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Home My WebLink About04/24/2006ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA APRIL 24, 2006 J CALLED TO ORDER: 5:38 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 Christopher Leo, Chairman Tom Lutz COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Rigoberto Rodriguez STAFF PRESENT: Jay Trevino, Ex. Dir., Plan. & Bldg. Agency Ben Kaufman, Chief Assistant City Attorney Vince Fregoso, Senior Planner Martha Ramirez, Recording Secretary 1 CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: Approve staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar. MOTION: Cribb VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: SECOND: De La Torre Betancourt, Cribb, De La None (0) None (0) Rodriguez (1) Torre, Gartner, Leo, Lutz (6) A. MINUTES RECOMMENDATION: Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 10, 2006. B. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT Pursuant to the Brown Act, the April 10, 2006 Agenda for the Regular Meeting was posted on the door of the City Hall Council Chambers at 22 Civic Center Plaza on April 7, 2006 at 9:55 a.m. 1 RECOMMENDATION: Instruct the Commission Secretary to enter posting into the minutes. C. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2005-34 (Continued by the Planning Commission April 10, 2006 to Apri124, 2006.) Filed by Donya Investments, Inc., to deny an upgrade from a Type 20 to a Type 21 Alcoholic Beverage Control license for the Stocked Market located at 2242 South Grand Avenue. Planning Commission Minutes 1 April 24, 2006 RECOMMENDATION: Confirm the Zoning Administrator's action denying Conditional Use Permit No. 2005-34. D. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2006-04 Filed by Martha Rubacalba requesting a conditional use to allow a Type 47 Alcohol Beverage Control license for the on-premise sale and consumption of beer, wine and distilled spirits at Mariscos Puerto Nuevo Restaurant in the General Commercial (C2) zoning district located at 1515 East First Street. RECOMMENDATION: Confirm the Zoning Administrator's action approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2006-04 as conditioned. * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR ~` WORK STUDY SESSION - ITEM I TAKEN OUT OF ORDER I. UPDATE ON BRISTOL STREET CORRIDOR PROJECT City Engineer George Alvarez presented an overview of the Bristol Street Corridor project between Warner Avenue and Memory Lane. He discussed the two previously completed segments, the segment scheduled to begin construction this summer, and the four proposed segments to be constructed between 2008 and 2013. Mr. Alvarez commented on the current funding commitment from OCTA. He indicated that a major task of the widening project was to underground overhead utility lines that would be done in two phases during 2008-2010 and 2011-2015. Mr. Alvarez also stated there are 238 total properties involved in this project, making it the largest roadway project in the County. Commission discussion ensued regarding ground level versus elevated light rail on Bristol Street, bus lanes and the lighting for the trees and asked for clarification of underground utility completion dates. Mr. Alvarez indicated that currently light rail was not happening. He also clarified that the only portion of the utility underground to be completed after 2013 is the segment between Warner and Alton which is outside of the widening project. Discussion ensued regarding storm drain improvements and a request to have the basic landscape plans reviewed by the Planning Commission. Also Commission discussed bus stops and the feedback from the neighborhood associations. Commission commented on intersection evaluations, and City-owned property that is well into acquisition. Commission inquired about having the street constructed as a design-build project and proposing the least disruptive traffic construction impacts. Mr. Alvarez recapped the timeframe for construction. Commission inquired about the height of the sound walls and type of landscaping that would discourage graffiti. BUSINESS CALENDAR E. