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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/14/2011MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA NOVEMBER 14, 2011 CALLED TO ORDER CITY HALL ROSS ANNEX • FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM 1600 20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 5:33 P.M. ATTENDANCE COMMISSIONERS Present: ERIC ALDERETE, Chairman JAMES GARTNER, Vice Chairman FRANK ACOSTA SEAN H. MILL ALEXANDER NALLE MARIO TURNER PATRICK YRARRAZAVAL STAFF Present: JAY TREVINO, Ex. Dir. Planning & Building KAREN HALUZA, Planning Manager RYAN HODGE, Assistant City Attorney MARTHA RAMIREZ, Recording Secretary PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG LED BY CHAIRMAN ALDERETE • FIRST MOTION: Moved by Commissioner Acosta and Seconded by Commissioner Mill, to approve the Minutes of the regular meeting on October 10, 2011. Voted and approved 7:0 and changed to subsequent motion. SUBSEQUENT MOTION: Moved by Commissioner Acosta and Seconded by Commissioner Turner. Commissioner Nalle modified public hearing item 1 — Conditional Use Permit No. 2011-21 and changed "cement" manufacturing to "concrete" manufacturing for Bender Ready Mix. MOTION: Acosta SECOND: Turner VOTE: AYES: Acosta, Alderete, Gartner, Mill, Nalle, Turner, Yrarrazaval (7) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) A. MINUTES RECOMMENDATION: • Approve the minutes of the regular meeting on October 10, 2011. * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR * * * Planning Commission Minutes 1 of 5 November 14, 2011 BUSINESS CALENDAR B. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDING AGENDIZED Chairman Alderete disclosed he met with Bob Bisno to discuss "The Met" project. C. SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 2011-06 • Penske Automotive Group, owners of the Crevier Mini dealership, requesting to allow a minor addition and the interior and exterior remodel of a vacant auto dealership at 1455 South Auto Mall Drive located in the Specific Development No. 60 (SD -60) zoning district. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution approving Site Plan Review No. 2011-06 as conditioned. MOTION: Adopt a resolution approving Site Plan Review No. 2011-06 as conditioned. MOTION: Acosta SECOND: Nalle VOTE: AYES: Acosta, Alderete, Gartner, Mill, Nalle, Turner, Yrarrazaval (7) NOES: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) ABSENT: None (0) WORK STUDY SESSION • D. REVIEW OF THE REDESIGN OF THE MET PROJECT AT SOUTH COAST Principal Planner Sergio Klotz provided an introduction to The Met project. He stated that the Mitigated Negative Declaration was released for the public review period on November 14, 2011 continuing through December 16, 2011 and the project would be scheduled for a Planning Commission Public Hearing on January 23, 2012. Robert Bisno, the developer representative, provided the Commission with a recap of the project changes since its last review by the Planning Commission. Mr. Bisno also provided a book featuring colored elevations and renderings of the project. Mr. Bisno stated that the site reserved for future development was reduced from one acre to .6 of an acre. He asserted that this property, though reduced in size, would still be viable for a future high-rise, tower -style development consistent with the City's goals for this area. Mr. Bisno did state, however, that such a project was not proposed at this time and that the only project before the Planning Commission was the 284 -unit apartment project. Kenneth E. Nilmeier, Director of Planning and a Principal with McLarand . Vasquez Emsiek & Partners, Inc. reviewed the project's architectural features. The Commissioners provided the following comments. Commissioner Nalle expressed concern over the restricted project access along First American Way stating that it could be an impediment to the success of the project. He questioned staff as to the ability to provide for a cut through the existing median to allow for the project's residents to make a left turn out of the project, or if a signalized intersection could be provided at the existing alley just Planning Commission Minutes 2 of 5 November 14, 2011 east of the project. Principal Civil Engineer Taig Higgins explained that the limited line -of -sight visibility on First American Way, as well as the location of an existing signal, makes it infeasible and unsafe to provide for a left turn at the project location. He further explained that future residents exiting the project will have multiple alternative ways to leave the site as they head north and then west. Commissioner Turner clarified that the proposed project zoning would replace the existing site zoning that would have resulted in the development of an eight - story and an 18 -story mixed-use development covering the entire site. He expressed concern that the proposed project might not achieve the vision for the area as an urban village with a mix of uses. If not, he suggested that it might be necessary to revisit the entire concept for the larger area before moving forward with this project. He stated that the new design was a vast improvement and that it seemed to incorporate many of the Commission's comments. He requested clarification on the number of units (284), the parking ratio (2.2 per unit), the levels of subterranean parking (approx. 