HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/22/2007ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA
JANUARY 22, 2007
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CALLED TO ORDER: 5:03 P.M.
CITY HALL ROSS ANNEX
FIRST FLOOR, CONFERENCE ROOM 1600
20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA
SANTA ANA
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Victoria Betancourt
Don Cribb
Harvey De La Torre, Vice Chairman (arrived 5:06p.m.)
Christopher Leo, Chairman
Tom Lutz
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
James Gartner
STAFF PRESENT:
Ben Kaufman, Chief Assistant City Attorney
Jay Trevino, Ex. Dir. Ping. & Bldg. Agency
Karen Haluza, Planning Manager
Martha Ramirez, Recording Secretary
CONSENT CALENDAR
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MOTION: Approve staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar.
MOTION: Cribb SECOND: Lutz
VOTE: AYES: Betancourt, Cribb, Leo, Lutz (4)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: De La Torre, Gartner (2)
A. MINUTES
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 8, 2007.
B. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT
Pursuant to the Brown Act, the January 2, 2007 Agenda for the Regular Meeting
was posted on the door of the City Hall Council Chambers at 22 Civic Center
Plaza on January 5, 2007 at 9:28 a.m.
RECOMMENDATION:
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Instruct the Commission Secretary to enter posting into the minutes.
* * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR * * *
BUSINESS CALENDAR
C. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDING AGENDIZED
PROJECTS)
No disclosures were made.
Planning Commission Minutes 1 January 22, 2007
WORK STUDY SESSION
D. DISCUSSION OF PROJECT AT 1901 EAST FIRST STREET AND THE METRO
EAST MIXED USE OVERLAY ZONE
Planning Manager Karen Haluza provided a presentation on the Metro East Mixed
Use Overlay Zone.
Commissioner Cribb expressed a desire for the circular portion of Golden Circle to
retain its original circular form either with the roadway design or design of
proposed open space and that the area include more emphasis on retail uses. He
also suggested that the 1St and Cabrillo project include a pine tree in a centrally-
located area that could be decorated for the Christmas holidays.
Commissioner Lutz emphasized that pedestrian amenities should be a part of the
overall plan. He also commented on the ability of residents to drop off groceries at
the 1St and Cabrillo project and expressed concerns that residents would not feel
comfortable with joint use of the roof deck amenity areas. He praised the quality
of the architecture, the design of the floor plans and the inclusion of interior
storage spaces in each unit.
Vice Chair De La Torre emphasized the importance of providing pedestrian
connections throughout the plan, the need for increased public recreation spaces,
the need for adequate public parking. On the First and Cabrillo project
Commissioner De La Torre asked that the project provide convenient retail
parking and expressed concern that the rooftop amenity decks only provided one
pool. He praised the conceptual lighting plan for the project.
Commissioner Betancourt praised the elegant design and color palette of the First
and Cabrillo project and emphasized that the details of the parking garage design
will be very important to ensure that appropriate security and clear sight lines are
provided for those using the structure.
Mr. Trevino clarified that the MEMU plan addressed the concerns relating to public
open space, pedestrian connections, amenities, and design that the Commission
addressed.
NDC Development President Craig Foster recapped the development plan, and
introduced staff who further reviewed the project with regard to design, materials,
and amenity upgrades for the North Tower and the South Tower.
Planning Manager Haluza stated that an additional study session to more
specifically focus on the MEMU plan would be scheduled for the near future.
E. Recess to Council Chambers (6:03pm)
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Planning Commission Minutes 2 January 22, 2007
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA
CALLED TO ORDER 6:14 P.M.
Same staff was present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE -CHAIRMAN LEO
PROCEDURAL RULES
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. AMENDMENT TO CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2001-13
Filed by William Lynch to amend conditional use permit to renew operation of the
wireless facility camouflaged as a monopine and allow a second carrier to
collocate on the monopine in the Professional (P) zoning district at 1403-3/4North
Tustin Avenue.
PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: January 12, 2007
PUBLICLY NOTICED: January 12, 2007
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution approving amendment to Conditional Use Permit No. 2001-13
as conditioned.
Landscape Development Associate Marvin Ellenbecker presented the staff report
and recommendation.
The public hearing was opened.
No one spoke during the public hearing.
The public hearing was closed.
MOTION: Adopt a resolution approving amendment to Conditional Use Permit
No. 2001-13 as conditioned.
