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Home My WebLink About02-11-19 PC Minutes1 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES February 11, 2019 ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA February 11, 2019 CALLED TO ORDER COUNCIL CHAMBER 22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 5:39 P.M. ATTENDANCE COMMISSIONERS Present: DAVID BENAVIDES CYNTHIA CONTRERAS-LEO, Vice Chair MARK MCLOUGHLIN, Chair ANGIE CANO KENNETH NGUYEN COMMISSIONERS Absent: ERIC ALDERETE LYNETTE VERINO PLANNING & BUILDING AGENCY STAFF Present: MINH THAI, Executive Director CANDIDA NEAL, Planning Manager LISA STORCK, Assistant City Attorney SARAH BERNAL, Recording Secretary PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PUBLIC COMMENTS (on non-agenda items): Peter Katz: Thanked commission for recommending that City Council deny the proposed 2525 N. Main Street project. City needs to preserve neighborhoods. Opined the Willowick project is not a good fit for the surrounding neighborhood. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 28, 2019 MOTION: Approve Minutes as amended. *Items highlighted in yellow were pulled for separate action. MOTION: Nguyen SECOND: Contreras Leo VOTE: AYES: Benavides, Cano, Contreras-Leo, McLoughlin, Nguyen, (5) NOES: None (0) 2 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES February 11, 2019 ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Alderete, Verino (2) B. EXCUSED ABSENCES MOTION: Excuse absent commission members: Alderete and Verino MOTION: Benavides SECOND: Nguyen VOTE: AYES: Benavides, Cano, Contreras-Leo, McLoughlin, Nguyen, (5) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Alderete, Verino (2) * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR * ** BUSINESS CALENDAR ITEMS PUBLIC HEARING 1. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2018-27 TO ALLOW AN AUTOMATED CAR WASH, AND VARIANCE NO. 2018-13 TO ALLOW A DRIVEWAY WITHIN 150 FEET OF AN INTERSECTION FOR THE PROJECT LOCATED AT 1703 E. 17TH STREET IN THE ARTERIAL COMMERCIAL (C-5) ZONING DISTRICT Legal noticed published in the Orange County Reporter on February 1, 2019 and notices mailed on February 1, 2019. The applicant requested the matter be continued to the next meeting. Chair McLoughlin opened the Public Hearing. The following individual spoke on the matter: • Bridget Catalano: Spoke in opposition; expressed concerned with increased noise. There were no other speakers and the hearing was continued. MOTION: Continue the matter until February 25, 2019. 3 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES February 11, 2019 MOTION: Benavides SECOND: Contreras-Leo VOTE: AYES: Benavides, Cano, Contreras-Leo, McLoughlin, Nguyen, (5) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Alderete, Verino (2) 2. ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 2019-01 TO AMEND THE ZONING DISTRICT KNOWN AS SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT NO. 82 (SD-82) TO ALLOW SCHOOLS TO OPERATE WITHIN THE SD-82 ZONING DISTRICT. THIS ACTION WILL ALLOW VISTA HERITAGE CHARTER SCHOOL TO OPERATE AT 2609 W. FIFTH STREET – RED HOOK CAPITAL PARTNERS III, LLC, APPLICANT Legal noticed published in the Orange County Reporter on February 1, 2019 and notices mailed on February 1, 2019. The following disclosures were made: • Commissioner Contreras-Leo – contacted by applicant via phone. • Commissioner Benavides – contacted by applicant via phone. • Commissioner Nguyen – contacted by applicant via text message. • Chair McLoughlin – contacted by applicant via text message. Case Planner Fregoso provided a presentation which included a project description, project background and project analysis. Commission discussion ensued regarding the current number of parking spaces; the reciprocal parking agreement between the neighboring site; the project’s proposed operating standards, hours of operation, outdoor activities, construction timeline; traffic generated by the school; and traffic mitigation measures. Written communication in support of the matter was received from the following individuals: • Dave Cox • Mike Tardif Written communication in opposition of the matter was received from the following individuals: • J. Shen • Barry Einck • Long Pham Written communication from the following individual maintained a neutral position: 2 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES February 11, 2019 • Robin Owens *Approximately 500 letters of support were submitted by the applicant during the meeting. The applicant spoke in support of the matter. Chair McLoughlin opened the Public Hearing. The following individual spoke in opposition: • Graciela Rubacalva Donley: Opined that a school should not be located in an industrial area. Expressed concern for the safety of the students as there are many heavy duty vehicles that frequently pass through the area. Also concerned with the shortage of parking. The following individuals spoke in support of the project: • Don Wilson, Superintendent: Addressed the comment regarding student safety; safety is a priority and their traffic plan addresses the concerns. • Collin Felch, Principal: Addressed the comment regarding student safety; students will be supervised to ensure safety during pick-up and drop-off; the proposed expansion will increase student safety as students will be able to access each end of the campus without leaving the building. • Elizabeth March, Teacher: There is a lack of space and the proposed expansion will benefit the students. • Kendra Lubin, Student: Expansion will benefit the students. • Nancy Gomez, Parent: Expansion will benefit the students. There were no other speakers and the hearing was closed. Commissioner Nguyen motioned to approve the matter as recommended and it was seconded by Commissioner Contreras-Leo. Further discussion ensued prior to voting. It was agreed that the proposed project meets code requirements relating to parking, however, concern was expressed regarding public comments stating that there is a parking shortage; permit parking and other parking assignments were suggested. Concern was especially expressed regarding overall student safety. The applicant addressed the safety concerns; indicated that they have a safety plan in place. Commission expressed disappointment with not being able to review the plan beforehand. It was requested that a condition be added to the Ordinance requiring the school to submit a traffic and safety plan prior to permit issuance, and parking assignments be clarified. Commissioner Nguyen accepted the amendment to the motion. MOTION: Recommend that the City Council adopt an ordinance approving Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2019-01 with the added condition that the school shall 3 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES February 11, 2019 submit a traffic and safety plan prior to permit issuance, and parking assignments be clarified. MOTION: Nguyen SECOND: Contreras-Leo VOTE: AYES: Benavides, Cano, Contreras-Leo, McLoughlin, Nguyen, (5) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Alderete, Verino (2) ***END OF BUSINESS CALENDAR*** WORK STUDY CALENDAR 3. NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PRESENTATION ON PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES IN FEBRUARY 2019. Senior Community Planner Scott Kutner provided a presentation which included information on the following: • Statement of Values and Principles for Santa Ana’s Neighborhood Initiatives Program • Planning Process of Neighborhood Associations • Santa Ana’s Neighborhood Association Assessment Framework • Improving Municipal Agency Responsiveness to Local Concerns Through Inter- Agency Teams • Improving Coordination and Collaboration Between Santa Ana’s Hundreds of Community-Based Organizations • Community Development Resource Network • Santa Ana Civic Atlas- Partnership between Santa Ana’s Public Library and Neighborhood Initiatives Program. • Santa Ana Neighborhood Initiatives Program Contacts Commission praised the Neighborhood Improvement Program team for their efforts. Commission inquired about various methods of communication between the city and the community. ****END OF WORK STUDY SESSION*** COMMENTS 4. STAFF COMMENTS: None. 4 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES February 11, 2019 5. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS: None. 7:59 P.M. ADJOURNMENT –The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 25, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, California. Sarah Bernal Recording Secretary