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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-01-27 - AGENDA REPORTS - MUP AUTO BLDG CONST (2)Agenda Item: $— CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT UNFINISHED BUSINESS City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: DATE: January 27, 2004 SUBJECT: AN APPEAL OF A PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVAL OF A MINOR USE PERMIT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO AUTOMOTIVE BUILDINGS LOCATED AT 23720 LYONS AVENUE. DEPARTMENT: Planning and Building Services RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council review the architectural plans and adopt a resolution denying the appeal and affirming the decision of the Planning Commission to adopt the Negative Declaration and approve Master Case 01-368, which consists of Minor Use Permit 01-040, subject to the modified architecture and conditions of approval. BACKGROUND On December 4, 2001, Lyons Car Wash submitted an application for a minor use permit to the City of Santa Clarita's Planning & Building Services Department, requesting the approval of two new automotive buildings consisting of 10 service bays for minor auto repair, which would operate in conjunction with the existing car wash facility. The existing car wash and the proposed automotive service facility are located within an existing shopping center, which was approved by Los Angeles County and constructed in the 1960s. The center contains a variety of commercial, food and service uses which have operated since construction. A minor use permit typically requires approval by the Director of Planning and Building Services, however the Director has the discretion to bring the project before the Planning Commission for a decision. In this case, due to the project's location adjacent to residential uses, the Director elected to have the project reviewed by the Planning Commission. The item was scheduled for the June 17, 2003 Planning Commission hearing, however staff Adopted:Qe so. Oq- / � requested a continuance to August 5, 2003 due to a letter of opposition received by a neighboring property owner. In addition, staff received a phone call from another residence regarding the potential for noise impacts to the residences from the proposed business. Staff distributed a notice of a community meeting held on July 10, 2003 to discuss the issues. At the community meeting, approximately a dozen people attended and staff reviewed the project details and modifications for the meeting participants. The residents expressed concerns about the noise, lighting and operations. The applicant and the residents were able to reconcile some of the concerns related to these issues and additional conditions were added to the project in accordance with the topics discussed at the meeting. Following the meeting, two other letters of concern were received by meeting participants. On August 5, 2003, staff recommended that the Planning Commission continue the item to September 2, 2003 in order to continue working with the applicant and the residents on the outstanding issues. As a result, one letter was withdrawn and two outstanding letters of opposition remain regarding operations and construction noise. On September 2, 2003, the Planning Commission reviewed and heard testimony on the project. No opposition was present at the hearing. After considering the project, the Commission requested staff modify three of the conditions of approval. The Commission requested that PL2 include a provision that restricts pneumatic tool operation prior to 10:00 a. in.; PL4 include language to prohibit the storage of cars outside of buildings; and PL14 limit construction hours on Monday through Friday to 7:30 a. in. to 6:30 p. in. The Commission voted 4 - 1 to approve the project with the modifications to the conditions of approval. Councilmember McLean appealed the project's approval on September 15, 2003. The concerns include proximity to residences, possible concentration of automotive uses, aesthetics and noise. On October 28, 2003, the City Council continued the item to November 4, 2003. On November 4, 2003, the City Council received the staff report and heard testimony on the project. After reviewing the project details and considering the project, the City Council continued the item to the December 9th meeting. The City Council directed staff to work with the applicant regarding architectural treatment and landscaping, and bring back a report with renderings for discussion at the December 9, 2003 Council meeting. On December 9th, the applicant requested a continuance to January 27, 2004 for additional time to prepare exhibits for the City Council. ANALYSIS Architectural Design The project site is located in the rear portion of a larger shopping center, adjacent to the existing car wash. In response to City Council direction, the applicant, Lyons Car Wash has modified the project architecture. The changes to the proposed automotive building consist of a sloped tile roof with a cornice feature, three colors and foam molding providing a break in the mass of the building. The applicant has submitted a new color scheme consisting of a terracotta roof tile, off-white (Meadowbrook), sand (Pacific Sand) and light brown (Trabuco) colors for the structure. The sand color will be used for the base of the building, the brown color for the foam molding treatment and the off-white will be used for the upper portion of the building and the cornice. The service bays doors will be an off-white color. This is staff's recommended color scheme. An alternate color scheme includes a Viejo blend for the roof, which is a mix of