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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Planning Commission - Meeting Date: 11/1/2018 (3)WORKSHOP MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION GLENDALE CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM 2-A 5850 WEST GLENDALE AVENUE NOVEMBER 1, 2018 5:30 PM CALL TO ORDER Acting Chairperson Hirsch called the meeting was called to order at approximately 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Commissioners Crow, Harper, Lenox, Moreno, Wilfong, Froke, and Acting Chairperson Hirsch were present. City Staff Present: Thomas Ritz, AICP, Senior Planner, George Gehlert, AICP, Planner, James Gmber, Chief Deputy City Attorney, David Williams, AICP, Planning Administrator, Samantha Cope, Recording Secretary, and Diana Figueroa, Recording Secretary. WORKSHOP ITEM: ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT ZTA18-03: SONOMTA COMMUNITY OVERLAY DISTRICT, THOMAS RITZ, AICP, SENIOR PLANNER 623-930-2588 Thomas Ritz, AICP, Senior Planner stated this workshop item is an opportunity for the Planning Commission to review and discuss the draft of the overlay district in preparation for a future public hearing. The draft overlay district would amend the Zoning Ordinance to formally establish the Sonorita Community Overlay District. He said the intent of the overlay district is to allow existing homes to construct additions in accordance with specific standards. Mr. Ritz explained that The Sonorita Community is located south of Grand Avenue, north of Maryland Avenue, and east of 59th Avenue. This triangular shaped neighborhood is zoned M-l, Light Industrial, and C-2, General Commercial. Additionally, this Zoning Text Amendment was initiated by the Planning Commission at their August 3, 2017 Workshop. He noted that City Council Workshops on this item were held on January 19, 2016 and October 17, 2017. He said no required action, as staff is presenting this item for information and discussion only. He concluded his presentation and asked if anyone had questions. Acting Chairperson Hirsch asked for questions from the Commission. David Williams, AICP, Planning Administrator, showed an aerial map of the property and credited Mr. Ritz with the research done on this area. Commissioner Harper noted he knew the area well. He explained this area was once littered with drug houses. He asked if they were trying to rid the area of drugs. Mr. Williams said he had not heard of that issue regarding the area. Mr. Ritz noted the drug issue had been brought up in the neighborhood meeting. Commissioner Moreno asked to make a comment regarding drugs and addicts in the Sonorita area. He said he and his wife know the area very well. He noted that there were no more or less drugs or addicts in this area than any other area since drugs are everywhere. He acknowledged that 20 years ago, the area was very bad. However, it changed once the commercial aspect came to the area. Mi. Williams stated this item comes from Councilmember Aldama wishing to preserve the area. He said this is a positive for the people who live there. Commissioner Wilfong wondered since this will also be a commercial area, will they have screen walls. Mr. Ritz stated that some businesses do have solid walls around their property while others do not. He added that any new construction will require solid walls in their design. He noted that current businesses are not required to comply. Commissioner Wilfong talked about the issue with tire shops having unsightly storage of their materials. Mr. Williams discussed tire shop requirements. Commissioner Moreno noted that code enforcement was actually called on a resident that had been paid by a tire shop to store tires. He said that code enforcement made them clean it up. Mr. Williams agreed adding the city was made aware of these issues lately. He suggested they have a discussion on this issue at another workshop. Acting Chairperson Hirsch asked a question regarding the M-l and Residential status. Mr. Williams noted they can discuss this in detail at the Planning Commission Hearing coming up shortly. Commissioner Moreno asked how many residential lots and how many lots in total there were. Mr. Ritz stated there were 30 to 40 residences, which were about 20 to 30% of the parcels. He explained it was difficult to know since the businesses look like homes. He said there were about half a dozen empty lots in the area, which were not much. Commissioner Froke noted the name change. Mr. Williams stated the change was from neighborhood to community. He noted he did not want to lose the flavor even if the neighborhood no longer fit. Therefore, the name changed to community. Acting Chairperson Hirsch commented on the roles of Chair and Vice Chair. He said the Commissioners serve at the sole discretion of the Council and it is up to the Commissioner if he wishes to continue serving. Commissioner Harper noted that Acting Chairperson Hirsch was doing a wonderful job! REPORTS AND COMMENTS Acting Chairperson Hirsch called for Reports and Comments. There were none. ADJOURNMENT With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:53 p.m. Diana Figueroa Recording Secretary