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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/14/2006ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AUGUST 14, 2006 CALLED TO ORDER: 5:05 P.M. CITY HALL ROSS ANNEX CONFERENCE ROOM 1600 20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: David Benavides Victoria Betancourt (arrived at 5:27 p.m Don Cribb Harvey De La Torre, Vice Chairman James Gartner Christopher Leo, Chairman Tom Lutz COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Jay Trevino, Executive Director Plan. & Bldg. Agency Ben Kaufman, Chief Assistant City Attorney Karen Haluza, Planning Manager Martha Ramirez, Recording Secretary CONSENT CALENDAR APPROVAL OF MINUTES DETAINED TO ALLOW QUORUM. C. MINOR EXCEPTION NO. 2006-02 Filed by Richard G. Grantner, to permit a fence that exceeds the front yard fence height requirement in the Single-Family Residence (R1) zoning district for the property at 1817 West Carriage Drive. RECOMMENDATION: Confirm the Zoning Administrator's action approving Minor Exception No. 2006- 02 as conditioned. MOTION: Confirm the Zoning Administrator's action approving Minor Exception No. 2006-02 as conditioned. MOTION: De La Torre SECOND: Lutz VOTE: AYES: Benavides, Cribb, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Lutz (6) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Betancourt (1) * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR BUSINESS CALENDAR D. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDING AGENDIZED PROJECTS) Commissioner Cribb spoke with Bill Hammerstein regarding City Place (Item G). Planning Commission Minutes 1 August 14, 2006 Vice Chairman De La Torre spoke with applicant regarding Bowers Museum (Item F). Commissioner Lutz indicated he received sculpture drawings for City Place from Commissioner Cribb. E. NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT REVIEW NO. 2005-06 Filed by Roger and Lorissa Nichols, to permit an exterior modification to an apartment house rear porch at 713 North Spurgeon Street in the Specific Development No. 19 (French Park) zoning district. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution approving Neighborhood Project Review No. 2005-06. Associate Planner Melanie McCann presented the staff report and recommendation. Commissioner Lutz was informed that the Historic Resources Commission presentation is due in September. Chair Leo stated that approval was received from the French Park Neighborhood committee. Debbie McEwen, French Park ARC voiced concern with repairs required for structure. Ms. McCann stated that repairs include replacement and/or repair of the damaged wood. Commissioner Lutz voiced concerns regarding screen porch and clutter on balconies. Mr. Kaufman commented that with apartment rules, there is no storage on balconies allowed. MOTION: Adopt a resolution approving Neighborhood Project Review No. 2005- 06 and directed staff to resolve the structural repairs. MOTION: Lutz SECOND: Leo VOTE: AYES: Benavides, Cribb, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Lutz (6) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Betancourt (1) F. SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 2006-04 Filed by Lutzky and Associates for the Bowers Museum, to amend the landscape plan at the Bowers Museum located at 2032 North Main Street. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution approving Site Plan Review No. 2006-04. Senior Planner Sergio Klotz presented the staff report and recommendation. John Grace, Bowers Museum representative, provided information on the requested modification to the previously approved landscaping plan, which had indicated a grove of orange trees. Mr. Grace stated that the orange trees would not grow well in that location and that they would be an ongoing maintenance problem and requested that the trees be changed to a variety called "Naked Coral." Commissioner De La Torre expressed support for the modification. Commissioner Lutz commented on potential liability with thorns on coral tree. Landscape architect, Bill Rabin assured the Commission that the thorns do not pose a safety concern. MOTION: Adopt a resolution approving Site Plan Review No. 2006-04. Planning Commission Minutes 2 August 14, 2006 MOTION: De La Torre SECOND: Cribb VOTE: AYES: Benavides, Cribb, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Lutz, (6) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Betancourt (1) G. SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 2004-05 AND CITY PLACE ART PROGRAM Filed by Main Street Concourse LLC, Bill Hammerstein, to allow modification the commercial component plaza and to allow the art program at 2775 North Main Street. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Adopt a resolution amending Site Plan Review No. 2004-05 as conditioned. 