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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/11/2006ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA 1 CALLED TO ORDER: 5:17 P.M. CITY HALL ROSS ANNEX FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM 1600 20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG -CHAIRMAN LEO MOTION: Approve staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar. MOTION: Lutz SECOND: Cribb VOTE: AYES: Benavides, Cribb, De La Torre, Gartner, Leo, Lutz (6) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: Betancourt (1) A. MINUTES RECOMMENDATION: Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 28, 2006. Commissioner Cribb modified his comments to address synchronization on North Main Street and location for the John Laing Homes project. B. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT Pursuant to the Brown Act, the August 28, 2006 Agenda for the Regular Meeting was posted on the door of the City Hall Council Chambers at 22 Civic Center Plaza on August 24, 2006 at 8:38 a.m. -~ RECOMMENDATION: Instruct the Commission Secretary to enter posting into the minutes. C. MINOR EXCEPTION NO. 2006-03 SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: David Benavides Don Cribb Harvey De La Torre, Vice Chairman James Gartner Christopher Leo, Chairman Tom Lutz COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Victoria Betancourt STAFF PRESENT: Ben Kaufman, Chief Assistant City Attorney Karen Haluza, Planning Manager Martha Ramirez, Recording Secretary CONSENT CALENDAR Filed by Pacific/Youngman-Santa Ana, to allow the reduction of required off- street parking for a commercial property in the Commercial Residential (CR) zoning district located at 3800 South Bristol Street. Planning Commission Agenda September 11, 2006 RECOMMENDATION: Confirm the Zoning Administrator's action approving Minor Exception No. 2006- 03 as conditioned. D. PERIODIC REVIEW OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2005-03 Update on Abel Food Service at 2520 South Birch Street. * * "` END OF CONSENT CALENDAR BUSINESS CALENDAR E. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDIN__G AGENDIZED PROJECTS) No disclosures were made. WORK STUDY SESSION F. DISCUSSION OF WEST-END LOFTS AT 320 WEST FOURTH STREET Ms. Haluza provided a presentation on the mixed-use project proposed for the vacant lot located on Fourth Street bordered by Birch and Third Streets. During her presentation Ms. Haluza outlined several areas for further discussion including appropriate zoning, use of alley access for the project, use of mechanical parking lifts, architectural compatibility in the National Register District and preservation of the ghost billboard. The applicant, David DiRienzo of Urban West Strategies, discussed the architectural inspiration for this development, an award-winning project in Seattle's Union Street area, which had similar design features and was constructed in a historic area. He described the building as having five stories above ground level retail, a roof terrace, and private entry courtyard that would be a unique environment for downtown. In response to Commissioner Lutz, Mr. DiRienzo explained that glass roll-up doors proposed for the units would have interior railings for safety and that the CC&Rs would provide guidelines for window treatments. He reviewed the side elevation that would allow a gap for the ghost billboard's visibility in a small courtyard. He also clarified in response to Commissioner Cribb that there could be no window openings on the upper side elevations due to the requirements of the State Uniform Building Code. Project Architect Ron Nestor provided a presentation on the operation of the mechanical parking lift and its access from the alley. He discussed the potential use of stop lights along the alley to alert approaching cars and convex mirrors to allow for additional visibility for cars entering the alley. Mr. Nestor stated that the parking lifts would not support large SUV's, such as Excursions, but would otherwise accommodate all other vehicles including mid-size SUV's. The lift would accommodate eight cars. In response to Commissioner Cribb, he discussed the pedestrian entrance on the left-hand side and other options to accommodate entry/security. Senior Civil Engineer Taig Higgins next provided a presentation on the site constraints related to accessing the parking area from the existing 10-foot wide alley stating that the City's standard is 20 feet for new alleys. He stated that Public Works was concerned with the lack of visibility with cars backing into the alley from the parking area of the proposed project. Mr. Higgins provided information regarding "Large Vehicle Turning Path" that affects eastbound traffic in the alley. He commented on the room for error for cars backing out into the alley; clearance would be 1-'/2 to 2 feet for error. Mr. Higgins also noted that there are several doorways that take access from the alley. The Commission Planning Commission Agenda 2 September 11, 2006 reviewed the existing site conditions that include a surface lot currently used by the Broadway Apartments