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Home My WebLink About02/28/2011MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA CALLED TO ORDER CITY HALL ROSS ANNEX SECOND FLOOR, CONFERENCE ROOM 1600 20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 5:36 P.M. ATTENDANCE COMMISSIONERS Present: ERIC ALDERETE, Chairman JAMES GARTNER, Vice Chairman FRANK ACOSTA SEAN H. MILL ALEXANDER NALLE MARIO TURNER PATRICK YRARRAZAVAL (arrived 5:41 p.m.) STAFF Present: JAY TREVINO, Ex. Dir. Ping. & Bldg. Agency KAREN HALUZA, Planning Manager RYAN HODGE, Assistant CifyAttomey MARTHA RAMIREZ, Recording Secretary CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: Approve the Minutes of the regular meeting of January 24, 2011. MOTION: Nalle VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: A. MINUTES RECOMMENDATION: B. Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 24, 2011. * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR' * * WORK STUDY SESSION n f`J FEBRUARY 28, 2011 SECOND: Mill Acosta, Alderete, Gartner, Mill, Nalle, Turner (6) None (0) None (0) Yrarrazaval (1) Principal Planner Vince Fregoso recapped the former Integral project site and the prior entitlements. Mr. Fregoso commented on the outreach efforts with the Sandpointe Neighborhood. Mr. Fregoso introduced the Lyon Community Development representatives Bill McKibbin and Peter Zak'and Christopher Coe with Coe Architecture International. Vice President Peter Zak provided information regarding the current design for the Lyon Integral MacArthur Place, LLC project that evolved in July 2010 which Planning Commission Minutes 1 February 28, 2011 now has 300 units, 2,100 square feet of retail space and a redefined common area. Project architect Christopher Coe highlighted the redesigned project. Project is now a wrap design (formerly a Podium Design): Units wrap around the parking structure, screening the structure from view and providing more direct access to units on individual levels An amenity deck to be located on the rooftop • Now contemporary design with improved pedestrian accessibility and larger open space areas • One level of parking below grade; five levels of garage built above grade Parking to consist of 40% of tandem parking and 60% single stall • Discussed the massing and pedestrian walkways on Main and MacArthur Reviewed the landscape features and facility amenities The Commission asked for clarification regarding: entry/exit to parking structure, the unit mix and unit sizes, the size of the ground-level retail space, and the design of the lobby. The Commission recommended possible expansion of retail space to serve residents and workers in the office building. Mr. Zak stated that expansion was under consideration. Commission was informed that the project is scheduled for Planning Commission action on March 14, 2011. C. Recess to Council Chamber (6:23 p.m.) Planning Commission Minutes 2 February 28, 2011 CITY OF SANTA ANA CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER 22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA ROLL CALL 6:39 P.M. The meeting was reconvened with the same staff present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG LED BY CHAIRMAN ALDERETE BUSINESS CALENDAR D. No disclosures were made. E. ELECTION OF OFFICERS RECOMMENDATION: (a) Elect Chairman of the Planning Commission for the year 2011 (b) Elect Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission for the year 2011 (c) Elect Planning Commission representative on the Historic Resources Commission for the year 2011 MOTION: (a) Elect Commissioner Eric Alderete as Chairman of the Planning Commission effective February 28, 2011 MOTION: Mill VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: SECOND: Gartner Acosta, Alderete, Yrarrazaval (7) None (0) None (0) None (0) Gartner, Mill, Nalle, Turner MOTION: (b) Elect Commissioner James Gartner as Vice Chairman, of the Planning Commission effective February 28, 2011 MOTION: Yrarrazaval VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: SECOND: Mill Acosta, Alderete, Yrarrazaval (7) None (0) None (0) None (0) Gartner, Mill, Nalle, Turner MOTION: • (c) Elect Commissioner Acosta as Planning Commission representative on the Historic Resources Commission effective April 7, 2011 Moved by Commissioner Turner and seconded by Commissioner Mill; Commissioner Acosta declined the nomination due to scheduling conflicts. Chairman Alderete recommended that the item be continued to the Planning Commission meeting of March 14, 2011. Planning Commission Minutes 3 February 28, 2011 F. REVIEW OF THE PUBLIC ART PLAN FOR THE COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT HOTEL Filed by Nexus Development Corporation to approve the public art plan for the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel at the MacArthur Place South development located at 8 MacArthur Place in the Specific Development No. 76 (SD-76) zoning district. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution approving the Public Art Plan. Principal Planner Vince Fregoso presented the staff report and recommendation. Nexus President Corey Alder discussed the public art plan for the Courtyard Marriott Hotel, scheduled for opening on May 15, 2011, and introduced Brad Howe, the artist selected to create the public art piece. Mr. Howe provided a summary of his background and expertise as a public sculpture artist and also gave an explanation of the inspiration for his art piece entitled "Paloma." MOTION: Adopt a resolution approving the Public Art Plan MOTION: Mill SECOND: Nalle VOTE: AYES: Acosta, Alderete, Gartner, Mill, Nalle, Turner Yrarrazaval (7) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) G. DOWNTOWN BICYCLE PARKING STATUS REPORT Status report regarding bicycle parking improvements serving Downtown Santa Ana. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that the Planning Commission receive and file the Downtown bicycle parking status report. Associate Planner Melanie McCann presented the staff report and recommendation. Commissioner Acosta emphasized the importance of having safe bicycle routes in the downtown. Chairman Alderete commented that the uniform bike racks failed to provide an interesting component to downtown and urged the use of unique racks like those used in San Francisco, Portland or New York. PROCEDURAL RULES PUBLIC HEARING • 1. VARIANCE NO. 2011-01 Filed by Raymond Schofield of Miller Architects, representing Paragold LP, to allow a reduction in landscaped setbacks for a new medical office building at 1901 North Tustin Avenue located in the Community Commercial (C1) zoning district. PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: February 16, 2011 PUBLICLY NOTICED: February 16, 2011 Planning Commission Minutes 4 February 28, 2011 RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2011-01 as conditioned. Principal Planner Vince Fregoso presented the staff report and recommendation. The public hearing was opened. No public members spoke. The public hearing was closed. i Applicant's representative Gary Miller with Miller Architectural Corporation, requested reconsideration/clarification on the following conditions: 1. Condition No. 4 -requested clarification on the extent of repairs that would be required for the parking lot. 2. Condition No. 5 -requested that the applicant be allowed to install 24-inch box trees rather than the 36-inch box trees indicated in the conditions of approval. 3. Condition No. 7 -requested that the applicant be allowed to install architectural-quality asphalt composition shingles rather than cementaceous shingles as conditioned. Planning Manager Haluza clarified that Condition No. 4 regarding the parking lot repair did not require a complete reconstruction of the entire parking lot, but only such repairs as would be necessary to fix any damaged areas and re-stripe. Ms. Haluza stated that, where landscape variances are requested, the Commission has approved conditions requiring larger shrubs and trees than the minimum standard, such as the 36-inch box tree, as an offset for the reduction in landscaping. Executive Director Trevino recommended that staff work with applicant during Plan Check for compliance with Condition No. 7 and the Commission further clarified by requesting the addition of language to Condition No. 7 giving flexibility in the selection of roofing materials. MOTION: Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2011-01 as conditioned. Planning Commission amended Condition No. 7: The roofing materials for the building shall be made of lightweight concrete tiles or other suitable material as approved by staff. The exact material shall be submitted to the Planning Division for approval. MOTION: Yrarrazaval VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: SECOND: Gartner Acosta, Alderete, Gartner, Yrarrazaval (7) None (0) None (0) None (0) Mill, Nalle, Turner 2. GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 2011-01 Filed by the City of Santa Ana to revise the General Plan Circulation Element Bikeway Master Plan to include a Class II (on road) bike lane on Memory Lane between Bristol Street and Flower Street, and Flower Street between Memory Lane and Sharon Road; and a Class I (off road) bike path on Bear Street between Segerstrom Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard. PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: .. February 18, 2011 PUBLICLY NOTICED: February 16, 2011 RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that the Planning Commission recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution approving General Plan Amendment No. 2011-01. Planning Commission Minutes 5 February 28, 2011 Associate Planner Melanie McCann presented the staff report and recommendation. Principal Engineer Taig Higgins discussed the proposed Class II bike lane on Memory Lane, and evaluating options of reducing parkway planter or vehicle lane to one in each direction to accommodate the proposed bike lane. Commissioner Yrarrazaval commented on how the bike lane on Memory Lane would transition as it approaches Bristol Street transition. Mr. Higgins responded that introducing skipped stripping as lane nears intersection and bus turn-out is a common practice. Commissioner Acosta inquired as to how the connectivity was determined; would like bikeway to connect to river bed; also noted the need for bike lanes to serve the downtown area. Commissioner Nalle commented on proposed reduction of traffic lanes from four to two on Bristol Street and inquired about available funding. Commissioner Mill recommended bike trails in areas where the need exists. The public hearing was opened. Eric Scandrett, President of Morrison Park Association and Dave Hoen, resident of Morrison Park, support bike lanes. Desi Reyes supports proposed reduction of two lanes in each direction, commented on future opportunities for grant funding, and inquired as to why Memory Lane hasn't been reconstructed. Principal Engineer Taig Higgins provided information. Associate Planner McCann read letter to the Commission from Bob, Debbie, & Chris Muise in support of bike lanes on Memory Lane from Flower Street to Bristol. • The public hearing was closed. MOTION: Recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution approving General Plan Amendment No. 2011-01. MOTION: Mill VOTE: AYES: SECOND: Gartner Acosta, Alderete, Gartner Yrarrazaval (7) None (t)) None (0) None (0) Mill, Nalle, Turner NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS (on non-agenda items) No public members spoke. 4. STAFF COMMENTS No comments were made. 5. PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS • Commissioner Mill Requested information regarding tattoo parlors in the city. Commissioner Yrarrazaval • Commented on parking permits and asked if city can review policy. Planning Commission Minutes 6 February 28, 2011 Commissioner Turner • Requested information on any projects previously approved or processed under the Transit Zoning Code. Planning Manager Haluza stated an informational memo would be prepared for the Commission. 6. EXCUSE OF ABSENCES ADJOURNMENT 8:22 P.M. Meeting Adjourned in Memory of Richard K. Gartner ,_ ~~ R 1 Gr~L'-~ M RTHA RAMIR /~ RECORDING SECRETARY/ Planning Commission Minutes 7 February 28, 2011