02/19/1998GRAND TERRACE PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 19, 1998
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 February
19, 1998 at 7:00 p.m. by Chairwoman, Fran Van Gelder.
PRESENT: Fran Van Gelder, Chairperson
Doug Wilson, Commissioner
Moire Huss, Commissioner
Matthew Addington, Commissioner
Gerry Ellis, Commissioner
Patrizia Materassi, Community and Economic Development Director
Larry Mainez, Associate Planner
Raul Colunga, Planning Intern
Pat Peterson, CEDD Secretary
BA SENT: Mary Trainor, Commissioner
Don Larkin, Commissioner
7:00 P.M. CONVENED SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD/
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
* Call to Order
* Pledge of Allegiance 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
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES - JANUARY 15, 1998.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 2
February 19, 1998
MOTION
PCM-98-02
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES - JANUARY 16, 1998
Motion by Commissioner Addington to approve Planning Commission Meeting
Minutes of January 15, 1998.
Seconded by Commissioner Huss.
MOTION
VOTE
PCM-98-02
Motion carried. 5-0-0-2. Commissioners Larkin and Trainor absent.
Commissioner Addington abstained from proceedings pertaining to agenda Item
#2, as his firm, CM Engineering represents applicant, Maple Ridge Mobile Homes.
ITEM #2
CUP-97-04/SA-97-10/DU-97-03 AND E-97-06
AN APPLICATION FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, SITE AND ARCHITECTURAL
REVIEW, DETERMINATION OF USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION TO OPERATE
A MANUFACTURED HOME RETAIL SALES CENTER.
AND
CUP-98-01/SA-98-01 AND SGN-97-13
AN APPLICATION FOR INSTALLATION OF A 72 SQUARE FOOT, 25- HIGH FREEWAY
SIGN
LORI GENTRY, PROJECT MANAGER FOR MAPLE RIDGE MOBILE HOMES
12142 LaCROSSE AVENUE, GRAND TERRACE, CA
Staff report was presented by Associate Planner, Larry Mainez. Applicant and property
owner were in the audience to answer questions.
A negative declaration was prepared for this project. Zoning for subject property is C-2.
The property is on the west side of the 1-215 freeway and south of Barton Road. The
general plan designation is General Commercial. The proposed use would occupy part
of a 1.4 acre parcel also occupied by John's Lawnmower Shop. It would be surrounded
with a 6' chain link fence with a block wall on the west side of the property.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 3
February 19, 1998
Previously, on January 15, 1998, the Planning Commission approved applicant's plan to
take possession of the property and commence operation prior to official CUP approval.
A "hold harmless" agreement and an off -site development agreement were executed at
that time as well.
The proposed use is for a manufactured home retail sales center, including furnished
models and sales office. It is anticipated that 5-10 homes per months will be sold ranging
from $40,000 to $70,000.
A Determination of Use is required as this use is not specifically listed in the zoning code.
Staff finds the proposed use similar to automotive related services associated with sales of
trailers, campers and motor homes.
Hours of operation are anticipated to be 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 7 days per week. Trip volume
is approximately 16 per day, including employees and customers. 21 parking spaces are
proposed, including handicapped. Grand Terrace requires only 10 spaces.
Given the estimate of 7.5 homes sold per month, Maple Ridge would generate approximately
$19,000 sales tax in five years. It is anticipated there will be approximately 14 new jobs
created.
Sales brochures, material samples and photographs of a similar sales site in Las Vegas were
passed around to the Planning Commissioners.
Location of the 25' high, 72 square foot freeway sign will be at the south east corner of the
property. The sign will have a white background with blue lettering.
Unresolved issues at time of hearing were:
1. Property Improvement Agreement - property owner will deposit $2,700 per year in a
trust account which will be used to make deferred off -site improvements at some time in
the future.
2. Property owner requested the grading and on -site improvements be the responsibility of
the tenant.
3. Property owner requested he be required to submit only off -site improvement plans for
the LaCrosse side of the parcel, instead of for the entire parcel.
4. Property owner and applicant requested a 5 yr. CUP vs. staffs recommendation of 3
years.
