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Home My WebLink About11-09-20 MINUTES1 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES December 14, 2020 ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE SANTA ANA PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 9, 2020 CALLED TO ORDER VIRTUAL MEETING CITY HALL, ROSS ANNEX 20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA, ROOM 1600 SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 5:35 P.M. ATTENDANCE COMMISSIONERS Present: CYNTHIA CONTRERAS-LEO, Vice Chair MARK MCLOUGHLIN, Chair THOMAS MORRISSEY V. THAI PHAN NORMA GARCIA KENNETH NGUYEN FELIX RIVERA COMMISSIONERS Absent: None. PLANNING & BUILDING AGENCY STAFF Present: MINH THAI, Executive Director VINCE FREGOSO, Planning Manager LISA STORCK, Assistant City Attorney MELANIE McCANN, Senior Planner ALI PEZESHKPOUR, Senior Planner SELENA KELAHER, Associate Planner SARAH BERNAL, Recording Secretary PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PUBLIC COMMENTS (on non-agenda items): None. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS *All votes were taken by roll call 1. MINUTES FROM THE OCTOBER 26, 2020 REGULAR MEETING MOTION: Approve the minutes. MOTION: Nguyen SECOND: Rivera VOTE: AYES: Contreras-Leo, Nguyen, McLoughlin, Morrissey, Phan, Rivera (6) NOES: None (0) 2 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES December 14, 2020 ABSTAIN: Garcia (1) ABSENT: None (0) BUSINESS CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARING Item No. 3 moved to the beginning of the calendar 1. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2020-19 AND VARIANCE NO. 2020-04. LOCATION: 4111 South Main Street located in the General Commercial (C2) zoning district. REQUEST: The applicant is requesting approval of (1) a conditional use permit to permit the construction of a new major wireless communications facility disguised as a mono-pine and (2) a variance to permit the wireless facility at a height of 80 feet in lieu of a maximum of 60 feet. MOTION: Continue the matter to December 14, 2020. MOTION: Morrissey SECOND: Nguyen VOTE: AYES: Contreras-Leo, Garcia, Nguyen, McLoughlin, Morrissey, Phan, Rivera (7) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) 2. SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 2020-04 LOCATION: 1801 East Fourth Street located in the Metro East Mixed-Use Overlay Zone (MEMU), Active Urban (AU) zoning district REQUEST: The applicant is requesting approval of a site plan review to facilitate construction of Central Pointe, a mixed-use development project consisting of two buildings with a total of 644 residential units, 15,130 square feet of commercial space, 1,318 parking spaces and associated amenities and open space. Commissioner Phan recused herself due to conflict of interest; her employer Ruttan & Tucker represents the applicant. Case Planner Kelaher provided a staff presentation. 3 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES December 14, 2020 Commission discussion ensued regarding pollution, parking, parking management plan, and rooftop green space. Recording Secretary provided a summary report of written communication received. Chair McLoughlin opened the Public Hearing. Representatives of the project spoke in support of the matter and answered questions regarding rooftop green space and retail space. The following individuals spoke on this matter: • Peter Moreno provided a general comment regarding traffic. • Paige Fennie spoke in opposition. • Araceli Guillen made a general comment regarding parking. • Dale Helvig made a general comment regarding open space. • Elaine Arriola spoke in opposition. • Cesar Corrvarubias spoke in opposition. • Erica Gonzalez spoke in opposition. The applicant was provided the opportunity to address comments regarding traffic, environmental impacts, land use, and affordable housing. Further discussion ensued regarding challenges with rooftop green space. There were no other speakers and the Public Hearing was closed. Commissioner Nguyen motioned to approve the matter as recommended by staff. Commissioner Garcia introduced a friendly amendment to add a condition to require a rooftop garden; the amendment was accepted by Commissioner Nguyen. Commissioner Garcia clarified the condition by detailing that 90% of the entire rooftop space should be a rooftop garden. Applicant proposed that they work directly with staff to determine the boundaries of the rooftop garden and expressed concerned with the financial impacts and feasibility of the condition. Considering the applicant’s comments, Commissioner Garcia modified the condition to include “if feasible.” Executive Director Thai suggested that staff work with the applicant to determine the feasibility of the rooftop green garden of up to 90% of the rooftop structure. Commissioner Garcia requested the rooftop green garden be no less than 50% and no more than 90% of the entire rooftop structure, if feasible. The applicant stressed that the proposed condition was not feasible. Executive Director Thai recommended that the Public Hearing be re-opened to discuss the matter further. Chair McLoughlin re-opened the Public Hearing. The applicant explained that rooftop green garden is feasible only on the amenity deck; the remaining rooftop space referred to by Commissioner Garcia will be built on a wood frame and does not have the load bearing capability for a green garden. Deliberation continued regarding the feasibility of the proposed conditioned. Chair McLouhglin closed the Public Hearing. Assistant City Attorney Storck read the condition into the