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PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTE September 14, 2020
ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR METING OF THE SANTA ANA PLANNING COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 14, 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:
NORMA GARCIA
MARK MCLOUGHLIN, Chair
KENNETH NGUYEN
THOMAS MORRISSEY V. THAI PHAN
FELIX RIVERA
COMMISSIONERS Absent: CYNTHIA CONTRERAS-LEO, Vice Chair
PLANNING & BUILDING AGENCY STAFF Present:
MINH THAI, Executive Director
VINCE FREGOSO, Planning Manager LISA STORCK, Assistant City Attorney ALI PEZESHKPOUR, Senior Planner
MELANIE MCCANN, 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 A. MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 24, 2020 REGULAR MEETING
MOTION: Approve the minutes.
MOTION: Nguyen SECOND: Rivera
VOTE: AYES: Garcia, McLoughlin, Morrissey, Nguyen, Phan, Rivera (6)
NOES: None (0)
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PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTE September 14, 2020
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Contreras-Leo (1)
B. EXCUSED ABSENCES
MOTION: Excuse absent commission members: Contreras-Leo
MOTION: Nguyen SECOND: Rivera
VOTE: AYES: Garcia, McLoughlin, Morrissey, Nguyen, Phan, Rivera (6)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Contreras-Leo (1)
BUSINESS CALENDAR
PUBLIC HEARING
1. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2020-17 AND VARIANCE NO. 2020-03 – Jerry
Guevara, Case Planner.
This matter was continued from the meeting of August 24, 2020 by a vote of 6:0 (Phan
absent).
LOCATION: 1619, 1621 and 1623 East Edinger Avenue located in the Light Industrial (M1)
zoning district
REQUEST: The applicant is requesting approval of the following land use entitlements: (1)
a conditional use permit to allow the expansion of an existing medical clinic and (2) a
variance to allow a reduction in the City’s required off-street parking standards by
approximately 26 percent.
MOTION: Continue the matter until September 28, 2020
MOTION: Rivera SECOND: Nguyen
VOTE: AYES: Garcia, McLoughlin, Morrissey, Nguyen, Phan, Rivera (6)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Contreras-Leo (1)
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PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTE September 14, 2020
2. DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT NO. 2020-03 FOR THE UPDATE TO THE SANTA ANA GENERAL PLAN
LOCATION: Citywide
REQUEST: Conduct a Public Hearing to receive public comments on the Draft
Environmental Impact Report and potential environmental impacts associated with the
development project pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
Section 15087(i).
Planning Manager Fregoso provided a staff presentation.
Recording Secretary provided a summary of written correspondence received.
Chair McLoughlin opened the Public Hearing. The following individuals spoke on the
matter:
• Dale Helvig commented on that Master Plan, the housing element, and parkland.
• Diane Fradkin commented on high density, COVID concerns, parkland, and
population housing density alternatives.
There were no other speakers and the Public Hearing was closed.
Further discussion ensued regarding parkland, land acquisition, environmental impacts,
quality of life for residents, Master Plan, and the process for updating the General Plan as
needed to adjust for future changes.
Executive Director Thai advised Commission that the public comment period for the Draft
Environmental Impact Report will be extended until October 6, 2020.
***END OF BUSINESS CALENDAR***
WORK STUDY CALENDAR
2. DISCUSSION ON THE 2020 GENERAL PLAN ELEMENTS.
Senior Planner McCann provided a presentation which included information on the
following:
• Purpose and Elements
• Community Element
• Circulation Element
• Economic Prosperity Element
• Public Services Element
• Conservation Element
• Open Space Element
• Noise Element
• Safety Element
• Historic Preservation Element
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PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTE September 14, 2020
• Urban Design Element
• Next Steps
• Virtual Community Workshops
Commission discussion ensued regarding environmental justice, open space, historic
resources, hazardous materials, conservation, air quality, open space/roof top space, job to
housing ratio, local preservation efforts, flood safety, neighborhood development, LEED
designs, and the safety element.
3. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT LOCATED AT 201 WEST
3RD STREET.
Commissioner Phan recused herself from discussing the matter due to a financial conflict of
interest. Commissioner Morrissey recused himself from discussing the matter due to a
personal relationship conflict of interest.
Case Planner Kelaher provided a presentation which included information on the following:
• Site Location
• Site Photos
• Background
• Project Description
• Site Plan
• Cross Section
• Public Parking
• Rendering / Residential
Amenities
• Rendering /Hotel Amenities
• Addendum
• State Density Bonus Law
• Hotel Parking and Variance
• Tentative Parcel Map
Commission discussion ensued regarding the architectural rendering and the project’s
consistency with the existing general plan.
The following individuals spoke on the matter:
• Manny Escamilla spoke in support; commented on opportunities for Public Art.
• Dale Helvig made a general comment.
• Jonah Bresna opined that the City should not sell public land.
• Mike Harrah, applicant, spoke in support; addressed comments made by the
Commission.
• Diane Fradkin commented on district centers, architectural design, building height,
density, open space, and parking.
• Tobin White, architect, spoke in support; addressed comments regarding
architectural design.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTE September 14, 2020
**END OF WORK STUDY CALENDAR***
*Commissioner Phan rejoined the meeting at the conclusion of Item No. 3
COMMENTS
4. STAFF COMMENTS: None.
5. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS:
• Commissioner Rivera: Thanked staff.
• Chair McLoughlin: Thanked staff.
8:15 P.M. – The next meeting will be on Monday, September 28, 2020 at 5:30 p.m.
Sarah Bernal Recording Secretary
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