HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/22/2006ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA
MAY 22, 2006
CALLED TO ORDER: 5:14 P.M.
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA
SANTA ANA
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Victoria Betancourt
Don Cribb
Harvey De La Torre, Vice Chairman
James Gartner
Christopher Leo, Chairman
Tom Lutz
Rigoberto Rodriguez
STAFF PRESENT:
Jay Trevino, Executive Director Plan. & Bldg. Agency
Ben Kaufman, Chief Assistant City Attorney
Karen Haluza, Planning Manager
Martha Ramirez, Recording Secretary
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: Chairman Leo
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION: Approve staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar.
MOTION: Cribb SECOND: Rodriguez
VOTE: AYES: Betancourt, Cribb, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Lu
Rodriguez (7)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: None (0)
A. MINUTES
tz,
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 8, 2006.
Commissioner Cribb modified his comments (specific comments were
highlighted in the Minutes of May 8, 2006).
B. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT
Pursuant to the Brown Act, the May 8, 2006 Agenda for the Regular Meeting was
posted on the door of the City Hall Council Chambers at 22 Civic Center Plaza
on May 4, 2006 at 4:18 p.m.
Pursuant to the Brown Act, the May 8, 2006 through May 13, 2006 Agenda for
the Joint Special Meeting of the Renaissance Specific Plan - Charrette at 501
North Main Street, was posted on the door of the City Hall Council Chambers at
22 Civic Center Plaza on May 4, 2006 at 3:15 p.m.
RECOMMENDATION:
Instruct the Commission Secretary to enter posting into the minutes.
Planning Commission Minutes 1 MAY 22, 2006
C. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2006-05
Filed by Jorge Nunez requesting to allow the sale of beer, wine and distilled
spirits for on-premise consumption at the Costa Azul Restaurant at 2401 South
Fairview Street.
RECOMMENDATION:
Confirm the Zoning Administrator's action approving Conditional Use Permit No.
2006-05 as conditioned.
* * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
BUSINESS CALENDAR
D. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDING
AGENDIZED PROJECTS)
Commissioner Cribb spoke with Abel Salazar and George Gemayel regarding
Item 1. He also spoke with Dyerhollow Partners regarding Item 2.
Commissioner Gartner will abstain on item 1.
Commissioner Leo spoke with Mayor Pulido and City Manager Ream regarding
Item 1.
Commissioner Betancourt spoke with Mayor Pulido regarding Item 1.
E. NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT REVIEW NO. 2006-09
Filed by Eberardo Zamudio requesting to allow the construction of a residential
addition at 823 South Parton Street in the Specific Development No. 40 zoning
district (Heninger Park).
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution approving Neighborhood Project Review No. 2006-09.
Senior Planner Vince Fregoso presented the staff report and recommendation.
MOTION: Adopt a resolution approving Neighborhood Project Review No. 2006-09.
MOTION: Rodriguez SECOND: De La Torre
VOTE: AYES: Betancourt, Cribb, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Lutz,
Rodriguez (7)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: None (0)
F. UPDATE ON THE ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
THEATRE EXPANSION.
Karen Haluza introduced the Orange County High School of the Arts
representatives, Ralph Opacic, Ph D who described the school's plans to
construct a new performing arts theatre and expand their existing campus along
Main Street to the south of their current symphony hall building. Dr. Opacic
introduced the theatre architect, John Fisher who provided an overview of the
proposed design, which also will include an expansion of the symphony hall.
Commission discussion ensued regarding the parking relocation, potential
impacts to the historic symphony hall building, traffic noise for the proposed out
door amphitheatre and the process for review before the Planning Commission
and Historic Resources Commission.
Planning Commission Minutes 2 MAY 22, 2006
PROCEDURAL RULES
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. AMENDMENT TO CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2005-03
Filed by Abel Salazar to amend Conditional Use Permit No. 2005-03 to allow the
washing and overnight parking of vending vehicles at 2520 South Birch Street in
the Light Industrial zoning district.
PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: May 12, 2006
PUBLICLY NOTICED: May 12, 2006
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution approving modifications to Conditional Use Permit No. 2005-
03 as conditioned.
Associate Planner Bill Apple presented the staff report and recommendation.
Commission discussion ensued regarding the north wall facing Central Avenue
and efforts to curb graffiti with additional landscaping, pillar electrical extensions,
food preparation trucks going to other commissaries in Santa Ana (during non
operational hours) and the parking at the facility. Commission voiced concern
about applicant's compliance with previous conditions of approval prior to
approval of this modification. Staff indicated that allowing a wider variety of
vending vehicles to be parked at the site would provide for more off-street
parking opportunities for vending trucks. Commission discussed the additional
security and lighting requirements associated with new modification. Police
indicated that lighting would be brought up to commercial code.
The public hearing was opened.
Glen Stroud voiced concerns regarding the applicant's lack of compliance with
the conditions of approval previously approved in March 2005.
The public hearing was closed.
Commission discussion ensued regarding landscape/maintenance, and parking
on-site. Karen Haluza indicated that the landscape plans would be brought back
to the Planning staff for approval; and that staff would work with the applicant to
ensure that all conditions of approval are met.
MOTION: Continue the public hearing for three weeks and request that applicant
submit time schedule for completion of conditions stated on previous conditional
use permit and timeline for compliance with new proposed modifications.
Commission inquired about established timeline for submission of specific plans. Staff
indicated that beyond the two year requirement for conditional use permit, there was no
special performance timeline established by the City.
