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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