12/20/2001 GRAND TERRACE PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 20, 2001
The reqular meeting of the Grand Terrace Planning Commission was called to
order at the Grand Terrace Civic Center, 22795 Barton Road, Grand Terrace,
California, on December 20, 2001, at 7:00 p.m., by Chairperson Fran Van
Gelder.
PRESENT: Fran Van Gelder, Chairperson
Doug Wilson, Vice Chairperson
Brian Whitley, Commissioner
John Lampe, Associate Planner
Michelle Boustedt, CEDD Secretary
ABSENT: Matthew Addington, Commissioner
Mary Trainor, Commissioner
Patrizia Materassi, CEDD Director
7:02 P.M. CONVENE.SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD/
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance led by Commissioner Whitley
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
Director of Community and Economic Development.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: NONE
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ITEMS:
1. MINUTES Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of
November 15, 2001
RECOMMENDATION: Approval
MOTION:
PC-36-2001 Chair Van Gelder made a motion to approve the Planning
Commission Meeting Minutes dated November 15, 2001.
Commissioner Whitley seconded the motion
MOTION VOTE: Approved 3-0-0-2.
PC-36-2001 Commissioner Addington absent.
Commissioner Trainor absent.
2. G PA-01-01
E-01-10 Proposal to update and revised the "Housing
Element" of the General Plan of the City of Grand
Terrace.
APPLICANT: City of Grand Terrace — Department of Community and
Economic Development.
LOCATION: Citywide
RECOMMENDATION: Open the public hearing, but continue the hearing to the
meeting of January 17, 2002.
Planning Associate Lampe reported that the process of updating the City's General
Plan is under way. The Housing Element of the General Plan is also in the process
of being updated and revised. The Public Hearing for the revision of the Housing
Element was advertised and noticed for this meeting; however, because of the
Holiday's and the need to complete the revised element, Staff is recommending that
we continue this item to the next meeting of January 17, 2002. The complete Staff
Report together with the revised Housing Element will be provided to the
Commission prior to the next meeting. The consultant, Joann Lombardo will be
present to make the Staff presentation and, recommendations of the proposed
revised Housing Element.
Chair Van Gelder opened up the Public Hearing and invited the public to speak
before the Commission.
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MOTION: Chair Van Gelder moved to continue the Housing
PC-37-2001 Element to the next scheduled Planning Commission
Meeting.
Commissioner Wilson seconded the motion
MOTION VOTE Approved 3-0-0-2.
PC-37-2001: Commissioner Addington absent
Commissioner Trainor absent
3. Z-01-01,
E-01-07 Proposed Ordinance to Revised the Second Family
Unit Provisions to Allow a Second, Full-sized, Single
Family Residence in the Multi-Family Zones; and E-
01-01, a Proposed Negative Declaration that Said
Ordinance will not have a Significant Impact on the
Environment.
APPLICANT: City of Grand Terrace — Department of Community and
Economic Development.
LOCATION: Citywide
RECOMMENDATION: Review proposed changes to the Ordinance to Amend
the Second Family Unit Provisions and to allow a Second
Full Sized Single Family Unit in the Multifamily
Residential Zones and recommend that the City. Council
approve the Proposed Ordinance, as modified, and adopt
the proposed Negative Declaration.
Planning Associate Lampe reported that at the Planning Commission meeting held
on November 15, 2001, the Commission requested the Staff to bring back the
proposed Second Family Unit Ordinance incorporating changes discussed and
agreed to by the Commission. At the previous meeting, the Commission had
approved two motions. The first Motion was that the percentage of living area be
consistent with the minimum 400 square feet so that any size of house may be
allowed to have an attached second family unit with a minimum 400 square foot
size. The second Motion was that the Staff was to address cases in which an
attached unit on a lot that is larger than the minimum required area by 25% should
be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. If there were potential for negative impacts
upon adjacent neighbors or the neighborhood, Staff would bring the application to
the Planning Commission for review and approval.
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In response to these Motions, the Staff amended Section 18.06.82, in which the
proposed Ordinance relates to the definition of a Second Family Unit. The 400
square foot minimum requirement has been removed and has tied the 400 square
foot minimum requirement to an efficiency unit, which is defined in the uniform
building code. The excerpt of the building code was included for reference in the
Staff Report as Attachment 2. The Staff felt that this was a more logical minimum
cut-off-than the original 400 square feet. In Addition, in order to allow any house to
have at least an efficiency type unit, we are recommending that an additional
provision be added to the Ordinance that in Section 1869050C, which reads as
follows: Any Single-family detached dwelling regardless of the size of the living area
may have at-least an attached efficiency unit as defined by the Uniform Building
Code, provided all of the requirements in this Ordinance are met. Staff believes that
these particular changes satisfy the intent of the first motion that was made by the
Commission to modify the Ordinance.
