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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-22-2002ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA APRIL 22 2002 1 CALLED TO ORDER 5:35 P.M. City Hall Ross Annex First Floor Conference Room 1600 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, California ATTENDANCE COMMISSIONERS Present: Alexander Nalle, Chairman Lynnette Verino, Vice Chair Don Cribb Molly Doughty Christopher Leo Glenn Mondo Robert Richardson STAFF PRESENT Cynthia J. Nelson, Deputy City Manager Jeffry Rice, Principal Planner Joseph Edwards, Principal Planner Benjamin Kaufman, Chief Assistant City Attorney Kylee Odette, Deputy City Attorney Joyce Amerson, Transportation Manager Mike McCoy, Police Department Laura Johnson, Recording Secretary CONSENT CALENDAR Motion to approve staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar items. MOTION: Mondo SECOND: Verino VOTE: AYES: Cribb, Doughty, Leo, Mondo, Nalle, Richardson, Verino (7) NOES: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES RECOMMENDATION: Approve the minutes from the regular meeting of March 25, 2002 as corrected to reflect Commissioner Mondo being present at 5:50 p.m. B. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT RECOMMENDATION: LJ Instruct the Commission Secretary to enter into the minutes. The March 25, 2002 Agenda was posted at the City Hall Council Chambers on April 18, 2002 at 12:45 p.m. * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR * * * WORK STUDY SESSION C. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM Joyce Amerson, Transportation Manager, gave a presentation of the 2002-03 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). She provided a map of citywide projects and outlined the various revenue sources. She advised the Commission that 58 percent of funding was from grants and designated for specific purposes. Proposed neighborhood improvements and curb, gutter, and sidewalk improvements were provided. Ms. Amerson outlined the proposed retrofit of the bridges over the Santa Ana River and Santiago Creek, the Centerline Project, arterial widening projects, and arterial improvements for street construction. Discussion held regarding the possibility of constructing a median on Newhope. Ms. Amerson advised the Commission that currently funding was targeted for street repairs but a median was a possibility in the future as funds were available. Traffic, infrastructure, and City facility improvements were discussed. Discussion held regarding use and maintenance of city parks. Ms. Nelson advised that in another year funds could become available to be dedicated to park capital improvements. Discussion held regarding the painting of the water tower and Caltrans triangle parcel. D. CIVIC CENTER DEFERRED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS Ron Ono, Park/Landscape Design Manager, provided an update on the Civic Center Deferred Capital Improvements. He advised that maintenance operations are funded through revenue generated from the parking lots. Bond repayments and costs involved in maintenance were outlined. Mr. Ono advised the Commission that contracts were being awarded to take care of lighting maintenance, annual color planting, paving cleaning, and fountain maintenance. Mr. Ono also -noted that the Sasscer park renovation and the Plaza of the Sun Fountain had been completed, and the lighting in the Civic Center would be increased and completed in June. Mr. Ono outlined the construction activity being undertaken at the State and Federal Buildings and advised that the future tenants of the Federal Building will include Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS), Department of Labor, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Discussion was held regarding the construction of the State Appellate Court and the parking structure. Ms. Nelson advised that space limitations and specific requirements of the courts would need to be considered in the design process. Discussion held regarding the reflecting pond and the overall appearance of the Civic Center. Ann Andres advised that the Civic Center Commission is opposed to removing the pond. She noted that the Civic Center as a whole needs upgrading and maintenance. Ms. Nelson advised that City impact is limited since the majority of the parcels are owned by County, State, or Federal agencies. She noted that the budget for improvements/maintenance is limited as it is based on annual revenues and agency subsidies. Discussion ensued on options to enhance the appearance of the area. Mr. Ono noted that after the pending maintenance contracts have been awarded the appearance of the Civic Center should improve. E. ARMSTRONG RANCH PROJECT UPDATE Vince Fregoso, Senior Planner, provided a status update on the project. The site plan and landscape enhancements for the project were outlined and the project schedule was discussed. Bob Yoder, Shea Homes, advised that the proposal includes 156 homes ranging from 3400 to 4000 square feet. He noted that the goal is to include a variety of architecture but also to ensure an authentic appearance. Don Brinkerhoff, Lifescapes International, presented the landscape concept plan. It will include a recessed pool with fencing designed to not obstruct the view. A guard house will be in the center of the area and access to the community will be provided by rolling gates. Mr. Brinkerhoff noted that all of the trees that would be planted PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 April 22, 2002 would be mature trees. Discussion held regarding wall coverings to deter graffiti. Mr. Brinkerhoff advised that vines and trees would be planted to cover the walls. Commissioner Cribb noted that they had exceeded expectations and thanked them for their efforts. PUBLIC HEARINGS CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO.2002-07 (Ann Ni) Filed by GBR Investment Inc. to allow the construction of a Wienerschnitzel/Tastee Freeze Restaurant with drive-through window service at 2102 N. Tustin Avenue. PUBLISHED IN THE REGISTER: April 12, 2002 PUBLICLY NOTICED: April 12, 2002 RECOMMENDATION: Continue to May 13, 2002 MOTION: Leo SECOND: Doughty VOTE: AYES: Cribb, Doughty, Leo, Nalle, Mondo, Richardson, Verino (7) NOES: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) COMMENTS 2. Public Comments None 3. Comments from the Staff None 4. Comments from the Planning Commission Commissioner Doughty • Noted -that the school board would be voting on the Farmers Insurance site eminent domain issue on Tuesday, April 23. • Noted that she supported the letter that was sent to residents regarding the Farmers Insurance site. Commissioner Cribb • Requested that the CalTrans Committee be rescheduled. • Requested an update on the complaint regarding school buses parking at Santiago Park and was advised by Ms. Nelson that signs indicating bus parking was not allowed would be posted. • Asked if the proposed Starbucks on Memory Lane and Bristol would have a patio and was advised by Mr. Rice that it would. Commissioner Mondo • Noted that a review of the designated uses for the CalTrans remnant parcels might be beneficial. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 April 22, 2002 Commissioner Verino • Requested an update on the Montgomery Ward site and was advised by Ms. Nelson that there was nothing definite at this time. Commissioner Leo • Requested that his opposition to the proposed Sav On at the corner of First and Main Streets be placed on record. • Noted that he did not support the letter that was sent to residents regarding the Farmers Insurance site. Commissioner Richardson • Commented that he had toured the Nexus Twin Towers and was pleased with the quality. • Noted that he was pleased with the improvements at Mater Dei and at Bristol and Edinger. 5. Adjournment - 7:50 Lau a Johns ecording Secretary 1 ~- ~~ PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 April 22, 2002