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Home My WebLink About09/12/2011• C1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA CALLED TO ORDER ATTENDANCE SEPTEMBER 12, 2011 CITY HALL ROSS ANNEX 20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM 1600 SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 5:36 P.M. COMMISSIONERS Present: FRANK ACOSTA ERIC ALDERETE, Chairman JAMES GARTNER, Vice Chairman SEAN H. MILL ALEXANDER NALLE MARIO TURNER PATRICK YRARRAZAVAL STAFF Present: KAREN HALUZA, Planning Manager RYAN HODGE, Assistant City Attorney MARTHA RAMIREZ, Recording Secretary PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG LED BY CHAIRMAN ALDERETE Chairman Alderete announced to the public members present that the public hearing item, Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2011-01, was to be continued. MOTION: Approve the staff recommendations on the Consent Calendar. Commissioner Turner pulled Items B and C for additional discussion. MOTION: Mill VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN ABSENT: A. MINUTES RECOMMENDATION: SECOND: Gartner Alderete, Mill, Nalle, Turner, None (0) Acosta, Gartner (2) None (0) Yrarrazaval(5) Approve the minutes of the regular meeting on August 22, 2011. Commissioners Acosta and Gartner abstained from voting due to their absence on August 22, 2011. B. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2011-08 Filed by Sherrie Olson, representing Far West Restaurant Group, LLC, requesting approval of a conditional use permit for a Type 41 Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) license for the on -premise sale and consumption of beer and wine at a proposed Wingstop restaurant at 2801 West MacArthur Boulevard, Suite C, located in the Arterial Commercial (C5) zoning district. RECOMMENDATION: Confirm the Zoning Administrator's action approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2011-08 as conditioned. Planning Commission Minutes Page 1 of 5 September 12, 2011 MOTION: Confirm the Zoning Administrator's action approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2011-08 as conditioned. MOTION: Mill SECOND: Nalle VOTE: AYES: Acosta, Alderete, Gartner, Mill, Nalle, Turner, Yrarrazaval (7) NOES: None (0) • ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) C. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2011-18 Filed by Javier Soto, representing Soto Business Services, requesting a conditional use permit to allow the operation of a check cashing facility at 2610 South Bristol Street located in the Planned Shopping Center (C4) zoning district. RECOMMENDATION: Confirm the Zoning Administrator's action approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2011-18 as conditioned. MOTION: Confirm the Zoning Administrator's action approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2011-18 as conditioned. MOTION: Mill SECOND: Nalle VOTE: AYES: Acosta, Alderete, Gartner, Mill, Nalle, Turner, Yrarrazaval NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) Commissioner Mill requested an update for the bank -on initiative. Planning Manager Haluza indicated information will be provided to the Commission. * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR * * * BUSINESS CALENDAR D. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDING AGENDIZED PROJECTS) No disclosures were made. E. SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 2011-4 Filed by Franz Nalezny, requesting to allow Freeway Honda an exterior and . interior remodel and expansion of the dealership at 1505 South Auto Mall Drive located in the Auto Mall Specific Development No. 60 (SD -60) zoning district. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution approving Site Plan Review No. 2011-4 as conditioned. MOTION: Adopt a resolution approving Site Plan Review No. 2011-4 as conditioned. Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 of 5 September 12, 2011 • 40 MOTION: Nalle SECOND: Acosta VOTE: AYES: Acosta, Alderete, Gartner, Mill, Nalle, Turner, Yrarrazaval (7) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) F. ABANDONMENT NO. 2010-02 Filed by the City of Santa Ana Community Redevelopment Agency to vacate a portion of 1114 South Cypress (Cypress and McFadden Avenues). RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution approving Abandonment No. 2010-02. MOTION: Recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution approving Abandonment No. 2010-02. MOTION: Mill VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN ABSENT: SECOND: Acosta Acosta, Alderete, Gartner (7) None (0) None (0) None (0) Mill. Nalle. Turner. Yrarrazaval WORK STUDY SESSION G. BRIEFING ON SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY STRATEGY (SCS) Associate Planner Melanie McCann provided a briefing on the SB 375 California state law. This new law requires California's Air Resources Board (GARB) to develop regional reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), and prompts the creation of regional plans to reduce emissions from vehicle use throughout the state. California's 18 Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) have been tasked with creating "Sustainable Community Strategies" (SCS). The MPOs are required to develop the SCS through integrated land use and transportation planning and demonstrate an ability to attain the proposed reduction targets by 2020 and 2035. H. DISCUSSION ON TOWN AND COUNTRY PLAZA SENIOR HOUSING PROJECT AT 555 EAST MEMORY LANE Principal Planner Vince Fregoso provided an overview of the proposed Town and Country Manor Housing development, an eight -story 174 -unit project previously presented to the Planning Commission in August 2010. Mr. Fregoso provided background information on the project to the Commission and identified the main issues that were raised at the August 2010 study session. He introduced the Town and Country Plaza representatives, Dirk DeWolfe, Steve Lazarian, and Doug Pancake along with the city's architectural design consultant, John Kaliski. Architect Doug Pancake commented on the redesign for the entire project, stating that the neo-classical design was maintained. He highlighted the architectural features and building materials. Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 of 5 September 12, 2011 Commissioner Acosta stated that he noticed significant changes from the previous design, but he was not impressed with the new design. He considers the project location to be the gateway between the cities of Orange and Santa Ana. Vice Chairman Gartner commented on the client/architect relationship and the challenge of the architect to meet the needs of the City and client; considers this redesign to be an improvement. He stated the project still had a "casino' • appearance, but also suggested that the Commissioners provide direction with their comments. Commissioner Mill commented on the tremendous upgrade in the appearance of the building. Further, he stated that the City should not determine the architecture of the building. Commissioner Turner expressed that he didn't identify major change from the prior plan and voiced concerns with the landscaping as it relates to the sidewalk and street; does not see an overall change in feel and impact. Commissioner Yrarrazaval indicated that the design does not fit the neighborhood and that the Commission commented at last year's study session that it wanted a modern design for the building. He also voiced concerns that the Commission should not change the architecture. Chairman Alderete stated that the redesign does not have architectural consistency with the adjoining City Place project. He also expressed concerns with the density and massing of the development. Chairman Alderete indicated the colonial building with a traditional design was not appropriate in the area. Commissioner Nalle inquired on the size of the project, dimensions of the • proposed units and the approximate number of residents to be in the tower. He suggested that the design be upgraded and does not like the "casino" appearance. 11 City consultant, John Kaliski, highlighted the evolution of the design of the project and identified the changes that were made: removed metal roof, more subtle cornices, provided a more distinct top layer of the building, simplified architectural language, reduced/simplified window types, added railing details, provided more richness at the base, and created a contemporary version of traditional architecture. He identified two improvements that can make the building read better: (1) the use of more subtle colors that are appropriate for the style of the building and a reduction in the number of colors, and (2) the use of landscaping, to provide a transition between the base and upper floors of the building. Commissioner Turner commented on the design context of the area indicated that there is no compatibility between the proposed buildings and the existing campus or City Place. Planning Manager Haluza addressed the existing zoning and general plan designations and the new designations that would be required for this project. PUBLIC HEARING 1. ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 2011-01 (Continued by Planning Commission. March 28, 2011 to May 23, 2011; August 22, 2011 to September 12, 2011) Filed by the City of Santa Ana, to amend the Zoning Code to create a Housing Opportunity Ordinance to ensure future residential development projects contribute to the attainment of the affordable housing goals set forth in the Housing Element of the City's General Plan. Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 of 5 September 12, 2011 PUBLISHED IN THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER: PUBLICLY NOTICED: RECOMMENDATION: Continue to September 26, 2011. • MOTION: Continued to September 26, 2011. MOTION: Mill SECOND: Acosta VOTE: AYES: Acosta, Alderete, Gartner, Mill, Nalle, (7) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS (on non -agenda items) No public comments were made. 3. STAFF COMMENTS August 12, 2011 August 12, 2011 Turner, Yrarrazaval Associate Planner Melanie McCann announced the Harbor Fair on Saturday, September 24 and highlighted the public outreach efforts for the event. Planning Manager Haluza announced the Circulation Element workshop on November 7 that will be in compliance with SB375 and will address the Complete • Streets policies. She asked for two participants from the Planning Commission to attend the workshop. n f, J 4. PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Commissioner Yrarrazaval • Mentioned that the November 7 Circulation Element workshop is scheduled on the same date as Senator Lou Correa's event. • Recommended to staff, the use of the marquees at Carr Intermediate for public outreach. Commissioner Mill • Thanked Planning staff in assisting a very appreciative neighbor at 618 South Starboard work through the residential renovation process. 5. EXCUSE OF ABSENCES ADJOURNMENT 6:56 P.M. 24 a*" � Martha Ramirei Recording Secretary Planning Commission Minutes Page 5 of 5 September 12, 2011