HomeMy WebLinkAbout032095 PC AgendaCALL TO ORDER:
ROLL CALL:
PUBLIC COMMENTS
AGENDA
TEMECULA PLANNING COMMISSION
March 20, 1995, 6:00 PM
Rancho California Water District's
Board Room
42135 Winchester Road
Temecula, CA 92390
Chairman Ford
Blair, Fahey, Slayen, Webster and Ford
A total of 15 minutes is provided so members of the public can address the commissioners on items that
are not listed on the Agenda. Speakers are limited to three (3) minutes each. If you desire to speak to
the Commissioners about an item tt0t listed on the Agenda, a pink "Request to Speak" form should be
fdled out and filed with the Commission Secretary.
When you are called to speak, please come forward and state your name and address.
For all other agenda items a "Request to Speak" form must be fried with the Planning Secretary before
Commission gets to that item. There is a three (3) minute time limit for individual speakers.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
1. Approval of Agenda
PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
Case No.:
Applicant:
Location:
Proposal:
Planner:
Recommendation:
Development Code
City of Temecula
City Wide
Introduce the Draft Development Code
John Meyer
Approval to City Council
Next meeting: April 3, 1995, 6:00 p.m., Rancho California Water District's Board Room, 42135
Winchester Road, Temecula, California.
PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT
PLANNING COMMISSION DISCUSSION
OTHER BUSINESS
ADJOURNMENT
R:\WIMBERVG~PLANCOMM\AGENDAS\3-20-95 3/16195 vgw
ITEM #2
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Planning Commission
Gary Thornhill, Director of Planning
March 20, 1995
SUBJECT: Draft Development Code
Prepared by: John Meyer
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Planning Commission review the draft
Development Code, take public testimony, and direct staff to
make any modifications in order to make a recommendation of
approval to the City Council.
INTRODUCTION
On July 9, 1991 the City Council approved a contract with The Planning Center to assist the
City in preparing its first General Plan and Development Code. The General Plan was adopted
in November of 1993. The Development Code is the primary instrument for implementing the
General Plan. Temecula's General Plan is a 20-year plan, while the Development Code and
the Zoning Map respond to shorter-term needs and conditions. Each of the residential,
commercial, business park, and other land use designations are detailed by land use zones
which specify permitted uses, conditional uses, and development standards for each zone.
The Code was developed pursuant to the authority granted to the City of Temecula by the
Constitution of the State of California and in compliance with the requirements of Section
65800 et.seq. of the Government Code, Planning, Zoning and Development Laws. The power
to zone or regulate is given to the City to promote and protect the communities health, safety
and general welfare. It is the aim of the Code to provide a serviceable, attractive and
economically viable city. State law requires that a city zoning ordinance be consistent with
a City's adopted General Plan.
The City desired a development code that established straight forward processes and
standards put forth in a manner understandable by both professionals and the public. To
accomplish this, the consultant was directed to seek out successful zoning ordinances from
other communities and draft a hybrid suitable for the City of Temecula.
To assist the staff and The Planning Center prepare the Development Code, the City Council
appointed a Development Code Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee consisted of
seven appointees by the Council, past Planning Commissioner Dennis Chiniaeff and
Councilmember Mu~oz. The Council Appointees were Larry Markham, Vince DiDonato, Don
Rohrbacher, David Christian, Doug Scott, Csaba Ko and Kevin McKenzie. The Advisory
Committee met and reviewed a screen-draft code between July 1993 and August 1994.
During this process, the Advisory Committee deliberated many issues and provided significant
direction to staff. The consensus of the Advisory Committee is that the draft code is a solid,
well organized document.
A VISION FOR TEMECULA
The General Plan expresses a vision of the future of the City and prescribes techniques to
manage growth and development so that the vision can be achieved. The challenge of the
General Plan is to establish clear and sustainable direction. The vision for Temecula represents
the values of the community that will contribute to Temecula's future image and physical
character. The Vision Statement draws upon the City's Mission Statement which was
developed by the City Council. The Vision Statement will enable future community leaders
and citizens to recall and endorse the meaning of the Plan and maintain diligence in carrying
out its intent.
