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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC_Minutes_74.04.22MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF. THE PLANNING COMMISSION -HELD IN THE CITY.COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, HERMOSA BEACH, ON MONDAY, APRIL 22, 1974, AT 7:30 P.M. Meeting called to order by Chairman Collis at 7:39 p.m. Adjourned regular meeting of April 8, 1974. ROLL CALL: Present: Comm. Burt, Chiu, Hough, Rosenberger, and Chmn. Collis Absent: Comm. Noble C-74-9 Request of J.Falzone for open-air bicycle rentals and request to use metal trailer as rental office at 125 Hermosa Avenue. City Planner Crawford explained that this item was continued from the April 8th meeting in order to give the applicant an opportunity to bring to the Planning Commission a more: detailed plan of: the improvesrc-nt of the lot and to bring a photograph of the trailer which he intends to use as an office for his business. Public hearing opened 7:41 p.m. Mide McDonald, 1809 Palm Avenue, Manhattan Beach, presented a picture of the lot, and of the trailer, and an artist's conception of the two together. He said there will be a picket fence along the front of the lot, and a 30' x 7' boardwalk behind. He said he understands there are two main questions: the permanency of the trailer and the esthetics of the lot. He said the weather and seasonal nature of the business would set the tine factor, not past October; and the business would improve the looks of the vacant lot. Comm, Hough said she was under the impression that this would be a permanent busi- ness, and asked whether they would return next year and run the bike .rental trailer again or establish a permanent store; Mr. McDonald said they have rot planned that far ahead, and with the trailer, would stay only until October. Joe Falzon , 10528 Dalerose, Lennon:, said they have worked very hard on this proposal and it is now tip to the Planning Commission. Public hearing closed 7:47 p.m. Mr. Crawford said a Conditional Use Permit may be issued permanently or temporarily as the Planning CoRnnission thinks proper if the business is compatible with the surrounding .neighborhood, and that the application as initially submitted was for a permanent business. Comm. Hough felt that the trailer business will not upgrade the area nor follow the course that the businessmen are taking, but may be acceptable as an effort to establish a permanent business. Chmn. Collis said the responsibility of the Planning Commission is to the business community, and that a business conducted out of a trailer is in direct competition with, and unfair to established businesses having the overhead of a permanent business. He said that bike rental in itself is not objectionable, but questioned whether the Planning Commission wants to encourage businesses out of trailers. Comm. Rosenberger replied that they should consider it on a temporary basis, but not permanently, adding that he would be in favor of having a caretaker on the lot to clean up and alter the front portion of the lot. He said that this is a different type of trade from tine downtown area, the people being from apartment complexes and high schools, and may not be in direct competition with the downtown section serving the summer tourists. He said that it would provide a needed service and method of altering the appearance of the lot. Public hearing reopened 7:55 p.m. Mr. Falzon said the paving plans name about because of the plans for the trailer; that they have proposed only bike rentals, not sales, and only -2- rentals will be conducted from the trailer; but if they make enough money they may establish a permanent business with bike sales. Public hearing closed 7:56 p.m. Comm. Hough asked whether there is any ordinance, tradition, or pattern of people coming to the Planning Commission for temporary business during the summer. Mr. Crawford cited one -day events such as the Festival of Arts and the circus. He said Planning Commission approval would not automatically allow use of the trailer as it would then come to the Building Commission. He said.the Planning Commission has permitted use of trailers as temporary offices and as temporary storage, but not for running a business. Comm. Chiu asked the present status of the bike path proposal. Mr. Crawford responded that the latest recommendation of the Bike Path Committee to the Coun- cil is to put a bike path on the beach to the west of the pedestrian walkway. He restated the requests of the applicants as 1) to conduct and open air business of bike rentals, and 2) to operate the business from a trailer. Motion by Comm. Rosenberger, seconded by Comm. Burt, to approve the request of Joseph Falzone to conduct open-air bicycle rentals and to operate business from a trailer, not to exceed a period ending Septmeber 30, 1974, with busi- ness hours from 9 a.m, to 6 P.M. Chmn. Collis said he will vote no, the reason being that this type of business itself is not objectionable but it leads to unfair competition with people who are in bicycle sales and have an interest in rentals, and conducting business out of a trailer is objectionable. Ayes: Comm. Burt, Chiu, Hough, and Rosenberger Noes: Comm. Collis Absent: Comm. Noble Chmn. Collis announced that the application has been approved by the Planning Commission and anyone who wishes to appeal the decision has the right to do so within ten days. Comm. Hough stated that the proposed business serves a need but she would not like to see a permanent business conducted out of a trailer because that is nto the direction we are trying to take in the city. Motion by Comm. Rosenberger, seconded by Comm. Burt, to adopt Resolution P.C. 154-961 approving the request of Joseph Falzone for a Temporary Conditional Use Permit to conduct open-air bicycle rentals and to operate business from a trailer at 125 Hermosa Avenue, subject to the conditions stated; 1. Permit and use to terminate not later than September 30, 1974. 