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Home My WebLink About11/26/2007ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA November 26, 2007 I I CALLED TO ORDER: 5:10 P.M. CITY HALL ROSS ANNEX FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM 1600 20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Eric Alderete Victoria Betancourt Harvey De La Torre, Vice Chair (arrived 5:11 p.m.) Christopher Leo, Chairman Sean H. Mill (arrived 5:11 p.m.) Mike Munoz COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: James Gartner STAFF PRESENT: Jay Trevino, Ex. Dir. Plan. & Bldg. Agency Karen Haluza, Planning Manager Ben Kaufman, Chief Assistant City Attorney Martha Ramirez, Recording Secretary 1 CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: Approve staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar. MOTION: Mill SECOND: Leo VOTE: AYES: Alderete. Betancourt, De La Torre, Leo, Mill, Munoz (6) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Gartner (1) A. MINUTES RECOMMENDATION: Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 13, 2007. B. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT Pursuant to the Brown Act, the November 13, 2007 Agenda for the Regular Meeting was posted on the door of the City Hall Council Chambers at 22 Civic Center Plaza on November 9, 2007 at 9:51 a.m. C RECOMMENDATION: Instruct the Commission Secretary to enter posting into the minutes. C. NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT REVIEW NO. 2007-13 Filed by Rick Chavez, to demolish an existing one-car garage and construct a new 539 square foot, two-car garage in the Heninger Park (SD-40) zoning district for the property located at 919 South Parton Street. Planning Commission Minutes November 26, 2007 RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution approving Neighborhood Project Review No. 2007-13 as conditioned. * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR WORK STUDY SESSION D. HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE Associate Planner Melanie McCann provided a presentation on the City's Housing Element Update effort. This is aState-mandated element of the General Plan and the State requires that it be updated every five years. E. DISCUSSION OF SANTA ANA RENAISSANCE SPECIFIC PLAN Planning Manager Haluza continued the discussion to December 10, 2007. F. Recess to Council Chambers 6:15 P.M. 1 Planning Commission Minutes 2 November 26, 2007 CITY OF SANTA ANA COUNCIL CHAMBERS 22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA ROLL CALL 6:24 P.M. The same staff was present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG LED BY CHAIR LEO ITEM TAKEN OUT OF ORDER 3. VARIANCE NO. 2007-09 AND MINOR EXCEPTION NO. 2007-04 Filed by Gaetano Belcore, to allow a reduction in parking, landscaping and setbacks for a new retail building in the Arterial Commercial (C5) zoning district at 2230 North Tustin Avenue. PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: November 16, 2007 PUBLICLY NOTICED: November 16, 2007 RECOMMENDATION: 1. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2007-09 as conditioned. 2. Adopt a resolution approving Minor Exception No. 2007-04 as conditioned. MOTION: Continue the public hearing to December 10, 2007 per applicant's request. MOTION: De La Torre SECOND: Munoz VOTE: AYES: Alderete. Betancourt, De La Torre, Leo, Mill, Munoz (6) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Gartner (1) BUSINESS CALENDAR G. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDING AGENDIZED PROJECTS) No disclosures were made. H. MONTAGE CONDOMINIUM LANDSCAPE Filed by Integral Partners, LLC to request approval of the landscaping and hardscape plans for the 276-unit mid-rise condominium project in the Specific Development District No. 76 (SD-76) for the property at 100-130 East MacArthur Boulevard. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Approve the landscape plan for the Montage condominium project at MacArthur Place South. 2. Approve the amenity deck plans for the Montage condominium project at MacArthur Place South. Associate Planner Ann Ni presented the staff report and recommendation. John Patterson, GMP landscape architect, provided an overview of the project. Planning Commission Minutes 3 November 26, 2007 MOTION: 1. Approve the landscape plan for the Montage condominium project at MacArthur Place South. 