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03/16/2000GRAND TERRACE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING MARCH 16, 2000 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 March 16, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. by Chairwoman, Fran Van Gelder. PRESENT: Fran Van Gelder, Chairperson Matt Addington, Commissioner Mary Trainor, Commissioner Maryetta Ferre', Commissioner Patrizia Materassi, Community and Economic Development Director John Lampe, Planner Pat Peterson, CEDD Secretary ABSENT: Doug Wilson, Vice -Chairperson 7:00 P.M. CONVENED SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD/ PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner Addington 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 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 2 March 16, 2000 ITEM#1 ADMIN SA-99-11/E-99-13 APPLICATION TO REMODEL EXISTING BUILDING TO ACCOMMODATE A HOLLYWOOD VIDEO STORE RUSSELL STOUT & ASSOCIATES ON BEHALF OF HOLLYWOOD VIDEO 22471 BARTON RD., GRAND TERRACE, CA Staff report was presented by Planner John Lampe. He explained the plan check is under way for this project; applicant has not yet submitted all items required by the Conditions of Approval. Mr. Lampe said staff recommended this agenda item be continued to a future Planning Commission meeting at which time staff hopes applicant will be able to meet all requirements of the Conditions of Approval. MOTION PCM-2000-07 Motion was made by Chairwoman Van Gelder to continue this item to April 6, 2000 meeting of the Planning Commission. Seconded by Commissioner Addington. MOTION VOTE PCM-2000-07 Motion carried. 4-0-0-1. Vice -Chairman \/ViIson absent. ITEM #2 SGN-99-09 PROPOSAL TO ADD NIGHT LIGHTING TO THE TOWN & COUNTRY CENTER E. W. ELECTRIC 22400 BARTON ROAD, GRAND TERRACE, CA Staff report was presented by Planner John Lampe. He reminded Commission Members applicant recently appeared before the Planning Commission on this same item. Applicant is attempting to complete a revised lighting package for the Town & Country Center. That revision is not yet complete. Staff recommended this item be continued to the next Planning Commission meeting on April 6, 2000. Mr. Lampe showed many slides he recently took locally, in Orange County and in L.A. County depicting uses of neon lighting. Most of the effective neon lighting uses appear to be on Mexican and Chinese restaurants. Neon and/or indirect lighting are often used to accentuate architectural features. Some of the slides showed the combined use of neon and indirect lighting. Mr. Lampe explained staff has suggested to applicant that he bring back to the Commission a plan to use indirect lighting as another option at Town & Country Center, or perhaps a mixture of neon and indirect lighting. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 3 March 16, 2000 Chairwoman Van Gelder asked Mr. Lampe what is found in the immediate vicinity of the buildings shown in the slides. Mr. Lampe responded the use of neon lighting is more prevalent in Orange and L.A. Counties. The farther west one travels, the more neon lighting one observes. Director Materassi said the City of Redlands has some good examples of neon lighting on buildings. Director Materassi said neon serves two purposes: to call attention to the restaurant and to show the architectural style of the building. She also suggested applicant may wish to consider indirect lighting on the landscape and architecture, in addition to neon at Town & Country Center for the best overall appearance. She added that there must be a balance in the lighting; lighting is needed so people know there are restaurants in the center, however, without being too extreme. Mr. Lampe said he planned a field trip for staff and Commission Members following the meeting to show some existing neon lighting in surrounding cities. The purpose was to show color schemes and uses of neon lighting. Commissioner Addington asked why applicant has not returned with his revised proposal after his first appearance two months ago. Director Materassi said they are not very organized in her opinion. She suggested this item may be continued to a date certain. If applicant does not return by that date they will need to start over by filing again when they are ready. Director pointed out that the City has no provision for neon lighting in the code. Hollywood Video will want to use neon for their sign for their new store. She felt it would make good business sense to work with the Town & Country applicant to develop a good example of effective neon lighting as more applications by other businesses will no doubt follow. MOTION PCM-2000-08 Chairwoman Van Gelder made a motion to continue SGN-99-09 to the next Planning Commission meeting on April 6, 2000. Seconded by Commissioner Trainor. MOTION VOTE PCM-2000-08 Carried. 3-1-1-0. Commissioner Addington voted "no". Vice -Chairman Wilson absent. 