HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-05-27 - Minutes - PC-HPCPRESERVATION COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
MAY 27, 2020
A. Call to Order
PLANNING COMMISSION
The meeting of the Historic Presentation Commission and Planning Commission was held on May
27, 2020. The meeting was called to order my Chairman Guglielmo at 7:04pm.
Planning Commission present: Chairman Guglielmo, Vice Chair Oaxaca joined the meeting at
7:11 pm, Commissioner Dopp, Commissioner Morales, and Commissioner Williams.
Staff Present: Nick Ghirelli, Assistant City Attorney; Anne McIntosh, Planning Director; Mike
Smith, Principal Planner; Elizabeth Thornhill, Executive Assistant; Tabe van der Zwaag,
Associate Planner; Brian Sandona, Sr. Civil Engineer; Jason Welday, City Engineer, Assistant
Planner; Dat Tran, Assistant Planner; David Eoff, Sr. Planner.
B. Public Communications
Chairman Guglielmo opened the public communications and hearing no comment, closed public
communications.
C. Consent Calendar
C1. Consideration to adopt Regular Meeting Minutes of April 22, 2020
Motion by Commissioner Morales, second by Commissioner Williams to approve Item C1. Motion
carried 4-0-1 vote, Vice Chair Oaxaca Absent, to adopt the minutes as presented.
D. Public Hearings
D1. DESIGN REVIEW DRC2017-00193 AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT DRC2017-00194
— GEORGE BOTROS — A request for site plan and architectural review along with the
operation of a proposed 12,350 square foot church and 18,033 square foot social building
on a 3.28 acre (143,053 square foot) project site located at the southwest corner of East
and Wilson Avenues in the Very Low (VL) Residential District of the Etiwanda Specific Plan;
APN: 0225-123-05. This item is exempt from the requirements of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the City's CEQA guidelines under CEQA Section
15332 — Infill Development. (Continued from April 22, 2020 HPC/PC meeting.)
Tabe van der Zwaag, Associate Planner, presented Commissioners with a Staff Report and
oral presentation (copy on file).
HPC/PC Meeting Minutes — May 27, 2020
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MEETING MINUTES
MAY 27, 2020
George Botros, Architect, expressed support to the neighbors assuring them soundproof walls, no
distraction during events. Very sensitive to the neighbors and hope they would appreciate all that
will be done in regard to landscaping being placed around church and social building, lowering the
roof to minimum, and placing sidewalk on the north side of lot. There will be no outside activities.
Security guard will be hired to secure premises during events.
Chairman Guglielmo opened public hearing
For the record, comments received via email by the following individuals expressing in favor of the
project:
Mousa Diab, Aida Attiyah, John Wardeh, Lina Wardeh, Jima Awad, Samer Danial, Marta Diab,
Jizelle Dakhil, Salem Diab, Alan Dahi, Fadi Jarrah, Sylvia Diab, Veolate Hannon, Fairuz Habhab,
Samaher Dandouch, Tony Salhab, Wissam Dandouch, Salam Haddad, Odiet Trad, Juli Salhab, Fadi
Maidaa, Mary Hannon, Brenda Samaan, Seham Hanna, Selene Saif, Kristine Saif, Basel Salhab,
Bassem Diab, Christopher Salhab, Melanie Husry, Amal Salhab, Osama Kassih, Dima Kassih,
Diyala Chahla, Roula Darouj, Miranda Husry, Laila Massis, Heather Hawara, Mores Naem, Dima
Hannoun, Tony Kassih, Michael Salhab, Mera Salhab, Alaa Khalil, Madeline Farha, Mary Dahi,
Rania Askar, Angelina Awad, Rakan Awad, Hend Danyal, Dalai Dib, Zoey Habhab, Jay Attiyah,
Reem Mbarakah, Shifaa Salhab, Adib Attiyah, Elia Ghanem, Aida Ghanem, Marlien Samaan, Mark
Makhoul, Christina Salhab, Rasha Hawara, Darin Farrouh, Anthony Diab, Andrew Diab, Haifaa
Askar, Rouba Salhab, Aida Samaan, Jennifer Salhab, Meriel Elmalih, Malynda Wanis, Wafaa Wanis,
Renee Alberre, Ghassan Elmalih, Melad Elmalih, Bernard Hanna, Haifaa Alshekh, Jovana Mahho,
Aida Durghalli, Fatan Danial, Joleen Wardeh, Abdo Diab, Deena Kassab, Dr. Ziad Kassab, Silva
Khalel, Evonne Alsalamy, Alondra Alsalamy, Nazir Habhab, Susan Attiyah, Hussam Durghalli and
Family, Ekab Eldiab, Susan Hawara, Joun Seder, Ibraham Diab, Sherin Salhab, Clara Diab, Wafaa
Batech, Ibrahim Zakour, Christine Samaan, Danny Dandouch, Hana Dandouch, Stephanie Salhab.
