07/06/1995GRAND TERRACE PLANNING COMIVIISSION
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
JULY 6, 1995
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 July 6, 1995 at
7:00 p.m. by Vice -Chairman, Doug Wilson.
PRESENT: Doug Wilson, Vice -Chairman
LeeAnn Garcia, Commissioner
Moira Huss, Commissioner
Ray Munson, Commissioner
Fran Van Gelder, Commissioner
Patrizia Materassi, Community Development Director
Maria Muett, Senior Planner
Larry Mainez, Planning Technician
Pat Peterson, Planning Secretary
ABSENT: Matthew Addington, Commissioner
Jimmy Sims, Chairman
6:45 P.M. CONVENED PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION
* Information/comments from staff
-Blue Mountain Coffee House
-Applicants Catherine Leogrande and Sandy Grano addressed the Planning Commission.
Consensus of Planning Commission to support project.
* Information/comments from commissioners
7:07 P.M. ADJOURNED PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION
1
ITEM 1
7:08 P.M. CONVENED PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
* Call to Order
* Pledge of Allegiance led by Commissioner Huss
* Roll Call
* Public address to Commission shall be limited to three minutes unless extended by
the Chairman. Should you desire to make a longer presentation, please make
written request to be agendized to the Community Development Director.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: None
ITEM #1
1. TASK FORCE REPORT General Plan Update Task Force Progress Report.
Task Force Members Present: LeeAnn Garcia
JoAnn Johnson
Mary Trainor
Jim Singley
Phyllis Ann Forbes Sternberg
Doug Wilson
Absent: Tamara Avila
Herman Hilkey
Director presented overview of General Plan Task Force progress report, including an overview
of the General Plan Task Force past chronology of activities; the method of review of the
General Plan Elements; and overall orientation to the Planning Commission on how to provide
their input on Task Force material. The question to the Commission is "Are we going in the
right direction?" Do you agree with these concepts? Want to add or delete issues? Please let's
follow order of presentation as listed and suggested in the report.
Director also provided an overall evaluation of scope of services involved in this General Plan
Amendment and said she has prepared a summary of all major changes proposed for the
Commission's convenience. "What started out being a simple amendment turned out to be a
major overhaul, due to obsolete data, computer modeling required, actions missing and
integration of Grand Terrace into regional picture. " She mentioned the cost of General Plan
2
Amendments, summarized the Amendment process and public participation and presented
tentative General Plan Task Force schedule for 1995. She proposed the General Plan discussions
to be restricted to one hour so other items could also be taken care of. (NOT VERBATIM
MINUTES UNTIL THIS PART AS MACHINE DID NOT WORK.)
Director: I have distributed to you a summary of the General Plan Element major
changes for you to follow. This is the presentation I'd like to make to you after Task
Force Member Mary Trainor presents to you the Guiding Principles. I was thinking
originally about going through this whole thing but I now think I will go element by
element just before the Commissioners' comments. Are there any questions about the
process or anything I've mentioned so far? No questions. Then Mary Trainor will now
present the Guiding Principles.
Mary Trainor: My name is Mary Trainor. I reside at 11897 Kingston, in Grand
Terrace. I have the pleasure this evening of reporting to you on some of the work that
all of the members of the Task Force participated in. Specifically, there were two
sessions in May and June of 1993, where we were asked to dream about this city 20
years from now. What would it look like, and what would it be. In summary, the
dream city 20 years from now, as the Task Force saw it, would be not much bigger than
the Grand Terrace we have today. Except it was more of the same and perhaps better.
Generally expressing a village -like atmosphere where people are free to move about
safely and have many of their needs met within the city. Part of that process was that
we were given mission statements of other cities and were educated as to how they went
about developing their mission statements and their own creative plans for 5, 10 or 20
years. Then the members of the Task Force set about establishing a potpourri of guiding
principles. We came up with something like 28 of these. Many of them overlapped each
other so distilling from those 28 we ended up with 10 Guiding Principles which are
prioritized here for you. The priority was determined by the members taking the 10
Guiding Principles and the general thoughts of all of the members and ranked them
individually. The ranking of 1 was given to the principle we thought was most important
and 10 to the least.
The score was developed for each of the Guiding Principles so the priority in which you
are seeing them represents the category that they came up with. Number 1, and the most
important Guiding Principle, according to this Task Force was "To strive for excellence
in education. " To be able to assure that quality education would exist in Grand Terrace.
The second prioritized Guiding Principle was that we would be able to assure that Grand
Terrace would have a full -service community representing a cross-section of retail,
offices and light industrial with emphasis on home -oriented services. That we would
have a self-contained community so residents would not be forced to shop out of the city
for routine supplies and services that they need for daily living. Included in the second
Guiding Principle was the thought that the city should be able to provide jobs for
approximately one-third of its residents. The third Guiding Principle is very important
to every member of the Task Force and certainly every resident. It is to maintain an
3
emphasis on safety. That we maintain our reputation and status as a low -crime city.
Number four: That we continue to emphasize the needs of family and children by
promoting places to learn, to have recreation and to relax. Number five: Develop a
multi -modal circulation system with emphasis on pedestrian access. In addition to
driving cars we would have numerous walkways, bikeways and access to all modes of
public transportation that would be feasible. The sixth Guiding Principle would be to
create an enhanced city identity. In other words, Grand Terrace, the city of ... but we
haven't finished that sentence yet. Number seven: Protect and enhance residential
neighborhoods, with emphasis on maintaining the quality of the housing stock. Number
eight: To maintain and enhance low -density and village atmosphere of the city. Number
nine: To ensure economic feasibility and partly due to pursuit of grant funding, this is
basically to maintain an economically strong city. Number ten: To create a garden city
that promotes a comfortable, relaxed and friendly atmosphere. This would include some
of the feelings of the earlier principles with emphasis on heavy planting of trees,
shrubbery and flowers. Those were the top ten Guiding Principles as reached by the
Task Force.
Director: Does the Planning Commission have any questions? Or any discussion?
Vice -Chairman Wilson: Recognized Commissioner Huss for a comment.
Commissioner Huss: I am curious to know how many people are on the Task Force?
Director: Seven members and two alternates. Since Commissioner Garcia was appointed
to the Planning Commission we have six members. Also, lately, we have had two
members who are unable to attend. Tammy Avila is in school full time. We've had
some problems with having more than three or four members present at meetings.
During the whole period of 1993 and 1994 we had seven members. If you'd like I can
read their names for you. They are JoAnn Johnson who represents the Seniors; then we
have Mary Trainor representing the Chamber; Tammy Avila, the school district; Phyllis
Sternberg, the business community; LeeAnn Garcia, the residents in general, now she's
representing the Planning Commission as an alternate; Vice -Chairman Wilson who
represents the Planning Commission; Councilmember Herman Hilkey who represents the
City Council; and Councilmember Jim Singley who is also an alternate for the City
Council. So there are six members and two alternates.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: What's next?
