HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/14/2009MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA
September 14, 2009
CALLED TO ORDER: 5:37 P.M.
CITY HALL ROSS ANNEX
FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM 1600
20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Eric Alderete, Vice Chairman
Victoria Betancourt
James Gartner
Mario Turner
Patrick Yrarrazaval
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Christopher Leo, Chairman
STAFF PRESENT:
Jay Trevino, Ex. Dir. Planning & Building Agency
Karen Haluza, Planning Manager
Ben Kaufman, Chief Assistant City Attorney
Martha Ramirez, Recording Secretary
CONSENT CALENDAR
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MOTION: Approve the staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar.
MOTION: Gartner SECOND: Turner
VOTES: AYES: Alderete, Betancourt, Gartner, Turner, Yrarrazaval (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Leo (1)
A. MINUTES
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 24, 2009.
B. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT
Pursuant to the Brown Act, the August 24, 2009 Notice for the Regular Meeting
was posted on the door of the City Hall Council Chambers at 22 Civic Center
Plaza on August 20, 2009 at 2:17 p.m.
RECOMMENDATION:
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Instruct the Commission Secretary to enter posting into the minutes.
* * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Planning Commission Minutes
September 14, 2009
BUSINESS CALENDAR
C. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDING AGENDIZED
PROJECTS)
No disclosures were made.
WORK STUDY SESSION
D. DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL FOR FIRST/BUSH STREETS
Planning Manager Haluza introduced the representatives from Harris Taylor
Management Inc., Vice President Chris Taylor and Kathy Taylor and Chad
Brown, Principal with CGB Associates. Senior Planner Lucy Linnaus provided a
discussion regarding the policy framework for infill development in the downtown
area.
Chad Brown provided information regarding the concepts driving the proposed
urban development at First and Bush Streets. Chris Taylor reviewed the
architectural features of the conceptual plan for the proposed mixed-used 139-
unit proposal.
Commission discussion ensued regarding the height, massing, and density of the
proposed tower, architectural plan, and frontage concept for the street level,
zoning and parking concerns.
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Executive Director Trevino outlined the approach for the applicant that includes
filing an application and allowing the planning staff to evaluate the project in a
comprehensive manner, including parking requirements and adherence to the
zoning requirements. Staff will then return to the Planning Commission for
general policy direction for the area.
E. Recess to Council Chambers (6:14 p.m.)
Planning Commission Minutes
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September 14, 2009
CITY OF SANTA ANA
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA
ROLL CALL: 6:22 P.M.
Jay Trevino was absent; otherwise the same staff was present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG LED BY VICE CHAIR ALDERETE
PROCEDURAL RULES
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2006-20 AND VARIANCE NO. 2006-13
(Continued by Planning Commission: July 27, 2009 to August 24, 2009, August 24, 2009 to
September 14, 2009)
Filed by Caribou Industries to allow a parking lot in the Midtown Specific Plan
(SP3) zoning district and to reduce the required landscaped setbacks and
parking lot landscaping at 202 East Seventeenth Street.
PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: July 17, 2009
PUBLICLY NOTICED: July 17, 2009
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2006-20 as
conditioned to allow a parking lot.
2. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2006-13 (a) as conditioned to
allow a reduction in landscaped setbacks.
3. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2006-13 (b) as conditioned to
allow a reduction in parking lot landscaping.
Principal Planner Vince Fregoso provided a recap of the staff report and
recommendation.
Public speaking: Julie Stroud recommended enhancements to the parking lot.
MOTION:
1. Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2006-20 as
conditioned to allow a parking lot.
2. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2006-13 (a) as conditioned to
allow a reduction in landscaped setbacks.
3. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2006-13 (b) as conditioned to
allow a reduction in parking lot landscaping.
4. Recommended addition of conditions of approval to address the
replacement of the concrete curbs, landscaping the northwest corner of the
site, but omit the requirement for the interior trees on the parking lot.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER YRARRAZAVAL, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
GARTNER; MOTION FAILED DUE TO LACK OF VOTE
SUBSEQUENT MOTION:
1. Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2006-20 as
conditioned to allow a parking lot.
2. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2006-13 (a) as conditioned to
allow a reduction in landscaped setbacks.
3. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2006-13 (b) as conditioned to
allow a reduction in parking lot landscaping.
Planning Commission Minutes 3 September 14, 2009
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4. Recommended addition of conditions of approval:
a. Landscaping shall be installed at the northwest corner of the
parking lot;
b. Three trees shall be planted in the parking lot as directed by
staff;
c. All damaged concrete curbing around the landscaping shall be
replaced;
d. The Liquidambar tree in the Bush Street setback shall be
removed;
e. The Yucca trees at the southwest corner of the site shall be
removed and replaced with landscaping, including one 24-inch
Australian Willow tree;
f. Existing on-site landscaping shall be cleaned-up.
MOTION: Alderete SECOND: Turner
VOTES: AYES: Alderete, Turner, Yrarrazaval (3)
NOES: Gartner (1)
ABSTAIN: Betancourt (1)
ABSENT: Leo (1)
2. ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 2009-06
Filed by the City of Santa Ana to expand existing standards for Graffiti
Abatement and to amend the Citywide Design Guidelines.
PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: September 4, 2009
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommend that the City Council:
1. Adopt an ordinance approving Amendment Application No. 2009-06.
2. Receive and file amendments to the Citywide Design Guidelines.
Assistant Planner Octavio Silva presented the staff report and recommendation.
The public hearing was opened. No public members spoke. The public hearing
was closed.
MOTION: Recommend that the City Council:
1. Adopt an ordinance approving Amendment Application No. 2009-06.
2. Receive and file amendments to the Citywide Design Guidelines.
MOTION: Betancourt SECOND: Yrarrazaval
AYES: Alderete, Betancourt ,Gartner, Turner, Yrarrazaval (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Leo (1)
3. Public Comments (for items not on the agenda)
No public members spoke.
Planning Commission Minutes
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September 14, 2009
STAFF AND COMMISSION COMMENTS
4. Staff Comments
No comments were made.
5. Planning Commission Comments
Vice Chair Alderete recommended that City Council promptly provide a
replacement for Planning Commissioner representing Ward 6.
6. Excuse of Absences
Moved by Commissioner Betancourt and Seconded by Commissioner Gartner to
excuse the absence of Chairman Leo; motion was unanimously approved by a
vote of 5:0.
7. Adjournment 7:25 p.m.
Mart a Ramirez
Recording Secretary
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Planning Commission Minutes 5 September 14, 2009