HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-24-2020 Minutes1
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTE August 24, 2020
ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR METING
OF THE SANTA ANA PLANNING COMMISSION
AUGUST 24, 2020
CALLED TO ORDER VIRTUAL MEETING
CITY HALL, ROSS ANNEX
20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA, ROOM 1600
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA
5:36 P.M.
ATTENDANCE COMMISSIONERS Present:
CYNTHIA CONTRERAS-LEO, Vice Chair
NORMA GARCIA
MARK MCLOUGHLIN, Chair
KENNETH NGUYEN
THOMAS MORRISSEY
FELIX RIVERA
COMMISSIONERS Absent:
V. THAI PHAN
PLANNING & BUILDING AGENCY STAFF Present:
MINH THAI, Executive Director
VINCE FREGOSO, Planning Manager
VERNY CARVAJAL, Principal Planner
LISA STORCK, Assistant City Attorney
ALI PEZESHKPOUR, Senior Planner
PEDRO GOMEZ, Assistant Planner II
JERRY GUEVARA, Assistant Planner I
SARAH BERNAL, Recording Secretary
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PUBLIC COMMENTS (on non-agenda items): None.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
*All votes were taken by roll call
A. MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 3, 2020 SPECIAL MEETING
MOTION: Approve the minutes.
MOTION: Rivera SECOND: Nguyen
VOTE: AYES: Contreras-Leo, Garcia, McLoughlin, Morrissey, Nguyen, Rivera
(6)
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PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTE August 24, 2020
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Phan(1)
B. MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 10, 2020 REGULAR MEETING
MOTION: Approve the minutes.
MOTION: Rivera SECOND: Nguyen
VOTE: AYES: Contreras-Leo, Garcia, McLoughlin, Morrissey, Nguyen, Rivera
(6)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Phan(1)
C. EXCUSED ABSENCES
MOTION: Excuse absent commission members: Phan
MOTION: Nguyen SECOND: Contreras-Leo
VOTE: AYES: Contreras-Leo, Garcia, McLoughlin, Morrissey, Nguyen, Rivera
(6)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Phan(1)
BUSINESS CALENDAR
PUBLIC HEARING
1. VARIANCE NO. 2020-01 – Pedro Gomez, Case Planner.
LOCATION: 1702 N. Main Street
REQUEST: The applicant is requesting approval of a variance to allow a reduction of seven
feet from the City’s setback standards of 15 feet for front and side yard and landscape
areas.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTE August 24, 2020
Case planner Gomez provided a staff presentation. Commission discussion ensued
regarding the site plan, parking, proposed public art on south exterior wall to deter graffiti,
landscape plan, and site maintenance.
Recording Secretary reported that no written correspondence was received.
Chair McLoughlin opened the Public Hearing. The applicant spoke in support of the matter.
The following individuals spoke in support of the matter.
• Mary Whiteneck
• Dale Helvig
The applicant addressed questions from the public regarding electrical vehicle charging
stations and exterior materials.
There were no other speakers and the Public Hearing was closed.
Further discussion ensued regarding utilizing a portion of either the interior or exterior of the
building for a public art display; impact on landscape after construction of the right-hand turn
lane; and the possibility of constructing the right-hand turn lane and the project
simultaneously to reduce traffic impacts.
Commissioner Nguyen motioned to approve the project as recommended; Vice Chair
Contreras-Leo seconded it. Commissioner Morrissey introduced a friendly amendment to
implement an artist display program. Commissioner Nguyen accepted the friendly
amendment.
MOTION: Adopt No. Resolution 2020-27 as conditioned. A RESOLUTION OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA APPROVING VARIANCE NO.
2020-01 AS CONDITIONED TO ALLOW A REDUCTION IN REQUIRED SETBACKS AT
1702 NORTH MAIN STREET
MOTION: Nguyen SECOND: Contreras-Leo
VOTE: AYES: Contreras-Leo, Garcia, McLoughlin, Morrissey, Nguyen, Rivera
(6)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Phan (1)
2. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2020-17 AND VARIANCE NO. 2020-03 – Jerry Guevara,
Case Planner.
LOCATION: 1619, 1621 and 1623 East Edinger Avenue
REQUEST: The applicant is requesting approval of the following land use entitlements: (1)
a conditional use permit to allow the expansion of an existing medical clinic and (2) a
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PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTE August 24, 2020
variance to allow a reduction in the City’s required off-street parking standards by
approximately 26 percent.
Case Planner Guevara provided a staff presentation. Commission discussion regarding
parking, exterior site improvements, landscape improvements, lighting, and business
operations.
Recording Secretary provided a summary of written correspondence received.
Chair McLoughlin opened the Public Hearing. The applicant spoke in support of the matter;
addressed concerned regarding reduced parking and exterior improvements.
There were no other speakers and the Public Hearing was closed.
Further discussion ensued regarding the possibility of additional exterior site improvements;
staff commented that there must be a nexus between the conditions of approval and the
discretionary action.
Commissioner Morrissey motioned to continue the matter for two weeks to explore
alternative parking arrangements. Commissioner Garcia introduced a friendly amendment
to also explore ways to improve the current landscape plan. The friendly amendment was
accepted.
MOTION: Continue the matter until September 14, 2020.
MOTION: Morrissey SECOND: Garcia
VOTE: AYES: Contreras-Leo, Garcia, McLoughlin, Morrissey, Nguyen, Rivera
(6)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Phan (1)
***END OF BUSINESS CALENDAR***
WORK STUDY CALENDAR
3. GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
Principal Planner Carvajal provided a presentation which included information on the
following
• Purpose and Elements
• Timeline of Events
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PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTE August 24, 2020
•Land Use Element (Document Organization, Policy Framework)
•What We Heard
•Environmental Justice
•Land Use Plan
•Land Use Focus Areas
•Future Planning Commission Sessions
•Environmental Impact Report
Commission discussion ensued regarding impact of high density housing, open space, and
community engagement.
The following individuals spoke on the matter:
•Brett Korte commented on environmental justice and community engagement.
•Dale Helvig commented on the General Plan process.
•Jose Vera commented on the pollution in the city.
•Leonard Flores commented on open space and air quality.
•Adolfo Sierra commented on environmental justice.
•Mary Whiteneck commented on high density.
**END OF WORK STUDY CALENDAR***
COMMENTS
4.STAFF COMMENTS:
Vince Fregoso: Commissioners will receive APA membership
5.COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS:
•All Commissioners thanked staff.
9:01 P.M. – The next meeting will be on Monday, September 14, 2020 at 5:30 p.m.
Sarah Bernal
Recording Secretary