HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Planning Commission - Meeting Date: 8/3/2017 •
WORKSHOP MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
GLENDALE CITY HALL
CONFERENCE ROOM 2-A
5850 WEST GLENDALE AVENUE
AUGUST 3,2017
5:15 PM
CALL TO ORDER-
The
RDERThe meeting was called to order at approximately 5:15 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Commissioners Lenox, Harper, Moreno, Gallegos, Crow and Vice
Chairperson Hirsch, and Chairperson Dobbelaere were present.
City Staff Present: Tabitha Perry, Assistant Planning Director, Jon M. Froke, AICP, Planning
Director, Thomas Ritz, AICP, Senior Planner, Jim Gruber, Chief Deputy City Attorney, and Diana
Figueroa, Recording Secretary
ITEM:
ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT (ZTA) OCOTILLO DISTRICT
Jon M. Froke, AICP, Planning Director, presented a brief summary on the Sonorita Neighborhood
Overlay District. He stated that he and Mr. Ritz would each be answering questions on this item.
Mr. Froke stated that this is a request for a Planning Commission initiative to amend the Zoning
Ordinance through a Zoning Text Amendment to establish the Sonorita Neighborhood Overlay District.
The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad operates their railroad tracks and a yard adjacent to the
north boundary of Sonorita. He noted that the proposed Zoning Text Amendment is approximately
52.9 acres in size.
Mr. Froke said the intent of the Overlay District is to create development standards and allow existing
homes to expand in this particular geographic area. The site is located south of Grand Avenue, north
of Maryland Avenue and east of 59th Avenue. He noted that the neighborhood is zoned M-1, Light
Industrial and C-2, General Commercial and that the Overlay District would only apply to the M-1
zoned portion of Sonorita. He added that the C-2 properties that front 59th Avenue do not include single
family homes and would not be included in the Overlay.
Mr. Froke provided a few guidelines for this initiative. He said participation would be voluntary and
requests to opt into the Overlay District would be reviewed and approved administratively.
Additionally, they will allow existing single-family homes to shed their non-conforming status as well
as future expansion of existing homes. They will establish RI-6 development standards for lots that
currently have an existing home. In addition, new home construction on vacant lots would not be
permitted.
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Mr. Froke stated that this request is not coming from staff but from Council Items of Special Interest.
He asked the Commission if they would like to move forward with this initiative.
Vice Chair Hirsch asked if this initiative means that residents can expand their existing structures and
have one year to rebuild on their current lot if they tear it down. Thomas Ritz, AICP, Senior Planner
said he was correct.
Commissioner Crow asked if it had to be the same lot coverage. Mr. Ritz anticipates it being larger
since this was an opportunity to expand lot coverage. He added that this would be encouraged and
allowed.
Vice Chair Hirsch asked what the real-estate activity in this neighborhood was. Mr. Froke talked about
small commercial and industrial projects currently taking place. Mr. Ritz provided more details on the
subject.
Mr. Ritz provided information regarding small business projects that are proposed in the M-1 District.
He said there continues to be some activity with small expansion for businesses and finding small lots
for those expansions. He estimates 30 to 40 single family homes remain in the.area. He explained that
these were the people the Council wants to address with this initiative. There was also some discussion
about using federal funds for the revitalization,however, it was determined that federal funds could not
be used within 2,000 feet of a railroad track unless there are significate sound barrier walls placed
around the tracks. This neighborhood does not meet those requirements because of the proximity of
the railroad tracks.
Commissioner Harper noted that he has a history with this neighborhood and wondered how many
people attended the neighborhood meeting. He asked what the mood of the attendees was. Mr. Froke
stated that it was well attended with about 15 staff members and about 25 to 30 residents. He noted
there was support for the Overlay District.
Commissioner Harper stated he remembers this area and hopes it has been cleaned up.
Mr. Froke noted that there were also some very nice-looking homes in the area.
Commissioner Gallegos asked for clarification on the use of federal dollars. Mr. Ritz reiterated his
earlier explanation regarding the proximity of the railroad and the criteria for federal aid. However,
private property owners can build. Commissioner Gallegos asked if a resident's home was to burn
down, could they rebuild. Mr. Ritz replied yes, within one year under this initiative.
Chairperson Dobbelaere asked if residents would be able to buy an adjacent parcel and build on it. Mr.
Froke said yes.
Commissioner Harper stated that this was a good opportunity to expand and clean things up in the
neighborhood. Commissioner Gallegos agreed and added that most of those homes have remained in
families for years. He said he is glad residents have more opportunities and less restrictions for
improvement to their properties when before they did not.
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Vice Chair Hirsch expressed his concern regarding the inability of a residential property to evolve into
a commercial property long term. He supports the initiative;however,believes a property owner should
be able to buy one of the properties and convert it into a small business. Mr. Froke remarked that staff
would research his concern.
The consensus from the Planning Commission was to move forward with this initiative.
REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Chairperson Dobbelaere asked for Reports and Comments. There were none.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Chairperson Dobbelaere called for a motion.
Commissioner Harper made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Gallegos seconded the
motion,which was approved unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 5:46 p.m.
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