HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes - 1995/07/11 - RegularPLANNING COMMISSION
TEMPLE CITY, CALIFORNIA
MINUTES
JULY 11, 1995
INITIATION:
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
3. ROLL CALL:
Present: Commissioners Brook, Larson, Seibert and
Griffiths
Absent: Commissioner Muto
Also Present: City Manager Riley, City Attorney Martin,
Associate Planner Turner
Commissioner Seibert moved to excuse Commissioner Muto for
cause, seconded by Commissioner Larson and unanimously
carried.
4. REORGANIZATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION
Chairman Griffiths turned the meeting' over to City Manager
Riley who opened the nominations for Chairman.
Commissioner Griffiths nominated. Commissioner Seibert for the
position of Chairman, seconded by Commissioner Larson and
unanimously carried.
Chairman Seibert opened the nominations for Vice - Chairman.
Commissioner Larson nominated Commissioner. Griffiths for the
position of Vice - Chairman,, seconded by Commissioner Brook and .
unanimously carried.
5. TIME FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO SPEAK: NONE
6. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Meeting of June 13, 1995
Vice - Chairman Griffiths made a correction on page 6,
fifth paragraph to state: "Commissioner Seibert moved to
close the public hearing" and moved to approve the
Planning Commission Minutes
Date of Hearing: July 11, 1995
Page 2 •
Minutes as corrected, seconded by Commissioner Brook and
unanimously carried.
B. SIGN APPLICATION 95 -187 - 9123 BROADWAY
Chairman Seibert abstained from speaking on this matter.
Commissioner Brook moved to approve the replacement of an
existing sign at the First Lutheran Church and School
with a 7'6" high, two - sectioned, free - standing sign,
seconded by Commissioner Larson and carried.
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
A. PUBLIC HEARING: CODE AMENDMENT - CELLULAR ANTENNAS
IN THE SPECIFIC PLAN AREA WITH A
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
Site: DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN AREA
Applicant: CITY OF TEMPLE CITY
Request: A zoning code amendment to
specifically allow cellular antennas
in the Downtown Specific Plan area
subject to a conditional use permit.
City Manager Riley stated that a notice of public hearing
was duly published in the local newspaper and gave the
background information contained in the staff report
dated July 11, 1995.
City Manager Riley stated that on June 13, 1995 the
Planning Commission requested this item to be continued
in order to receive additional information regarding the
necessity of L.A. Cellular to place a cellular antenna
location in the City Center of the Downtown Specific Plan
area. The Planning Commission was furnished with a fax
received from L.A. Cellular showing their location search
ring.
City Manager Riley stated there are at least five
possible options relative to locating cellular antennas
in the Downtown Specific Plan Area: 1) permit cellular
antennas in the D.S.P. Area with approval of a C.U.P., 2 )
permit cellular antennas in the EC and WC districts with
approval of a C.U.P., 3) permit cellular antennas in the
EC and WC districts with approval of a C.U.P. and only in
the CC district if the property is fronting onto Temple
City Boulevard with approval of a C.U.P., 4) permit
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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 P a g e 3
D a t e o f H e a r i n g : J u l y 1 1 , 1 9 9 5
c e l l u l a r a n t e n n a s i n t h e r e a r o n e t h i r d o f p r o p e r t i e s
l o c a t e d i n t h e D . S . P . a r e a w i t h a C . U . P . ( o r r e q u i r e a
c e r t a i n s e t b a c k f r o m t h e f r o n t p r o p e r t y l i n e ) , o r 5 ) n o t
a l l o w c e l l u l a r a n t e n n a s i n t h e D . S . P .
T h e r e b e i n g n o q u e s t i o n s f r o m t h e C o m m i s s i o n , C h a i r m a n
S e i b e r t o p e n e d t h e p u b l i c h e a r i n g a n d i n v i t e d t h o s e i n
f a v o r o f t h e c o d e a m e n d m e n t t o s p e a k .
