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PC Min 12/12/1995CITY OF CAMPBELL PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 7:30 P.M. TUESDAY DECEMBER 12, 1995 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS The Planning Commission meeting of December 12, 1995, was called to order at 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers, 70 North First Street, Campbell, California by Chairwoman Meyer-Kennedy, and the following proceedings were had, to wit: Commissioners Present: Chairwoman: Commissioner: Commissioner: Commissioner: Commissioner: Commissioner: Jane Meyer-Kennedy Mel Lindstrom I. Alne Brad Jones Susan A. Kearns Dennis Lowe Commissioners Absent: None Staff Present: Community Development Director: Senior Planner: Associate Planner: Planner I: Planner I: Acting City Attorney: Traffic Engineer: Redevelopment: Reporting Secretary: Steve Piasecki Darryl M. Jones Tim J. Haley Barbara Schoetz Ryan Aki Honda Joe Raineri Peter Eakland Kirk Heinrichs Corinne A. Shinn APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: On motion of Commissioner Kearns, seconded by Commissioner Lindstrom, the Planning Commission minutes of November 28, 1995, were approved with a minor clarification on page 8. (6-0) Planning Commission Minutes of December 12, 1995 Page 2 COMMUNICATIONS 1. Modified findings for Agenda Item No. 2. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS OR POSTPONEMENTS At the request of Commissioner Lindstrom, Agenda Item No. 1 will be considered at the end of the agenda. ORAL REOUESTS: There were no oral requests. PUBLIC HEARING Chairwoman Meyer-Kennedy read Agenda Item No. 2 (Item No. 1 will be heard after Agenda Item No. 4) into the record. 2. R 95-02 Public Hearing to consider the application of Mr. Jerry McCall, on behalf of Gold's Gym, for the Reinstatement of a previously approved Conditional Use Permit (UP 94-01) to allow the establishment of a fitness club (28,000 square feet) in a portion of an existing commercial building located at 700 W. Hamilton Avenue in a C-2-S (General Commercial) Zoning District. MS. Barbara Ryan, Planner I, presented the staff report as follows: In August 1994, the Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit (UP 94-01) to allow the establishment of a fitness facility at 700 W. Hamilton Avenue. That approval expired in August 1995 without the club being established. A new applicant, Mr. Jerry McCall, is seeking the reinstatement of this Use Permit to establish a Gold's Gym at this location. This new use will be conducted under the same conditions as the original approval. The original approval included a requirement to conduct a traffic study. The traffic study determined that this use would create a negative impact on the adjacent residential area as patrons use the residential streets to reach the signal light at Darryl Avenue. As a result of this impact, a Condition of Approval was incorporated into the Resolution which required the applicant to install a signal interconnect system between the signals at Darryl/Hamilton and Hamilton/San Tomas Expressway. While the traffic study mentioned the possibility that the opening of Highway 85 might reduce traffic on San Tomas Expressway, recent consideration by the Traffic Engineer finds that the requirement for the signal interconnect is still necessary. One of the original Conditions of Approval required the painting of the building. Since that time, the building has been repainted so this Condition of Approval is no longer valid. Planning Commission Minutes of December 12, 1995 Page 3 Applicant is proposing some exterior changes including the fitness club entrance to the rear of the site. The project's architect proposes a grid metal awning at the club's entrance which is depicted on the new plans. Project requires meeting current Streetscape Standards and the parking lot landscaping needs to be upgraded including a tree screen to serve as a buffer with the residential uses. Applicant will submit a sign application for a sign at Hamilton. Staff is recommending that the Commission approve a Mitigated Negative Declaration with the Condition that the applicant fund a signal interconnect. Staff has added five Findings per instruction by the City Attorney. Commissioner Lindstrom asked about new additions since the Site and Architectural Review Committee met regarding this project. Ms. Barbara Ryan advised that the City Attorney had added clarifying Findings. Some Conditions of Approval that are no longer relevant have been dropped. Commissioner Lindstrom asked if the applicant had any problems with the revised Findings or any of the Conditions of