Director: I'd like to summarize the major proposed changes in terms of concepts.
Instead of going through all of the elements I'll go through the Land Use Element and
then the Commissioners may start their comments.
C ,
LAND USE ELEMENT: For the Land Use Element, you can refer to the Summary of
Major Alterations Proposed, and to the first yellow section in your packet. I've
summarized here all the major alterations. One of them is to develop a "phase 2" Barton
Road Specific Plan. This is to be an implementation of the Barton Road Specific Plan
with an updated marketing analysis, contacting the business community and Specific
master planning for long, narrow lots along Barton Road. The plan would incorporate
a public plaza and possible mixed -use commercial/residential uses around it. The
principles of Barton Road Specific Plan should be emphasized and implemented. That
is to create a feasible commercial project in downtown Grand Terrace. Basically, the
intent of the Task Force is not to amend or reject the Barton Road Specific Plan, but to
refine its principles, standards and implementation policies based upon an updated market
analysis and added contact with the businesses. So far, that is the consensus of the Task
Force.
Second, incorporate "Land Use Strategies for More Livable Cities" wherever possible.
That is the material I just gave you. It lists all the different principles from this more
livable community which basically state how you can have a community that is compact
and self-sufficient, which allows you to go everywhere walking or riding a bicycle. It
is to locate as many activities as possible within walking distance and/or accessible to
multi -modal access points, and discourage emphasis of the car on a daily basis. The
commercial uses to be home -oriented and community -service oriented. Instead of have
big auto malls or other major commercial uses, let's serve ourselves first. Let's make
sure we get our city needs satisfied, and then we can go into a different direction.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: Patrizia, may I interrupt? The Attachment B you refer to in the
Land Use Strategies ... Where did it come from?
Director: From the Local Government Land Use Commission. It's a non-profit
corporation and it also works with SANBAG. They developed this document and
distributed it through the APA (American Planning Association). The Task Force
received a presentation of this information through Councilmember Dan Buchanan. He
attended a seminar and gave the Task Force a presentation. I was thinking, before we
go much farther with the General Plan Amendment, it might be a good idea to ask him
to come to the Planning Commission and make a presentation also. The Planning
Commission would then have an idea what those principles are all about. Something that
is recommended from all the different sectors of planning. Another proposed change to
the Land Use Element would be to create zoning tools for development of industrial
areas. For instance, a Business Park Specific Plan or Transitional Multi -Family or other
zoning buffer area, between Michigan industrial area. The idea was to have some
transitional zoning in there. Right now we have residential and industrial. There is not
really a buffer in there. It was not discussed in any detail. That will facilitate better
access to the industrial area. The other one is "Identify land for family recreational
purposes. There were no specific proposals for area rezoning at this time. These are
basically the overall summary of the Land Use comments overall.
Now, what I'd like to do is have Commissioner Van Gelder present her comments as
Chairman Sims is not here. Maybe Commissioner Van Gelder can make her comments
and then anyone else may comment or respond.
5
Vice -Chairman Wilson: Before she starts, does that mean we're going to skip over the
Housing Element?
Director: Yes, the idea was to have the Commissioner who read the particular element
to bring in the original comments. We could go back to the Housing Element which was
assigned to Chairman Sims at the end, if we have time, since he is not here today.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: I'd like to open it up for the opportunity to at least comment so
that you have some direction on that.
Director: What I was thinking, is that we can go through the elements with the
Commissioners who are present and then we can go through the elements of Chairman
Sims and Commissioner Addington who are not present.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: The Chair then recognized Commissioner Van Gelder for
General Plan comments on the Land Use Element.
Commissioner Van Gelder: First of all, I'd like to say I compliment the staff and the
Task Force on the work they have done. I think it is outstanding. This is quite a
volume of material and there is alot of information here. I was counting on our esteemed
leader to help me with this Land Use Element so I'm on my own. If you want to follow
along, you can turn to your General Plan book, Roman number VI-1. As I read through
the entire packet one thought that kept running through my mind was I hope I'm still
around when all of this is done. We'll take it one step at a time and hope for the best.
Question #1 has to do with the first goal "Create a full service community retail,
commercial and industrial with emphasis on home -oriented services. " I'm not sure what
is meant by "home -oriented services".
Director: They would be community -oriented or services that you need immediately.
So you do not have to go to Colton. Commissioner Garcia, would you like to illustrate
that?
Commissioner Garcia: The simple everyday things that you need -if not daily then
weekly; like a beauty shop for instance.
Commissioner Van Gelder: To me this doesn't say what you mean. Maybe it should
be called "local citizen services" then, give priority to family needs and children. I'm
all for that except for the fact that everyone knows the senior population is increasing by
leaps and bounds every year. I'd like to see the words senior citizens included; family,
seniors and children.
In 1P.b using Cal Poly students to form a master plan for the Barton Road Specific Plan
would be an excellent idea.
Conduct study and evaluate if there is a potential for mixed use, in terms of commercial
and residential uses. I'm a little hesitant about putting commercial and residential uses
close to each other because I don't know of anyone who likes to have a house right next
T
to a commercial area. If you're trying to raise a family in a commercial area just doesn't
work I don't believe.
Director: (Through the Chairman) Commissioner Van Gelder, do you prefer responses
back on your comments now or after you have finished? We can allow the Task Force
members to respond. Do you have any preference?
Commissioner Van Gelder: No, I don't care. However you want to do it.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: On Item c), does it say evaluate the potential for mixed use in
terms of commercial and residential uses, in the Barton Road Specific Plan area. I think
where that came from was a mix of feedback from various folks that not only own
property in the city, but also live in the city. I think the idea was that the Barton Road
Specific Plan basically called for (10 years ago) a heavy commercial kind of use
exclusively along Barton Road. As we get more feedback from the folks who live in the
area it seemed like it was more conducive to a very light mix. In other words, in
keeping with a village kind of scheme, if you had some light commercial uses that cater
to the things we were talking about so far as getting your hair done and that sort of
thing, barber shop, small stores, village atmosphere similar to the one that's over there
off of Michigan.
Commissioner Van Gelder: That's fine, but what's the residential going to do for that?
Vice -Chairman Wilson: Well, at first, it would be a specific plan, so the residential is
a good mix of standard single-family residential units, maybe a little bit of condominium
around in the area with possibly some sort of a street that parallels Barton Road to make
access for those areas. Rather than leaving Barton Road exclusively a heavy commercial
situation that so far has not been a feasible situation for anyone. Now I don't know if
that was in keeping with what everybody sees as this community/village concept.
Commissioner Van Gelder: Well, I think maybe the Task Force may be able to tell us
their thoughts.
Task Force Member Phyllis Ann Forbes Sternberg: I think one of our thoughts -we did
alot of talking -I have Grand Terrace Real Estate and I'm Phyllis Ann Sternberg. If you
noticed with the exception of Stater Brothers ...(inaudible).
