's
true, because we have a lot of condos in town that are rented out. So I prefer separate lots for
private ownership and more value. Modular homes are appraised the same as stick built homes,
with more value. Anything for the west side of Grand Terrace in general, I want to make sure
that since I am involved in the real estate industry that everything is built to maintain and
improve property values. Maybe the west side should have a neighborhood architectural theme,
since it will eventually be developed, and it's zoned R2 or R3. It will be developed. It's just a
matter of time. I always say that; all the time. You can't stop it. If the applicant doesn't want to
deviate from the 18 units, the 21/2 acres is nine units per gross acre. He can develop according to
that formula 22 units. So, I would prefer the 18 homes that he's planning. I hope they do look at
the architecture. It could use some going over.
Chair Wilson: Just a question of staff, what is the original approvals minimum square footage of
the lot, because we've been batting around at the fact that there is a tract map on this, I guess and
the tract map on it must have a minimum square footage lot.
John Lampe: I don't know the exact size of what was approved 15 years ago. There was a copy
of the approved tentative map that was given to the Commission in the staff report. It was a
recorded map, No. 14816. Of course, the lot sizes were set by the Specific Plan, which set the
development standards for the site. Perhaps since this matter is being continued, we can give
you more detailed information in the future.
Chair Wilson: I would like to know that,thank you.
Vice Chair Addington: On the original tract map provided to us, it didn't give dimensions on
those lots.
Chair Wilson: That is why I am asking the question. Because it would seem to me that there's
been a lot of discussion about individual lots. At the same time, it seems to me that it lends itself
well to an air space type of use, and these kind of projects we have seen usually are set up on
those kinds of circumstances of a condo map rather than a regular tract map.
Director Koontz: That was the original approval. Based on the lot,was the footprint of each unit
with one common open space lot?
Chair Wilson: So,we would make the minimum setbacks and so on to make them fit in. We will
continue.
Commissioner Bidney: I would also like the staff to get into the archive, and I would like to see
the approval of the tract map. If it was approved by the City Council at that time, I would like to
know if it's a done deal.
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Director Koontz: It's a done deal. There is a recorded subdivision on it, and it was approved by
the City Council. Any subdivision has to be approved by the City Council. Back then, and
today.
Douglas Jacobsen: My address is 21800 Burbank Boulevard in Woodlands Hills. I bought this
2.55 acre parcel property that was subdivided into 19 parcels. The smallest of which was about
1,200 square feet, the largest of which was about 2,000 square feet. I bought it because I wanted
to build a trailer park next to the trailer park. So after I bought it, I came in and I said to Tom
Schwab, "I would be happy to give up these 18 small parcels for homes to build a trailer park,
because it would serve my purposes", and Tom said, "I'm not letting you build a trailer park."
So I said, "here's the reason it makes sense: there's a trailer park there." The Specific Plan on
this property will have somebody come in and build houses where you think that these lots are
small. The presentation that I have for you shows what the lots originally looked like and how
tiny they were. And the Specific Plan is very clear, on those little tiny postage stamp lots that
have no yards at all. The footprint of the house is the lot. All of the yard, all of the area is
common area outside the footprint of the house. When Tom told me I couldn't build a trailer
park, I said, okay I won't build a trailer park. What does the Specific Plan say that makes sense
for these little houses. I've read it and, I don't like it. Tom said, I've read it too and I don't like
it. So we talked about it and what we could do with the land because I bought it to build a trailer
park, and obviously, I wasn't going to get to do that. So we wanted to make the lots as big as we
could make them, and these lots are almost 400% larger than the smallest lot that's on that
approved parcel map that I own. The intent was to not come here and ever build a housing
project. I am a retail shopping center developer. I've built 40 shopping centers in the last 12
years. I haven't built houses. My uncle built houses and said just do modular homes, Doug, it
will be a lot easier for you and you're not a housing guy. I hired an entire new team and I have
people working for me who haven't worked for me before. I'm doing houses because your City
Manager won't let me build a trailer park because it's inappropriate for his citizens. I understand
that, so we came into maximize the size of the lots, and as you critique this parcel map and you
think it's really bad, we're working with what we have. You should see what you have right
now before you criticize that too badly. Because what you have right now is, in my opinion, not
a workable parcel map. But it is there. There is a Specific Plan, and we can build to it. I would
never thumb my nose at any City, that's not how I do business. I would come in and say here's
what we would like to do. What do you think? And, if the opinion is, we don't like it, then my
attitude is, then let me come back to the drawing board and see what we can do. We've changed
the house configurations numerous times. We've been to many housing shows to understand
what the best housing developer out there is. I have a video tape that's in my computer right
now that I was planning to show you tonight, if we didn't continue, that shows how nice these
units are. These houses are nice. And I'm not talking about those that are stacked. I agree those
are terrible. That's not what I am looking to do. If the Commission is not in favor of seeing this
developed in a way that gives the maximum lot size, then we won't come in for a parcel map.
