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Home My WebLink About10-23-17 PC MINUTESMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA CALLED TO ORDER ATTENDANCE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OCTOBER 23, 2017 COUNCIL CHAMBER 22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 5:32 P.M. COMMISSIONERS Present: MARK MCLOUGHLIN, Chair CYNTHIA CONTRERAS-LEO, Vice Chair ERIC ALDERETE PHIL BACERRA LYNNETTE VERINO COMMISSIONERS Absent: BEATRIZ MENDOZA KENNETH NGUYEN STAFF Present: CANDIDA NEAL, Acting Executive Director LAURA ROSSINI, Senior Assistant City Attorney VINCE FREGOSO, Acting Planning Manager MELANIE McCANN, Senior Planner ANN NI, Associate Planner RICARDO SOTO, Associate Planner ESCARLET MAR, Planning Technician ROSA BARELA, Acting Recording Secretary Commissioner Alderete PUBLIC COMMENTS (on non -agenda items) James Kendrick spoke on the lack of parking in the city as a result of affordable housing and overcrowding; and requested the Commission direct staff to update the parking plan. CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: Approve staff recommendation on Consent Calendar Items A -B. MOTION: Verino SECOND: Bacerra VOTE: AYES: Alderete, Bacerra, Contreras -Leo, McLoughlin, Verino (5) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Mendoza, Nguyen (2) A. MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 9, 2017 MOTION: Approve Minutes. B. EXCUSED ABSENCES MOTION: Excuse the absence of Commissioners Nguyen and Mendoza. * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR * * * BUSINESS CALENDAR ITEMS 1. SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 2017-07 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 OCTOBER 23, 2017 (Applicant: Carlos Bustamante — 506 East Washington Avenue) A project overview was provided by Senior Planner McCann. MOTION: Adopt a resolution approving Site Plan Review No. 2017-07. MOTION: Bacerra SECOND: Contreras -Leo NOES: F' _' ►1 ABSENT: PUBLIC HEARINGS Alderete, Bacerra, Contreras -Leo, McLoughlin, Verino (5) None (0) None (0) Mendoza, Nguyen (2) 2. SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 2017-06, VARIANCE NO. 2017-03 AND TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. 2016-04 (Applicant: Michael Molnar— 1701 East Saint Andrew Place) Matter continued from the October 9, 2017 Planning Commission meeting. Legal notice published in the Orange County Reporter on September 29, 2017 and notices mailed on September 29, 2017. Commissioner Bacerra disclosed he is a member of the Santa Ana Elks Lodge and recused himself and departed meeting. Acting Planning Manager Fregoso provided a presentation which included a site description, site plan and photo, floor plans, renderings of project and project analysis. Noted staff met with the adjacent property owner and addressed their concerns with added conditions of approval. Chairman McLoughlin opened the public hearing. There were no speakers and the public hearing was closed. MOTION: 1. Adopt a resolution approving Site Plan Review No. 2017-06 as conditioned. 2. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2017-03 as conditioned. 3. Adopt a resolution approving Tentative Parcel Map No. 2016-04 as conditioned. MOTION: Verino SECOND: Alderete VOTE: AYES: Alderete, Contreras -Leo, McLoughlin, Verino (4) NOES: None (0) ABSTAINED AND NOT PRESENT: Bacerra (1) ABSENT: Mendoza, Nguyen (2) 3. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2017-20 (Applicant: Marisol Manzo, Tacos del Chino — 2431 North Tustin Avenue, Unit D) Legal notice published in the Orange County Reporter on October 13, 2017 and notices mailed on October 13, 2017. Planning Technician Mar provided a presentation which included a site description, site plan and photo, floor plan and project analysis. Discussion ensued on outreach to the neighborhood. Applicant spoke in support of the matter. Chairman McLoughlin opened the public hearing. There were no additional speakers and the public hearing was closed. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 OCTOBER 23, 2017 13 61 MOTION: Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2017-20. MOTION: Bacerra SECOND: Verino VOTE: AYES: Alderete, Bacerra, Contreras -Leo, McLoughlin, Verino (5) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Mendoza, Nguyen (2) ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 2017-04 (Applicant: City of Santa Ana — Accessory Dwelling Units [ADU]) Legal notice published in the Orange County Reporter on October 13, 2017. Commissioner Bacerra disclosed he spoke with Mike Tardif and Lisandro Orozco on the matter. Chairman McLoughlin disclosed he spoke with several residents on the matter. Associate Planner Soto provided a presentation which included a project description, background information, State law requirements, proposed ordinance, open space deficient areas, parking and development standards. Acting Executive Director Neal noted the ordinance has been reviewed by outside legal counsel. Discussion ensued on minor exceptions, Airbnb's, size and height of ADUs, open space deficient areas, owner occupied units and the 2003 ordinance. Chairman McLoughlin opened the public hearing. The following spoke on the matter: • Julie Humphreys spoke in opposition of the matter, noted the 20 -foot setbacks requirement is egregious and acts as barrier to constructing units. • James Kendrick spoke in support of matter noting the lack of parking in the neighborhoods and the possibility of units turn into an Airbnb and rental units. • Mike Tardif spoke in support of matter, noted the various community meetings on the issue adding staff has heard resident concerns, thanked staff, residents and community leaders. There were no additional speakers and the public hearing was closed. Discussion ensued on setbacks and parking plan. U1011[01,719 1. Recommend that the City Council adopt an ordinance approving Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2017-04 to revise Chapter 41 (Zoning) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC). 