and noted that there is no history of traffic conflict from the existing use of the alley. Commission inquired about how existing trash dumpsters are used. Mr. Higgins stated that they are rolled out to Birch Street to be emptied. Mr. Patrick Gibson, Parking and Traffic Consultant with Kaku Asociates, provided a presentation on the research that his firm was hired by the City to perform to analyze the parking adequacy and accessibility. He stated that the number of spaces proposed and the size are consistent with other urban projects of this nature, particularly given the availability of public parking in the area. He recommended that the alleyway be restricted to one-way eastbound traffic. He further recommended that a flashing light that was activated when cars were --~ about to exit into the alley be added, but did not support the use of a traffic signal. The Commission discussed the potential of opening up the building to vehicular access from Birch Street, but agreed that this was an unacceptable solution. The Commission also discussed the possibility of using a "turntable" rotation device to avoid backing out to the alley. Mr. Nestor stated that this option had been explored that that the space constraints of the site made it infeasible. Mr. DiRienzo stated that infill developments are a challenge and finding the best solution takes time (studied for the past three years). The Commission commented that infill projects in small urban spaces are difficult to fit into existing codes and appreciated the applicant's clever solution and that the project was overdue. Commissioner Cribb stated that building in an urban environment requires building in urban ways. The Commission commented that they would prefer not to see the use of blue/green color scheme from the adjacent buildings carried through to the new project, that an elevator was needed to access all floors, as well as the rooftop amenity deck, that a gate that incorporates glass instead of all iron would be preferred for the courtyard entry and that a comprehensive signage program, similar to Santiago Lofts, should be included for the project. The Commission recognized the concerns regarding the alley access as valid, but felt that they were minor due to the volume of traffic in the alley and that they could be addressed through the use of a flashing light and mirror and restricting the alley to one-way traffic. Mr. DiRienzo responded to the Commission: 1. Elevators are designed as front doors. 2. Goal is to make it an iconic building. Will work on materials, colors, finishes, a design of permanence, consider metal for security at ground level. 3. signage program would be coordinated throughout. 4. Colors would be appropriate. Commission commented on accessibility, driveway, lighting in the back, visibility in the back alley; indicated a lot of effort had been put into project by the developer. Also the elevations could be compatible with varying height buildings. 1. Public Comments (for items not on the agenda) No comments were made. STAFF AND COMMISSION COMMENTS 2. Staff Comments No comments were made. Planning Commission Agenda ,3 September 11, 2006 3. Planning Commission Comments Commissioner Lutz • No comments Commissioner Gartner • No comments Commissioner Cribb • Suggested additional review of project at 405 North Mc Clay. • Regional Transportation (RTC) lobbied for and received art wall at train station, recommended revitalizing the marketing program; City lost $500K; interior walls were to be available for posters • Recommended use of the interior terminal at Santa Ana with San Juan Capistrano, to trade space for cultural tourism • Disapproved three-year lease of cafe at Train Depot in Santa Ana. • Recommended landscape review at Buffalo and North Main Street. • Recommended landscape review at Edgewood/Main across the Discovery Science Center, now grass; would like vision discussion. • Requested update on East 4th Street, two-story buildings being proposed at First/Cabrillo should be first of the year (2007). Planning Manager Haluza provided information and indicated Planning Commission will have study session. • Requested update on Crazy Horse Square project on the 55 freeway. Planning Manger Haluza provided information. • Requested update on Starbucks on Grand (landscape). Senior Planner Fregoso provided information. Vice Chairman De La Torre • Thanked David DiRienzo for his presentation and would like to address amenities. • Requested Renaissance Plan update; list of milestones accomplished, next steps and timeline. Planning Manager Haluza will provide public draft summary at next Planning Commission meeting. Commissioner Benavides • No comments Chairman Leo • Thanked staff. • Commented on affordable housing in Santa Ana -continue to provide housing opportunities; indicated that Irvine is leading. 4. Excuse of Absences Commissioner Cribb made a motion to excuse the absence of Commissioner Betancourt. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Benavides and unanimously approved by the Commission. 5. Adjournment 6:58 P.M. Martha Ramirez Recording Secretary Planning Commission Agenda q September 11, 2006