7:30 P.M. ADJOURNED SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD/PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 4 March 16, 2000 7:30 P.M. CONVENED PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION • Information from Commissioners Presentation by Commissioner Maryetta Ferre' on the APA Design Review Workshop she attended February 26, 2000 and about the League of California Cities Planners Institute she attended March 1-3, 2000 APA Design Workshop on 2126100 at the Riverside Utilities Center Ms. Ferre said she appreciated the opportunity to go to the workshop and learned quite a lot. She said she has a better grasp of the Planning Commission functions. She attended a session on urban design and design principles. Following are some general thoughts and comments from the session: - Today people are interested in the way things look, and connected to the visual environment. - People drive great distances to be where it looks good and feels good. - Today's trend is that people want a sense of place. They want to see and be seen. Many new homes are being built with porches. - People want a place where they can come together, i.e. plazas. - Landscaped medians are an element often used in revitalizing downtowns, with a village or plaza atmosphere. - High density mixed use development is encouraged. - The City should have a symbol. The next speaker was Tom Dodson, Geographer and Environmental Consultant, who spoke about environmental design, the environmental constraints when developing land and the importance of due diligence. A developer/builder spoke on grading design and architectural design. He said cities should have a vision when planning landscape design, and developers should be given development guidelines up front. - Annual Planners Institute by the League of California Cities in Monterey, March 1-3, 2000 - Planning Commission Basics - Open Meetings and Conflict of Interest Laws - Commissioners must be fair and measured. - The Brown Act was also discussed. - Livable & Diverse Communities presented by two real estate developers. They talked about live/work areas and the idea of lofts, popular in Oakland. Old warehouses are converted to loft living areas and work areas. They emphasized if a change is going to be made, it should start at the center of town. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 5 March 16, 2000 - Planning Commission Basics - Conducting Effective Commission Meetings presented by a Planning Commissioner from Oceanside. - Planning Commission Basics - Findings and Takings presented by two attorneys from the law firm of Best, Best & Krieger. The law of regulatory takings was discussed in addition to findings, the written explanations of why legally and factually a public entity makes the decision. - Planning Commission Basics - How to be an Effective Planning Commissioner and an Effective Commission. - Planning Commission Basics - Engaging the Public in the Planning Process. Many of the public outreach efforts done by the Grand Terrace General Plan Task Force were outlined. In summary, Commissioner Ferre' said the week was very concentrated but she feels very good about the City of Grand Terrace, the Planning Commission and the Planning Department. She said she appreciated the opportunity to attend these two learning opportunities. Information to Commissioners Joint City Council/Planning Commission Meeting planned for Economic Development Report by CEDD Director Materassi. Staff is looking for direction from the Council Members regarding recruitment of fast food restaurants for Barton Road. The City Council Economic Development Workshop will be on May 11, 2000, at 5:00 p.m. Director Materassi invited Commission Members to watch the workshop on cable. A joint City Council/Planning Commission workshop will be scheduled after the meeting of May 11, 2000. Barton Rd. median public hearing in the future. The target date for the Planning Commission public hearing is May 18, 2000, pending staffs ability to compile a mailing list of property owners and business tenants on Barton Rd. from Michigan to Preston St. The hearing will discuss a proposed median between Canal and Mt. Vernon at the request of Council members, who have expressed concern about the traffic speed and accident rate along that portion of Barton Rd. The City Traffic Engineer recommended a median be installed. Director Materassi said during recent weeks many of her business recruitment efforts have not been fruitful. Jack in the Box decided not to come to Grand Terrace because of the impact the Grand Terrace store would have on their store in Cooley Ranch. Chuck E. Cheese e-mailed us they are interested in a Redlands location, not Grand Terrace. She suggested possibly the city needs to recruit the smaller, regional business as the national businesses are not interested in our small city. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Page 6 March 16, 2000 8:03 P.M. ADJOURNED PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION 8:03 P.M. RECONVENED SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD/PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING — Field Trip - Commission Members, staff and Mr. Ferre' traveled in the CNG van to several pre -determined sites to view businesses in Redlands and on Hospitality Lane which use neon lighting. 10:00 P.M. ADJOURNED SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD/PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING NEXT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TO BE HELD ON APRIL 6. 2000. Respectfully submitted, Patrizia Materassi Community and Economic Development Director 06-19-00:pp w:\planning\minutes\03-16-OO.min Approved by, Fran Van Gelder Chairperson, Planning Commission