|
Planning CommissionRegular Meeting Agenda MinutesMay 11, 20265:30 P.M.Council Chamber22 Civic Center PlazaSanta Ana, CA ISURI S. RAMOSChair, Ward 3 RepresentativeCARL BENNINGERViceChair,Ward 4 Representative CHRISTOPHER LEOCitywide RepresentativeMANUEL J. ESCAMILLAWard 2 Representative JENNIFER OLIVAWard 6 RepresentativeBAO PHAMWard 1 Representative ALAN WOOWard 5 RepresentativeAli Pezeshkpour, AICPExecutive DirectorLaura RossiniLegal Counsel Ricardo Soto, AICPPlanning Manager Gema ZapienRecording SecretaryIn compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need special assistance to participate in this Meeting,contact Michael Ortiz, City ADA Program Coordinator, at (714) 6475624. Notification 48 hours prior to the Meeting will enablethe City to make reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility to this meeting. The City Council agenda and supportingdocumentation can be found on the City’s website – www.santaana.org/citymeetings.CALL TO ORDER Commissioners: Isuri S. Ramos, ChairCarl Benninger, ViceChairChristopher LeoManuel J. EscamillaJennifer OlivaBao PhamAlan Woo Executive Director Ali Pezeshkpour, AICPLegal Counsel Laura RossiniPlanning Manager Ricardo Soto, AICPRecording Secretary Gema ZapienROLL CALLMinutes: Quorum was reached at 5:33 PM with Chair Ramos arriving at 5:37 PM,Commissioner Escamilla arriving at 5:43 PM, and Commissioner Oliva absent.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCEPUBLIC COMMENTSCONSENT CALENDAR ITEMSa.MinutesRecommended Action: Approve Minutes from the meeting of April 27, 2026. b.Excused AbsencesRecommended Action: Excuse absent commissioners.Moved by Commissioner Woo, seconded by Commissioner Benninger to Approve.YES: 5 – Bao Pham, Isuri Ramos, Alan Woo, Christopher Leo, Carl BenningerNO: 0 – ABSTAIN: 0 – ABSENT: 2 – Manuel J. Escamilla, Jennifer OlivaStatus: 5 – 0 – 0 – 2 – Pass*End of Consent Calendar*BUSINESS CALENDARPublic Hearing:The Planning Commission decision on Conditional Use Permits,Variances, Tentative Tract and Parcel Maps, Minor Exceptions, Site Plan Review, andPublic Convenience or Necessity Determinations are final unless appealed within 10days of the decision by any interested party or group (refer to the Basic MeetingInformation page for more information). The Planning Commission recommendationon Zoning and General Plan amendments, Development Agreements, SpecificDevelopments, and Specific Plans will be forwarded to the City Council for finaldetermination. Legal notice was published in the OC Reporter on May 1, 2026 andnotices were mailed on said date. 1.CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 202608 FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATEDAT 2107 EAST SEVENTEENTH STREET, UNIT A, LOCATED WITHIN THECOMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (C1) ZONING DISTRICT.Project Applicant: Arturo Silva, representing Baja Fish Tacos (Applicant) andBaja 17 , LLC. (Property Owner)Proposed Project: The Applicant is requesting approval of Conditional UsePermit No. 202608 to allow the sale of beer and wine for onpremisesconsumption through the operation of a Type41 Alcoholic Beverage Controllicense at a new Baja Fish Tacos restaurant.Environmental Impact:Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines, the Project is exempt from further reviewpursuant to Section 15301 (Class 1 Existing Facilities) of the CEQA Guidelines.A Categorical Exemption, Environmental Review No. 202626, will be filed for thisProject.RESOLUTION NO. 2026XXXA RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTAANA APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 202608 ASCONDITIONED TO ALLOW THE SALE OF BEER AND WINE FOR ONPREMISES CONSUMPTION THROUGH A TYPE41 LICENSE FROM THEDEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL FOR AN EATINGESTABLISHMENT LOCATED AT 2107 EAST SEVENTEENTH STREET, UNIT A(APN: 39632113)Recommended Action:Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 202608 for thesale of beer and wine for onpremises consumption, as conditioned.Minutes: Staff provided a short presentation.Arturo Silva on behalf of the Applicant, provided comments to the Commission.Commission provided comments to the Applicant.Moved by Commissioner Benninger, seconded by CommissionerEscamilla to Approve.YES: 6 – Bao Pham, Isuri Ramos, Alan Woo, Christopher Leo, Manuel J.Escamilla, Carl BenningerNO: 0 – ABSTAIN: 0 – ABSENT: 1 – Jennifer OlivaStatus: 6 – 0 – 0 – 1 – Pass2.MODIFICATION OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 198811 ANDVARIANCE NO. 202601 FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4405 