Approval. Ms. Barbara Ryan responded that the applicant was informed and supportive. Commissioner Lowe asked that the City's Traffic Engineer clarify the signal interconnect situation. Mr. Peter Eakland, Traffic Engineer. · Introduced himself as this was his first appearance before the Commission. Advised that the signal interconnect serves to coordinate signals which creates platoons of vehicles and gaps in traffic to allow departure from the project site. Primarily this helps through traffic. Chairwoman Meyer-Kennedy opened the Public Hearing for Agenda Item No. 2. There were no parties present wishing to discuss Agenda Item No. 2. MO~O~ On motion of Commissioner Lowe seconded by Commissioner Kearns, the Planning Commission moved to close the Public Hearing (6-0). Planning Commission Minutes of December 12, 1995 Pa~;e 4 MO~O~ On motion of Commissioner Kearns seconded by Commissioner Lowe, the Planning Commission moved to adopt Resolution 3012, approving the Reinstatement (R 95-02) of a Conditional Use Permit (PD 94-01) to allow the establishment of Gold's Gym at 700 W. Hamilton Avenue in a C-2-S (General Commercial) Zoning District, by the following roll-call vote: AYES: Alne, Jones, Kearns, NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Lindstrom, Lowe, Meyer-Kennedy Mr. Steve Piasecki sought clarification that this approval was based on the updated Conditions and Findings. The Commissioners unanimously concurred. This approval is effective in 10 days, unless appealed in writing to the City Clerk. Chairwoman Meyer-Kennedy read Agenda Item No. 3 into the record. 3. S 9~-15 Public Hearing to consider the application of Banducci Associates for a Site and Architectural Approval to allow the removal of an existing 10,000 square foot restaurant and the construction of a 6,250 square foot retail building on property located at 1700 W. Campbell Avenue in a C-1-S (Neighborhood Commercial) Zoning District. Mr. Tim J. Haley, Associate Planner, presented the staff report as follows: · This request is for a Site and Architectural Approval to allow the replacement of the 10,000 square foot Renzo's Restaurant building with a new 6,250 square foot retail building. · Project will improve the parking situation at the center. Renzo's required 80 spaces while the proposed new retail will require 30. · Staff has reviewed the proposed plans. Project design is same as other remodels done at the center. · The new building will improve the appearance from the street as the current Renzo's building blocks store frontages. · General Plan and Zoning for the site are Commercial. · Conditions of Approval require landscaping at the front of the building and at the street. Staff is requesting that the applicant replace existing groundcover with sod to conform with the other street frontage landscaping of the center. Planning Commission Minutes of December 12, 1995 Page 5 Staff recommends approval of a Resolution approving this project. SARC reviewed the project. Commissioner Lindstrom presented the Site and Architectural Review Committee report as follows: · SARC was supportive of the project. One question they asked, "How is a restaurant such as Renzo's ever going to be replaced? It will be missed." Mr. Kent Kirkorian, Applicant. Advised that he has never asked for exclusion of a Condition of Approval in the past but that he was doing so in this situation. Requested that the requirement to replace the groundcover with sod be eliminated. Commissioner Alne asked which Condition of Approval Mr. Kirkorian was seeking to remove. Mr. Steve Piasecki, Community Development Director, responded that Mr. Kirkorian was referring to Condition No. 4 (A) and the final sentence of Condition No. 4 (B). Mr. Kent Kirkorian advised the Commission that the ivy was previously approved by the City and that it is not right to have to change it at this time. Commissioner Alne stated that the Kirkwood Plaza Center has been undergoing major changes for some time. At one point, the City approved the landscaping and it was installed. Now the City is asking that the previously approved landscaping be removed and replaced. Mr. Tim J. Haley, Associate Planner, responded that the predominate landscaping of this center is now sod. Staff is attempting to continue to develop consistency at this site. Commissioner Alne opined that the City was being inconsistent. Mr. Tim J. Haley admitted that the landscaping had been approved. The change is being requested because the predominate landscaping of the area has changed since the original approval that allowed the installation of the ivy groundcover. MOTION: On motion of Commissioner Lindstrom, seconded