We'll come in to the Design Review Board and ask you to critique like you did that one house
that was prior to us. We'll do them one at a time, and we'll follow your lead. We will work with
staff. I think Gary Koontz is a brilliant Planning Director, and we will follow your lead; and if
that's the way we need to do it, we will do it. I wanted to build a trailer park, and all my
_ neighbors hated trailers parks. I've had ten phone calls saying no trailer park, no trailers stacked
! on top of each other that look like a vertical trailer park. I've had those phone calls. My phone
number is easy to find. Everybody who wants to find me, finds me; and they have. They've
said, "don't do it." I am not doing it. So when it comes time to decide how we are going to go
16
forward, building houses is not my first choice. I want to build a trailer park right there, but I'm
r not going to do that. So, when I come back (it may not be for a month), we will have revisions.
_ I am going to make some changes in my team. I am disappointed that...I've paid a ton of money
for drawings that I don't think are worth the ton of money I paid. It is what it is, and I'm stuck
with a different circumstance that I thought I would be in. This is no way indicative of the
shopping centers I've built, and I would love to take you out sir and show you all the shopping
centers I've built and how spectacular they are -- fully occupied, still making money, and they
look exactly like the drawings that I submitted to those mayors and community development
directors. They function, they work well, they are well planned, and they are smartly done. So,
for what's its worth, thank you for continuing it tonight. I apologize for the fact that we did not
put our best foot forward, however, I am working with a parcel map that is unique, and I am
trying to make the best of it.
Chair Wilson: We will get a hold of that, and we will take a look at it. Thank you.
Vice Chair Addington: I have more of a suggestion than a question: The architecture presented
tonight, as it looks on paper, does look like the boxy double stacked trailers. If this is what
you're proposing, should this project be continued until the next meeting? We would very much
like to see pictures of what you're proposing in color so that we can see it versus what was
presented tonight. That would be very helpful.
Doug Jacobsen: One of the things that we have decided to do that we didn't get in is take the
pictures of the actual houses. There are houses all over that are modular. What we wanted
r_ to....the color scheme was really indicative of unit style, not of the colors that we wanted to do.
We can do better. We will come back with something that you can sink your teeth into,
:understand, and then make an informed decision. If you don't like it, then we'll have to find
something else. But I will not thumb my nose at this Planning Commission or the City Council
or the City Manager. We will come back until we get it right. The next submission will be better
than this one, and I apologize for the fact that we didn't do the best job we could have done.
Thank you.
Chair Wilson: We do have a couple of more requests to speak forms. Terry Erhart.
Terry Erhart: I live directly across the street from this development at 21920 Grand Terrace
Road. I have to admit that when I first heard about the fact that you were developing across the
street, I was actually looking forward to it because it is an open lot and frequently has a lot of
weeds on it. I was quickly disappointed when I found out the size and the capacity that this was
going to be developed. We already have a mobile home park directly across the street. If you
talked with any policemen in Grand Terrace, they will tell you that is the worst area of Grand
Terrace, and frequently has policemen over there almost every week. I think it's indicative of
the smaller sized houses. So that area is rural, and I was actually hopeful that this development
would actually promote some kind of a positive thing in that area with a larger sized home on a
lot; but this is not helpful, especially right next to a mobile home park area. I am also concerned
about the fact that these will be two story residences when there is not a single two story
anywhere in the vicinity. There is also a side thing which is my neighbor, Lynn Roberts, has a
very nice view of the mountain, which will actually be destroyed by the fact that we will have
two story houses. Not that he has a great view, but it will essentially be gone. I am also
concerned about parking. When you do not have an adequate place for a person to park their
car...I know you've outlined parking spaces on the street. And if anyone knows how many
17
people actually park their vehicle in their garage...so you're going to see the streets just lined
with cars, and that to me is an eyesore and that's something that will not be helpful and positive
for the community. The traffic speed is very much a problem on that street. No one is
exaggerating when they say that they have met a top speed of 65 miles per hour right about
where this spot is going to be developed, and if something isn't done to discourage or slow down
that speed, you're going to get a lot of accidents, because somebody coming out of this
development will be caught off guard by the speed. Ironically, we had somebody driving
erratically down the street at top speeds and ran into the telephone pole in front of our house.
