HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes - 1972/07/11 - Regular"
I N I T I A T I O N
I 1 . C A L L T O O R D E R
P L A N N I N G C O M M I S S I O N M I N U T E S
J u l y 1 1 , 1 9 7 2
T h e r e g u l a r m e e t i n g o f t h e P l a n n i n g C o m m i s s i o n o f t h e C i t y o f
T e m p l e C i t y w a s c a l l e d t o o r d e r b y C h a i r m a n G a r v i n a t 7 : 4 0 p . m . ,
J u l y 1 1 , 1 9 7 2 .
2 , P L E D G E O F A L L E G I A N C E
T h e P l e d g e o f A l l e g i a n c e t o t h e F l a g . w a s l e d b y C h a i r m a n G a r v i n .
3 . R O L L C A L L
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P r e s e n t : C o m m i s s i o n e r s - A t k i n s , B e c k m a n , L a w s o n , S t a r t i n , G a r v i n
A b s e n t : C o m m i s s i o n e r s - N o n e
A l s o p r e s e n t w e r e C i t y M a n a g e r K o s k i , A s s t , C i t y A t t o r n e y W h i t e ,
a n d P l a n n i n g D i r e c t o r D r a g i c e v i c h .
C o m m i s s i o n e r S t a r t i n i n f o r m e d t h e C o m m i s s i o n t h a t h e h a d t e n d e r e d
h i s r e s i g n a t i o n t o t h e C i t y C o u n c i l w h o h a d a c c e p t e d i t a t t h e i r
m e e t i n g o f J u l y 6 , 1 9 7 2 . H e e x p r e s s e d h i s a p p r e c i a t i o n f o r t h e
C o m m i s s i o n e r s ' a n d s t a f f ' s h e l p f u l n e s s , a n d t h a t h e h a d e n j o y e d
t h e o p p o r t u n i t y o f s e r v i n g o n t h e P l a n n i n g C o m m i s s i o n . T h e C o m -
m i s s i o n e r s a n d s t a f f t h a n k e d h i m f o r h i s s e r v i c e s .
I I I 4 . A P P R O V A L O F M I N U T E S
T h e r e b e i n g n o a d d i t i o n s o r c o r r e c t i o n s t o t h e m i n u t e s , C o m m i s s i o n e r
A t k i n s m o v e d t h e y b e a p p r o v e d a s w r i t t e n , s e c o n d e d b y C o m m i s s i o n e r
L a w s o n , M o t i o n p a s s e d .
5 , P U B L I C H E A R I N G : Z O N E V A R I A N C E C A S E N O . 7 2 - 3 7 4
M r . B r i a n B o l i s - O w n e r
2 2 5 N o r t h E l M o l i n o " S t r e e t
A l h a m b r a , C a l i f .
M r . O d i e V a u g h t - A p p l i c a n t
6 1 0 8 N o r t h L o m a A v e n u e
T e m p l e C i t y , C a l i f .
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S i t e : 6 0 2 9 N o r t h P r i m r o s e A v e n u e
P l a n n i n g D i r e c t o r s t a t e d n o t i c e s h a d b e e n . s e n t o u t a s r e q u i r e d b y
l a w , a n d g a v e t h e s t a f f r e p o r t , s a y i n g t h e a p p l i c a n t p r o p o s e s t o
c o n s t r u c t a f i v e - u n i t a p a r t m e n t b u i l d i n g w i t h l e s s t h a n r e q u i r e d o f f - . '
s t r e e t p a r k i n g s p a c e s , d r i v e w a y - w i d t h a n d o p e n s p a c e a r e a . T h e p r o p e r t y
i s z o n e d R - 3 , ( M u l t i p l e R e s i d e n t i a l ) . T h i s c a s e h a d b e e n c o n s i d e r e d
b y t h e M i n o r Z o n i n g M o d i f i c a t i o n C o m m i t t e e o n J u n e 1 3 , 1 9 7 2 , a n d
a p p r o v e d s u b j e c t t o t h e P l a n n i n g C o m m i s s i o n r e v i e w . T h e P l a n n i n g
C o m m i s s i o n , a t t h e i r r e g u l a r m e e t i n g t h e s a m e d a y , a p p e a l e d t h e g r a n t -
i n g o f t h e c a s e . P u b l i c h e a r i n g w a s o r i g i n a l l y , " s c h e d u l e d f o r J u n e 2 7 ,
1 9 7 2 , a n d u p o n a d v i c e ; o f t h e C i t y A t t o r n e y ' s . o f f i c e , r e s c h e d u l e d f o r
J u l y 1 l t h . T h e D i r e c t o r t h e n e x p l a i n e d t h e : P l o t P l a n m a r k e d E x h i b i t
