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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Minutes 3-23-10_CCv0001.pdf MINUTES: of the Planning Commission Meeting of the City of Redlands held Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. are as follows: PRESENT: Paul Foster, Chairman Carol Dyer, Commissioner Conrad Guzkowski, Commissioner John James, Commissioner Eric Shamp, Commissioner ADVISORY STAFF Michael Reiter, Assistant City Attorney PRESENT: Oscar Orci, Community Development Director Robert Dalquest, Assistant Community Development Director Manuel Baeza, Principal Planner I. CALL TO ORDER AND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD - 3 MINUTES Chairman Foster called the meeting to order, and opened up the Public Comment period. There were no comments forthcoming and the Public Comment period was closed. All members were present with the exception of Vice Chairman Miller, and Commissioner Hudson who were excused. II. CONSENT ITEM-None III. OLD BUSINESS A. ALADDIN ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, APPLICANT (PROJECT PLANNER: CHRIS BOATMAN) 1. Consideration of a Mitigated Negative Declaration. 2. PUBLIC HEARING to consider a Socio-Economic Cost/Benefit Study. 3. PUBLIC HEARING to consider CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 963 to establish a water and amusement park to include an arcade and miniature golf course on approximately 17 acres located at 1101 California Street in the EV/CG (General Commercial) District of Concept Plan No. 3 of the East Valley Corridor Specific Plan. Assistant Director Robert Dalquest stated staff had requested a continuance to the meeting of April 13, 2010 to complete the review and evaluation of the Conditional Use Permit. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner James, seconded by Commissioner Dyer, and carried on a 5-0 vote (Vice Chairman Miller and Commissioner Hudson absent) to continue the Mitigated Negative Declaration, Socio-Economic Cost/Benefit Study, and the Conditional Use Permit No. 963 to the April 13, 2010 Planning Commission meeting. Planning Commission Minutes of March 23,2010 Page 1 B. TOYOTA OF REDLANDS, APPLICANT (PROJECT PLANNER: MANUEL BAEZA) 1. Consideration of a recommendation to the City Council on a Mitigated Negative Declaration. 2. PUBLIC HEARING to consider a recommendation to the City Council on SIGN CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 12 to construct a 662 square foot freeway-oriented sign with a height of 80 feet for Toyota of Redlands located at 921 New York Street in the EV/CG (General Commercial) District of the East Valley Corridor Specific Plan. Principal Planner Manuel Baeza gave a PowerPoint presentation and overview of the proposed project. Staff recommended approval of the project subject to the conditions of approval. Chairman Foster opened up the Public Hearing. Ms. Dana Wynet, representative, stated she is available for any questions. Mr. Bill Cunningham, resident, stated a sign over 120 square feet would require a 4-5ths vote. Assistant City Attorney Michael Reiter confirmed the item would need a 4-5ths vote from City Council; the action from the Planning Commission is a recommendation to City Council. Mr. Cunningham stated the time and temperature is a reader board and is not permitted in the City of Redlands. Mr. Cunningham declared the size of the sign is out of character and does not fit the image of the City of Redlands. Commissioner James stated if the individual panels were a total of 120 square feet, he would support the proposed sign. Director Oscar Orci confirmed the Sign Code permits time and temperature displays. Commissioner Shamp stated the sign does not fit the characteristics of the City of Redlands and requested clarification of how the height was determined. There was discussion on the Flag Test procedures. Chairman Foster inquired if Commissioner Shamp would be in support of the recommendations of Commissioner James to decrease the panel size. Commissioner Shamp confirmed. Commissioner Dyer stated she supports the recommendations of Commissioner James and is in favor of the time and temperature display as long as it is permitted in the Sign Code. Commissioner Dyer requested clarification on the text of the sign panels. There was some discussion on the text of the sign panels. Chairman Foster inquired if the applicant had any objections in reducing the panel size. Ms. Wynet stated they had down sized the sign tremendously. Planning Commission Minutes of March 23,2010 Page 2 Chairman Foster stated the applicant has three options; 1) to request a continuance to redesign the sign