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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/23/2001ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA JULY 23, 2001 CALLED TO ORDER 5:35 P.M. City Hall Ross Annex First Floor Conference Room 1600 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, California ATTENDANCE COMMISSIONERS Present: Glenn Mondo, Chairman Alexander Nalle, Vice Chairman Lynnette Verino, Pro Tem Don Cribb Molly Doughty Christopher Leo COMMISSIONERS Absent: Robert Richardson STAFF PRESENT Cynthia J. Nelson, Deputy City Manager Christopher Norman, Assistant City Attorney Jeffry Rice, Principal Planner Joseph Edwards, Principal Planner John Reekstin, Executive Director Community Development Mike McCoy, Police Department Yolanda Pena, Police Department Laura Johnson, Commission Secretary CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: Nalle SECOND: Cribb AYES: Cribb, Doughty, Leo, Mondo, Nalle, Verino (6) NOES: None (0) ABSENT: Richardson (1) ABSTENTION: None (0) A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from the regular meeting of July 9, 2001. RECOMMENDATION: Approve the minutes from the regular meeting of July 9, 2001. B. RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT RECOMMENDATION: Instruct the Commission Secretary to enter into the minutes. The July 9, 2001 Agenda was posted at the City Hall Council Chambers on July 5, 2001 at 1:00 p.m. * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR * * " WORK STUDY SESSION C. FREEWAY MAINTENANCE John Janton, Caltrans Regional Manager, stated that he was available to respond to questions and concerns from the Commission. The Commissioners requested information regarding the following maintenance issues: • Accumulation of refuse at the north and south I-5 Main Street exit ramps, and high occupancy vehicle lane. • Accumulation of litter on the south-bound I-5 at Main and at Broadway. • The possibility of Santa Ana street sweeping staff maintaining the area. • Appearance of special attention being received by cities with high tourism rate. • Are landscaping issues contributing to maintenance problems. • How often do the street sweepers clean the area. • Landscaping on Caltrans remnant parcels. Mr. Janton responded that freeway maintenance is done on a daily basis and he will check and see what the current schedule is, if there are any landscape issues, and why all areas are not being maintained. He advised that Larry Rosenthal at Caltrans would be the person to discuss the possibility of City street sweepers maintaining the area. He advised the Commission that Caltrans does not have any special maintenance agreements with any other cities. He also stated that in areas of freeway construction more debris accumulates. Cindy Nelson advised the Commission that the City is negotiating with Caltrans to take over the maintenance of the south-bound I-5 at Main Street area. Ms. Nelson also stated that the City has bought some remnant parcels for infill housing. Commissioner Leo stated that perhaps in the future the City should look into purchasing additional remnant parcels to enhance their landscaping. Commissioner Cribb inquired as to the possibility of additional landscaping being provided at the Schick O'Neill property so the storage of billboards would not be as visible. Mr. Janton said that he would look into the issues the Commission raised and return in a month with further information. D. ARTISTS LIVEIWORK PROJECT Sergio Klotz provided a brief background summary of the project and outlined the project boundaries and proposed occupancy. Mr. Edwin Sundareson from The Olson Company presented designs visualizing the linking of the three blocks and how they propose to include historic character in the buildings. He also described the proposed iay-out of the units. ' Mr. William Crook and Amy Korn, landscape architects, described the proposed landscaping for all three blocks including the walkways and courtyards. Commissioner Cribb asked if the plant materials could be identified at this time, and if any public sculpture was proposed. He was concerned about the possibility that artist's statement could be compromised by hard-scape design. Mr. Crook advised that all input would be considered, and that public sculpture in the plaza areas could be considered. Commissioner Doughty inquired if there were bathrooms on the 3rd level, and was advised that they would be included on all levels. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 JULY 23, 2001 Ron Ritner, Ritner and Nelson Architects, discussed the proposed entrance, exit and parking for the lofts on the Old City Hall block. Ron Nestor, Nestor and Gafney Architects, described the project design for the Bush Spurgeon block. Ms. Nelson advised the Commission that the units would each average 2,000 square ' feet, all would have access to the street level, and some units would have direct access from the garage. The estimated sales price would be between $200,000 and $250,000. Jeff Shalwick of Hezmalhalch provided an overview of the Sycamore Street lofts. Commissioner Leo inquired about compliance with the ADA requirements and was advised that the first floor complied and the second and third floors are exempt. He also asked if any were going to be sold as affordable units. Ms. Nelson replied that a few units would be, but the majority would not as it was designed to be a market rate project. Some units on the eastern side would be sold as affordable units to owners such as emerging artists. Commissioner Nalle asked about resale restrictions and was advised that 6 of 86 units would be income restricted, and those income restrictions would limit resale prices. Commissioner Cribb expressed concern for young artists and their need for affordable housing. Ms. Nelson advised there are several existing properties that can be converted to units for affordable rental housing. Vincent Sarmiento, legal counsel to Festival Hall, addressed the Commission. He ' stated that the owners of Festival Hall were concerned that the logistical issues had not been adequately addressed. Festival Hall currently has a restaurant, sports bar, and nightclub that can generate up to 1300 patrons. This can be a potential noise issue for the artists and their families. He advised the Commission that the noise element of the nightclub is not conducive to a suitable environment for families. Also, patrons exiting the nightclub at 1:00 a.m. will be walking by the homes and this could disturb the residents. He has asked the Community Development Agency to consider having a buffer of commercial units between the club and the residences. Commissioner Cribb commented that in large cities such as New York nightclubs and residential areas coexist well. Commissioner Verino commented that it could present an opportunity for expansion and increased business to the nightclub and they should look for ways to coexist. E. 55-FREEWAY CORRIDOR (Bill Apple) Continued to August 13, 2001. F. ADJOURN TO CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS. 22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA ' The afternoon session recessed at 7:15 p.m. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 JULY 23, 2001 ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA JULY 23, 2001 1 ROLL CALL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PROCEDURAL RULES 7:20 P.M. PUBLIC HEARINGS ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT N0.2001-17 Filed by the City of Santa Ana Planning Division to amend Chapter 41 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code to include on-site landscape improvements within the scope of city street widening projects. PUBLISHED IN THE REGISTER: July 13, 2001 RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that the City council: 1. Approve and adopt the Negative Declaration for Environmental Review No. 2001-104. 2. Adopt an ordinance approving Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2001-07. Pedro Guillen, Assistant Planner, provided the staff report. Chairman Mondo opened the public hearing at 7:23 p.m. Chairman Mondo asked if in the event the City Manager takes discretionary action would it come back to the Commission as an information item and was advised that it would. There were no requests to address the Commission. Chairman Mondo closed the public hearing at 7:23 p.m. Commissioner Nalle asked for staff to discuss what the effects of this legislation would be. Jeffry Rice responded that the City is doing a lot of street work and this legislation would provide the City with the ability to require a landscape set- back when land is acquired for street widening. The City Manager would have the ability to waive or reduce the landscape requirement on a case-by-case basis. Commissioner Nalle asked for further clarification and Jeffry Rice provided a brief report. Motion to: Recommend that the City Council: 1. Approve and adopt the Negative Declaration for Environmental Review No. 2001-104. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 JULY 23, 2001 2. Adopt an ordinance approving Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2001-07. MOTION: Cribb SECOND: Doughty AYES: Cribb, Doughty, Mondo, Verino (4) NOES: Leo, Nalle (2) ABSENT: Richardson (1) ABSTENTION: None (0) COMMENTS 2. Public Comments There were no public comments. 3. Comments from the Staff Jeffry Rice advised the City Council has requested that the item regarding the La Canasta Furnishings Store be brought back to the Commission for action on a revision to the parking lot. 4. Comments from the Planning Commission Commissioner Cribb • Requested an update on the latest phase of the South Bristol Design Element from Warner to Sunflower and was advised that it would be provided to the Commission in August. • Requested an update on the 4"' Street landscaping. ' • Requested an update on the Sasscer Park and fountain repair. • Asked about designating an alternate representative to the Historical Resources Commission and was advised that a change to the bylaws would need to be made. 5. Excuse of Absences Motion by Commissioner Doughty and seconded by Commissioner Leo to excuse the absence of Commissioner Richardson and approved unanimously by a vote of 6:0. 6. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p. m. _, ~~`'` Laurd Johnson Cgrnmissi ecretary LJ PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 5 JULY 23, 2001