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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-25-2002ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA 1007-1009 N. BROADWAY SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA WALKING TOUR FEBRUARY 25, 2002 ~~ CALLED TO ORDER 4:15 P.M. 1007-1009 N. Broadway -Sidewalk Santa Ana, California ATTENDANCE COMMISSIONERS Present: Alexander Nalle, Chairman - 5:05 Lynnette Verino, Vice Chair Don Cribb Molly Doughty - 4:20 Christopher Leo Glenn Mondo Robert Richardson STAFF PRESENT Charles View, Planning Manager Benjamin Kaufman, Chief Assistant City Attorney Jeffry Rice, Principal Planner Joseph Edwards, Principal Planner Joyce Amerson, Traffic Manager Laura Johnson, Recording Secretary WORK STUDY SESSION A. WALKING TOUR OF PROPOSED ONE BROADWAY PLAZA PROJECT The Planning Commission toured the proposed One Broadway Plaza project. No public comments were received. 1 B. Recessed - at 5:05 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Council Chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, California. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA CALLED TO ORDER 6:05 P.M. ATTENDANCE COMMISSIONERS Present: Alexander Nalle, Chairman Lynnette Verino, Vice Chair Don Cribb Molly Doughty Glenn Mondo, Christopher Leo Robert Richardson STAFF PRESENT Cynthia J. Nelson, Deputy City Manager Charles View, Planning Manager Benjamin Kaufman, Assistant City Attorney Kylee Odette, Deputy City Attorney Jeffry Rice, Principal Planner Joseph Edwards, Principal Planner Mike McCoy, Police Department Yolanda Pena, Police Department Laura Johnson, Recording Secretary CONSENT CALENDAR Motion to approve staff recommendations on the following Consent Calendar items. MOTION: Doughty SECOND: Mondo VOTE: AYES: Cribb, Doughty, Leo, Mondo, Nalle, Richardson, Verino (7) NOES: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) ABSTENTION: None (0) C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES RECOMMENDATION: Approve the minutes from the regular meeting of February 11, 2002. D. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT RECOMMENDATION: Instruct the Commission Secretary to enter into the minutes. The February 11, 2002 Agenda was posted at the City Hall Council Chambers on February 7, 2002 at 11:25 a.m. The Notice of Adjournment of the February 11 Regular Meeting to February 25, 2002 at 4:00 p.m. was posted at the City Hall Council Chambers on February 11, 2002 at 7:40 p. m. * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR * * * PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 FEBRUARY 25, 2002 BUSINESS SESSION E. SITE PLAN REVIEW N0.2002-01 Filed by Room and Board Home furnishings to allow the remodeling of an existing vacant building within the South Coast Plaza Village located at 1661 West Sunflower Avenue. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution approving Site Plan Review No. 2002-01 as conditioned. Vince Fregoso, Senior Planner, provided the staff report. Clarification was requested regarding whether the French doors on the east elevation provided entrance/exit to and from the Courtyard. Jeff Shepard of Roth and Shepard Architects responded that there is an entry in the glass area next to the French doors that opens into the coffee shop located in the store. Motion to adopt a resolution approving Site Plan Review No. 2002-01 as conditioned. MOTION: Richardson SECOND: Cribb VOTE: AYES: Cribb, Doughty, Leo, Mondo, Nalle, Richardson, Verino (7) NOES: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) ABSTENTION: None (0) u Chairman Nalle announced that in response to a request, public comments for items not appearing on the agenda would be accepted next. 5. Public Comments Dave Lopez, Santa Ana resident, advised the Commission that the residents living next to the car wash located at 4400 W. Seventeenth Street are complaining of excessive noise at the car wash generated by radios and machinery as late as 3-4 a.m. Their children are unable to sleep. They have made numerous calls to the police department. They would like to have the hours of operation restricted from 24 hours to between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Beatriz Gonzales, resident of the mobile home park, stated that the noise and trash were unbearable and that the police had been called numerous times during the night but nothing had been done. Commissioner Verino asked if the car wash had on-site staff at night and was advised that there was a person available only to make change. Ken Kapiczo, car wash owner, advised that since he purchased the car wash two years earlier he had increased security by having an off-duty police office patrol twice a day. He stated that these are the first complaints that he was aware of. He also noted that he does not employ any on-site staff. He has also increased the efficiency of the equipment to mitigate noise and has increased lighting to discourage people gathering. He noted his belief that the noise was being generated from a neighboring business. Mike McCoy, Santa Ana Police Department, advised that during 2001 there had been 73 calls for disturbing the peace but only $ had been received after 8 p.m. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 FEBRUARY 25, 2002 As of this date in 2002, there have been 14 calls made with 12 being for disturbing the peace, and all were made prior to 8 p.m. In all instances when the police would respond no one was willing to sign a complaint. ~~ Discussion ensued regarding possible remedies. Ben Kaufman, Assistant City Attorney advised that revocation of the variance would be a very difficult process as the variance runs with the land. Discussion regarding the noise issue held. Mr. Rice noted that current standard would require consideration of noise impacts but as this was a very old variance the standards in place when it was granted were different. Possible noise mitigation measures discussed. John Wesson, Santa Ana resident, spoke in support of the business and the residents working together for a resolution to the issue. Ms. Nelson advised that Housing Division staff had mobile home parks in the city and they could be residents and the car wash to resolve the issue. and requested a status report in 30 days. PUBLIC HEARINGS been working closely with the requested to work with the The Commission concurred ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO.2001-08 (Continued by the Planning Commission December 10, 2001 to February 251, 2002) Filed by the City of Santa Ana to amend Chapter 41 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code to modify the Special Event Sign ordinance citywide. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that the City Council adopt an ordinance approving Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2001-08. Motion to continue to March 11, 2002. MOTION: Richardson SECOND: Mondo VOTE: AYES: Cribb, Doughty, Leo, Mondo, Nalle, Richardson, Verino (7) NOES: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) ABSTENTION: None (0) Chairman Nalle announced that the remaining agenda items would be heard out of order. 4. ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 2001-10 (Continued by the Planning Commission February 11, 2002 to February 25, 2002) Filed by the City of Santa Ana to amend Chapter 41 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code regarding commercial storage, mini-warehouse, and recreational vehicle and/or boat storage use in the Light Industrial (M1) and Heavy Industrial (M2) zoning districts. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 FEBRUARY 25, 2002 RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that the City Council: r, 1. Approve and adopt the Negative Declaration for Environmental Review No. 2001-145. 2. Adopt an ordinance approving Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2001- 10with corresponding site location and development standards. Ann Ni, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. Jeffry Rice provided a corrected version to the proposed zoning ordinance amendment. Commissioner Mondo requested clarification of the term "freeway intersection". Chairman Nalle opened the public hearing. There were no public comments made or communication received. Chairman Nalle closed the public hearing. Motion to recommend that the City Council: 1. Approve and adopt the Negative Declaration for Environmental Review No. 2001-145. 2. Adopt an ordinance approving Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2001-10 with corresponding site location and development standards. MOTION: Cribb SECOND: Doughty VOTE: ABSENT: ABSTENTION: Commissioner Leo requested clarification regarding the purpose of the item. Mr. Rice advised that the City is protecting the industrial base and that due to the shortage of land many properties have been attractive for these types of storage uses making them unavailable for industrial use. Commissioner Leo requested additional time to consider this item. Commissioner Richardson concurred. AYES: None (0) NOES: None (0) None (0) None (0) Commissioner Cribb agreed to amend his motion. Motion to continue to March 11, 2002. 1 MOTION: Cribb AYES: Cribb, Doughty, Leo, NOES: None (0) None (0) None (0) SECOND: Doughty VOTE: ABSENT: ABSTENTION: Mondo, Nalle, Richardson, Verino (7) PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 5 FEBRUARY 25, 2002 2. VARIANCE NO. 2002-01 Filed by Sign Methods to allow a secondary wall sign for the Tool Rental Center on the primary elevation for the Home Depot store located at 3500 West MacArthur Boulevard. RECOMMENDATION: Approve Variance No. 2002-01. Vince Fregoso, Senior Planner, presented the staff report. Chairman Nalle opened the public hearing. Dave Cardone, representing the applicant, advised that he was available to answer questions. Chairman Nalle closed the public hearing. Motion to approve Variance No. 2002-01 as conditioned. MOTION: Mondo SECOND: Doughty VOTE: AYES: Cribb, Doughty, Leo, Mondo, Nalle, Richardson, Verino (7) NOES: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) ABSTENTION: None (0) 3. VARIANCE NO. 2002-02 Filed by CANO Head Start to allow asix-foot high wrought iron fence within the front yard setback at 1211-1219 South Main Street. RECOMMENDATION: Deny Variance No. 2002-02. Sergio Klotz, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. Chairman Nalle opened the public hearing. Alta Manning, representing CANO Head Start requested approval of the variance and stated that it was needed for the protection of the children. She also advised the Commission that any changes to the fence would create a financial hardship. John Grady, Business Officer for CANO Head Start, requested reconsideration of the variance and stated that it was needed for the protection of the children. He stated that fence could not be moved back as the Fire Department requires