Vice -Chairman Wilson: Phyllis, why don't you come up to the microphone.
Task Force Member Phyllis Ann Forbes Sternberg: The real thought was that we really
need a village kind of theme. Something where the children and seniors can go. Alot
of the seniors can't drive anymore. We were looking at the fact that right now it is
pretty spread out. It's not really conducive to anyone who lives at Azure Terrace
condos. All we've got is Stater Bros. Shopping Center. We were thinking that it would
be nice for our plan to say "trees, plants, walkways" where people could take a nice
walk down and do some things. Why are we trying to get big industry in when we really
need to do the same thing with the neighborhood industry and promote it so as our group
gets older they can walk to the grocery store. They can walk to the hairdresser and not
7
C
feel they are fighting Barton Road and other traffic. Bring in plantings and trees and
grass so perhaps they would like to walk and sit in the park, maybe along Barton Road.
Right now I think everyone finds it difficult to walk Barton Road. It might be conducive
to have little neighborhood food places to come in and places to shop. They could walk
down and have lunch, sit for a while in the park and come back. I think the senior
center has done a wonderful thing and people are well aware that we have buses going
around to pick them up and they have been a great help on that. I also think that some
people like to take the day, go down, and do some shopping. Right now would you find
that inviting? I don't think you would. If there was a park you could walk down, have
lunch, sit around for a while, and that was what their neighborhood theme was. It is
better than having a large commercial center and let's bring in the big stores -Broadway
or something. How about if we try to make it nicer for people who live here? Alot of
us are getting older, and I'm one of them, and we could walk down and there's alot of
young people that may bring their parents down to a place like this. We need to make
it as nice as we can to make it inviting.
Commissioner Van Gelder: I couldn't agree with you more. Ray and I both were
involved in the design of the Barton Road Specific Plan. I'm sure he will agree with me
that our visions in that day were to have this very thing. To have water, sidewalks,
trees, park benches and all of that sort of thing. And I couldn't agree more with that
concept. My only question was related to the housing in that area.
Director: I'd like to make a comment related to the presentation that Councilmember
Dan Buchanan made. It was exactly on these principles. How can that work given the
type of neighborhood we have, could it work? How could the commercial and residential
work together in these circumstances? So that's why I wanted him to come and make
that presentation to you because it will give you a better idea. Also, the Housing
Department at the state level is only recommending -it is not something you need to do.
It is not a mandatory thing at all, it is just something that should be considered. Also,
many cities are doing this, usually cities that do not have that much space so it makes
sense because they have to build everything together. So here we really have the options
of doing it or not. But as we go through the other elements you are going to see that it
may make sense, in terms of public places, cultural events. This all fits in together.
Commissioner Van Gelder: I've seen some of those presentations too. I would not want
to live in that situation, but that is my own preference.
Preservation of the entire Blue Mountain hillside as a natural environment. I think that
is a great concept, however difficult to implement. You can not tell these people that
they can not develop on this hillside. If they own land they are going to develop it one
way or the other. So I entirely agree with you to keep this as natural environment. I'd
like to see that done.
Pursue zoning transition to commercial for the east side of Mt. Vernon between Barton
Road and Minona Avenue to encourage development of the northeast corner of Barton
Road and Mt. Vernon. We would all certainly like to see that parcel developed. I had
a conversation recently with the City Manager and he informed me that there was a very
large amount of money that will be given to any developer who comes in there to help
F.,
demolish the building. I think the way the economy is going that will probably be the
impetus for somebody to come in there and develop that piece of land. Anybody that
develops there is going to have to have the building demolished. It cannot be developed
the way it is.
I won't comment on each individual item if I don't have a problem with them.
6P(a) Seek appropriate land for recreation areas for children and establish a recreation
overlay zone; area around the skating rink on Commerce Way or local school areas.
That is an excellent idea.
The discussion about a Master Plan to include a City Plaza on Barton Road; I'm hoping
it will be in the Specific Plan area.
Director: Correct.
Commissioner Van Gelder: Item c) Pursue acquisition of the parcels between the
Terrace View Elementary and City -owned land on which the Senior Citizens' Center is
located. Did you have some particular purpose in mind that this land would be used for?
Director: I'm not quite sure right now what was behind it. Perhaps someone from the
Task Force can recall.
Phyllis Ann Forbes Sternberg: The reason was my husband met with them many years
ago. We have one of the very few in the State of California, where the City and the
School Department work together. There is no one else in Riverside or San Bernardino
Counties where on school land we have a City swimming pool. We couldn't afford to
buy the land at the time, so it was put to a vote and we got the money to build the pool
on the school grounds with the agreement that the school would do the maintenance for
it. The daily ... (inaudible) The Lion's Club came in when we had to re -do the . .
.(inaudible)of the city a few years ago. I did talk to the school board and they are
agreeable to do the same thing at any other school. So that was part of our thoughts
when we chose that parcel of land as one of the ones we kind of wanted, the location at
the Senior Center. Eventually with the land at the school we could build a swimming
pool at Terrace View School. The only problem we have now ... somebody owns the
land that's just to the west of the school site between the school and the senior center.
They are going to sell sometime; they are senior, too. The school board is very . .
.(inaudible). . .baseball fields and things we could do on the parcel of land. Not
necessarily a swimming pool but perhaps ball parks and things like that. We could also
have the availability ... (inaudible)...Terrace View playground area ...(inaudible).
..Jr. High ...play baseball on school land, we would swim and have our swim lessons
on school land. The only parcel that really belongs to the city is the playground. So
looking at this thing privately the acquisition of that parcel ...(inaudible). The school
board has already said they ...(inaudible).
Commissioner Van Gelder: Thank you. So we have no idea in terms of time when that
parcel will be available.
6
We do need to check that the guidelines have compatibility with the sub -regional and
regional plans.
Director: For your information SCAG can provide some Land Use maps on Colton and
the County of Riverside so by looking at the other General Plans you can
evaluate where the industrial areas are versus ours and compatibility between uses, parks
etc. The Circulation element -whether the major arterials are aligned with ours or are
different. So that's the way it starts, by requesting General Plan elements from different
cities and SCAG to see how we fit and also the data from traffic models and housing
data.
Task Force Member Jim Singley: My name is Jim Singley. I live at 11996 Paradise.
I'm a Task Force member and also City Councilperson. I just want to bring something
out here. I'd like to suggest that whenever you refer to the parcel of land at the Senior
Citizen's Center that you refer to it as the Susan B. Petta park. I think that's what the
City Council decided. That's in honor to . . .(inaudible). Other than that, she is
absolutely correct.
Commissioner Van Gelder: Councilman Singley, are you going to participate in the Juan
Valdez contest, in reference to the earlier Blue Mountain Coffee House project?
Task Force Member Jim Singley: I don't think I look like him, thanks. Plus I don't
drink coffee myself.