Key aspects of the Vision Statement include:
· Maintain a safe, secure, clean, healthy and orderly community;
· Balance residential, commercial and industrial opportunities;
· Concentrate retail and business development within Village Centers;
· Provide a convenient and effective transportation system which includes vehicular
circulation, transit, bicycles and pedestrian modes of travel;
· Provide an outstanding open space and parks system;
· Preserve community values, neighborhood conservation and public safety;
· Support opportunities for community activities for a wide array of interests, ages and
lifestyles;
· Preserve and enhance historical and cultural resources within the community;
· Assure adequate public services are provided concurrently with development;
· Capitalize on the community's greatest asset, it's people, by encouraging community
involvement and community responsibility.
REPORT/PUBLIC HEARING FORMAT
This report is intended to provide a brief introduction and background of Temecula's Draft
Development Code. The Public Hearings for the draft Development Code will be spread over
three to four Planning Commission meetings starting March 20, 1995 and will likely be held
on the third Monday of each subsequent month. Additional meetings will be scheduled as
required. The Commission will then forward a recommendation to the City Council. Additional
Public Hearings will be held by the Council.
R:\DEVCODE\DRAI~fDC,PC 3/16/95 kJb 2
The following is a proposed schedule of review:
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
Chapter 9.01 General Provisions
Chapter 9.02 Establishment of Zoning Districts
Chapter 9.03 Administration of Zoning
Chapter 9.04 Permits
Chapter 9.05 Development Plan Process
Chapter 9.06 Residential Districts
Chapter 9.08 Commercial/Industrial Districts
Chapter 9.12 Public/Institutional Districts
Chapter 9.14 Open Space/Recreation Districts
Cha )ter 9.16 Specific Plan Overlay District
Cha ~ter 9.18 Village Center Overlay District
Cha )ter 9.20 Floodplain Overlay District
Cha )ter 9.22 Planned Development Overlay District
Cha ~ter 9.24 Off-street Parking and Loading
Cha ~ter 9.26 Covenants for Easements
Cha )ter 9.34 Definition of Terms
Consistency Zoning (Zoning Map)
General Plan Amendment
MEETING DATES
Meeting I
March 20, 1995
Meeting II
Meeting III
Meeting IV
DRAFT DEVELOPMENT CODE CHAPTERS
The following sections address each chapter individually. Each section contains a purpose
summary, a brief description of the key aspects of the chapter, and any recommended
changes to the draft section. Although only highlights of the Code are discussed here, staff
envisions a broad discussion of each chapter as determined by the commission.
Section 1. General Provisions and Establishment of Zoning
Purpose
These two chapters provide the legal framework for the establishment of zoning.
Description
These sections are written to establish the legal format of the Code and defines the Code's
relationship to the General Plan and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The zoning
districts and Official Zoning Map are also established in this section.
Changes
Staff is not recommending any changes.
SECTION 2. Administration of Zonin~l
Purpose
This chapter outlines the procedures for the processing of land use permits and other
discretionary approvals.
Description
This chapter builds on the streamlining established by the Approval Authority Matrix last
amended in late 1993. The City is going from 26 different processes under the Matrix, to just
11 under the Development Code.
This section implements a Supplemental Noticing requirement for significant projects as
outlined in the Code. The intent of the supplemental notification is to advise the public of
controversial projects early in the development review process.
Consistent with previous Council direction, the Code has been written to provide a passive
approach to legal non-conforming uses and structures. The Code does not include an
amortization schedule. Non-conforming uses generally may be continued indefinitely, bought
or sold, so long has they are not enlarged or their degree of non-conformity increased.
Changes
The following changes are proposed:
Section 9.03.070 (g)(3) on page 16 ... which was abandoned for a period of ~ii~i~i~:~:~...
Section 9.03.090 (b)(3) on page 18 ,,. or undelivered after ~;~...
SECTION 3. Permits
Purpose
This chapter provides the framework for processing various applications that relate to the use
of property and exceptions from various standards.
Description
A key difference between the Development Code and County Ordinance 348 is the distinction
between the use of property and the development of property. This chapter establishes that
distinction. The Code maintains the provision for public hearings before either the Planning
Director or Planning Commission. New findings, which respond to recent changes in State and
Case law have been included in this chapter.
The Temporary Use Permit consolidates the major and minor outdoor event permits and
establishes findings and conditions for their approval.
