|
Planning CommissionRegular Meeting Agenda MinutesJune 23, 20255:30 P.M.Council Chamber22 Civic Center PlazaSanta Ana, CA JENNIFER OLIVAChair, Ward 6 RepresentativeISURI S. RAMOSViceChair,Ward 3 Representative CHRISTOPHER LEOCitywide RepresentativeMANUEL J. ESCAMILLAWard 2 Representative CARL BENNINGERWard 4 RepresentativeBAO PHAMWard 1 Representative ALAN WOOWard 5 RepresentativeAli Pezeshkpour, AICPActing Executive DirectorMelissa M. CrosthwaiteLegal Counsel Ricardo Soto, AICPActing Planning Manager Gema ZapienActing RecordingSecretaryIn compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need special assistance to participate in this Meeting,contact Michael Ortiz, City ADA Program Coordinator, at (714) 6475624. Notification 48 hours prior to the Meeting will enablethe City to make reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility to this meeting. The City Council agenda and supportingdocumentation can be found on the City’s website – www.santaana.org/citymeetings.CALL TO ORDER Commissioners: Jennifer Oliva, ChairIsuri S. Ramos, ViceChairChristopher LeoCarl BenningerBao PhamManuel J. EscamillaAlan Woo Acting Executive Director Ali Pezeshkpour, AICPLegal Counsel Melissa M. CrosthwaiteActing Planning Manager Ricardo Soto, AICPActing Recording Secretary Gema ZapienROLL CALLMinutes: Quorum was reached at 5:38 PM with Commissioner Escamilla arriving at 5:39PM.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCEPUBLIC COMMENTSMinutes: Resident, Gay Olivos, provided feedback on the Transit Zoning Code Updateworkshops.CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMSa.MinutesRecommended Action: Approve Minutes from May 12, 2025.b.Excused AbsencesRecommended Action: Excuse absent commissioners.Moved by Commissioner Woo, seconded by Commissioner Escamilla to Approve.YES: 5 – Bao Pham, Alan Woo, Manuel J. Escamilla, Jennifer Oliva, Carl BenningerNO: 0 – ABSTAIN: 0 – ABSENT: 2 – Isuri Ramos, Christopher LeoStatus: 5 – 0 – 0 – 2 – Pass
<br />*End of Consent Calendar*
<br />BUSINESS CALENDAR
<br />Public Hearing:The Planning Commission decision on Conditional Use Permits,
<br />Variances, Tentative Tract and Parcel Maps, Minor Exceptions, Site Plan Review, and
<br />Public Convenience or Necessity Determinations are final unless appealed within 10
<br />days of the decision by any interested party or group (refer to the Basic Meeting
<br />Information page for more information). The Planning Commission recommendation
<br />on Zoning and General Plan amendments, Development Agreements, Specific
<br />Developments, and Specific Plans will be forwarded to the City Council for final
<br />determination. Item 1 legal notice was published in the OC Reporter on May 30, 2025,
<br />and notices were mailed on said date. Item 2 legal notice was published in the OC
<br />Register on May 7, 2025.
<br />1.DENSITY BONUS AGREEMENT NO. 202503 FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED
<br />AT 2130 EAST FOURTH STREET LOCATED WITHIN THE VILLAGE CENTER
<br />DISTRICT OF THE METRO EAST MIXED USE OVERLAY (MEMU). (CONTINUED
<br />FROM JUNE 9, 2025)
<br />Project Applicant:Donald Verleur (Applicant) representing Olive Crest (Property
<br />Owner).
<br />Proposed Project: Request for approval of Density Bonus Agreement No. 202503 to
<br />construct a fifteenunit multifamily residential development, including three units
<br />proposed as affordable to very lowincome households earning less than 3050 percent
<br />of the area median income (AMI). As proposed, the project will utilize concessions and
<br />a waiver or reduction to deviate from development standards through the density bonus
<br />agreement pursuant to California Government Code Sections 65915 through 65918
<br />and Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) Sections 411600 through 411607.
<br />Environmental Impact: Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act
<br />(“CEQA”) and the CEQA Guidelines, the project is exempt from further review pursuant
<br />to Section 15168 (Program EIR) of the CEQA Guidelines. Categorical Exemption
<br />Environmental Review No. 202394 will be filed for this project.
