HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes - 1979/10/23 - Regular"
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
O c t o b e r 2 3 , 1 9 7 9
I N I T I A T I O N
1 . C A L L T O O R D E R
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 a t 7 : 3 0 p . m . , O c t o b e r 2 3 , 1 9 7 9 ,
b y C h a i r m a n B r e a z e a l .
2 . P L E D G E O F A L L E G I A N C E
C h a i r m a n B r e a z e a l l e d 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 .
3 . R O L L C A L L :
P r e s e n t : C o m m i s s i o n e r s A b r a h a m , L a w s o n , S e i b e r t , S t a c y , B r e a z e a l
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 : A s s t . C i t y M g r . P u c c i , C i t y A t t o r n e y M a r t i n 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 .
4 . A P P R O V A L O F M I N U T E S : R e g u l a r M e e t i n g o f O c t o b e r 9 , 1 9 7 9
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
S e i b e r t m o v e d t o a p p r o v e t h e m a s w r i t t e n . 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 A b r a h a m a n d c a r r i 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 9 - 5 6 5
B . B . B e n d e r - O w n e r / A p p l i c a n t
9 0 9 4 E a s t L a s T u n a s D r i v e
T e m p l e C i t y , C a l i f o r n i a
S i t e : 9 0 9 4 E a s t L a s T u n a s D r i v e
Z o n e : C - 2 , G e n e r a l C o m m e r c i a l
D i r e c t o r D r a g i c e v i c h g a v e t h e s t a f f r e p o r t , s a y i n g a p p l i c a n t p r o p o s e s t o
u s e a n e x i s t i n g b u i l d i n g i n a C - 2 z o n e f o r i n v e n t o r y s t o r a g e u s e , b u i l d
a n e w s t r u c t u r e w i t h r e d u c e d n u m b e r o f p a r k i n g s p a c e s a n d r e a r y a r d s e t b a c k .
H e r e v i e w 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 e x i s t i n g a n d p r o p o s e d
d e v e l o p m e n t . T h e e x i s t i n g b u i l d i n g h a s 1 5 , 3 0 0 s q . f t . o f b u i l d i n g w i t h a n
o f f i c e s p a c e o f 1 7 0 0 s q . f t . , a n d i s v a c a n t . P r o p o s e d i s a n e w i n v e n t o r y
s t o r a g e b u i l d i n g w i t h 8 8 0 0 s q . f t . o f f l o o r a r e a . T h e p r o p o s e d n e w b u i l d -
i n g w i l l b e s i m i l a r , a s t o d e s i g n a n d q u a l i t y , t o t h e e x i s t i n g b u i l d i n g .
P r o p o s e d a r e 2 8 p a r k i n g s p a c 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 s u b j e c t
d r o p e r t y a n d s u r r o u n d i n g a r e a , a n d s a i d a N e g a t i v e D e c l a r a t i o n o f E n v i r o n -
m e n t a l I m p a c t h a d b e e n f i l e d a s t h e p r o p o s e d u s e i s n o t e x p e c t e d t o h a v e
a n y a d v e r s e i m p a c t u p o n t h e e n v i r o n m e n t , a s d e f i n e d b y t h e C a l i f o r n i a
E n v i r o n m e n t a l Q u a l i t y A c t o f 1 9 7 0 , a s a m e n d e d .
T h e P l a n n i n g D i r e c t o r g a v e a P l a n n i n g A n a l y s i s o f t h e r e q u e s t , a n d r e v i e w e d
t h e s t a f f p r o p o s a l s , i f t h e r e q u e s t i s g r a n t e d , a d d i n g o n e , t h a t a l l C i t y
r e g u l a t i o n s s h a l l b e c o m p l i e d w i t h a t a l l t i m e s . H e c o n c l u d e d b y s a y i n g
t h e r e w e r e t h r e e i s s u e s i n v o l v e d : 1 ) s t o r a g e o r w a r e h o u s e p r o p o s e d i n C - 2
( a l l o w e d i n M - 1 ) , 2 ) n u m b e r o f p a r k i n g s p a c e s - p r o p o s e d i s 2 8 , r e q u i r e d
i s 3 1 , a n d 3 ) r e a r y a r d s e t b a c k - p r o p o s e d i s 0 ' , r e q u i r e d i s 5 ' .