The Chair recognized Commissioner Huss for comment.
,i
Commissioner Huss: Responding to Commissioner Van Gelder's comment regarding the
term "home -oriented" services we could use "neighborhood" services. And then I
thought if she doesn't like the wording, to me family needs is anywhere from seniors
down to children so I don't even really think you need to list them individually, just put
"family needs of all ages". On the creation of the mixed land uses I think I must have
talked with Councilmember Buchanan before when he was the Planning Commission
Chairman because he was telling me about that seminar he went to. It's kind of a new
idea going back to an old idea to be mixed uses where the upper story is used for living
quarters and the building below for stores. This is one way to start reducing crime,
using pedestrian traffic and that type of thing. If he does come and present the seminar
material to us I think that would be a good idea.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: Any other comments? I have a comment. On 2P the Blue
Mountain hillside as a natural environment situation. I think this is a soft soap version
of what might be perceived as an attempt to control Blue Mountain construction. What
we talked about in the meetings centered around the fact that in land use you can have
circumstances where you have some natural aesthetics. As you know our City of Grand
Terrace, looking at the flag you see the mountains in the background there. We consider
it to be a very scenic circumstance so rather than pinpoint Blue Mountain, the intention
of this action is to develop a Specific Plan for hillside areas throughout the city. They
really are a natural resource and unless we have some sort of control on these special
areas we will get a bunch of shacks junked up against the hills. So the whole idea
10
behind the Specific Plan overlay is to try to control that circumstance so there are some
special concerns for hillside areas throughout the City of Grand Terrace.
Director: (Through the Chairman) Does anyone else from the Task Force want to
respond?
Vice -Chairman Wilson: Does this mean we go on to the next item? Are there any other
comments?
Director: Unless someone has anything else on Land Use. On the summary next is the
Infrastructure Element. Let me just give you the summary of proposed changes.
INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENT
Integrate Grand Terrace into the Regional picture in terms of evaluating impacts of
adjacent cities' development; such as evaluate impact of I-215 possible widening and the
Pigeon Pass Road traffic impact onto Grand Terrace. The use of Regional and Sub -
regional computer models will be required to perform this evaluation. They didn't
foresee how we would be impacted by traffic from all this adjacent development when
the General Plan update was put together six to seven years ago. Increase of Regional
and Sub -Regional traffic through Grand Terrace is to be dispersed through our major
arterials to the freeway without increase of speed on our roads and not disrupt residential
neighborhoods. Proposal for a new freeway access at Iowa to be evaluated. In case not
feasible in the short run, along with the construction of Commerce Way, consider
transforming Michigan Avenue into a major business park/industrial access road.
So basically, there are two major issues, one to see what the impact of other traffic is,
how it will affect Grand Terrace and how do we mitigate against it. The other is
thinking about the industrial area, if we don't have the access to the freeway, and don't
have Commerce Way built then how can we develop the industrial areas? Michigan
Avenue which is essentially a residential road will need to be an industrial access and
that is likely to be very controversial. It has been in the past but that is something we
thought should be part of our discussion in the Infrastructure/Circulation Element.
Also, included in new changes are improvement of several intersections and links within
the City including but not restricted to Michigan/Barton intersection; Barton Road ingress
and egress into Bank of America and Town and Country Center. It seems that everyone
in the Planning Commission and Task Force has a problem with that area. In case of the
Barton Rd./Michigan intersection an offramp connecting directly to Commerce Way was
proposed. None of the Circulation improvements proposed are to increase speed but to
alleviate congestion and increase safety keeping service levels at "C". Also, the Barton
Road and Palm Avenue area presents a problem with the Azure Hills Church parking.
It's much less now but still people have concerns about that area.
Many actions added to implement a multi -modal transportation system, from pursuing
funding for bike trails, transit stations, installation of Dial -A -Ride service for all citizens
to continue support for community shuttle and means of connecting residents with other
Sub -Regional Transportation Systems.
11
t
Develop studies and cooperative agreements with adjacent jurisdictions on vital
thoroughfares such as Mt. Vernon Avenue and La Cadena Avenue. We saw some
problems on Mt. Vernon Avenue for example because of the potential hillside sliding.
On La Cadena Avenue there are portions in Grand Terrace and others which are Colton,
improvements needed in both areas.. Every time we have some major transportation
issues or issues related to traffic it was recommended that we get together with the other
cities and not just send the General Plan for comments but actually have a coordinated
meeting to see what the city plans are and how can we work together.
Pursue transportation funding and develop Traffic Impact Fee to help pay for needed
improvement. That's it for the Infrastructure Element. This is my summary and it is
brief. We talked about infrastructure but the only aspects we talked about was
circulation. I just wanted to bring up to the Planning Commission that the Infrastructure
Element still has all the other activities and we haven't got to that point yet. So that's
why I'm just addressing circulation. This completes my summary on this.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: To begin with infrastructure I think that is a general agreement.
Director: I was just going to refer you to the first blue colored element in the packet.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: On those policies and actions related to the streets, on the first
item la) I was a little loose on who we are working with on the widening of I-215, in
order to help alleviate congestion at Washington Avenue.
Director: Originally this issue was introduced by Task Force Member JoAnn Johnson
and perhaps she can explain. There were two main items to it. Before the ramp was
installed at Washington Avenue we had alot more problems. And also, before we had
the stop sign at Mt. Vernon Avenue we had alot more problems with Mt. Vernon
Avenue. So the idea was to have a frontage road that followed the freeway to connect
the cities of Grand Terrace and Colton without having Mt. Vernon Avenue so
problematic. Now with that ramp the area is much better. The I-215 project has a PSI
report, a large traffic analysis, and a whole study proposing widening of I-215. I worked
with our CTC, Riverside Transportation Commission. A couple years ago they were
planning to widen I-215, and also have carpool lanes and they had 2 or 3 options on how
big that project can go according to funding. Well right now they have transferred all
funding to other major routes. The I-215 project now has no funding. There is
minimum public works funds. In any case they will add at least, if the funding is
provided, a HOV lane. Maybe Task Force Member JoAnn can add to this and read
some of the comments that originally came from the group.
Task Force Member JoAnn Johnson: Some of these comments were made before
improvement in the area down the hill. Some of them have been alleviated since then.
The original idea was to take some of the pressure off of the freeway entrance and to
have a lane going directly from Barton Road to Washington Avenue without going onto
the freeway itself. The other idea was to improve the path from Barton Road over to La
Cadena Avenue and again take some of the pressure off the freeway entries.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: So on this, in order to understand we're working with other
agencies that are responsible. Does Caltrans develop this?
12
l
14
Director: Yes, Caltrans and there are many, many agencies, including SANBAG.
Vice-chairman Wilson: So to clarify, we really need to work with those agencies.