2. Colors of trailer to be compatible with surrounding businesses and subject to review by the Hermosa Improvement Commission. 3. Trailer to meet requirements of the Building Code. 4. Back portion of the lot is to be paved for off-street parking. 5. Boardwalk and fence to be constructed and maintained as shown on the sketch submitted to the Planning Commission. The motion was seconded as amended by Comm. Burt. Ayes: Comm. Burt, Chiu, Hough, Rosenberger, and Chmn. Collis Noes: None Absent: Comm. Noble z-74-1 Request for a change of land use zone from R-2 'to R-1 in order to divide the subject lot and provide two.single dwellings instead of a duplex at 701-731 -3- Prospect Avenue. Mr. Crawford said this item was continued from the April 8th meeting in order to allow applicants to consider alternate ways of developing the property; and that no new proposal had been submitted to staff. Public hearing opened 8:16 p.m. Mr. Grant Isgreen, 726 Prospect Avenue, presented additional information for Planning Commission review including: Item I., Commission request for report on 'other" possible uses of the land, and Item II., Information which was presented to the Board of Zoning Adjustments but which apparently has not been presented to the Planning Commission. Chmn. Collis asked what determination was made after looking into other types of usage. Mr. Isgreen replied that the information he received indicates that a condominium, requiring a management system and maintenance establishment, is too costly when it involves only two units. He said that the sale price of the lot is $20,000. Chmn. Collis felt that if the Planning Commission were to permit this lot to be split it would reverse the direction they had been taking in planning; that if it were within 5% of the standard requirement it might be feasible, but this request is to reduce the standard by almost 50%. He said a well -designed duplex, or a single-family homy with attached rental unit would involve less lot coverage and leave more useable area for the owner and tenant. He said he would not be in favor of splitting the lot into two 2500 sq. ft. lots. Mr. Isgreen said his major concern is to avoid downgrading the rest of the property in the neighborhood, and he feels he would be losing 75% of the market in trying to sell a duplex. Mrs. Isgreen said the neighbors are not in favor of having a duplex on the lot. She said there is a view across the property which would remain with the two buildings they are proposing. Comm. Hough said the applicantst aim of preserving the residential tore of the neighborhood could'be achieved by quality of design of a home with rental. She feared the precendent of splitting small lots. Chmn. Collis noted that the Planning Commission is asked only to change the zoning at this time. He said he thinks the action taken by the Board of Zoning Adjustments is wrong, is precedent -making by reducing the standard lot by one-half_, and he is not in favor of permitting two separate structures or two 2500 sq. ft. lots. Public hearing closed 9:03 p.m. Motion by Comm. Rosenberger, seconded by Comm. Burt, to approve the request by A. G. Isgreen, 726 Prospect Avenue to change land use zone from R-2 to R-1 at 701-731 Prospect Avenue. Comm. Burt said he has known the Isgreens for many years and they have been neighbors for 18 years. He believes they have done the neighborhood a favor in buying this lot, have designed the houses well, and he can see no objection to splitting and developing the lot. He said the rest of the block is split in the same way. Comm. Hough also commended the Isgreens for their work. Comm. Rosenberger said he will not vote to approve as there is no place for children to play in a yard or on any of the streets near by; the size of the lots proposed is much too small and might even. decrease the value of the houses as there is not adequate area. The vote on the above motion was: Ayes: Comm. Burt and Hough. Noes: Comm. Chiu, Rosenberger, and Chmn. Collis Absent: Comm. Noble -4- Chmn. Collis stated that the application was denied by the Planning Commissiou, with the right to appeal within ten days. Motion by Comm. Rosenberger, seconded by Comm. Chiu, to adopt Resolution P.C. 154-962 denying the request of A.G. Isgreen for a change in land use zone from R-2 to R-1, the reasons being that: 1. It is intended for a lot division . 2. The subject lots would be substandard in size ( less than 4000 square feet). 3. The request would tend to establish a trend toward reduction of lot size in R-1 zones. 