R e p l y i n g t o q u e s t i o n f r o m C h a i r m a n B r e a z e a l , t h e D i r e c t o r s a i d p r o p o s e d
s t o r a g e w i l l c o n s i s t o f r e t a i l i t e m s f r o m t h e l o c a l m e r c h a n t s , r e t a i l
t r a d e i t e m s . A l l s t o r a g e w i l l b e w i t h i n t h e b u i l d i n g s . T h e r e a s o n f o r
r e q u e s t i n g v a r i a n c e f r o m t h e 5 f t . s e t b a c k w a s t o e l i m i n a t e a m a i n t e n a n c e
p r o b l e m f o r t h a t 5 f t . b e h i n d t h e b u i l d i n g . T h e b u i l d i n g w i l l b e 1 2 - 1 4 f t .
i n h e i g h t a n d c o n s t r u c t e d o f m a s o n r y .
C o m m i s s i o n e r S t a c y a s k e d i f t h e a p p l i c a n t h a d a n y c o m m i t t m e n t s f o r t h e
u s e o f t h e p a r k i n g s p a c e s b y a n y o n e o t h e r t h a n t h o s e u s i n g t h e s u b j e c t
f a c i l i t i e s , a n d t h e D i r e c t o r r e p l i e d t h e r e w e r e n o c o m m i t t m e n t s h e k n e w o f .
T h e P u b l i c H e a r i n g w a s d e c l a r e d o p e n .
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
MEETING OF OCTOBER 23, 1979 PAGE TWO
Mr. Charles Chivetta, representing the applicant, 106 E. Longden
Avenue, Arcadia,said that, while the C -2 zone does not permit inventory
storage use, it does permit frozen food lockers, catalog stores and
trading stamp redemption centers which can be considered similar uses,
The property in question is not conducive to retail sales use because
of its unique location. The applicant had contacted local businessmen
and determined that an inventory storage use would be appropriate for
the site because of its central location which makes it easily accessible
to the retail merchants of the City. Presently local merchants, in some
instances, are storing excess merchandise in residential garages, which
action results in more on- street parking.
With reference to the variance for eliminating the rear setback, the
configuration of the property makes it difficult to determine the rear
property line. The zero setback would prevent a possible law enforce-
ment problem by eliminating a strip of land where concealment of vandals
would be possible. Further, the building on the property line would
act as a wall for abutting properties and would eliminate two such walls
with the area between them possibly developing into a trash area. The
effect of the building wall upon abutting properties as to light, air
and sound insulation is not significant because of the design of the
building and the site's east -west orientation. Mr. Chivetta presented a
sun -shade analysis of the property in relation to abutting properties,
saying the proposed building would have little effect upon surrounding
properties. In accordance with Temple City building laws, a one -hour
fire wall will be provided along the property line, with no_openings,
and such wall will provide an adequate buffer for noise from within the
building and from Las Tunas Drive.
With reference to the required parking spaces, Mr. Chivetta said that,
eliminating square footage for walls, restroom and heating rooms, a
total of 950 sq. ft. of unusable floor space, the proposed parking would
be adequate. The applicant and he had read the proposed conditions and
additional ones proposed this evening, and were in agreement, but wanted
clarification of two of the conditions.
