Loading...
11/05/1992GRAND TERRACE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 5, 1992 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 November 5, 1992 at 7:00 P.M. by Chairman Dan Buchanan. PRESENT: Dan Buchanan, Chairman Stanley Hargrave, Chairman Ray Munson, Commissioner Jim Sims, Vice Chairman Fran Van Gelder, Commissioner Doug Wilson, Commissioner Moire Huss, Commissioner STAFF: Patrizia Materassi, Planning Director Maria Muett, Associate Planner Barbara Stewart, Temporary Planning Secretary ABSENT: None PLEDGE: Chairman Buchanan PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP CONVENED AT 6:30 P.M. The Planning Director asked if for the next several months, the minutes for the Planning Commission meetings could be done in a summary action form, rather than word-for-word. She also would like to provide dividers, numbered 1-5, for ease in finding issues, rather than making separate dividers for each meeting. There was a consensus of the Commissioners that would be acceptable. Commissioner Wilson noted that there is a parking problem on Saturdays by the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Vice Chairman Sims mentioned the windows at Village Foods are getting worse. Although Commissioner Van Gelder noted the landscaping is nice. Commissioner Munson commented that they really enjoyed the Volunteer's picnic. Several other Commissioners agreed. 1 Although this topic is not a Planning Commission issue, Chairman Buchanan said he was appalled and disappointed that there was absolutely nothing on the public broadcast channel on election night. The best way to get any election results was to watch Channel 4 and the coverage for our local elections was very little. The Planning Director told the Commission that the window problem at Chief Auto Parts has been resolved, using a black film. Vice Chairman Sims noted that the blue paint on the building on Palm is terrible. The Planning Director assured him that this is being remedied. The Planning Director noted that the landscaping problem at the Advocate School is also being resolved. PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP ADJOURNED AT 7:00 P.M. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING CONVENED AT 7:00 P.M. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: None ITEM #1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES - JULY 16, 1992 MOTION PCM-92-59 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES - JULY 16, 1992 Commissioner Wilson made a motion to approve the July 16, 1992 minutes. Commissioner Van Gelder seconded. MOTION PCM-92-59 VOTE Motion carried. 7-0-0-0 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES - AUGUST 20, 1992 MOTION PCM-92-60 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES - AUGUST 20, 1992 Commissioner Wilson made a motion to approve the August 20, 1992 minutes. Vice 2 Chairman Sims seconded. MOTION PCM-92-60 VOTE Motion carried. 7-0-0-0 MOTION PCM-92-61 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 17, 1992 AND OCTOBER 1, 1992 Chairman Buchanan made a motion to continue the September 17,1992 and October 1, 1992 minutes until the November 19, 1992 Planning Commission Meeting. Commissioner Wilson seconded. MOTION PCM-92-61 VOTE Motion carried. 7-0-0-0 ITEM #2 SP-92-01/E-92-09 EDWARD KRUSE KRUSE MICROWAVE ENTERPRISES BLUE MOUNTAIN ROAD GT APPLICATION FOR A MICROWAVE ANTENNA FACILITY ATOP OF BLUE MOUNTAIN The Associate Planner presented the project report. Chairman Buchanan questioned if the Specific Plan consisted of just the blueprint. He also questioned if the 75-foot tower is consistent with other towers up there. The Associate Planner said yes, the Specific Plan consists of the blueprint, with attachments. The applicant would have to address the tower issue. Chairman Buchanan asked if applicant decides to put up a dish also, would that be a separate proposal. The Planning Director responded that this proposal includes both the tower and dishes. She also said that the applicant had submitted a letter entitled "Specific Plan" which had inadvertently been left out of the staff report, but if the Commission would feel more comfortable, she would include that letter, plus 3 Ee the plans, and the resolution would make up the booklet called "Specific Plan." Chairman Buchanan asked if there was a potential risk of release of malfunctioning causing unusual or excessive amounts of radiation. The Planning Director said no. Commissioner Hargrave asked for an explanation of Phase I and Phase H. The Associate Planner answered that Phase I is the 12 X 40 building and tower and then Phase H would be a second building. Also, he wanted to know if there was any provision that if a new tenant took over the building, the Specific Plan would have to be amended or the new use would not be allowed. The Planning Director said that was correct. Commissioner Wilson was concerned about the use of the property and was informed that due to the zoning for hilltops, the only use can be what is in the Specific Plan. Any other type of use, the Specific Plan would have to be amended. Commissioner Wilson was also concerned about fire protection. PUBLIC HEARING OPENED ED KRUSE 6870 GALA HIGHLAND Mr. Kruse said his concern was not fire within getting out, but fire out getting in. All of the radio equipment that is in these buildings are in steel enclosures and if there is an electrical fire in the enclosures, the flames do not get out of the steel box, all