terracotta and browns. The colors for the structure include two cream variations (French Vanilla and Hacienda) and the light brown (Trabuco). The cream colors will be used for the primary structure and the light brown for the molding. The service bay doors will be an off-white color. The west elevation has two windows; one window for the office/waiting area and the other window will consist of spandrel glass for the storage area. In addition, the applicant will incorporate vines into the landscape planter along the west elevation that will grow up the wall. The vines, along with the proposed trees will soften the appearance of the west elevation of the structure. As part of project implementation, the existing car wash facility will be modified to match the proposed colors and materials of the new service facility. In addition, the applicant will be providing a trash enclosure that will also be consistent with the colors and materials of the car wash and service facility. This will integrate all components of the project so that the design and architecture is consistent for the business. Additional Project Modifications Given the Council feedback and direction, the applicant has considered the following suggestions and agreed to the following conditions of approval: removal of the pylon sign; recycling the concrete debris on-site; demolition of the entire structure on-site; undergrounding the utility poles; and the addition of landscaping along the west property line wall. The applicant has also considered and decided not to incorporate the following modifications: rotation of the building; and additional landscaping along the Caston's building. The applicant explored the possibility of rotating the building and determined that this was not feasible. The reasons for the infeasibility are: the current parking lot layout and on-site circulation is the most efficient for customers and employees maneuvering cars through the site; the current configuration permits visibility for employees; and due to experience with other car wash facilities owned and operated by the applicant, this layout will encourage patronage. The applicant also explored the possibility of adding landscaping to the block wall and along Caston's building. The applicant and the owner of Caston's have discussed the possibility of planting some landscaping along the rear of the Caston's building and are not in favor of providing the additional landscaping. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS City Council approve the project with revisions to the plan, including building rotation. 2. City Council approve the project with other modifications. 3. Council deny Master Case 01-368; Minor Use Permit 01-040. 4. Other actions as determined by the Council. FISCAL IMPACT No impacts to the City's budget have been identified as a result of the proposed project. ATTACHMENTS Letter dated January 7, 2004 Resolution Conditions of Approval Site Plan Elevations Landscape Plan Photo Simulations November 4, 2003 City Council Agenda Report available in the City Clerk's Reading File November 4, 2003 City Council Resolution available in the City Clerk's Reading File Minutes of the September 2, 2003 Planning Commission meeting available in the City Clerk's Reading File September 2, 2003 Planning Commission Staff Report available in the City Clerk's Reading File September 2, 2003 Planning Commission Resolution Negative Declaration available in the City Clerk's Reading File Initial Study available in the City Clerk's Reading File Jan 07 04 06:O1p KHFN CONSULTING INC Ole 507-1606 p.2 Khan Consulting, Inc. 1111 North Brand Boulevard Sulk 403, Glendale, CA 91202 Tel: (818) 507-1605; Fax: (818) 507-1606 khaneonaultingrAoaoLcum January 7, 2004 Ms. Wendy Deats Assistant Planner II Department of Planning and Building Services 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 300 Santa Clarita, CA 91355 Subject: Lyons Car Wash Expansion 23720 Lyons Avenue Santa Clarita, CA 91321 Master Case No. 01-368 Minor Use Permit 01-040 Dear Wendy, City staff informed our project team that two of the City Council Members, after reviewing our revised design, wanted us to pursue rotating the automotive service building. Although this suggestion had not been discussed at the City Council meeting we explored the possibility of rotating the building with our architect. After some conceptual site plan layouts were designed, the owners of the Lyons Car Wash decided not to rotate the building and stated the following reasons: The parking layout and on-site traffic circulation is most efficient as the building is currently proposed on the site. Both for customers using the facility and employees maneuvering the cars on-site. The operation of the car wash and the new facility, in its current configuration, will allow employees better visibility to assist customers at both locations. The purpose of the new facility is to expand the existing business, similar to other car washes in Valencia and Burbank they own and operate, they have found the proposed layout will encourage and enhance the possibility customers will use the new services. We have worked with the adjacent residential neighborhood, businesses from the shopping center, City Staff, Planning Commission and now the City Council on this project. We listened to the comments made at the City Council hearing and addressed those issues. We changed the architectural style of the building, altered the colors and materials proposed and enhanced the landscaping. Hopefully, these changes will satisfy the City Council without the need to further modify the project by rotating the building. '-1605 if you have any questions or comments.