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HomeMy WebLinkAbout(HIC)_(Minutes)_(July 18, 1978)• MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HERMOSA IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION, JULY 18, 1978 / HELD IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 7 :45 P .M. Meeting called to order at 7:55 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Also Present: Comm. Freese, Fri dri ch, Hendersen, Grims haw, Sheffer, Chmn. Foreman None Edward King, staff Chmn. Foreman explained 'to the audience that Comm. Sheffer is a newly appointed Commissioner and would not be eligible to vote tonight. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chmn. Foreman made the following corrections to the July 6th minutes: 1. Page seven, motion by Comm. Grimshaw should read 11 ••• to hold this review over to the second meeting of July 18, 1978, so applicants can be present to answer questions about the shingles.11 2. Page seven, Co1TU11i ssioner Items -first sentence should read, 11 Comm. Grimshaw felt it woul d hel p to as k the audience if anyone was in attendance for any specific item11 • Motion by Comm. Freese, seconded by Comm. Grimshaw to approve the minutes of July sixth, as corrected. Ayes: Noes: Absent: Comm. Freese, Fridrich, Hendersen, Grimshaw, Chmn. Foreman None None IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION ITEMS Chmn. Foreman explained to the audience that one function of the Commission is to call attention to anything that needs to be improved and to give awards to the out- standing building designs and signs. She encouraged the audience to help in this endeavor. BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS Chmn. Foreman presented awards, wnich were approved at the June 20, 1978 meeting, to 1. Daniel Mellow for 1428 Manhattan Avenue -Design 2. Philip Freeland for 341 33rd Street -Design 3. Ron Luxa for 1808 Valley Park Avenue .-De~tgn 4. David and Jeri Cedergreen for 502 8th Street -Design 5. James Helm for 1849 Valley Park Avenue. Chmn. Foreman thanked them all for doing a good job. Chmn. Foreman made the following recommendations for Design Review: 1. The house behind 704 -5th Street for design 2. 609 -8th Street, for continuing maintenance Comm. Grimshaw recommended the two-story remodel on 11th Street and Strand for Design Review. (1042 Stra~d). . HERMOSA IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MINUTES CONTINUED -JULY 18, 1978 Page 2 ~ NON-FUNCTIONAL SIGNS AT LOT C Chmn. Foreman explained that this is a City Parking Lot with four large pole signs. She said the signs were misleading to the public and were not clearly marked for the handicapped. She suggested sending a letter to the Parking District with a copy to go to City Council. Mr. King replied that he would take care of the matter. Chmn, Foreman suggested sending a recommendation that the City Council deal with the trash problem along the Strand. She said that the trash has not been picked up for six days. The Health Department has been called, but ·that Browning Ferris Industries ha~ not come. She said that this is the second year we have had this problem because there are not enough trash co~tainers~ Chmn. Foreman suggested sending a recommendation to the Chamber of Commerce to get some cooperation from the businesses concerned. Comm. Grimshaw commented that this problem was discussed at City Council. He said the Council was supposed to look into the problem and try to get some type of enforcement. Mr. King explained that a County hearing can be called and violators must show cause why they should not be cited. He said that if the trash is not cleaned up and the situation corrected within a specific time limit, a fine could be imposed. Chmn. Foreman commented that the problem is that Browning Ferris Industries will ~ only pick up the trash that is in the containers. DESIGN REVIEW 2500 Strand -Continued from last meeting Request by John Burke of Todd Vanderplyme ·repl".'esenting Mr. & Ml".'s. Seawright (appli- cants)·for extensive exterior remodel. He explained that the appiicants had re- vised the plan, changing from shingles to shiplap siding, because they liked the shi~lap better. He said they also took out the -balcony. Comm. Grimshaw asked what colors were to be used. The applicant responded gray .with light trim. Motion by Comm. Freese, seconded by Comm. Fridrich to approve the revised plan. Ayes: Noes: Absent: 1230 -6th Street Comm. Freese, Fridrich, Hendersen, Grimshaw, Chmn. Foreman None None Chmn. Foreman recommended that this item be held over until the end of the agenda because the applicants were not present. 