" A " , s h o w i n g p r o p o s e d 5 - u n i t a p a r t m e n t b u i l d i n g w i t h f o u r 2 - b e d r o o m u n i t s
a n d o n e 2 - b e d r o o m a n d d e n u n i t , a n d a n a r c h i t e c t u r a l d r a w i n g , a n d E x h i b i t
" B " , s h o w i n g t h e s e c o n d f l o o r w i t h b a l c o n i e s . H e g a v e t h e f a c t u a l d a t a
o n t h e p r o p e r t y a n d s t a f f p r o p o s a l s , b o t h o f w h i c h a r e o n f i l e i n t h e
P l a n n i n g D e p a r t m e n t , a n d s t a t e d t h e i s s u e s . i n t h e c a s e , i . e . , o f f - s t r e e t
p a r k i n g . s p a c e s ( p r o p o s e d - 1 0 ; r e q u i r e d - 1 2 ) , o p e n s p a c e ( p r o p o s e d -
1 , 3 4 7 s q . f t . ' ; r e q u i r e d . 1 , 5 0 0 s q . f t . ) a n d d r i v e w a y w i d t h ( p r o p o s e d -
1 0 f t . ; r e q u i r e d - 1 2 f t . ) .
PLANNING COMMIIION MINUTES
MEETING OF July 11, 1972 PAGE TWO
The public hearing was declared open.
Mr. Odle Vauq, 6108 North Loma Avenue, applicant, said he had contacted
his architect and he would be willing to reduce the width of the house
to 33 ft. and construct a 12 ft. driveway. Also, he was willing to install
a balcony over garage for open space, which would mean he would meet the
open space requirements. The balcony would be usable, as he would install
a sliding glass door in the adjacent bedroom, rather than a window. Number
Iof parking spaces would remain the same.
There was no one else to speak in favor.
Those speaking against the request:
Addison Hendrix, 6012 Primrose, was concerned about the inadequate drive-
way width, and parking spaces. Construction of five units would generate
traffic in that area, and he feared a rapid turn -over of tenants. He
read a letter from Mrs, Betsy Robbins, 6015 Temple City Boulevard, on vaca-
tion at time of hearing, which letter was in opposition to the variance, and
is on file in the Planning Department. Inadequate driveway, which could be
a fire hazard, narrow lot for five units, and two -story height which she
felt would decrease property values, were her reasons for opposition.
IIICharles Stein, 807 Leslie Drive, San Gabriel, owner of property at 6006
N. Primrose, was opposed to granting any of the three deviations from
the zoning code, as this development would be setting a precedent for that
area.
Mrs. Estelle Meek, 5956 Primrose, was also concerned about setting a pre-
cedent and Temple City would have higher density and result in over- popula-
tion.
Mr. Odie Vaught offered no rebuttal, except to reiterate that he was will-
ing to provide a 12 -ft. driveway and a balcony over the garage to meet
open -space requirements, and stay with 10 parking spaces,
Commissioner Atkins moved to close public hearing, seconded by Commissioner
Beckman and passed.
Commissioner Lawson opened the closed discussion, saying he had sat on the
Minor Zoning Modification Committee when this case was originally con-
sidered. After hearing testimony of the County Fire Chief at the last Plann-
ing Commission meeting he felt the width of the driveway would not have any
bearing on fire protection in this instance, which had been one of the con-
cerns in the past. He was not opposed to 10 parking spaces instead of 12.
He would rather see two - bedroom apartments as they generally offer more
stability in their tenants than one- bedroom apartments. He felt the front
view of the complex would be aesthetically more pleasing without the bal-
cony, and he would allow the reduced open space area.
