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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-23-2004ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA February 23, 2004 CALL TO ORDER: 5:42 P.M. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA CONFERENCE ROOM 1600 SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA ATTENDANCE: COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Don Cribb Harvey De La Torre (arrived 6:00 p.m.) Christopher Leo, Vice Chairman Tom Lutz Glenn Mondo, Chairman Alexander Nalle Kimberly Sinclair STAFF PRESENT: Steve Harding, Ex. Dir. Plan. & Bldg. Agency Jay Trevino, Planning Manager Ben Kaufman, Chief Assistant City Attorney Vince Fregoso, Senior Planner Yolanda Pena, Santa Ana Police Department Martha Ramirez, Recording Secretary CONSENT CALENDAR A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES RECOMMENDATION: Approve the minutes: Regular meeting of February 9, 2004. B. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT Pursuant to the Brown Act and the Maddy Act, the January 26, 2004 Agenda for the Regular Meeting was posted on the door of the City Hall Council Chambers at 22 Civic Center Plaza on February 19, 2004 at 3:03 p.m. RECOMMENDATION: Instruct the Commission Secretary to enter posting into the minutes. Motion to: Approve the staff recommendations on the Consent Calendar items. MOTION: Nalle VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES SECOND: Cribb Cribb, Leo, Lutz, Mondo, Nalle, Sinclair (6) None (0) De La Torre (1) None (0) 1 February 23, 2004 * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR * * * BUSINESS CALENDAR 1 C. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDING AGENDIZED PROJECTS) Commissioner Lutz had a lunch meeting with Mr. Alfredo Amezcua to discuss the One Broadway Plaza project. Commissioner Cribb had conversations with Michael Harrah to discuss the One Broadway project. PROCEDURAL RULES PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2004-02, VARIANCE NO 2004-01 AND NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT REVIEW NO.2004-01 Filed by Mercy House Transitional Living to allow a care facility at 818 North Garfield Street in the Specific Development 19 zoning district. RECOMMENDATION: 1 1. Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2004-01 as conditioned. 2. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2004-01 as conditioned. 3. Adopt a resolution approving Neighborhood Project Review No. 2004-01. Pedro Guillen presented the staff report and recommendation. Discussion was held regarding the extent of on-site supervision and feasibility of installing walls between the garages to provide security. Additionally, concern with granting a variance for setbacks was discussed. Chairman Mondo opened the Public Hearing. Residents from Historic French Park, Jeff Dickman and Paul Giles, conveyed their support of the Mercy House project. Chairman Mondo closed the Public Hearing. 1 Motion to: Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2004-02 as conditioned. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2004-01 as conditioned; with a request that staff and the applicant review the potential installation of walls between the garage spaces. Adopt a resolution approving Neighborhood Project Review No. 2004-01. MOTION: Nalle SECOND: Cribb VOTE: AYES: Cribb, Leo, Lutz, Mondo, Nalle (5) NOES: Sinclair (1 )) ABSENT: De La Torre (1) ABSTAIN: None (0) PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 February 23, 2004 2. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT NO. 1999-01, AMENDMENT APPLICATION NO., 2004-01 GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 2004-01 AND ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO.2004-02 Filed by Caribou Industries (Michael Harrah) to certify the Environmental Impact Report, to create a new zoning district, to amend the Land Use and Circulation and Urban Design Elements of the General Plan and to amend various provisions of the Midtown Specific Plan for the One Broadway Plaza office tower and parking structure at 1109 North Broadway. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that the City Counci{: 1) Adopt a resolution certifying Final Environmental Impact Report No. 99-01 and approve the Mitigation Monitoring Program and Statement of Overriding Considerations. 2) Adopt an ordinance approving Amendment Application No. 2004-01 for the One Broadway Specific Development District [Specific Development 3) Adopt a resolution approving General Plan Amendment No. 2004-01. 4) Adopt an ordinance approving Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2004- 02. Vince Fregoso, Senior Planner presented the staff report and recommendations as well as the addendum to the staff report. Commissioner Leo posed questions about traffic impacts and mitigation. Mr. George Alvarez, City Engineer discussed the various traffic impacts and the proposed mitigation measures. Commissioner Sinclair asked for clarification regarding traffic mitigation and fees. City Engineer Alvarez provided clarification. Chairman Mondo opened the Public Hearing: The following members of the public noted their opposition to the project and/or its location: Paul Giles, Steve McGuigan, Barry Jensen, Kim Gerda, Debbie McEwen, Vicky Yamamoto, Jeff Dickman, Jill Wood, Rob Cook, Ben Grabiel, Connie Major, Joann Ramirez, Mark Guzman, and Mary Guzman for Roberta Reeve. The following members of the public noted their support for the project: Ralph Opacic, Federico Sayre, Dale Ward, Gil Marrero, Dr. Alfonso Bustamante, Patricia Bustamante, Russ Nicholson, Laurie Hampton, Bob Modica, Richard Samaniego, Michael Seeley, Jim Adams, Cynthia Criollos, Armando Esparza, Reina Schmidt, Damon Gonzales, Edgar Medina, Piedmont Brown, and Joe Solis. Applicant Michael Harrah gave a brief presentation. He noted his work with Commissions, neighborhoods and others to address their concerns. He commented that the project reflects on economic viability, positive job creation and improvement for quality of life. He also clarified that though the project is close to neighborhoods, it is not close to homes. Mr. Harrah discussed the project's public benefits and distributed a petition signed by project supporters. Chairman Mondo closed Public Hearing. Meeting recessed at 7:40 p.m. Meeting resumed 7:45 p.m. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 February 23, 2004 Commission discussion ensued: Commissioner De La Torre noted appreciation for the public involvement. He inquired about selection of this location and prospective tenants. Mr. Harrah stated it is close to the Civic Center with access to the Courthouse being a seven-minute walking distance. Mr. Harrah discussed potential tenants, including two Fortune 500 companies and major law firms. Commissioner Cribb noted the importance of this project. He also noted appreciation for the public involvement in creating a vision for the city. He inquired about how many people will be employed upon completion of the project. Mr. Harrah estimated around 1,200. Vice Chairman Leo commented on the increasing activity of high-rise projects underway. He noted that the city direction is going into an urban living environment; he fully supports this project. Commissioner Lutz noted that the Santa Ana Triangle neighborhood was not represented. Staff indicated that the neighborhood was less affected by the project. Commissioner Sinclair inquired about acquisition of properties for traffic mitigation. Chief Assistant City Attorney Kaufman discussed the procedures. Commissioner Nalle discussed his views concerning the proposal, noting that it is a good project that warrants Planning Commission support. Chairman Mondo noted concerns with mitigation measures in French Park. He recommended certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report and adopting the Mitigation Monitoring Program and Statement of Overriding Considerations with mitigation changes in three areas: 1. That traffic diverters be installed at 10th/Main and Washington/Main and that existing traffic diverters in French Park be retained. 2. That Saturday construction hours be limited to an 8:00 a.m. start time 3. The relocation of the historic structures at 1015 and 1109 N. Broadway and the rehabilitation of 1109 North Broadway, are required prior to issuance of grading permits. Motion to: Recommend that the City Council: a. Adopt a resolution certifying Final Environmental Impact Report No. 99-01 and approve the Mitigation Monitoring Program and Statement of Overriding Considerations as revised. MOTION: Nalle SECOND: Leo VOTE: AYES: Cribb, De La Torre, Leo, Lutz, Mondo, Nalle (6) NOES: Sinclair (1) ABSENT: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) Recommend that the City Council: b. Adopt an ordinance approving Amendment Application No. 2004-01 for the One Broadway Specific Development District No. 75 (SD-75) as revised to require Conditional Use Permit for fast-food/take out food uses. MOTION: Nalle VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: SECOND: Lutz Cribb, De La Torre, Leo, Lutz, Mondo, Nalle (6) Sinclair (1) None (0) PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 February 23, 2004 ABSTAIN: None (0) Recommend that the City Council: c. Adopt a resolution approving General Plan Amendment No. 2004-01. MOTION: Nalle SECOND: Lutz VOTE: AYES: Cribb, De La Torre, Leo, Lutz, Mondo, Nalle (6) NOES: Sinclair (1) ABSENT: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) Recommend that the City Council: d. Adopt an ordinance approving Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2004-02. MOTION: Nalle SECOND: Cribb VOTE: AYES: Cribb, De La Torre, Leo, Lutz, Mondo, Nalle (6) NOES: Sinclair (1) ABSENT: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) 3. Public Comments (for items not on the agenda) Judy Edge resident of Santa Ana, expressed concern with the Nexus and Geneva Commons projects, as these projects will impact traffic and parks. STAFF AND COMMISSION COMMENTS 4. Staff Comments No comment 5. Planning Commission Comments Commissioner De La Torre • Recommended that staff review Ms. Edge's letter with the applicants. • Noted appreciation for the public feedback from residents regarding these projects. Commissioner Cribb • Commented on traffic issue with high-rise building projects, but noted it is still a progressive move for the city. • Thanked staff for its work on One Broadway. • Noted that the Artist Village name should include an "s", to be Artists Village. • Thanked staff for their work on South Bristol project. Vice Chairman Leo • No comments Commissioners Nalle, Sinclair • No comments Commissioner Lutz • Requested permit investigation at 713 N. Spurgeon, which is missing front porch and has a metal staircase in the front. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 5 February 23, 2004 • Thanked the public for participating in the One Broadway project and staff for its work efforts. Chairman Mondo • Requested update on westbound MacArthur Blvd. at Bear St.; third lane, will it be a right turn or through lane? • Requested update on northbound Main at Warner; the right lane creates traffic problems north of Warner. • Requested graffiti removal at 1900 S. Main and 828 Broadway. 6. Excuse of Absences 7. Adjournment 8:43 p.m. Martha Ramirez Recording Secretary 1 1 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 6 February 23, 2004