Attached is a letter received from the president of the Rainbow Canyon Villages Homeowners
Association regarding home occupation permits. The letter recommends a series of minor
changes to this section. The City Attorney has reviewed the requested changes and
determined them to be policy issues. Based on this review, Staff is not recommending
inclusion of the proposed changes. Should the Commission wish to support any of them,
Staff will bring back appropriate language to facilitate the changes.
Changes
The following changes are proposed:
Section 9.04.010 (c)(1) page I If the Conditional Use Permit involves an existing building,
Section 9.04.010 (g) page 3 Replace with
Within three (3) years of approval of a Conditional Use Permit, commencement
of the use shall have occurred or the approval shall be subject to expiration.
Commencement of the use shall be defined by the issuance of a building permit
for conditional uses involving new construction or the actual occupancy of an
existing structure for a conditional use not involving new construction. If after
three years, the commencement of the use for which a Conditional Use Permit
was issued has not occurred, the Planning Director may provide a notice to the
permit holder that the Conditional Use Permit is subject to expiration and that
a public hearing before the Planning Commission will be held to determine
whether or not the Planning Commission shall determine that the Conditional
Use Permit expired. Notice of the hearing shall be given in accordance with
Section 9.03.040. The Planning Commission shall take evidence regarding
what use, if any, the permit holder has made of the Conditional Use Permit and
determine if such use is significant to justify extending or continuing the
Conditional Use Permit. Additionally, if after commencement of the use under
the Conditional Use Permit, the active use of the Conditional Use Permit is
discontinued for a period of three (3) years, then the Conditional Use Permit
shall be deemed abandoned."
Sectson 9.04.020 (b)(12) page 6 Outdoor temporary swap meets or auctions,
events per calendar, not exceeding 4 consecutive days.
SECTION 4. DeveloDment Plan Process
Purpose
This section establishes the processing requirements and procedures for the development of
property within the City of Temecula.
Description
As stated above, this Code distinguishes between the use of property and the development
of property. The development plan process replaces what was the plot plan process under
the Ordinance 348. Three levels of review have been established consistent with the existing
approval authority. These levels are staff, Director's Hearing and the Planning Commission.
The provisions of each authority is outlined in the Code.
Under this Code, single family residential development will require Development Review
approval. Previously, single family residential development in an R-2 district required plot plan
review.
Changes
The following changes are proposed:
Section 9.05.010 (d)(1) page 2 Approval bv the Director of Plannine: When a proposed
project is less than 10,000square feet of new building area, ~ii~ii~i~!iii~i~i~ii and
requires ...
Attachment:
1. March 5, 1995 letter from Rainbow Canyon Villages Homeowners Association -
Blue Page 7
ATTACHMENT NO. 1
MARCH 5, 1995 Lhl IER FROM
RAINBOW CANYON VILLAGES HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
RAINBOW CANYON VILLAGES
HOMEO WNERS ASSOCIATION
FO Box 1674
Teraecula, CA 92593
Telephone 694~)822
March 5, 1995
City of Temecula
43174 Business Park Drive,
Temecula, CA 92590
t?ECEiVEo
;. ? .e35
Atm: Mr. John Meyer, Senior Planner
In accordance with the offer of Linda Beaudoin, there is enclosed with this letter my comments
to the Draft Development Code 9.04.030 dated July 6, 1994. Our HOA is concerned with the
developing issue of home occupations. At the moment, we are trying to dislodge a hair salon
and an automotive repair facility because of complaints of neighbors regarding the excessive
vehicle traffic and parked cars. Additionally, we have a resident who periodically raises dogs
for sale and the noise and odor of the dogs is offensive to several nearby residents.
It is these cases that sensitizes us to the necessity of regulating home occupations in a way that
permits inoffensive occupations, such as bookkeeping, computer design, consulting, arts and
crafts and light woodworking, but does not permit offensive or disturbing activities such as those
noted above.
Therefore, speaking for the Board of Directors and most of our members, I am grateful for the
opportunity to comment on the draft regulation and hope that it will lead to maintaining the
residential character and value of our neighborhood.
My special thanks to Linda for her helpfulness.
It is also importam that the Home Occupation Certification list all the criteria contained in the
Development Code. Also, the Certification must contain a section that describes the exact namm
of the occupation being certified in addition to the name of the business, which we all know does
not always tell what the business really does.