by Commissioner Kearns, the Planning Commission moved to dose the Public Hearing (6-0). Planning Commission Minutes of December 12, 1995 Page 6 Commissioner Alne stated that it is unfair to change the ground rules. The applicant has a valid point. The existing landscaping is not unsatisfactory, just inconsistent. Diversity is to be celebrated. This minor diversity can be enjoyed. Chairwomen Meyer-Kennedy stated that the applicant has done a tremendous job and wanted to go on record to say "thank you" to the applicant. MOTION: On motion of Commissioner Lindstrom, seconded by Commissioner Jones, the Planning Commission moved to adopt Resolution 3013, granting a Site and Architectural Approval to allow the removal of a 10,000 square foot restaurant and the construction of a 6,250 square foot retail building, with the removal of Condition of Approval No. 4(A) and the final sentence of Condition of Approval No. 4(B), on property located at 1700 W. Campbell Avenue, by the following roll-call vote: AYES: Alne, NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Jones, Kearns, Lindstrom, Lowe, Meyer-Kennedy This approval is effective in 10 days unless appealed in writing to the City Clerk. Chairwoman Meyer-Kennedy read Agenda Item No. 4 into the record. 4. S 95-13 Public Hearing to consider the application of Mr. Wesley Fieldhouse, on behalf of Staples, Inc., for a Site and Architectural to allow modification to an existing building located at 500 E. Hamilton Avenue in a C-2-S (General Commerdal) Zoning District. Ms. Aki Honda, Planner I, presented the staff report as follows: · Applicant has requested a continuance to the Planning Commission meeting of January 9, 1996. · Revised plans were submitted to the Planning Department. MOTION: On motion of Commissioner Lindstrom, seconded by Commissioner Kearns, the Planning Commission unanimously moved to continue this item to the Planning Commission meeting of January 9,1996 (6-0). Planning Commission Minutes of December 12, 1995 Page 7 Chairwoman Meyer-Kennedy read Agenda Item No. 1 (being considered out of order on the agenda) into the record. 1. DDP 9S-01 Public Hearing to consider the City-initiated updates to the Downtown Development Plan. Mr. Kirk Heinrichs, Redevelopment Agency, presented the staff report as follows: · The current Downtown Development Plan was adopted in 1988. It has been 7 years since the plan was reviewed to see what has changed for this area. · Plan encompasses circulation, land uses, community design and parking but did not identify financial resources. · Outlined accomplishments, including: 1. Undergrounding of utilities. 2. Two-way traffic was restored in downtown. 3. A $2.5 million streetscape improvement to the downtown. 4. New signage. 5. The Ainsley House now serving as the City's museum. 6. Orchard City Green, Hyde Park, etc. · Staff has worked during the last year to come up with the revised draft. Meetings were held with Council, the Downtown Steering Committee, the Downtown Campbell Business Association and the Chamber of Commerce. · Among major changes proposed: 1. While the Plan calls for $8.5 million in parking structures, the downtown business owners economically could not support this nor can the Redevelopment Agency. 2. The Plan also calls for the realignment of Salmar Avenue at a cost of approximately $6 million. It is believed that the benefits do not meet the cost of accomplishing this. Staff proposes the elimination of this goal. 3. In an effort to slow traffic in the loop streets and divert much of this traffic through the downtown, it is proposed to reduce the loop streets to one lane and create perimeter parking in the interior lane. This will not require major modifications and will eliminate the use of the loop streets as a barrier to entering the downtown. While the downtown experiences approximately 4,000 trips per day, a downtown generally needs approximately 14,000 trips per day to be successful. 4. Expand the perception of the downtown and enlarge the actual downtown area to encompass from the Pruneyard at Bascom to the Community Center at Winchester and including the Civic Center. 5.Retain the small town character. 6. Establish a storefront improvement program, perhaps with matching funds. 