record: The applicant shall provide a rooftop green garden of no less than 50% and no more than 90% of the entire roof 4 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES December 14, 2020 structure. The applicant reiterated that a green garden on the wood frame of the roof structure is not feasible. Assistant City Attorney Storck stated that the term “if feasible” could be added to the condition to address the concern. The applicant continued to express concern with the condition. Executive Director Thai announced that staff would work with the applicant to determine feasibility. MOTION: Adopt a Resolution AS CONDITIONED. A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA APPROVING SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 2020-04 AS CONDITIONED FOR A NEW MIXED-USE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1801 EAST FOURTH STREET MOTION: Nguyen SECOND: Contreras-Leo VOTE: AYES: Contreras-Leo, Garcia, Nguyen, McLoughlin, Morrissey, Rivera (6) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: Phan (1) ABSENT: None (0) 3. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT NO. 2020-03 AND GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 2020-06 FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE UPDATE TO THE SANTA ANA GENERAL PLAN Due to a lack of quorum, this matter was adjourned from the November 5, 2020 special meeting. LOCATION: Citywide REQUEST: The City is requesting approval of a general plan amendment to facilitate a comprehensive update to the City’s General Plan. The General Plan goals and policies will guide the City’s physical development, fiscal and environmental sustainability, and overall quality of life for the community. Commissioner Rivera motioned to continue the matter to allow the Commission an opportunity to review the received written comments. Commissioners generally agreed that they would like to continue with the staff presentation Case Planners Fregoso and McCann provided a staff presentation. Commission discussion ensued regarding environmental impacts, environmental justice, open space, and density. Recording Secretary provided a summary report of written communication received. Chair McLoughlin opened the public hearing. The following individuals spoke on the matter: 5 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES December 14, 2020 • Luis Sarmiento, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Peter Moreno, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Dale Helvig, made general comment regarding general plan elements. • Erica Gonzalez; spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Gil Flores, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Hector Bustos, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Manny Escamilla, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Brett Cordy, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Juan Gonzalez, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Jose Rea, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Ethan Licon, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Sean Drexler, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Kennedy Commission, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Sandra Pena Sarmiento, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Alex (no last name), spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Yezenia Marrujo, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Adolfo Sierra, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Victor Russo, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Kelly Achee, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • (Name inaudible), spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Pamela Gonzalez, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Victor Payan, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • GInelle Hardy, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Elaina Arriola, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Cynthia Guerra, spoke in opposition, requested postponement. • Karla Juarez, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Kiela (no last name), spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Irma Juaraguei, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. • Alfonso Alvarez, spoke in opposition; requested postponement. There were no other speakers and the Public Hearing was closed. Further discussion ensued regarding environmental justice, components of the environmental impact report, and community outreach. Commissioner Phan motioned to continue the matter to a date uncertain; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Rivera. Vice-Chair Contreras-Leo urged the Commission to make a decision on the matter. MOTION: Continue the matter to a date uncertain MOTION: Phan SECOND: Rivera VOTE: AYES: Garcia, McLoughlin, Morrissey, Phan, Rivera (5) NOES: Contreras-Leo, Nguyen (2) 6 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES December 14, 2020 ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) ***END OF BUSINESS CALENDAR*** COMMENTS 3.STAFF COMMENTS: •Executive Director Thai: Thanked staff for their efforts •Planning Manager: Announced he will be retiring after 33 years of service. •Assistant City Attorney: Announced she will be retiring. 4.COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS: •All Commissioners thanked staff and congratulated the retirees and Commissioner Phan on her election to the City Council. 11: 28 P.M. – The next Regular meeting will be on Monday, December 14, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. Sarah Bernal Recording Secretary