2. Approve the amenity deck plans for the Montage condominium project at MacArthur Place South. MOTION: De La Torre VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: PROCEDURAL RULES 1. CONDITIONAL U: SECOND: Alderete Alderete. Betancourt, De La Torre, Leo, Mill, Munoz (6) None (0) None (0) Gartner (1) PUBLIC HEARINGS ~E PERMIT NO. 2007-21 Filed by Art Martinez, to allow the operation of a check cashing business in the Community Commercial (C1) zoning district at 230 West Warner Avenue, #102. PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: November 16, 2007 PUBLICLY NOTICED: November 16, 2007 RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2007-21 as conditioned. Assistant Planner Carlos Rodriguez provided the staff report and recommendation. No written communications were received. The public hearing was opened. Applicant's representative, Art Rodriguez spoke in support of the project. The public hearing was closed. Commission discussion ensued regarding clarification of allowable signage and concern with city image and proliferation. MOTION: Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2007-21 as conditioned. Due to lack of a second, Commissioner Mill's motion failed. SUBSEQUENT MOTION: Commission directed staff to continue the item to December 10, 2007 and return with a resolution for denial. Commission asked that staff provide a report with locations of other check cashing businesses and banks within a mile radius. MOTION: De La Torre SECOND: Alderete VOTE: AYES: Alderete. Betancourt, De La Torre, Leo, Munoz (5) NOES: Mill (1) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Gartner (1) Planning Commission Minutes 4 November 26, 2007 2. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2007-22, VARIANCE NO. 2007-10, AND VARIANCE NO. 2007-12 Filed by Ilona Martin, to vary from the fencing, and landscaping standards and a conditional use permit to allow a modeling school in the Single Family Residence (R1) zoning district at 601 North Baker Street. 1 PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: November 16, 2007 PUBLICLY NOTICED: November 16, 2007 RECOMMENDATION: 1. Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2007-22 as conditioned. 2. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2007-10 as conditioned for a reduction in landscaped setbacks. 3. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2007-12 as conditioned to allow a fence that exceeds the allowable height. Senior Planner Vince Fregoso provided the staff report and recommendation. No written communications were received. The public hearing was opened. Applicant Ilona Martin spoke in support of the project. The public hearing was closed. 1 MOTION: 1. Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2007-22 as conditioned. 2. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2007-10 as conditioned for a reduction in landscaped setbacks. 3. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2007-12 as conditioned to allow a fence that exceeds the allowable height. MOTION: Alderete SECOND: Munoz VOTE: AYES: Alderete. Betancourt, De La Torre, Leo, Mill, Munoz (6) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Gartner (1) 4. CITY PLACE SKY LOFTS TOWER DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT NO. 2007-02 Filed by the City of Santa Ana, Draft Environmental Impact Report No. 2007-02 for the City Place Sky Lofts Tower project located at 301 East Jeanette Lane. 1 PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: November 16, 2007 PUBLICLY NOTICED: November 16, 2007 RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file public comments for Draft Environmental Impact Report No. 2007-02. Senior Planner Sergio Klotz provided an update on the project's activity. Planning Commission Minutes 5 November 26, 2007 No written communications were received. The public hearing was opened. No one spoke during the public hearing, the public hearing was closed. 5. Public Comments (for items not on the agenda) No comments were made. STAFF AND COMMISSION COMMENTS 6. Staff Comments No comments were made. 7. Planning Commission Comments Commissioner Alderete • Appreciated the discussion of the housing element with input from City Manager Ream. Vice Chair De La Torre • Inquired about process for the General Plan. Planning Manager Haluza provided the information. Commissioner Munoz • Encouraged Planning staff to look at affordable housing project in Anaheim (Paseo Village) to consider using a similar property management company. Commissioner Mill • Commented on letter from Mike Tardif regarding the Renaissance Plan. • Announced his absence at the Historic Resources Commission on December 6, 2007. • Requested an inspection of the Ware Disposal site and the power- washing trucks. Chair Leo • Thanked the Public Works Agency's response for the Memory Lane bus stop. • Commended proactive efforts from City Manager Ream. • Suggested a discussion regarding signage ordinance to better deal with upcoming projects. • Recommended a discussion of non-conforming uses within the Renaissance Plan. 8. Excuse of Absences Commissioner Munoz moved to excuse the absence of Commissioner Gartner. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Betancourt and unanimously approved by the Commission. 9. Adjournment 8:02 p.m. Mart Ramirez Recording Secretary Planning Commission Minutes 6 November 26, 2007