<br />RESOLUTION NO. 2025XX
<br />A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA
<br />APPROVING THREE (3) CONCESSIONS AND A WAIVER OR REDUCTION OF
<br />DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS PURSUANT TO STATE DENSITY BONUS LAW TO
<br />BE MEMORIALIZED IN DENSITY BONUS AGREEMENT NO. 202503 TO ALLOW A
<br />FIFTEENUNIT MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT
<br />2130 EAST FOURTH STREET (APN: 40009123)
<br />Recommended Action:
<br />Adopt a resolution approving concessions and a waiver or reduction in a
<br />development standard as memorialized in Density Bonus Agreement No. 2025
<br />03, as conditioned.
<br />Minutes: Staff provided a short presentation.
<br />Commission had questions for staff.
<br />Staff answered question from the Commission.
<br />Commission had questions for the applicant.
<br />Kerri Dunkelberger on behalf of the applicant, answered questions from the
<br />Commission.
<br />Resident, James Lloyd, provided public comment via email in favor of the project.
<br />Resident, Gay Olivos, raised concerns about parking for this project.
<br />Moved by Commissioner Escamilla, seconded by Commissioner Benninger to
<br />Approve.
<br />YES: 5 – Bao Pham, Alan Woo, Manuel J. Escamilla, Jennifer Oliva, Carl Benninger
<br />NO: 0 – ABSTAIN: 0 – ABSENT: 2 – Isuri Ramos, Christopher Leo
<br />Status: 5 – 0 – 0 – 2 – Pass
<br />2.ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 202501 AMENDING CHAPTER 41
<br />(ZONING) OF THE SANTA ANA MUNICIPAL CODE (SAMC) TO REGULATE THE
<br />ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF GROUP HOMES IN THE CITY OF
<br />SANTA ANA. (CONTINUED FROM MAY 27, 2025)
<br />Project Location: Citywide
<br />Project Applicant: City of Santa Ana
<br />Proposed Project: Planning Commission recommendation that the City
<br />Council adopt Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) No. 202501 to amend Chapter 41
<br />(Zoning) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) to establish regulations for the
<br />location, licensing, permitting, and operational requirements related to group homes.
<br />The proposed amendment also includes modifications to definitions.
<br />Environmental Impact: Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act
<br />(‘‘CEQA’’) and the CEQA Guidelines, the adoption of this Ordinance is exempt from
<br />CEQA review pursuant to sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA
<br />Guidelines because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect
<br />physical change in the environment. The project is also exempt from CEQA pursuant to
<br />section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because it can be seen with certainty that
<br />there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the
<br />environment. Moreover, the project is categorically exempt from further review per
<br />Section 15301 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities) of the CEQA Guidelines. Class 1
<br />exemption applies to the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing,
<br />or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical
<br />equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or
<br />former use. The project proposes to adopt regulations pertaining to location, licensing,
<br />permitting and operating standards at group homes, and will not expand the existing
<br />use. None of the exceptions enumerated in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply to
<br />the Class 1 exemption applicable here. As a result, a Notice of Exemption,
<br />Environmental Review No. 202543, will be filed upon adoption of this ordinance.
<br />ORDINANCE NO. NSXXXX
<br />ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 202501 AND ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
<br />NO. 202501– AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA
<br />ANA AMENDING PORTIONS OF CHAPTER 41 (ZONING) AND CHAPTER 8
<br />(BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES) OF THE SANTA ANA MUNICIPAL CODE
<br />RELATING TO GROUP HOMES AND LAND USE DEFINITIONS, REGULATING
<br />SUCH USES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE DISABLED AND FINDING THE ACTION
<br />TO BE EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
<br />UNDER STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(B)(3), 15061(C)(2), 15060(C)
<br />(3), AND/OR 15301(C)
<br />Recommended Action:
<br />Recommend that the City Council adopt an ordinance approving Zoning
<br />Ordinance Amendment No. 202501 to amend several sections of Chapter 41
<br />(Zoning) of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) relating to group homes and
<br />land use definitions.
<br />Minutes: Staff provided a short presentation.
<br />Commission had questions for staff.
<br />Staff answered question from the Commission.
<br />Resident, Jennifer Le, provided public comment via zoom in favor of the project.
<br />Moved by Commissioner Benninger, seconded by Commissioner Woo to
<br />Approve.