Commissioner Beckman said the property is zoned R -3, and the applicant
could meet the parking requirements by cutting the size of the units to
one - bedroom. This is poor economically as there would be more turn -over
and less stability in one- bedroom apartment rentals. He, too, felt the
width of the driveway posed no problem for fire protection. He was in
favor of requiring applicant to meet open space standards as it adds to
appearance of any development and will be usable open space for the potenti-
al occupant. He would go along with the reduced driveway width and parking
spaces.
Commissioner Atkins referred to the checklist of standards for granting a
variance, and did not feel the subject property was unique and applicant
could make reasonable use of his property. He felt "open space" should
be more than patios and balconies,- open space should be not just for the
apartment dwellers but for the whole community, for aesthetic reasons,
and would prevent overcrowding the community. He questioned that a 10 -ft.
driveway would adequately serve the proposed complex. He was against re-
ducing parking requirements. In granting this application he questioned
what would happen if the entire area followed this precedent which could
result in a high - density neighborhood with an overcrowded condition.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
MEETING OF JULY 11, 1972 PAGE THREE
Chairman Garvin said presently the Commission is studying parking require-
ents for the City 'to encourage more two- and three- bedroom units to be
built; however, he felt the parking is important as the street Is one that
can be developed into R -3 and the parking problem could multiply. He had
no objection to the balcony being added to meet open space requirements.
The moment you start diminishing open space in one development, others
will follow and the problem will be compounded. He was not convinced a
10 ft. driveway would be adequate, and until such time as this fact can
IIIbe determined, he was against reducing the driveway width. He emphasized
he was not against the density on the street if developed to City standards;
however, when granting a. variance for three items in one application there
could be a series of such applications for 50 ft. lots and some major prob-
lems might develop.
Commissioner Beckman moved to grant Variance 72 -374 subject to staff re-
commendations, that adequate open space be provided, the driveway width
be increased to•12 ft, as required, and parking remain at 10 spaces. Com-
missioner Lawson seconded the motion. Roll call vote resulted in Commis-
sioners Atkins and Garvin voting against the motion, and Commissioners
Beckman and Lawson for it. Motion lost.
Commissioner Atkins moved to deny Zone Variance 72 -374 as granting this
IDvariance would be contrary to the General Plan and constitute bad preced-
ence. Motion was seconded by Chairman Garvin as it does not meet the
conditions of granting a variance. A roll call vote resulted in Commis -
sioners Beckman and Lawson voting against, and. Atkins and Garvin voting
in favor of the motion. Motion lost.
Asst. City Attorney White read Section 9209 of the Temple City Zoning Code
with reference to procedure to follow when Planning Commission is unable
to reach determination as to zone variance, said variance automatically
goes to the Council after 40 days. An alternative to this procedure would
be to continue the matter until the next meeting with the possibility of
IIIa new Commissioner being appointed in the meantime who could break the tie.
Commissioner Beckman moved to deny the application only to avoid holding
up the applicant's ability to appeal the decision to the City Council.
Commissioner Atkins seconded, and a roll call vote resulted in Commissioners
Atkins, Beckman and Garvin voting for the motion, and Lawson against. Mo-
tion carried.
Asst. City Attorney White read Resolution 72- 464PC, A RESOLUTION OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE CITY DENYING VARIANCE IN ZONE
VARIANCE CASE NO. 72 -374. Commissioner Lawson moved to waive further
reading and adopt, seconded by Commissioner Beckman and passed.
6. COMMUNICATIONS
Director Dragicevich referred to Public Hearing Notice on Regional
Planning Commission Zoning Case Np. 5898 -(5) for a change of zone
from R -A to R -3 for an 0.9 acre parcel on the south side of Green-
wood Avenue west of Rosemead Boulevard. Commissioners instructed
staff to send letter of objection to development under present
County standards for R -3, which the Commission felt are inadequate,
and the area will become over - developed.
7. TIME FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO SPEAK - There was no one.
8. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Commercial property at 9901 -05 Las Tunas Drive (Pit Stop)
The Planning Director read report of changes, if any, that had
taken place since the March 22, 1971, inspection. The City has
received complaints from staff and from merchants regarding the
maintenance of this property. Property owner was contacted over
a year ago on this matter. The Director referred to a map showing
location of buildings on the property. He told the Commission
they could proceed under the Property Nuisance Ordinance to improve
the entire property, or under the Rehabilitation Board Ordinance
and this approach would improve one structure.
