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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/29/2001ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA MAY 29, 2001 CALLED TO ORDER 5:09 P.M. City Hall Ross Annex First Floor Conference Room 1600 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, California ATTENDANCE COMMISSIONERS Present: Glenn Mondo, Chairman Alexander Nalle, Vice Chairman Lynnette Verino, Pro Tem (5:11 p.m Don Cribb Molly Doughty (5:47 p.m.) Christopher Leo COMMISSIONERS Absent: Robert Richardson u STAFF PRESENT Cynthia J. Nelson, Deputy City Manager Kenneth Adams, Planning Manager Ben Kaufman, Chief Assistant CityAttomey Christopher Norman, Assistant CityAttomey Jeffry Rice, Principal Planner Jim Ross, Public Works Agency Mike McCoy, Police Department Yolanda Pena, Police Department Rosa Barela, Acting Recording Secretary CONSENT CALENDAR Motion to approve staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar items with modification fo minutes. MOTION: Cribb SECOND: Nalle AYES: Cribb, Leo, Mondo, Nalle, Verino (5) NOES: None (0) ABSENT: Doughty, Richardson (2) ABSTENTION: None (0) A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from the regular meeting of May 14, 2001. RECOMMENDATION: Approve the minutes from the regular meeting of May 14, 2001. B. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT RECOMMENDATION: Instruct the Commission Secretary to enter into the minutes. The May 29, 2001 Agenda was posted at the City Hall Council Chambers on May 25, 2001 at 10:30 a.m. * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR * * BUSINESS CALENDAR C. FACILITY NAMING OF THE CHILDREN'S ZOO AT THE SANTA ANA ZOO Filed by the City of Santa Ana to review the project and name the children's zoo located at Santa Ana Zoo at 1801 East Chestnut Street. ' RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that the City Council approve the naming of the Santa Ana Children's Zoo Phase II as the Crean Family Farm. Ms. Suzi Furjanic, Assistant Park Planner, provided the staff report and recommendation. Motion to recommend that the City Council approve the naming of the Santa Ana Children's Zoo Phase l/ as the Crean Family Farm. MOTION: Cribb SECOND: Nalle AYES: Cribb, Leo, Mondo, Nalle, Verino (5) NOES: None (0) ABSENT: Doughty, Richardson (2) ABSTENTION: None (0) D. EXTENSION OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO.99-06 Filed by Lorenzo Reyes for Carl's Jr. Restaurant to extend the previously approved conditional use permit for one year located at 1700-1720 East Dyer ' Road. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution approving extension of Conditional Use Permit No. 99-Oti for one year. Mr. Rice, Principal Planner, provided the staff report and recommendation. Motion to recommend that the City Counci! adopt a resolution approving extension of Conditional Use Permit No. 99-06 for one year. MOTION: Nalle SECOND: Verino AYES: Cribb, Leo, Mondo, Nalle, Verino (5) NOES: None (0) ABSENT: Doughty, Richardson (2) ABSTENTION: None (0) WORK STUDY SESSION ' E. DISCUSSION OF ZONING FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION Charles View, Downtown Development Manager, provided information on the Historic Resources Commission's (HRC) desire to preserve a number of historic districts and encourage preservation. The HRC requested that staff evaluate the area along the Broadway Corridor to develop a plan for the Broadway Historic District. Mr. View then referred to the memo from Christopher Norman with staff's recommendation to change Chapter 30 of the municipal code to add the provision for the Specific Development (SD) District standards. Mr. View reviewed different design options noting that staff recommends the SD suffix option; reviewed the proposed PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 MAY 29, 2007 changes to Chapter 30 and Chapter 41; reviewed the steps necessary to develop the Broadway Historic District; and requested feedback from the Commission. Mr. View commented that the HRC requested a special meeting to further discuss. Commissioner Cribb noted he is pro-development and pro-restoration and would like to achieve a meeting with both interests; added he feels it is totally applicable when it comes to new construction and would like to look more carefully at other communities where they have done things right; and noted this will ultimately have profound implications on the community. ' Discussion ensued on examples of the need to receive HRC approval to demo property and for exterior alterations to historic structures. Mr. View noted that the HRC is looking to have authority for architecture only. Vice Chair Nalle and Commissioner Leo voiced concern on proposed plan noting it would be cumbersome for a developer to go through the process to create another layer of bureaucracy and feels will scare businesses away from the downtown. Commissioner Verino also noted