2. Adopt a resolution approving the Art Plan. Senior Planner Sergio Klotz presented the staff report and recommendation. Amy Oliver discussed the proposed redesign of the main retail plaza to replace the previously approved sunken amphitheater with an at-grade plaza stating that their studies of urban places had shown that at-grade plazas are better places for the public to congregate than a sunken amphitheatre. Commission discussion ensued regarding the appropriateness of replacing the amphitheatre, the orientation of the at-grade plaza, potential for spill-over noise from the plaza, concern that an at-grade plaza would lend itself as easily to regular entertainment event planning, and a discussion that the at-grade plaza might be a more flexible space allowing for multi-uses. Applicant referred Commission to page 4 of staff report for Daily/Festival Options. Commission also commented on water fountain in the plaza. Following this discussion Chairman Leo asked the designer of the proposed art piece, Laddie John Dill, to describe his work. Artist Laddie John Dill provided a presentation on the sculpture proposed for the fountain. Mr. Dill described the sculpture's materials, dimensions, water feature/system design, and compatibility with the project architecture. Commission continued discussion regarding the water feature design, materials, lighting effects with the sculpture, and its maintenance. MOTION: 1. Adopt a resolution approving the City Place art program. 2. Adopt a resolution approving amendment to Site Plan Review No. 2004-05 After further Commission discussion Commissioner Lutz withdrew the motion. Commission discussion ensued regarding the pluses and minuses of the sunken amphitheatre vs. the at-grade plaza. Commissioner Benavides suggested that perhaps a hybrid design (elevated platform design, or decorative pavers) that better delineated the performance venue space could be developed so that it was clear that the space was intended for live performances and did not just become part of the outdoor eating area. Commission recommended that applicant develop a hybrid design, and continue that portion of the item until such time as the applicant returns with a revised site plan that also illustrates how the area would look with and without performances. Planning Commission Minutes 3 August 14, 2006 SUBSTITUTE MOTION: 1. Adopt a resolution approving the City Place art program. 2. Continue Site Plan Review No. 2004-05 to allow the applicant to develop a revised site plan that replaces the sunken amphitheatre with a design that still clearly delineates the performance space (ex: raised platform, decorative pavers), provide an analysis of how noise generated during live performances might be attenuated with the at- grade configuration and list the range of event programming that might be anticipated at the venue. MOTION: De La Torre SECOND: Lutz VOTE: AYES: Benavides, Betancourt, Cribb, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Lutz, (7) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) ITEM TAKEN OUT OF ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE QUORUM. MOTION: Approve staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar. MOTION: Lutz SECOND: Betancourt VOTE: AYES: Betancourt, Cribb, De La Torre, Leo (4) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: Benavides, Gartner, Lutz (3) ABSENT: None (0) A. MINUTES RECOMMENDATION: Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 24, 2006. Commissioners Benavides, Gartner, and Lutz abstained from the Minutes of July 24, 2006. B. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT Pursuant to the Brown Act, the July 24, 2006 Agenda for the Regular Meeting was posted on the door of the City Hall Council Chambers at 22 Civic Center Plaza on July 21, 2006 at 9:40 a.m. RECOMMENDATION: Instruct the Commission Secretary to enter posting into the minutes. I. Recess to Council Chambers (6:16 p.m.) 1 Planning Commission Minutes 4 August 14, 2006 AUGUST 14, 2006 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA ROLL CALL 6:26 p.m. P.M. The same Commissioners were present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG -CHAIRMAN LEO PROCEDURAL RULES PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. AMENDMENT APPLICATION NO. 2006-01 (Continued by Planning Commission: June 26, 2006 to July 24, 2006; July 24, 2006 to August 14, 2006) Filed by Kelly's Body Shop to rezone two parcels to allow the expansion of Kelly's Auto Body at 2041 South Main Street. PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: August 4, 2006 PUBLICLY NOTICED: August 4, 2006 RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that the City Council deny Amendment Application No. 2006-01. Associate Planner Bill Apple presented the staff report and recommendation. Commission discussion ensued regarding the nonconforming use, zoning to C2, C-SM designation, neighborhood uses on South Main Street, study session conducted in March 2006. Vice Chairman De La Torre commented on Auto Zone that was approved on South Main Street as retail use of auto parts; participants included members of City Council, Heninger Park Association, and the Planning Commissioners in 1999. Commission discussion ensued regarding proposal's expansion and "spot