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDING. AGENDIZED PROJECTS) Commissioner Betancourt lives in French Park and participates in their architecture review committee thus will abstain from Item F and Item G. Planning Commission Minutes 2 April 24, 2006 F. NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT REVIEW NO. 2006-01 Filed by Ms. Janet Perez requesting to permit the rehabilitation of the front porch at 1019 North Spurgeon Street in the Specific Development 19 zoning district (French Park). RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution approving Neighborhood Project Review No. 2006-01. MOTION: Adopt a resolution approving Neighborhood Project Review No. 2006-01. MOTION: Lutz SECOND: De La Torre VOTE: AYES: Cribb, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Lutz (5) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: Betancourt (1) ABSENT: Rodriguez (1) G. NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT REVIEW NO.2006-03 Filed by Mrs. Bruce Albert requesting to permit the rehabilitation of the front porch at 309 East Tenth Street in the Specific Development 19 zoning district (French Park). RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution approving Neighborhood Project Review No. 2006-03. MOTION: Adopt a resolution approving Neighborhood Project Review No. 2006-03. MOTION: Cribb VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: H. SITE PLAN REVIE SECOND: De La Torre Cribb, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Lutz (5) None (0) Betancourt (1) Rodriguez (1) :W NO. 2006-02 Filed by Caribou Industries to request approval of the ground level design for the One Broadway Plaza office tower located at 1001 North Broadway. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution approving Site Plan Review No. 2006-02 for the ground level design of the One Broadway Plaza office tower. Senior Planner Vince Fregoso presented the staff report and recommendation for the first phase of the ground floor design. He introduced the Carrier Johnson architects, Gary Hipolite, Managing Architect and David Gonzalez, Architect. Mr. Gonzalez discussed the design features of the ground floor/entry, including the plaza with reflecting pools and fountains, the visibility into the lobby from the street, and the materials for the exterior spaces. He commented on the survey conducted for shadowing and indicated that the landscape would be light and airy using Palm trees. He reviewed the 10th Street that will be opened and discussed expanding the concrete for the plaza to 10th Street and Sycamore. He reviewed the elevations on the first level with regard to the canopies and seating areas. He commented on the plaza design and parking structure graphics and architectural elements. Commission discussion ensued regarding security provisions (bollards providing more security than six inch curb), traffic flow and the public art mural on the parking structure. Comments evolved regarding the number of seating areas, retail spaces, and service entries in the roundabout, shadowing and Planning Commission Minutes 3 April 24, 2006 consideration fora "green wall on the parking structure. Mr. Fregoso stated a final landscape plan would be submitted for Commission review. Commission also discussed the street furniture, planter beds at the entrances, surface material on the street, pedestrian. safety.. and number of parking structure floors. Commission commended Carrier Johnson's vast improvements of the revised conceptual plan. 1 Mr. Kaufman stated the applicant was seeking Commission approval for the ground floor design only. He pointed out that the roundabout was drawn incorrectly. Mr. Kaufman indicated the plans for the parking structure and landscape would be forthcoming to the Commission for review. MOTION: Adopt a resolution approving Site Plan Review No. 2006-02 with correction to roundabout configuration that was presented by applicant. MOTION: Cribb SECOND: Betancourt VOTE: AYES: Betancourt, Cribb, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Lutz (6) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Rodriguez (1) WORK STUDY SESSION J. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN Deputy Civil Engineer Souri Amirani presented the Fiscal 2006-2007 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), recapped the neighborhood, arterial, traffic, and park improvement areas, reviewed the 10-year history, summarized the 7-year CIP and commented on budgetary items and completed projects subsidized by Measure M and other funding sources. Commission discussion ensued regarding reconstruction of curb(s) on Fourth Street/SR55. Staff indicated that is a potential area for right-of-way improvements but not widening. Commission discussed traffic improvements, consideration for the Parks & Recreation Agency to relocate their offices closer to downtown, reviewed park improvements, maturity of trees at parks, irrigation of water that is needed at stadium and downtime for maintenance; field house and bathrooms at the stadium; the various activities hosted there, railroad grade crossing material costs, OCTA enhanced safety projects, traffic synchronization and allocation/priority for other budgetary items. Commission discussed traffic funds to move traffic throughout the City. Chair Leo indicated that the funding was budgeted for the City's Water Tower. K. RENAISSANCE