WESTEDINGER AVENUE LOCATED WITHIN THE SINGLEFAMILY RESIDENCE(R1) ZONING DISTRICT.Project Applicant: James Gartner (Applicant) representing ArchangelMichael Coptic Church (Property Owner)Proposed Project: The Applicant is requesting approval of Conditional UsePermit (CUP) No. 198811MOD1 and Variance No. 202601 to facilitate theexpansion of an existing church parking lot. The Project includes the demolition oftwo singlefamily residences located at 4319 and 4325 West Edinger Avenue andthe addition of 43 offstreet parking spaces. No changes are proposed to theexisting church building or its current operations. If approved, CUP No. 198811MOD1 would amend the original CUP No. 198811 for the subject site, with allprior conditions of approval remaining in effect except as modified. Variance No.202601 would allow reduced setbacks along Edinger Avenue to accommodatethe proposed parking layout and circulation improvements.Environmental Impact:Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines, the project is exempt from further reviewpursuant to Section 15301 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities), Section 15303 (Class 3– New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures, and Section 15304 (Class4 – Minor Alterations to Land) of the CEQA Guidelines. A Categorical Exemption,Environmental Review No. 202594, will be filed for this project.RESOLUTION NO. 2026XXA RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTAANA APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 198811MOD1, ASCONDITIONED, TO ALLOW THE EXPANSION OF AN EXISTING CHURCHPARKING LOT AT 4405, 4319, AND 4325 WEST EDINGER AVENUE (APN: 10824430, 14, AND 13)RESOLUTION NO. 2026XXA RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTAANA APPROVING VARIANCE NO. 202601, AS CONDITIONED, TO ALLOW AREDUCTION IN THE REQUIRED FRONTYARD LANDSCAPED SETBACK FORTHE PROPOSED PARKING LOT EXPANSION AT ARCHANGEL MICHAELCOPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH 4405, 4319, AND 4325 WEST EDINGERAVENUE (APN: 10824430, 14, AND 13)Recommended Actions:1. Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 198811MOD1,as conditioned; and2. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 202601, as conditioned.Minutes: Staff provided a short presentation.Commission had questions for staff.Staff answered questions from the Commission.Commission had questions for the Applicant.Applicant, James Gartner, answered questions from the Commission.Church member, Youssef Tanyous, spoke in favor of the project. Resident, Cathy Reis, spoke in favor of the project.Resident, George Reis, spoke in favor of the project.Resident, Rolf Vetter, spoke in favor of the project.Resident, Erika Villagomez, expressed a neutral position on the project viazoom.Moved by Commissioner Woo, seconded by Commissioner Benninger toApprove.YES: 6 – Bao Pham, Isuri Ramos, Alan Woo, Christopher Leo, Manuel J.Escamilla, Carl BenningerNO: 0 – ABSTAIN: 0 – ABSENT: 1 – Jennifer OlivaStatus: 6 – 0 – 0 – 1 – Pass3.CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 202516 FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATEDAT 200 EAST SANDPOINTE AVENUE LOCATED WITHIN THE SPECIFICDEVELOPMENT (SD) NO. 76 ZONING DISTRICT.Project Applicant: CM Sandpointe, LLC, GH Sandpointe LLC, VMTSandpointe LLC and QC Sandpointe LLC (collectively, Applicant and PropertyOwner)Proposed Project: The Applicant is requesting approval of Conditional UsePermit No. 202516 to allow the development of a fivestory residential andcommercial mixeduse project consisting of 400 residential units, including 20extremely lowincome affordable units, and 13,887 square feet of groundfloorcommercial. The Project is considered a housing development project subject tothe provisions of Senate Bill 330 (Gov. Code Section 65589.5 et seq.). A DensityBonus Agreement will be considered separately by the City Council tomemorialize the provision of affordable units and applicable developmentstandards (pursuant to Gov. Code Section 65915), as no density bonus,incentives/concessions, or waivers or reductions, are requested for PlanningCommission review.Environmental Impact:Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines, the proposed project is exempt from furtherenvironmental review pursuant to Sections 15183 and 15162, as it is within thescope of and consistent with the certified 2022 Santa Ana General PlanEnvironmental Impact Report (EIR) (SCH No. 2020029087), and no subsequentenvironmental review is required. A Notice of Exemption, Environmental ReviewNo. 