7. Maintain the historic preservation of the downtown buildings. · Asked that the Commission recommend this plan to the City Council for adoption. Planning; Commission Minutes of December 12, 1995 Page 8 Chairwoman Meyer-Kennedy at this point turned the gavel to Vice Chair Lindstrom as her office is located in the downtown. Acting Chair Lindstrom asked how the Pruneyard would be connected to the downtown. Mr. Kirk Heinrichs advised that an improved pedestrian corridor would need to be developed. Acting Chair Lindstrom advised that he did not see a plan of action outlined in the Plan to connect the Pruneyard to the downtown. Mr. Steve Piasecki, Community Development Director, advised that the Commissioners can look to page 13 of the draft amended plan which addresses the streetscape improvement plan. Commissioner Alne asked about the impacts of doubling traffic into the downtown. Mr. Kirk Heinrichs advised that E. Campbell is being under-utilized at the present time. Recently when traffic was diverted through the downtown for one day, several merchants advised that they had excellent days. Commissioner 7kine questioned why the realignment of Salmar was being dismissed as unimportant. Mr. Kirk Heinrichs responded that a consultant convinced the City that this realignment was imperative in order to bring traffic from Highway 17 in order to establish downtown Campbell as a regional business area. At this time, it is evaluated that the $6 million cost would not generate $6 million in new business to the downtown. The current goal is to attract from among the 24,000 automobiles that are driving around the downtown along the loop streets. The goal is to serve Campbell residents rather than attempting to become a regional draw. Commissioner Alne asked how adding approximately 4,000 cars would help. Mr. Steve Piasecki advised the Commission that the report simply addresses the fact that E. Campbell Avenue can handle 8,000 trips per day. Mr. Kirk Heinrichs added that no one step will be key but that many steps will be used. Acting Chair Lindstrom opened the Public Hearing for Agenda Item No. 1. Planning Commission Minutes of December 12, 1995 Page 9 There were no parties present interested in addressing Agenda Item No. 1. On motion of Commissioner Lowe, seconded by Commissioner Jones, the Planning Commission moved to dose the Public Hearing (6-0). On motion of Commissioner Lowe, seconded by Commissioner Keams, the Planning Commission proposed to support the City- initiated updates to the Downtown Development Plan, by the following roll-call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Alne, Jones, Kearns, Lindstrom, Lowe None None Meyer-Kennedy This matter will be considered by City Council at its meeting of January 2, 1996. Acting Chair Lindstrom returned the gavel to Chairwoman Meyer-Kennedy. MISCELLANEOUS 5. Election of 1996 Planning Commission Chair and Vice Chair. MOTION: On motion of Commissioner Lowe, seconded by Commissioner /kine, the Planning Commission unanimously elected Commissioner Lindstrom as Chair of the Planning Commission in 1996 (6-0). On motion of Commissioner Jones, seconded by Commissioner Lowe, the Planning Commission unanimously elected Commissioner Kearns as Vice Chair of the Planning Commission in 1996 (6-0). Chairwoman Meyer-Kennedy advised that the new Chair and Vice Chair will assume their duties on January 9, 1996. 6. Cancellation of December 26, 1995, Planning Commission Meeting. MOTION: On motion of Commissioner Lindstrom, seconded by Commissioner Jones, the Planning Commission unanimously vote to cancel the Planning Commission meeting of December 26, 1995 (6-0). Plannin~ Commission Minutes of December 12, 1995 Pa~;e 10 I1EPORT OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR The written report of Mr. Steve Piasecki, Community Development Director was accepted as presented with the following additions: · There will be two Commission Workshops on January 18 and January 30, 1996, in Room 80 of the Community Center. Commissioners need to RSVP by Friday, December 15th. Sessions will begin with a light dinner from 6:30 to 7 p.m. and the workshop from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The topics will include: the role of commissions; the relationship of commissions to the Council; and the relationship with staff. A facilitator will coordinate the workshops. · The groundbreaking for the new park (former San Tomas School Site) was cancelled due to rain. It will be rescheduled for a future date. Mr. Darryl Jones added that the new Site and Architectural Review Committee members for 1996 are Commissioners Kearns and Lowe. Meetings are held on Fridays at 9 a.m. In January, the SARC members will interview candidates for Architectural and Landscape Advisors. ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. to the next Planning Commission meeting of January 9, 1996, at 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 70 North First Street, Campbell, California. SUBMITrED BY: APPROVED BY: ATTEST: · C6~l'i~e A. Sh~nn, Recording S~,~tar¥