her concern and requested a list of the historical buildings on the register, how many are eligible with a breakdown on the number of residential and business structures; added it will assist in determining where to go on historic district; and noted it would detract from a business friendly atmosphere. Commissioner Cribb noted the intention is to have an opportunity to preserve the corridor and to make sure we do not lose quality in the particular district; noted the need to look at other districts more carefully; and noted that historic districts are becoming increasingly premium adding we need to be careful with the guidelines and not limit creativity. Chairman Mondo noted it is a worthy goal adding that historic structures are safe with the question on how to handle in-fill and suggested to review the Midtown Plan to ' strengthen goal to preserve historical nature. Ms. Nelson noted the importance of Chairman Mondo, Commissioner Richardson and another representative from Commission to attend the HRG meeting to provide feedback. F. STUDY SESSION ON HOTEL STANDARDS Jeff Rice noted that per Commission direction staff met with industry representatives to discuss design standards for hotels/motels and long-term stay facilities and presented revised standards as a result of these discussions. Ann Ni, Associate Planner, reviewed the design and development standards for the long-term stay business hotels and for hotels/motels highlighting the proposed standards and the industry response. Discussion ensued on the standards for the pedestrian walkways, kitchen sink with disposal, meeting room size, lobby ceiling height limit, and restaurant. Commissioner Cribb noted the need and demand for a restaurant in a hotel. Pamela Sapetto suggested better language for the pedestrian walkways and to make ' clear ceiling heights for lobby and small board room. David Rose, of Extended Stay America, noted he was glad to meet with staff; was pleased with the majority of the changes most significantly in the amenities; and noted concern on the requirement of a pool and spa adding they do not have any facilities with both a pool and spa. Mr. Rice noted that in addition to meeting with the industry, staff did investigate a full spectrum of hotels traveling to various cities adding the facilities that had a stronger presence had higher ceilings in the lobby and meeting rooms. Staff also lowered the minimum ceiling height requirement from 15 feet to 12 feet. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 MAY 29, 2007 Commissioner Cribb noted support of staff; the importance of not cheapening choices; noted the need to make a statement to be able to use taxes and reinforce areas in the City which require it; Santa Ana is disadvantaged by reputation adding one of the ways we can overcome is to exceed expectations from a marketing perspective which would be one of the strongest ways that the City can remain competitive with its surrounding communities; and commented he will continue to make a statement and argue for quality. G. ADJOURN TO CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS. 22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA The afternoon session recessed at 6:48 p.m. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 MAY 28, 2001 ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA MAY 29, 2001 ROLL CALL 7:10 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PROCEDURAL RULES PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. APPEAL OF THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR'S ACTION NO. 2001-04 (CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2001-03) (Continued by the Planning Commission May 14, 2001 to May 29, 2001) Filed by Smart and Final Stores to appeal the Zoning Administrator's Action not to allow a Type 21 Alcoholic Beverage Control License for off-premise consumption located at 3430 South Bristol Street. PUBLISHED IN THE REGISTER: May 4, 2001 PUBLICLY NOTICED: May 1, 2001 RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution denying Conditional Use Permit No. 2001-03 (Appeal of the Zoning Administrator's Action No. 2001-04). Vice Chairman Nalle declared a potential conflict of interest on item, indicating abstention. Lynnette Perry, Associate Planner, noted that staff went out to the facility on First Street and confirmed that they had ceased displaying sales and commented the bins were still in the front of the store noting one bin contained cardboard. Matt Heslin, representing Smart & Final, noted that the bin is a box bin and contains boxes from cases of product that customers use and recycle in lieu of plastic bags. Mr. Rice noted that all business activity needs to be conducted inside the store building with no outdoor storage. Mr. Heslin commented that Smart & Final has been in the community since 1915 and have been running the business this way adding it was permissible. He added they are doing the best to maintain the facility and going forward in a respectable fashion. Chairman Mondo noted if inclined to approve, understood that no conditions for approval has been prepared. Mr. Rice noted Chairman Mondo was correct adding that a CEQA document had not been prepared also. Chairman Mondo made a motion to continue to the next meeting in order to have staff prepare conditions of approval should the Commission be inclined and investigate the original use permit for the First Street facility outdoor storage bins. Mr. Rice noted in order to prepare the environmental documents and posting time, it would be appropriate to continue to the second meeting in June. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 5 MAY 29, 2001 Mr. Heslin inquired if it were permissible to get approval conditioned upon certain items adding they have landlord obligations to meet. Mr. Kaufman noted pursuant to CEQA, the Commission may not approve any project without being aware of the environmental impacts and added there is a 20-day posting requirement. Motion to continue to June 25, 2001 meeting and direct staff to prepare ' CEQA documentation and conditions of approval. MOTION: Mondo SECOND: Cribb AYES: Cribb, Doughty, Leo, Mondo, Verino (5) NOES: None (0) ABSENT: Richardson (1) ABSTENTION: Nalle (1) 2. TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. 2000-214 AND VARIANCE NO. 2001-02 Filed by Werdin Corporation to subdivide a 5.304 acre property into 12 planned development units plus one common lot and variances for relief of the sign code for a monument sign, wall signs, and a freeway pylon sign at the Dyer Business Center located at 2901 Tech Center Drive. PUBLISHED IN THE REGISTER: May 19, 2001 PUBLICLY NOTICED: May 18, 2001 RECOMMENDATION: 1. Approve and certify the Mitigated Negative Declaration for Environmental Review No. 00-171. 2. Adopt a resolution approving Tentative Parcel Map No. 2000-214 and Variance No. 2001-02 for a freestanding sign and wall signs as conditioned. 3. Deny Variance No. 2001-02 for the freeway pylon sign. Ann Ni, Associate Planner, presented the staff report and recommendation. John Lowe, representing Applicant, noted they concur with the conditions. Chairman Mondo opened the public hearing at 7:27 p.m. No written communications were received and there were no speakers on the matter. Chairman Mondo closed the public hearing at 7:27 p.m. Motion to 1) approve and certify the Mitigated Negative Declaration for Environmental Review No. 00-171; 2) adopt a resolution approving Tentative Parcel Map No. 2000-214 and Variance No. 2001-02 for a freestanding sign and wall signs as conditioned; and 3) deny Variance No. 2001-02 for the freeway pylon sign. MOTION: Nalle SECOND: Doughty AYES: Cribb, Doughty, Leo, Mondo, Nalle, Verino (6) NOES: None (0) ABSENT: Richardson (1) ABSTENTION: None (1) PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES B MAY 29, 2001 COMMENTS 3. Public Comments There were no public comments. 4. Comments from the Staff ' There were no comments from staff. 5. Comments from the Plannins~ Commission Commissioner Cribb • Requested to see a detail of the Smart and Final landscape proposal adding he is interested in seeing pine trees as a statement tree for the site. • Reported a chain link fence at 2109 N. Eastwood. • Inquired on the property at north of the I-5 freeway off-ramp at Edgewood & Main Streets. Ms. Nelson reported that Public Works contacted Caltrans and is in the process of placing on a contract in order for the city to maintain. • Noted the signal operations in the city specifically noting eastbound MacArthur, westbound Fourth St. from 55 freeway to downtown, and westbound 17~" Street from Main St. to 55 freeway in which while traveling the signals turn red and occurs at all signals. Ms. Nelson noted that a number of the signals are controlled by Caltrans because of freeway on- and off-ramps and do not always synchronize with the city. Will report the other areas to the Public Works Agency. Commissioner Doughty • Requested that a crosswalk be installed at Towner & 17~" Streets in order for the residents to cross 17t" Street noting the only crosswalks are located at Flower and Bristol Streets. • Announced the new park area located at Towner & 17~" Streets planted by the West Floral Park neighborhood. Chairman Mondo • Requested that staff use discretion in providing alternative proposals and conditions when recommend denial and look for opportunities, when appropriate, to come up with alternative recommendations to allow the Commission to take action that same evening. 6. Excuse of Absences Motion by Commissioner Doughty and seconded by Commissioner Cribb to excuse the absence of Commissioner Richardson and approved unanimously by a vote of 6:0. 7. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m. RB Rosa Barela, Acting Recording Secretary PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 7 MAY 29, 2007