And so it's not uncommon. Every day, you can hear them coming. So I think that we can do
better. Thank you.
Chair Wilson: We have two more Requests to Speak forms. We will do those, and then we will
close for the sake of expedience the Public Hearing and continue this item. Rita Schwark?
Rita Schwark: I live at 21952, I live across the street. As far as the traffic, we are not
exaggerating. We get semi-trucks, and we get the school busses that speed because it's such a
wide road at one point then it narrows down. There's only one way for the water to drain, and
that's west, directly off of everybody on the west side of Grand Terrace Road. Everybody gets
their front yard flooded, there's no curb and gutter. There's nothing. The water just comes in. I
don't know where he would drain this water to. He's only got one street going out to the street,
and it's got to go out to my property and to the neighbors property. The parking: Of course
you're going to have parking on the street, because you're going to have visitors, and you're
going to have whoever comes to visit. A six-foot driveway does not make sense at this point. I
am asking for attractive beautiful homes. The pool area is going to be used maybe five-to-six
months out of the year. These children...you can't get all the children that are going to be there
in that play area, where they do now in the street with bicycles and skateboards. As far as the
common area, you can't cram all those kids in one area. The exit from Grand Terrace Road onto
Barton Road is atrocious. Trying to get out of there at rush hour or any time of the day now is
very terrible. We deserve attractive homes, and have enough trailer parks on the west side
already.
Patricia Farley: I live at 12513 Michigan Street. It does my heart good to hear the concerns
expressed by the Commission members and the staff. Thank you. I think one of the most
alarming things to me about this project was that the person who wants to develop a major part
of Barton Road here is the same person that wants to take somebody's long time home. How
would you feel if they took your long time home and they put up something like that. It's not
attractive. You're going to have major problems with driveways like that. I'm sorry that he
bought the property and wanted something else. It sure would be nice if the piece of
land...maybe naive here. Are we doing what we can get away with to make money or couldn't
we have a different specific plan? I don't know. But, I am very disappointed and I certainly
hope that when we have development, even small things in Grand Terrace, that it's going to be
an improvement on the area...that it's going to be pleasant for the people living there and safe
for them as well as the people that live around them. I've got to say that, ultimately, it is utterly
intolerable to not respect people's personal homes. Thank you.
Commissioner Comstock: I have a couple of questions of staff. I know that we have an extra
deputy in town. I live off of Michigan and I have seen that the deputy has been patrolling
Michigan pretty regularly and are handing out traffic tickets to those who want to exceed the
speed limit. I was wondering if we might be able to put a bug in the deputy's ear about maybe
18
posting something up on Grand Terrace Road somewhere and try to reduce the excessive
speeding that's happening around there, especially for the kids that are playing on the street.
Director Koontz: We can speak to the Lieutenant about that. Also, there are some comments
tonight about speed bumps. In order to get speed bumps, there has to be a request from the
general public to the Community Services Department, and they can handle it accordingly.
Commissioner Comstock: Second question, in the packet, I think I remembered reading
something about this being designated as senior housing, is that not the case?
Director Koontz: No.
Chair Wilson: We will now hear a motion.
Vice Chair Addington: Alright, I would like to make a motion for continuance.
Chair Wilson: I will second that motion.
Vice Chair Addington: With the following conditions: As part of the regulatory requirements,
provide us a WQMP, and staff you know I like to take a peak at those. Address all of the offsite
drainage issues, and I would like to be assured that we are not going to cause any upstream
flooding on the adjacent properties. Comply with all 44 items in the December 20th staff letter
that have not been resolved. I do have an issue with the green color board. I would like to see an
- alternate to the green color board, and I would like to see how the retaining wall is going to be
handled on the south side of the project. If the residents are very concerned about the speed out
there, I would like, at the driveway, to see a site line analysis at the entrance of the project and
have that reviewed by our City Traffic Engineer. I would also like the applicant's professionals
comply with State Business Professions Code and sign and seal all documents that are presented
to the Planning Commission for review.
Chair Wilson: The second concurs. Do we have further discussion? Please vote:
Michelle Boustedt: Motion carries all ayes.
Chair Wilson: We will continue the item. Thank you all. I think we all owe it to ourselves to
review the previous approval, and we will revisit this item. Thank you Applicant for your words.