zone" issue with C-SM2 to C2. Mr. Kaufman provided information regarding spot zoning. The public hearing was opened. Marketing Manager for Kelly's Auto Body, Bob Cook, spoke in support of the project. Project Architect John Secor highlighted redevelopment project history, general goals, project design phases, design components, building and site elevations. John White, service station owner and Frank Dominguez representing South Santa Ana Merchants spoke in support of the project. _ Ben Mendoza Jr. (Office Manager) spoke in support of project as a family-owned expanding business. Applicant Ben Mendoza Sr. spoke in support of the project. Glen Stroud spoke in opposition to the project and stated that he believed that the applicant was currently not in compliance with the existing conditional use Planning Commission Minutes 5 August 14, 2006 permit for the project (Resolution 1999-20), which prohibits vehicle storage and outdoor auto repair. The public hearing was closed. Commission discussion ensued regarding future expansion and seeking suitable locations for expansion, long term implications with zone change and upholding existing standards. 1 MOTION: Recommend that the City Council deny Amendment Application No. 2006-01. Commission recommended contacting Community Development Agency to offer assistance to the applicant for suitable location. MOTION: Lutz SECOND: Leo VOTE: AYES: Betancourt, Cribb, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Lutz (6) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: Benavides (1) ABSENT: None (0) 2. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2006-09 Filed by Alcoa Wireless Network Services, Inc. to allow construction of a 60' wireless facility camouflaged as a monopine in the Light Industrial (M1) zoning district for the property located at 2700-3/4 South Fairview Street. PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: August 4, 2006 PUBLICLY NOTICED: August 4, 2006 J RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2006-09 as conditioned. Landscape Development Associate Marvin Ellenbecker presented the staff report and recommendation. The public hearing was opened. No comments were presented. The public hearing was closed. 1 MOTION: Adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2006-09 as conditioned. MOTION: Cribb VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: SECOND: Betancourt Benavides, Betancourt, Lutz (7) None (0) None (0) None (0) Cribb, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, 3. Public Comments (for items not on the agenda) No comments were provided. STAFF AND COMMISSION COMMENTS 4. Staff Comments Mr. Trevino and Mr. Kaufman welcomed Commissioner Benavides. Planning Commission Minutes 6 August 14, 2006 5. Planninu Commission Comments Commissioner Lutz • Requested Public Works cleanup graffiti at McFadden between Flower and Main Streets. • Requested code enforcement investigates illegal vendors on sidewalk at Cubbon/McFadden on Sycamore Street at the Northgate Market. • Requested Public Works to remove and replace dead Crape Myrtle trees at 1140 and 1148 W. Washington. Also dead tree between Westwood and Towner on the north side of the street. • Commented on 2801 S. Main Street market, the wall facing Hemlock east of Bristol, portion of building covered with posted notes, recommended owner provide interior bulletin board. Same scenario on the west side of Auto Zone area on Ross St, south of 17th Street. • Requested update of Olson Lofts project on Sycamore between 2"d and 3~d. Mr. Kaufman provided information. • Requested update on housing project at N. Jackson and Hazard Streets. • Welcomed Commissioner Benavides. Commissioner Gartner • Requested graffiti cleanup at vacant building on South Main Street and Seventeenth Street. • Welcomed Commissioner Benavides. Commissioner Betancourt • Welcomed Commissioner Benavides Commissioner De La Torre • Welcomed Commissioner Benavides. • Commented on the Santa Ana River Report and possible consideration with Municipal Water District. Mr. Trevino provided information. • Commented on new city logo and various mottos. Commissioner Cribb • Congratulated Commissioner Benavides. • Urged study session regarding green architecture. • Requested tree replacement at Park Gibbs. • Requested update on Starbucks at Grand/Fairhaven. • Requested updated on John Laing Homes in Centennial Park on West Edinger. • Requested update of South Coast Winery. Commissioner Benavides • Thanked staff and commissioners for warm welcome. Chairman Leo • Announced August 19 concert at Morrison Park. • Commented positively on Santa Ana River Report that identifies development opportunities. • Announced the Village Green project will be presented at the Morrison Park Neighborhood Association meeting. • Requested copy of Mayor's State of the City Address -new projects. • Commented on screening of "Inconvenient Truth" being held at Mother Louise House. 6. Excuse of Absences 7. Adjournment 8:03 p.m. Martha Ramirez Recording Secretary Planning Commission Minutes 7 August 14, 2006