244 Manhattan Avenue Request by Dan Mello of M. J. C. Development, representing the applicant, for addition of a second unit. Comm. Grimshaw and Chmn. Foreman questioned Mr. Mella about the colors to be used, noting that there was no indication of colors on the plan. Mr. Mella replied that the applicants' had not decided on specific colors, but light color tortes would be used. • HERMOSA IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MINUTES CONTINUED JULY 18, 1978 page 3 Comm. Grimshaw asked if anything was being done to the existing structure. Mr. Mellow replied that additional parking stalls were required to be added, making a tandem garage. Comm. Grimshaw also questioned Mr. Mello about the existing fence and trees. Mr. Mello· said they were to be taken dm--.il. Chmn. Foreman asked if there was to be any landscaping in front. Mr. Mello· said they could not meet code requirements and still provide landscaping. He said they had to limit the landscaping between the units as shown on the drawings. Comm. Grimshaw felt the proposed landscaping was contrary to previous guidelines used by the Commission. He said this has been discussed with builders in the past and the Commission has encouraged landscaping in the front. Mr. Mello· explained that they had to provide access in the setback and also meet requirements for retaining walls. Comm. Hendersen asked how many trees would be effected? Mr. Mellow estimated 20 to 30 trees, most of which could not be transplanted. Mr. Mello. explained that he dealt with form and design of the building. He felt that a good design is more important, therefore, he put the landscaping between the buildings. Comm. Fridrich asked Mr. Mello· to come forward and explain the drawings. He also asked what kind of ground coverage would be used. Mr. Mellow replied ivy. Comm. Freese suggested using a planter on the deck. Mr. Mellow stated that the proposed deck is only four feet wide. Chmn. Foreman explained that a builder may choose to build to the setback; there is no ordinance requiring landscaping in the front. Motion by Comm. Freese, seconded by Comm. Fridrich, to accept the plans. Ayes: Noes: Absent: Comm. Freese, Fridrich, Hendersen, Chmn. Foreman Comm. Grimshaw None Chmn. Foreman explained that Comm. Grimshaw could make a recommendation to City Council to change the ordinance regarding setbacks. Co1TJTJ. Hendersen commented that there is a list of proposed ordinance changes in which it is stated that landscaping will be a consideration. She said the Commis- sion could make it a formal recommendation under Commissioner Items. Comm. Grimshaw commented that the Commission did not have the paper work on this project until tonight, indicating color or landscaping. 2302 Ozone Court Request by the applicant to put stucco over wood. Mr. King explained that it would be a hardship for the applicant to submit plans; therefore, Mr. King decided to use slides. He explained that the request is for use of a Spanish style stucco and there would be no structural change. Chmn. Foreman expressed concern about a possible structural change. Comm Grimshaw asked if there were some boards to be changed. In response to both, the applicant stated that the boards were to be replaced, but no structutal changes would occur. HERMOSA IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MINUTES CONTINUED JULY 18, 1978 Motion by Comm. Freese, seconded by Comm. Grimshaw, to approve the request. Ayes: Noes: Absent: SIGN REVIEW Comm. Freese, Fridrich, Hendersen, Grimshaw, Chmn. Foreman None None 600 Pacific Coast Highway page 4 Request by Albert Mardikian (applicant) and Roy Martinez for a pole sign. Mr. King explained that the proposed sign was to be placed five feet from property line. Chmn. Foreman questioned whether there would be room for the sign. Mr. Martinez stated that the sign would project through the roof above the canopy. Comm. Grimshaw asked the height of the upper story and if the sign would be paral- lel to Pacific Coast Highway. Mr. Martinez replied that it is 25 feet in height and that the sign would be perpendicular to Pacific Coast Highway. Comm. Freese commented on the harsh color combinations, black on bright yellow. The applicant stated that it is the same color combination as the Ferrari logo. Chmn. Foreman commented that it is a beautifully designed building, but she thought the sign would distract from it. Comm. Fridrich asked if the sign was planned when the building was designed. The applicant replied yes, except for the colors. Mr. Mardikian sai•d it was a small sign and the emblems were very small. He felt the colors were needed to show up. He commented that the sign had previously been made in white background with blue at great expense; but that he did not like it, so he was spending more money to change it. Chmn. Foreman said she thought the sign would have a large fmpact on the building. She suggested getting the sign and building design to work together. She felt that a yellow/brown combination would be less harsh. The applicant suggested subdividing the sign. Chmn. Foreman thought that would look worse. The applicant commented that the proposed yellow would be a light yellow. Comm. Fridrich noted that if brown were used, it would opaque when lit and would look like black. Comm. Fridrich and Chmn. Foreman asked why a pole sign is proposed, when a roof sign would serve the same purpose. Mr. Martinez responded that the roof was not designed structurally to support the sign. Chmn. Foreman mentioned that there had been a problem before with getting a pole sign removed after the owner vacated. Motion by Comm. Grimshaw, seconded by Comm. Hendersen to approve the sign with the ·colors as submitted, if the yellow is light. Ayes: Noes: Absent: Cornn,. Freese, Fridrich, Hendersen, Grimshaw , Chmn. Foreman None , HERMOSA IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MINUTES CONTINUED JULY 18, 1978 page 5 501 