MOTION PC-03-2006: Vice Chair Addington made a motion to continue Item No. 3:
SP-05-03, SA-05-21, SA-05-22, Tentative Tract Map 05-04
(County No. 17861) and E-05-03 to construct 18 single family,
detached modular homes on 2.55 acres,with the aforementioned
conditions.
Chair Wilson seconded the motion.
MOTION VOTE
PC-03-2006: Approved 4-0-0-0
19
ADJOURN SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD/PLANNING
�y
COMMISSION MEETING 8:25 DM
CONVENE PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION
• Information to Commissioners
Associate Planner John Lampe: At one of the recent Planning Commission Meetings, as
far as the Public Comment; there were some concerns raised over the status of
Schwertfeger's Trucking Company. We would like to give you a quick overview of
where we see that project at this point.
I'm sure some members of the Commission know that Mr. Schwertfeger actually came in
with some of his proposals to develop his property way back in 1998; even precedes my
service with the City. In 2001,there was a Public Hearing before the Commission during
which a Conditional Use Permit and Site and Architectural Review were approved to
develop the property. The staff had been working with Mr. Schwertfeger for about three
years encouraging him to come forward with his application, trying to get him to improve
his property including the cleanup of the property. During that January hearing in 2001,
the Commission did approve his applications. Included in that 2001 approval was a
12,000 sq. ft. industrial building. Over the intervening years, I'm sure the members of the
Commission remember, there were about three additional hearings to give him more time
to complete the project. The issues came down to the point where he had done a lot of
the improvements to the property including paving the interior, and providing for the
drainage, and doing other things to the site to improve it according to the Conditions of
u Approval including putting in street improvements. However, I'm sure you noticed, if
you drive by there, there was an issue regarding the telephone pole as to who was going
to incur the cost of moving that pole. There was some discussion between Mr.
Schwertfeger and the City about who was going to be responsible for doing that. Just
recently, there has been sort of a resolution of that issue in that he has been given the go
ahead to complete his project including the completion of the construction of the 12,000
sq. ft. building. The staff feels that when this building is constructed, some of the issues
that were raised such as noise in the neighborhood would be somewhat meliorated by
having some of the activities now taking place outside and taking place inside that
building. He has been told that he is going to have to comply with all of the conditions
that were imposed originally by the Commission including putting in the landscaping. I
think that was an issue that was raised by Ms. Austin. So, he's been put on notice that he
has to comply with all those conditions if his building is going to be finaled. So, we feel
that some progress has been made on that site, and some of the things that are going to
take place there will resolve some of the concerns of the neighbors and some of the issues
that were raised by Ms. Austin.
Chair Wilson: Thank you. One of the items that has been raised since then to discussion
has to do with a water well that is in the vicinity, and a concern about a possible
infiltration by that use of obviously any kind of circumstance as far as water well
contamination so on as an item for the State. But we, as local government, can review
something like that and objectively look at the use and determine if we're going to
aggravate a situation needlessly by our zoning. So, I have a question regarding the
intensity of the use. It's been maybe a little slow in completing those tasks, but are we
20
getting in trouble here so far as possible contamination of a water well site? I know there
are some specifics in relation to that.
Ms. Austin: Are you referring to the Riverside Highland Water Well just north...
Chair Wilson: Correct.
Director Koontz: We're in constant communication with the water company
representatives, and we've talked about this property because they have some street
improvements in front of their well, also. To date, they have not raised this as an issue.
If there was an issue, I can guarantee you that Rich Haubert would raise them. He is very
good at that. In addition to that, he is required to comply with the Water Quality
Management Plan requirements as an industrial project.
Chair Wilson: I see one of our Public is here, and I'm sure she'd like to speak. This isn't
actually a public testimony on it, but let me just bring up this concept. He, Mr.
Schwertfeger, is responsible for adhering to the law, regardless. So, anything that he
does with his use that is not in accordance with either our Conditional Use Permit or of
the law et al, can endanger his use of the property for permit status. So, bringing this out
as a fact that it is our responsibility as the government agency to make sure that those
things are in accordance with the law, at this juncture though, I do believe that he has an
approval on his property to use it in accordance with a strict accordance with those
documents that he was approved for under his Conditional Use Permit.. Not at this time.
If we could talk about it later would be better as this is not a public hearing. We can talk
i after the meeting. Thank you.
Commissioner Comstock: Just along that same line, perhaps it would be good to get in
the public record, maybe some instructions to our staff to have discussions with Mr.