that would be emitted would be smoke. Also the roof is steel so if there was a brush fire or forest fire, the embers wouldn't catch the roof on fire and the interior and exterior walls are block, construction is poured solid grout, so the structure is vandal proof and fire proof. The tower he will be erecting will be behind existing towers and hardly visible to Grand Terrace. The type of antenna on the tower will vary from single poles with a maximum of 2" to dishes of six to eight feet in diameter. The dishes will be mounted very low on the tower. Chairman Buchanan asked if existing electrical service will be sufficient. The applicant said yes both electrical and phone services are ample. Commissioner Van Gelder wanted to know what the maximum number of dishes on a tower would be and applicant estimated four or five. She also asked how wide they would be and was told six to eight feet, and placed at a maximum of 30 feet high on the 75-foot tower. ~`' 4 Commissioner Hargrave questioned placement of dishes at the top of the tower and the safety factor. The applicant assured him that the tower will be designed to handle a lot more than the UBC requirement, which is 70 mph wind load. Commissioner Hargrave also asked about the color of the dishes. Mr. Kruse answered that the color would be a flat galvanized color, so that it will not reflect the sun. PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED MOTION PCM-92-62 SP-92-01/E-92-09 Vice Chairman Sims made a motion to approve SA-92-01 and E-92-09 as recommended by staff. Commissioner Hargrave seconded. MOTION PCM-92-62 VOTE Motion carried. 6-1-0-0 Commissioner Wilson voted no. ITEM #3 V-92-02 JOE KOHORST MR. T.V. VIDEO 22505 BARTON ROAD GT APPLICATION FOR A VARIANCE FROM SIGN CODE TO ALLOW A TIME AND TEMPERATURE CLOCK TO INCORPORATE A VIDEO STORE BUSINESS IDENTIFICATION SIGN The Planning Director informed the Commission that the community is pressuring the applicant to keep the sign and maintain it. The City Council and the Historical Committee have considered the sign a historical landmark for the City. Staff felt that having the landmark sign created a hardship on the applicant so this proposal to install his own sign into that structure could be approved through a variance application. The sign would be just like what is on the building, opaque red background and white letters. The Planning Director then read the Conditions of Approval. Vice Chairman Sims asked to clarify condition #5 that said if the clock is not maintained, the applicant C1 5 shall remove the sign and structure. The residents miss seeing the time and temperature when they go by that area, that is the landmark, so if that is not working, then the landmark classification is also gone, and the structure is non- conforming and would need to be removed. The variance is being given to him because we are establishing a hardship on him to keep that structure, so he needs to spend a lot of money to keep the structure in the front of his building which decreases the visibility to his property. Commissioner Hargrave suggested changing the wording in condition #5 from "in case the clock operating ceases, the non -conforming structure must be removed," should be changed to may be removed, therefore, not necessarily forcing him to remove that structure in case operation of the clock stops. The Planning Director said that if the clock stops operating, it would void the variance. In terms of changing the findings of the variance, she was not prepared to do that right now, unless the Commission wanted to develop the findings then and she could write them down, because she has researched this several times in several ways and cannot find a way to make findings from the Specific Plan to approve this project. It has several variance counts that do not meet any directions, any intent; so if the Planning Commission feels it is not meeting the Specific Plan guidelines and this is not a landmark, she has no way to make approval findings. r Chairman Buchanan asked if the applicant was not trying to put a sign on that structure, because the structure pre-existed the Specific Plan adoption, would the City have to require the removal of that structure. The Planning Director said yes, because it would be considered an abandoned sign structure and would need to be removed. Commissioner Hargrave suggested language "In case the clock operating ceases, the non -conforming structure must be brought into compliance with the Barton Road Specific Plan Sign Regulations," which the Plan could change in the future. PUBLIC HEARING OPENED JOE KOHORST 11841 HONEY HILL DRIVE GT Applicant stated that he is willing to pay the maintenance for the clock ($387.00 per month). The structure is basically a sign. The clock was part of the sign to be a community service, but the original reason for it was the sign. It was always lit. PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED MOTION PCM-92-63 VARI4,NCE-92-02 Commissioner Hargrave made the motion to change the wording in condition #5 to "In case the clock operating ceases, the non -conforming structure must come into conformance with the Barton Road Specific Plan Sign Regulations instead of shall be removed. Chairman Buchanan revised the wording to: "The time and temperature portion of the structure shall operate accurately consistently and regularly, otherwise this variance will be null and void. This variance is recommended for approval for the sole purpose to keep a historical landmark which offers a service to the community. In case the clock operating ceases, the sign structure must be brought in conformance with the Barton Road Specific Plan Sign Regulations." Commissioner Hargrave concurred. Commissioner Wilson seconded. MOTION PCM-92-63 VOTE Motion carried. 