MOTION: Lutz SECOND: De La Torre
VOTE: AYES: Betancourt, Cribb, De La Torre, Leo, Lutz (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Gartner (1)
2. AMENDED MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND MITIGATION
MONITORING PLAN, ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW NO. 2004-234
Filed by David DiRienzo, Rancho Pacific Properties, Inc. for Urban+West+
Strategies, amended Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring
Plan to allow mixed use development with five condominium units and ground
floor retail located at 320 West Fourth Street (Amendment Application No 2006-
04 to allow a zone change from C3-A to Specific Development Zone No. 80 and
Conditional Use Permit No. 2006-14 and Site Plan Review No. 2006-07.)
PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: January 12, 2007
PUBLICLY NOTICED: January 12, 2007
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommend that the City Council approve and adopt the amended Mitigated
Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Program, Environmental Review
No. 2004-234.
Planning Commission Minutes 3 January 22, 2007
Associate Planner Hally Soboleske presented the staff report and
recommendation.
The public hearing was opened.
Pat McGuigan expressed concern regarding the alley access (page 9 of 21,
Section 15 -Transportation Traffic), reinforcement, and structural integrity of the
parking equipment.
Debbie McEwen expressed concern regarding the appropriateness of the design
of the project and referenced the Citywide Design Guidelines.
Ben Grabiel stated that he believed that the project did not comply with the
original terms of the Development Agreement and the Citywide Design
Guidelines (Chapter 8 of Downtown Development Guidelines, pages 22-24).
Philip Chinn voiced concern over the zoning and potential construction impacts to
the West End theatre facade.
Thomas Gordon requested clarification on the mitigated negative declaration and
zoning.
Walter Cha's attorney John Kim disagreed with environmental check list (page 1
of 21 less then significant impact on aesthetics on surroundings).
Young Cha provided pictures of the alley and adjacent property. He expressed
concern with the alley access, the potential for construction-related impacts to
any un-reinforced masonry buildings, potential parking and traffic impacts and
the modern style of architecture proposed for the project.
James Kendricks spoke in support of the project.
Applicant David DiRienzo spoke in support of the project.
The public hearing was closed.
MOTION: Recommend that the City Council approve and adopt the amended
Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Program, Environmental
Review No. 2004-234.
MOTION: Lutz SECOND: Cribb
VOTE: AYES: Betancourt, Cribb, De La Torre, Leo, Lutz (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Gartner (1)
3. METRO EAST OVERLAY ZONE AND FIRST & CABRILLO TOWERS DRAFT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT NO. 2006-01
Filed by the City of Santa Ana, Draft Environmental Impact Report No. 2006-01
for the Metro East Overlay Zone and the First and Cabrillo Towers mixed used
development project located at 1900 East First Street.
1. Receive and file public testimony on the Metro East Overlay Zone draft
Environmental Impact Report No. 2006-01 Volume I (State Clearing
House No. 2006031041).
2. Receive and file public testimony on the First and Cabrillo mixed use
development project draft Environmental Impact Report No. 2006-01
Volume Il (State Clearing House No. 2006031041).
Planning Commission Minutes 4 January 22, 2007
PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: January 12, 2007
PUBLICLY NOTICED: January 12, 2007
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file the public comments for Draft Environmental Impact Report No.
2006-01.
Planning Manager Haluza provided an overview for the public of the purpose of
the public hearing to take comments on the Draft E1R.
Senior Planner Sergio Klotz stated that written public comments will be accepted
up to February 5, 2007.
The public hearing was opened.
John Gallie expressed concerns with traffic on Cabrillo Park Drive (difficult to
make left-turn on Shady Hollow Lane), recommended a stop sign or signal
between Redwoods and Shady Hollow Lane; inquired about parking spaces and
would like the Home Owners Association to be informed with project updates.
Roy Reynolds, Personal Rapid Transit representative, provided information for a
transit alternative for the project.
Jim Adams, Council Representative for the Los Angeles/Orange Counties
Building and Construction Trades Council, expressed his desire for a program to
be developed to promote the use of local tradesmen and returning veterans.
Dave Colton, property owner, expressed willingness to increase density and work
with Planning Staff to further develop the area for a combination of retail and
office/work projects.
The public hearing was closed.
MOTION: Receive and file the public comments for Draft Environmental Impact
Report No. 2006-01.
MOTION: Cribb
VOTE: AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
4. Public Comments
5. Staff Comments
SECOND: De La Torre
Betancourt, Cribb, De La Torre, Leo, Lutz (5)
None (0)
None (0)
Gartner (1)
(for items not on the agenda)
STAFF AND COMMISSION COMMENTS
6. Planning Commission Comments
7. Excuse of Absences
Commissioner De La Torre moved to excuse the absence of Commissioner
Gartner. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cribb and unanimously
approved by the Commission.
8. Adjournment 8:11 p.m. ~
Mart a Ramirez, Recor i Secretary
Planning Commission Minutes 5 January 22, 2007