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Home My WebLink About05/14/2007ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA MAY 14, 2007 1 CALLED TO ORDER: 5:07 P.M. CITY HALL ROSS ANNEX FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM 1600 20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Eric Alderete Victoria Betancourt (arrived 5:34 p.m Harvey De La Torre, Vice Chairman James Gartner Christopher Leo, Chairman Sean H. Mill Mike Munoz STAFF PRESENT: Jay Trevino, Ex. Dir. Ping. & Bldg. Agency Ben Kaufman, Chief Assistant City Attorney Karen Haluza, Planning Manager Martha Ramirez, Recording Secretary CONSENT CALENDAR U MOTION: Approve staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar. MOTION: Mill SECOND: A~LDERETE VOTE: AYES: Alderete, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Mill, Munoz (6) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Betancourt (1) A. MINUTES RECOMMENDATION: Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 23, 2007. B. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT Pursuant to the Brown Act, the April 23, 2007 Agenda for the Regular Meeting was posted on the door of the City Hall Council Chambers at 22 Civic Center Plaza on April 19, 2007 at 2:56 p.m. RECOMMENDATION: 1 * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR BUSINESS CALENDAR Instruct the Commission Secretary to enter posting into the minutes. C. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDING AGENDIZED PROJECTS) No disclosures were made. Planning Commission Minutes 1 May 14, 2007 D. NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT REVIEW NO.2007-02 (Continued by Planning Commission: Apri123, 2007 to May 14, 2007) Filed by Macaria Overby, to allow sliding window replacement to an existing duplex in the Specific Development No. 40 zoning district (Heninger Park) at 905 and 907 South Van Ness Avenue. 1 RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution denying Neighborhood Project Review No. 2007-02. Zenas Tham reviewed the window survey conducted on April 25, 2007 (Exhibit 12). Debbie McEwen stated Heninger Park Neighborhood Association collaborates with realtor as soon as for sale sign goes up. Commission discussion ensued regarding adherence to the established city guidelines, neighborhood intervention with realtor to notify new homeowners regarding historic area; and offering the applicant a compromise to have the front windows in compliance (would replace four windows instead of fifteen). I MOTION: Continue the item to June 11, 2007 to allow the applicant to change the front windows to be in compliance with regards to window design and operation. MOTION: Alderete SECOND: Mill VOTE: AYES: Alderete, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Mill, Munoz (6) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Betancourt (1) E. NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT REVIEW NO.2006-18 Filed by Leticia Portocarrero to allow a 300-square foot addition to asingle-family resident and 237-square foot garage extension at 823 South Van Ness Avenue. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution approving Neighborhood Project Review No. 2006-18 as conditioned. 1 MOTION: Adopt a resolution approving Neighborhood Project Review No. 2006- 18 as conditioned. MOTION: Mill SECOND: Munoz VOTE: AYES: Alderete, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Mill, Munoz (6) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Betancourt (1) F. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2007-04 Filed by Hossein Malakooti on behalf of Aladdin Bail Bonds, to review the landscape plans at 801 North Ross Street. RECOMMENDATION: Approve the revised landscape plans. Associate Planner Lucy Linnaus provided a pictorial update of the revised landscaping. Planning Commission Minutes 2 May 14, 2007 1 MOTION: Approve the i MOTION: Gartner VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: G. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file the draft Fiscal Year 2007-2008 Capital Improvement Program. Deputy City Engineer Souri Amirani provided a presentation on the Draft Capital Improvement Plan. The Commission recommended having the final document made available on the City's website. ~_ MOTION: Receive and file the draft Fiscal Year 2007-2008 Capital Improvement Program. MOTION: De la Torre SECOND: Alderete VOTE: AYES: Alderete, Betancourt, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Mill, Munoz (7) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) WORK STUDY SESSION H. DISCUSSION OF ALTON COURT PROJECT BY MANNING HOMES LOCATED AT 3321 SOUTH FAIRVIEW Senior Planner Vince Fregoso provided a project overview. Mr. Fregoso introduced James C. Manning, President Manning Homes. Mr. Manning provided a presentation of the proposed Alton Court residential development. 1 The Commission recommended that: • A pedestrian access point be added to allow more convenient pedestrian access to the existing commercial center located to the south, as well as to any public transportation. • Use of vines on the perimeter wall should be incorporated in order to prevent potential graffiti. • Canopy trees, where possible, should be used as internal street trees on the project. • Sustainable energy and green building practices were encouraged, including the policies in the California Friendly Metropolitan Homes program. • That the expansion of the pocket park be explored, that climbing vines be added to the proposed patio cover and that a fountain or other active feature be added to the rear of the park to activate that area. • A unique entry landscape feature be incorporated. • Fences should be addressed in the CC&R's. I. Recess to Council Chambers (7:05) ~evised landscape plans. SECOND: Leo Alderete, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Mill, Munoz (6) None (0) None (0) Betancourt (1) Planning Commission Minutes 3 May 14, 2007 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA CALL TO ORDER 7:15 P.M. ROLL CALL The same staff was present PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY CHAIRMAN LEO PROCEDURAL RULES PUBLIC HEARINGS