Director: Right, that's something that really should be reworded. The way it was
worded was for the specific problem.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: And is that frontage road from Barton Road to Washington
Avenue still a feasibility?
Director: I don't think they're considering a frontage road, no. They are considering
just an HOV lane.
Task Force Member Phyllis Ann Forbes Sternberg: Didn't we hear the Redevelopment
Agency of Colton was reviewing that comer. They used redevelopment funds for theirs.
And we were discussing a grant something similar to be done ...(inaudible). They
probably ...(inaudible) our and we were supposed to get the ... (inaudible)..Caltrans
but now the funds are delayed six years -it was supposed to be delayed five, but now it's
six.
Director: So there's no funds at this time for the I-215 improvements.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: I might bring up also that the widening of I-215, would make
widening of Barton Road inevitable. Would you enlighten us generally on the kind of
potential impacts we have from other cities, because I think it's probably the most critical
kind of regional issue forcing down on us from the South, I guess.
Director: It seems the traffic from Pigeon Pass Road, I think that's what you mean, will
increase significantly if or when all approved development is in place, along with the
development of Moreno Valley. SANBAG conducted study on North/South corridor
improvements which included Pigeon Pass Road, San Timoteo and Reche Canyon. They
were proposing to do this North/South corridor improvement, in case I-215 Freeway is
not improved or instead of it. If that happens the traffic Grand Terrace will receive from
Pigeon Pass Road will be enormous. It would be doubling our capacity for Barton Road,
for example. So our original suggestion to SANBAG, was to follow up with the study,
and then I don't know exactly what happened, but the whole study of the North/South
corridor was tabled. They haven't talked about it for two years now. So I don't know
if it going to be brought up again. In case that study is pursued we should request
further studies of what kind of mitigation measures we might have for Grand Terrace.
One of them was because the traffic is going to come from Pigeon Pass Road onto Center
Street. Center Street cannot be enlarged much because it has a great deal of historical
monuments. Main Street is an alternate but it cannot handle all of the trucks. The
trucks will take Mt. Vernon Avenue and Michigan Avenue so it's going to be distributed
into our city. We wanted to get an entry into the freeway at Iowa Avenue so the traffic
that is headed toward San Bernardino (instead of going to Mt. Vernon Avenue or
Michigan Avenue) will be entering the freeway first. That's very hard to have a ramp
there because the distance between the Center Street ramp and Barton Road is less than
a mile. There's some kind of Caltrans requirement that makes this very difficult. And
also we have alot of people . . . (inaudible) . . . We wanted to connect that ramp to
13
4
Commerce Way. Between Commerce Way and the freeway there is an Edison easement
and a railroad easement so it's real difficult to do that connection. It's very costly, but
it's not impossible. Task Force Member Phyllis Sternberg said Colton got that ramp
there and it doesn't meet any codes. So if they can get it, maybe we can get it also. It
just depends on how much we can lobby.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: So that's the purpose of this particular action. It should be
reworded to be self explanatory. To achieve these goals it seems it needs to include
lobbying for these issues. Please reword it accordingly.
Director: Yes, we need to reword the whole thing regarding the I-215 improvements (1,
2, 3, 6 & 7) as well.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: Thank you. There was a portion of the synopsis that talked
about improvement of several intersections and links within the City and it talked about
the Barton Road/Palm area. Of course you know that is one of my bug -a -boos. I don't
think I agree with you that the traffic situation is getting better at Barton Road and Palm
area.
Director: After the new school we added 90 parking stalls.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: I know, and I think the concept is a good, sound concept. I'm
sure everybody has tried real hard, but it's still a dangerous condition. There are cars
parked on both sides, and even cars pulling out of Perry's and Mark's parking lots. I
guess my question is in relation to actions; we need to have some kind of plan to deal
with existing overparked conditions.
Director: In fact the Task Force discussed that and decided not to put specifics into the
General Plan but to have a separate action by the Planning Commission. The direction
of the Task Force was, if they have the parking lot full and they still need additional
parking they should not be allowed to have any street parking and should be required to
improve an off -site facility. That is already in the code. Businesses, churches and any
other, need to provide on -site parking, and if they are not able to provide on -site parking
then they need to purchase other lots. The Task Force had talked about the lot that is
adjacent to the new school. I think that is Mr. DeBenedet's property, on Center City
Court, adjacent to Mt. Vernon. Perhaps improve that lot or the lot on Palm Avenue,
across from the church. Alot adjacent to the church that they could have more parking
to support their overflow. When you talk to the church and say, "Are you guys filling
up all of the parking spaces?" They say they have people there directing traffic and
before they go on the street they are filling up all of our parking spaces. So they are
trying and they are very happy their members are increasing but they need to be
responding to the City. So that will be a separate action because it is so specific that the
Task Force does not really want to incorporate it into the General Plan.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: Actually, what I'd like to recommend is that in our attachments
that we address Item F. Some sort of mechanism on how to deal with overparking
conditions within the General Plan and how to deal with those particular areas. Maybe
even pinpoint the areas that may be susceptible to poor parking conditions and how we're
going to deal with that. Because it's something that happens in every community in
14
0
California almost. And there's always pockets, here and there, and we all know there's
been a problem with these past conditions. The way we address it is to bandaid it with
new construction. Every time new construction goes in then they go in and build a
double sub or a three sub or whatever else to take care of that condition. Existing
conditions as the population grows or matures ... are not addressed because there is no
requirement.
Director: I'd like to show you two alternatives that our committee worked on: One that
we already implemented. Wilden Pump, for example, in our city we had several
concerns with and several complaints from neighbors. They had expanded sometime in
the past. The plans for expansion we reviewed didn't indicate a need for more parking
at the time. But apparently they did expand and there was no way to figure out how
many parking stalls they needed. So there was a parking problem. Through code
enforcement, we required them to improve the lot across the street which they own so
they had to start with the process. They are going to improve the lot across the street
where they would like to expand in the future. So right now, what they gave us is a
parking plan around a conceptional building that is for the future. For them to meet our
needs they couldn't just do it by providing parking. We gave them credits for vanpool
services that they have. They operate with three different employee shifts. Some people
come at night, some people come during the day and the afternoon. They were given
credit for shifts. We did not require 1 staff per employee, but we took into account the
schedules and gave them credit for carpooling. If they have ten people carpooling
everyday they don't need ten stalls, they can have one stall. So we gave those types of
credits. There is one more way to resolve parking problems: In Tustin, the city where
I worked before, they have everything developed in the downtown area. Downtown
Tustin was a very old area, similar to Camino Real, with alot of history. There is no
space for parking so every development that came in paid a fee to the City and after five
or six years of accumulating those fees the City built a parking structure. Beverly Hills
did that also. Every development on Beverly Drive and Rodeo Drive, all helped pay for
a parking structure. They built a huge parking structure -a beautiful red brick building.