L e s l i e D a i g l e , L . A . C e l l u l a r , 1 7 7 8 5 C e n t e r C o u r t , N o r t h
C e r r i t o s , s t a t e d t h e s e a r c h r i n g w a s i d e n t i f i e d b y t h e
e n g i n e e r i n g d e p a r t m e n t a s t h e w o r k a b l e a r e a f o r a
f a c i l i t y i n T e m p l e C i t y . M s . D a i g l e u n d e r s t o o d a n d
a c c e p t e d t h a t t h r o u g h t h e c o n d i t i o n a l u s e p r o c e s s , t h e
C i t y w o u l d h a v e t h e a b i l i t y t o c o n t r o l t h e u s e o f t h e
s i t e t h r o u g h c e r t a i n c o n d i t i o n s .
V i c e - C h a i r m a n G r i f f i t h s s t a t e d t h e s e a r c h r i n g i s
a p p r o x i m a t e l y 2 , 0 0 0 f e e t a c r o s s a n d t h e c e n t e r o f t h e
c i r c l e i s s i t e s p e c i f i c t o L . A . C e l l u l a r ' s o r i g i n a l
r e q u e s t e d a d d r e s s . W a s t h e s i t e c h o s e n f i r s t o r t h e
s p e c i f i c a d d r e s s a n d c o u l d t h e a n t e n n a b e l o c a t e d
a n y w h e r e w i t h i n t h e s e a r c h r i n g ? H e f e l t t h a t s t a f f
s h o u l d b e g i v e n a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o s t u d y t h e s e a r c h r i n g
a n d p o s s i b l y f i n d a n o t h e r l o c a t i o n .
M s . D a i g l e s t a t e d t h e e n g i n e e r i n g d e p a r t m e n t e v a l u a t e s
t h e s e a r c h a r e a a n d t h r e e p a r t i c u l a r s i t e s w e r e t h e n
l o c a t e d b y t h e i r r e a l e s t a t e d e p a r t m e n t . L . A . C e l l u l a r
i s a l s o n o w r e s e a r c h i n g o t h e r s i t e s a s w e l l a s a C o u n t y -
o w n e d l o c a t i o n . T h e y a r e r e s e a r c h i n g a l o c a t i o n a t w h i c h
t h e y c o u l d a d h e r e t o t h e C i t y ' s r e g u l a t i o n s . T h e
l o c a t i o n m u s t w o r k f r o m a n e n g i n e e r i n g s t a n d p o i n t a n d
s h o u l d b e w i t h i n t h e s e a r c h r i n g a r e a .
C i t y M a n a g e r R i l e y s t a t e d t h a t a n u m b e r o f s i t e s i n t h e
a r e a s h o u l d b e w o r k a b l e a n d n o t r e q u i r e a n a m e n d m e n t t o
t h e D o w n t o w n S p e c i f i c P l a n ; i f t h e c o m p a n y w o u l d i n f o r m
t h e C i t y w h i c h l o c a t i o n s w o u l d w o r k , t h e s t a f f c a n w o r k
w i t h t h e m .
C h a i r m a n S e i b e r t i n v i t e d t h o s e a g a i n s t t h e c o d e a m e n d m e n t
t o s p e a k . N o o n e c a m e f o r w a r d .
C o m m i s s i o n e r B r o o k s t a t e d t h a t a n a n t e n n a o n a t h r e e -
s t o r y r o o f m a y w o r k .
C h a i r m a n S e i b e r t d i d n o t d e s i r e t h e S p e c i f i c P l a n b e
a m e n d e d a n d f e l t t h a t a s u i t a b l e s i t e c o u l d b e f o u n d
Planning Commission Minutes
Date of Hearing: July 11, 1995
Page 4
within the search ring that would not require an
amendment to the ordinance.
Ms. Daigle stated that L.A. Cellular is willing to work
through the C.U.P. process and added that the poles can
be placed to appear more pleasing.
City Manager Riley asked City Attorney Martin the
possibility of continuing this matter in order to prepare
additional options and consideration sites within the
search ring.
City Attorney Martin stated that L.A. Cellular's search
ring appeared somewhat elementary and hastily created.
He requested the applicant to provide a more detailed
street /lot map which staff may research to assist in
locating a suitable location.
Ms. Daigle answered that they will provide this
information.
Chairman Seibert stated this matter will be continued to
the Planning Commission meeting of July 25, 1995.