Karen Haluza indicated that the conditions of previously approved CUP and applicant`s
efforts to comply substantiated approval of new conditions. Associate Planner Apple
recapped the Planning conditions and their status. Chair Leo stated applicant was still
within the two-year compliance period.
MOTION: Lutz SECOND: Cribb
VOTE: AYES: De La Torre, Leo, Lutz, Rodriguez (4)
NOES: Betancourt, Cribb (2)
ABSTAIN: Gartner (1)
ABSENT: None (0)
MOTION FAILED DUE TO LACK OF MAJORITY
Planning Commission Minutes 3 MAY 22, 2006
SUBSEQUENT MOTION:
1. Adopt a resolution approving modifications to Conditional Use Permit No.
2005-03 as conditioned.
2. Add a new item that directs Planning staff to provide an update on the
status of the project to be placed on the Planning Commission agenda at
60 days, six months and prior to issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.
MOTION: Rodriguez SECOND: Leo
VOTE: AYES: Betancourt, Cribb, De La Torre, Leo, Lutz, Rodriguez (6)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: Gartner (1)
ABSENT: None (0)
2. ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 2006-02 AND SITE PLAN REVIEW
NO. 2006-01
Filed by Dyerhollow Partners, L.P., requesting to construct the Crazy Horse
Square Development within Specific Development No. 8 at 1580 East Warner
Avenue.
PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: May 12, 2006
PUBLICLY NOTICED: May 12, 2006
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommend that the City Council:
1. Approve and adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation
Monitoring Program, Environmental Review No. 2004-109.
2. Adopt an ordinance approving Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2006-
02.
3. Adopt a resolution approving Site Plan Review No. 2006-01 as
conditioned.
Associate Planner Bill Apple presented the staff report and recommendation.
The public hearing was opened.
Architect Tim Bundy was available to respond to Commissioner's comments.
The public hearing was closed.
MOTION: Recommend that the City Council:
1. Approve and adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation
Monitoring Program, Environmental Review No. 2004-109.
2. Adopt an ordinance approving Zoning Ordinance Amendment No.
2006-02.
3. Adopt a resolution approving Site Plan Review No. 2006-01 as
conditioned.
MOTION: Lutz SECOND: De La Torre
VOTE: AYES: Betancourt, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Lutz, Rodriguez (6)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Cribb (1)
3. Public Comments (for items not on the agenda)
Glen Stroud, Riverview resident, inquired as to who is responsible to confirm
compliance with conditional use permits. Karen Haluza provided information on
the process. Mr. Stroud also commented on encouraging support for code
enforcement.
Planning Commission Minutes 4 MAY 22, 2006
STAFF AND COMMISSION COMMENTS
4. Staff Comments
On May 17, 2006 the Orange County-American Planning Association presented
the City of Santa Ana Planning Division with the Focused Issue Planning Award
for the Citywide Design Guidelines document. The nomination becomes eligible
to move on to the State competition. Planning Manager Karen Haluza thanked
the Planning Commission and Senior Planner Vince Fregoso for their efforts with
this project.
5. Planning Commission Comments
Commissioner Rodriguez
• Appreciated staff's comments on conditional use permit monitoring
compliance, and understanding the Commission's role in working with staff.
• Inquired about timeline to have Planning Commission review the
Renaissance Specific Plan. Karen Haluza recapped the schedule of events:
underway is a Charrette catalogue, study session scheduled for June 19 at
City Council, and during July, meeting with each of the commissions. A one
page informational flyer is in the process of being prepared. Also the Lacy
and Logan Neighborhoods would be provided with the information, and during
the end of summer, the document would be available for public review.
Commissioner De La Torre
• Inquired about compliance with condo conversion at the Monterey Villa
Condos that were advertised. Karen Haluza provided information regarding
the Department of Real Estate compliance that is required prior to sales. Staff
is exploring an ordinance that would further address residential condo
conversions.
Commissioner Betancourt
• Provided an apology regarding her recent inquiries into a potential
condominium purchase and stated that she was seeking the advice of the
Fair Political Practices Commission to determine if she had received a gift of
any kind. She stated that, if ruled as a "gift", she would reimburse the travel
expenses. She stated that she takes her responsibility as a Commissioner
seriously and is seeking advice regarding her ability to vote on any projects
involving properties owned by Mike Harrah. She will abstain from voting on
such projects until it has been determined that no conflict exists.
Commissioner Gartner
• Requested that speakers in adjoining room be turned on so that
Commissioner can still listen to the discussion when abstaining from a public
hearing item.
Commissioner Lutz
• No comments
Commissioner Cribb
• Requested replacement of a dead tree at the corner of Warner/Standard on
the south side.
• Commented on the Cabrillo condominiums. Karen Haluza provided status of
pending issues and action from the Department of Real Estate.
• Commented on the importance of a project at the intersection at 17th/Grand
and encouraged staff to pay special attention to improving the quality of the
landscaping and building materials.
• Commented on the choice of color for a cinder block wall, recommended that
staff review materials so that color does not stand out in the neighborhood.
• Inquired about the project at Fourth/Cabrillo. Karen Haluza provided
information indicating that Arnel is currently exploring options for the property.
Planning Commission Minutes 5 MAY 22, 2006
Chair Leo
• Thanked Vice Chairman De La Torre for presiding at previous commission
meeting.
• Thanked Police for list of police activity at 215 North Broadway.
• Requested update on City Place, any new tenants. Karen Haluza
provided information.
• Mentioned SAUSD Fairview/Alton property may become available for
development.
6. Excuse of Absences
7. Adjournment 7:02 p.m.
Martha Ramirez
Recording Secretary
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Planning Commission Minutes 6 MAY 22, 2006