I don't remember how many stories. So that's another way cities can provide parking;
if all the developments pay a fee. In our City it would be hard to accumulate a fee to
do a parking structure, but eventually we could. It doesn't need to be a multi -story
parking structure, just something that would provide for the downtown development. So
that would be another way to resolve the parking issue. We could incorporate that into
our policies and actions.
Task Force Member Phyllis Ann Forbes Sternberg: The other way is the Police
Department who/which is very cooperative and they will work with you. You can post
the property and give a warning to the people one time.
Commissioner Huss: We need to have everyone who speaks go to the microphone
because the missing Commissioners requested specifically detailed minutes.
Phyllis Sternberg: The Police Department has been very cooperative in Grand Terrace,
extremely so. I don't know if you are aware that the businesses at the property at 22545
Barton Road was having such a problem on Saturdays, that the hairdressing shop had no
place in their huge parking lot to get anyone in. They dealt with alot of elderly people.
They would go to the Police Department and find out all they could do. They had to
15
come in and post signs that said that only people who were doing business in that center
could park there, and we all watched the lot. If it wasn't their customers we had to go
post something on the windshield saying this is private, "since you are not doing business
here please be aware we can tow your car away. " They did the same thing the next
week. We only towed away five cars and never had a problem since.
Director: That's another way.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: Any other comments so far, about the Infrastructure Element?
I know we've kind of focused on the parking situation. My next comment is about,
basically our consciousness about the Regional impacts on our traffic system. And since
we're not really addressing the condition of sewers and of course water is not under our
jurisdiction so much since it is a private water system. The only other I wanted to do
was make a comment about the bicycle trail situation. Is it my understanding that the
RTIP Bicycle Trail Plan... where does it come from?
Director: Well, it's the County Bicycle Plan. We can actually apply for grants which
this year they have only $400,000 for everybody in the County, so it's not that much.
Last year our application by itself was for $700,000 so if they have only $400,000 for
the whole County it is not good. So they have a bicycle plan for the County and it
describes the different types of bike trails, primary and secondary trails and all the
different types. They include how developed they are and how good they are. Larry can
give the Planning Commission an overview. He is a bicycler and can give you an idea
of what our input was in the process of County Bicycle Plan development.
Larry Mainez, Planning Technician: Basically our input consisted of ...they divided
us into teams and we represented this area. We were to submit to the committee certain
routes for different types of bicycle routes. Like Type 1 would be one that had street
improvement or it's own right-of-way on the side of the road separate from the first.
Second would be striping and third would be just signage. We had to indicate where
those routes would be most feasible. And then they created a map presented to us and
they even actually rode the route, some of the people on the committee rode the route
and tested it and came back with their findings. And that was our input. There is a plan
on file now and if you are on that plan and you decide to implement a bicycle plan within
your development you are eligible for funding but you have to on that system to be
eligible for funding. So we made sure the routes in our city were on there.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: So at this point, the routes are one map unless they are funded
and I guess the funding comes through SANBAG?
Director: Yes, SANBAG is one source of funding. There is also State funding and
Federal funding that we could pursue. That takes lots of time, but it can be done. Does
that respond to your questions? Do you have any more specific questions?
Vice -Chairman Wilson: No, that's fine. Let's move on.
Commissioner Huss: Was that part of our congestion management plan or something
else? I remember going over it but it was a separate thing?
16
4 0
Director: I think it was part of our workshop for your information. We adopted an
interim, in order for us to submit the application for $700,000 we needed to have an
interim bicycle plan and we didn't have one in the General Plan so came to the Planning
Commission for approval and support. On that particular application selection process
they had 16 parties. They approved 7 and we were number 8 which was very unlucky.
It was basically to put bike trails, improve all the sidewalks, put benches and trees from
Honey Hills to Barton Road to Mt. Vernon down to Main Street and Main Street down
to Iowa. That's why it was so expensive. It was to install bike lanes all the way down.
Commissioner Huss: Was that to put the utilities underground, too?
Director: It didn't include that. We chose the side that didn't have the utilities because
then it would be almost $1,500,000, not cost effective. Those utilities are major cables;
the Edison company that goes regionally as well as our local electricity. It is huge lines
that run along Mt. Vernon Avenue so that would have been very difficult for us to get
funding to underground all of that. However, the Edison Company had a program,
actually, I think all of the utilities have a program that as they receive money they need
to put some money apart to underground utilities. And if the city decides to do
underground districts for electricity they are required to underground the utilities. So we
could have a public hearing and say Edison Company you have to underground all of
your utilities and they are required to do so. I'm not sure we want to force them to do
that but we could.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: It is my understanding that in those situations there aren't any
matching funds from the utilities necessarily.
Director: That's what I understand they are. They help and they have a fund. They are
required to save money for undergrounding their utilities. Rule 20 I think it's called, and
I can bring that legislation back to you.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: That would be interesting. Because I'm sure alot of people
would be interested in the city. Although I know the cost to underground utilities in
general is huge.
Director: Yes, it is. That application originally was about $1,500,000. Then I took out
the underground utilities because one criteria for them to approve that application is how
cost efficient you have created this bike trail. How cost efficient it is. Some cities just
wanted a bike trail but instead I wanted to fix the sidewalks and do the whole thing with
benches and trees and lighting to make the whole thing very pretty. So if I kept the
underground utilities I couldn't even compete. We decided to go on the other side of
Mt. Vernon Avenue and we got very close. This year I wanted to try again but they
only have $400,000 for everybody so I don't know yet what we're going to do.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: Any other questions or comments?
Commissioner Van Gelder: On number 13c we talk about the alternative entry for the
Towne and Country Shopping Center. I think that certainly is needed but for the
moment I would be happy with a very large entrance and exit signs because they are not
17
visible. I think that would at least help alleviate the problem until something permanent
can be done.
Director: That would be difficult. We are requesting the City Engineer to evaluate that
issue but it will be difficult. They are all private businesses previously approved.
Everybody has their own egress and ingress. Bank of America and the other office
building there... it would be difficult because we would need to close some entries and
open other entries. Maybe we could enter the office building... we shouldn't really be
talking about specifics here... but it would not be an easy solution for that problem
there.
Commissioner Van Gelder: Well, Town & Country, isn't that the shopping center where
the cleaners used to be?
Director: Correct, and in front of it is the Bank of America and that's where the
problem is ... (inaudible).. .
Commissioner Van Gelder: She clarified Towne and Country was not the one she meant
but the center on the south side of Barton towards the east. The entrance and exit signs
are really not visible at all. They are very, very small and very close to the ground.
Task Force Member Phyllis Ann Forbes Sternberg: They meet the city requirements.
Director: Phyllis Sternberg is the center manager so we have the right person here.
Phyllis Sternberg: We have had several complaints. The main complaint we've had at
that location is everybody stops for the red light and then they want to get going. There
is no way you can identify the number there let alone the businesses. Unfortunately our
present rules for the signs limit to three. If you happen to have seventeen tenants please
tell me which three you're going to pick. That's the real problem; they're all small
individual business so we can't have a sign out front that says ABC. Now we were told
to put the present sign. It looks small but, believe it or not, it's even a little bigger than
your requirements.
