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10/03/1991GRAND TERRACE PLANNING COMMISSION i MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 3, 1991 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 3, 1991 at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Dan Buchanan. PRESENT: Dan Buchanan, Chairman Ray Munson, Commissioner Jim Sims, Commissioner Fran Van Gelder, Commissioner Ron Wright, Commissioner Patrizia Materassi, Planning Director Maria C. Muett, Associate Planner Maggie Alford, Planning Secretary ABSENT: Stanley Hargrave, Vice -Chairman Jerry Hawkinson, Commissioner PLEDGE: Dan Buchanan, Chairman PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP CONVENED AT 6:30 P.M. Information/comments from staff. - Barton Road Specific Plan - 2 page text for Crime Prevention packet (Attachment A) - Clarification of Conditional Use Permit expiration regulations (Attachment B) - Towne and Country Center (Bob Hardesty) list of tenants (Attachment C) - Unocal 76 update: Staff informed Planning Commission of information letter regarding Barton Road Specific Plan land use opportunities and copy of letter sent to San Bernardino County Environmental Health Department regarding storage tanks regulations after ceasing of gas station use sent out to property owner. Information/comments from Commissioners. Discussion of method to calculate setbacks: Calculations of setbacks shall continue to be done utilizing the shorter distance from the structure to the property line. PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP ADJOURNED AT 7:00 P.M. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING CONVENED AT 7:00 P.M. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Commissioner Van Gelder requested staff provide the Commissioners Chamber of Commerce City maps. Commissioner Van Gelder asked if the painting of the center at Mt. Vernon and Barton was complete, as a portion of the painting on the Mt. Vernon side toward the North end is very blotchy. The Associate Planner stated that there are some corrections they need to make on the painting. Commissioner Van Gelder asked about the special hearing on the remote control race track that is coming up. The Planning Director stated that the z track was originally approved, and the Conditional Use Permit was to expire October 25, 1991 and could have been administratively extended by the Planning Director. However, staff received several complaints and after a meeting with the City Manager, staff requested the applicant adhere closely to the conditions of approval and cease activities one-half hour earlier than the required time. She said that the applicant attempted to meet the conditions, and in terms of building and landscaping, he did everything that was required, but he hasn't been able to meet the noise requirements and number of people present at the activities, so the City Manager felt they could not make a finding that this project did not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood, so they are taking the item to City Council for consideration. She said that they are making very strict conditions of approval and are noticing further than required. Commissioner Van Gelder stated that, unfortunately, the noise is very bad. Commissioner Van Gelder stated that she would like the Planning Commission to recommend to City Council that they continue the membership of the persons on the Commission whose second terms are up. Chairman Buchanan asked for a semi-official consensus regarding the eight year terms for Planning Commission members. He wasn't sure he was comfortable with the Planning Commission making a recommendation to the City Council that certain City members be reappointed, as this is the City C 2 Council's province. The Planning Director stated that the City Manager mentioned that he is open to change this policy and not require the end of term to be mandatory, unless desired. Chairman Buchanan stated that he is comfortable with the notion of the Planning Commission's suggestion that the City Council reconsider the two -term maximum policy. He said that if it is done in a context where they are purporting to recommend that one or more of their current members be reappointed, they would be stepping into the City Council's province inappropriately. The Commission supported Commissioner Van Gelder in her recommendation to allow members to have more than two terms in case they so desired and received City Council reappointment. Commissioner Munson stated that there would be a temporary structure on the Stater Bros. parking lot Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and all able-bodied citizens were extended an invitation to donate blood. Commissioner Sims stated that at the Emblem project at Van Buren and Pico, there is an existing home which has two large air conditioning units on top of the roof. Staff will follow up. Commissioner Wright stated that a solid wall bordering Barton Road at Grand Terrace Elementary is not conducive to what the school intends to do. He said that he foresees significant safety issues with a solid wall there from the lack of natural surveillance on the playground, which may lead to certain types of activities occurring on the playground after school hours that they will have to deal with law enforcement -wise that perhaps the school district has not thought about. He said that the idea of the 6' or 7' wall is in no way going to mitigate the decibel level on the playground, mentioning the studies with regard to a 20' sound wall for the apartments proposed along the freeway. He said that if they put a solid wall there, they will get a lot of taggers putting graffiti on it. The Planning Director stated that they are trying to use graffiti -proof material for the wall, and Greg Gage of the school district is trying to get in contact with Cal Trans to mitigate the noise. Commissioner Van Gelder stated that it was her understanding that they were not trying to mitigate the noise on the playground as much as mitigating the noise from inside the buildings. The Planning Director stated that the agreement mentions that the wall be a sound wall. ITEM #1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 19, 1991 MOTION PCM-91-146 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 19, 1991 � 3 MOTION VOTE PCM-91-146 Commissioner Van Gelder made a motion to approve the September 19, 1991 minutes. Commissioner Sims second. Motion carries. 