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Home My WebLink About07-12-2004ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF SANTA ANA JULY 12, 2004 CALL TO ORDER: 5:36 P.M. CITY HALL ROSS ANNEX 20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM 1600 SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL COMMISSIONERS Present: Glenn Mondo, Chairman Christopher Leo, Vice Chairman Don Cribb Harvey De La Torre Tom Lutz Alexander Nalle Kimberly Sinclair STAFF PRESENT: Ben Kaufman, Chief Assistant City Attorney Vince Fregoso, Senior Planner Mike McCoy, Santa Ana Police Department Martha Ramirez, Recording Secretary Motion: Approve the staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar. MOTION: Cribb SECOND: De La Torre VOTE: AYES: Cribb, De La Torre, Leo, Lutz, Mondo, Nalle, Sinclair (7) NOES: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) A. MINUTES RECOMMENDATION: Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 28, 2004. B. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT Pursuant to the Brown Act and the Maddy Act, the June 28, 2004 Agenda for the Regular Meeting was posted on the door of the City Hall Council Chambers at 22 Civic Center Plaza on June 25, 2004 at 8:44 a.m. RECOMMENDATION: Instruct the Commission Secretary to enter posting into the minutes. * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR Planning Commission Minutes 1 July 12, 2004 BUSINESS CALENDAR C. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDING AGENDIZED PROJECTS) None noted WORK STUDY SESSION 1~ Review of Sion Program for Main Place Mall (Vince Fregoso) 1 1 Vince Fregoso, Senior Planner introduced Mr. John Goodwin, Vice President of Development -Westfield Corporation, Inc. who introduced Kurt Utterback, General Manager of the Westfield Shoppingtown (Main Place Mall). Mr. Goodwin presented an overview of the signage program for the Westfield Shoppingtown (Main Place Mall). Mr. Goodwin identified the location of their malls, the need to cluster their malls, the results of studies that have been done on mall shoppers and the occupancy of the Main Place Mall. He also cited three tenets of the brand strategy: (1) quality retail -how the staff is trained; (2) exceptional customer experience - directing customers to stores, obtaining coupons for sales, Kiddie Kruzzers; family lounge, and (3) community connection. These tenets are used to increase sales and mall occupancy. Marketing, advertising and publicity have made Westfield awell-known brand. The presentation reviewed the existing location of monument, pylon and wall signs throughout the mall, and the parking garage as well as proposed directional signs. Commission inquired about the size of monument markers, and the location of markers within the mall to identify the tenets. Discussion ensued regarding branding campaign, materials of the signage and the types of designs Commission noted businesses that have vacated: Barnes and Noble, Rubel Jewelers and Williams-Sonoma. Westfield stated they control the interior tenants not the exterior anchors. Commissioner Cribb stated the mall and architecture are unique and are a city landmark. He noted concern that the mall appears to be downscaling while the city is up-scaling, the need to attract an upscale restaurant, and that the name of Santa Ana has been deleted. Commissioner Cribb recommended the concept of an outside firm reviewing the signage proposal for the mall. Commissioner Sinclair noted Westfield signage is red/black, and inquired if there were plans to change the colors of the mall. She also inquired about freeway signage, would it be a reader board-facing the freeway. Commissioner Nalle inquired about how malls and their tenant mix are established. Mr. Goodwin indicated that both in-house personnel and consultants are utilized. Commissioner Lutz noted that the mall used to be third out of all county malls and asked about its current ranking. Mr. Goodwin stated that the mall dropped to #6 in Orange County. Mr. Goodwin stated competition is with all retail stores within the area. Chief Assistant City Attorney Kaufman asked if the anchor tenants have seen this sign design. Mr. Goodwin stated that the anchor tenants have not seen the new sign package but are aware of their intent. Planning Commission Minutes 2 July 12, 2004 Chairman Mondo indicated his preference would be to not see apiece-meal design, including consideration of a new mall paint scheme with the signage- E. Recess to Council Chambers: (6:15 p.m.) 1 1 Planning Commission Minutes 3 July 12, 2004 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA JULY 12, 2004 ROLL CALL 6:21 P.M. Same staff present PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG PROCEDURAL RULES PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. AMENDMENT APPLICATION NO. 2004-03 Filed by property owners to amend the zoning district for seven properties from Community Commercial (C1) to Single-Family Residence (R1) to be consistent with the Low Density Residential General Plan designation at 1406, 1622, 1706, 1707, 1727, 1735 West Santa Ana Boulevard and 418 Forest Street. PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: July 2, 2004 PUBLICLY NOTICED: June 30, 2004 RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that the City Council adopt an ordinance approving Amendment Application No. 2004-03. Melanie McCann, Associate Planner, presented the staff report and recommendation. Commission inquired as to who generated zone changes. Staff stated the request was initiated by three property owners then followed by the seven noted on the application. As a courtesy, staff sent out notice of this action to all C1 zoned properties in the area. Commissioner Lutz asked if there are other property owners that will follow suit. Staff indicated that no others were anticipated in the near future- Chairman Mondo opened the public hearing. None Present. Chairman Mondo closed the public hearing. Motion to: Recommend that the City Council adopt an ordinance approving Amendment Application No. 2004-03. MOTION: Lutz SECOND: Leo VOTE: AYES: Cribb, De La Torre, Leo, Lutz, Mondo, Nalle, Sinclair (7) NOES: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) 2 . TENTATIVE TRACT MAP N0.2004-02 (COUNTY TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO. 16576) Planning Commission Minutes 4 July 12, 2004 Filed by Sunset Homes to subdivide the property into 17 parcels in the North Harbor Specific Plan (SP2) zoning district at 1101 North Jackson Street. PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: July 2, 2004 PUBLICLY NOTICED: June 30, 2004 RECOMMENDATION: 1. Approve and adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Program, Environmental Review No. 2003-133. 