I am fully retired and spend much of my time at home tending to the business of the HOA, so
if you have any questions or comments, I can always be reached at (909) 695-2278.
~m~Theurich, Presihe~ent
Enclosure
cc: Linda Beaudoin w/encl.
3/5/95
Comments and Recommendations
for
City of Temecula
Development Code
9.04.030 (Draft)
Introduction: It is the purpose of this note to offer thoughtful comments and helpful
recommendations to the draft of the Home Occupation Permits section of the City of Temecula
Development Code. For ease of understanding, the outline of this note follows the same
paragraph structure as the draft. Comments are made in relation to noted paragraph and the
recommended wording changes are shown in bold face type. The comments and
recommendations are derived largely from our experiences within the Rainbow Canyon Villages
HOA, which contains 429 homes composed of 372 owner occupied residences and 57 rentals.
1. Paragraph (a) Purpose and Intent
Comment: This section's first paragraph is an intention and not a purpose. Additionally, the
second paragraph does not state its purpose or intention and contains vague and poorly defined
language, too subject to misinterpretation, i.e. "...does not require frequent customer access..."
Who defines what is "frequent", and what is "frequent" versus "normal, usual or customary.
It also implies that customers and the associated trafftc are welcomed at home occupations,
which is one of the most irritating features of some home occupations and one which has one
of the most direct impact on reducing the surrounding residents' enjoyment of their residence
and neighborhood. I hope this is not the intent and purpose of the proposed permit.
Recommendation: I recommend replacing the entire paragraph (a) with the following:
(a) Purpose and Intent: It is the purpose of this section to regulate home
occupations in residential zones in a manner that will ensure they are used only as
accessory uses that are incidental to the primary residential use of the premises upon
which they are found. It is the intent of this section that home occupations shall not
be inconsistent with nor disruptive of the normal residential usage of the premises
nor shall home occupations cause external effects that are detrimental to neighboring
properties or which are incompatible with the characteristics of the residential area.
2. Paragraph (b) Application Requirements and Procedure
Comment: I believe in the second sentence there should be a period after "...Planning
Director ".
Recommendation: Change the last sentence to read:
A Home Occupation Permit and Home Occupation Certification shall state the exact
nature of the home occupation and shall be granted ONLY if the request conforms
to ALL of the requirements listed below.
3. Paragraph (8)
Comment: Needs strengthening.
Recommendation 1.: After "No use shall...", add:
"be detrimental the residential neighborhood and shall not...".
Recommendation 2.: After "...public nuisances due to..." add:
"vehicle or pedestrian traffic,..."
4. Paragraph (9)
Comment: This paragraph should limit customers, clients, parmers and non-resident employees.
Recommendation: To the end of the existing language, add the following:
"Non-resident employees, customers, clients and partners may not be on the
premises."
5. Paragraph (10)
Comment: Too vague and subjective; what is "excessive or unsightly".
Recommendation: Delete paragraph (10) in its entirety and replace with the following:
"Outdoor storage of materials or products associated with the home occupation on
the premises is not permitted. Indoor storage of materials or products associated
with the home occupation shall not exceed one thousand (1,000) cubic feet for the
entire premises or any more restrictive limitation imposed by the Building and
Housing Codes, or the County Health Department."
6. Paragraph (11)
Comment: Too vague. Additional vehicle or pedestrian traffic is addressed in paragraph 3,
above.
Recommendation: Delete this paragraph.
7. Paragraph (14)
Comment: A simple agreement seems weak. Application for a Driver's License requires
taking an oath, under penalty of perjury, that the information is true. Why not the same here?
Recommendation: Replace (14) with the following:
"The applicant shall take an oath that the home occupation complies with all the
requirements of this section before signing the application."
8. Add the following paragraphs:
"Home occupations, except for horticultural uses, shall be conducted within a
structure on the premises."
"Home occupations shall not cause the elimination or reduction, in any manner, of
off-street parking."
"Garage, yard, alley, swap meet and similar sales in residentially zoned areas shall
be limited to three (3) per year not to exceed two (2) days each per premises."
"Failure to comply with this regulation shall constitute a violation of the Municipal
Code and be subject to prosecution under Municipal Code Section XXX.YYY."
A. Theurich, President
Rainbow Canyon Homeowners Association