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P L A N N I N G C O M M I S S I O N M I N U T E S
M E E T I N G O F J u l y 1 1 , 1 9 7 2 P A G E F O U R
M r . A r t N i c h o l s o n , o w n e r o f s u b j e c t p r o p e r t y , a d d r e s s e d t h e C o m -
m i s s i o n , e x p l a i n i n g h e w a s u n a b l e t o r e n t a p o r t i o n o f h i s p r o p e r t y
b e c a u s e h i s b u s i n e s s i s n o n c o n f o r m i n g a n d t h e C i t y w i l l n o t a l l o w
a n o t h e r b u s i n e s s t o l o c a t e t h e r e . M e t h o d s o f c o r r e c t i n g t h i s s i t u a -
t i o n w e r e e x p l a i n e d t o h i m . C h a i r m a n G a r v i n r e v i e w e d c o n d i t i o n s
t h a t a r e c o n t r a r y t o p r o v i s i o n s o f S e c t i o n 9 4 8 0 o f t h e M u n c i p a l
C o d e o f t h e C i t y . . M r . N i c h o l s o n a g r e e d t o d e m o l i t i o n o f s t r u c t u r e
a t 9 9 0 5 L a s T u n a s D r i v e , a l l r e p a i r s w i l l b e c o n d u c t e d w i t h i n a n
e n c l o s e d s t r u c t u r e , p a r k i n g s p a c e s d e s i g n a t e d , b o r d e r b a r r i c a d e s
b e i n s t a l l e d a l o n g . s t r e e t f r o n t a g e , . n e c c s s a r Z ' p e r m i t s o b t a i r n e d . f o r
s h e d s t r u c t u r e . H e d i d n o t a g r e e t o l a n d s c a p i n g , r e s u r f a c i n g o f
p a r k i n g l o t , i n s t a l l a t i o n o f d o o r s o n w o r k b a y s .
C o m m i s s i o n e r A t k i n s e x p r e s s e d t h e o p i n i o n t h a t t h e m a t t e r m u s t b e
r e s o l v e d , a n d t h e c o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d p r o c e e d w i t h i n t h e f o r m a t o f
t h e P u b l i c N u i s a n c e O r d i n a n c e . H e t h e r e f o r e m o v e d t o a d o p t
R e s o l u t i o n t o c o n d u c t a p u b l i c h e a r i n g o n t h i s m a t t e r a n d s e t t h e
h e a r i n g f o r A u g u s t 2 2 n d m e e t i n g . M o t i o n w a s s e c o n d e d b y C o m -
m i s s i o n e r B e c k m a n a n d p a s s e d .
A s s t . C i t y A t t o r n e y W h i t e r e a d t i t l e t o R e s o l u t i o n N o . 7 2 - 4 6 5 P C ,
A R E S O L U T I O N O F T H E P L A N N I N G C O M M I S S I O N O F T H E C I T Y O F T E M P L E C I T Y
D E C L A R I N G I T S I N T E N T T O C O N D U C T A P U B L I C H E A R I N G T O D E T E R M I N E T H E
E X I S T E N C E O F A P U B L I C N U I S A N C E . C o m m i s s i o n e r B e c k m a n m o v e d t o
w a i v e f u r t h e r r e a d i n g a n d a d o p t , s e c o n d e d b y C o m m i s s i o n e r A t k i n s
a n d p a s s e d ,
C i t y M a n a g e r K o s k i s u g g e s t e d t o M r . N i c h o l s o n t h a t h e g e t t o g e t h e r
w i t h s t a f f t o w o r k o u t a s o l u t i o n t o t h e m a t t e r i n t h e i n t e r i m
p e r i o d , a n d p i c k u p a c o p y o f t h e r e s o l u t i o n w h i c h s p e l l s o u t t h e
m e t h o d s o f a b a t e m e n t o f c o n d i t i o n s c o n t r a r y t o t h e M u n i c i p a l C o d e .
