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Home My WebLink About08/25/2008MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AUGUST 25, 2008 CALLED TO ORDER: 5:41 P.M. CITY HALL ROSS ANNEX FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM 1600 20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Eric Alderete, Vice Chair Victoria Betancourt (arrived 5:43 p.m.) Harvey De La Torre James Gartner Christopher Leo, Chairman Sean H. Mill Patrick Yrarrazaval STAFF PRESENT: Karen Haluza, Planning Manager Ben Kaufman, Chief Assistant City Attorney Martha Ramirez, Recording Secretary CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: Approve staff MOTION: Mill VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: A. MINUTES recommendations on the following Consent Calendar SECOND: Yrarrazaval Alderete, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Mill, Yrarrazaval (6) None (0) None (0) Betancourt (1) RECOMMENDATION: Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 11, 2008. B. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT Pursuant to the Brown Act, the August 11, 2008 Agenda for the Regular Meeting was posted on the door of the City Hall Council Chambers at 22 Civic Center Plaza on August 8, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. RECOMMENDATION: Instruct the Commission Secretary to enter posting into the minutes. * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR Planning Commission Minutes 1 August 25, 2008 BUSINESS CALENDAR C. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDING AGENDIZED PROJECTS) Chairman Leo and Commissioner Mill spoke with representatives from Templo Calvario. D. ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR COMMISSION (Continued by the Planning Commission: July 14, 2008 to July 28, 2008; July 28, 2008 to August 11, 2008; August 11, 2008 to August 25, 2008)) Appoint a Planning Commission Representative to the Historic Resources Commission for 2008 - 2009. MOTION: Continue to September 8, 2008. MOTION: Alderete SECOND: Betancourt VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: MOTION DIED DUE TO LACK OF VOTE. SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Accept Commissioner Mill's resignation as Historic Resources Representative and continue the item to September 8, 2008. MOTION: Leo SECOND: Alderete VOTE: AYES: Alderete, Betancourt, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Mill, Yrarrazaval (7) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) WORK STUDY SESSION E. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED MASSAGE ORDINANCE Assistant Planner Matt Foulkes provided an update on California Senate Bill 731 that affects the proposed massage ordinance. Stipulations indicated that the State will take over the licensing which will have implications for any local ordinances. This bill creates the Massage Therapist Organization (MTO) and provides for the certification of massage therapists and massage practitioners by the MTO. The Bill will also prevent cities from enacting any ordinance that regulates land use or zoning restrictions with respect to massage that is not also applied to all professional or personal services. After the ramifications of the Senate Bill are better understood, staff will bring the massage ordinance back to the Planning Commission. Chief Assistant City Attorney Kaufman provided a chronicle of the actions to date on the Senate Bill. Planning Commission Minutes 2 August 25, 2008 F. DISCUSS IMPROVEMENTS TO NEW SIGNS THROUGHOUT THE CITY FOLLOWING THE ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTAION OF THE CITYWIDE DESIGN GUIDELINES Planning Manager Haluza indicated that since the adoption of the citywide design guidelines, the quality of the signs and types of signs permitted has dramatically improved. Senior Planner Verny Carvajal presented a comprehensive overview on citywide signs with an improved design being a result of the revised sign guidelines. The Commission was provided with handouts, Chapter 14 - Signage Guidelines for the City of Santa Ana and the originally adopted 1984 Guidelines. Mr. Carvajal discussed the different development types and the applicable design objectives, guidelines, placement, materials and other applicable criteria. The presentation concluded that: • Guidelines have improved the overall quality of all sign types • Facilitated better dialogue between staff and the applicant .Provided an effective tool resulting in a variety of sign types that are well designed • Results have created a positive transition between existing non-conforming and outdated signs in the City Commission discussion ensued regarding temporary sign enforcement, mobile signs and nonconforming signs. Chief Assistant City Attorney Kaufman provided information on human signs and stated that citations are given when taking up too much of the sidewalk and/or standing on private property. G. Recess to Council Chambers (6:18 p.m.) 1 Planning Commission Minutes 3 August 25, 2008 CITY OF SANTA ANA CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA ROLL CALL 6:25 P.M. The same staff was present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG LED BY CHAIR LEO PROCEDURAL RULES PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. AMENDMENT APPLICATION NO. 2008-06, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2008-05. VARIANCE NO. 2008-04 AND SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 2008-02 (Continued by the Planning Commission: April 28, 2008 to date uncertain; July 28, 2008 to August 11, 2008; August 11, 2008 to August 25, 2008) Filed by Templo Calvario to change the zoning of the site from Light Industrial (M-1) to a Specific Development (SD) designation, to allow church uses with a conditional use permit, to allow a variance for a reduction in parking and site plan review approval to allow Templo Calvario to occupy an adjacent building and increase the sanctuary seating at 2501 West Fifth Street. PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: July 18, 2008 PUBLICLY NOTICED: July 18, 2008 RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that the City Council: 1. Approve and adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Program, Environmental Review No. 2004-162. 