SPECIFIC PLAN DISCOVERY WORKSHOP UPDATE Associate Planner Lucy Linnaus introduced the consultant, Stephanos Polyzoides who facilitated the meetings held on April 18 and April 20. The community outreach consisted of four workshops with a total of approximately 200 attendees. The outreach meetings received positive comments from the community. The Renaissance will go to the City Council on May 1, and then from May 8-13 the Charrettes will be conducted. Mr. Polyzoides gave a summary of the community concerns: ^ Traffic ^ Density ^ More diverse shopping and entertainment in downtown ^ Midtown Specific Plan compliance ^ Why is the Redevelopment Agency purchasing homes in Logan and Lacy neighborhoods? ^ Open Space ^ Logan Neighborhood ^ Urban amenities Planning Commission Minutes 4 April 24, 2006 ^ Property maintenance ^ Downtown marketing ^ Daytime population is largely untapped ^ Development process more effective ^ In favor of change but it needs to be coordinated and very high- quality ^ Need for community serving retail ^ Preserve and .restore historic buildings ^ Character of neighborhoods and districts needs to be reinforced ^ .Continue support for the Artists Village ^ Homelessness ^ Long term transit needs ^ Affordability ^ Boundary issues ^ School District involvement Mr. Polyzoides commented on the strong community involvement that prevailed at the workshops. Mr. Trevino announced the upcoming schedule for the Charrette during May 8 through May 13 at 501 North Main and encouraged participation. He stated the Charrette will be publicly noticed. 1. Public Comments (for items not on the agenda) Debbie McEwen voiced concern regarding the rehabilitation efforts of the houses in the Logan District located at the 1000 block of Washington/Lincoln. Commissioner Lutz requested that staff provide an update of the construction in the area. Commissioner Cribb commented on the historical significance of the Logan neighborhood. STAFF AND COMMISSION COMMENTS 2. Staff Comments No comments were made. 3. Planning Commission Comments Commissioner Lutz • Requested an update of the Olson Lofts on the 300 block of North Main, near downtown Festival Hall regarding sound proofing and security • Requested code enforcement verification for second-story addition at 1411 North Garnsey • Toured the Santiago Lofts models and commented on the demographics of the project Commissioner Gartner • Praised the improvements on the redesign of the One Broadway project • Requested code enforcement verification for signage at 2200 block of Broadway, "Harvey" blade signs Commissioner Betancourt • Thanked Debbie McEwen for her research of the Logan Neighborhood, requested an update on the construction. Mr. Trevino confirmed plans were submitted and permits were obtained. Vice Chair De La Torre • Appreciated the positive comments generated at the Discovery Workshops where the community voiced concern for a high level development; would like copy of summary of comments Planning Commission Minutes 5 April 24, 2006 Commissioner Cribb • Voiced concern with Logan rehabilitation efforts at Washington/Lincoln • Commented'.#hat the City Place project was underway ~ - • _ , Requested code enforcement inspection at new. hour :an, east, side=. of. .Victoria Drive where there is a setback of garages fachg.` street at:~ ttie- ' ~4. ~.e~rrr~ setback as;the house ~ ' _ .. Commented that the Renaissance. workshops .were outstanding;; si:atatl . , `:; ~t~j~x,ihe*~~ek~itec't~F~ ~~tak~n seriously and so. sh~o~uld-the landscaping.... ~ . -. ~ ..-~ ~Requasted~ code en#or`cement inspection at 'riorth~rest~ corner of Santa ' .CYara/•ler~~ia regarding .pink: cinder block ,.wall vazitka ~ no, ,setbacks ,fQr ~' ~" ~K`'~landscapmg ~- • Requested status of Main/McFadden infill, had not received response from. the Community Development Agency Chair Leo • Commended the architect's work on the One Broadway project • Suggested that the City owned land in the Logan District be dedicated as park space • Commented on historic home on Bristol that was destroyed, concerned about sale of properties not meeting code • Recommended review of sign ordinance at Planning Commission • Inquired about development status at Starbucks on Fairhaven and Grand. Mr. Trevino provided information regarding the development. • Requested update on condo conversions; staff will be providing information. • Requested an update of the Monterey Villa at Cabrilllo Park Drive 4. Excuse of Absences Commissioner Cribb made a motion to excuse the absence of Commissioner Rodriguez; the motion was seconded by Commissioner De La Torre. The Commission unanimously approved the motion. 5. Adjournment .8:08 p.m. Martha Ramirez Recording Secretary 1 Planning Commission Minutes 6 April 24, 2006