2. Adopt a resolution approving Tentative Parcel Map No. 2004-02 (County Tentative Tract Map No. 16576). Ann Ni, Associate Planner, presented the staff report and recommendation on the Willow Creek Greens project. Commission discussion ensued regarding the lack of a gate at the private street. Staff indicated that was due to the maintenance issue. Chairman Mondo opened the public hearing. Vice Chairman Leo inquired if the multi-family dwellings are vacant. David Graves, Civil Engineer for project, representing applicant, indicated there are two tenants remaining on the property who will be relocated. In response to Commissioner Leo, Lorenzo Espinoza, project coordinator stated the price of homes range from mid-$500,00 to $600,000. Public speakers: Roy Alvarado, Santa Anita Neighborhood Association, requested consideration of impacts on community service resources requiring more police officers to handle the impacts associated with 75 people moving in. The neighborhood association would like to participate with this project to ensure that the City provides the services required to accommodate additional residents. Chairman Mondo closed the public hearing. Commissioner Lutz inquired about crime statistics and how the SAPD addresses new development and neighborhood concerns. Officer McCoy cited the potential impact on call for service for number of units proposed is an insignificant impact on the police department. Police Department tends to look at higher density developments that would require mitigation measures. Chairman Mondo clarified that the higher number of people brings a higher number of calls. Commissioner Cribb inquired if any attempts were made to coordinate this development with the neighborhood association to contribute to the open space needs. Staff indicated no. The project was introduced to the Riverview West Neighborhood Association. Chairman Mondo asked if the developer is required to pay a park fee? Staff indicated there is a fee for acquisitions for new park land or capital improvements in an existing park and that the fee is distributed accordingly. Commissioner Lutz complimented the developer for bringing an attractive development project into the area that will encourage the neighborhood to reinvest in their homes. Motion: 1. To approve and adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Program, Environmental Review No. 2003-133. 2. To adopt a resolution approving Tentative Parcel Map No. 2004-02 (County Tentative Tract Map No. 16576). Planning Commission Minutes 5 July 12, 2004 MOTION: Cribb VOTE: ABSENT: SECOND: Lutz AYES: Cribb, De La Torre, NOES: None (0) None (0) Leo, Lutz, Mondo, Nalle, Sinclair (7) 3. Public Comments (for items not on the agenda) None noted STAFF AND COMMISSION COMMENTS 4. Staff Comments Vince Fregoso indicated the outstanding June 28th Commissioner Requests will be distributed with the July 26th Commission packets. 5. Planning Commission Comments Commissioner De La Torre No comment Commissioner Cribb • Requested update on Ami Sushi at 17th & Tustin. Staff indicated applicant submitted conditional use permit application for Alcoholic Beverage Control license. • Noted that graffiti in the city is increasing, including on North Broadway at both 1S' and 2nd floor of building; requires City cleanup • Would like the smaller projects to contribute to their area -always an opportunity to make a contribution for parks. Vice Chairman Leo • Appreciated staff's attendance at Red Mountain meeting (Starbucks at Memory & Bristol); requested a copy of the parking study that was referenced. • Thanked the police department for the monitoring of the right turn on Flower Street and Memory Lane • Inquired about Nexus project at MacArthur and Main. Staff indicated Nexus is refining the project with its master plan architect. Staff has scheduled a Planning Commission Study Session for the August 9 meeting. City will have our developer, John Kaliski review the project. • Requested update on City Place West. Staff indicated that an EIR is in progress, scheduled for August 23 Planning Commission as a Study Session item. • Requested that development plans for City Place West and Westfield coordinate to be complementary sites for the City. Commissioner Nalle • Inquired about the First and Main project and who was the parcel purchased from that was currently being remediated. Commissioner Sinclair • Requested a graffiti cleanup at 1225 17th Street, noted graffiti on the 2"d floor for five weeks with repeated calls submitted. Also the property at 1104 W. 17th Street. • Inquired about permits at 2221 Heliotrope, there is a large pagoda being built in backyard visible from the street. Staff indicated that it's considered an "accessory structure" considered a relic from native country that does meet setbacks and heights; used as a garden room. • Requested update on Starbucks. Staff indicated Red Mountain met with Commissioners Leo, De La Torre and Planning Manager Trevino to review the size of the building and tenants. Commissioners coordinated the meeting to clarify issues. Staff will meet with Red Mountain to review outstanding issues. Requested staff to highlight differences from this proposal against the initial proposal. Planning Commission Minutes 6 July 12, 2004 • Requested an update on Art in Public Places Policy, noted that Commission is approving projects involving art and policy is not in place. Chief Assistant City Attorney Kaufman stated the policy is under review. • Requested update on Bank of America building at 8t" and Main. Mr. Harding was to provide a summary of what is being done with Bank of America building. Commissioner Lutz - • Asked when Original Mike's is scheduled to open. Staff indicated applicant working out parking, plumbing issues and an ABC license application. Staff will follow up and advise. Chairman Mondo • Inquired about Geneva Commons project. Staff indicated project scheduled for public hearing at Planning Commission the end of September. • Inquired about obtaining a copy of the parking study at Bristol/Memory Lane property. 6. Excuse of Absences None 7. Adjournment 7:02 p.m. Martha Ramirez Commission Secretary n LJ~ Planning Commission Minutes 7 July 12, 2004