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HomeMy WebLinkAbout022497 PC MinutesMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF TEMECULA PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 24, 1997 A regular meeting of the City of Temecula Planning Commission was called to order on Monday, February 24, 1997, 6:09 P.M., at the City of Temecula Council Chambers, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula, California. Chairman Fahey presiding. PRESENT: Fahey, Miller, Slaven, Soltysiak, Webster ABSENT: None Also present were Community Development Director Gary Thornhill, Principal Engineer Ron Parks, Assistant City Attorney Rubin D. Weiner, Senior Planner Dave Hogan, Senior Planner John Meyer, Associate Planner Matthew Fagan, Associate Planner Saied Naaseh, and Minute Clerk Pat Kelley. PURI.IC COM-MF. NTS Chairman Fahey called for public comments on non-agenda items. There were no requests to speak. COMMISSION BU~qlNF~qS 1. Approval of Agenda It was moved by Commissioner Slaven and seconded by Commissioner Miller to approve the agenda with the change of moving Item 7 to the first Public Hearing Item. The motion carried as follows: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Fahey, Miller, Slaven, Soltysiak, Webster NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 2. Approval of January 27, 1997 Minutes It was moved by Commissioner Slaven and seconded by Commissioner Miller to approve the minutes of January 27, 1997, with the following amendments: Page 2, seventh paragraph, "..., written in 1969,..." Page 10, sixth paragraph, "He has drafted a letter for..." The motion carded as follows: R:\PI~ANCOMM\MINUTES\1997\2-24-97.WPD 3/5/97 vgw 7ol-o6 1 PL~'~NZNG COl~TSSTON F~BRU~Y 24~ L997 AYES: 5 NOES: 0 ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: Fahey, Miller, Slaven, Soltysiak, Webster COMMISSIONERS: None COMMISSIONERS: None 3. DIRECTOR'S HEARING UPDATE Community Development Director Gary Thornhill stated he had nothing further to report. 4. Appoint Commissioner to Old Town Streetscape Consultant Selection Panel Commissioner Soltysiak abstained from discussion of this item. Senior Planner John Meyer presented the staff report. Commissioner Miller volunteered to represent the Commission on the Old Town Streetscape Consultant Selection Panel. 7. Planning Application No. PA95-0127 - Proposed Sign Ordinance Chairman Fahey asked staff to put the information in a table format for a clearer understanding of the issues. Commissioner Slaven suggested red strike outs of eliminated language and shading of the new wording would be helpful. Commissioner Miller asked if Commissioner Soltysiak's request to notify the auto dealers of the proposed ordinance had been done. Mr. Naaseh reported staff met with the auto dealers, who agreed with the proposal, and their major concern was enforcement. It was moved by Commissioner Slaven and seconded by Commissioner Miller to continue the item to the March 17, 1997, Planning Commission meeting to give staff time to make the report more understandable. The motion failed as follows: AYES: 2 NOES: 3 ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: Miller, Slaven COMMISSIONERS: Fahey, Soltysiak, Webster COMMISSIONERS None Associate Planner Saied Naaseh presented the staff report and requested direction from the Commission on six issues on which the Sign Committee and the Comment Group did not agree. Chairman Fahey opened the public heating at 7:09 PM. There were no requests to speak. Chairman Fahey closed the public comment section at 7:09 PM. R: \PLANCOl,~4\MINUTES\1997\2-24-97.WPD 3/5/97 vgw 701-06 2 FT,~Z~G COI~l~T88TO~ F;~RUARY 24, ~997 Comments #2, 44, 45 & 46 - Non-Conforming Signs Commissioner Miller asked for a definition of a non-conforming sign. Mr. Naaseh defined it as a sign that does not meet any standard in the proposed ordinance and could include signs legally approved under Ordinance 348. Commissioner Miller asked if temporary signs would ever be non-conforming and Mr. Naaseh replied they would probably be legal because temporary sign standards are not being changed. City Attorney Rubin Weiner stated there is a state law requiring an inventory prior to the enforcement of any amortization period. It was the consensus of the Commission to leave non-conforming