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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/13/2006ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA C NOVEMBER 13, 2006 CALLED TO ORDER: 5:08 P.M. CITY HALL ROSS ANNEX FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM 1600 20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Victoria Betancourt Don Cribb Harvey De La Torre, Vice Chairman James Gartner Christopher Leo, Chairman COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: David Benavides Tom Lutz STAFF PRESENT: Ben Kaufman, Chief Assistant City Attorney Karen Haluza, Planning Manager Martha Ramirez, Recording Secretary J CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: Approve staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar. MOTION: Cribb VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: A. MINUTES SECOND Betancourt Betancourt, Cribb, De La None (0) None (0) Benavides, Lutz (2) Torre, Gartner, Leo (5) RECOMMENDATION: Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 23, 2006. Commissioner Betancourt modified her comments on Item G -Discussion on Green Building Design. Commissioner Cribb modified his Commissioner comments. B. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT Pursuant to the Brown Act, the October 23, 2006 Agenda for the Regular Meeting was posted on the door of the City Hall Council Chambers at 22 Civic Center Plaza on October 20, 2006 at 8:20 a.m. RECOMMENDATION: Instruct the Commission Secretary to enter posting into the minutes. C. MINOR EXCEPTION NO.2006-06 Filed by John DeFrenza, architect representing Javatinis, to allow a reduction in required parking at Javatinis coffee shop in the C5 (Arterial Commercial) zoning district for the property located at 3960 South Main Street. Planning Commission Minutes November 13, 2006 RECOMMENDATION: Confirm the Zoning Administrator's action approving Minor Exception No. 2006- 06 as conditioned. D. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2006-17 Filed by McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant, to permit a Type 47 ABC license for an eating establishment in the Specific Development No. 59 (SD-59) zoning district for property located at 2791 North Main Street. RECOMMENDATION: Confirm the Zoning Administrator's action approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2006-17 as conditioned. * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR BUSINESS CALENDAR E. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDING AGENDIZED PROJECTS) Commissioners Betancourt, Cribb, Gartner and Leo held conversations with Craig Foster regarding the First and Cabrillo Towers project. F. SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 2006-08 Filed by Rod Wilson, Electra-Media, Inc., representing the Santa Ana Auto Mall Dealers Association, is requesting approval to upgrade the existing 70-foot high pylon sign with a new reader board and cladding that will replace the existing . freeway identification sign within Specific Development No. 60 (SD-60) at 1507 Auto Mall Drive. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution approving Site Plan Review No. 2006-08 as conditioned. MOTION: Adopt a resolution approving Site Plan Review No. 2006-08 as conditioned. MOTION: Cribb SECOND De La Torre VOTE: AYES: Betancourt, Cribb, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo (5) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Benavides, Lutz (2) WORK STUDY SESSION G. DISCUSSION OF FIRST AND CABRILLO TOWERS PROJECT Senior Planner Vince Fregoso provided background on the project including the previously conducted land use study that recommended identified the potential for residential development in the Metro East Mixed Use Overlay Zone Area. Members of the development team including Craig Foster, President of NDC Development and project applicant, Karen McGoldrick, Vice President of Construction with Capital Pacific Holdings, Inc., Nan Doelling, project architect with Arquitectonica, and Matson Walter from Melendrez Landscape Architecture, provided a presentation on the proposed project. As proposed the approximately five-acre project would consist of two mixed-use condominium towers containing approximately 374 residential units and 8,900 square feet of retail/commercial space framing an open amenity court at the ground level. Parking would be Planning Commission Minutes 2 November 13, 2006 provided in the existing parking structure and some surface parking. The existing office building on the site would be demolished. Commissioner Cribb expressed concerns regarding the architecture for the two high rises; suggested better use of windows, indicated over use of stucco, stated not an inspirational design. He mentioned that details were lacking, needed more explanation from the developer. Commissioner Cribb indicated project resembled the Wycliffe Towers and recommended removing the elliptical balconies. Commissioner Cribb also stated that the penthouse level was not adequately distinguished from the rest of the building and that it should have an appropriate level of architecture and window treatments and other items to really make it stand out as premium space. Commissioner De La Torre inquired as to inspiration for the tower design, plans for the top of the parking structure, playground for children, and suggested that each tower should have its own pool. He also commented the landscaping lacks visual appeal on top level areas and voiced concern with available parking on First Street. Commissioner De La Torre indicated that the use of the towers did not reflect functional use of space; he stated that he did not believe that the objectives for the area were being met with the proposed project. He did not recommend that the applicant start from scratch, but did indicate that the project needed significant changes. Commissioner Betancourt stated