202445, will be filed for the proposed project.RESOLUTION NO. 2026XXA RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTAANA APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 202516 AS CONDITIONEDFOR A MIXEDUSE DEVELOPMENT WITH 400 RESIDENTIAL UNITS AND13,887 SQUARE FEET OF COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR THE PROPERTYLOCATED AT 200 EAST SANDPOINTE AVENUE (APNS: 41111107, 41111109, 41111110, AND 41111111)Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 202516 for theconstruction of a mixeduse residential and commercial development, withgroundfloor commercial uses, as conditioned.Minutes: Staff provided a short presentation. Commission had questions for staff.Staff answered questions from the Commission.Commission had questions for the Applicant.Jonny Schneider and Pam Sapetto on behalf of the Applicant, answeredquestions from the Commission.Bryan Farkas, on behalf of Western States Regional Carpenters Union,expressed support for workforce policy to be applied.Resident, Tissey Smith, raised concerns regarding parking and affordabilitylevels.Resident, Michael Hanson, spoke in opposition of the project via zoom.Moved by Commissioner Escamilla, seconded by CommissionerBenninger to Approve.YES: 6 – Bao Pham, Isuri Ramos, Alan Woo, Christopher Leo, Manuel J.Escamilla, Carl BenningerNO: 0 – ABSTAIN: 0 – ABSENT: 1 – Jennifer OlivaStatus: 6 – 0 – 0 – 1 – Pass4.SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 202601 AND DENSITY BONUS AGREEMENTNO. 202601 FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2101 EAST FOURTHSTREET LOCATED WITHIN THE PROFESSIONAL (P) ZONE AND WITHINTHE METRO EAST MIXEDUSE OVERLAY ZONE.Project Applicant: Think Together, a California nonprofit corporation(Applicant and Property Owner)Proposed Project: Applicant is requesting approval of Site Plan Review No.202601 and Density Bonus Agreement No. 202601 to facilitate the constructionof a sevenstory mixeduse development consisting of 274 residential units,fourteen of which would be designated for extremely lowincome households, andapproximately 20,714 square feet of groundfloor commercial space. TheApplicant requests approval of a Density Bonus Agreement pursuant to CaliforniaGovernment Code Section 65915 and Santa Ana Municipal Code Section 411600 to allow a density of 92 dwelling units per acre and to permit oneincentive/concession and waivers or reductions from development standardsrelated to setbacks, building height, and publicly accessible open space.Environmental Impact:Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines, the project is exempt from further reviewpursuant to Section 15168 (Program EIR), as the Project is within the scope of thepreviously certified 2007 MEMU Program EIR (SCH No. 2006031041) and 2018Subsequent EIR, and would not result in new or more severe impacts or requireadditional review under Sections 15162 or 15163. Accordingly, no furtherenvironmental review is required, and a Notice of Exemption, EnvironmentalReview No. 202501, will be filed for the project.RESOLUTION NO. 2026XXA RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTAANA APPROVING SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 202601, AS CONDITIONED, FOR ASEVEN STORY MIXEDUSE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT CONSISTING OF274 RESIDENTIAL UNITS FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2101 EASTFOURTH STREET (APN: 40004103)RESOLUTION NO. 2026XXA RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTAANA APPROVING ONE INCENTIVE/CONCESSION AND TWO (2) WAIVERS ORREDUCTIONS OF DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS PURSUANT TO STATEDENSITY BONUS LAW TO BE MEMORIALIZED IN DENSITY BONUSAGREEMENT NO. 202601, AS CONDITIONED, FOR A SEVEN STORY MIXEDUSE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT CONSISTING OF 274 RESIDENTIAL UNITSFOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2101 EAST FOURTH STREET (APN: 400
<br />04103)
<br />Recommended Action:
<br />Continue this public hearing to the special Planning Commission meeting of
<br />May 28, 2026.
<br />Moved by Commissioner Benninger, seconded by Commissioner Leo to
<br />Approve.
<br />YES: 5 – Bao Pham, Isuri Ramos, Alan Woo, Christopher Leo, Carl Benninger
<br />NO: 0 – ABSTAIN: 0 – ABSENT: 2 – Manuel J. Escamilla, Jennifer Oliva
<br />Status: 5 – 0 – 0 – 2 – Pass
<br />*End of Business Calendar*
<br />STAFF COMMENTS
<br />Minutes: Staff had no comments for the Commission.
<br />COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
<br />Minutes: Commission had comments for staff.