sign language out of the proposed ordinance until staff has inventoried the signs and that inventory and language will be brought to the Commission as a public hearing item as expeditiously as possible. Comment #18 - Real Estate Signs Commissioner Miller expressed his dislike of a 4' x 8' standard sign and having all signs exactly alike will eliminate their utility as an attention-getter. Commissioner Webster mentioned the ordinance states "...shall not exceed 32 square feet..." and disagrees with the two-tier idea because the issue could be dealt with by the variance process. Mr. Thornhill stated illustrations displaying options will be brought to the Commission. It was the consensus of the Commission to state a maximum square footage and width with the height of the bottom of the sign starting anywhere. Comment g21 - Freestanding Signs Commissioner Webster requested the following modification: "...a knuckle or where it is..." to provide flexibility for applicant. It was the consensus of the Commission to support staff recommendation with the proposed modification. Comment #30 - Freeway-Oriented Signs Commissioner Miller stated he does not understand the rational for not allowing a freestanding freeway sign for a retail center under seven (7) acres. Chairman Fahey instructed staff, since the Commission is split, to bring examples and/or illustrations back at a future meeting. R:\PLANCOt~q\MINUTES\1997\2-24-97.WPD 3/5/97 vgw 7o~-o~ 3 PT.ANNING COI~lTSBTON FRBRU~RY 24. 1997 Comment #37. - Commercial Tenant Identification Signs Mr. Thomhill stated establishing minimum and maximum sizes, without regulating letter size will create fewer problems. Commissioner Miller asked if the ordinance deals with panel color and Mr. Naaseh replied there is a provision that each panel must have the same background color. It was the consensus of the Commission to have one (1) tenant per panel, minimum letter height of 5" and 100 square foot maximum sign. Chairman Fahey asked that examples of the proposed signs to be brought back. Comment #40 - Industrial Multi-Tenant Signs Commissioner Slaven stated, as a consumer it is very difficult to locate a business in the industrial areas and sees no problem with well-designed multi-tenant signs. It was the majority consensus of the Commission to allow multi-tenant signs in the industrial areas and to direct staff to design guidelines for all signs allowed in industrial areas. Mr. Naa~h reported the business community will be renoticed when the sign ordinance is brought back to the Commission. Chairman Fahey called for a recess at 7:56 PM. Chairman Fahey reconvened the meeting at 8:03 PM. 5. Planning Application No. PA97-0004 - Temecula One Properties Commissioner Soltysiak stated he would abstain from this item as he is a consultant to the project proponent. Commissioner Miller said he would also abstain due to a preexisting business relationship with the applicant and the applicant's architect. Senior Planner David Hogan presented the staff report recommending approval for construction and operation of a 11,000 square foot industrial/warehouse with offices for Quality Tools Company. He noted a correction in one payment of disturbed Stephens Kangaroo Rat habitat to $500 per acre in the Mitigation Monitoring Program. He stated the Building Department is going to require an additional secondary access for the second floor which is not shown on the elevations. Commissioner Slaven asked if the acrylic pyramidal dome is in compliance with the Development Code and Mr. Hogan replied it was one way to provide an accent to an entryway. R:\PLANCOI'94\MINUTES\1997\2-24-97.WPD 3/5/97 vgw 701-06 4 P?.~I~NZNG COI~TSSTON F~BRUARY 24, ~997 Commissioner Slaven inquired if any consideration was given to putting the sidewalk around the trees. Mr. Thomhill replied continuity with existing development would be an issue if the sidewalk went around the trees. Mr. Hogan stated there was no expectation of sidewalks when this area was prepared for development and trees were planted where sidewalks should be located. Commissioner Webster asked why Condition of Approval number 5A spelled out the number of African Sumac trees. Mr. Thomhill stated sometimes changes are made to the landscaping plans and staff wanted to make certain sixteen (16) African Sumac