8. NEW BUSINESS:
A. PUBLIC HEARING:
Site:
Property Owner:
Request:
ZONE VARIANCE 95 -1237
9145 LONGDEN AVENUE
JAMES SCHMIDLING
9145 LONGDEN AVENUE
TEMPLE CITY, CA 91780
A zone variance to allow an addition
consisting of two balconies to the
second floor of an existing dwelling
which continues an existing non-
conforming three foot side yard
setback rather than the required ten
foot side yard setback in the Single
Family (R -1) zone.
Associate Planner Turner stated that notices were mailed
to property owners within 300 feet of the subject site
and gave the background information contained in the
staff report dated July 11, 1995.
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Planning Commission Minutes Page 5
Date of Hearing: July 11, 1995
Associate Planner Turner stated the Zoning Code requires
a side yard setback of 5 feet for the first floor and 10
feet for the second floor. The applicant is proposing to
construct a 375 square foot two -story addition to the
front and rear of the existing dwelling. The applicant
is requesting a variance for a three foot second story
side yard setback. Due to the fact that the second story
addition consists of open balconies, rather than enclosed
living space, the staff is recommending approval of the
request.
Chairman Seibert asked if the outside staircase is
existing.
Associate Planner Turner answered the staircase would be
new.
There being no further questions from the Commission,
Chairman Seibert opened the public hearing and invited
those in favor of the project to speak.
James Schmidlinci, 9145 Longden Avenue, stated the house
is a Spanish /Colonial style. They have researched the
style and wish to restore the home in keeping with this
style. The home was built prior to the existing
ordinances, with a three foot side yard. Mr. Schmidling
stated the second story setback was meant to deal with
"mansionism" types of additions, however, this is not the
case with his home. . They plan to build a front courtyard
and the project will improve the home. The F.A.R. ratio
is under 24% and the configuration of the house will be
the same, with three bedrooms. Mr. Schmidling added that
balconies are an attractive feature of Spanish styled
homes and will not be a habitable living area.
City Attorney Martin stated that past problems have
occurred when property owners turned open balconies into
living space.
Mr. Schmidling stated the outside rear staircase will be
used mainly, for convenience of their grown daughter who
is living at home and for emergency fire safety.
Chairman Seibert invited those opposed to the project to
speak. No one came forward.
There being no one else to speak for or against the item,
Vice- Chairman Griffiths moved to close the public
hearing, seconded by Commissioner Larson and unanimously
carried.
Planning Commission Minutes
Date of Hearing: July 11, 1995
Page 6 •
Commissioner Brook felt that the applicant had given much
thought and planning towards preserving the Spanish/
Colonial style and he could make the findings for
approval.
Commissioner Larson concurred.
Vice - Chairman Griffiths concurred.
Chairman Seibert could agree but had a concern regarding
the outside stairway and the possibility that someone
would transform this portion of the dwelling to a duplex
in the future.
Commissioner Larson felt that it would be very difficult
to rehab that area of the dwelling to a duplex.
Vice - Chairman Griffiths agreed that converting a portion
of the bedroom to a kitchen area would be difficult.
Commissioner Brook concurred.
Vice - Chairman Griffiths moved to approve Zone Variance
95 -1237, seconded by Commissioner Larson and unanimously
carried.
Chairman Seibert stated that there is a 10 -day period in
which anyone may appeal the decision of the Planning
Commission to the City Council.
B. PUBLIC HEARING: CODE AMENDMENT - STREAMLINING
RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS
Site: R -1, R -2 AND R -3 ZONES
Applicant: CITY OF TEMPLE CITY
Request: A zoning code amendment to
streamline existing residential
development criteria, including, but
not limited to: floor area ratio
exception for vaulted ceilings,
density in the R -2 zone, C.U.P.
requirement for condominiums with
three or more units, open space
requirements, trash enclosure
requirement, block wall
requirements, sewer line
requirements for condo projects,
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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 P a g e 7
D a t e o f H e a r i n g : J u l y 1 1 , 1 9 9 5
r e s i d e n t i a l p l a n n e d d e v e l o p m e n t
s t a n d a r d s , r e q u i r e m e n t o f t h r e e - c a r
g a r a g e w h e n a d w e l l i n g c o n t a i n s m o r e
t h a n f o u r b e d r o o m s .