Comments received during Public Communication:
Lisa and Jeff Unger, residents, requesting uniform gates needs to be a barrier at Horse Thief Lane,
and Rolling Pasture. Weekend traffic is especially bad. Strongly believes light is needed.
Ziat Corsot, Vice President, Parish Council of St. Elias Church, expressed his favor for church
project.
Michael Tahan, part of applicant team, stated the church has compromised working with neighbors
to accommodate their needs. The concerns the church is having and cannot live with are the
conditions regarding no more than three events. Requests to work on the language for events.
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MEETING MINUTES
MAY 27, 2020
T. Hedger, resident, mentioned he appreciates the new notice that went out. Commented Mr. Botros
doing a good job with the project but expressed the one thing he is very happy to hear about are the
three -event limit per month. Regarding the time events lasting till 11:30 p.m., so starting at 10:00pm,
they will have to limit the noise. How do they report if event goes past that at night? Does it need
to be documented. How will it work?
Cathy Hedger, resident, agrees with Lisa Unger regarding concerns of the traffic around the area of
Philly Drive, asking for better traffic control in area.
Amira Dandou, Mrs. Dandou (mom), Jay Ahiyah, Fayek Salhab, Lucy N., Meriel Elmalih, Mary
Hannah, Wafaa Batech all are in favor of the project.
Fayah Salhab, church member requesting the three event limitations be removed.
Tony Salhab, church member, expressed his concerns on the event limitations. Believes they are
being treated unfairly. They're constitutional right is to practice their religion freely and openly, not
conditioned. Requesting city legal team investigate further because he feels they are being treated
differently due to their faith.
Chairman Guglielmo closed the public hearing
Nick Ghirell, Assistant City Attorney responded to the comment that there was discriminatory intent
behind the condition limiting the number of events that would be held per month. It was the
applicant's written project description that indicated 3 events per month would be held. That is the
only reason this condition was included in the draft resolution. There was no discriminatory intent.
He reminded the Commission that there is another condition that allows a review of the CUP if there
are issues. This provides a safety valve if there are problems down the road. This would be an
alternative to limiting the number of events as a condition.
Tabe van der Zwaag, Associate Planner, agrees with Mr. Ghirelli's comments when staff asked the
applicant representative regarding limitations the church can live under. It could be interpreted two
ways when they mentioned three events. Staff never interpreted that Christmas or Easter or any of
those type of events are special events. We were thinking more Weddings, Anniversary parties,
events that individual church members invite their families and have a party not related to a regular
church event. We did not intend the limitation on these three events would capture all these church
related events.
Commissioner Morales asked about the Conditional Use Permit limiting the special events to three
times, if it can be removed tonight and then make a motion to approve with that change.
HPC/PC Meeting Minutes — May 27, 2020
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PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
MAY 27, 2020
PLANNING COMMISSION
Commissioner Williams agrees to have the limitations removed. Regarding gate at end of street,
she is asking staff to clarify that issue.
Tabe van der Zwaag, Associate Planner explained there is an existing street that currently dead
ends because Wilson does not pull through and it dead ends into an undeveloped area that will be
in the future landscaped, including a sidewalk and bike lane. Right now, there is roughly a 10 ft.
wide wood barrier that is in middle of street and people drive up and residents are asking if city can
install a more permanent gate until Wilson Avenue is completed and street is pulled through. It is
located approximately 1 block over from the project site.
Jason Welday, City Engineer added it appears that our standard temporary barricade located at the
end of the street sounds like it might need to be looked at to make sure it is in good working order.
He will pass it along to Public works for them to look at and he explained it is a standard barricade
for when a street is temporary closed until the extension is made to Wilson.
Vice Chair Oaxaca expressed his concerns, along with other commissioners, regarding the limitation
on the number of monthly events. He did read through the letter provided by the applicant that staff
received making an estimate of the number of events held at the social hall. Requests if it could be
explored or if there is a consensus among commissioners to drop that condition with the
understanding the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) can be brought back if there seems to be an issue
down the road and have an opportunity to be re-examined. It could be brought back by anyone in
the community, church members, etc. and be revisited by staff and commissioners.
Commissioner Dopp agrees with commissioners and stated it is unreasonable to expect any
organization religious or not to plan out 12 months in advance. He understands the concerns of
residents the impact to their community but at the same time, hearing we were discriminatory against
this specific group, that is not the case. It is our job as commissioners to consider impacts. He does
agree to strike out the limitations of the planning conditions. It is an unreasonable burden on any
organization.
Chairman Guglielmo stated one of the residents asked about the noise requirements and hours of
operation. Requested staff to explain more in depth regarding the noise standards.