Commissioner Huss asked staff if there are any recent Caltrans plans regarding the 1-215
widening which would impact this parcel. Director stated it is too premature. It may be many
years before that information is known.
Applicant was invited to speak before the Planning Commission.
Dr. Terry McDuffee
1478 W. Cypress
Redlands, CA
He said he is enthusiastic about having Maple Ridge as a tenant and believes they will
be an asset to the community. He requested the Commission to approve a 5 year
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
February 19, 1998
Page 4
temporary CUP. He said he believes the off -site improvements should be installed
when the property is improved to its ultimate and best use at some time in the future.
Since Maple Ridge is a temporary use he said it is cost prohibitive to put in off -site
improvements now when he does not know they will become a long term tenant. He
requested the engineering and cost of drawing plans for off -site improvements be
postponed until the next CUP hearing in 3 or 5 years as determined by the Planning
Commission.
Matthew Addington
CM Engineering
225 E. Airport Dr.
San Bernardino, CA
He said his firm is the civil engineer for this project. He said he supports this project not
only as the applicant's representative, but also as a resident of Grand Terrace. He is
looking forward to having this project developed.
7:40 P.M. OPENED FOR PUBLIC HEARING
7:40 P.M. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING
Director Materassi clarified by saying if Caltrans takes part of Dr. McDuffee's property at
some time in the future for freeway improvements he will receive a greater sum if the off -
site improvements are already in place. She said staff accepts Dr. McDuffee's proposal
that tenant, Maple Ridge, should make all grading and on -site improvements. Although
staff agrees to defer street improvement installation, staff wants to see Dr. McDuffee
produce off -site improvement plans within one year. The yearly "in lieu of trust fund
deposit by Dr. McDuffee is anticipated to pay for approximately 50% of the total street
improvements in 15 years.
Commissioner Wilson said he can support the 5 year CUP considering the Planning
Commission previously approved a 5 year CUP for John's Lawnmower Shop on the
same parcel. He said he does support staffs desire to have engineered off -site
improvement plans so a proper assessment of cost of improvements can be done.
Associate Planner Mainez said in response to Commissioner Wilson's inquiry that the
estimated cost for engineering plans is $3,000 to $6,000. Commissioner Wilson said that
if that is the case those plans are not needed until improvements are installed, otherwise
many changes to the plans would need to be made.
MOTION
PCM-98-03
Commissioner Wilson made a motion to add a condition to CUP-97-04 to indicate
an expiration date 5 years from the date of Planning Commission approval.
Seconded by Commissioner Huss.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 5
February 19, 1998
MOTION
VOTE
PCM-98-03
Motion carried. 4-0-1-2. Commissioner Addington abstained. Commissioners
Trainor and Larkin absent.
MOTION
PCM-98-04
Motion by Commissioner Wilson to amend condition #7 to read "Street
improvement plans as required by Building and Safety/Public Works condition #3
shall be provided at the time of installation of said improvements for the entire
property."
Seconded by Commissioner Huss.
Associate Planner Mainez clarified that condition #7 is the one-year requirement for off -
site street improvement plans associated only with the use of Maple Ridge to submit
plans for their portion within one year. Staffs intention is for tenant and property owner to
work together to complete plans for the entire site sooner than later. There is currently
$2,000 in the trust account and property owner will deposit another $2,700 which can be
used for street improvement plans. Applicant Maple Ridge has agreed to the one-year
term of condition #7.
Commissioner Wilson amended the pending motion to read "Street improvement
plans for the Maple Ridge portion of this parcel as required by Building and
Safety/Public Works condition #3 shall be provided within two years from date of
CUP approval." (Note: Plans for the northern portion of the site were not included
in the motion, therefore it will return to original condition of being required at time
prior to the installation of street improvements.)
Second concurred.
MOTION
VOTE
PCM-98-04
Motion carried. 4-0-1-2. Commissioner Addington abstained. Commissioners
Trainor and Larkin absent.
MOTION
PCM-98-05
Motion by Commissioner Huss to approve CUP-97-04/SA-97-10/DU-97-03 and E-
97-06 as amended.