or 2) if the applicant agreed to downsize the panels to 120 square feet it could possibly be approved or 3) if the applicant did not want to make the revisions the Planning Commission would recommend denial to City Council. Chairman Foster recessed the Planning Commission for five (5) minutes, in order for the applicant to discuss their options. Chairman Foster reconvened the Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Gary Quiel, representative, stated they are in agreement with the 120 square foot sign panel size, and the conditions of approval. Commissioner Shamp stated he reluctantly supported the recommendation, and confirmed his displeasure for large signs. Chairman Foster stated business owners have the right to advertise their business in a way that will attract consumers which will generate revenues to the community. Chairman Foster thanked the applicant for their flexibility with the Planning Commission's requests to make the sign fit in with characteristics of the City of Redlands. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner James, seconded by Commissioner Dyer, and carried on a 4-0 vote (Vice Chairman Miller and Commissioner Hudson absent, Commissioner Guzkowski recused) that the Planning Commission recommends approval to the City Council on the Mitigated Negative Declaration for Sign Conditional Use Permit No. 12." It was moved by Commissioner James, seconded by Commissioner Dyer, and carried on a 4-0 vote (Vice Chairman Miller and Commissioner Hudson absent, Commissioner Guzkowski recused) that the Planning Commission recommend approval to the City Council on Sign Conditional Use Permit No. 12, subject to the following findings and subject to the attached Conditions of Approval: 1. The size of the sign is compatible with the design, architecture, and scale of the building(s) and/or project; the design and colors of the sign are consistent with the auto dealership's corporate design image relative to style, materials and colors, and the size and massing of the sign is compatible in relation to the size of the parcel and building for which it is proposed; 2. The size of the sign is aesthetically consistent with the project, adjacent areas, and the City of Redlands; the sign is consistent with the Toyota of Redlands auto dealership architectural style, and the adjacent urban setting contains other commercial businesses that also have freeway-oriented sign such as the Tri-City Center, Carl's Jr. and the Old Spaghetti Factory and; 3. The size of the sign is needed to provide additional necessary project identification for the benefit of the general public; the additional area will be able to accommodate additional auto dealerships that will potentially be relocated to the site, avoiding the visual clutter of additional signs." The motion includes modifications to condition of approval number one (1) as follows: Planning Commission Minutes of March 23,2010 Page 3 The approval is for a Conditional Use Permit to install and operate a freeway-oriented sign with an area of approximately 570 square feet in size to include four panels no more than 120 square feet in size, and a height of 80 feet for Toyota of Redlands located at 921 New York Street in the EV/CG (General Commercial) District of the East Valley Corridor Specific Plan in accordance with Exhibit "A". C. ROBERTSON'S READY MIX AND CEMEX CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS PACIFIC LLC, CO-APPLICANTS (PROJECT PLANNER: MANUEL BAEZA AND SERGIO MADERA) 1. Consideration of a recommendation to the City Council on the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Upper Santa Ana River Wash Land Management and Habitat Conservation Plan; and recommending to the City Council adoption of the Statement of Facts, Findings and Overriding Considerations and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program. 2. PUBLIC HEARING for the Planning Commission to consider a recommendation to the City Council on GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 122 to amend the Open Space and Conservation Element by modifying Figure 7.1 (Trails Map) for consistency with the Upper Santa Ana River Wash Land Management and Habitat Conservation Plan. 3. Consideration of a recommendation to the City Council on General Plan conformity for STREET VACATION NO. 153 to vacate a segment of Church Street within the Upper Santa Ana River Wash area. D. ROBERTSON'S READY MIX, APPLICANT 1. PUBLIC HEARING to consider a recommendation to the City Council on CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 948 (East Quarry South) for a mine site approval and a reclamation plan for a 128- acre expansion of an existing aggregate quarry (formerly known as the Old Webster Quarry) with a cumulative area of 291 acres located east of Orange Street and north of the Upper Santa Ana River bluff in the O (Open Land) District. 