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HomeMy WebLinkAbout041405 DH Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF TEMECULA DIRECTOR OF PLANNING April 14, 2005 A regular meeting of the City of Temecula Director's Hearing was called to order on Thursday, April 14, 2005 at 1:40 PM in the Community Development Conference Room, located at 43200 Business Park Drive Temecula California. Principal Planner David Hogan presiding. Also present were Senior Planner Emery Papp, Director of Community Services Herman Parker, Special Projects Engineer Annie Bostre-Le, Principal Engineer AIi Moghadam, Associate Planner Dale West and Minute Clerk Cynthia Lariccia. Item NO.1: Planninq Application No. PA04-0620 A Development Plan to construct a 5.520 square foot commercial buildinq on a portion of the 9.12 acres Kent Hinderqardt Memorial Park located at 31465 Via Cordoba Senior Planner Emery Papp, representing Associate Planner Stuart Fisk, gave an overview of the project and staff recommendations. The Negative Declaration was prepared and was circulated for public review beginning February 23, 2005. Staff received several letters from concerned residents. Some concerns expressed included increased levels of traffic, increased noise, and the aesthetics of the project. Staff has taken all concerns under advisement. City Traffic Engineer Ali Moghadam was asked to comment on the traffic impact. The number of trips that are projected would not change level of service on this roadway and therefore would not be deemed significant impact. Initial study on noise was addressed. Staff felt applicant has adequately addressed concerns and recommends approval. Principal Planner Hogan asked if Senior Planner Papp was familiar with the changes in the design of the exterior of the building to provide additional articulation or improve its appearances. Senior Planner Papp deferred to the applicant. Jackie Sandoval, Edge Development, 27368 Via Industria, Temecula, described changes in the landscape, the walkway for restrooms, and front elevation of the building. Principal Planner Hogan opened the Public Hearing at 1 :50 PM and asked the applicant to speak first. Michelle Arellano President of the Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Riverside County, 28790 Pujol Street, Temecula, stated a great need for this Club and the youth services they provide. The Club services youth from ages 6-18. Stated Clubs in tract home developments in poway and Rancho Bernardo are thriving and embraced by the community A resident asked Ms. Arellano about the programs being offered. Principal Planner Hogan clarified that this is a public hearing and that the purpose of the meeting was not for the public to ask questions of the applicant. This is a formal hearing with everyone having a chance to speak. Ms. Arellano stated that these programs include: sports, character and leadership, art, food and culture, project learn that goes around the world teaching the children the cultures, and beaded art. Chris Olsen, Chairman of the Board of the Boys and Girls Club, 28790 Pujol; Street, Temecula, stated that there has been a lot of misconceptions on what the Club brings to the community. The Club determines where the services are needed and this area has been targeted. Wanted R:\DIRHEAR\MINUTES\2005\04- J 4-05 minutes.doc residents to keep minds open to what Club can do for the community and recommended they visit one of the existing Clubs. Scott Barone, Edge Development, 27368 Via Industria, stated that the exhibit doesn't address the parking. He stated that there is a one acre area adjacent to the park where the City will be sponsoring additional parking. By design the building is pushed to the corner of the park to help preserve the openness. Principal Planner Hogan asked if we are considering the application with the additional parking. Senior Planner Papp stated that only the Boys and Girls Club was being considered today and that the City sponsored parking will come later as a CIP Project. Principal Planner Hogan asked if there were any other speakers in favor of the project. Minute Clerk stated that there were two not marked. Residents stated that they had concerns and were not necessarily for or against the project. Sharon Wain, 31545 Via Cordoba, Temecula, stated that the group's goal was to have a safe and secure location for all the children but with some concern for room for growth or declining enrollment. She asked if other sites were considered in the same vicinity, such as the Sports Park. Traffic must be addressed, not only congestion but limited access to Pechanga Parkway in this area. Speed of traffic has significantly increased. Charles Hankley, 31745 Via Cordoba, Temecula, stated that the land was dedicated to the City by Presley's 25% area of green for a community park. Boys and Girls Club is going beyond the definition of park use. Traffic mitigation is not possible. Attempts to deter speeding by installing stop signs have been ignored. Mr. Hankley stated that he had not received a notice of the meeting and that it should have been held at a more opportune time. He also suggested the facility be at the Sports Park. Mariana Kirkbide, 45283 Calles ita Ordenes, Temecula, stated that the group was not against children. Her main concern is the traffic in the area. Park was designed to allow people to park and use facility. There is graffiti in the park and several police incidents a week. Cars parked in the evening. She stated problems with children running rampant through the property and gaps in the landscaping. Need to put facilities for children on a main road with easy access. Kayla Sigman, 45178 Via Quivera, Temecula, asked if these were community children why did they need to be bussed in. Her driveway is blocked every Thursday due to the basketball program. Her curbing system was knocked down twice. Majority of junior high and high school children using the Club's programs have no concept of money or destroying people's property. Residents cannot sleep during the day due to the noise. She also questioned who did the traffic study as the traffic is way out of control on Via Cordoba. Mike Tooke, 31694 Loma Linda, Temecula, stated he would like to keep a level playing field as it relates to giving addresses and speaking for only 3 minutes. He stated that this group is for the kids and doesn't want to see anyone get hurt. Twenty trees might hide abuilding but it's not going to hide the traffic. Principal Planner Hogan stated that he understood Mr. Tooke's concerns regarding a level playing field; however, asking questions of the applicant does not count