6-0-0-0 MOTION PCM-92-64 E-92-02 Commissioner Hargrave moved for approval of E-92-02 as amended. Commissioner Munson seconded. MOTION PCM-92-64 VOTE Motion carried. 6-0-0-0 ITEM #4 CUP-92-03/E-92-11 TOM MULLINS INLAND TIMBER COMPANY 21850 MAIN AVENUE GT 7 APPLICATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A RESAW FOR A WHOLESALE LUMBER COMPANY IN THE MR ZONE Chairman Buchanan said they would combine discussion on both the Environmental Review and Site and Architectural Review. The Planning Director gave the project report. Notices were remailed as before and no comments have been received so far other than one today from Mr. Easter. The staff recommended expansion of the CUP to address expansion of the use and also for the applicant to pay for a noise test conducted by a city -selected expert and the have city monitor the process. The applicant has submitted everything the staff and City have suggested and required. The Planning Director also presented an amendment to the noise conditions which took into consideration the noise study. She went on to read the revised Conditions to the CUP. Chairman Buchanan asked if Condition # 1 should not read "closure of proposed resaw required prior to final inspection as per noise consultant recommendation." The Planning Director agreed. The Planning Director's recommendation is approval of the Negative Declaration and approval of the Resolution with the findings and conditions just presented and as amended. Applicant has done everything to comply with the noise consultant's suggestions. They would be willing to do anything to keep and/or bring the noise level down. PUBLIC HEARING OPENED DON STOBAUGH INLAND TIMBER COMPANY 21850 MAIN STREET GT Mr. Stobaugh had two concerns: (1) the company owns 9.2 acres of the property and leases approximately 7 acres (where the trees would be planted as a barrier). They are willing to put the trees in at the proper time but the owner of the property is not favorable to the idea. The point being that he cannot speak for them, but applicant is willing to do anything necessary. (2) Regarding the hours of operation, they have cut back from 10:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. and they do not want to stop the third resaw at 7:00 P.M., but if that is what is necessary, they will do it. CHESTER EASTER 21963 TANAGER GT Mr. Easter informed the Commission that no one on Tanager and Royal Streets received any notice of the meeting. The Planning Director made note of the fact that staff sent notices not only to residents within 300 feet of the property (as required by law), but to residents within 1,500 feet of the property. Mr. Easter said there were about 15 people he knew of who had not received notices either. Mr. Easter asked if in the future, the applicant did expand their operations, would the same criteria apply as it does now. The Planning Director informed him that it is staffs intention that every new proposal cannot go above the 64.8 dbs, which is the current noise level, and should actually decrease it a little bit. He went on to say that he agrees with Mr. Stobaugh in saying that the land he is leasing from Mr. Thompson would be difficult to plant trees. He would prefer no trees be planted. Mr. Easter thanked Inland Timber and the Planning Department staff for all their hard work and cooperation in resolving a problem that has existed for years. He and his neighbors are very appreciative and thankful for this accomplishment. PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED MOTION PCM-92-65 CUP-92-03/E-92-11 Chairman Hargrave made a motion to eliminate Condition #6 relating to planting eucalyptus on the Conditions of Approval. Chairman Buchanan seconded the motion. MOTION PCM-92-65 VOTE Motion carried. 6-0-0-0 Commissioner Wilson absent. MOTION PCM-92-66 CUP-92-03/E-92-11 Chairman Buchanan made the motion to amend other conditions as proposed by staff. Commissioner Hargrave seconded the motion. 6 MOTION PCM-92-66 VOTE Motion carried. 6-0-0-0 Commissioner Wilson absent. ITEM 5 SA-92-12 TOM MULLINS INLAND LUMBER COMPANY 21850 MAIN AVENUE GT APPLICATION FOR SITE AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A RESAW FOR A WHOLESALE LUMBER COMPANY IN THE MR ZONE MOTION PCM-92-67 SA-92-12 Commissioner Sims made a motion for approval of SA-92-12. Commissioner Van Gelder seconded the motion. MOTION PCM-92-67 VOTE Motion carried. 6-0-0-0 Commissioner Wilson absent. SITE AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD CONVENED. The only item on the agenda was SA-92-12 and the Commission had already discussed that. PUBLIC HEARING OPENED PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED MOTION PCM-92-68 SA-82-12 l 10 Commissioner Sims made the motion for approval of SA-92-12. Commissioner Munson seconded the motion. MOTION PCM-92-68 VOTE Motion carried. 6-0-0-0 Commissioner Wilson absent. SITE AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD ADJOURNED. NEXT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 19, 1992. Respectfully submitted, Patrizia Materassi Planning Director 11-05-92:bs `f Approved by, Dan Buchanan Chairman, Planning Commission