03/24/1980 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
CITY OF GRAND TERRACE
MARCH 24, 1980
A Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission , City of Grand Terrace, was held
in the First Baptist Church of Grand Terrace, 12354 Mt. Vernon , Grand Terrace,
California, on March 24, 1980 at 6:36 p.m.
PRESENT: Frank Tetley, Chairman
Sandy Collins , Vice Chairman
Winifred Bartel , Commissioner
William DeBenedet, Commissioner
John McDowell , Commissioner
Ron Schuster, Commissioner
Lloyd L. Watson , Commissioner
Gil Haro, San Bernardino County Planning Staff
Brian Esgate, City Engineering Staff
Myrna Lindahl
Martine Gerg, Secretary
ABSENT: Vern Andress , Commissioner
Tom Rivera, Commissioner
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Commissioner Bartel ,
and oral roll call .
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MARCH 10, 1980
PCM-80-27 MOTION was made by Commissioner Collins , seconded by Commissioner
Bartel and carried unanimously to approve the Minutes of March 10,
1980 as presented.
APPEAL OF CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL - MS E79-0741
Proposal : Appeal of Conditions of approval required for a Minor
Subdivision creating 2 parcels on 5.15 acres.
Location: W/s of Mt. Vernon Avenue, approximately 750 feet N/o
Barton Road.
File/Index: MS/79-0378/E244-119/MSE79-0741
Applicant: Grand Terrace Congregational Church
Representative: Phyllis Ann Forbes
Staff, Gil Haro, made a presentation including analysis, findings ,
and a recommendation to uphold the Planning Department's action requir-
ing the condition's of approval as stated in Staff's letter to Phyllis
Forbes dated February 13, 1980, (letter on file in the City Clerk's
Office).
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Mrs. Ian Smith, 11914 Mt. Vernon , corrected staff's statement of
the zoning on the North side being rural residential with an
approved tentative map, Tract 9359. She stated there is no
Tract Map on the North side. Staff noted and concurred with the
error.
In November, the appellant submitted a request to create two parcels
by adjusting the lot line. Application was approved subject to con-
ditions. The appellant, after this application was approved, reques-
ted Staff to delete certain conditions of approval . Staff deleted
the condition requiring dedication and improvement of sixty feet
of road right of way. Staff also reduced the required width of the
sidewalk to be installed along Mt. Vernon Avenue from 122 to 6z feet.
The appellant is now requesting the City Planning Commission to
waive the following conditions of approval as required by the letter
of February 13, 1980 from Planner Gil Haro to Mrs. Forbes :
a) Waiver of the required width of the sidewalk from 6z to 4 feet
(condition #1 ) .
b) Waiver of requirements for improvement of the road to be located
on the South side of parcel two (condition #3) .
c) Waiver of the parcel map survey requirement (condition #8) .
Engineering Staff, Brian Esgate, made a presentation , stating the
drainage is generally to the Southwest. There is a 30-foot drainage
easement which allows access to a private street for the outlet of
drainage water on the Southwest corner.
Also discussed were sidewalks on the side and front of the church.
The City has adopted a policy to install 6 foot sidewalks next to the
curb to avoid parkways.
Chairman Tetley called upon the Applicant for input to the hearing.
SUPPORTING TESTIMONY
Phyllis Ann Forbes, 12161 Dos Rios , stated the church is requesting a
lot line adjustment to create two parcels enabling them to sell one
parcel to satisfy the church's debt. Requested lowering the sidewalk
requirement from 62 feet to 4 feet.
Mrs. Forbes also requested consideration be given to repaving the
present driveway, rather than building a new road. Requested the
church be allowed to provide parking behind the building, so the
area adjacent to the church could be used for a Community Park.
Mrs. Forbes stated that she felt that the requirement for a survey
map should be waived because they already have a recorded survey
map and nothing has been done to the property since that time. The
metal stakes are still in place. Stated they don't feel the requested
conditions are unreasonable, however, they are concerned the costs
involved to meet the conditions will be excessive.
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Commissioner Watson arrived at 7:07 p.m.