B . M i n o r Z o n i n g M o d i f i c a t i o n 7 2 - 1 9 : P l a n n i n g D i r e c t o r r e p o r t e d t h i s
c a s e h a d b e e n h e a r d t h a t a f t e r n o o n . A p p l i c a n t h a d r e q u e s t e d
a p p r o v a l t o c o n s t r u c t a f e n c e i n e x c e s s o f p e r m i t t e d h e i g h t i n
t h e r e q u i r e d f r o n t y a r d a r e a . T h e b a c k g r o u n d o f t h e c a s e w a s
g i v e n . T h e . r e q u e s t w a s g r a n t e d b y t h a t C o m m i t t e e w i t h t h e p r o -
v i s i o n t h a t a c o v e n a n t b e s i g n e d b y t h e a p p l i c a n t , a n d r e c o r d e d ,
t o t h e e f f e c t t h a t t h e O l i v e S t r e e t f r o n t a g e w o u l d b e r e t a i n e d
a s t h e f r o n t y a r d . T h e C o m m i s s i o n e r s c o n c u r r e d w i t h t h e d e c i s i o n
o f t h e C o m m i t t e e .
C . P l a n n i n g D i r e c t o r g a v e r e p o r t o n t h r e e z o n i n g v i o l a t i o n s b r o u g h t
t o t h e s t a f f ' s a t t e n t i o n a t t h e l a s t P l a n n i n g C o m m i s s i o n m e e t i n g .
Q u e s t i o n w a s r a i s e d a s t o t h e t i m e a l l o w e d t o c o r r e c t a v i o l a t i o n ,
a n d i n - t h e d i s c u s s i o n t h a t f o l l o w e d i t w a s d e t e r m i n e d t o a d o p t a
p o l i c y o f f i r s t n o t i c e g r a n t i n g a l 0 - d a y o r 2 - w e e k p e r i o d ( d e p e n d -
i n g o n t y p e o f v i o l a t i o n ) , a n d s e c o n d n o t i c e e x t e n d i n g t h a t p e r i o d
a n a d d i t i o n a l 2 0 d a y s i f t h e o f f e n d i n g p a r t y c o n t a c t s s t a f f i n
r e s p o n s e t o t h e f i r s t n o t i c e , o r h a s e x t e n u a t i n g c i r c u m s t a n c e s .
T h e r e a f t e r t h e v i o l a t i o n i s s e n t t o t h e a t t e n t i o n o f t h e C i t y
A t t o r n e y f o r h a n d l i n g t h r o u g h t h e D i s t r i c t A t t o r n e y ' s o f f i c e .
M r . C h a r l e s S t e i n , 6 0 0 6 P r i m r o s e , r e c a l l e d t h e z o n e v i o l a t i o n a t
6 0 0 0 P r i m r o s e , a w o m a n w h o h a d n i n e G r e a t D a n e d o g s , a n d t h e
v i o l a t i o n w a s f i n a l l y t u r n e d o v e r t o t h e D i s t r i c t A t t o r n e y , a n d
t h e l e n g t h o f t i m e r e q u i r e d t o c o r r e c t t h i s o n e v i o l a t i o n .
T h e C o m m i s s i o n e r s c o n c u r r e d t h a t t a k i n g a . v i o l a t o r t o c o u r t w a s a
l o n g d r a w n - o u t p r o c e s s a n d g a v e t h e C i t y b a d p u b l i c i t y , a n d i t
w o u l d b e b e t t e r t o h a n d l e i t a t t h e s t a f f l e v e l , i f p o s s i b l e , o r
t h r o u g h l e t t e r f r o m t h e C i t y A t t o r n e y ' s o f f i c e .
C . N o t i c e o f a S u r v i v a l S c h o o l o n A u g u s t 7 , 8 , 9 , 1 9 7 2 , a t t h e
A m b a s s a d o r H o t e l , L o s A n g e l e s , w a s r e f e r r e d t o , a n d e a c h C o m -
m i s s i o n e r w a s p r o v i d e d w i t h a p p l i c a t i o n f o r m i f t h e y d e c i d e d
t o a t t e n d .
_PLANNING. COMMISSION MINUTES
MEETING 'OF Ju.l y 1 1 , 1972
9. ADJOURNMENT
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PAGE FIVE
There being no further business, Chairman Garvin announced the
meeting would adjourn to a study.session and thence to the next
regular meeting on July 25, 1972. Time of adjournment was .9:15 p,m.
ATTEST:
Lc--y?
Sec re ary
J