ITEM TAKEN OUT OF ORDER 2. PUBLIC FACILITIES NAMING N0.2007-01 Filed by the City of Santa Ana to re-name an existing park site at 1009 North Custer Street from Logan Park to Chepa's Park. PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: May 4, 2007 PUBLICLY NOTICED: May 4, 2007 RECOMMENDATION: Approve the re-naming of Logan Park to Chepa's Park. Park Planning/Design Manager Ron Ono provided the staff report and recommendation. The public hearing was opened. Sam Romero, Zeke Fernandez, and Debbie McEwen spoke in support of the renaming. The public hearing was closed. MOTION: Approve the renaming of Logan Park to Chepa's Park and the addition of a plaque at the park to list the background and contributions of Josephine "Chepa" Andrade. MOTION: Mill SECOND: Betancourt VOTE: AYES: Alderete, Betancourt, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Mill, Munoz (7) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) 1. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO.2007-06 Filed by Joe Thompson, T-Mobile, to install cellular antennas within a roof mounted dome in the Community Commercial (C1) zoning district located at 5111 West Edinger Avenue. PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: May 4, 2007 PUBLICLY NOTICED: May 4, 2007 RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2007-06 as conditioned. Planning Commission Minutes 4 May 14, 2007 Associate Planner Bill Apple provided the staff report and recommendation. The public hearing was opened. Roy Melcher spoke in opposition to antennas in a residential area; stated the property owner does not do a favorable upkeep of the area; and concerned with potential for graffiti. Applicant representative Monica Moretta spoke in support of the project. The public hearing was closed. MOTION: Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2007-06 as conditioned. MOTION: Leo SECOND: Betancourt VOTE: AYES: Alderete, Betancourt, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Mill, Munoz (7) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) 3. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT N0.2007-05 AND VARIANCE NOS. 2007-02 AND 2007-03 Filed by PMR Incorporated to obtain a conditional use permit to allow parking in the B-suffix section of the lot and variances from the lot size and street frontage standards fora 4,800 square foot office building at 1625 East Eighteenth Street. PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: May 4, 2007 PUBLICLY NOTICED: May 4, 2007 RECOMMENDATION: 1. Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2007-05 as conditioned. 2. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2007-02 as conditioned to allow a reduction in lot size. 3. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2007-03 as conditioned for a reduction in street frontage. Senior Planner Vince Fregoso provided the staff report and recommendation. The public hearing was opened. Applicant's representative Chris Miller spoke in support of the project. Commission discussion ensued regarding buffer for residents with a high wall, additional landscape on the north wall to cover the wall with ivy and lush trees. Commission commented on resident notification and their remarks, lighting spillover in the back lot and professional uses at the location. The public hearing was closed. Planning Commission Minutes 5 May 14, 2007 MOTION: 1. Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2007-05 as conditioned. 2. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2007-02 as conditioned to allow a reduction in lot size. 3. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2007-03 as conditioned for a reduction in street frontage. 4. The Planning Commission added conditions to the project requiring the block wall at the north property line be a minimum height of seven feet, requiring the installation of ivy on the block wall, and the submittal of a final landscape plan to the Planning Commission for their review and approval. MOTION: De La Torre VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: 4. Public Comments SECOND: Betancourt Alderete, Betancourt, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Mill, Munoz (7) None (0) None (0) None (0) (for items not on the agenda) No comments were made. 5. Staff Comments STAFF AND COMMISSION COMMENTS No comments were made. 6. Planning Commission Comments Commissioner Mill • Requested a study session to get collaboration with realtors and neighborhood associations to educate new homeowners about City standards applicable in historic areas. Chair Leo recommended including the Southern California Board of Realtors and Chambers of Commerce. Commissioner Munoz • Commented on new high definition signage at Auto Mall and stated that it would be helpful to also use it to advertise City events. Vice Chair De La Torre • Agreed with Commissioner Mill's recommendation to get realtors and neighborhood associations working together to inform new homeowners. • Commented that the City should explore creating a comprehensive communication plan and be more proactive about informing the community regarding all of the positive things going on. Recommended using the City's website as a communication tool. Commissioner Betancourt • Proposed creating a comprehensive plan to inform new homeowners regarding historic properties. • Recommended that landscaping plans be updated with new requirements. • Requested information on City of Santa Ana and "Green Building." Ms. Betancourt was invited to speak on a panel in the City of Fullerton on May 21. Commissioner Gartner • Recommended that reasonable time be allotted for study sessions. Planning Commission Minutes 6 May 14, 2007 Commissioner Alderete • Requested that he be provided with photos of plants proposed in landscaping plans. 1 Chair Leo • Proposed creating a subcommittee to better understand all cellular phone service providers master plans for the area. Planning Manager Haluza announced that the May 29 meeting was cancelled due to lack of agenda items. 7. Excuse of Absences 8. Adjournment 8:38 p.m. Mart Ramirez, Recording S r tary Planning Commission Minutes 7 May 14, 2007