Staff, Brian Esgate, stated the existing road could possibly be
used if it was strengthened; an entryway would have to be put in
including curb returns and the driveway would have to be removed.
Staff will agree to reducing sidewalk width to 4 feet on Mt. Vernon
only; this means there will be a parkway. Recommend the required
sidewalk on the South side of proposed parcel to remain 62 feet
wide. Mr. Esgate stated that the survey map requirement could not
be waived.
Mrs. Ian Smith , 11914 Mt. Vernon stated that all the property stakes
had been located. One was located at the front corner of the property
and two were located on the side.
Doug Barrow, 11901 Holly Court, stated he plans to purchase the pro-
perty, contingent upon the lot split and all necessary conditions of
approval being met. He expressed concern about buying the property
if it were to be landlocked or with possible future litigation
problems.
Hubert Webb, 3788 McCuan St. , Riverside Engineer for Douq Barrow,
asked if a road way could be constructed from Mt. Vernon Westerly to
the Western property line which would meet the City standards.
Chairman Tetley closed Public Hearing.
In discussion , the Commission discussed improvements of the exist-
ing road and how it could be improved to meet the City standards.
They discussed the sidewalk and maintenance of the parkway.
Following discussion , MOTION was made by Commissioner Collins , Secon-
ded by Commissioner Schuster that the sidewalks be 6z feet on the
South side and 4 feet with parkway on the East side. Motion failed
with Ayes from Commissioners Collins and Schuster and Noe votes from
Commissioners McDowell , DeBenedet, Bartel and Watson.
PCM-80-28 MOTION was made by Commissioner Collins to require a 62 foot sidewalk
on the South side of proposed parcel two and a 4 foot sidewalk with
a maintained parkway to be required along Mt. Vernon Avenue. Motion
was seconded by Commissioner Bartel and carried unanimously.
Discussion was held on the clarification of the word "maintained".
PCM-80-29 MOTION by Commissioner Collins , seconded by Commissioner Schuster an
carried unanimously to define the word "maintain" as "planting with
green living things"
PCM-80-30 MOTION by Commissioner McDowell , seconded by Commissioner Schuster
and carried unanimously that Condition #3, pavement structural sec-
tion be determined by City design methods. If the road does not
qualify to City standards , then it shall be improved to meet the City
standards.
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PCM-80-31 MOTION was made by Commissioner McDowell , seconded by Commissioner
Watson and carried unanimously that upon completion of all other
conditions , a Parcel Map of the proposed division shall be recorded
with the County Recorder pursuant to provisions of the State Map
Act.
APPROVAL OF TENTATIVE TRACT 9772 and 9773
Proposal : a) 95 lots in 3 phases on 40 acres
b) 68 lots in 3 phases on 45 acres
Location: a) E/s Canal Dr. extending between Palm Avenue and DeBerry
Street.
b) E/s Canal Drive extending between DeBerry Street and
Van Buren Street.
File/Index: a) SUB/80-0043/E228-121/TR 9772-1 , 9772-2 & 9772.
b) SUB/80-0042/E228-123/TR 9773-1 , 977302 & 9773.
Applicant: Griffin Development Co.
Engineer: WES Engineering Co.
Staff, Gil Haro, made a presentation including analysis , findings and
a recommendation that all 3 phases of each tract be approved subject
to the attached conditions ; adopt the negative declaration and
instruct the City Clerk to issue a Notice of Determination. The
proposed tracts are located between Palm and DeBerry and designated
residential 2-4 dwelling units per acre.
The proposal is for two separate tracts both to be developed in three
phases. These tracts were originally approved by the County Planning
Commission in 1977 and the approval expired after the 22 year time
period so the application was refiled in January of this year.
Observation and Canal Drive will be vacated as of recordation of the
map. Concern was expressed about drainage.
Staff, Brian Esgate, explained that the drainage flow will be inter-
cepted with concrete line channels with sufficient size to carry what-
ever is necessary for engineering hydraulics. He felt the new tract
will help prevent the mud problem on DeBerry and Palm Streets because
there would no longer be plowed land there. Mr. Esgate stated that
they will require enough slope on the drains to prevent them from
becoming clogged.