4. The R-1 zone is not necessary for the proper development of the property. Ayes: Comm. Chiu, Rosenberger, and Chmn. Collis Noes: Comm. Burt and Hough Absent: Comm. Noble Mr. Isgreen protested the procedural difficulties and payment of permit fees which resulted in getting approval from one commission and disapproval from another commission. Mr. Crawford explained that the division of the property and the granting of the variance were the provivice of the Board of Zoning Adjustments assuming that the application meets the four required findings of the zoning ordinance. He said the variance which they granted was subject to obtaining a zone change and is null and void if the zone change is not approved; and that if, on appeal, the City Council approves the zone change, the Board of Zoning Adjustments variance will be in effect again. Motion by Comm. Rosenberger, seconded by Comm. Chiu, to adjourn. Confirmed by voice vote at 9:15 p.m. Workshop meeting opened at 9:15 p.m. by Chmn. Collis. ROLL CALL Present: Comm. Burt, Chiu, Hough, Rosenberger, and Chmn. Collis. Absent: Comm. Noble APPROVAL OC MINU S Comm. Hough questioned the reference to a take-out food window on page five of the minutes. Mr. Crawford said there was a pass -through window from the bar area to the game room, but no take-out food window was in.the request as it came to the Planning Commission. Chmn. Collis said Mr. Arnold felt that it was represented that there was a take-out window. Comm. Hough noted an error on page 9, to read 12:10 a.m, rather than p.m. Motion by Comm. Chiu, seconded by Comm. Hough, to approve the minutes of the April 8, 1974 meeting of the Planning Commission as corrected. Ayes: Comm. Burt, Chiu, Hough, and Chmn.Collis Noes: None Abstain: Comm. Rosenberger Absent: Comm. Noble APPROVAL OR RESOLUTIONS Motion by Comm. Burt, seconded by Comm. Hough, to approve P.C. 154-958 as submitted. Ayes: Comm. Burt, Chiu, Hough, and Chmn. Collis Noes: None Abstain: Comm. Rosenberger Absent: Comm. Noble -5- Motion by Comm. Hough, seconded by Comm. Burt, to approve P.C.• 154-959 as submitted. Ayes: Comm. Burt, Chiu, Hough, and Chmn. Collis Noes: None Abstain: Comm. Rosenberger Absent: Comm. Noble Motion by Comm. Burt, seconded by Comm. Hough, to approve P.C. 154-960 as submitted. Ayes: Comm. Burt, Chiu, Hough, and Chmn. Collis Noes: None Abstain:Comm. Rosenberger Absent: Comm. Noble AMENDMENT #6 Mr. Crawford presented the revised Circulation Element including a map wit latest recommendations, the most recent change showing Gould Avenue as a collector street; a text revision which describes the map, following the same pattern and method of description that the General Plan presently uses; a more detailed analysis of the plan itself; Environmental Impact Report on the effect of the plan; a copy of the present Circulation Element; the latest traffic flow map of the city; and circulation related to neighborhood design studies. He said the City is now ten years into the General Plan; the remaining years of the Plan and the Circulation plan itself need to be related to one another. With $450,000 or $45,000 per year over the next ten years, income for street construction, the city should be able to accom-_ plish the work the Planning Commission shows in this element of the General Plan. The City staff consider this plan to be feasible and possible within ten years. He said that within the next five years the Commission should be looking into the next ten years; that with the oil resources being finite • and the method of utilization chaging, the city cannot plan a twenty-year investment program in circulation at this time. He added that if the city wishes to preserve the residential character of Hermosa Bdach it cannot afford to create any more arterial streets. Comm. Chiu questioned the sentence "It is not designed to accommodate the 20,000 week -end beach visitors." (page.3). He said this is not taking into consideration an existing condition. Mr. Crawford suggested that the Bikeway Element, Transit Element, and use of TRW parking lots will have to help in accommodating the week -end visitors; a development of some system that will bring in people but not cars, is anticipated to serve the beach visitors. Chmn. Collis said it is impossible to provide dnough parking to accommodate the beach goers and still maintain a residential community and that the city should not displace the residents of the city to provide parking lots for visitors. Comm. Cbiu suggested planned use of existing parkin -.lots and use of school lots for parking on a temporary basis. He said the sentence on page 2, "The pending bikeway and transit elements will supplement the proposed system" should be expanded to include parking, and that similar wording should be - added to the resolution. Motion by Comm. Rosenberger, seconded by Comm. Burt, to put Amendment #6 as revised on the agenda for the meeting of May 13, 1974, for public hearing. AMENDMENT #9 Mr. Crawford.presented the revised preliminary environmental impact report which is to update the changes the Planning Commission had recommended. He said the definition of neighborhood commercial is now reflected in the text, and that changes in the map.reflect changes in land use requested by the Planning Commission and is to be adopted with the Resolution. He agreed that the map will have to be changed so that the designations are more easily read. -6- Comm. Chiu asked if