Commissioner Van Gelder: The entrance and exit signs?
Phyllis Sternberg: No. Not the entrance and exit signs. What we're saying is that's all
the bigger we're not even supposed to have the entrance and exit signs. They're extra
signs that were not allowed. Until people were having congestion so now we're trying
now to move the sign from where it is down by my office ... I have the office next door
at Grand Terrace Real Estate. If we can put it there and only have the numbers for that
location while you're sitting at the red light, maybe you can get in but then you still
won't know who's in there.
Director: Excuse me, Phyllis, I have a question of order. I think that tenant signs is a
different subject, and better discussed at a staff level.
Phyllis Sternberg: She was wondering about the entrance and exit signs and those are
two signs more than we are supposed to have.
18
Vice -Chairman Wilson: I think what we are going too site specific probably. I think the
mechanization is certainly valid. How to handle special conditions especially where
traffic situations there's a sentiment that there are some very hazardous locations so
probably in our actions there should be under Item 13C "Pursue safe entry and exit of
traffic on Barton Road heading East" and in the rest of them maybe we need to make
some stronger language there on how to deal with special entry/exit conditions in any
kind of circumstances. Would that help?
Commissioner Van Gelder: Would the City Engineer be able to give us the information
on what's allowed and what's not allowed ... (inaudible) ... entrances and exits, I'm not
talking about the facility's signage and specifics.
Director: Yes.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: Are there any other comments about the infrastructure? Alright,
we'll go on to the City Air Quality Element.
AIR QUALITY ELEMENT: According to the handout this element doesn't follow the
format and some actions have not been developed yet. I think I remember the
conversations in the Task Force meetings. Most of the air quality situations are handled
on a regional level and there are many incentives for air quality handling. Policy #1 says
to develop a local Air Quality Education Program. I'm not sure how we're going to
handle that as a City or how extensive we get so maybe we can do some sort of outline
on how this relates to our needs. I know there were many conversations about how the
regional impact affects the City of Grand Terrace because the situation of the freeways
are right on top of us as well as the through traffic we experience from Colton and how
that impacts us not only in the infrastructure and streets but also the air quality. All of
the items here in Auto Use; Policy 6 Eliminate Vehicle Trips and Reduce Vehicle Miles
Traveled. I think they're closer ... (inaudible)... goals and I think they're in the
process of working on that. I don't have alot of comment beyond what is already
mentioned in the summary. As far as we are unable to do that as a City. Any
comments?
Director: I have given you a copy of our trip reduction ordinance adopted by our City
Council, for us to be considered in compliance with the Congestion Management Plan,
but also has many other functions. This ordinance outlines our duty; what we're
supposed to do in terms of Air Quality. Larry Mainez is our Planning Technician, and
a portion of his salary comes from AQMD, AB766 funds. That is part of his
responsibility, to work on the Air Quality Element and outline an action plan which will
be taken to the Task Force for specific review. Do you want to mention anything,
Larry, on the air quality? I think the best thing would be for the Planning Commission
to review the Trip Reduction Ordinance #147 that I gave to you and if you have any
comments at the next meeting you can comment. Larry will be working to implement
this ordinance. Whatever is in this ordinance in the action plan needs to be there in the
Air Quality Element as well. The Air Quality Element should also be considered the
county's because we took alot of this from the county. Do you want to add anything?
Planning Technician: Nothing to add. Thank you.
19
The Chair recognized Commissioner Huss for a comment.
Commissioner Huss: Did our community shuttle help to provide ... I know we've been
working on this General Plan now for awhile. Was this all starting to take effect before
the community shuttle? Have we gotten any credits yet?
Director: Do we have credit or anything? We don't necessarily have credits but
implementation of the community shuttle is one of the actions listed in our Trip
Reduction Ordinance. Basically it's an implementation we took care of already and
hopefully it's not going to die. It's hard to know. Before we go any further I want to
remind you that it's 8:30 p.m. We have gone through our 1 hour. If the Commission
would like to continue the General Plan we have three other items to go through.
Commissioner Van Gelder: I move we continue this discussion to our next regularly
scheduled meeting.
Commissioner Huss: I'll second that motion.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: Any discussion? Please vote.
Commissioner Munson: I didn't hear a motion.
Vice-chairman Wilson: Do you want to repeat the motion?
Commissioner Van Gelder: I move that we continue the rest of this portion of the
meeting until our next regularly meeting.
Commissioner Huss: I second.
Commissioner Munson: Is a motion necessary?
Commissioner Van Gelder: Probably not but then no one was saying anything.
Director: (Through the Chairman) We need to have a consensus only, this is not a
public hearing. Everyone agrees, then we can go to the next item. Task Force members
are welcome to stay for the rest of the meeting if you'd like to.
Task Force Member Phyllis Ann Forbes Sternberg: I'd like to say one thing. I think
we need to thank Patrizia for our nice community shuttle. I think it's so wonderful for
the children. I hope we don't lose it because it's always sad to see kids walking all over
town especially in the winter months when it gets dark between four and five o'clock.
Thank you.
Director: We need to thank Councilmember Hilkey, too.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: I'd like to thank the Task Force Members for being here to
participate and all the information you supplied and input. Other Commissioners
supported Vice -Chairman's expression of appreciation to the Task Force.
FA
N
ITEM #2
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 1, 1995 WITH REVISIONS
Vice -Chairman Wilson: The Chairman entertains a motion on the minutes.
Senior Planner: Mr. Chairman and Commissioners a brief overview of the minutes. I
attended in Patrizia's place at the last meeting. There were some concerns regarding the
June 1st minutes. We have listened to the tapes. We have incorporated the specific
items mentioned and they are listed in the summary items 1 through 3. We also wanted
to indicate that summary minutes are overall discussions and that unless there is a
specific item directly addressed by a certain Planning Commissioner it will not be so
stated. We don't necessarily do verbatim other than for this meeting because of the
request of the Chairman and Commissioner Addington wanting verbatim minutes for their
review. You do have the minutes attached. We do ask that you give us your input; see
if that meets your satisfaction and we'll go from here.
Director: Mr. Chairman, I'd like to make a comment. We had a discussion of the
Planning Commission a year and half ago or two years ago, of what kind of minutes we
should have. At the time Maggie, the previous secretary, was making 20 pages of
verbatim minutes so the Planning Commission requested us to do summary minutes. We
thought about making action minutes like the City Council, however, they only put the
motions. That was too little for the Planning Commission so we decided to make
summary minutes. The summary minutes are really a summary of the major issues.