2. PUBLIC HEARING to consider a recommendation to the City Council on CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 949 (Silt Pond Quarry) for a mine site approval and a reclamation plan encompassing a 98-acre aggregate quarry with the southerly 36 acres located within the City of Redlands and the northerly 62 acres within the City of Highland located in the Upper Santa Ana River Wash, west of Orange Street in the O (Open Land) District. Planning Commission Minutes of March 23,2010 Page 4 3. PUBLIC HEARING to consider a recommendation to the City Council on CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 964 (Plunge Creek Quarry) for a mine site approval and a reclamation plan encompassing a 123-acre aggregate quarry with the southwesterly 6 acres within the City of Redlands and the northeasterly 117 acres within the City of Highland located in the Upper Santa Ana River Wash, east of Alabama Street in the O (Open Land) District. E. CEMEX CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS PACIFIC LLC, APPLICANT 1. PUBLIC HEARING to consider a recommendation to the City Council on CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 950 (East Quarry North) for a mine site approval and a reclamation plan for a 45- acre expansion of three contiguous aggregate quarries into a single quarry encompassing a cumulative area of 420 acres with 232 acres within the City of Redlands and 188 acres within the City of Highland located in the Upper Santa Ana River Wash, east of Orange Street and north and south of the northerly City Limit Line in the O (Open Land) District. 2. PUBLIC HEARING to consider a recommendation to the City Council on CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 951 (West Quarry) for a mine site approval and a reclamation plan for a 41-acre expansion of an existing aggregate quarry for a cumulative total area of 186 acres with 118 acres in the City of Redlands and 68 acres within the City of Highland located in the Upper Santa Ana River Wash, east of the 210 Freeway and north and south of the northerly City Limit Line in the O (Open Land) District. 3. PUBLIC HEARING to consider a recommendation to the City Council on CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 952 (Alabama Street Quarry) for a mine site approval and a reclamation plan for the 17-acre expansion of an existing aggregate quarry for a cumulative total area of 72 acres located in the Upper Santa Ana River Wash on the east side of Alabama Street, immediately south of the northerly City Limit Line in the O (Open Land) District. Principal Planner Baeza stated staff and Municipal Utilities and Engineering are continuing to work with the applicant to determine the magnitude of the off-site improvements for the project and are recommending the item be continued to the April 13, 2010 meeting. Chairman Foster opened up the Public Hearing. Mr. Bill Cunningham, resident, stated the mining companies have a sixty-five (65) year development agreement for the operations of the facility. Mr. Cunningham recommended visiting the possibility to increase the revenues before the agreement moves forward. Assistant Director Dalquest confirmed. Chairman Foster closed the Public Hearing. MOTION Planning Commission Minutes of March 23,2010 Page 5 It was moved by Commissioner Dyer, seconded by Commissioner James, and carried on a 5-0 vote (Vice Chairman Miller and Commissioner Hudson absent) that the Planning Commission continue the Public Hearings on General Plan Amendment No. 122 and Conditional Use Permits Nos. 948, 949, 950, 951, 952 and 964 and Street Vacation No. 153 and a recommendation to the City Council on the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Upper Santa Ana River Wash Land Management and Habitat Conservation Plan the Statement of Facts, Findings and Overriding Considerations and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program to the April 13, 2010 meeting. IV. NEW BUSINESS - None V. ADDENDA A. Discussion and recommendation from the Planning Commission on the Draft Climate Action Plan. Director Orci stated Councilmember Jon Harrison will address the Planning Commission on the Draft Climate Action Plan. Councilmember Harrison stated he welcomed any comments, recommendations, and suggestions for removal or addition to the content. Councilmember Harrison stated he is available for any questions. Chairman Foster stated he and Commissioner