Tabe van der Zwaag, Associate Planner, explained the development code does provide noise
standards for residential districts. It is broken down from 7am to 10pm and then 10pm till 7am. It
gives decibel limitations on each of those times. The church will be required to live within those
same noise standards as a single-family residence.
Nick Ghirelli, Assistant City Attorney, explained how code revision is enforced. Violation of the
municipal code is a misdemeanor. Code enforcement is brought in to handle situations like that.
Violation of condition of approval is subject to an administrative citation in order to remedy the
violation.
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ISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
MAY 27, 2020
PLANNING COMMISSION
Anne McIntosh, Planning Director stated situations work out best when the church can identify
somebody in the congregation or a responsible party the neighbors can call to try and solve the
problem between them before getting the city involved.
Chairman Guglielmo requested Jason Welday to speak on the traffic study on Philly Drive.
Jason Welday, City Engineer explained they can look if a signal is warrant once the development
on the east side comes through. Looking at the number of homes that currently come out on Philly
Drive and the traffic volumes measured in the past, the volumes currently would not meet the state
warrants for a traffic signal. Unfortunately, from a traffic signal standpoint, it does not meet the
warrant. Looking at the traffic collision history in the last 10 years, there has been one (1) traffic
collision reported in that intersection. Regarding the speed limit, they are in the process of reviewing/
updating speed limits and have added this location to the list to evaluate.
Commissioner Morales commented he likes the new gate design on Rolling Pasture Place. Also,
he heard a comment earlier regarding Horse Thief Place Street. The project does not extend to
Horse Thief Place street. Only on Rolling Pasture and entrance at East.
Nick Ghirelli, Assistant City Attorney, corrected a statement he made earlier regarding in the event
there were impacts created by the project after its operation later down the road, the CUP would be
brought back to the Planning Commission for consideration of potentially a new COA or a replication.
Looking at Condition of Approval #10, it looks like the item would be brought back to the Planning
Director. He suggestions to modify and amend condition to say, "if the operation of the facility causes
adverse effects upon the adjacent neighborhood, the CUP may be reviewed by the Planning Director
for consideration of additional or modified conditions of approval or termination of use. The Planning
Director may refer the matter to Planning Commission for further action". He also wanted to get the
consensus from the commission on how to draft the three time per month limit on events rather than
strike the entire condition.
All Commissioners agreed to the modification omitting the three times per month event limitation
rather than strike the entire condition.
Nick Ghirelli also reminded the commission the requirement for valet parking is still on the condition
for larger events to prevent on street parking.
Mr. Ghirelli recommends modifying the first sentence on #12 to read, `Special events in the social
building shall end by 11:30pm, with all guests off the church grounds by 12:00am".
Motion by Commissioner Dopp, second by Commissioner Morales to approve Item D1. Motion
carried unanimously, 5-0 vote, staff recommendation to approve Design Review DRC2017-00193
and Conditional Use Permit DRC2017-00194, with the recommended changes to the Condition of
Approval as stated.
HPC/PC Meeting Minutes — May 27, 2020
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MEETING MINUTES
MAY 279 2020
E. General Business
E1. FY20/21 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) — Determination of conformance with the
General Plan.
Jason Welday, City Engineer, presented Commissioners with a Staff Report.
Chairman Guglielmo opened the public communications and hearing no comment,
closed public communications.
Motion by Commissioner Williams, second by Oaxaca to adopt Resolution No. 20-25.
Motion carried unanimously, 5-0 vote.
E2. General Plan Update
Anne McIntosh, Planning Director, presented Commissioners with a general plan update
and video presentation.
Commissioner Morales commented it was a great video and informative to show our RHNA
requirements on how many homes we have to build and help explain to people why we are
doing what we are doing. He also asked if we were caught up on our timeline or did we fall
back due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Ms. McIntosh answered we are on schedule and right where we should be.
Commissioner Williams mentioned she noticed on the video it talked about 92% of our
housing is single-family residence. She would think the next slide would be maybe a slide
showing the actual number of single-family residence and the number of apartments to
show that percentage situation. People do not realize the percentage of apartments. The
subject needs to be addressed upfront that yes, we do have a lot of apartments and here is
our percentage. It really is quite small compared to single-family houses.
F. Director Announcements - None
G. Commission Announcements - None
H. Workshops — None
HPC/PC Meeting Minutes — May 27, 2020
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PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
MAY 2712020
Adjournment
PLANNING COMMISSION
Motion by Vice Chair Oaxaca, second by Commissioner Williams, to adjourn the meeting: motion carried
unanimously, 5-0 vote. Meeting was adjourned at 8:48pm.
Respectfully submitted,
abeth Thornhill
Executive Assistant, Planning Department
Approved: June 10, 2020 — Regular Meeting
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