the industrial site will continue as industrial, and why the commercial recreation designation covers an area of apartments and condominiums. Mr. Crawford replied that the industrial site will continue for the next ten years at least, as there are a number of high -value manufacturing busi- nesses in the area, and that the Planning Commission felt that commercial recreation should be left on the map in the south area as representing its highest and best potential use. He said the designation of multi -use corridor leaves the Commission and the property owners in a position to go either residential or commercial, but the recommendation is that development be accomplished through Planned Development; however, the city does not, at this time, have the authority to impose Planned Development on any piece of property. Comm. Hough requested that items C. and D. on page 1 of the resolution, and items D. 6 and 7 on page two be eliminated or suspended as being within the province of the open Space Element. Comm. Rosenberger requested the report from the open Space Committee to be presented at the public hearing. Chmn. Collis moved to continue this item to the next workshop. No objections, so ordered. SIGN ORDINANCE REVISION Comm. Rosenberger reported on a meeting of the Development Commission in which certain modifications of the sign ordinance were made, including elim- ination -of sections that were repetitive and analysis of the new section in regard to the Improvement Commission and the criterea they are to use to judge sign quality and taste. A new section has been added on sign conform- ance, and design, construction and appearance of signs. Comm. Chiu recommended placing the proposed revision on the agenda for the next public hearing. Comm. Hough suggested including window signs as part of the sign ordinance. Comm. Rosenberger requested a maximum area to be es- tablished for any sign in addition to the formula of two square feet of sign area for each foot above grade. Chmn. Collis suggested requirement of a bond to insure that temporary signs would be removed after use. Mr. Crawford added that non -conforming electrical signs should expire when they become unsafe. Chmn. Collis recommended en- couraging the merchants to upgrade their standards for the community rather than increasing penalties for misuse of signs. He moved to place the sign ordinance on the agenda of the May 13th meeting for public hearing. MOTEL -HOTEL DFTINYTIONS Mr. Crawford reviewed existing definitions and suggested elimination of duplications and adding a definition for boarding or lodging house to cover less than 6 guest rooms. Chmn. Collis asked whether staff suggests creating through definition another type of structure that will encourage this type of development. Mr. Crawford said this type of structure exists and needs definition, there is a need for a third type of unit that falls between an apartment and a motel, and definition of that type structure will make clear the city's wishes and facilitate regulation. Chmn. Collis'suggested that a motel or hotel in any form be reviewed by the Planning Commission as to location and design, a hotel or motel being designed for two or more guest rooms; remove from C-2 zone and place under Conditional Use procedures; eliminate definition of duplex and use multiple dwelling definition for two or more families. Mr. Crawford said the definition of a kitchen and the definition of a flexible unit, as adopted, will help -the Building Director in denying the use of a wet bar that can become a kitchen; anything that is different from a conventional -7- kitchen can be declared "unusual design" which will come to the Planning Commission. He said staff will prepare an amendment for the zoning ordinance for public hearing. Motion by Comm. Burt, seconded by Comm. Rosenberger, to approve. Ayes: Comm. Burt, Chiu, Hough, Rosenberger, and Churn. Collis, Noes: None Absent: Comm. Noble CAPITAL ITROVEbMNT PROGRAM 1974 - 1975 Motion by Chmn. Collis, seconded by Comm. Hough, to continue to next workshop. ZONE AMENDMENTS Motion by Comm. Rosenberger, seconded by Comm. Hough, to continue to next workshop, and to place first on the agenda. CITY COUNCIL - SCfiOOL BOARD MEETING Mr. Crawford said the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation and the Improvement Commission are invited to attend the meeting April 299 1974, as the City Council might allow the school district to put properties on the auction block. Comm. Hough asked that the staff affirm that the Open Space Committee has been notified. The Planning will meet at -Valley Park, 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 27 for their walk of the area. Comm. Hough reported that Zeppyls is operating with the signs up that were to have been removed before they started operations. Mr. Crawford said they have been notified several times, and Chmn. Collis agreed that they should be called before the Planning Commission. Chmn. Collis commended the Isgreens for attending the meeting and for their concern with their community. Meeting adjourned by Chmn. Collis, 11:42 p.ni. CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes were approved by the Planning Commission of the City of Hermosa Beach at a public arin held on April 22, 1974 r`t4= • DATE James Rosenberger,''Efting Secretary