Chairman Breazeal stated that parking requirements are computed on the
gross, not net square footage per Section 9291 of the Zoning Ordinance,
Mr. Bender, 1114 Rancho Road, responding to questions from the Commissioners
said storage would consist of excess inventory of local merchants, depend-
ing on who desires storage, but will be nothing that would annoy adjacent
residents. Most of the storage will be floor storage but there might be
shelf storage if the need arises. Hours of operation would probably be
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., six days a week. Presently only he and his secretary
park at the location and he has no committments to lease any of the
spaces, but would . not be adverse to such an arrangement for financial
consideration. He did not know how many customers or employees the use
would generate, but he estimated there would be one or two people there
at any one time. He plans a simple storage operation where the merchant
would store his items and retrieve them when he needed them.
Mr. John Conover, 5655 Sultana Avenue, owner of 9108 and 9110 Las Tunas
Drive, said he has owned these properties for 23 years and during that
time the subject property has had several owners. Mr. Bender has cleaned
up the property, and has done some remodeling. Prior to his ownership,
the property was a problem, because of trash and undesirable activities
on it. Regarding the request to eliminate the 5 ft. rear setback, he was
in favor, as the 5 ft. area, if required, would be a depository for trash
and debris. He was in favor of granting the variance.
Aarianne Milch, Manager of the Temple City Chamber of Commerce, said Mr.
Bender has cleaned and improved the property considerably, and, unfortunatel
it is not visible from Las Tunas Drive. She had discussed with him the neec
for a storage facility in the City. Private garages for storage are scarce,
and many times not waterproof, with merchandise being ruined in rainy
weather. The location of the subject property is in close proximity to
the local merchants who need additional storage space.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
MEETING OF October 23, 1979 PAGE THREE
Mr. Guillermo Rey, 10403 Tujunga Canyon Blvd., Tujunga, owner of
9100 -9106 Las Tunas Drive, said that Previously the subject property
was a disgrace, and Mr. Bender has improved it greatly. He was in
favor of the proposed project, and said he would be interested in
renting a couple of the parking spaces.
Mr. John Spielmann, owner of the Temple City Bike Shop at 9574 Las
Tunas Drive, said the proposed facility, if approved, would be very
helpful to him. He needs temporary storage for his bicycles as he now
has to order in larger quantities, enough for six months at a time.
This type of facility is sorely needed.
Mrs. Frances wilson, 26 Hampton Court, Alhambra, said she and her hus-
band own the property at 9090 -9092 Las Tunas Drive, and her husband had
addressed a letter to the City in favor of the proposal. Chairman
Breazeal read the letter which is on file in the Planning Department.
In opposition:
Mrs. Parker Worthy, 100 W. Winnie Way, Arcadia, owner of 5730 - 302 -32 Noel
Drive, objected to elimination of the 5 ft. rear setback. This 5 ft.
space could be used by the applicant for the storage of dollies, so it
would not be wasted. The proposed building would, she felt, cut off
more sun from the area.
Mr. James Wheeler, 10257 La Rosa Drive,owner of 5736 -382 Noel Drive,
opposed the location of the building on the property line. Setting the
building back the required 5 ft. would still give the applicant suffi-
cient room for the storage space needed. He did not object to the
development as such, only the elimination of the required setback. In
response to Commissioner Abraham's question, Mr. Wheeler said his garages
are on the property line.
There was no one else to speak in opposition.
In rebuttal, Mr. Chivetta, representing the applicant, said Mrs. Worthy's
property is one lot removed from the subject property and the proposed
building will not cut off her light or air. With reference to Mr.
Wheeler's objections, his garages are on the property line and there will
be no detriment to his building by this proposal.
Commissioner Seibert moved to close public hearing, seconded by Commissioner
Stacy and the motion carried.
In closed discussion Commissioner Lawson said the subject property is
unique and there are unusual circumstances applicable to it. The pro-
posal will not be injurious to surrounding properties. In his opinion
the proposed parking is more than ample for this type of business. He
was in favor of building to the property line as it would be no problem
to adjacent residents. He was in favor of granting with staff conditions
as modified.
Commissioner-Seibert agreed, adding that a reduction in the parking
spaces would make access easier for larger vehicles. He,too, said the
property was unique, and the elimination of the 5 ft. setback would
eliminate a maintenance problem.