that the project design had been described to her as "edgy" and "playful", but she was concerned that, until Santa Ana has an established track record of exceptional architecture, that she felt it would be more appropriate to strive for powerful and elegant design. She indicated that the towers were not exciting in design and that they were not reflective of the important role that Santa Ana plays as Orange County's urban core. She supported the goal of massing the units into two towers in order to preserve more open space. She stated that the penthouses should be articulated on the facade to better differentiate them from the other units and indicate their exclusivity. While she does like the ellipses on the top, the balconies create a visual problem and she felt that the project had an over reliance on stucco, would like more glass. Commissioner Gartner commented that the building model presented did a good job of showing proportions and massing design, but that the renderings did a poor job of communicating what the building would like. He also indicated that the project appeared to have an over reliance on stucco and that, in general, the project lacks "sizzle". Chair Leo expressed concerns with the parking structure design and recommended more extensive use of green screen and other plantings to better screen and articulate the street frontage of the structure. He expressed concerns about the colors chosen for the building as presented in the renderings. H. Recess to Council Chambers (6:19 p.m.) 1 Planning Commission Minutes 3 November 13, 2006 NOVEMBER 13, 2006 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA CALL TO ORDER 6:26 P.M. Same Commissioners were present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG -CHAIR LEO PROCEDURAL RULES PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO.2006-18 Filed by McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant, to allow after-hours operation for an eating establishment in the Specific Development No. 59 (SD- 59) zoning district for property located at 2791 North Main Street. PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: November 3, 2006 PUBLICLY NOTICED: November 3, 2006 RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2006-18 as conditioned. Assistant Planner Carlos Rodriguez presented the staff report and recommendation. The public hearing was opened. Applicant Shawn Ghanbari spoke in support of the conditional use permit. The public hearing was closed. MOTION: Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2006-18 as conditioned. MOTION: Cribb SECOND: Betancourt VOTE: AYES: Betancourt, Cribb, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo (5) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Benavides, Lutz (2) 2. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2006-20 AND VARIANCE NOS. 2006-13 AND 2006-15 Filed by Caribou Industries on behalf of 5 Goodyear LLC, to allow a parking lot in the Midtown Specific Plan (SP-3) zoning district and vary from the setback and parking lot landscaping standards at 202 East Seventeenth Street. PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: November 3, 2006 PUBLICLY NOTICED: November 3, 2006 RECOMMENDATION: Continue the item to November 27, 2006 at the request of staff. Planning Commission Minutes 4 November 13, 2006 MOTION: Continue the public hearing to November 27, 2006 for Conditional Use Permit No. 2006-20 and Variance Nos. 2006-13 and 2006-15. MOTION: De La Torre SECOND: Betancourt VOTE: AYES: Betancourt, Cribb, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo (5) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Benavides, Lutz (2) 3. Public Comments (for items not on the agenda) No comments were made. STAFF AND COMMISSION COMMENTS 4. Staff Comments No comments were made. 5. Planning Commission Comments Commissioner Cribb • Requested inspection of the traffic signals on North Main Street and Memory Lane; signal at Walkie Way continues to cycle to red even when there are no vehicles present, also recommended that the signage for SR5 north/south bound ramps be modified to better inform drivers when to enter proper lane. • Requested removal of graffiti on South Flower and MacArthur on south neighborhood walls. • Requested update from staff regarding the landscape for the 17th & Grand project, southwest corner. • Requested Code Enforcement compliance for historic structure at 2221 North Heliotrope structure. • Requested clarification of tree selection for "The Retreat" development. Planning Manager Haluza provided information. • Requested status of area where a car wash existed at MacArthur and Plaza Drive. Vice Chairman De La Torre • Emphasized the need to review Planning Commission goals and objectives in light of new Commission appointments to come and stated that it was imperative to update the General Plan, and follow up with a comprehensive update to the City's Zoning Ordinance. Commissioner Betancourt • Inquired if planning staff attended the Green Building Convention in Denver. Planning Manager Haluza provided information. Commissioner Gartner • Recommended another study session regarding the Cabrillo Towers. • Expressed concern regarding the historic destruction at 2221 North Heliotrope. Chair Leo • Requested status of EI Torito at Main Place Mall. Commissioner Gartner provided information. • Requested update on SunCal project on Bristol north of Memory. Planning Manager Haluza provided information. • Commented on traffic congestion, awaiting completion of construction on SR22. 6. Excuse of Absences Planning Commission Minutes 5 November 13, 2006 Commissioner Cribb made a motion to excuse the absences of Commissioners Benavides and Lutz. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman De La Torre and unanimously approved by the Commission. 1 C 1 7. Adjournment 6:55 p.m. ry Planning Commission Minutes 6 November 13, 2006