The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About02/22/2010MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA February 22, 2010 CALLED TO ORDER: 5:30 P.M. CITY HALL ROSS ANNEX FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM 1600 20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Eric Alderete, Vice Chairman Victoria Betancourt James Gartner Christopher Leo, Chairman Patrick Yrarrazaval COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Mario Turner STAFF PRESENT: Jay Trevino, Executive Director Planning & Building Agency Karen Haluza, Planning Manager Martha Ramirez, Recording Secretary CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: Approve the staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar MOTION: Betancourt SECOND: Alderete VOTE: AYES: Alderete, Betancourt, Leo (3) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: Gartner, Yrarrazaval (2) ABSENT: Turner (1) A. MINUTES RECOMMENDED MOTION: Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 8, 2010. Commissioners Gartner and Yrarrazaval abstained from the Minutes due to their absence at the February 8, 2010 meeting. B. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT Pursuant to the Brown Act, the February 8, 2010 Notice for the Regular Meeting was posted on the door of the City Hall Council Chambers at 22 Civic Center Plaza on February 4, 2010 at 1:46 p.m. RECOMMENDED MOTION: Instruct 'the Commission Secretary to enter posting into the minutes. * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR Planning Commission Minutes 1 February 22, 2010 BUSINESS CALENDAR C. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDING AGENDIZED PROJECTS) ~ . Commissioner Betancourt will abstain from voting as she lives within the 500 foot radius of the Station District. D. ELECTION OF OFFICERS (Continued by Planning Commission: January 25, 2010 to February 8, 2010; February 8, 2010 to February 22, 2010) RECOMMENDATION: (a) Elect Chair of the Planning Commission for the year 2010 (b) Elect Vice Chair of the Planning Commission for the year 2010 (c) Elect Planning Commission representative on the Historic Resources Commission for the year 2010 L_J 1 MOTION: (a) Elected Commissioner Eric Alderete as Chairman of the Planning Commission effective February 22, 2010. MOTION: Betancourt SECOND: Leo AYES: Alderete, Betancourt, Gartner, Leo, Yrarrazaval (5) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Turner (1) (b) Elected Commissioner James Gartner as Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission effective February 22, 2010. MOTION: Leo SECOND: Betancourt AYES: Alderete, Betancourt, Gartner, Leo, Yrarrazaval (5) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Turner (1) (c) Elected Commissioner James Gartner as Planning Commission representative on the Historic Resources Commission effective April 1, 2010. MOTION: Yrarrazaval SECOND: Betancourt AYES: Alderete, Betancourt, Gartner, Leo, Yrarrazaval (5) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Turner (1) WORK STUDY SESSION E. SYNTHETIC TURF DESIGN GUIDELINES Item was continued to March 22, 2010. F. Recess to Council Chambers (5:37 p.m.) Planning Commission Minutes 2 February 22, 2010 FEBRUARY 22, 2010 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 1 CALLED TO ORDER 6:01 P.M. Commission reconvened with all members present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG WAS LED BY CHAIRMAN ALDERETE PROCEDURAL RULES PIIBLIC HEARINGS 1. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2010-01 AND VARIANCE NO. 2010-02 Filed by H. Hendy Associates on behalf of Corinthian Colleges, Inc., to allow a reduction in parking for a professional trade school at 500 West Santa Ana Boulevard located in the Professional (P) zoning district. PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPOR"fER: February 12, 2010 PUBLICLY NOl'ICED: February 12, 2010 RECOMMENDATION: 1. Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2010-01 as conditioned. 2. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2010-02 as conditioned. 1 1 Principal Planner Sergio Klotz presented the staff report and recommendation. No written communications were received. The public hearing was opened. No public members spoke. The public hearing was closed. MOTION: 1. Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2010-01 as conditioned. 2. Adopt a resolution approving Variance No. 2010-02 as conditioned. MOTION: Leo SECOND: Yrarrazaval AYES: Alderete, Betancourt, Gartner, Leo, Yrarrazaval (5) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Turner (1) 2. DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT NO. 2006-02 FOR THE TRANSIT ZONING CODE (SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT NO.84A AND 84B) Receive and file public comments for the Draft Environmental Impact Report No. 2006-02 for the Transit Zoning Code located in the central urban core of Santa Ana, west of Interstate 5, north of First Street, between Grand'.