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07-05-2011 - Planning Commission - June 14, 2011 & June 28, - Item 1.b (2).docCity of West Covina Memorandum A G E N D A ITEM NO. 1 DATE: July 5, 2011 SUMMARY OF ACTIONS REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF WEST COVINA June 14, 2011 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Redholtz, Sotelo, Holtz, Stewart and Carrico ABSENT: None CITY STAFF PRESENT: Anderson, Nichols, Caplin, Morales, Freeland, Davis, Garcia and de Zara APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular meeting, May 24, 2011 – The minutes were approved as presented. A. OTHER MATTERS OR ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None B. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. FORTHCOMING PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS AND PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULE Motion by Sotelo, seconded by Stewart, to approve the items listed. Motion carried 5-0. C. PUBLIC HEARINGS (1) CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 11-06 PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVED PLANNING DIRECTOR’S MODIFICATION NO. 10-31 CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION APPLICANT: Ron Underwood for Bickel Underwood LOCATION: 2501 South Azusa Avenue (McDonald’s) REQUEST: The project consists of a request for a conditional use permit to modify an existing single-lane drive-through to a two-lane drive-through at a McDonald’s restaurant. The project also consists of a request for a Planning Director’s Modification to modify the exterior of the restaurant building and parking lot. COMMENTS: Carrico recused himself due to a potential conflict of interest and left the Chambers. Vice Chairman Redholtz conducted the hearing. Ron Underwood, applicant, and Brian Carmack, owner of the Mc Donald’s, spoke in favor of the project. Shirley Carroll, resident, spoke in opposition. There was a discussion by the Commission regarding the new configuration of the drive-through lanes, the ability to stack vehicles on the property rather than on the public street, disturbances to the adjacent residents caused by the drive-through lanes including odor and noise and the relationship between the owner of McDonald’s and the neighbors. During the discussion, the Commission agreed that the new drive-through lanes would help alleviate some of the noise and exhaust fumes currently experienced by the residents. The Commissioners expressed their support of the redesigned lanes and the update to the exterior of the building. Motion by Sotelo, seconded by Holtz, to adopt Resolution No. 11-5422 approving Conditional Use Permit No. 11-06. Motion carried 4-0 (Carrico abstained.) Motion by Stewart, seconded by Sotelo, to approve Planning Commission Approved Planning Director’s Modification No. 10-31. Motion carried 4-0 (Carrico abstained.) (2) PRECISE PLAN NO. 11-01 CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 11-05 CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION APPLICANT: Interbrand Design Forum Architects LOCATION: 455 North Azusa Avenue REQUEST: The project consists of a request for a precise plan to demolish an existing 9,500-square foot vacant restaurant building (formerly Black Angus) and construct a 4,207-square foot Chase bank building. The applicant is also requesting the approval of a conditional use permit for the operation of a remote drive-up ATM with two lanes. COMMENTS: Chairman Carrico recused himself from this hearing due to a potential conflict of interest and left the Council Chambers. Vice Chairman Redholtz conducted the hearing. Austin Hahn, representing the applicant, and Jeff Tuck, representing West Covina Village Partners, spoke in favor of the project. No one spoke in opposition. There was a discussion by the Commission regarding the new building and use for the site. During the discussion they discussed the environmentally friendly features and the demolition of the abandoned restaurant. It was the consensus of the Commission that the new bank building would be beneficial to the community. The Commission also expressed their support of the environmentally-friendly features to be incorporated into the new structure. Motion by Holtz, seconded by Sotelo, to adopt Resolution No. 11-5423 approving Precise Plan No. 11-01. Motion carried 4-0 (Carrico abstained.) Motion by Holtz, seconded by Sotelo, to adopt Resolution No. 11-5424 approving Conditional Use Permit No. 11-05. Motion carried 4-0 (Carrico abstained.) (3) ADMINISTRATIVE USE PERMIT NO. 11-10 CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION APPLICANT: Luis & Esperanza Garcia LOCATION: 1335 South Azusa Avenue (Los Compadres Restaurant) REQUEST: The applicant is requesting the approval of an administrative use permit to provide on-sale service of beer and wine in conjunction with the operation of an existing 2,388–square foot restaurant. COMMENTS: Luis Garcia, applicant, William Salazar, Oscar Alonso and Jose Gutierrez spokein favor of the request. Terry Zhang and Carol Bustos spoke in opposition to the project. There was a discussion by the Commission regarding the locking and unlocking of a gate that separates the residential area from the commercial area, parking problems in the residential neighborhood and whether there is an undue concentration of