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Home My WebLink About03/22/2010MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF 'fHE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA March 22, 2010 CALLED TO ORDER: 5:31 P.M. CITY HALL ROSS ANNEX FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM 1600 20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Eric Alderete, Chairman Victoria Betancourt Christopher Leo Mario Turner Patrick Yrarrazaval COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: James Gartner, Vice Chairman STAFF PRESENT: Jay Trevino, Executive Director Planning & Building Agency (arrived 5:37 pm) Karen Haluza, Planning Manager Martha Ramirez, Recording Secretary CONSENT CALENDAR 1 MOTION: Approve the staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar MOTION: Yrarrazaval SECOND: Leo VOTE: AYES: Alderete, Betancourt, Leo, Yrarrazaval (4) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: Turner (1) ABSENT: Gartner (1) A. MINUTES RECOMMENDATION: Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 22, 2010. Commissioner Turner abstained due to his absence on February 22, 2010. B. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT Pursuant to the Brown Act, the March 8, 2010 Cancellation Notice for the Regular Meeting was posted on the door of the City Hall Council Chambers at 22 Civic Center Plaza on March 4, 2010 at 1:31p.m. ~__~ Pursuant to the Brown Act, the February 22, 2010 Notice for the Regular Meeting was posted on the door of the City Hall Council Chambers at 22 Civic Center Plaza on February 18, 2010 at 4:02 p.m. RECOMMENDATION: Instruct the Commission Secretary to enter posting into the minutes. * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR Planning Commission Minutes March 22, 2010 BUSINESS CALENDAR C. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDING AGENDIZED PROJECTS) Commissioner Betancourt stated that she would be abstaining from participation in Public Hearing Item 1 -Public Comments on Draft Environmental Impact Report No. 2006-02 for the Transit Zoning Code (SD 84A and 84B) due to the proximity of property she owns to the boundary of the Transit Zoning Code. WORK STUDY SESSION D. SYNTHETIC TURF DESIGN GUIDELINES (Continued by Planning Commission: February 22, 2010 to March 22, 2010) Principal Planner Fregoso presented the new Synthetic Turf Design Guidelines as a follow-up to the Planning Commission's action in November of 2009, regarding the adoption of a new Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. Commissioner Yrarrazaval recommended that Development Standards No. 6 and No. 7 should coincide regarding "minimum of 3 inches" in soil excavation and stone sub base. He requested pictures of examples to be place in the design guidelines with a list of suppliers and illustrations of product usage for commercial/residential use of turf. Commissioner Betancourt stated that she is against any artificial turf for landscaping purposes and encouraged using native drought-resistant plants. MOTION: Adopt a resolution approving the synthetic turf design guidelines with modifications proposed by the Planning Commission with regards to providing illustrations as needed. Planning staff will modify Development Standards No. 6 and No. 7 to the "minimum of 3 inches" in the soil excavation and stone sub base. MOTION: Yrarrazaval SECOND: Leo VOTE: AYES: Alderete, Leo, Turner, Yrarrazaval (4) NOES: Betancourt (1) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Gartner (1) PBA Executive Director Trevino announced the public memorial reception for Ben Kaufman on Wednesday, March 25 at 6:00 p.m. to be held at McCormick and Schmick's Restaurant at City Place in Santa Ana. E. Recess to Council Chambers (6:02 P.M.) 1 Planning Commission Minutes 2 March 22, 2010 MARCH 22, 2010 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA CALLED TO ORDER 6:13 P.M. Commission reconvened without Commissioner Betancourt who abstainl;d on the public hearing and left the Council Chambers. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG LED BY CHAIRMAN ALDERETE PROCEDURAL RULES PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT NO. 2006-02 FOR THE TRANSIT ZONING CODE (SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT NO.84A AND 846) Receive and file public comments for the Draft Environmental Impact Report No. 2006-02 for the Transit Zoning Code located in the central urban core of Santa Ana, west of Interstate 5, north of First Street, between Grand Avenue and Flower Street and south of Civic Center Drive. PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: February 24, 2010 PUBLISHED IN THE REGISTER: February 26, 2010 PUBLICLY NOl'ICED: February 26, 2010 RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file the public comments on the draft Environmental Impact Report No. 2006-02. Senior Planner Lucy Linnaus provided a brief overview of the extended public comment review period for the Transit Zoning Code Draft EIR. No written communications were received. The public hearing was. opened. Public Comments: Jeff Dickman, resident at 1218 North French Street, representing Friends of the Lacy Historic Neighborhood, spoke with regards to demolition efforts and environmental impact report. Commented on lawsuit that is working towards preserving houses, reuse, and listing properties on the Historical Register. Encouraged city staff to work with Friends of Lacy and SACReD.regarding open space, parks, and housing issues. Carolina Sarmiento, Santa Ana resident, PhD student at UCI and SACReD representative, highlighted the following community concerns: housing that is targeted to meet the needs of the local community; development that preserves and enhances the community, the history and cultural life of the community; public open space that serves the community and creates a central focus for the area; the protection of local small businesses and workers; planning and design that protects the safety of local residents and school children. She stated that the project is an opportunity to ensure that Santa Ana's affordable housing requirements, as stated in the Regional Housing Needs Assessment, target low and extremely low income categories. Recommended incorporating measures for "Complete Street" improvements as funding is available that include lighting, parks, sidewalks and safety for the community. Finally, would like to ensure that the coalition advocates for the right of the people to be part of the decision- making process as it ultimately affects them. Planning Commission Minutes 3 March 22, 2010 Carmen Garcia, speaking with a Spanish translator, stated that she has been a five-year resident at 512 Porter #311, and has seen many families displaced. She stated that she believes the City should do a Community Benefits Agreement. 1 Ramona M. Rivera, speaking with a Spanish translator, 50-year resident at 607 E Sixth Street, with the SACReD coalition, commented on the unfairness of dislocation and impacts to the elderly and stated that the City should do a Community Benefits Agreement. Hermann Chuy, speaking with a Spanish translator, resident at 702 Fifth Street, #16, with SACReD coalition commented that he and others will be displaced. Art Lomeli, dentist and property owner for 20 years in Santa Ana; involved with SAMA, the Downtown business community. As a member of SACReD Coalition, he expressed concerns of the people being impacted by this development and stated that the City should do a Community Benefits Agreement. Sean Coolidge, resident at 912 East Santa Ana Boulevard, stated that he supported the interests of SACReD. He stated that the City should provide open space. Phil Chinn, resident at 2900 North Flower Street, involved with SACReD organization. Addressed the issue of potential future displacement, as referenced in Figure 5.2 of the DEIR; commented that TZC does not adequately address a financial mechanism to fund additional open space. Commented that the City should consider a Mello Roos or maintenance agreement for future open space. The public hearing was closed. u 1 MOTION: Receive and file the public comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report No. 2006-02. MOTION: Leo VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: 2. Public Commei SECOND: Yrarrazaval Alderete, Leo, Turner, Yrarrazaval (4) None (0) Betancourt (1) Gartner (1) its (for items not on the agenda) No public members spoke. STAFF AND COMMISSION COMMENTS 3. Staff Comments: No comments were made. 4. Planning Commission Comments: Chair Alderete recommended provision of a Spanish translator during public hearings and praised the deceased Chief Assistant City Attorney Ben Kaufman. 5. Excuse of Absences Commissioner Leo moved to excuse the absence of Vice Chair Gartner. Commissioner Yrarrazaval seconded the motion and the Commission unanimously approved by a vote of 4:0. 6. Adjournment: 6:48 p.m. Meeting Closed In Memory of Benjamin "Ben" Kaufman Q~t-t.~ Martha Ramirez Recording Secretary Planning Commission Minutes 4 March 22, 2010