5-0-2-0. Vice -Chairman Hargrave and Commissioner Hawkinson absent. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:20 P.M. SITE AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD CONVENED AT 7:20 P.M. ITEM #2 SA-91-12 CHARLES W. BURROWS 22954 VICTORIA STREET G.T. AN APPLICATION FOR SITE AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW OF A SHED/WORKSHOP AT A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE IN THE R1-10 DISTRICT The Associate Planner presented the staff report. Commissioner Sims asked, in Condition # 11, why they are inviting the option of putting on roof -top equipment. The Associate Planner stated that they were not trying to encourage it. She said that it is only in the Barton Road Specific Plan that they are specifically stating screening for air conditioning and heating for commercial, but they have never addressed this for residential, so they are trying to get a standard condition. Commissioner Sims asked if it would be better that it not be allowed at all. The Planning Director stated that on residential projects, applicants have the option of putting air conditioning units on the ground and they can screen them, but with commercial projects, they have so much mechanical equipment, that if they put it on the ground, it would be worse than if it were on the roof. Commissioner Sims felt it was inappropriate for this particular project. G. 4 The Planning Director stated that for this particular project, they can recommend the air conditioning unit to be at ground level. Chairman Buchanan stated that sometimes it would be better that the unit be on the roof and screened than hanging out of a window or side of a building and unscreened. He asked if it would be appropriate on recommended Condition #8 to further expand it to state that this project is not for use as a dwelling or for human habitation. The Associate Planner said that they can amend the condition to include that the structure not be used for habitation. Commissioner Wright asked about the fire department requirement of an access road. The Associate Planner said they require a 20' width road, which the applicant did not meet, and the Fire Warden's Department stated in their memorandum a few ways they could mitigate this, either to bring the structure up to so many feet from the street or install residential or commercial fire sprinklers. Commissioner Wright asked if the Fire Department is aware of this mitigation, so that the installation of sprinklers would meet their flow requirement. The Associate Planner stated that the Fire Warden's Office always sends their comments to Riverside Highland Water Company, and they work together. Commissioner Sims was concerned that this project is too commercially attractive. The Planning Director stated that they have tried to give it a residential look, but not so much as a function of deterring commercial activity. The goal is to improve the looks of the structure, otherwise people may think the applicant has a significant home occupation. She said that they don't want to restrict the applicant to a point where he couldn't perform the functions he needs to. The Associate Planner mentioned that a normal garage is a 20'X20', so they are looking at a 600 sq. ft. or more addition to a normal garage. Chairman Buchanan called up the applicant. CHARLES BURROWS 22954 VICTORIA G.T. Mr. Burrows stated that with regard to #2 under discussion, which said that the new plan states that there are fewer windows than originally proposed, he didn't think this was correct. He said that originally he proposed four windows, and now he proposes six. He said that under #6, the second paragraph, states approximately 7' lower than the main structure, and this should be 7' lower than the originally intended structure. He said that he is aware he will have to put fire sprinklers in. He mentioned that the report stated there is a reduction of 675 sq. ft., but this is only in floor size. Adding the 900 sq. ft. of second story he is losing, the reduction is substantially more. Chairman Buchanan asked about the individual staff recommendations. Mr. Burrows stated that staff recommends off-white color to match the house, but his house is stark white. He said that if he has to paint it a color other than the house, he would prefer to paint it light grey. Chairman Buchanan asked if it was staff's idea to have the color of this unit match the color of the main residence. The Associate Planner stated that they would like the color to diminish the size, and this is how they came up with off-white. She said they would have no problem with a light grey, as long as it would blend with the design and color of the main residence. Chairman Buchanan stated that the applicant has made tremendous strides in bringing this structure more into conformity with what the Commission wanted to see. 7:50 P.M. OPENED/CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Chairman Buchanan asked if staff received any comments from neighbors. The Associate Planner stated that there were comments from a neighbor, but it was based on the original design. She said that staff made communication with Mr. Petta, and staff has not received any other comments. Chairman Buchanan brought this item back to the Commission for action. 