Schwertfeger regarding that well, and then he must contact each of his employees and
make sure that they know that any contamination of that well through dumping of oil or
draining of diesel or whatever it might be that might accidentally happen. That's a really
serious issue, and he could be held liable. Maybe, the next time we see him, for Plan
Check or whatever, we could make sure that he gets a written notification of the
importance of instructing his employees regarding keeping that site clean.
Chair Wilson: We can definitely put him on notice. Plus, if you like, we can contact
Riverside Highland Water Company and specifically ask questions concerning that well
and the concerns over it. Yes. What I would like, actually, is for the Community
Development Department to contact him, have him come in for a few minutes and let's
just talk about compatibility and so on. He's surrounded by a bunch of folks who have
been there for a long time. I want to make sure everybody is a good neighbor, and I think
it's important. I know he wants to do the same thing. So, I think it's important for us to
address any of the concerns the Public has brought fourth.
Director Koontz: Are you asking that we schedule some sort of a hearing or workshop
and not a hearing?
Chair Wilson: Not a hearing or a workshop,but just a meeting.
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Commissioner Comstock: With Staff or with the Commission?
Chair Wilson: With Staff.
Chair Wilson: Question on this. You'd mentioned the acronym WQMP. Since he had
submitted initially a long time ago, did he ever submit a WQMP on this project?
Director Koontz: I haven't seen a WQMP package, however, I did inspect the site and
we did notice that he's come into compliance with some WQMP requirements and he has
put in a retention basin at the rear portion of his property. We also noticed that if we
move forward with the project and allow the construction of the building that would limit
the flows to that area and they would be able to clean the property up a little bit better
than they have it now. But as far as the WQMP, I have not seen it.
Chair Wilson: So,this is a project that has been in the works for a very long time.
Director Koontz: He has filed a Notice of Intent from the swift, a long time ago; and that
was before the WQMPs were in effect.
Chair Wilson: So,he's being a good neighbor in that respect.
Rich Shields: By building the building, we are going to be taking a lot of these activities
that are being performed outside in violation of the best management practices for
NPDES. It's going to be moved to the inside of the building, and we won't have those
situations to be remedied. So, that's going to take into effect a lot of the pollution that
may go into the design catch basis.
Director Koontz: Quite sometime ago, I actually got into the Water Quality Board
website to tracked down his permit. So, I saw it. It's there.
Chair Wilson: And it's still in effect? He's been paying it on an annual basis?
Director Koontz: We can check on that. We're assuming he has, but if you want, we can
definitely verify it.
Chair Wilson: If I remember right, it doesn't go bad. They just keep mounting up the
fees. So, surely they will find you if you don't pay on time.
• Information from Commissioners
Commissioner Comstock: I was not able to attend the last City Council Meeting
regarding the ham radio. I don't know and I have not been informed of what was
determined.
Director Koontz: There is an agreement between attorneys from both sides that the
applicant has requested the opportunity to basically withdraw his appeal and bring it back
before the Planning Commission for a redesign. We haven't seen anything, and we
haven't heard anything. No one has talked to us. We don't know what we're going to
see this time, but it's coming back to you sometime.
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Chair Wilson: I do have a question in relation to that then. What is keeping us from
administering an enforcement action on that item?
Director Koontz: It's still in the hearing process. Until it goes through the entire hearing
process... We've talked to Code Enforcement about that at length, and because he's got
an application, it's still an active application. We can't have him tear it down. The
minute there is a final action by the City Council, if it had gone through the appeal
process and they had denied it, the next day we could have gone out there with Code
Enforcements and taken it down.
Commissioner Comstock: Now that he's in this process, does he have a time limit or can
he just drag this out as long as he wants?
Director Koontz: The Council directed it to go back to the Commission,period. They did
not say that it had to be back to us within 30 days or anything else. It just said appeal has
been withdrawn, and they sent it back.
Chair Wilson: It seems to me, at this point, it's actually out of the jurisdiction of the City
Council. If they wanted to direct an enforcement action against it, they would have done
that.
Director Koontz: If we do not see something in the foreseeable future, we will probably
take something back to the Council and say, we haven't seen anything yet, what do you
guys want to do,because right now it's still in their ball park.
ADJOURNED PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION 8:37 PM
NEXT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 16,2006
Respectfully Submitted, ApproveAy,
0-,5e��
Gary Koontz, Planiing Director Doug i son, Chairman
Planning Commission
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