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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-12-12MINUTES HUNTINGTON BEAC14 PLANNING COMMISSION Council Chambers, Civic Center Huntington Beach, California TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1972 - 3 PM - ADJOURNED MEETING COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Bazil, Kerins, Porter, Wallin, Higgins COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Boyle NOTE: A TAPE RECORDING OF THIS MEETING IS ON FILE IN THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT OFFICE. CODE AMENDMENT NO. 72-33 (First Draft dated 12/5/72) Code Amendment No. 72-33 requires rights of way dedication and improvement for agricultural uses subject to review by the Board of Zoning Adjustments and criteria contained there- in. The Acting Secretary, Jim Palin, stated that this code amendment was prepared at the request of the Planning Commission. Commissioner Kerins asked whether a use permit is required for agricultural uses in the RA district. The Acting Secretary said it was not. Mr. Dick Harlow, Assistant Planning Director, stated that when the issue came up, it appeared that the question was one of dedication rather than use permits for uses other than field crops. Commissioner Kerins said that he doesn't think the question of use permits has to be resolved prior to handling the specific zone change. Chairman Porter stated that the purpose was to assure getting dedication where it was wanted. This code amend- ment does that. Chairman Porter questioned the validity of requiring a use permit; that it would be unduly restrictive. Commissioner Bazil stated that temporary produce stands are already covered, and agreed with Chairman Porter that uses in RA Districts are restrictive enough and that a use permit should not be required. The Chairman opened the public hearing. Mr. Bill Wren, Huntington Beach Company, addressed the Commission and requested clarification as to when no street improvements would be required as a result of the type of use. Mr. Wren stated that when it is determined that no improvements are required they can be waived at that time, but are subject to later review and requirement. He doesn't feel it is fair to have the threat of improvement being required hanging'over the head of a person i# this situation. is The Acting Secretary s ated that it would be necessary to get an opinion from th City Attorney as to where in the code amendment and how, this type situation could be clarified. 1. PC 12/12/72 Minute: II.B. Planning Commission Tuesday, Decemhcr 12, 1972 1%1ge 2 Commissioner Iliggin,; agreed that Mr. Wrcn's point wa" valid and felt ;i provision should he written ;nto the amendment to preclude this s i tuat 1011. The Acting Secretary suggested the Board of Zoning Adjustments could qualify their waiver of improvements. Commissioner Kerins suggested there should be a periodic re- view of the use. Chairman Porter agreed to the need for a review procedure. Commissioner Higgins suggested that the words "development of surrounding area" be deleted as a reason for requiring improvements. Commissioner Bazil inquired as to the thinking of the staff when this requirement was included. The Acting Secretary stated that it was suggested by the City Attorney and stated that the Commission could at this time initiate a requirement for a review by the Board of Zoning Adjustments for a use permit for agricultural uses where such use is of an industrial or commercial nature or where processing is a major protion of the operation. There being no one further present to speak, the Chairman closed the public hearing. Commissioner Higgins suggested deletion on Page 4, Line 19, of the words "where practical difficulties arise." A poll of the Commission by the Chairman on deleting reference to "practical difficulties" was taken and the majority wanted it left in. The Chairman called for the question. ON MOTION BY KERINS SECOND BY WALLIN, CODE AMENDMENT NO. 72-33 WAS APPROVED AS AMENDED TO INCLUDE BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENTS REVIEW REGARDING THE LENGTH OF TIME AND USE, AND FURTHER AMENDMENTS SUGGESTED BY COMMISSION AND STAFF, BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Bazil, Kerins, Porter, Wallin, Higgins NOES: None ABSENT: Boyle ZONE CASE NO. 72-35 (Continued from November 21, 1972) Applicant: Huntington Beach Company Zone Case No. 72-35 is a change of zone on approximately 8-1/4 acres of land from M2-02 to RA-02 located southwesterly of Goldenwest Street and Garfield Avenue. Commissioner Higgins stated that he would abstain from discussion and action on this item. The Acting Secretary reviewed the proposal. Originally the application covered 40 acres, however, the Planning Commission requested the application be amended to cover only that por- tion of the property which is proposed to be used for a wholesale nursery. The matter was continued to permit the amendment to the application and to allow Code Amendment No. 72-33 to be,handled concurrently. s Coda Amendment No. 72-33 proposed to require rights of way dedication and improvement for agricultural uses subject to criteria established in the amendment. PC 12/12/72 2. Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Tuesday, December 12, 1972 Page 3 Mr. Bill Wren, representing the Huntington Beach Company, was present to answer any questions. Tile Acting Secretary informed the Commission that the public hearing on Zone Case No. 72-35 was still open. There being no one further present to speak, the Chairman closed the public hearing. The Acting Secretary stated that the staff recommends approval of Zone Case No. 72-35 as set forth in the amended legal description and plot plan. Commissioner Kerins stated that he would like a code amendment initiated by the Planning Commission requiring a use permit to be processed to coincide with this zone case and asked if this was possible. The Acting Secretary stated that such an amendment would not come before the Commission until January and that if this zone case is to be withheld until the code amendment is prepared, it would be necessary to continue the zone case until that time. ON MOTION BY KERINS SECOND BY WALLIN, ZONE CASE NO. 72-35 WAS APPROVED FOR THE REASONS THAT IT IS A FEASIBLE USE OF THE PROPERTY AND ALLOWS AN INTERIM USE OF THE LAND, BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Bazil, Kerins, Porter, Wallin NOES: None ABSTAIN: Higgins ABSENT: Boyle The Acting Secretary then inquired whether the Commission wished to initiate a code amendment to require a use permit where an agricultural use is of an industrial or commercial nature or where processing is a major portion of the operation within the RA District. ON MOTION BY KERINS SECOND BY WALLIN, STAFF WAS DIRECTED TO PREPARE A CODE AMENDMENT TO REQUIRE A USE PERMIT FOR AN AGRICULTURAL USE IN THE RA DISTRICT WHERE THE USE IS OF A COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL NATURE OR WHERE PROCESSING IS A MAJOR PORTION OF THE OPERATION, BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Bazil, Kerins, Porter, Wallin, Higgins NOES: None ABSENT: Boyle DISCUSSION Code Amendment No. 72-21 (Fifth Draft dated 12/8/72) The purpose of Code Amendment No. 72-21 is to establish a multi -story suffix which will provide standards by which land development located within certain areas of the city may exceed the maximum height limit. Article 933. The Acting Secretary stated that the City Council appointed High Rise Citizens Committee has been furnished copies of the fifth draft of this code amendment and Mr. Art Knox, Chairman of the Committee is present to address the Commission. Mr. Horn, a member of the Committee passed out an informa- tion sheet dated December 12, 1972 prepared by the Committee. 3. PC 12/12/72 Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Tuesday, December 12, 1972 Page 4 Recommendations to be determined by the Committee at a later date are: 1) Location of high-rise districts, and 2) whether the high rise ordinance should be submitted for voter approval. Committee comments on the fifth draft of Code Amendment No. 72-21 were as follows: Commercial: Generally O.K. Industrial: Generally O.K. Residential: Minimum Lot Size - 20,000 sq. ft. Town Lot Area - Delete Lines 12-28, Page 5. Density in t e Town Lot Area should be the same as other residential areas. Wall of Buildings - Page 6 still creates a wall obuil ings. No averaging of front setback should be allowed. A minimum front setback of 40 ft. is recommended. Six Foot Structures --Delete reference to six foot structures on Lines 17 and 24, Page 7. Parking Requirements - Line 25, Page 10 should be 2-1/2 spaces for 3 bedroom unit. Delete carport provision for tenant parking in Lines 4 and 24 on Page 11. Parking space requirement should read 9 ft. x 19 ft. Landscaping - 20o should be required. Line 7, Page 12. Exceptions - Delete this section. Page 12, Lines 20-Z8, and Page 13. (Conditional Exception Section should prevail.) Additional comments were as follows: The Committee generally opposes the multi -story suffix philosophy. The Acting Secretary explained that the suffix cannot be applied indiscriminately throughout the city. The intent is that the multi -story suffix will be applied to only those districts designated in the Master Plan. Mr. Knox felt that this statement should be included in the ordinance and it was agreed that such a statement would be added. Under Industrial Districts, Mr. Knox recommended a 20,000 sq. ft. minimum lot size and under lot coverage, recommended one sq. ft. of landscaping in addition to the requirements of the article and in no case shall the total lot coverage exceed 50 percent. Under Residential Districts, Mr. Knox recommended deleting the averaging for minimum floor area, a minimum 40 ft. setback on side streets, and with reference to setback requirements, felt that 1 ft. for 1 ft. on side yards was excessive. Under Landscaping, Mr. Knox recommended a minimum of 200. With reference to Exceptions, Mr. Knox felt that the section should be written so that exceptions are nill and if a developer has a problem, he can appeal. To utilize the use permit procedure for exceptions is improper in his opinion. He recommended that the entire Exceptions section be deleted. The Committee is still opposed to bonus of additional units even though the bonus has been reduced. Regarding credit for roof area use for recreational purposes, the new proposal is roughly the same as in the previous draft. The Committee is not too enthused about giving credit for roof improvements. PC 12/12/72 4. Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Tuesday, December 12, 1972 Page 5 Commissioner Bazil commented on the need for consolidation in the Town Lot Area. Commissioner Wallin, speaking with reference to the Town Lot Area, doesn't feel 10-1 ratio for setbacks is enough. Commissioner Bazil feels subterranean parking should be encouraged and other parking limited. Commissioner Higgins, with reference to 42" above grade parking facilities, doesn't feel 42" is a good figure. He discussed air circulation requirements and thinks 6 ft. would be more realistic. Commissioner Wallin would like to see the Visual Appearance section expanded. Commissioner Kerins inquired of Assistant City Attorney Willis Mevis, his opinion concerning exceptions. Commissioner Higgins thinks it is essential that the Exceptions Section be left in. Mr. Harlow, Assistant Planning Director, feels the Exceptions Section should be left in. Commissioner Wallin would like a statement included in the code amendment encouraging subterranean parking. Commissioner Higgins feels that if underground parking is mandatory, it will invalidate the entire ordinance. With reference to outside courts, the Acting Secretary explained what is an outside court and will define it in the next draft. Mr. Harlow showed vu-graphs illustrating types of high rise developments and lot coverage. With reference to residential and commercial, the staff will determine what height projection is workable. Sketches were posted showing typical parking structures. Further revision will be made in the code amendment by the staff and cube models will be prepared, then, the question of percentage of lot coverage can be answered. The remaining question will then be the increased density in the Town Lot Area. A draft incorporating these changes will be prepared for the study session on January 9, 1973. REMAINING AGENDA ITEMS Action on all remaining agenda items was postponed to future meetings. MISCELLANEOUS Mr. David D. Rowlands, City Administrator, Mr. John Behrens, the new Director of Building and Community Development, and Mr. Bill Reed, Public Information Officer arrived to discuss communication problems with the Commission. The Chairman stated that the Commission is concerned with its public image and relationship with the City Administrator, Building and Community Services Department, and public relations, and that it was the desire of the Commission to establish a line of communications for the benefit of the Commission and the public at large. Mr. John Berhens was introduced to the Commission. 5. PC 12/12/72 Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Tuesday, December 12, 1972 Page 6 Mr. Rowlands suggested possibly going to a monthly publication of the "Sands." Mr. Reed could work out special articles for Sands publication for Planning Commission coverage. Mr. Reed stated that a public informatio,i intern will be employed to assist in this work. Commissioner Wallin suggested a newspaper "box" of the Planning Commission agenda. Chairman Porter inquired of Mr. Rowlands the possibility of getting time on Channel 50. Mr. Reed explained that Channel 50 covers all of Orange County and Huntington Beach should get some coverage in 1973. Mr. Rowlands encouraged Commissioners to call him for informa- tion or assistance whenever needed. There followed a discussion of building permits being issued prematurely. Mr. Behrens discussed this type problem at length and stated his philosophy of management, including his feeling that communications with the Commission is essential. Commissioner Wallin suggested a future study session presenta- tion by the Department of Building and Community Development and periodic progress reports on major projects. Commissioner Boyle arrived at 6:20 P.M. Further general discussion followed. COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS Commissioner Wallin was appointed to the Subdivision Committee. Commissioner Boyle was appointed to the Underground Utilities Commission. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, ON MOTION BY KERINS SECOND BY BOYLE THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED TO AN INFORMAL DINNER MEETING, BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Bazi1, Kerins, Porter, Wa11i.n, Boyle, Higgins NOES: None ABSENT: None ��.J�e L_V� K. A. ynol s Secretary arcus M. orter Chairman PC 12/12/72 6.