HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/28/2006j
ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA
AUGUST 28, 2006
CALLED TO ORDER: 5:37 P.M.
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA
SANTA ANA
COMMISSIONERS
David Benavides
Victoria Betancourt
Don Cribb
Harvey De La Torre,
James Gartner
PRESENT:
Vice Chairman
Christopher Leo, Chairman
Tom Lutz
STAFF PRESENT:
Ben Kaufman, Chief Assistant City Attorney
Karen Haluza, Planning Manager
Martha Ramirez, Recording Secretary
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG -CHAIR LEO
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION: Approve staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar.
MOTION: Lutz SECOND: Cribb
VOTE: AYES: Benavides, Betancourt, Cribb, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo,
Lutz (7)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: None (0)
A. MINUTES
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 14, 2006.
B. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT
Pursuant to the Brown Act, the August 14, 2006 Agenda for the Regular Meeting
was posted on the door of the City Hall Council Chambers at 22 Civic Center
Plaza on August 10, 2006 at 3:29 p.m.
RECOMMENDATION:
Instruct the Commission Secretary to enter posting into the minutes.
* * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
BUSINESS CALENDAR
C. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDING
AGENDIZED PROJECTS)
No disclosures were made.
Planning Commission Minutes 1 August 28, 2006
PROCEDURAL RULES
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2006-11, VARIANCE NO. 2006-03,
VARIANCE NO. 2006-04 AND VARIANCE NO. 2006-05
Filed by Newmark Merrill Companies c/o Dave Sandel to reduce landscape and
parking standards and construct a Starbucks with drive through services in the
General Commercial (C-2) zoning district at 2303 South Bristol Street.
PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: August 18, 2006
PUBLICLY NOTICED: August 18, 2006
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2006-11 as
conditioned.
2. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2006 -03 as conditioned.
3. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2006-04 as conditioned.
4. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2006-05 as conditioned.
Associate Planner Bill Apple presented the staff report and recommendation.
The Commission discussion ensued regarding the need to add more landscaping
on the site and particularly in the parking lot. Planning Manager Haluza reviewed
the efforts to work with the applicant to both balance the tenant's needs for
parking with the desire to aesthetically improve the center's landscaping.
The public hearing was opened.
Applicant Sandy Sigal spoke in support of the project. He reviewed the long-term
remodeling efforts, enhanced landscaping, driveway designs and the constraints
on parking at the Center.
Commission discussed project phase that addressed having underground power
lines and getting dirt lot covered on key corner. Commission inquired about effect
of Bristol Street widening project and its impact on this location. Senior Civil
Engineer Taig Higgins provided information regarding the future expansion
efforts along the corridor and the signage along the entryway, indicating no
impacts at this time. Employees will be encouraged to park in the rear parking lot.
Applicant mentioned that lighting was upgraded in the back of the lot.
Commission appreciated the facade improvements and inquired as to
consideration to change material on the parking lot surface. Applicant provided
information regarding the size/number of landscape planters and additional
sprinklers that would hinder additional landscaping on the parking lot.
Commission considers additional tree wells would provide exponential growth.
The public hearing was closed.
MOTION:
1. Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2006-11 as
conditioned.
2. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2006-03 as conditioned.
3. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2006-04 as conditioned.
4. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2006-05 as conditioned.
5. Add the following condition: All driveway entrance/exit pavement
treatments for the shopping center shall match the new decorative
driveway entrance/exit pavement approved for the new construction.
6. Add the following condition: The applicant shall provide a plan
approved by staff that will add additional trees and landscaping to the
shopping center parking lot without reducing the number of parking
spaces.
Planning Commission Minutes 2 August 28, 2006
MOTION: Cribb
VOTE: AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
SECOND: De La Torre
Benavides, Betancourt, Cribb,
Lutz (7)
None (0)
None (0)
None (0)
De La Torre, Gartner, Leo,
2. Public Comments (for items not on the agenda)
No comments were made.
STAFF AND COMMISSION COMMENTS
3. Staff Comments
No comments were made.
4. Planning Commission Comments
Commissioner Lutz
• Commented on the attractive City of Santa Ana logos on the 22 Freeway.
Commissioner Gartner
Requested staff follow-up on potential code enforcement issues.
Commissioner Betancourt
• No comments
Vice Chair De La Torre
• Requested staff follow-up on potential code enforcement issues.
Commissioner Cribb
• Commented that City should make proactive efforts to reuse vacant lots,
particularly corner lots.
• Requested staff follow-up on signal synchronization on North Main Street.
Commissioner Benavides
• Requested status on development on Edinger/west of Fairview at
northwest corner of Centennial. Planning Manager Haluza provided
information regarding the John Laing Homes project.
• Commented on first phase at Artist Lofts on Main Street and
developments for affordable housing. Staff provided information regarding
affordable housing fee, inclusionary project and housing legislation.
Chair Leo
• Directed Commissioners to route their requests directly to staff in an effort
to obtain a timely response.
• Commented on housing efforts at Mercy House; suggested routing
information on potential lots to staff. Planning Manager Haluza
commented on the Redevelopment Agency's efforts with remnant parcels
throughout the city; (17) sites are developing a request for qualification to
^ qualify developers with a requirement that a percentage of the allocated
re-use infill sites be affordable housing units.
5. Excuse of Absences
6. Adjournment 6:49 p.m.
Martha Ramirez
Recording Secretary
Planning Commission Minutes 3 August 28, 2006