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ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA
March 28, 2005
CALL TO ORDER: 5:08 P.M.
CITY HALL ROSS ANNEX CONFERENCE 1600
20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA
ATTENDANCE: COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Don Cribb
Harvey De La Torre
James Gartner
Christopher Leo, Vice Chairman (arrived 5:12 p.m.)
Glenn Mondo, Chairman
Alexander Nalle
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Tom Lutz
STAFF PRESENT:
Steve Harding, Ex. Dir., Plan. & Bldg. Agency
Jay Trevino, Planning Manager
Ben Kaufman, Chief Assistant City Attorney
Karen Haluza, Principal Planner
Martha Ramirez, Recording Secretary
CONSENT CALENDAR
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MOTION: Approve staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar.
MOTION: Cribb SECOND: Nalle
VOTE: AYES: Cribb, De La Torre, Gartner, Mondo, Nalle (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Leo, Lutz (2)
A. MINUTES
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 14, 2005.
B. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT
Pursuant to the Brown Act, the March 14, 2005 Agenda for the Regular Meeting
was posted on the door of the City Hall Council Chambers at 22 Civic Center
Plaza on March 11, 2005 at 8:14 a.m.
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RECOMMENDATION:
Instruct the Commission Secretary to enter posting into the minutes.
* * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Planning Commission Minutes 1 March 28, 2005
BUSINESS CALENDAR
C. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDING
AGENDIZED PROJECTS)
Commissioner Gartner met with Cindy Nelson and Cory Alder to discuss the
Nexus project.
Commissioner Cribb held a conversation with the architect regarding 316 W.
Fourth Street project.
WORK STUDY SESSION
Please note that the Commission took the following items out of order to
accommodate the applicants who were delayed in arriving.
E. ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO AMEND R1 RESIDENTIAL
STANDARDS AND OTHER HOUSING ITEMS (Lucy Linnaus)
Assistant Planner, Lucy Linnaus presented an overview of the proposed single-
family residence development standards recommended by the Ad Hoc
Committee.
The Commission discussed thresholds for requiring a conditional use permit and
lot coverage. Planning Manager Trevino clarified that the R1 update effort had
been done with the input of the Commission's Ad Hoc Committee and in concert
with the Citywide Design Guidelines. Vice Chair Leo also commented that the
proposed changes were based on research conducted on other cities' standards
and represent current practices in the area.
F. DISCUSSION REGARDING MIXED-USE PROJECT PROPOSED AT 316
WEST FOURTH STREET (Lucy Linnaus)
Lucy Linnaus introduced the proposed "Courthouse Lofts" project.
David DiRienzo ,project applicant, and Ron Nestor, project architect, provided an
overview of the proposed project.
The Commission commented that more detailed renderings and graphics,
perhaps a 3-D model of the project be developed in order to better depict the
project and provide a comprehensive analysis. The Commission requested more
details on how the proposed parking lift system would work.
Chief Assistant City Attorney Kaufman noted that the project's FAR would need
to be addressed in the context of the existing General Plan.
Chair Mondo commented on the preservation of the "ghost" billboard.
Commission discussion continued regarding the site plan review, Planning
Commission action and zoning configuration.
Public comments were received from Rose Anne Kings who spoke in general
support of the project concept, but noted that the ground floor cornice design
could be improved.
D. DISCUSSION OF STEADFAST MIXED-USE PROJECT PROPOSED AT 1900
NORTH MAIN STREET (Sergio Klotz)
Senior Planner, Sergio Klotz introduced the project located on Main Street
between 19th and 20th Streets by the Bowers Museum.
Steadfast Project Manager, Brian Lucas gave an overview on the Steadfast
companies and introduced architect, Stephanos Polyzoides who reviewed the
Planning Commission Minutes 2 March 28, 2005
nature of density and architecture, site/design context, and conceptualization of
the proposed project. He gave an overview of the project in its context of a
modern-day example of "courtyard" housing.
Mr. Lucas stated the project would be called "Cordoba."
Commission discussion ensued regarding the upcoming Bowers expansion,
parking and requested a visual concept of common interests for the future
projects in that part of the City.
G. Recess to Council Chambers (6:29 p.m.)
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Planning Commission Minutes 3 March 28, 2005
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA
MARCH 28, 2005
ROLL CALL 6:40 P.M.
Commissioner Leo excused himself and left early; otherwise the same staff was
present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
PROCEDURAL RULES
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT N0.2005-03
Filed by Abel Food Service, Abel Salazar, to allow the overnight parking of
certain vending type vehicles at 2520 South Birch Street.
PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: March 18, 2005
PUBLICLY NOTICED: March 18, 2005
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2005-03 as
conditioned.
Commissioner Gartner excused himself and left the room due to a conflict of
interest.
Associate Planner, Bill Apple presented the staff report and recommendation.
Jorge Pena, architect representing the applicant, Abel Salazar, responded to
Commission's concerns regarding City permits and vending trucks operating
throughout the City.
Commission stated it does not want conditional use permit to apply to additional
vending trucks, only city licensed vending trucks should be allowed to avoid
becoming a regional vending truck center. Mr. Salazar stated that the objective
would be to provide parking for buyers willing to rent spaces. Rental charge
would be $150 per month per truck with stipulation of buying product from Mr.
Salazar.
