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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-26-2004ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA JANUARY 26, 2004 CALLED TO ORDER: 5:35 P.M. City Hall Ross Annex First Floor Conference Room 1600 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, California ATTENDANCE: 1 COMMISSIONERS Present: Alexander Nalle, Chairman Don Cribb, Vice Chair Harvey De La Torre Christopher Leo Tom Lutz Glenn Mondo Kimberly Sinclair STAFF PRESENT: Steve Harding, Ex. Dir., Plan. & Bldg. Agency Jay Trevino, Planning Manager Benjamin Kaufman, Chief Assistant City Attorney Vince Fregoso, Senior Planner Verny Carvajal, Associate Planner Mike McCoy, Police Department Yolanda Pena, Police Department Martha Ramirez, Recording Secretary George Alvarez, Public Works Engr. Services Mgr. Manuel-.Gomez, Public Works Transportation Mgr. GUESTS: Michael Harrah, Caribou Industries William Beaubeaux, Architect CONSENT CALENDAR Motion to: Approve staff recommendations on the Consent Calendar Items A and B. MOTION: VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTENTIONS: A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES SECOND: Cribb, De La Torre, Nalle, Sinclair (7) None (0) None (0) None (0) RECOMMENDATION: Continue to February 9, 2004. 1 B. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT Leo, Lutz, Mondo, The following were posted pursuant to the Brown Act and the Maddy Act. The January 12, 2004 Agenda for the Regular Meeting was posted on the door of the City Hall Council Chambers at 22 Civic Center Plaza on January 23, 2004 at 8:24 a.m. RECOMMENDATION: Instruct the Commission Secretary to enter posting into the minutes. Planning Commission Minutes 1 January 26, 2004 C. i ~__ D. 1 MINOR EXCEPTION NO. 2003-08 (Carlos Rodriguez) Filed by Boualong L. Sayabath to allow a fence to exceed the firont yard fence requirements at 5014 West Lehnhardt Avenue. RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file the staff report approving Minor Exception No. 2003.08. Motion to: Receive 8 file the staff report approving Minor Exception No. 2003-08. MOTION: De La Torre SECOND: Cribb VOTE: AYES: Cribb, De La Torre, Lutz, Nalle, Sinclair (5) NOES: Leo, Mondo (2) ABSENT:. None (0) ABSTENTIONS: None (0) CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2003-29 (Ann Ni) (Continued by the Planning Commission: November 24, 2003 to December 22, 2003; and December 22, 2003 to January 26, 2004. Public Hearing closed on November 24, 2003.) Filed by Cingular Wireless to allow a wireless communication facility, a 60-foot freestanding stealth flagpole, in the Arterial Commercial (C5) zoning district at 1710-1730 East 17th Street. RECOMMENDATION: Continue to March 22, 2004. A~otion to: Continue item to March 22, 2004. MOTION: Cribb VOTE: AYES: SECOND: Sinclair Cribb, De La Torre, Nalle, Sinclair (7) None (0) None (0) None (0) Leo, Lutz, Mondo, NOES: ABSENT: ABSTENTIONS: ***END OF CONSENT CALENDAR*** BUSINESS CALENDAR D. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDING AGENDIZED PROJECTS Commissioner Mondo disclosed a telephone conversation with Michael Harrah regarding the parking structure, parking circulation and adjacent OSHA property for One Broadway project. Commissioner Cribb disclosed past conversations with Michael Harrah and William Beaubeaux for One Broadway project. Commissioner Lutz disclosed a message he received from Alfredo Amezcua to discuss One Broadway Plaza, but he was not able to return the call. __ Planning Commission Minutes 2 January 26, 2004 E. ELECTION OF OFFICERS RECOMMENDATION: (a) Elect Chair of the Planning Commission for the year 2004. Commissioner Cribb nominated Commissioner Mondo to serve as the Chairperson of the Planning Commission. There were no other nominations. VOTE: AYES: Cribb, De La Torre, Leo, Lutz, Mondo, Nalle, Sinclair (7) NOES: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) ABSTENTIONS: None (0) (b) Elect Vice Chair of the Planning Commission for the year 2004. Commissioner Mondo nominated Commissioner Leo to serve as Vice Chair of the Planning Commission. There were no other nominations. VOTE: AYES: Cribb, De La Torre, Leo, Lutz, Mondo, Nalle, Sinclair (7) NOES: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) ABSTENTIONS: None (0) (c) Appoint a Planning Commission representative to the Historic Resources Commission for the year 2004. 1 Chairman Nalle nominated Commissioner Lutz as the Planning Comittission Representative to the Historic Resources Commission. There were no other nominations. VOTE: AYES: Cribb, De La Torre, Leo, Lutz, Mondo, Nalle, Sinclair (7) NOI`S: None (0) ABSENT: Nohe (0) ABSTENTIONS: None (0) WORK STUDY SESSION 1 G. ONE BROADWAY (Verny Carvajal) Verny Carvajal presented an update on the project. Discussion ensued on the following issues: ground level building design, landscaping, parking structure, and the design of the plaza at the ground level. Staff noted that a public hearing is slated for February 23, 2004. Michael Harrah, President of Caribou Industries, addressed issues related to parking, landscaping, the traffic circle, fire department access, and the drop off area for Orange County High School of the Arts. Mr. Harrah presented a site plan of the property showing the Plaza level on the first floor, future tenant access and proposed food uses that are under consideration. A color rendering of the parking structure was presented. Mr. Harrah noted that the scale of houses, parking structure and trees are viewed from the northwest corner of Broadway and Washington. Planning Commission Minutes 3 January 26, 2004 Commissioner Mondo commented on the parking structure height and the height of trees shown in the rendering presented by Mr. Harrah. Staff indicated that effective screening could be accomplished with a sufficient number and type of new trees, together with vines planted on the parking structure. Staff will propose such screening requirements in the next staff report. Commissioner Mondo inquired if there is landscaping for the east elevation on the site plan. Mr. Harrah noted that the building at 1200 N. Main blocks most of that view. Staff commented that concerns about views of this elevation