A s s o c i a t e P l a n n e r T u r n e r s t a t e d t h a t a n o t i c e o f p u b l i c
h e a r i n g w a s , d u l y p u b l i s h e d i n t h e l o c a l n e w s p a p e r a n d
g a v e t h e b a c k g r o u n d i n f o r m a t i o n c o n t a i n e d i n t h e s t a f f
r e p o r t d a t e d J u l y 1 1 , 1 9 9 5 .
C h a i r m a n S e i b e r t o p e n e d t h e p u b l i c h e a r i n g a n d s o l i c i t e d
p u b l i c c o m m e n t o n e a c h d i s c u s s i o n i t e m . N o o n e c a m e
f o r w a r d o n a n y i t e m .
V i c e - C h a i r m a n G r i f f i t h s m o v e d t o c l o s e t h 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 B r o o k a n d u n a n i m o u s l y
c a r r i e d .
1 ) D e n s i t y i n t h e R - 2 z o n e : A s s o c i a t e P l a n n e r T u r n e r
s t a t e d t h a t t h e P l a n n i n g C o m m i s s i o n r e a c h e d a c o n s e n s u s
t h a t l o t s w i t h 1 5 , 0 0 0 f e e t o r g r e a t e r s h o u l d b e a l l o w e d
t o b u i l d t o a d e n s i t y o f 1 2 u n i t s p e r a c r e ; p a r c e l s l e s s
t h a n 1 5 , 0 0 0 s q u a r e f e e t w o u l d r e t a i n t h e c u r r e n t s t a n d a r d
o f 1 0 u n i t s p e r a c r e .
V i c e - C h a i r m a n G r i f f i t h s f e l t t h e d r a f t r e s o l u t i o n s t a t e s
t h e i n t e n t i o n s o f t h e C o m m i s s i o n a n d m o v e d t o a p p r o v e ,
s e c o n d e d b y C o m m i s s i o n e r B r o o k a n d u n a n i m o u s l y c a r r i e d .
2 ) O p e n s p a c e r e q u i r e m e n t i n t h e R - z o n e s : C o m m i s s i o n e r
L a r s o n c o u l d a g r e e w i t h s i d e y a r d a n d r e a r y a r d a r e a s
b e i n g c o u n t e d t o w a r d s m e e t i n g t h e o p e n s p a c e r e q u i r e m e n t .
V i c e - C h a i r m a n G r i f f i t h s m o v e d t o a p p r o v e , s e c o n d e d b y
C o m m i s s i o n e r L a r s o n a n d u n a n i m o u s l y c a r r i e d .
A s s o c i a t e P l a n n e r T u r n e r s a i d s e c t i o n 9 1 2 2 o f t h e
r e s o l u t i o n w i l l s t a t e " . . . s i d e a n d r e a r y a r d a r e a s . . . " .
3 ) F r o n t y a r d s e t b a c k r e q u i r e m e n t i n t h e R - 2 a n d R - 3
z o n e s : N o c h a n g e i n t h i s a r e a .
4 ) G a r a g e r e q u i r e m e n t : P r e v i o u s l y , t h e P l a n n i n g
C o m m i s s i o n d i s c u s s e d t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f c o u n t i n g
u n e n c l o s e d p a r k i n g s p a c e s t o w a r d s t h e t h r e e g a r a g e s p a c e
r e q u i r e m e n t a n d t h e q u e s t i o n t h a t a t h r e e - c a r g a r a g e o n l y
b e r e q u i r e d f o r n e w d w e l l i n g s w i t h f o u r o r m o r e b e d r o o m s .
V i c e - C h a i r m a n G r i f f i t h s r e q u e s t e d t h i s b e c o n t i n u e d f o r
f u r t h e r s t u d y .
Planning Commission Minutes
Date of Hearing: July 11, 1995
Page 8
Commissioner Brook moved to continue this matter,
seconded by Commissioner Larson and unanimously carried.
5) Trash enclosure requirement: Condominium projects
consisting of four or fewer units could have individual
trash pick -up at the curb, rather than a trash bin on-
site.