Seconded by Commissioner Ellis.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Page 6
February 19, 1998
MOTION
VOTE
PCM-98-05
Motion carried. 4-0-1-2. Commissioner Addington abstained. Commissioners
Trainor and Larkin absent.
MOTION
PCM-98-06
Motion by Chairwoman Van Gelder to approve CUP-98-01/SA-98-01/SGN-97-13.
Seconded by Commissioner Ellis.
MOTION
VOTE
PCM-98-06
Motion carried. 4-0-1-2. Commissioner Addington abstained. Commissioners
Trainor and Larkin absent.
8:05 P.M. COMMISSIONER ADDINGTON LEFT THE MEETING.
ITEM #3
DU-98-01
AN APPLICATION FOR DETERMINATION OF USE TO ALLOW ANCILLARY USES SUCH
AS THE SALE OF MASONRY PRODUCTS (MASON MART) TO OPERATE AT THE
FACILITY HOUSING TAYLOR LUMBER SERVICES (CUP-90-04)
TAYLOR LUMBER SERVICES (TERRY WESSELN, PRESIDENT)
21800 MAIN STREET, GRAND TERRACE, CA
Staff report was presented by Planning Intern, Raul Colunga. Planning Commission was
requested to make a determination if the proposed use is similar to that of Taylor Lumber,
an existing use on the property.
The site is located in the MR District for restricted manufacturing. The general plan
designation is Industrial. Applicant is operating in compliance with the zoning code under
CUP-90-04 approved in 1990.
Taylor Lumber is conditionally permitted for wholesale lumber sales. The proposed use
would be the ancillary sale of masonry and other building materials. Mason Mart, based
in Phoenix, Arizona has been operating on the Taylor Lumber site since September,
1997. They are subleasing 5,000 square feet from Taylor Lumber, selling wholesale
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
February 19, 1998
Page 7
masonry products. Orders are received by phone and fax. There are no walk-in
customers. Hours of operation are 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There are two Mason Mart
employees at the site to load and unload trucks.
Planning Intern Colunga reviewed his research of other lumber companies in the region.
Several sell other building products in addition to lumber. He also summarized and
compared zoning information gathered from other cities.
In conclusion Planning Intern Colunga stated staffs analysis shows ancillary uses such
as masonry products and other types of building materials are similar in nature to the
operation of a lumber yard. He presented three options for consideration of the Planning
Commission:
1. Approve Mason Mart "as is" at Taylor Lumber site with Land Use and Certificate of
Occupancy; or
2. Require amendment of the existing CUP-90-04 for Taylor Lumber; or
3. Deny proposal
There were no questions asked of staff or applicant, Mr. Wesseln.
MOTION
PCM-98-07
Commission Wilson proposed a finding in accordance with staff recommendation
that the Planning Commission determine that the subject use is similar in nature
and intent with the conditionally permitted use of Taylor Lumber and that sales of
masonry is considered an ancillary use of lumber yards with approval of Land Use
permit and Certificate of Occupancy permit.
Seconded by Chairwoman Van Gelder.
MOTION
VOTE
PCM-98-07
Motion carried. 4-0-0-3. Commissioners Trainor, Larkin and Addington absent.
8:15 P.M. ADJOURNED SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD/PLANNING
COMMISSION MEETING
8:15 P.M. CONVENED PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION
Information to Commissioners
Director Materassi asked if any of the Planning Commissioners would be
available to attend the Planner's Institute in Long Beach, March 5-7, 1998.
Commissioner Wilson volunteered to attend on Saturday, March 7, 1998.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
February 19, 1998
Page 8
Director Materassi gave the Planning Commission a brief update on the I-
215 improvements.
Director Materassi told the Commission she has been working on the
SANBAG Billboard Committee. She shared some of their obstacles and
achievements.
Information from Commissioners
Chairwoman Van Gelder asked all Commissioners to read an article in the
"Planning Commission Journal" entitled Litter on a Stick pertaining to
billboards.
8:30 P.M. ADJOURNED PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION
NEXT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TO BE HELD ON MARCH 19. 1998.
Respectfully submitted,
Approved by,
Patrizia Materassi Fran Van Gelder
Community and Economic Development Director Chairperson, Planning
Commission
02-26-98: pp
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