HomeMy Public PortalAbout02/15/94 PC MinutesBEAUMONT PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF
FEBRUARY 15, 1994
Meeting was called to Order at 7:18 p.m.
Roll Call: Commissioners DePalatis, Moreno and Chairman Prouty.
Commissioner Kirkland was absent and excused.
Affidavit of Posting was read.
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was observed.
1. Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Commissioner
DePalatis, seconded by Chairman Prouty to approve the Minutes
as submitted for January 18, 1994. Motion carried with the
following roll call vote:
AYES: Commissioners DePalatis, Moreno and Chairman Prouty.
NOES: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Commissioner Kirkland.
2. Oral Communication: None.
3. Directorts Report: Director of Planning, Ernie Egger, reported
that the City had sold a bond issue which will be dedicated
towards the Sewer Treatment Plant improvement, and other
portions of the bond will be used to fund specific
improvements such as the extension of 4th Street through the
Rolling Hills Ranch property, some assorted water and sewer
improvements around the City and some significant amounts of
engineering and design work.
Mr. Egger went on reporting that Highway 60 access
improvements are being initiated through discussions with
Caltrans to locate two new freeway interchanges in the Highway
60 corridor west of the junction with I -10. This will provide
access to a number of approved and pending projects in that
area.
He noted that the plans on the WWTP are now complete and full
construction on the plant is scheduled to begin April 11,
1994, with completion projected for March 15, 1995. Also,
there are a series of projects that will be constructing units
ready to hook -up to the plant the day that the plant opens.
Mr. Egger further reported that late last Fall the City
Council appointed a Business License Committee which is now in
the process of working with business interests in the City as
well as the Chamber of Commerce in order to streamline and
improve the City's business licensing process.
He went on informing the Commission that the Housing Element
that the City Council adopted in February did not fully comply
with State law and staff has been working on the revised
draft that will be going to the State for review within the
next week or so. When it comes back with comments from the
State, appropriate adjustments will be made and it then comes
before the Planning Commission, probably sometime this
summer. Also, the City Council approved an RFP for a
City wide circulation study in order to assess traffic
conditions in the City, which will undoubtedly lead to some
changes in the Circulation Element. This also will come
before the Planning Commission in about a 6 month time frame.
Mr. Egger then suggested that the Planning Commission make a
slight change in the order of the agenda and take Items 5 and
6 first and then proceed with Item 4.
PC minutes of
February 15, 1994
Page 2
OUT OF SEQUENCE:
5. Public Use Permit No. 94- PUP -1. Consideration of a request to
establish a church in an existing building at 419 Olive Avenue
in Beaumont, and the adoption of Negative Declaration 94-
ND-2, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.
Applicant, Janice & Ted Turner.
Planning Director Ernie Egger presented the staff report in
length noting that in five years this Public Use Permit is to
be evaluated as to the size of the congregation to ensure the
facility is still adequate. At this time it could then be
renewed.
Chairman Prouty then opened the public hearing at 7:31 p.m.
asking for proponents /opponents from the audience wishing to
speak.
Ms. Frances Chaperoza, 368 B Street, addressed the Commission
questioning the parking and if there would be a problem with
noise.
Mr. Egger also noted that the parking would not be a major
issue due to the size of the congregation and will do whatever
can be done to maximize the amount of parking on the site and
to designate areas that will not interfere with the
neighborhood for parking.
Ms. Janice Turner spoke from the audience stating the hours
for the services and that they would be very sensitive to the
neighborhood pertaining to the noise concerns.
Mr. Egger noted that there are specific parameters that are
associated with this kind of approval to where if at some
point and time it became a public nuisance there is the
ability for the City to revoke the permit.
Chairman Prouty then closed the public hearing at 7 :34 p.m.
turning the matter back to the Commission for discussion.
Commissioner DePalatis questioned the five year time limit and
noted they were asked to do some improvements and that he
would like to be more specific by possibly stating in
Condition No. 1 that in five years it would be reviewed for
conformance with the current provisions as pertaining to
growth.
Mr. Egger then noted that this Condition would be
reworded.
Commissioner DePalatis offered a motion, seconded by
Commissioner Moreno, to approve Public Use Permit No. 94-
PUP-1 and Negative Declaration 94 -ND -2, subject to the
conditions of approval with Condition No. 1 being
reworded by staff. Motion carried with the following
roll call vote:
AYES: Commissioners DePalatis, Moreno and Chairman Prouty.
