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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/25/2013MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA FEBRUARY 25, 2013 CALLED TO ORDER CITY HALL, ROSS ANNEX FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM 20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 5:35 P.M. ATTENDANCE COMMISSIONERS Present: ERIC ALDERETE, Chairman FRANK ACOSTA JOEL CRESPO SEAN H. MILL ALEXANDER NALLE PATRICK YRARRAZAVAL STAFF Present: JAY TREVINO, Ex. Dir. Planning & Building KAREN HALUZA, Planning Manager RYAN HODGE, Assistant CityAttomey MARTHA RAMIREZ, Recording Secretary PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG LED BY CHAIRMAN ALDERETE Chairman Alderete welcomed the newly appointed commissioner Joel Crespo. CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: Approve the Minutes of February 11, 2013. Changes were submitted by Chairman Alderete and Commissioner Nalle with regards to the Sexlinger project at 1584 East Santa Clara Avenue. Chairman Alderete also stated that he believed the EIR was inadequate because the aesthetic analysis was deficient which included the shade and shadow analysis but really more than that. Commissioner Nalle indicated to the historic preservationists that he empathized with their position but went on to state that the Planning Commission should not prevent private property owners from developing their property or selling it to other private parties at market value. He stated that he found the EIR to be satisfactory. A. MINUTES RECOMMENDATION: Approve the minutes of the regular meeting on February 11, 2013. MOTION: Mill VOTES: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR SECOND: Acosta Acosta, Alderete, Mill, None (0) Crespo (1) None (0) Nalle, Yrarrazaval (5) Planning Commission Minutes February 25, 2013 BUSINESS CALENDAR B. COMMISSIONER COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURE (REGARDING AGENDIZED None ' WORK STUDY SESSION C. PREVIEW OF THE PROJECT LOCATED AT 1901 EAST FIRST STREET Principal Planner Vince Fregoso provided the history of the site which had been previously entitled for two 23-story residential towers with over 350 units. Mr. Fregoso introduced Peter Zak, Senior Vice President with Lyon Communities. Mr. Zak indicated that the property had been acquired by Lyon at the end of September 2012, and that they have submitted a preliminary site plan review package for the project with the Planning staff. He stated that the proposal before the Commission is a residential building adjacent to an existing 3-story parking structure. Mr. Zak indicated that there is ample parking for the proposed project within the parking structure and would like the Commission's input on a phased project with a future high rise product or a single phased project with all mid-rise housing. He stated the high rise building was not feasible at this time. Christopher Coe, with Coe Architects, provided an overview of the project site, which proposes 196 units to be served by the existing parking garage structure. The project would wrap the structure with units. Mr. Coe discussed the difficulty of providing commercial uses at the ground level along 15t Street as required by the ' Metro East Mixed Use Overlay Zone. He also discussed the difficulty of designing units attached to the parking structure along 15S Street due to the shallow setback. In response to Commissioner Alderete, Mr. Coe compared the walking distance from the garage to the units to the walking distance from the recently approved The Marke project. Commissioner Acosta voiced support for hiding the parking structure with units, but had concerns with the three units facing 15S Street stating that they were too shallow and close to the street and that he would prefer it to remain as open space. He also stated that the decision to phase the project is best decided by the applicant. Commissioner Yrarrazaval also was supportive of wrapping the structure with units, but also had concerns about the units along the garage facing 1gt Street. He liked the design of the open space along Cabrillo Park Drive. He had questions about the ability to relocate the pool to the top of the parking structure were the second phase to be built, as well as the ability to add another elevator to the parking structure. He questioned the efficiency of having to build the pool twice. Mr. Coe answered that the elevator cores were placed in the most efficient locations and that adding another elevator would be cost prohibitive. Mr. Zak responded that the infrastructure improvements needed to relocate the amenities to the garage deck would be installed now. ' Commissioner Nalle clarified that finding a lender to finance the project with ahigh- rise component was not feasible at this time. Mr. Zak confirmed that that was the case. Chairman Alderete stated that he would prefer to see the site planned for the mid- rise and future high-rise, rather than being built out as one phase with all mid-rise development. He commented the need to ensure excellent design for the interior courtyards. He also stated the elevation articulation with 3-story and 5-story interaction was appreciated. Planning Commission Minutes 2 February 25, 2013 Commissioner Nalle inquired about timeline for the construction. Mr. Zak provided an estimated timeline with goal for application submittal to be April-May 2013 then two months for plan check and looking at end of 2013 to begin construction. Commissioner Mill indicated this is an ideal location for high-rise units as it will be a catalyst for retail along First Street. Commissioner Acosta inquired if the parking would be standard stalls or tandem. It was noted that the parking structure has all standard stalls. 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS (on non-agenda items) None 2. STAFF COMMENTS Executive Director Trevino stated that the City Council's consideration of the alcohol and entertainment ordinance would be rescheduled to a future meeting between 60 and 90 days out. He also announced that, at the request of the applicant, the Sexlinger project would not be heard by the City Council until May 6. Planning Manager Haluza provided a "Building A Bike Friendly City" flyer and extended an invitation to the Commissioners for a field trip on March 9 in Long Beach. 3. PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Newly appointed commissioner Joel Crespo was welcomed by the Planning Commissioners. C Commissioner Acosta asked for clarification that the trees adjacent to the existing neighborhood at the Vista Del Rio project at 1600 West Memory Lane were the mature trees that were promised. Commissioner Yrarrazaval • Commented on 700 North Daisy's pathway, between houses walkable but not able to drive through, area has get-away route potential. • Inquired if Planning staff proposing a meeting on March 11 as he will not be available. Commissioner Crespo appreciated the welcoming comments and looks forward to working on the Commission. Chairman Alderete thanked Commissioner Mill for research done to name Coach Dick Hill Way which was well received by the City Council. ii 4. EXCUSE OF ABSENCES ADJOURNMENT 6:39 P.M. Martha Ramirez Recording Secretary Planning Commission Minutes 3 February 25, 2013