2. ReDOrt back in six (6) months with a breakdown on applications on how many did not meet the conditions and the reason. MOTION: Verino SECOND: Contreras -Leo VOTE: AYES: Alderete, Bacerra, Contreras -Leo, McLoughlin, Verino (5) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Mendoza, Nguyen (2) CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2017-21 AND VARIANCE NO. 2017-04 (Applicant: Leon Fe/us — 1703 East Seventeenth Street) PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 OCTOBER 23, 2017 Legal notice published in the Orange County Reporter on October 13, 2017 and notices mailed on October 13, 2017. Associate Planner Ni provided a presentation which included a project description, site description, site plan and photo, floor plan and elevations, and project analysis including traffic analysis and noise study. Discussion ensued on communication with the Santa Ana Unified School District and the proposed traffic signal. Richard Rasak, representing owner, and Chris McKenna, applicant, spoke on history of property, funding of the traffic signal, noted a carwash is a perfect use, hours of operation, traffic circulation, added they are eco -friendly and thanked staff. Discussion ensued on the operators giving back to the community. Chairman McLoughlin opened the public hearing. The following spoke on the matter: • Chris McKenna, applicant, spoke in support of the matter, thanked for the opportunity to allow business adding they are a community-based business. • Leon Felus, architect, spoke in support of the matter, noting he has worked with staff for the past two years on the aesthetics of the building and circulation. • Patrick Gibson, traffic engineer for the project, spoke in support of the matter. • Michael Brady spoke in opposition of the matter, noted the influx of car washes in the area, traffic from the schools throughout the day and impact to the neighborhood with noise and additional traffic. • Gilbert Zamora spoke in opposition of the matter, on the homeless and marijuana shops in the area, the all -day school traffic and the increase in traffic. • Marlund Hale, noise study consultant for the project, noted he was available to answer questions. • Richard Rasak, representing owner, spoke in support of the matter, noting they have been at the location and part of the community for 50 years, spoke on the concerns at the neighborhood meetings, the noise and traffic study and funding of signal light. • Charles Diamond, property owner, spoke in support of the matter, looked at various options for the site, the car wash would be the most viable project for the site. • Winston Covington spoke in opposition of the matter, noted the high impact of school traffic, drop-off and pick-up of students, all -day activities and car wash traffic. • Debbie McEwen spoke in opposition of the matter noting the traffic and architectural style of the building. • Mike Tardif spoke in opposition of the matter, the noise impact to apartment residents, and the circulation to the narrow alley. • David Maciel spoke in opposition of the matter, noted a poll on the neighborhood website indicates 90% are opposed to the proposed project. • Bridget Catalano, property management for the Monterey Apartments spoke in opposition of the project, noted 30 parking stalls for units back out into alley, 20 units are above the sound wall, upgrades done to the units and were not allowed to install gates due to traffic issues. • William Konklin spoke in opposition of the project, noted two spaces for employees is not enough, noted there is no such thing as 100% reclaimed water system, noted parents of special needs students need to park and assist children to school, the number of car washes and noise from compressors. • Tracy Piccard, noted school personnel walk children to Wendy's throughout the day. 'Commissioner Alderete left the meeting at 7:16 p.m. and did not return. There were no additional speakers and the public hearing was closed. Discussion ensued on the car wash peak hours of operation, signal light, circulation within the alley, school traffic and noise impacts. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 OCTOBER 23, 2017 MOTION: 1. Adopt a resolution denying Conditional Use Permit No. 2017-21. 2. Adopt a resolution denying Variance No. 2017-04. MOTION: Bacerra SECOND: Verino VOTE: AYES: Bacerra, Contreras -Leo, McLoughlin, Verino (4) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Alderete, Mendoza, Nguyen (3) WORK STUDY CALENDAR ITEMS 6. SMALL LOT SUBDIVISIONS Associate Planner Soto provided a presentation which included the description of small lot subdivisions, the difference of small lots and townhomes and condominiums (shared walls) and/or foundations and not own the land underneath the home, quick facts about small lot subdivisions, the benefits, examples, discussed proposed ordinance and the zones allowed and development standards. Discussion ensued on homeowner insurance, affordable housing and height limitation. COMMENTS 7. STAFF COMMENTS • Acting Executive Director Neal and Acting Planning Manager Fregoso commended Chairman McLoughlin on his Planning Commission presentation to the City Council. 8. PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Commissioner Verino: • Inquired if staff was looking at how to deal with Airbnb's. Acting Planning Manager Fregoso indicated staff will be working on Airbnb's and short-term rentals next year. • Noted concern on the number of car washes in the city and those not approved after meetings with staff and residents. Acting Executive Director Neal noted staff will relay to any future applicants the concerns of the Planning Commission. Commissioner Bacerra: • Noted the Governor vetoed a bill on small cell towers and requested staff prepare for this in the future. Chairman McLoughlin: • Requested that staff provide an agenda for future subcommittee meetings. Acting Planning Manager Fregoso noted staff will provide prior to meetings. • Requested a future discussion on the handling of carwashes and noise. • Thanked Ms. Neal and Mr. Fregoso for their assistance in putting together his presentation to the Council, and will send a copy to commissioners. ADJOURNED 8:15 P.M. - The next meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for Monday, November 13, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, California. Rosa Barela Acting Recording Secretary PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 5 OCTOBER 23, 2017