10/15/1998GRAND TERRACE PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 15, 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
October 15, 1998 at 7:00 p.m. by Chairwoman, Fran Van Gelder.
PRESENT: Fran Van Gelder, Chairperson
Matthew Addington, Commissioner
Mary Trainor, Commissioner
Don Larkin, Commissioner
Hally Cappiello, Associate Planner
Pat Peterson, CEDD Secretary
ABSENT: Doug Wilson, Commissioner
s7:00 P.M. CONVENED SITE
PLANNING OMAND .. MEETING
Call to Order
Chairwoman Van Gelder called for a moment of silence in memory of and in
honor of and in thanks to the life of resident William De Benedet who passed
away on October 1, 1998. "He was one of Grand Terrace's founding fathers and
one of our first residential developers. He worked on the Planning Commission
nearly six years and worked diligently for the betterment of Grand Terrace. He
will be sorely missed. The Planning Commission extends sympathy to Mr. De
Benedet's family."
Pledge of Allegiance led by Chairwoman Van Gelder
Roll Call
Chairwoman Van Gelder read the proposed Commendation which will be signed
by the Mayor and presented to William De Benedet's family at the next City
Council meeting on October 22, 1998.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 2
October 15, 1998
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 - August 20, 1998
MOTION
PCM-98-32
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES - August 20, 1998
Motion by Commissioner Addington to approve August 20, 1998 meeting minutes.
Seconded by Commissioner Trainor.
Commissioner Addington requested clarification in the last paragraph of Page 4, to add
the name of his firm.
MOTION
VOTE
PCM-98-32
Motion carried. 3-0-1-1. Commissioner Larkin abstained and Commissioner
Wilson absent.
ITEM #2
BLUE MOUNTAIN COFFEEHOUSE SIGN REVIEW
CATHERINE LEOGRANDE
22488 BARTON ROAD, GRAND TERRACE
Staff report was presented by Associate Planner Hally Cappiello. The Coffeehouse
signs came before the Planning Commission initially in September, 1996, for
determination and findings. Section 3 of the Barton Road Specific Plan allows the
Planning Commission and Community and Economic Development Department
Director latitude in approving innovative signs which do not directly meet the sign code
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 3
October 15, 1998
but meet the intent of the sign code. In September, 1996 the Planning Commission
found the Coffeehouse signs were indeed aesthetically pleasing and met the intent of
the code. At that hearing in 1996, the Commission approved the Coffeehouse sign
program and directed staff to bring it back for re-evaluation of the physical condition of
the signs within two years.
Staffs recommendation for this evening's re-evaluation hearing is to extend the sign
program. The staff report includes photos taken at a recent site inspection. The signs
(although wooden) are still in excellent condition. Applicant Catherine Leogrande has
submitted a complete sign application and fees are paid. Based upon this, staff feels
she has shown the intent to comply with the municipal code, and therefore
recommends renewal of the Coffeehouse sign program for a period of three years with
conditions of approval.
Ms. Cappiello to read the conditions of approval into the record at the request of
Chairwoman Van Gelder.
Commissioner Trainor asked if applicant has agreed to all of the proposed conditions of
approval. Ms. Cappiello answered in the affirmative.
Commissioner Trainor suggested that Condition #5 may need to be clarified. She
suggested it may help applicant if examples of "special events" or "large meetings" were
defined. She wanted to remove the element of subjectivity. Ms. Cappiello said there is
a code section defining special events which can be added for clarity.
MOTION
PCM-98-33
Motion by Commissioner Trainor to modify Condition of Approval #5. Insert at
the beginning of Condition #5 "Should the business owner wish to hold a special
event as defined by Municipal Code or a meeting large enough to jeopardize
maximum capacity..."
Seconded by Chairwoman Van Gelder for discussion.
Commissioner Addington stated he does not think this additional wording would help in
staffs enforcement efforts. Ms. Cappiello stated the intent of Condition #5 is to prevent
applicant from advertising a special use outside of the permitted deli/coffeehouse use
(i.e. concerts, prayer meetings, etc.)
There was a general discussion among all Commission Members relating to Condition
#5, and how this condition relates to sign code enforcement. Ms. Cappiello said
Conditions #4, 5 and 6 were included in the sign review approval because they reflect
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 4
October 15, 1998
recent code enforcement concerns. She told Commissioners applicant has submitted a
letter saying she will not advertise or promote concert events at her facility, due to noise
and over crowding complaints, in addition to health and safety concerns. Conditions
#4, 5 and 6 do not place additional conditions on applicant's business which are not
already in place, but to include them would send a strong message to the applicant.
Commissioner Trainor withdrew Motion PCM-98-33. Second concurred.
MOTION
PCM-98-34
Motion by Commissioner Trainor to approve the Blue Mountain Sign Program
subject to Conditions of Approval #1, 2, 3 and 7.
Seconded by Chairwoman Van Gelder.
Commissioner Addington asked if Conditions #4, 5 and 6 are deliberately being
excluded. Commissioner Trainor stated yes. Staff already has the right and obligation
to enforce Conditions #4, 5 and 6 in her original project approval so there is no need to
repeat them here. This hearing is about signs. Commissioner Addington said he
~` believes these three conditions should be left in the approval. Commissioner Larkin
said he feels Conditions #4, 5 and 6 are redundant and they should not be tied into the
sign approval.
MOTION
VOTE
PCM-98-34
Motion carried. 3-1-0-1. Commissioner Addington voted "no" and Commissioner
Wilson absent.
7:33 P.M. ADJOURNED SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW
BOARD/PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
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Ms. Cappiello told the Commission Members Director has recently hired a contract
planner to fill the vacancy left when Larry left. His name is John Lampe and he will
be presenting a project at the next meeting in November.
Ms. Cappiello said the slurry/seal project is approximately 90% complete and is
anticipated to be finished by the end of October. The balance of the City west of
Mt. Vernon will be done in 1999.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 5
October 15, 1998
• This Saturday, October 17, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. is the Annual Volunteer
Picnic hosted by the City to honor our many volunteers.
• This Saturday is also the Azure Hills Children's Ministry Complex dedication at
12:30 p.m.
• Each Commission Member received a copy of Ordinance No. 183, officially
reducing the Commission membership to five people.
• Chairwoman Van Gelder stated the City Council rejected the Planning
Commission's recommendation for the Main Street expansion moratorium as
discussed at the last Planning Commission Meeting on August 20, 1998.
Council did vote to support the importance of the health and safety issues.
• Chairwoman Van Gelder stated she had recently been to Truvy's Tea Room and
said it was a delightful experience. In addition to the nicely decorated tea room
there is also a gift shop with flowers and balloons. They have a very reasonably
priced menu with sandwiches, salads and desserts. Occupancy is approximately
25 plus outside patio seating. She said they have been open five weeks and she
would like to see them get publicity so the business will survive and thrive. It is the
responsibility, she said, of Council, the Planning Commission and Chamber of
Commerce to reach out to our new businesses to assist them. She said she
would like to know about new businesses. Staff will enclose a listing of new
businesses in the envelope when Planning Commission packets are delivered.
7:42 P.M. ADJOURNED PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION
NEXT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 19. 1998.
Respectfully submitted,
ally Capp0anner
to
Associate
Comm. and Econ. Development Dept.
10-19-98:pp
Approved by,
Vz6��
Fran Van Gelder
Chairperson, Planning Commission
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