HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/09/2012u
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA
APRIL 9, 2012
CALLED TO ORDER CITY HALL, ROSS ANNEX
FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM 1600
20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA
5:47 P.M.
ATTENDANCE COMMISSIONERS Present:
ERIC ALDERETE, Chairman
JAMES GARTNER, Vice Chairman
SEAN H. MILL
ALEXANDER NALLE (arrived 5:51 p.m.)
PATRICK YRARRAZAVAL
COMMISSIONERS Absent:
FRANK ACOSTA
MARIO TURNER
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
A. MINUTES
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the minutes of the regular meeting on March 12, 2012
MOTION: Approve the Minutes of March 12, 2012
MOTION: Gartner
VOTE: AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
A. MINUTES
SECOND: Yrarrazaval
Alderete, Gartner, Mill Yrarrazaval (4)
None (0)
None (0)
Acosta, Nalle, Turner (3)
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the minutes of the regular meeting on March 12, 2012.
* * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR * * *
BUSINESS CALENDAR
B. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDING AGENDIZED
No disclosures were made.
Planning Commission Minutes
Page 1 of 3
April 9, 2012
C.
WORK STUDY SESSION
Senior Planner Lucy Linnaus provided an overview of the new Orangewood Charter
Academy project and introduced the Orangewood Children's Foundation staff.
Chris Simonsen, Chief Financial Officer with the Orangewood Children's Foundation,
provided an overview of the publicly funded chartered school that will provide
educational facilities serving a projected maximum of 450 students with on-site
housing for 80 children in family -style clustered dormitories. The school's charter
was approved by the Orange County Board of Education.
Wendy Rogers, Principal architect, provided a detailed presentation on the site plan,
architecture, materials, landscaping, on-site circulation and overall tone and feel of
the project. She stated that they would be pursuing LEED Silver certification for the
project. She explained how the site layout had been designed to address any
concerns from the adjacent neighborhood regarding noise, light spillage and parking.
She further explained that Orangewood is pursuing a parking agreement with the
church immediately across the street for use during special events, but that there
would be adequate on-site parking for the daily operations of the school.
The Commissioners provided the following comments.
Commissioner Yrarrazaval inquired as to who provides funding and how students
would be selected. Applicant's staff responded that funding was being provided
through donations and grants administered through the Orangewood Children's
Foundation. As a public charter school, it would be open to the public with priority
given to students in foster care.
Vice Chairman Gartner expressed support for the project design.
Chairman Alderete inquired about the student to adult ratio in the on-site housing.
Applicant responded there would be eight "house couples" within the residential
facilities, and one adult per ten students for on-site supervision.
Commissioner Yrarrazaval asked for clarification that this is not a "lock down" facility.
Applicant confirmed.
Commissioner Yrarrazaval and Nalle expressed an interest in seeing the project
achieve LEED Gold status. Ms. Rogers explained that achieving Gold status would
probably best be done through the use of photo -voltaic panels installed on the
building rooftops, and that, while the budget didn't allow for this at present, it could
be something they would pursue in the future.
Chairman Alderete expressed an interest in incorporating California natives into the
landscape palette and stated that warm color palette for the buildings was a good
solution to the sometimes institutional look of such facilities.
Chairman Alderete inquired as to the placement of residential buildings. Ms. Rogers
' stated that the site was divided into educational and residential "zones", with the
academic buildings on the north and living area to the south.
Chairman Yrarrazaval commented on the need for shading from the sun in the
outdoor eating areas. Ms. Rogers clarified the plans included a shaded area along
the cafeteria/multi-purpose building.
Senior Planner Lucy Linnaus reviewed the timeline for the project: completing the
Development Review process, the Mitigated Negative Declaration at end of April,
public outreach process underway, discretionary actions will be held during June,
deadline for opening the facility is Fall 2013. Edna Neighborhood meetings have
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 of 3 April 9, 2012
been held with President and adjacent neighborhoods to address parking (special
events), traffic (drop off and pickup), noise impacts from freeway, and light spillage
concerns. Executive Director Trevino commented that Cal Winslow, Chief Executive
Officer with Orangewood Children's Foundation personally took time to reach out to
the neighborhood to explain the project and provide background on the organization.
D. ABC LICENSE UPDATE
' Planning Manager Karen Haluza provided a recap of the progress to date on the
evaluation of the City's liquor license regulations.
Ms. Haluza stated that the following preliminary recommendations had been made:
• The over -concentration threshold for liquor sales regulated by off -sale ABC
licenses should be lowered from 20,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet.
This square footage number reflects current retail practices for liquor sales at
convenience stores and drug stores, but still allows for adequate regulation of
stores whose primary purpose is liquor sales.
• A new permit regulating entertainment should be created that establishes
definitions and standards for nightclubs, live entertainment and dancing. This
permit would be administered through the Police Department, would require
annual renewal and would provide for a cost -recovery fee for businesses
generating large numbers of calls for police service. This permit would apply
citywide and would provide a streamlined process, while, at the same time,
ensuring adequate regulation. It was further recommended that for
businesses transitioning to nightclub uses, that the age for patrons be
restricted to 21 years and older.
Ms. Haluza stated that the next steps in the process would include a review of these
preliminary recommendations by the Public Safety Committee with subsequent
' hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council. Prior to the Planning
Commission meeting staff would also conduct another meeting with the Planning
Commission subcommittee and stakeholders group.
Commissioners expressed support for these preliminary recommendations.
Commissioner Mill excused himself from the meeting at 6:38 p.m.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS (on non -agenda items)
No public members spoke.
2. STAFF COMMENTS
Planning Executive Director Trevino provided an update on the Historic Resources
Commission action regarding the Sexlinger property designation.
3. PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS
No comments were made.
4. EXCUSE OF ABSENCES
' Commissioner Nalle moved to excuse the absences of Commissioners Acosta and
Turner; the motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Gartner and unanimously
approved by the Commission with a vote of 4:0.
ADJOURNMENT 6:54 PM.
arth Ramirez
Recording Secretary
Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 of 3 April 9, 2012