HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/23/2009MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA
FEBRUARY 23, 2009
CALLED TO ORDER: 5:30 P.M.
CITY HALL ROSS ANNEX
FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM 1600
20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Eric Alderete, Vice Chair (arrived 5:33 p.m.)
Victoria Betancourt
James Gartner
Christopher Leo, Chairman
Sean H. Mill
Mario Turner (arrived 5:36 p.m.)
Patrick Yrarrazaval
STAFF PRESENT:
Jay Trevino, Ex. Dir. Planning & Building Agency
Karen Haluza, Planning Manager
Vince Fregoso, Principal Planner
Ryan Hodge, Deputy City Attorney
Martha Ramirez, Recording Secretary
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG: CHAIRMAN LEO
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION: Approve the staff recommendations on the following Consent
Calendar.
MOTION: Mill
VOTE: AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
A. MINUTES
SECOND: Yrarrazaval
Betancourt, Gartner, Leo, Mill, Yrarrazaval (5)
None (0)
None (0)
Alderete, Turner (2)
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 26, 2009.
B. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT
Pursuant to the Brown Act, the February 9, 2009 Cancellation Notice for the
Regular Meeting was posted on the door of the City Hall Council Chambers at 22
Civic Center Plaza on February 5, 2009 at 8:37 a.m.
Pursuant to the Brown Act, the January 26, 2009 Agenda for the Regular
Meeting was posted on the door of the City Hall Council Chambers at 22 Civic
Center Plaza on January 22, 2009 at 3:12 p.m.
RECOMMENDATION:
Instruct the Commission Secretary to enter posting into the minutes.
* * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Planning Commission Minutes 1 February 23, 2009
BUSINESS CALENDAR
C. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDING AGENDIZED
PROJECTS)
Commissioner Turner disclosed that he was contacted by and spoke with Steve
Sheldon, consultant representing Integral.
WORK STUDY SESSION
D. DISCUSSION ON MARRIOTT COURTYARD AT MAC ARTHUR PLACE SOUTH
Principal Planner Vince Fregoso provided background on the MacArthur Place
South project that was approved in 2005 for the Integral Site (mid-rise
condominiums), Cinema Site (condominium tower, loft building, restaurant, retail,
office) and Lake Towers (high rise condominiums).
Assistant Planner Matt Foulkes provided a presentation regarding the proposed
alterations to the current project that, if approved, would include a Marriott
Courtyard (185-room, four-story hotel) located on the corner of MacArthur
Boulevard and MacArthur Place, in place of the previously approved Cinema
Lofts and restaurant/retail building. The proposed plan would also relocate the
condominium tower to the south.
In order to amend the previously approved project, the applicant is requesting the
following Planning Commission actions:
• Amendment of SD-76 to allow hotels with a conditional use permit.
• Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan Review for hotel.
• Variance to allow a reduction in required parking.
o Spaces provided --- 133 in a surface parking lot and an additional
500 in parking structure (shared)
o Spaces required - 204
• Addendum to EIR 2004-02 (traffic impacts).
• Amendment to Development Agreement 2005-02.
Nexus President, Corey Alder, reviewed the project site with regards to the
towers, interior/exterior upgrades and amenities, public art, retaining the urban
village with the hotel, review of the architecture elements, and maintained doing
the tower in the future.
The Planning Commission specifically commented on the following items:
• Ensuring that adequate parking is provided for both the hotel and the
Cinema Tower project.
• The need for architectural enhancements to the design of the front
elevations that better matches the high quality design and finishes on the
recently completed Skyline project. In particular, better screening of the air
conditioning vents and better pedestrian design along MacArthur Place.
• Concern about the elimination of open space that was designated on
original plan.
• Concern over the selection of the Marriott Courtyard hotel as the hotel
operator.
Executive Director Jay Trevino summarized the project and acknowledged the
Commission's concerns. He stressed that the most important consideration is to
ensure that the building's architecture, site plan and amenities were of a very
high quality in order to preserve the long-term performance of the project
regardless of the individual hotel operator. The item will return to the Planning
Commission for consideration.
Planning Commission Minutes 2 February 23, 2009
PROCEDURAL RULES
1. Public Comments (for items not on the agenda)
No public members spoke.
STAFF AND COMMISSION COMMENTS
2. Staff Comments
No comments were provided.
3. Planning Commission Comments
Commissioner Mill welcomed back Jay Trevino.
Chairman Leo
• Requested updates on the housing element and the Santa Ana
Renaissance Specific Plan (SARSP). Executive Director Trevino and
Planning Manager Haluza provided information.
• Requested a study session to become familiar with the "Go Local"
program and rapid transit plan for Bristol Street.
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4. Excuse of Absences
5. Adjournment 6:48 p.m.
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Martha amirez
Recording Secretary
Planning Commission Minutes
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February 23, 2009