6 MOTION PCM-91-147 SA-91-12 Commissioner Sims made a motion to approve SA-91-12 as conditioned by staff. Commissioner Munson second. Chairman Buchanan stated that he was considering adding to paragraph 8 qualification that the project not be used for habitation purposes. MOTION TABLED MOTION PCM-91-148 SA-91-12 MOTION VOTE PCM-91-148 f MOTION PCM-91-149 SA-91-12 G Chairman Buchanan made a motion to amend Condition 8 to include a restriction for uses of human habitation. Commissioner Van Gelder second. Motion carries. 5-0-2-0. Vice -Chairman Hargrave and Commissioner Hawkinson absent. Commissioner Sims made a motion to remove from Condition 11 the sentence stating that all roof -top equipment shall be screened from public view by screening material. Chairman Buchanan suggested, instead of deleting the reference, changing the wording to prohibit roof -top equipment. Commissioner Sims concurred. Chairman Buchanan second. The Planning Director asked if the applicant had major problems with this, as he has been cooperating tremendously. Mr. Burrows stated that he is not anticipating putting any heating or air conditioning in, however, he can foresee one or two swamp coolers in the future. Commissioner Munson said the reason for roof -top air conditioning is efficiency, so he has a problem telling the applicant he cannot put up an efficient cooling unit. He did not see any reason to change Condition 11. Commissioner Van Gelder said that she has a roof -top air conditioner that has been there for more than 30 years that is not screened from view. She mentioned that the applicant has been so very cooperative in doing everything that has been asked of him. Commissioner Sims was concerned that the properties terraced up above his would be looking down on the roof top. Commissioner Van Gelder asked if the neighbors were made aware that there may be a roof -top air conditioner, to which the Planning Director responded in the negative. Chairman Buchanan stated that the motion is currently worded to prohibit roof -top equipment, and if the applicant feels it is in the best interest of the project and the community to put on roof -top equipment, he can always come back for a modification of that condition and demonstrate appropriate screening, and maybe by that time, the neighboring houses would be built and they would have a better method of analyzing the impact on the community. He said they could also say that if the applicant wanted to put on roof-top 1 equipment, he would have to come back for Site and Architectural Review approval of the screening to begin with. MOTION VOTE PCM-91-149 Commissioner Wright stated that they need to be careful that as long as they specify air conditioning and heating as far as gas and electrical, they are probably okay, but if they want to put in solar water heating or solar air conditioning, the State precludes them from regulating installation. The Planning Director stated that she would like to reword the standard condition to say that, in commercial buildings, the design should enclose the mechanical equipment in a form that it doesn't look like a screening but rather a part of the building. She said this type design would be difficult for a residential structure. Commissioner Munson stated that, as the applicant has indicated no objection or hardship on this particular motion, he now called for the motion. 8 0 MOTION VOTE PCM-91-147 Motion carries. 5-0-2-0. Vice -Chairman Hargrave and Commissioner Hawkinson absent. Chairman Buchanan took Commission Sims original motion off the table. He asked if this motion now incorporates the modifications just made. Commissioner Sims and Commissioner Munson concurred. Motion carries. 5-0-2-0. Vice -Chairman Hargrave and Commissioner Hawkinson absent. SITE AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD ADJOURNED AT 8:06 P.M. NEXT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TO BE HELD OCTOBER 17, 1991. Respectfully submitted, Patrizia Materassi Planning Director 10-10-91:ma E Approved by, D'e� Dan Buchanan Chairman, Planning Commission Planning_ Department "BARTON ROAD SPECIFIC PLAN" HELPING NEW AND EXISTING BUSINESSES Are you noticing that the Barton Road Specific Plan (BRSP) has been helping our businesses? The document is technically sound and its implementation will be favored by the new "applicant friendly" approach taken by the Planning Department. Come to City Hall and check it out for yourself. The Barton Road Specific Plan (BRSP) is a City planning "tool' designed to provide business opportunities which would not otherwise be available. Recently, three commercial developments took advantage of the plan's incentives, each one in its own particular ways: The commercial center developed by Potomac West Associates at the northwest corner of Barton Road and Canal Avenue took advantage of the BRSP incentives in terms of: Consolidation of small lots into large parcel Bonus for parking requirements (25%) - Protection and maintenance of large City trees The developer was able to design two large structures to house owner -operated tenants such as True Value Hardware and the Neighborhood Market, as well as other tenants. The center fits in with the "rural village" architectural theme desired for Barton Road and as such will be an asset to our commercial corridor. The commercial center developed by M.S. Partnership (La Mancha Development, at the northwest corner of Barton Road and Mt Vernon, built at the "heart of the downtown" area, took advantage of plan incentives and set in motion development at one of the most important intersections in the City. The site layout is consistent with the BRSP guidelines for the "Village Commercial' area. Buildings