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Home My WebLink About03/13/2006ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA MARCH 13, 2006 CALLED TO ORDER: 5:34 P.M. CITY HALL ROSS ANNEX FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROM 1600 20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Victoria Betancourt Don Cribb Harvey De La Torre, Vice Chairman James Gartner (arrived 5:43 p.m.) Christopher Leo, Chairman Tom Lutz Rigoberto Rodriguez (left at 6:50 p.m.) COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Jay Trevino, Ex. Dir., Plan. & Bldg. Agency Ben Kaufman, Chief Assistant City Attorney Karen Haluza, Planning Manager Martha Ramirez, Recording Secretary 1 Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: Chairman Leo CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: Approve staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar. MOTION: Cribb SECOND: Lutz VOTE: AYES: Betancourt, Cribb, De La Torre, Leo, Lutz, Rodriguez (6) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Gartner (1) A. MINUTES RECOMMENDATION: Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 27, 2006. Commissioner Cribb requested clarifications to the Minutes to reflect his Commissioner Comments regarding "major development areas" and "school district...to provide an academy..." Commissioner Rodriguez abstained from the Minutes of February 27, 2006. 1 B. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT Pursuant to the Brown Act, the February 27, 2006 Agenda for the Regular Meeting was posted on the door of the City Hall Council Chambers at 22 Civic Center Plaza on February 23, 2006 at 1:46 p.m. RECOMMENDATION: Instruct the Commission Secretary to enter posting into the minutes. Planning Commission Minutes 1 March 13, 2006 C. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2006-01 Filed by Jesus Chavez, to allow the sale of beer and wine for on-premise consumption at EI Chile Picante in the Commercial South Main (CSM) zoning district located at 1904 South Main Street. RECOMMENDATION: Confirm the Zoning Administrator's action approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2006-01 as conditioned. * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR BUSINESS CALENDAR D. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDING AGENDIZED PROJECTS) No comments were made. WORK STUDY SESSION E. UPDATE ON PROPOSED CITY ENTRY SIGNS FOR NEXUS PROJECT City Engineer George Alvarez provided background on the project and introduced the artist who designed the proposed entry signs, Steve Metzger. The signs were designed in fulfillment of the public art requirement for the Nexus project. Mr. Metzger provided a model of the entry signs and described their form and construction. As described by Mr. Metzger and depicted by the model the two entry signs would be identical monolithic sculptures constructed of marble slabs and polished aluminum or stainless steel. Each sign would be mounted on a concrete platform elevated above the traffic lanes in order to protect the sculptures from possible vehicle conflict due to their location in the medians. The base of the signs would contain text saying "Santa Ana" and the City seal. The signs would be located on westbound MacArthur Boulevard and South Main Street. Mr. Trevino recommended that the Planning Commission receive and file the information. Mr. Alvarez indicated that the maintenance/repair of the sculptures was to be the City's responsibility. The Commission commented that the sculptural nature of the signs would reinforce Santa Ana's commitment to the arts and that consideration should be given to how the signs would be lit at night. F. DISCUSSION OF REGULATIONS FOR "SUPERSTORES" WITHIN THE CITY Assistant Planner Hally Soboleske provided background information on "big box"/superstore development and presented a table showing cities that have passed ordinances to regulate various aspects of "big box" development. Mr. Kaufman provided a framework for the Commission's discussion regarding definition of a superstore (size or percent of floor space dedicated to non-taxable sales), locations for further regulation and level of regulation. Mr. Trevino stated that the most common big box regulation was based on traditional zoning standards; zoning protects impacts on land uses. The Commission expressed concern that "big box" stores detract from the urban environment and discourage pedestrian activity; that they can have the potential to negatively impact local smaller retailers; that there are some areas in town where "big box" development be appropriate and that certain districts could be created to allow for "big box" retailers; an interest in looking at proposed projects Planning Commission Minutes 2 