~Avenue and Flower Street and south of Civic Center Drive. PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: January 29, 2010 PUBLISHED IN THE REGISTER January 29, 2010 PUBLICLY NOTICED: January 28, 2010 Planning Commission Minutes 3 February 22, 2010 RECOMMENDAI"ION: Receive and file the public comments on the draft Environmental Impact Report No. 2006-02. Commissioner Betancourt abstained from voting and left the Council Chambers. Senior Planner Lucy Linnaus presented the staff report and recommendation. Ms. Linnaus announced that the public comments period would be extended from March 19, 2010 through April 12, 2010. Another session for public comments will be held on March 22, 2010. Planning Manager Haluza informed the public that their comments will be recorded and transcribed as part of the Final EIR and that responses will be provided, as applicable, in the Response to Comments sections of the Final EIR. The public hearing was opened. Public comments: Paul Cook-Giles, resident of French Park Neighborhood, on Board of Directors representing Mercy House at 801-808 E Santa Ana Blvd. and 707 Garfield, commented on the potential negative impacts of retaining the existing structures on the site of the proposed Francis Xavier House. He spoke in support of the Francis Xavier project and he concurred that the existing structures have no historical significance and that the analysis of the buildings in the Cultural Resources section of the DEIR are relevant and appropriate as written. Jackie Deter, property owner, requested confirmation that current standards contained in M1/M2 zoning codes would still apply. She commented on corrections to Chapter 4 Section 4.1-20 referring to nine zones in the "Manufacturing" Overlay Zone instead of "Industrial" Overlay Zone. Correction to Chapter 3 Project Description -Section 3-20 "... some industrial development has been established in the eastern portion of the neighborhood." She commented on the historical significance of the Lacy Neighborhood, the eastern portion of that section has always been industrial as defined in the Spurgeon land grant, which has not been changed; existing area was a rail yard. Sam Romero, Logan Neighborhood representative and member of SACReD Organization commented that the plan should provide adequate housing, provide assistance to displaced low income residents, need open space (consider Lots 5 and 6). Provided amarked-up Logan Neighborhood map to Commissioners, concerned with impact of potential five-story buildings within the Logan area prefers that development stay at no higher than two-story buildings. He promotes improving the quality of life with this project. Nick Spain, Director of The Grain Project, promoted community garden plan that includes open space and edible landscape to encourage nutritional health for the community. He also submitted a project proposal for community gardens to the Commission that was originally written for the Santa Ana Renaissance Specific Plan. Alfredo Amezcua expressed disappointment with the process that has evolved, commented that language of the DEIR is difficult to understand for residents affected within the area, and recommended plan be available in Spanish and Vietnamese. He is involved with SACReD and emphasized a need for affordable housing, open space (for children to play) parklands. He mentioned that the plan's review period requires more time before a thorough plan can be implemented, encouraged that the plan be responsive to the needs of the residents. Planning Commission Minutes 4 February 22, 2010 Adolfo Lopez, resident and business owner for over 30 years, supports project that will upgrade the properties in the Downtown area. Stated that city is doing the right thing with the new zoning effort. He commented that he wants to see change for progress while working with the neighborhoods. The public hearing was closed. 1 MOTION: Receive and file the public comments on the draft Environmental Impact Report No. 2006-02. MOTION: Leo SECOND: Gartner AYES: Alderete, Gartner, Leo, Yrarrazaval (4) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: Betancourt (1) ABSENT: Turner (1) Planning Manager Haluza provided information to Jackie Deter regarding the industrial overlay zone. Ms. Haluza announced that additional community meetings, will continue to be held and stated that any groups or individuals who would like to have a staff member provide a presentation on the Transit Zoning Code/Station District/Transit Master Plan submit a request to staff to schedule 'the presentation. 3. Public Comments (for items not on the agenda) No public members spoke. STAFF AND COMMISSION COMMENTS 1 4. Staff Comments No comments were made. 5. Planning Commission Comments Commissioner Leo inquired about status regarding commissioner replacement for Ward 6. Executive Director Trevino indicated that no appointment has been made as yet. 6. Excuse of Absences Commissioner Yrarrazaval moved to excuse the absence of Commissioner Turner. Commissioner Leo seconded the motion and the Commission unanimously approved with a vote of 5:0. 1 7. Adjournment - 6:39 p.m. .~` Martha Ramirez Recording Secretary Planning Commission Minutes 5 Februazy 22, 2010