Discussion was held on the landscaping of the slopes. Griffin
Development will have to bond for the landscaping prior to record-
ation which will ensure the landscaping be done before the expira-
tion of the bond.
Chairman Tetley called upon the applicant for input to the hearing.
SUPPORTING TESTIMONY:
Bill Gatlin , 3272 N. "E" Street, San Bernardino, representing Griffin
Development and WES Engineering stated that on the slope bank on the
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Westerly side of Tract 9772, there is an existing flood control drain
which was built in conjunction with Tract 9545 which would handle any
runoff. Mr. Gatlin stated the property behind the Junior High School
is currently in escrow and Griffin Development has the deposit from
the City of Grand Terrace.
Mr. Gatlin stated that a major flood control storm runoff program has
been initiated for underground structures running the entire length
of DeBerry and eventually dropping into an existing storm drain
facility on Mt. Vernon.
Chairman Tetley called for opposing testimony.
OPPOSING TESTIMONY:
George Forbes , 12161 Dos Rios asked if the existing drainage on
property on Dos Rios Avenue will be continued to be used for drainage.
Mr. Gatlin stated it would be continued to be used, but once the
streets are constructed, the drainage will be changed so that very
few lots near the drainage channel will contribute to it.
Phyllis Ann Forbes , 12161 Dos Rios asked who will maintain the drainage.
Mr. Gatlin explained that once the Tracts are in, the drainage will no
longer exist. It will be carried by the streets to Observation
and onto the storm facilities that have already been approved. The
phases of the storm drains have been planned to coincide with the
phases of the tracts.
Mr. Z. A. Queyrel , 12243 Dos Rios expressed concern with the street
runoff.
APPLICANT REBUTTAL
Mr. Gatlin stated the planned design for carrying water out of the tract
will be much better than the present sheet flow from the orange groves.
Chairman Tetley closed Public Hearing.
Is discussion, the Commission discussed the drainage situation, layouts
and floor plans , fencing and roofs.
Ed Clark, Administrative Services/Finance Officer stated the City will
be responsible for maintaining the storm drains.
Mayor Tony Petta also spoke about his concern on the drainage situation.
MOTION was made by Commissioner Collins and seconded by Commissioner
Watson that the matter be tabled until a future date for architectural
study. The motion failed to carry, with Commissioners Bartel , DeBenedet,
McDowell , Schuster, and Watson voting Noe and Commissioner Collins
voting Aye.
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Further discussion held on the drainage and its maintenance.
Engineering staff, Brian Esgate, explained that the tract will
vastly reduce the amount of flow in the ditch and the source of mud
in the ditches and streets. Stated the City is not in a position
to accept responsibility for maintenance of drainage.
Commissioner Schuster read Condition #33 which states that Griffin
Development would be subject to recourse if they were to affect the
downstream residents.
MOTION was made by Commissioner Collins to add a condition that any
elevation difference greater than 3 feet be provided with retaining
walls. Motion died for lack of a second.
Dale Griffin , 11971 Preston Street, applicant, stated that this was
totally unnecessary. He explained that a retaining wall is mainly
to retain an embankment in a vertical situation.
PCM-80-32 MOTION by Commissioner McDowell , based upon material in the staff report
including the findings and the testimony received, to approve Ten-
tative Tract 9772-1 , 9772-2 , and 9772 and Tentative Tract 9773-1 ,
9773-2, and 9773 subject to the attached conditions; adopt the Neqative
Declaration and instruct the City Clerk to issue a Notice of Determin-
ation. (Copy of Staff Report dated 3/24/80 on file in City Clerk' s
Office) , seconded by Commissioner DeBenedet and carried by Aye votes
of Commissioners Bartel , DeBenedet, McDowell , Schuster and Watson , and
a Noe vote from Commissioner Collins.
ADJOURN TO PUBLIC WORK SESSION
The regular meeting of the Planning Commission adjourned to Public
Work Session at 8:48 p.m. The Public Work Session adjourned at
10:00 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission will
be held on Monday, April 14, 1980, at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
S etc 4ey
Approved:
f
airm
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