In response to the second Motion to review the proposed attached units on a case-
by-case basis related to lot size, the Staff modified Section 18.69.050.13 to reflect the
language;which now reads as follows: The floor area of the second family unit shall
not exceed 30% of the living area of the existing main dwelling where the unit is
attached, excepting that on lots 25% greater than the minimum required area or
larger, on a case by case review, the Community and Economic Development
Director may permit a greater percentage of the living area as long as it is
determined that there will be no adverse effects on the adjacent parcels or the
community. If the Director cannot make such a determination, the matter may be
referred to the Planning Commission, per Section 18.69.080. In addition, the floor
area of the Second family unit shall not exceed 10% of the subject site where the
unit is detached. In no instance shall any second family unit exceed 1200 square
feet in size or be smaller than an area to provide for an efficiency unit as defined by
the Uniform Building Code. Staff has incorporated this language into the proposed
Ordinance reflecting each motion of the Commission. The Staff has presented the
above as Option 1.
Mrs. Robinson of Stonewood Construction came to the original Hearing and made
some recommendations. One of Ms. Robinson's comments was to tie the size of
the unit to the size of the lot. Both attached and detached should be tied solely to
the size of the lot. The Staff had some concerns with this proposal as situations may
arise where small residences will end up with an attached single-family unit to the
rear larger than the main residence. This would encourage more of a duplex type of
development rather than the second family unit. - This Option was presented as
Option 2 of the Staff Report.
Staff is recommending that the Planning Commission approve the proposed revised
Second Family Unit with Option 1 as discussed; also, to call upon the City Council to
adopt the proposed Ordinance based on the recommendation and findings that this
proposed Ordinance is consistent with the General Plan and all other applicable
requirements of local Ordinances and the State Law and that the proposed
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Ordinance will not be detrimental to the health, safety, morals, or general welfare of
{ residences within the City.
Chair Van Gelder asked if there were any questions of Staff.
Commissioner Whitley asked Planning Associate Lampe with regard to Option 1: Is
there an upper limit in terms of the discretion of the Economic Development Director
on the size of a single family unit? Would it be the Commission's pleasure to
consider some type of a parameter to serve as a guide as to what would be an
acceptable percentage or upper unit?
Commissioner Wilson pointed out to Commission Whitley that on Page 4 of the
second portion of the Staff Report, a parameter or upper limit of 1,200 square feet
has been given.
Commissioner Whitley indicated that his questions were satisfactorily answered.
MOTION
PC-38-2001: Commissioner Wilson made a motion to approve the
Second Family Unit Ordinance to include Option 1.
Commissioner Whitley seconded the motion.
MOTION VOTE
PC-38-2001: Approved 3-0-0-1.
Commissioner Addington absent
Commissioner Trainor absent
ADJOURN SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD/PLANNING
COMMISSION MEETING
CONVENE PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION
• Information from Commissioners
Commissioner Wilson reported that there is a homeowner on the East side of
Preston Street that has a temporary chain link fence in the front yard and has had it
for quite awhile now.
Planning Associate Lampe replied that Code Enforcement Department is aware of
the issue and is currently researching the City's code.
Chair Van Gelder wanted to know the status of the KEEP Program.
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Planning Associate Lampe informed the Commission of the meeting that was held
on December 19, 2001 to provide further information to business owners. Six
interested parties have inquired about the program so far; and one business owner
has submitted the required paperwork.
• Information to Commissioners
Planning Associate Lampe reported the status of the La Mesa RV Center. The City
is working with the company to build a new facility.
The La Mancha building has been improved, and a new tenant will be moving in by
the end of the year.
Joanne Lombardo is working on the housing element and will be presenting it to the
Commission at the next Planning Commission Meeting.
ADJOURN PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION AT 7:32 PM
NEXT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 17, 2002
Respectfully Submitted, Approved By,
Jgqn Lampe, Associate Planner Fran Van Gelder, Chairperson
FcV Patrizia Materassi Planning Commission
Community and Economic Development
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