Pacific Coast Highway Mr. Ernest Tamayo, the applicant, was present. Mr. King explained that the request is for signs which already exist because the signs were put up illegally. Comm. Grimshaw asked how long the signs had been up. The applicant replied one month. Motion by Chmn. Foreman, seconded by Comm. Fridrich to approve the request. Ayes: Noes: Absent: 1230 -6th Street Comm. Freese, Fridrioh, Hendersen, Grimshaw~ Chmn. Foreman None None Design review, continued from earlier in the agenda. The applicant was not present. Chmn. Foreman asked if the Commissioners had any questions or discussion. Mr. King explained the request is for an addition of a unit. Comm. Grimshaw asked if the trees would be removed. Mr. King replied that the bulk of the landscaping would be removed. Comm. Hendersen asked why the proposed structure did not tie in with the old struc- ture. Comm. Shiffer commented on the abestos shingles on the proposed structure in contrast to the wooden shingles on the existing structure. Comm. Fridrich said that the Commission could not conceptually ask that the proposed structure tie in with the old. Chmn. foreman said that the Commission could not ask the applicants to do it because of the financial implications. Motion by Comm. Grimshaw, seconded by Comm. Hendersen to continue the request to the August 1st meeting because he did not understand the design and placement on the lot, or how the buildings would relate. Ayes: Noes: AbsenU Comm. Freese, Fridrich, Hendersen, Grimshaw Chmn. Foreman None Chmn. Foreman commented that she voted no because she did not feel that Comm. Grimshaw's findings were grounds for continuance. 244 Manhattan Avenue Dennis Cleland, the owner, asked if it was necessary to make the garage tandem. He said that according to:the proposed plan, part of his ltving room would become the garage. He asked if the parking could be put in front instead. Mr. King in- formed him that the Ci:ty Code requires two parking spaces per unit, and that tan- dem parking is not allowed off a street such as Manhattan Avenue. The applicant mentioned that other houses in the neighborhood did not meet ordinance requirements on parking. Chmn. Foreman explained that if they were to structurally alter, then they would also have to meet code requirements. Mr. Kin9 commented that the applicant could try for a variance; but there is a fee of $150. He also felt that it is not very likely that a variance would be granted. • HERMOSA IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MINUTES CONTINUED JULY 18, 1978 page 6 Comm. Grimshaw suggested that the applicant get a petition and build a case. Comm. Shiffer suggested that the applicant go before the BZA. Mr. King stated that the applicant's only outlet was to apply for a variance. Comm. Hendersen recommended that the applicant gather as much evidence as possible (for example, dimensions) and get his neighbor's support. Chmn. Foreman advised the applicant to check on the dimension requirements first. Mr. King suggested the applicant talk to Laurie Duke in the Building Department. STAFF REPORTS Mr. King noted a couple of pieces of correspondence; one fron the Planning Commis- sion to the Chamber of Commerce about parking, and the other from the BZA to the City Council -Planning Commission about environmental review. Mr. King explained that the BZA has to develop criteria for judging environmental impact. Mr. King spoke about the possibility of new evnironmental review procedures due to Proposition 13. The Council may approve staff committee review of preliminary environmental impact reports. Mr. King stated that next Tuesday, July 25th, Mr. Bacon will make his appeal to the City Council. He said all five pieces of the plan will go to City Council. He said that Mr. Bacon's appeal is that he does not agree with the Improvement Commission's findings that the plan he submitted was not a comprehensive plan. Comm. Grimshaw commented that he appreciates getting the Council meeting agendas. Chmn. Foreman agreed that it helps to know what is scneduled for the Council meeting. COMMISSIONER'S ITEMS The Commissioners discussed the need for an ordinance change that would render more precise guidelines regarding the use and amount of landscaping required. Chmn. Foreman expressed concern that the Commission must have flexibility in deal- ing with applications. Comm. Fridrich commented that he would rather function as a commission, than to tell the applicants what they must do. Mr. King advised the Commission to retain their fl exi bil ity. Comm. Shiffer suggested using the words " ... may require that the applicants meet. .. " Mr. King said that the words " ... when feasible ... " could be added to criteria #5 regarding landscaping. Motion by Comm. Hendersen, seconded by Comm. Grimshaw to send the proposed ordinance changes to City Council and recommend adoption. Ayes: Noes: Absent: Comm. Freese, Fridrich, Hendersen, Grimshaw, Chmn, Foreman None None Motion by Comm. Freese, seconded by Comm. Fridrich to adjourn the meeting. So ordered. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 P.M. r"\ i " GERTI FI CATI ON I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes were approved by the Hermosa Improvement Commission at their regular meeting of August 1, 1978.