NOES: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Commissioner Kirkland.
SCHEDULED MATTER:
6. Minor Variance No. 94 -MV -1. Consideration of a setback
variance to permit the construction of a carport encroaching
into the side yard setback required by the R -SF (Residential -
Single Family) zone at 974 California Street in Beaumont. The
project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality
Act. Applicant, Bill Fisk.
Mr. Egger asked that this item be continued to the next
Planning Commission meeting pursuant to the applicant's
request since he was going to be out of town.
PC minutes of
February 15, 1994
Page 3
PUBLIC HEARING:
4. Sign Ordinance Update. Consideration of a recommendation to
the City Council regarding a proposed amendment to the
Municipal Code's Sign Regulations and the adoption of Negative
Declaration (94- ND -1)„ pursuant to the California
Environmental Quality Act.
Planning Director Ernie Egger presented the staff report
outlining some of the major differences of the proposed Code
as opposed to the prior Code. This included design and
application requirements which facilitate a higher level of
quality in terms of materials utilized, a greater degree of
compatibility with existing architecture and in certain
instances areas in which area signs are to be located. A
second major change is that it facilitates what is called the
Uniform Sign Program for commercial centers and multi- tenant
commercial and industrial uses. There are specific
requirements for eliminating and abating signs for businesses
which are no longer in operation and for signs which do not
conform to the current Code. The unique standards proposed
for the downtown antique district have the focus on
maintaining old town type of flavor and eliminating large
obtrusive signs. For the north Beaumont Avenue corridor it
was determined that this was a distinct area in itself which
perhaps warranted some special treatment. In that corridor
the major change would be to limit signage low profile
monument signs and limitation of signs also to a slightly
smaller scale than what, is facilitated in normal commercial
areas. It would limit Free- standing signs primarily to large
commercial and industrial uses as opposed to the current
configuration where virtually any commercial use can have a
free - standing sign regardless of lot size or the size of the
use. Freeway facing signs and large electronic message boards
would require a conditional use permit and Planning Commission
approval. The most significant change on an overall basis is
limiting free - standing signs in commercial areas.
Chairman Prouty opened the public hearing at 8:10 p.m. asking
for proponents /opponents from the audience wishing to speak.
Mr. Tom Mehas, business owner at 480 E. 6th Street, addressed
the Commission noting he was representing the antique
district, and commenting that he did not want smaller signs.
He stated he had a sign from his other business that is 70 sq.
feet; which Mr. Egger had told him he could put up; however,
if the sign ordinance change goes through he would have to
take the sign down since it would not be in accordance with
the Code. Mr. mehas commented that he did understand what the
City is trying to do and is pleased to have the City's
support.
Mr. Egger informed the Commission that the sign Mr. mehas is
talking about generally complied with the current code as it
exists but it does not comply with what is proposed. Mr.
Egger stated he wanted Mr. mehas to proceed with caution
since the sign code is being updated. He further informed
Mr. mehas that discussion had been held with respect to
looking at some ways to identify the antique district. He
noted that perhaps directional signage could be developed
to direct people to the antique district. Mr. Egger stated
that the problem is not the identification of each
individual store as much as it is physically getting people
into the antique area. Also, the City has been working
closely with Caltrans and might be able to possibly use their
signs along the freeway.
Commissioner DePalatis stated that what the City is trying to
do is to create more of a regional area that people will come
to, not just for one particular business, but for the area
as a whole.
Mr. Egger informed Mr. mehas that it would be beneficial for
him to appear before the City Council and possibly enlist some
PC Minutes of
February 15, 1994
Page 4
additional support from within the community and communicate
this discussion to the Council.
Chairman Prouty closed the public hearing at 8:37 p.m.
A motion was offered by Commissioner Moreno, seconded by
Commissioner DePalatis, to recommend to the City Council
adoption of Negative Declaration 94 -ND -1 and approval of the
proposed sign ordinance and also to prepare a graphic
interpretation of the sign code as a handout. Motion carried
with the following roll call vote:
AYES: Commissioners DePalatis, Moreno and Chairman Prouty.
NOES: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Commissioner Kirkland.
There being no further items on the agenda, the meeting
adjourned at 8:39 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cherryayl�
PC Sec etar