2. Adopt an ordinance approving Amendment Application No. 2008-06 for Specific Development Plan No. 82. 3. Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2008-05 as conditioned. 4. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2008-04 as conditioned. 5. Adopt a resolution approving Site Plan Review No. 2008-02 as conditioned. Principal Planner Vince Fregoso presented the staff report and recommendation. No written communications were received. Public Hearing opened. No public members spoke. Public Hearing closed. MOTION: Recommend that the City Council: 1. Approve and adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Program, Environmental Review No. 2004-162. 2. Adopt an ordinance approving Amendment Application No. 2008-06 for Specific Development Plan No. 82. 3. Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2008-05 as conditioned. 4. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2008-04 as conditioned. 5. Adopt a resolution approving Site Plan Review No. 2008-02 as conditioned. Planning Commission Minutes 4 August 25, 2008 MOTION: De La Torre VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: SECOND: Yrarrazaval Alderete, Betancourt, Yrarrazaval (7) None (0) None (0) None (0) De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Mill, 2. GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 2004-03 (Continued by the Planning Commission: July 28, 2008 to August 25, 2008) Filed by the City of Santa Ana to update the City of Santa Ana's Airport Environs Element of the General Plan, and to update the City's Land Use and Noise Elements to ensure consistency between General Plan Elements. PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: RECOMMENDATION: Continue to September 22, 2008. 1 MOTION: Continue to September 22, 2008 MOTION: Betancourt VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: SECOND: Gartner Alderete, Betancourt, Yrarrazaval (7) None (0) None (0) None (0) July 18, 2008 De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Mill, 3. AMENDMENT TO DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT NO. 2005-02 AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2005-10 Filed by Nexus Companies to amend the terms of an existing development agreement and conditional use permit to allow the rental of some or all condominium units for the Skyline at 9 and 15 MacArthur Place. PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: August 15, 2008 PUBLICLY NOTICED: August 15, 2008 RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that the City Council: 1. Adopt an ordinance approving amendment to Development Agreement No. 2005-02. 2. Adopt a resolution approving amendment to Conditional Use Permit No. 2005-10. D MOTION: Continue to September 8, 2008 per the applicant's request. MOTION: Yrarrazaval VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: SECOND: Alderete Alderete, Betancourt, Yrarrazaval (7) None (0) None (0) None (0) De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Mill, 4. Public Comments (for items not on the agenda) No public members spoke. Planning Commission Minutes 5 August 25, 2008 STAFF AND COMMISSION COMMENTS 5. Staff Comments Commission Secretary thanked the Commissioners for submitting the Code of Ethics Certification Forms. 6. Planning Commission Comments Commissioner De La Torre • Commented on rental versus ownership policy on new development projects at MacArthur Place and the importance of notification to the applicable neighborhood association(s). Commissioner Gartner • Thanked staff for study session on City signage. • Commented that new handrails and hardscape at City Place appeared to be too stark. Commissioner Betancourt • Commented on artificial turf; cautioned that Astro turf leaks arsenic into soil, changes living plant form to hardscape (non-natural form). Vice Chair Alderete • Inquired about the opening of the Nature Center in Park Santiago. Planning Manager Haluza will provide information. Commissioner Yrarrazaval • Thanked staff for the study session on City signage. • Recommended getting product information on artificial turf's aesthetics and drainage concerns. Commissioner Mill • Praised City on great job with street improvements in the Riverview West neighborhood. • Requested Code Enforcement assistance at 623 South Starboard, to have the owner properly dispose of the two mattresses and toilet in front of the property. Chair Leo • Inquired about County projects. Principal Planner Fregoso provided information. • Announced the opening of Mother's Market in September at City Place. • Inquired about business interest at Seventeenth and Bristol Street. Planning Manager Haluza provided information • Requested status on "gang sweeps." SAPD Officer Mc Coy provided information. 7. Excuse of Absences 8. Adjournment 7:04 p.m. Marth Ramirez Recording Secretary Planning Commission Minutes 6 August 25, 2008