Chair Mondo restated conditions of approval for applicant's consensus: (1)
vehicle washings on the site would be prohibited, (2) there would be no vehicles
doing food preparation and (3) Mr. Salazar would redo the asphalt.
The public hearing was opened.
Julie Stroud voiced concern with the building lease, overseer for asphalt and the
chain link fence repairs, parking area for personal vehicles and requested a 30-
day extension to address these issues. Ms. Stroud also requested verification of
number of parking spaces being proposed. She inquired about justification for
the additional commissary.
George Gemayel, property owner, spoke in support of the project.
Planning Commission Minutes 4 March 28, 2005
Debbie McKuen voiced concerns about hours of operation, free parking, viability
of paying $150 per month, effects of impending vending truck ordinance and
requested that Commission postpone to review pending issues.
Public hearing was closed.
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Commission discussion ensued regarding maintenance of the area, implications
of the existing vending truck ordinance; consideration to limit traffic by only
allowing trucks serving Santa Ana and thus avoid a regional truck hub; require
Santa Ana business permits; and determination of the number of parking spaces.
MOTION: Continue the public hearing for two weeks to April 11, 2005 Planning
Commission to address pending issues.
MOTION: Mondo
VOTE: AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
2. VARIANCE NO. 21
SECOND: De La Torre
Cribb, De La Torre, Mondo, Nalle (4)
None (0)
Gartner (1)
Leo, Lutz (2)
)05-02
Filed by Target Corporation/Pacific Neon Company to allow a secondary wall
sign on the front elevation in the General Commercial (C2) zoning district at 1441
West Seventeenth Street.
PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: March 18, 2005
PUBLICLY NOTICED: March 18, 2005
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2005-02 as conditioned.
Senior Planner, Vince Fregoso presented the staff report and recommendation.
Public hearing was opened.
David Randolph, representing Target, spoke in support of the signage proposal.
Public hearing was closed.
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MOTION: Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2005-02 as conditioned.
MOTION: Cribb SECOND: Nalle
VOTE: AYES: Cribb, De La Torre, Gartner, Mondo, Nalle (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Leo, Lutz (2)
3. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2004-23
Filed by SpectraSite Communications, to allow wireless communications on a 60-
foot high monopalm facility at 2810-3/4 South Flower Street.
PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: March 18, 2005
PUBLICLY NOTICED: March 18, 2005
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2004-23 as
conditioned.
Planning Commission Minutes
March 28, 2005
Landscape Development Associate, Marvin Ellenbecker presented the staff
report and recommendation.
The public hearing was opened.
William Bennett and Sheila Barnard of SpectraSite and Luciralia Ibarra of
Cingular Wireless, spoke in support of the project.
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The public hearing was closed.
MOTION: Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2004-23 as
conditioned.
MOTION: Nalle
VOTE: AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
4. Public Comment:
No comments were made.
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5. Staff Comments
SECOND: Cribb
Cribb, De La Torre, Gartner, Mondo, Nalle (5)
None (0)
None (0)
Leo, Lutz (2)
(for items not on the agenda)
STAFF AND COMMISSION COMMENTS
Planning Manager Trevino commented that the event scheduled on April 6 by
Steadfast to discuss their proposed project on Main Street, will be noticed as a
Special Meeting should a quorum of the Commissioners wish to attend.
6. Planning Commission Comments
Commissioner Gartner
• Commented favorably on project presentations.
Commissioner Nalle
• Commented on the status of the Law Library fountains. Public Works
Principal Civil Engineer, Souri Amirani responded that the project would
be advertised for bids prior to July 2005 so that the contract could be
awarded when the funding becomes available. She expanded on the
budget indicating that the scope includes a complete renovation of the
fountain.
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Commissioner Cribb
• Commented on City policy regarding the lowest qualified bidder for public
construction contractors.
• Requested Code Enforcement inspection at 2148 S. Van Ness Street;
commented that the lawns need trimming.
• Requested graffiti removal at St. Andrew and Flower Streets at small
grocery market on the southwest corner.
• Requested graffiti removal at power station on first street west of Main
Street and Warner, behind the new school.
• Encouraged Bristol Marketplace to get repainted to match new stores.
• Thanked staff for the Steadfast presentation.
Planning Commission Minutes 6
March 28, 2005
Commissioner De La Torre
• Commented that, while he is excited about potential for new
developments, he wants to encourage the Planning Commission to
carefully consider issues related to parking, amenities and sensitivity to
the existing neighborhoods.
Chair Mondo
• Requested neighborhood outreach for the Steadfast -Cordoba project,
particularly for those people who had previously attended meetings for the
prior project proposed on that site.
• Commented that potholes need to be repaired at (1) Central and Birch
Streets, (2) Plaza Drive from MacArthur to south city limits and (3)
Caltrans ramp at southbound 55 Freeway/MacArthur Boulevard.
• Requested a study session for Planning Commission goals and
objectives.
• Requested a budget breakdown for the Law Library fountain project.
7. Excuse of Absences
Moved by Chair Mondo, Seconded by Commissioner Cribb to excuse the
absence of Commissioner Lutz, the motion was unanimously approved by the
Commission.
8. Adjournment 7:46 p.m.
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Martha Ramirez )
Recording Secretary 4-_~,/
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Planning Commission Minutes 7 March 28, 2005