against testimony time and would apply to any speaker who is questioned by the hearing officer. Dona Watson, 45175 Via Quivera, Temecula, stated that she is not against the Boys and Girls Club and commended their program. She appreciated the consideration and the planning that has gone into the proposal. She addressed safety concerns and the use of driveways for turn R:\DlRHEAR\M INUTES\2005\04-14-05 minutes.doc 2 arounds to pickup or drop off students. The park was not meant for the amount of traffic it currently has. Location should be safer for the children and would like to see it at the Sports Park. Lee Ann Adams, 45087 Corte Camillia, Temecula, passed around photos of the park. She commented on the noise disruption from children being dropped off at the school. She commented on the application having room for expansion. Bud Benson, 45035 Corte Bravo, Temecula, emphasized the dangerous traffic situation and questioned the traffic study. Kate Chandler, 31635 Via Saltio, Temecula, commented on the problems affecting the quality of life for the residents in this area citing traffic congestion and noise. Trip counts used to be done at peak am and pm periods. She requested that the City not "shoehorn" this project into the park. Mario Carvajal, 31645 Via Cordoba, Temecula, wanted to state first and foremost that this is a residential street. He asked how the decision was made to build the Club at the park and that the traffic study was flawed. He mentioned that in the past there was a Soccer League at the park and it caused a major problem with traffic and parking and that the City had moved them out. He commended the Club for addressing community issues with regard to activities for children but suggested that it be moved to another location. Bill Halland, 31671 Via Saltio, Temecula, stated the traffic problem with the congested hairpin turn. His suggested the Sports Park as an ideal location for the Club. He also suggested the park at Red Hawk Parkway. Steve Watson, 45175 Via Ouivera, Temecula, commended the wonderful program of the Club. He stated the new houses going into Wolf Valley, the farm on Lorna Linda and the 400 plus homes will increase the traffic. People will not attend if they have to battle traffic. He suggested the Sports Park, Pala Park, or some location off the 79 South. He also thanked the City for listening to their concerns. Winthrop O. Taylor, 45181 Via Ouivera, Temecula, stated that since the City removed the stop sign on the corner of Via Ouivera and Via Cordoba he witnessed a speeding vehicle shearing off a fire hydrant in the park. He has observed kids drag racing on motorcycles and tire marks in this driveway. He suggested speed bumps to control speed on the curve. No further requests to speak were presented. Principal Planner Hogan closed the Public Hearing at 2:35 PM. Principal Planner Hogan asked questions of staff regarding traffic volume on Via Cordoba. Principal Engineer AIi Moghadam stated that there were about 2500 trips per day. The street is utilized as a collector street and that road drivers will speed whether there is a stop sign or not. Principal Planner asked about the anticipated project traffic. Engineer stated that the project traffic is very minimal compared to overall traffic that exists in the area. Engineer stated that they use a 5% threshold meaning if the project added 5% or more to the existing traffic then a traffic study would be required, which was not the case. He also stated that the requests for stop signs and speed bumps should be addressed to the Traffic Safety Commission. Engineer stated that he did not feel that the traffic generated by the Boys and Girls Clubs was significant enough to cause additional inconvenience to the residents. Principal Planner Hogan asked TCSD Director Herman Parker to clarify the alternate locations that may have been evaluated. Mr. Parker stated that the City looked at this particular part of R:\DLRHEAR\MrNUTES\2005\04-14-05 minules.doc 3 the City due to the lack of facilities in the south end of town. The City is not programming a lot of activity at this park and that the Club would blend into the aesthetics of the community. As it relates to the Sports Park, there will be no community center located there. Principal Planner Hogan asked if Community Services felt that this was the most centrally located area able to provide this service. Mr. Parker agreed Principal Planner Hogan stated that this was a difficult situation. The school traffic, as troublesome as it is, is not the issue. School traffic will continue whether the project is there or not and that the project will not generate a significant amount of traffic beyond what is there. Much of the problem really relates to the poor subdivision design by the County. Collector streets should not have single family residential driveways. He stated that on Wednesday morning, the City Council approved the updated General Plan and it does contain a street connection that will also help the circulation issue. When the Wolf Creek project finishes building out there is a possibility of getting another market at Via Eduardo and Pechanga Parkway that will also help the circulation issues. A lot of concerns are in the works but they do not get immediate solutions. Principal Planner Hogan stated that he suspects that there is no doubt that the Boys and Girls Club is needed and will provide a place for kids to be kids with supervision. He stated he understood the group's problems with the Middle School but did not feel that the Club would result in additional noise. He understands the concerns of the group that they perceive this project as a change to their neighborhood and quality of life. Principal Planner Hogan also stated that based on the evidence that there will not be a significant effect on the environment from this project. It is a public recreational use occurring in a public park and that the two are consistent. He also stated that the Club is a non-profit corporation not a commercial business. Principal Planner Hogan stated that he is going to refer PA04-0620 to the Planning Commission. He felt that there was enough community concern. A member of the group asked if they would be notified. Principal Planner Hogan stated that all residents will be notified that are within 600 feet as well as those present at today's hearing. Senior Planner Papp also stated that the City provides notification by mail, posting of site as well as newspaper. The next available Planning Commission meeting would be May 18, 2005. er busin ss, hearing was adjourned at 2:50 PM. R:\DIRHEAR\M INUTES\2005\04-14-05 minutes.doc 4