liquor licenses in the surrounding area. It was the consensus of the Commission to grant the applicant’s request, subject to a six-month review. Motion by Stewart, seconded by Sotelo, to adopt Resolution No. 11-5425 approving Administrative Use Permit No. 11-10. Motion carried 5-0. Item Nos. 4 and 5 were heard together. (4) ADMINISTRATIVE USE PERMIT NO. 11-12 ADMINISTRATIVE USE PERMIT NO. 11-13 CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION APPLICANT: Gus Makridis LOCATION: 2851 Eastland Center Drive (Pacific Fish Grill) REQUEST: The applicant is requesting approval of an administrative use permit to provide on-sale service of beer and wine and to allow for an outdoor dining area at a new restaurant. (5) ADMINISTRATIVE USE PERMIT NO. 11-17 CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION APPLICANT: Katie Kridel, Westfield LOCATION: 2851 Eastland Center Drive (The Habit Burger Grill) REQUEST: The applicant is requesting the approval of an administrative use permit to allow for an outdoor dining area at a restaurant. COMMENTS: John Healy, Vice President of Development for Westfield and Nico Albanis, partner and owner of the Pacific Fish Grill, spoke in favor of the project. Dan Richards spoke in opposition. There was a discussion by the Commission regarding service of alcoholic beverages in an outdoor seating area, ADA requirements being met and the adequacy of the parking for both restaurants. The Commission also considered the impact of the new restaurants on restaurants in The Curve development. It was the consensus of the Commission that the proposed restaurants would be beneficial to the community. Motion by Sotelo, seconded by Holtz, to adopt Resolution No. 11-5426 approving Administrative Use Permit No. 11-12. Motion carried 5-0. Motion by Sotelo, seconded by Holtz, to adopt Resolution No. 11-5427 approving Administrative Use Permit No. 11-13. Motion carried 5-0. Motion by Sotelo, seconded by Holtz, to adopt Resolution No. 11-5428 approving Administrative Use Permit No. 11-17. Motion carried 5-0. (6) VARIANCE NO. 11-06 CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION APPLICANT: Michael Leberman for CareMore Medical Enterprise LOCATION: 301 North Azusa Avenue (West Covina Shopping Center) REQUEST: The project consists of a request for a variance from standards for parking requirements. The proposal is in conjunction with a request to allow an 8,477-square foot medical office. COMMENTS: Chairman Carrico recused himself from this matter due to a conflict of interest and left the Chambers. Vice Chairman Redholtz conducted the hearing. Brian Prock and Jeff Tuck spoke in favor of the project. No one spoke in opposition. There was a discussion by the Commission regarding the request for a parking variance. Mr. Tuck said that the required parking had been determined prior to the adoption of the current parking code and that caused the center to be out of compliance with current parking requirements. The Commission also discussed the proposed use of the building and the impact on parking the new bank building would have on the center. It was the consensus of the Commission that the proposed use would be beneficial to the community and the parking variance would not have a detrimental impact to the surrounding businesses. Motion by Sotelo, seconded by Stewart, to adopt Resolution No. 11-5429 approving Variance No. 11-06. Motion carried 4-0 (Carrico abstained.) D. NON-HEARING ITEMS (1) STUDY SESSION CODE AMENDMENT NO. 11-04 TATTOOING APPLICANT: City of West Covina LOCATION: Citywide A study session to review the draft code amendment for tattooing. Staff recommends that the Planning Commission provide comment and direction as appropriate. COMMENTS: Mr. Steven Potts commented on this matter. There was a discussion by the Commission regarding the most suitable zone for the tattooing use. The Commission also expressed their desire to keep tattoo shops separated from residential areas and schools. There was also a discussion regarding requiring a separation between tattoo shops to help avoid a concentration of them in areas where they will be allowed. The Commission also considered the regulations currently in place by the Los Angeles County Health Department and the State of California. Staff was directed to draft an ordinance for consideration by the Planning Commission. E. OTHER MATTERS OR ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None F. COMMISSION REPORTS/COMMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Redholtz – regarding Gold’s Gym grand opening, Fairfield Inn grand opening and upcoming Nordstrom Rack grand opening. Sotelo – regarding Building Department inspectors and building plans. Stewart – regarding businesses approved at this meeting, Marie Callendar’s Chapter 11 filing and West Covina Mazda dealership. Holtz – Energy Conservation Reward Luncheon at Hurst Ranch on June 22, 2011. (1) CITY COUNCIL ACTION: June 7, 2011 – 2011/2012 Budget adopted. June 21, 2011 – Public hearing - Code Amendment No. 10-03, Vehicle Storage in the “Service Commercial” S-C Zone (2) PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Subcommittee Minutes April 12, 2011 G. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Sotelo, seconded by Redholtz, to adjourn the meeting at 9:55 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.