Commissioner Abraham concurred. A 5 ft. setback in this instance would
be useless. The parking proposed seems excessive for the use. The
building will serve a needed function. He preferred the installation of
a chain -link fence rather than a wall, as a non -view obscuring fence
permits the owner to see problems and take care of them. The Planning
Director demonstrated that there will be only small sections of the
perimeter of the property that will require a wall, the remainder will
be enclosed by the building walls.
Commissioner Stacy agreed the request should be granted.
Chairman Breazeal was in favor of granting the variance with the exception
of the elimination of the 5 ft. setback. That requirement is not only for
aesthetic purposes, but for fire protection. In reviewing requirements
of Section 9201 for granting the variance, he said the property is unique
in size and shape. There is no facility of this type in the City presently,
therefore applicant is not being denied what others are enjoying. He was
"
t
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 O C T O B E R 2 3 , 1 9 7 9 P A G E F O U R
i n f a v o r o f g r a n t i n g , w i t h s t a f f c o n d i t i o n s a s m o d i f i e d , a n d a d h e r i n g
t o t h e 5 f t . r e a r s e t b a c k .
C o m m i s s i o n e r S e i b e r t m o v e d t o a p p r o v e z o n e v a r i a n c e a s r e q u e s t e d , w i t h
s t a f f c o n d i t i o n s a s m o d i f i e d , i n a s m u c h a s t h e p r o p o s a l m e e t s t h e r e -
q u i r e m e n t s o f S e c t i o n 9 2 0 1 o f t h e Z o n i n g O r d i n a n c e , a n d t o a p p r o v e
f i l i n g o f t h e N e g a t i v e D e c l a r a t i o n . 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
A b r a h a m a n d c a r r i e d w i t h C o m m i s s i o n e r s A b r a h a m , L a w s o n , S e i b e r t a n d
S t a c y v o t i n g i n f a v o r . C h a i r m a n B r e a z e a l v o t e d a g a i n s t i t b e c a u s e h e
b e l i e v e s t h e 5 f t . s e t b a c k s h o u l d b e a d h e r e d t o f o r f i r e p r o t e c t i o n .
C i t y A t t o r n e y M a r t i n r e a d t i t l e t o R e s o l u t i o n N o . 7 9 - 8 6 9 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 G R A N T I N G Z O N E
V A R I A N C E I N C A S E N O . 7 9 - 5 6 5 . C o m m i s s i o n e r L a w s o n m o v e d t o a p p r o v e b y
t i t l e o n l y , s e c o n d e d b y C o m m i s s i o n e r S e i b e r t a n d c a r r i e d .
6 . P U B L I C H E A R I N G : M O D I F I C A T I O N O F C O N D I T I O N A L U S E P E R M I T 7 1 - 3 5 1
M a n f r e d a n d H e l g a W . H e r r m a n n - O w n e r s
9 4 3 6 L a s T u n a s D r i v e
T e m p l e C i t y , C a l i f o r n i a
W i l l e m K e e t e l l - A p p l i c a n t
9 0 2 5 E a s t O l i v e S t r e e t
T e m p l e C i t y , C a l i f o r n i a
S i t e : 9 4 2 6 - 9 4 2 8 E a s t L a s T u n a s D r i v e
Z o n e : C - 2 , G e n e r a l C o m m e r c i a l
D i r e c t o r D r a g i c e v i c h s a i d t h i s m o d i f i c a t i o n w a s t h e s e c o n d o n e f o r t h i s
u s e , t h e f i r s t b e i n g f o r a n a d d i t i o n , a p p r o v e d i n 1 9 7 2 . A p p l i c a n t i s
r e q u e s t i n g t o b e a l l o w e d t o s e l l a n d s e r v e w i n e i n h i s b u s i n e s s e s t a b l i s h -
m e n t . P r e s e n t l y h e i s a l l o w e d t o h a v e b e e r o n l y , i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h
R e s o l u t i o n 7 1 - 4 2 8 P C : H e r e f e r r e d t o 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 l o c a t i o n o f e x i s t i n g r e s t a u r a n t a n d t h e a d d i t i o n , a n d r e v i e w e d
s t a f f p r o p o s a l s i f t h e r e q u e s t i s g r a n t e d .