within the "Village Commercial" area are to be situated up front on the site with parking towards the rear, promoting a pedestrian orientation while accommodating increased vehicular movement. The architecture of the center reflects the plan's design guidelines in that the facade is articulated, it provides wood siding, terracotta roofing material, pastel col6rs and awnings. This center is a variation from the typical strip commercial development - a step up in quality and appearance. Barton Plaza 22125 Barton Road developed by local businessmen Stan Curatolo and Jim Pritchard, was the first center to benefit from early .drafted BRSP guidelines. C. The building, located in the "General Commercial District", is a flexible structure. ATTACHMENT A 22795 Barton Road • Grand Terrace, California 92324-5295 9 (714) 824-6621 The store front can be switched to the back, facing future developments on the property to the East, and therefore creating a larger scale development. Barton Plaza, as M.S. Partnership and Potomac West Associates, is approaching completion. They will be a triggering force for other developments in the corridor. Technically, the long and narrow lots typical of Barton Road have little or no development potential unless consolidated with adjacent lots. Consolidation of lots provides for wider frontages which allow access and visibility to tenants. The BRSP grants parking bonuses and other developer incentives when lot frontages are wider than 300 feet, maximizing leasable square footage. Consolidation of lots also allows for intemal vehicle circulation without stopping the flow of traffic on Barton Road. Ultimately, the BRSP is to enhance property values and merchant revenues. Overall, the land use proposal of the plan is the continuation of primary commercial and office uses, freeway oriented service/retail and larger commercial uses toward the western end of the corridor, with lighter, more community oriented commercial uses in the middle "Village Commercial Area" and administrative professional offices to the East toward City Hall. In order to help the existing businesses and enhance even further the business opportunities along Barton Road, the City entry will be renovated. The project includes a City of Grand Terrace monument sign, a new landscape median at the 215 Freeway and Barton Road, a decorative block wall and landscaped shoulder adjacent to the school site up to Vivienda Street, and possibly an upgrade of the Mt. Vernon intersection. The renovated Towne and Country Center at 22400 Barton Road is an example of an existing business that is in tune with the BRSP. The marketing potential of this center has been significantly improved by renovation in consistency with the BRSP. The developer, Bob Hardesty and Associates, signed a lease with a full service restaurant - Food Connection, and Little Caesar's Pizza Pizza. The new design of Towne and Country Center reflected the guidelines of the plan by increasing storefront visibility, architectural detail and signage efficiency, thus, providing existing businesses with a new, improved setting. The center will provide the people of Grand Terrace with a place to "hang out", have an ice cream and talk. Ideally, Barton Road will be a busy professional office/commercial corridor; will look like a dynamic "rural village center" with pedestrian orientation. It will smell like specialty foods, good hamburgers and pastries, and will feel like the place to be, to shop and enjoy your friends and your town... The Planning Department of the City of Grand Terrace welcomes you, business and property owners, realtors and developers to come to the City and learn about the Plan, its incentives and development alternatives. In case you have questions or would like to discuss the issues, please call Patrizia Materassi, the new Planning Director, or Maria Muett, Associate Planner at 824-6621. 0 V Section 18.83.090 Expiration and Extensions: The approval of a Conditional Use Permit application shall expire one (1) year from the date of its approval unless: A. The applicant applies for a business license and begins operation of the proposed use in accordance with the requirements of the conditional use permit prior to the expiration date. B. The applicant applies to the Planning Department for an extension of the approval prior to the expiration date. If the applicant applies for a building permit in accordance with the requirements of the conditional use permit prior to the expiration date, a one year extension from the date of the building permit is issued shall be granted. The Planning Director may upon application by the applicant, extend the period of approval for a length of time up to one year. No approval shall be extended to a date beyond two (2) years from the date of the initial approval. ATTACHMENT B Grand Terrace Associates 3603 E. MANDEVILLE PLACE • ORANGE, CA 92667 • TEL: 714/ 998-6123 • FAX: 714/998-6123-3 MEMORANDUM September 25, 1991 To: City of Grand Terrace From: Grand Terrace Associates Re: Grand Terrace Town & Food Connection Restaurant Verlee's Fancy Pets, Fish, Supplies Verlee's Grooming Dr. Jung Family Dentistry Dr. Williams Chiropractic Grand Terrace Child Care Center Little Caesar's Pizza Flower Stop Inland Business Forms Larry Vesely, AIA Vacant (for Sandwich Shop) TNT Tanning Vacant (for retail shop) Carousel Mobile Homes' Grand Terrace Hair Company Gina's Food & Cocktails i Country Shopping Center Addresses 22400-1 Barton Road 22400-3 Barton Road 22400-5 Barton Road 22400-8 Barton Road 22400-10 Barton Road 22400-200 Barton Road 22400-11 Barton Road 22400-12 Barton Road 22400-14 Barton Road 22400-15 Barton Road 22400-17 Barton Road 22400-19 Barton Road 22400-20 Barton Road 22400-21 Barton Road 22400-22 Barton Road 22400-23 Barton Road ATTACHMENT C