trees were retained. Principal Engineer Ron Parks modified Condition of Approval 39 to read: "...erosion control and drainage measures...protect the property and adjacent public..." at the request of Legal Counsel. Jeff Tanner, 42122 Rio Nedo, Temecula, explained how his business had started out in the garage and had expanded to the point where a larger facility is needed. Commissioner Webster asked the purpose of the block wall extending beyond the fence on the west side of the property. Dean Davidson, 28441 Rancho California Road, Suite A, Temecula, architect, stated it is a low retaining wall. Chairman Fahey opened the public hearing at 8:14 PM. There were no requests to speak. Chairman Fahey closed the public comment section at 8:14 PM. Commissioner Slaven stated she feels the acrylic pyramidal dome is not appropriate for the area and does not believe it is in compliance with the Development Code; additional architectural design is needed. Mr. Thornhill suggested tempered glass or metal could be used instead of acrylic. Chairman Fahey suggested a condition be added stating entryway designed with material consistent with the remainder of the building and approved by staff. It was moved by Commissioner Slaven, and seconded by Commissioner Webster, to adopt the Negative Declaration for Planning Application No. PA97-0004; to adopt the Mitigation Monitoring Program for Planning Application No. PA97-0004; and to adopt Resolution No. 97-003 recommending approval of Planning Application No. PA97-0004 based upon the Analysis and Findings contained in the staff report and subject to the attached Conditions of Approval as modified and with the addition of entryway redesign and to close the public hearing. The motion carried as follows: AYES: 3 NOES: 0 ABSTAIN: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Fahey, Slaven, Webster COMMISSIONERS: None COMMISSIONERS Miller, Soltysiak R:\PLANCOMM\MINUTES\1997\2-24-97.WPD 3/5/97 vgw 701-06 5 P?,~.NNTN~3 6. C~O~TSSTON F~BRU~RY 24, ~997 Planning Applications PA96-0293 - (Development Plan) - Ted Zonos Associate Planner Matthew Fagan presented the staff report recommending approval of the design and construction of a 19,729 square foot commercial development and associated parking, landscaping, road and drainage improvements located at the southwest comer of Margarita and Pauba Roads. Commissioner Slaven questioned the height of the site stating the artist's rendering pictures it at ground level and at the January 27, 1997 meeting, it was her understanding the site would be about 4' above street level. Mr. Parks stated there is to be a 4' slope and it is difficult to tell from this rendition the slope height. Commissioner Miller suggested the condition be modified such that the landscaping plans provide for trees to be consistent with the rendering, there was a certain level of mature trees in the rendering. Larry Markham, 41750 Winchester Road, Suite L, Temecula, representing the applicant, stated the call outs have to be modified with regard to the square footage of the building, and the parking spaces changed in the resolution and staff report. Wayne Banks, 19732 MacArthur Blvd, Irvine, architect, stated the pad is four to five feet above the surface of Margarita Road, a berm runs two to three feet along Pauba and Margarita Roads, and the use of mature palms is planned. Commissioner Miller asked if any type of fence is planned for the top of the retaining wall and Mr. Banks replied a fence would be good for safety purposes and also ivy will be planted to conceal the wall. Mr. Markham mentioned the applicant will work with staff regarding softening of tile accents. Commissioner Miller mentioned he met with Mr. Thomhill and City staff to determine how to make this project work and he also talked to Mr. Racicot about the applicant's revised plans. Commissioner Webster stated he met with Mr. Markham and City staff to review the submitted plans. Chairman Fahey reopened the public hearing at 8:34 PM. Roi Nieto, 43198 Corte Almonte, Temecula, stressed the quality of this development is vital to the community and he supports professionai-type businesses as tenants. He asked the Commission to continue the item until all details are completed. Mike Curry, 42965 Via Gandia, Temecula, stated the drive in the rear of the