<br />YES: 5 – Bao Pham, Alan Woo, Manuel J. Escamilla, Jennifer Oliva, Carl Benninger
<br />NO: 0 – ABSTAIN: 0 – ABSENT: 2 – Isuri Ramos, Christopher Leo
<br />Status: 5 – 0 – 0 – 2 – Pass
<br />*End of Business Calendar*
<br />WORK STUDY SESSION
<br />3.THE VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN
<br />Minutes: Staff provided a brief presentation.
<br />Commission had questions for staff.
<br />Staff answered questions from the Commission.
<br />Commission had questions for the applicant.
<br />Justin McCusker, on behalf of the applicant, answered questions from the
<br />Commission.
<br />Resident, John Tafoya, spoke in favor of the project.
<br />Resident, Alex Zamora, spoke in favor of the project.
<br />*End of Work Study Session Calendar*
<br />STAFF COMMENTS
<br />Minutes: Staff had comments for the Commission.
<br />COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
<br />Minutes: Commission had comments for staff.
<br />ADJOURNMENT
<br />The next meeting of the Planning Commission will be on July 14, 2025, at 5:30 PM in the
<br />Council Chamber located at 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701.
<br />Minutes: Meeting was adjourned at 8:48 p.m.
<br />APPEAL INFORMATION
<br />The formal action by the Planning Commission shall become effective after the tenday
<br />appeal period, unless the City Council in compliance with section 41643, 41644 or 41645
<br />holds a public hearing on the matter, then the formal action will become effective on the day
<br />following the hearing and decision by the City Council. An appeal from the decision or
<br />requirement of the Planning Commission may be made by any interested party, individual, or
<br />group. The appeal must be filed with the Clerk of the Council, accompanied by the required
<br />filing fee, and a copy sent to the Planning Department, within ten days of the date of the
<br />Commission's action, by 5:00 p.m. If the final day to appeal falls on a City Hall observed
<br />holiday or a day when City hall is closed, the final day to appeal shall be extended to the next
<br />day City Hall is open for public business. Please note: Under California Government Code
<br />Sec. 65009, if you challenge in court any of the matters on this agenda for which a public
<br />hearing is to be conducted, you may be limited to raising only those issues which you (or
<br />someone else) raised orally at the public hearing or in written correspondence received by
<br />the Planning Commission or City Council at or before the hearing.
<br />MEETING INFORMATION
<br />If you would like to learn how to use Zoom before the meeting, visit Zoom Video Tutorials.
<br />1. Connecting directly from your computer:
<br />Click on the link on top of this agenda OR
<br />Go to Zoom.us and click "Join a Meeting" at the top. Enter the Meeting ID. The Meeting
<br />ID is listed at the top of this agenda.
<br />To speak during the meeting: When you wish to comment on an item that is being is
<br />discussed, click on the button next to your name to virtually raise your hand and let us know
<br />you wish to speak. You will have 3 minutes.
<br />2. Connecting via the Zoom App:
<br />Download the free Zoom Cloud Meetings app from your favorite app store.
<br />Launch the app and click on the blue Join a Meeting button. Enter the Meeting ID, your
<br />name, and the blue Join button. The Meeting ID is listed at the top of this agenda.
<br />To speak during the meeting: When you wish to comment on an item that is being is
<br />discussed, click on the button next to your name to virtually raise your hand and let us know
<br />you wish to speak. You will have 3 minutes.
<br />3. Dialing in from a mobile phone or landline:
<br />Dial (669) 9009128. When prompted, enter the meeting ID. The Meeting ID is listed at
<br />the top of this agenda.
<br />To speak during the meeting: When you wish to comment on an item that is being is
<br />discussed, press *9 on your phone to virtually raise your hand. You will have 3 minutes.
<br />Submit a written comment
<br />You are invited to submit a written comment in one of the following ways:
<br />Email PBAecomments@santaana.org and reference the topic in the subject line.
<br />Mail to Gema Zapien, Acting Recording Secretary, City of Santa Ana, 20 Civic Center
<br />Plaza – M20, Santa Ana, CA 92701.
<br />Deadline to submit written comments, including any supplement materials for
<br />consideration by the Planning Commission, is 3:30 p.m. on the day of the
<br />meeting.Comments received after the deadline may not be distributed to the
<br />Commission but will be made part of the record. All attendees wishing to submit
<br />written comments or supplemental materials for distribution to Planning Commission
<br />members during the inperson meeting must provide 15 printed copies.
<br /> 3 Planning Commission
<br />6/23/2025
|