6) Block wall requirement: Vice - Chairman Griffiths
moved that a perimeter six foot high block wall should
still be required for subdivisions and condominiums;
however, a six foot high block wall would not be required
between the two parcels in a flag lot subdivision, and a
wooden fence would be allowed. The motion was seconded
by Commissioner Brook and unanimously carried.
7) Sewer requirements for condominium projects:
Associate Planner Turner asked that this matter be
continued as staff is continuing to receive information.
City Attorney Martin concurred.
Commissioner Brook moved to continue this matter,
seconded by Commissioner Larson and unanimously carried.
8) Residential planned development requirement:
Ordinances from other cities were received by staff for
comparison. Vice - Chairman Griffiths moved that no change
be made to lot size requirements for R.P.D. developments,
as lots less than one acre may diminish the resemblance
to a single family dwelling. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Larson and unanimously carried.
9) C.U.P. requirement for condos with 3 or more units:
Chairman Seibert felt that condominium developments of
less than three units should not be allowed.
Vice - Chairman Griffiths felt an administrative C.U.P.
should be used for projects of three or less units.
Associate Planner Turner stated that fees for parcel
maps, tract maps and lot splits would still be collected
and require review by the Commission. Removal of the
C.U.P. requirement would eliminate the ability of the
Planning Commission to make the findings to deny a
subdivision proposal consisting of 3 or more units; or to
review the effects of a proposed project on the
surrounding properties.
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Planning Commission. Minutes Page 9
Date of Hearing: July 11, 1995
City Attorney Martin asked why the Commission would still
require seeing apartment projects but not condominiums.
If the number of units is in question, then they should
be treated the same. City Attorney Martin stated that
Mayor Breazeal objected that a developer be charged a fee
for a conditional use permit and also for subdivision.
Perhaps one fixed fee could be initiated to cover both so
as not to lose revenue.
Chairman Seibert stated there are three choices: to keep
the C.U.P. as a duty of the Planning Commission, make it
a staff duty, or eliminate the process altogether. He
believed the C.U.P. process should be retained and that
staff should handle it administratively, with any fee
adjustment being up to the City Council.
Vice - Chairman Griffiths moved that a condominium project
of three units or less be changed to an administrative
C.U.P. review.
Associate Planner Turner clarified that a C.U.P. is
presently not required for projects of three or less
units.
City Attorney Martin stated a past issue involved two -
unit condominium projects. The issue now regards three
or more units.
Vice - Chairman Griffiths moved that the C.U.P. requirement
for condominium projects of three or more units be
discontinued and handled administratively, seconded by
Commissioner Brook. ,
10) Minimum unit sizes: Vice- Chairman Griffiths moved
to retain as is, seconded by Commissioner Larson and
unanimously carried.
11) Additional second story setbacks: Commissioner Brook
moved to retain the current second story setback
requirements, seconded by Vice - Chairman Griffiths and
unanimously carried.
12) Floor area ratio exception for vaulted ceilings:
Commissioner Larson moved that 10% of the total square
footage of the residential dwelling be allowed to have
vaulted ceiling area without being counted twice,
seconded by Vice - Chairman Griffiths and unanimously
carried.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 10
Date of Hearing: July 11, 1995
Chairman Seibert stated these recommendations will be
forwarded to the City Council for their approval of a
Zoning Code amendment.
9. STUDY SESSIONS:
A. DRIVEWAY EXPANSIONS:
The Commission was scheduled to discuss the problem of
illegally expanded driveways and the possibility of
tightening the language in the Zoning Code and conducting
enforcement on a complaint basis only.
Vice - Chairman Griffiths moved to continue study sessions
A and B to the next Planning Commission meeting of July
25, 1995 for the Community Development Director's input,
seconded by Commissioner Brook and unanimously carried.
B. FENCE AND BLOCK WALL ENCROACHMENTS:
This matter was continued to July 25, 1995.
10. COMMUNICATIONS: NONE
11. MATTERS FROM CITY OFFICIALS: NONE
12. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business
the meeting at 8:45 p.m. The
Planning Commission will be held
7:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber,
City.
ATTEST:
P
ecretary
, Chairman Seibert adjourned
next regular meeting of the
on Tuesday, July 25, 1995, at
5938 Kauffman Avenue, Temple
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Ch Erman
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