T h e P u b l i c H e a r i n g w a s d e c l a r e d o p e n .
M r . W i l l e m K e e t e l l , 9 0 2 5 E a s t O l i v e S t r e e t , s a i d t h e a d d i t i o n o f w i n e f o r
h i s c u s t o m e r s w o u l d f i l l a n e e d , a s A m e r i c a n s a r e r e q u e s t i n g w i n e r a t h e r
t h a n b e e r w i t h t h e i r m e a l s . R e s p o n d i n g t o C o m m i s s i o n e r S t a c y ' s q u e s t i o n s ,
h e s a i d h i s o p e r a t i o n i s o p e n T h u r s d a y t h r o u g h S u n d a y n i g h t s , f r o m 5 t o
9 , e x c e p t o n F r i d a y w h e n i t i s o p e n u n t i l 1 0 p . m .
M a r i a n n e M i l c h , M a n a g e r o f t h e T e m p l e C i t y C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e , s a i d M r .
K e e t e l l ' s e s t a b l i s h m e n t i s u n i q u e i n t h a t h e s p e c i a l i z e s i n E u r o p e a n a n d
I n d o n e s i a n c u i s i n e , a n d h a s c u s t o m e r s c o m e f r o m g r e a t d i s t a n c e s t o e a t
i t . S i n c e t h e r e i s a d e s i r e o n t h e p a r t o f t h e s e c u s t o m e r s t o h a v e w i n e
w i t h t h e i r m e a l s , i t w o u l d e n c o u r a g e h i s b u s i n e s s a n d c o n s e q u e n t l y w o u l d
b e g o o d f o r T e m p l e C i t y .
T h e r e b e i n g n o o n e e l s e t o s p e a k t o t h e i s s u e , C o m m i s s i o n e r S e i b e r t m o v e d
t o c l o s e P u b l i c H e a r i n g , 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 a n d c a r r i e d ,
C o m m i s s i o n e r S e i b e r t m o v e d t o a p p r o v e m o d i f i c a t i o n a n d f i l i n g o f a N e g a t i v e
D e c l a r a t i o n i n C o n d i t i o n a l U s e P e r m i t C a s e 7 1 - 3 5 1 . 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 A b r a h a m a n d c a r r i e d .
C i t y A t t o r n e y M a r t i n r e a d t i t l e t o R e s o l u t i o n 7 9 - 8 7 0 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 A P P R O V I N G M O D I F I C A T I O N
O F C O N D I T I O N A L U S E P E R M I T C A S E 7 1 - 3 5 1 . C o m m i s s i o n e r S e i b e r t m o v e d t o
a d o p t b y t i t l e o n l y , 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 a n d t h e m o t i o n c a r r i e d .
f
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PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
MEETING OF OCTOBER 23, 1979 PAGE FIVE
7. COMMUNICATIONS - There were none.
8. TIME FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO SPEAK - No one came
forward.
9. MATTERS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Front Yard Determination Case No, 79 -567
Don Capps - Owner /Applicant
5571 North Robinhood Avenue
Temple City, California
Site: 5571 North Robinhood Avenue
Zone: R -1, Single Family Residential
Director Dragicevich explained the plot plan marked Exhibit "A" show-
ing existing and proposed development. Applicant is proposing to
erect a 5 ft. high block wall, 73 ft. long from the alley to the
east, which will angle to the south, to the residential structure.
He gave the factual data of the subject property and surrounding
area and reviewed the staff proposals.
Commissioner Abraham moved to determine the front property line is
on Robinhood. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Seibert and
carried.
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Commissioner Seibert moved to
adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Lawson and motion
carried. Time of adjournment was 8:40 p.m.
Chairman