could be addressed by incorporating architectural details within this portion of the parking structure. Commissioner Mondo inquired about the concept of ":stepping back" on the Washington side of the parking structure and if that would impact the available spaces. Staff noted that the number of parking spaces would be affected. Mr. Harrah noted that the proposed parking structure has a 15-foot setback, while 1200 North Main only has a 5-foot setback. Commissioner Lutz inquired about longevity and replacement of trees; how are we planning to deal with diseased trees? Staff indicates that this issue will be addressed through conditions of approval in the staff report. Commissioner De La Torre inquired about the color scheme and changes to the parking structure. Staff'indicated that the parking structure incorporates a soft contrasting color. Mr. Harrah and Mr. Beaubeaux addressed changes to the parking structure. Commissioner Lutz inquired about notations on the plans, pedestrian safety and a parking attendant booth. City Engineer Alvarez clarified that these notations relate to drainage and storm water issues. He also clarified that appropriate crosswalks are provided in the plans. Mr. Harrah confirmed that there would be a parking attendant booth. Commissioner Mondo requested clarification noted on the site plan for the drop off/pick up area heading westbound to Sycamore. City Engineer indicated he will review the plans and address the issue. Mr. Harrah outlined changes to the plaza. Commissioner Leo asked for clarification about which illustration represented the current building design.. Mr. Harrah provided clarification. Commissioner Lutz inquired about the parking structure and how it compares with an example in Irvine. Mr. Harrah noted that the packing structure will look like a building with open areas that appear to be office windows. Traffic discussion ensued. Staff noted that these issues will be addressed in the Environmental Impact Report. Transportation Manager Gomez indicated that at time of construction, any diseased/dead trees within the public right-of-way, would require replacement with the same species and same height by the project applicant. Chairman Nalle opened the floor to public comments; comments focused on: • Traffic impacts • Parking meters • Impacts on EI Sol Elementary School • Grease interceptors for food uses • Mitigation plan for construction period Planning Commission Minutes 4 January 26, 2004 Planning Manager Trevino noted that the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been prepared and submitted for public review, and the review period is now closed. The city and its consultants are finalizing the responses to all written comments, which will be submitted to the Planning Commission and City Council for review as a part of their upcoming hearings in February and March. H. CENTERLINE (Manuel Gomez) Mr. Gomez presented an overview of the Centerline project. He noted that final design is scheduled for October 2004, with construction to follow thereafter. Commissioner Cribb inquired about the Planning Commission role. Mr. Gomez indicated involvement will be with issues dealing with adjacent land uses, and the aesthetic treatments for the final design. Executive Director Harding noted that Centerline technical meetings between the City and OCTA have resumed. Staff will keep the Commission apprised of progress and opportunities for involvement. Mr. Gomez states only the specific plan updates, right-of-way, eminent domain condemnation items go before City Council; all are dependent upon funding. Commissioner Mondo suggested that staff who were involved in the I-5 widening also be involved in the Centerline property acquisitions. Commissioners noted an interest in attending a field trip to see the new Goldline in Pasadena. Executive. Director Harding confirmed that he would relay that interest and advise the commission. 1. Public Comments (for items not on the agenda) Residents James Kendrick, Pat McGuigan, Tom Watts, and Phil Chin voiced concerns related to light rail. and opposition to the elevated segment. Mr. Gomez responded and also suggested residents attend the next OCTA Board meeting. STAFF AND COMMISSION COMMENTS 2. Staff Comments No comments 3. Planning Commission Comments Commissioner De La Torre No comments Commissioner Lutz No comments Vice Chair Cribb • Noted graffiti at Main Street at the North 5 on-ramp • Would like to have Caltrans, OCTA, remove and replace the dead trees along the 22 Freeway. Planning Commission Minutes 5 January 26, 2004 Commissioner Sinclair • Requested an update on the Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church. Staff indicated the appeal was upheld by City Council. • Requested an update on the recent acquisition by Mr. Harrah at 1St & Main. Staff indicated that Mr. Harrah is in escrow to buy additional corner parcel. • Requested update on H Salt & Fish property at Bristol & Washington. Staff indicated property was recently cleaned up. • Inquired about approved uses for the Dutchboy Paints property on 17tH, Staff will advise. • Inquired about billboard on Original Mike's. Mr. Kaufman noted that the city does not allow roof signage. • Inquired if plans are available for review for Kohl's on Bristol. Staff will advise. • Requested an update on Target. Staff will advise. • Commented about the number of Starbucks on Grand. • Inquired about parking allocations for tenants. Chief Assistant City Attorney responded. Commissioner Mondo • Requested a copy of the Civic Center Master Plan. Inquired if there is funding available to repair the fountains at the library. Executive Director Harding indicated he would follow up. 1 Commissioner Leo • Requested an update on the 22 Freeway. Mr. Gomez noted that the project is in progress, OCTA is reviewing design bids. • Requested an update on the property across from The Main Place Mall. Staff noted the project would be scheduled for planning commission review within the next several weeks. Chairman Nalle • Commented on an article regarding the 2221 Heliotrope property. 4. Excuses of Absences 5. Adjournment at 8:10 P.M. ~` ~ ~H~ Martha Ramirez Recording Secretary 1 Planning Commission Minutes 6 January 26, 2004