Shamp serve on the Climate Action Task Force and have given their recommendations to the committee, and deferred the time to the rest of the Commission for their comments. Commissioner Dyer's recommendations were as follows: 1) The addition of Redlands Unified School District (R.U.S.D.) and Redlands Community Hospital as one of the targets for the reduction of solid waste and recycling; 2) The Parking Lot Landscape ordinance should be added under City Actions; and 3) Expand on the current Parking Lot Tree ordinance to include more water efficient species under Water Reduction, or the Design section of the document. Commissioner James' recommendations were as follows: 1) Recommended making reference to the Architectural Guidelines and the Parking Lot Landscape ordinance instead of including it as part of the document. 2) Encouraged cost saving examples instead of mandating them; 3) Emphasis on the 80/20 rule. Items that have a 20 percent cost and an 80 percent gain; 4) Utilization of automated systems to become more efficient in conservation; 5) Suggested a way to reward all participants fairly, especially those that are already conserving; Planning Commission Minutes of March 23,2010 Page 6 6) The cost would be very high for some business owners to install showers if twenty employees ride their bicycles to work; 7) The document makes reference that the Solid Waste reduction dollars go to the General Fund and it should be the Enterprise Fund, and suggested being very accurate when discussing funds; 8) Recommended exploring the waste container sizes and their benefits; 9) Was in support of electronic signal tripping; 10) Land use items should be incorporated into the General Plan instead of having a separate document, and recommended calling the document a Guideline; 11) Expressed concern if the streets were wide enough for bike lanes, and if not, the possibility of incurring additional costs; and 12) Give concrete examples with a reference sheet of distributors to use. Commissioner Guzkowski's recommendations were as follows: 1) Stated the document is a balancing act between flexibility and the goals; 2) Recommended to be strategic on how to move forward with the help of staffs time and their budgeted hours, to attack the items for implementation; 3) Implement the highest pay off items, with the lowest cost, and the items with the greatest potential to be seen as the most successful; and tell the story of success to encourage developers; and 4) Lead by example. Commissioner Shamp's recommendations were as follows: 1) Recommended more clarity and dialog on the intent of the document; 2) Emphasis of the document should be on goals and measurable indicators; and 3) Mandates should be used sparingly, as long as they are in scale. Chairman Foster's recommendations were as follows: 1) Recommended highlighting the state mandates on the document and to clearly indicate the document is a requirement from the State of California; 2) The document is a living document and should be considered a guideline; and 3) Recommended additional text on economic sustainability. Councilmember Harrison stated they are gathering information and then there will be a final version of the document that will be presented to the City Council for their review. The document will come back to the Commission for an action in a few months. Commissioner James inquired if the item was in compliance with the Brown Act. Assistant City Attorney Reiter stated he will confirm. Planning Commission Minutes of March 23,2010 Page 7 VI. MINUTES A. March 9, 2010 It was moved by Commissioner James, seconded by Commissioner Shamp and carried on a 5-0 vote (Vice Chairman Miller and Commissioner Hudson absent) that the Planning Commission approve the minutes of March 9, 2010 minutes with one correction. V. LAND USE AND CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS OF MARCH 16, 2010 Chairman Foster inquired if there were any City Council actions to report for March 16, 2010. Director Orci stated the City Council approved Resolution No. 6928, which upheld the Planning Commission's recommendation to approve the Bixby Land Company project. Chairman Foster thanked Director Orci for the copies of the Architectural Guidelines and recommended the Commission bring it with them to their Planning Commission meetings. Commissioner Dyer stated she will not be present for the next meeting. VI. ADJOURN TO APRIL 13, 2010 Chairman Foster adjourned the meeting at 3:40 p.m. to the April 13, 2010 meeting. Linda McCasland Oscar Orci Senior Administrative Technician Community Development Director Planning Commission Minutes of March 23,2010 Page 8