March 13, 2006 on a case-by-case basis and to understand that "big box" stores can help to revitalize some areas of town. The Commission also discussed the need for new regulation at this time given that there were limited sites for new "big box" development and no current applications. G. DISCUSSION OF HENINGER PARK ARCHITECTURAL GUIDELINES Assistant Planner Pedro Guillen provided a presentation on the new Heninger Park Architectural Design Guidelines and the updates to Specific Development 40. He stated that he would be returning to the Commission at the next scheduled meeting for formal consideration of these changes during a regularly scheduled public hearing. CHAIRMAN LEO CALLED FOR A BRIEF BREAK AT 6:49 P.M.; MEETING RESUMED 6:55 P.M. H. DISCUSSION OF METRO EAST MIXED-USE ZONE Karen Haluza provided a presentation on the proposed Mixed-Use Overlay Zone and two proposed projects in the Metro East area, bounded by the 5 Freeway on the west and encompassing the properties along East Fourth and First Streets continuing to Tustin Avenue on the east. Ms. Haluza reviewed existing land uses and issues in the study area, provided background on the previously completed land use study prepared by EIP Associates and recapped the components of the Metro East Mixed-Use Overlay Zone, which would include a change to the general plan land use designation, the creation of new mixed-use zoning standards, certification of an EIR, adoption of a public realm improvement plan and a standardized development agreement, and potential approval of conditional use permits for specific developments. Ms. Haluza introduced Jeff Larsen, architect with McLarand Vasquez & Partners, who provided a presentation on the proposed Santa Ana Residential Village bein~ developed by Shea Homes. Mr. Larsen described the project site located on 4" Street adjacent to the 5 Freeway, and described the proposed site plan and architecture for this approximately 8-acre mixed-use residential project. The Commission provided comments regarding the need to appropriately design the proposed 24-story tower component of the project, discussed the need to provide for adequate vehicular access to the site and to consider access off of 4tn Street, commented on the need to provide a high level of amenities, such as cafes and markets, discussed the need to address traffic impacts at 1St and Cabrillo Park, commented on the need for excellent pedestrian circulation, emphasized the importance of activating the open spaces to ensure that they don't become "dead" spaces, discussed the need to include high quality building materials, commented on the need to avoid monotony in the project architecture, emphasized need to provide for internal project amenities and asked that landscaping features, such as water fountains and specialty light poles be included. Commission also commented on level of amenity concerns raised by the City of Tustin and annexation. i. UPDATE ON SANTA ANA RENAISSANCE SPECIFIC PLAN Assistant Planner Lucy Linnaus provided presentation on the status of the project and discussed the outreach program comprised of an interview phase (for City staff and members of the public) and Discovery Workshops, City Council Study Session and Charrette. She announced that Moule Polyzoides was the consultant for the project. Ms. Linnaus indicated the project was undertaking aggressive schedules to engage community support at all levels. 1. Public Comments (for items not on the agenda) Planning Commission Minutes 3 March 13, 2006 No comments were made. STAFF AND COMMISSION COMMENTS 2. Staff Comments No comments were made. 3. Planning Commission Comments Commissioner Cribb • Expressed concern about projects in the Museum District. Vice Chair De La Torre • Inquired about the Bristol Corridor acquisitions. Ben Kaufman provided information. Commissioner Betancourt • No comments Commissioner Gartner • No comments Commissioner Lutz • Requested code enforcement verification allowing food vendors to use the parking lot at South Birch, below Warner. • Inquired about lack of landscape on block wall and screening at 2540 South Birch. • Requested status on the building on North Main at the Palm Court. • Inquired about status of PIP presentation. Mr. Trevino indicated that the status was being considered by the NICE Committee, not within Planning Commission purview. • Requested code enforcement verification to allow the selling of cars on weekends at the southeast corner of Bush and 17t" Street parking lot. Chairman Leo • Inquired about project status at Discovery Science Center. Mr. Trevino provided update of the project. 4. Excuse of Absences 5. Adjournment 8:25 p.m. Martha Ramirez Recording Secretary 1 Planning Commission Minutes 4 March 13, 2006