3), the facilities at the plaza/fitness facility, and the proposed materials for the exterior of the building. He also requested clarification regarding the .6 -acre portion of the site and how it was being treated/addressed with respect to a proposal for entitlements. Mr. Turner clarified that, with the approval of the new project, the existing zoning would be replaced. He reiterated that the project as re -designed was a vast improvement, but wasn't sure if it supported the long-range vision for the area. He stated that the rental vs. for -sale would be more a function of the market. Commissioner Gartner stated that cities are a mix of tall and shorter buildings and that high rise projects are not feasible in the current economic climate. He stated that the roof deck/courtyard open space amenities, landscape setbacks, and variety of unit designs were good. He requested that more details as to colors and materials be brought back to the Planning Commission for final review. • Commissioner Yrarrazaval stated that the project changes were responsive to the Commission's comments and that the setbacks had been improved. He requested more information about the pedestrian connections from the project to surrounding areas, such as the Doubletree Hotel and the commercial center south of MacArthur Blvd. He asked if the developer had considered how to plan for the interface of the proposed project to any new development that would occur in the future on the remaining .6 acres. Mr. Bisno stated that there was no project for the future site at this time, so no design work had been done. Commissioner Acosta agreed that the project changes had been responsive to the Commission's comments. He clarified that the corner plazas would be open to the public, but that the interior courtyard would be gated, and stated that he thought the proposed water feature would make a good entry statement. He questioned the size of the proposed pool and the Mr. Nilmeier agreed that it should be bigger given the number of proposed units. Mr. Acosta echoed Mr. Nalle's comments regarding the constrained exit/entrance. Taig Higgins again clarified that the safety of the design was the foremost consideration and Mr. Bisno agreed. Commissioner Mill agreed that the constrained access along First American Way was a concern, but stated that it needs to be safe. He commended the applicant for being responsive to the Commission's comments and stated that the project • provides a good entry to the City and helps to meet the goals for this area. Commission Chairman Alderete clarified that the unit mix would be 184 one - bedroom units, 90 two-bedroom units and 10 three-bedroom units. He stated that he liked the contemporary design of the building, the use of enhanced articulation and wood feature, and the addition of the water element. He expressed concern that the .6 -acre portion of the site that would not be developed would be infeasible for future development based on its small size and lack of design integration with the proposed project. He echoed Commissioner Turner's Planning Commission Minutes 3 of 5 November 14, 2011 concerns that the proposed project might not support the City's previously adopted high-rise urban village vision for the area and that this was a policy shift that Commission must consider in evaluating the project. He commended the architect for making changes responsive to the Commission's previous comments. Commissioner Nalle asked staff to investigate the potential to allow an additional access point from the alley to the east of the site. Taig Higgins stated that staff . would research it. Mr. Bisno stated that he had accepted the proposed ingress/egress design as necessary for safety and supports it. Commissioner Yrarrazaval clarified that the project will have a condominium map to allow for future sales of the units. The architects provided the Commission with a materials/color board for their review. E. DISCUSSION OF THE CITY'S POLICIES REGARDING ALCOHOL LICENSES SAPD McCoy provided two additional handouts to the commissioners, Police Reporting District Map and common Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) definitions that are used with reporting criteria. Planning Manager Karen Haluza provided historical information regarding the city's policies for the regulation of alcohol sales. She referred to a map depicting the locations and number of existing on -sale and off -sale ABC licenses throughout the City and provided a presentation of the data contained in the staff memo included in the Planning Commission packet. Ms. Haluza made the recommendation that Planning staff undertake a study to evaluate the current effectiveness of the City's codes and policies related to the regulation of alcohol sales in order to provide for long-term consistency, insure continued public health • and safety, and respond to market demand. Commission discussion ensued regarding the need to create a process that is fair to all; that promotes business, and that reflects current and best practices for the regulation of alcohol sales. The Commission agreed that staff should study the City's current codes and policies regulating alcohol sales for potential changes to the code. The Commission will create an ad hoc committee to further study the issue. Public speakers: Ryan Chase, downtown property owner, stated that the City's policies need to provide more clarity for new businesses and to ensure that Santa Ana can be competitive with other cities. Archer Altstaetter, downtown business owner, expressed concern that the existing code was out -dated. Joey Mendes, owner of Proof Bar, expressed support for modifications to the code that would provide opportunities for more bars (Type 48 ABC license) to open. 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS (on non -agenda items) • No public comments were made. 2. STAFF COMMENTS No comments were made. Planning Commission Minutes 4 of 5 November 14, 2011 11 • • 3. PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Commissioner Yrarrazaval thanked staff for the staff memo regarding past property acquisitions of remnant CalTrans parcels. Commissioner Acosta thanked staff for the map of ABC licenses prepared for the Study Session. Commissioner Mill thanked his Commission colleagues and staff for their work on the Housing Opportunity Ordinance. Chairman Alderete recommended the City's sign ordinance should be studied in the future. 4. EXCUSE OF ABSENCES ADJOURNMENT 8:14 PM mucorurrry oecreraiy Planning Commission Minutes 5of5 November 14, 2011