<br />ADJOURNMENT
<br />The next meeting of the Planning Commission will be on May 25, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the
<br />Council Chamber located at 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701.
<br />Minutes: Meeting was adjourned at 8:33 PM.
<br />APPEAL INFORMATION
<br />The formal action by the Planning Commission shall become effective after the tenday
<br />appeal period, unless the City Council in compliance with section 41643, 41644 or 41645
<br />holds a public hearing on the matter, then the formal action will become effective on the day
<br />following the hearing and decision by the City Council. An appeal from the decision or
<br />requirement of the Planning Commission may be made by any interested party, individual, or
<br />group. The appeal must be filed with the Clerk of the Council, accompanied by the required
<br />filing fee, and a copy sent to the Planning Department, within ten days of the date of the
<br />Commission's action, by 5:00 p.m. If the final day to appeal falls on a City Hall observed
<br />holiday or a day when City hall is closed, the final day to appeal shall be extended to the next
<br />day City Hall is open for public business. Please note: Under California Government Code
<br />Sec. 65009, if you challenge in court any of the matters on this agenda for which a public
<br />hearing is to be conducted, you may be limited to raising only those issues which you (or
<br />someone else) raised orally at the public hearing or in written correspondence received by
<br />the Planning Commission or City Council at or before the hearing.
<br />MEETING INFORMATION
<br />If you would like to learn how to use Zoom before the meeting, visit Zoom Video Tutorials.
<br />1. Connecting directly from your computer:
<br />Click on the link on top of this agenda OR
<br />Go to Zoom.us and click "Join a Meeting" at the top. Enter the Meeting ID. The Meeting
<br />ID is listed at the top of this agenda.
<br />To speak during the meeting: When you wish to comment on an item that is being is
<br />discussed, click on the button next to your name to virtually raise your hand and let us know
<br />you wish to speak. You will have 3 minutes.
<br />2. Connecting via the Zoom App:
<br />Download the free Zoom Cloud Meetings app from your favorite app store.
<br />Launch the app and click on the blue Join a Meeting button. Enter the Meeting ID, your
<br />name, and the blue Join button. The Meeting ID is listed at the top of this agenda.
<br />To speak during the meeting: When you wish to comment on an item that is being is
<br />discussed, click on the button next to your name to virtually raise your hand and let us know
<br />you wish to speak. You will have 3 minutes.
<br />3. Dialing in from a mobile phone or landline:
<br />Dial (669) 9006833. When prompted, enter the meeting ID. The Meeting ID is listed at
<br />the top of this agenda.
<br />To speak during the meeting: When you wish to comment on an item that is being is
<br />discussed, press *9 on your phone to virtually raise your hand. You will have 3 minutes.
<br />Submit a written comment
<br />You are invited to submit a written comment in one of the following ways:
<br />Email PBAecomments@santaana.org and reference the topic in the subject line.
<br />Mail to Gema Zapien, Recording Secretary, City of Santa Ana, 20 Civic Center Plaza –
<br />M20, Santa Ana, CA 92701.
<br />Deadline to submit written comments, including any supplement materials for
<br />consideration by the Planning Commission, is 3:30 p.m. on the day of the
<br />meeting.Comments received after the deadline may not be distributed to the
<br />Commission but will be made part of the record. All attendees wishing to submit
<br />written comments or supplemental materials for distribution to Planning Commission
<br />members during the inperson meeting must provide 15 printed copies.
<br />TRANSLATION SERVICES Members of the public may request an interpreter 48
<br />hours in advance to assist a nonenglish speaker during the public comments
<br />sections of the meeting. Notification of 48 hours prior to the Meeting will enable the
<br />City to make reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility to this meeting.
<br />Simultaneous Spanish interpretation is provided through the use of headsets and
<br />consecutive interpretation (SpanishtoEnglish) in addition to those wishing to
<br />address the Commission at the podium.
<br />Los miembros del público pueden solicitar un intérprete con 48 horas de
<br />anticipación para asistir a una persona que no habla inglés durante la sección de
<br />comentarios públicos de la reunión. La notificación con 48 horas de anticipación
<br />permitirá a la Ciudad hacer los arreglos razonables necesarios para garantizar el
<br />acceso a esta reunión. La interpretación simultánea al español se ofrece por medio
<br />del uso de audífonos y la interpretación consecutiva (español a inglés) también está
<br />disponible para cualquiera que desee dirigirse a la Comisión en el podio.
<br />th
<br /> 8 Planning Commission
<br />5/11/2026
|