the facility to have a crash baron the door and if the fence were moved back it would be behind the crash door allowing the children access to the street. Discussion held regarding safety issues. Mr. Rice outlined exiting requirements and advised that they are designated by the building code. He noted that the panic hardware on the doors and the gate had been installed by the applicant. Mr. Grady advised that staff had never indicated that the variance would be denied. The Commission requested that staff respond and Mr. Klotz stated that nothing had been approved. Discussion held regarding the adjoining parking site and the state regulations. Discussion held regarding approval of the plans. Mr. Rice PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 6 FEBRUARY 25, 2002 noted that the site had been zoned C1 prior to the Commercial South Main District and the requirements pertaining to fencing had not changed. At no point could a fence have been allowed that was higher than 4 feet. Robert Henson, CANO Head Start Board Member, stated he had attended a meeting with Mr. Klotz and Mr. Grady. At the conclusion of that meeting it was his understanding that the variance would be granted. He requested that the Commission approve the variance under the exceptions allowed to schools. Chairman Nalle asked if Mr. Henson had understood that a fence would be subject to this process. He indicated that he thought it was merely an administrative process. Commissioner Richardson asked when the fence had been built and was advised that it had been built a year ago. Chairman Nalle closed the public hearing. Motion to deny Variance No. 2002-02. MOTION: Richardson SECOND: Mondo VOTE: AYES: Cribb, Doughty, Mondo, Richardson (4) NOES: Leo, Nalle, Verino (3) ABSENT: None (0) ABSTENTION: None (0) 6. Comments from the Staff CC3NIIVIENTS Charles View thanked the Commission for their support and noted that it had been a pleasure working with everyone. 7. Comments from the Planning Commission Commissioner Doughty • Requested that the graffiti on the Council Chambers doors be removed. Commissioner Cribb • Noted skateboarders are using City Hall parking lot and requested police department enforcement of the "No Skateboarding" regulations. • Requested an update on the sidewalk identification signs. Noted that one was supposed to have been provided by the Doubletree Hotel on MacArthur and Main and has not. • Requested that an ordinance be drafted to make it illegal to park trailer trucks along the 55 Corridor and use them as advertising space along the 55 corridor. • At Santa Ana Blvd and Main Street on the Ralph Allen Building (the flash cube) has excessive writing/signs. • Requested additional landscaping in the form of larger trees on the freeway side of soundwalls such as the one at the off-ramp of the northbound 5 freeway at Main Street to mitigate the noise and visual impact. • Thanked Mr. View for his efforts in to Santa Ana and stated that it had been a pleasure working with him. • Noted that the Santa Ana Auto Mall sign is not staying lit. Commissioner Verino • Thanked Mr. View for his efforts in Santa Ana and stated that it had been a pleasure working with him. • Noted that she had attended the ground breaking of the skate park at Centennial Park. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 7 FEBRUARY 25, 2002 Commissioner Mondo • Requested follow-up on pathfinder trail blazer signs. Those on eastbound MacArthur at Bristol are not functioning correctly. He also asked if removing them had ever been considered. • Requested follow-up on request regarding storage containers at Toys R Us on Bristol. • Noted that Mr. View will be missed. Commissioner Richardson • Noted that at the Saddleback Inn on the north side of First Street the palm trees are untrimmed and have dried fronds. They are leaning on structures and he is concerned about the potential for a fire hazard. He requested staff to investigate. • Commended Mr. View for his work and noted that it had been a pleasure. Commissioner Leo • Requested status update on the Memphis Restaurant. Mr. View advised that they are still experiencing difficulties and will open at a date to be announced later. • Requested status update on the Athena Restaurant. Mr. View advised that they expect to open around the middle of March. • Asked when the ground breaking for the Artists Village Lofts will be held. Ms. Nelson advised that it will take place in the middle of March. • Thanked staff for the tour of the proposed One Broadway Plaza project. • Concurred with Commissioner .Cribb regarding the use of trucks as advertising space. Assistant City Attorney Ben Kauffman advised that a prosecution on O'Neills Storage had been attempted 18 months ago and was dismissed. The Uniform Sign Code and City ordinance does not prohibit their use. The courts have ruled that the usage is covered under the vehicle code. Commissioner Richardson • Suggested that shrubs be planted along the freeway so that the trucks and signage would not be visible. Chairman Nalle • Suggested that perhaps a Councilmember could contact O'Neills regarding use of trucks for advertising. • Thanked Mr. View for his dedication to Santa Ana. • Noted that he had met with Mr. Harrah and Mr. Beaubeaux to view a model of the proposed One Broadway Plaza project. 8. Excuse of Absences No absences. 9. Adjournment - 8:0 1 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 8 FEBRUARY 25, 2002