There are no direct quotes. Like the Senior Planner said, unless the Commissioner is
the sole initiator of a particular issue there is no direct quote. The minutes should have
the perspective of all three parties: the Planning Commission, the staff and the applicant
so we should be able to see that in there. When you review the minutes you can look
at that and keep us on our toes. That's the way it's supposed to be. So I just wanted
to mention that to you in perspective.
MOTION
PCM-95-24
Commissioner Huss: I like the changes so I'd like to move approval of the June 1, 1995
minutes.
Commissioner Munson: I'll second.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: Any discussion? Please vote.
MOTION
VOTE
PCM-95-24
Secretary: Motion carries. All ayes. 5-0-2-0. Chairman Sims and Commissioner
Addington absent.
21
0
ITEM #3
Z95-03/E-95-07
CITY OF GRAND TERRACE
AN APPLICATION FOR AMENDMENT TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 5.06
HOME OCCUPATION PERMIT PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: Is there a staff report?
Senior Planner: Mr. Chairman and Commissioners, we have incorporated all of the
corrections and comments that we had at the last meeting. We have given the Planning
Commission two options. The reason staff is offering another alternative is to possibly
offer some more input as there was quite a bit of discussion at the last meeting.
Alternative 1-We are presenting the corrections to the proposed HOP Amendment from
the last meeting. It is requested that you review and ensure to us that they are complete,
accurate and have full clarity as proposed. Alternative 2-We are offering to research the
HOP code enforcement cases as that was brought up by some of the Planning
Commissioners, to show the Planning Commission what may be the impact of this
amendment in terms of flexibility of home -based businesses and impact to the residential
neighborhoods. That would require additional research and analysis, with us coming
back with this additional information to you if you wish to choose this alternative. Please
give yourself some time if you haven't done so already to review the corrections we've
done from the last meeting. They are pretty much focused on those corrections that you
voted on, which was Chapter 5.06.010a Home Occupations Permitted and that was
proposed by Commissioner Addington. Also on Chapter 5.06.040a Home Occupation
Criteria for approval and that deals with individuals who may work on the premises,
It wording we had incorporated and the elimination of the definition of "employee". Please
review this to see if covers what we discussed at the last meeting. Also, if you need
another explanation as to what we are offering as alternative 2, the Community
Development Director can give you some additional input on that.
Director: Alternative 2 was my idea. The reason I bring that to you is before we
approve this amendment I prefer, although it's really up to you, to study the impact of
the amendment. Because it will go to the City Council as a recommendation of the
Planning Commission. The City Council is going to ask us what will happen as a result?
What kind of code enforcement cases are we going to have? Are we going to liberate
all of the businesses to have large scale or small scale businesses out of the house? What
is this going to create? At this point now, as a staff member, I'm not quite comfortable
with the way the proposal is going to the City Council. I'll need to tell the City Council
this is what the Planning Commission recommends and I have some problems. I prefer
not to do that but I'll need to do that. My preference would be to bring to you what is
going to be the impact of the amendment the way it is now and after you review the
impact you can go ahead and approve the way it is or choose to amend it further.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: To cut to the chase, is there something specific in here that you
have a problem with?
Director: Yes. First, I thought that Commissioner Garcia brought up the idea of seeing
some code enforcement issues which I thought was a good idea. But also, what I have
a problem with the impact of the amendment. I thought today that Bob Dominguez was
22
going to be here. He is one of our neighbors on Palm Avenue. He has complained
several times about all of the cars in front of the house across the street from him. He
says this family has 8 cars. He said they have a surveyor business in there as well. So
for the last six months we have evaluated that property to see if there was a surveyor
business there and it was confirmed. Now, however, there is no more surveyor business
operating out of the home. But the family still has 8 cars. There is a son who came
from Texas that is living there now but there is nothing we can do. They do not have
a home occupation. They just need to keep moving their cars every 72 hours so there
is nothing really we can do to help him. However, if it was a result of a home
occupation, we could. If those cars were commercial cars and they belonged to sub-
contractors or they belonged to employees of his home occupation we could restrict it.
The proposal staff brought to you was to allow some flexibility to home occupations of
slightly larger scale, it was not to allow them altogether. Right now, my problem is that
the amendment seems to allow them altogether. So I don't know if you remember the
real estate person who came here, Mr. Kenneth Steele, on a code enforcement matter.
We had huge amount of problems with the whole neighborhood on Westwood Street
because of that real estate company and the reason was his sub -contractors were coming
to the house and he was telling us that they were not coming to the house. There is a
level of small scale home occupation versus a large scale home occupation which is very
hard to pinpoint where that is. One is good for the neighborhood and the other is not.
The way the amendment looks now we're opening it up to all home occupations and I
am concerned with what it is going to cause. Our goal is to help business flexibility but
it is also to protect the neighborhood so I have some concerns. I prefer to bring some
specific examples to you and see if the direction is still the same or not. That's where
I'm coming from. I'm just afraid we're opening it up too much.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: Commissioner Garcia?
Commissioner Garcia: I have to say this, I'm always one for more information. How
long would it take, Patrizia?
Director: Until the next meeting. We can bring it to you then.
Commissioner Garcia: I know that Maria was presenting that the importance of the
contractors... inaudible... feel very strongly about having... (inaudible). I would like
to move for alternative 2, to bring it back for further discussion.
Commission Huss: I'd like to see more.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: I think the consensus is that everyone would like to take
advantage of the additional time to understand the difference between the large scale use
and the small scale home occupation businesses. Since it is an agenda item do we need
to bring a motion?
Director: I think it would be good to have a motion. We have a motion. Do you have
a second?
Commissioner Huss: I'll second.
23
Vice -Chairman Wilson: Let's repeat the motion.
MOTION
PCM-95-25
Z-95-03/E-95-07
Commissioner Garcia: On Z-95-03 and E-95-07 I move we select Alternative 2, to do
additional research on the code enforcement impact of proposed amendment to relax HOP
regulations.
Commissioner Huss: I'll second.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: Any discussion? Please vote.
MOTION
VOTE
PCM-95-25
Secretary: Motion carried. All ayes. 5-0-2-0. Chairman Sims and Commissioner
Addington absent.
ITEM #4
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINIMS - RUNE 15, 1995
Vice -Chairman Wilson: Item #4; Minutes of Planning Commission meeting of June 15,
1995.
MOTION
PCM-95-26
Commissioner Van Gelder: Move for approval.
Commissioner Garcia: Second.
Vice -Chairman Wilson: It has been seconded. Any discussion? Please vote.
MOTION
VOTE
PCM-95-26
Secretary: Motion carried. 4-0-2-1. Commissioner Munson abstained. Chairman Sims
and Commissioner Addington absent.
24
8:45 P.M. ADJOURNED PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
NEXT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 3. 1995.
Respectfully submitted,
Patrizia Materassi
Community Development Director
07-24-95 : pp
c:\wp5l\planning\minutes\07-06-95.M
Approved
��eT
Wilson
Vice -Chairman, Planning Commission
25