building will create a trashy alleyway that will be used as a thoroughfare. Richard Racicot, 31320 Corte Rimola, Temecula, explained his architectural concept of the site and presented the results of his survey of Paloma del Sol residents and requested the Commission postpone approval until the developer implements the suggested improvements. R:\PLANCOMM\MINUTES\1997\2-24-97.WPD 3/5/97 vgw ~o~-o~ 6 PT.;~'NTNG CON~TSSTON F~RRUi~Y 24, ~997 Philip Hoover, 31335 Corte Rimola, Temecula, stated design and aesthetics of the center will determine tenants and the higher the quality and maintenance, the better the tenants attracted to the area. Mr. Markham response's to Mr. Racicot's design was: the dimensions of the lot and building and access points make eliminating the driveway impossible; a patio in back of Building C would be 20' off the ground and doing anything in the rear would create noise, lights, etc which impact the westerly and southerly neighbors. Commissioner Miller expressed his concern over eastbound Pauba Road traffic taking a shortcut thru the property to go southbound on Margarita Road. Mr. Markham suggested making the Pauba Road drive a one-way exit would eliminate any shortcut traffic. Commissioner Slaven asked about the trees in the raised planter boxes shown on the landscape plan. Mr. Banks stated the planters were more like walls and other items -- shrubs, ground cover, and perhaps another tree - would be planted in the area. Commissioner Miller requested wrought iron be required on top of the wall. Commissioner Slaven suggested using something other than crepe myrtles as they do not do well in this area and do not provide much screening. Mr. Thornhill stated perhaps other trees could be added as crepe myrtles do add seasonal color. Chairman Fahey closed the public comment section at 9:22 PM. Commissioner Miller suggested the back access road be one-way and flow from Margarita Road to Pauba Road. Chairman Fahey stated that she did not think a gate or spikes in the road were necessary, but signs prohibiting two way traffic might be appropriate. It was moved by Commissioner Slaven and seconded by Commissioner Webster to adopt the Negative Declaration for Planning Application No. PA96-0293; to adopt the Mitigation Monitoring Program for Planning Application No. PA96-0293; and to adopt Resolution No. 97-004 approving Planning Application No. PA96-0293 based upon the Analysis and Findings contained in the staff report and subject to the attached Conditions of Approval, and the Conditions of Approval stated in the Public Works memo dated January 27, 1997, and adding enhancement of landscaping in back of the building, wrought iron fencing, and mature trees in the front, and to close the public hearing. The motion carried as follows: AYES: 5 NOES: 0 ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: Fahey, Miller, Slaven, Soltysiak, Webster COMMISSIONERS: None COMMISSIONERS None R:\PLANCOMM\MINUTES\1997\2-24-97.WPD 3/5/97 vgw 7o~-o6 7 PT.aNNING COMMTSSTON FRBRUARY 24, ~ 997 8. Planning Application No. PA97-0036 - Development Code Amendment No. 3 It was moved by Commissioner Webster, and seconded by Commissioner Slaven to continue this item off calendar and to renotice it when it is rescheduled. The motion carried as follows: AYES: 5 NOES: 0 ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: Fahey, Miller, Slaven, Soltysiak, Webster COMMISSIONERS: None COMMISSIONERS None PI.ANNING MANAGER'S REPORT Commission Webster asked about the memo from Planning Manager Debbie Ubnoske regarding the Unocal Station. Commissioner Miller remarked the Commission approved the building with a specific sign package and now there are four additional ones. Chairman Fahey suggested that a comparison of what was approved, and what presently exists, be brought to the next meeting. PLANNING COMMISSION DISCUSSION There was no discussion. It was moved by Commissioner Slaven, and seconded by Commissioner Fahey, to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 PM. The motion was unanimously carried. The next meeting will be held March 3, 1997, at 6:00 P.M. at the Temecula City Hall Council Chambers, 43200 Business Park Drive, Temecula, California. Linda Fahe.~,, Chairman/ Debbie Ubnoske, Secretary R: \ PLANCO~94\MINUTES \ 1997 \ 2-24- 97. WPD 3/5/97 vgw 7o~-o6 8