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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-12-04MINUTES HUNTINGTON BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION Council Chambers, Civic Center Huntington Beach, CA TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1973 - 7 P.M. - REGULAR MEETING COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Geiger, Bazil, Higgins, Kerins, Wallin Commissioner Porter arrived at 7:10 P.M. Boyle NOTE: A TAPE RECORDING OF THIS MEETING IS ON FILE IN THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT OFFICE. CONSENT CALENDAR ON MOTION BY HIGGINS AND SECOND BY BAZIL THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: Minutes The Minutes of November 6, 1973 were approved as transcribed and mailed. ZONE CASE NO. 73-13 Initiated by: Planning Commission Withdrawn with concurrence of staff and Planning Commission. It will be handled as a part of the Land Use Element to the General Plan. TENTATIVE TRACT 5483 Applicant: Subdivider, Harbour Pacific" Ltd. J'- Continued to December 18, 1973 to be heard in conjunction with Conditional Use Permit No. 73-052 and Conditional Exception No. 73-64. Meeting with Subdivision Committee and developer is set for December 7 to review the site plan and tentative map. TENTATIVE TRACT NO. 7743/USE PERMIT NO. 72-82 Applicant: J.M.C. Construction Co. At the request of applicant, Tentative Tract No. 7743 and Use Permit No. 72-82 were withdrawn. USE PERMIT NO. 73-46 Applicant: Steverson Bros. Continued to March 5, 1974, at the request of applicant, and with concurrence of staff, to allow applicant time to obtain additional information and data relative to costs. AYES: Geiger, Bazil, Higgins, Kerins, Wallin, Porter NOES: None ABSENT: Boyle Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Tuesday, December 4, 1973 Page 2 REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS PRESENTATION OF AWARD TO MR. BERRY BERKUS Chairman Kerins presented an Award of Merit to Mr. Berkus for outstanding architecture in the Tiburon Bay area. He stated that his work has been written up in such magazines as Sunset, Urban Land Institute, and House and Home. Mr. Berkus addressed the Commission and staff and expressed his appreciation for the award. LETTER FROM JOHN BEHRENS DATED OCTOBER 23, 1973 TO PLANNING COMMISSION. RE: COASTAL COMMISSION ACTION. Mr. Behrens addressed the Commission and further explained the letter. He outlined the relationship between the Coastal Commission and the various departments in the City of Huntington Beach. Commission discussion followed which covered such points as the problem of enforcement of Coastal Commission conditions, and possible ways of the City's enforcement of the conditions. LAND USE ELEMENT AND CONSERVATION AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENTS TO THE GENERAL PLAN Mr. Ed Selich reviewed with the Commission all the changes which came about as a result of the previous meeting, both in text of the elements and on the maps. It was the consensus of the Commission that the mobile home designation should remain on the Land Use Map. The Commission was advised that they will be getting a copy of the Flood Plain Ordinance from the City of Irvine this week. Conservation and Open Space Element amendments were then discussed. There was a discussion on a joint meeting with City Council set for 6:00 P.M. in the Administrative Annex for December 11, at which time staff will review Land Use Element and Conservation and Open Space Elements - Phase I. ZONE CASE NO. 73-21 (Continued from 10/2/73) Applicant: Initiated by Planning Commission in conjunction with SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 73-1 Zone Case No. 73-21 is a request for redesignation of land use and master plan categories, precise plan of street alignment, closure of Taylor Drive, and establishment of buffer zone fronting Taylor Drive, located in area bounded by Beach Blvd., Southern Pacific Railroad, Taylor Drive, and Talbert Avenue. Secretary Reynolds addressed the Commission and stated that the City Council had referred the above items back to the Planning Commission for reconsideration. Planning Commission is directed by the City Council to report back to the City Council at the December 17, 1973 meeting with results of their reconsideration. -2- 12 4 /'7.3 - ,:'C Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Tuesday, December 4, 1973 Page 3 The issues the ,Planning Commission were to review were size of the park site, i.e. 2.9 acres versus 5 acres; alternatives on buffer; and a review of zoning designation for existing housing on the north side of Taylor Drive, just west of commercial properties. Vugraphs were shown and Commission discussion followed on sidewalks versus no sidewalks, fencing, maintenance of property and size of the park. Recommendations of the staff were discussed. ON MOTION BY HIGGINS AND SECOND BY PORTER COMMISSION APPROVED A 15' WIDE BUFFER STRIP WHICH WOULD INCLUDE 5' PARKWAY WITH NO SIDEWALK, WITH MAINTENANCE TO BE BY THE CITY, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Geiger, Higgins, Wallin, Porter NOES: Bazil, Kerins ABSENT: Boyle There was further discussion by Commission. A MOTION WAS MADE BY KERINS AND SECONDED BY GEIGER TO MODIFY BUFFER STRIP TO 10' WITH NO SIDEWALK AND MAINTENANCE BY THE CITY. VOTE: AYES: Kerins, Geiger, Higgins NOES: Bazil, Wallin, Porter ABSENT: Boyle THE MOTION FAILED. A MOTION WAS MADE BY BAZIL AND SECONDED BY KERINS TO MODIFY BUFFER STRIP TO 10' WITH SIDEWALK. VOTE: AYES: Bazil, Kerins, Higgins NOES: Geiger, Wallin, Porter ABSENT: Boyle THE MOTION FAILED. Commission discussed zoning. A MOTION WAS MADE BY WALLIN AND SECONDED BY KERINS THAT PROPERTY INDICATED AS LOW DENSITY BE RETURNED TO ORIGINAL ZONING AS INDUSTRIAL LAND FOR REASON THAT PRESENT PROPERTY OWNERS DO HAVE ACCESS TO AND WILL MAINTAIN ACCESS TO TAYLOR DRIVE. -3- 12/4/73 - PC Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Tuesday, December 4, 1973 Page 4 VOTE: AYES: Wallin, Kerins, Geiger NOES: Porter,.Bazil, Higgins ABSENT: Boyle THE MOTION FAILED. A motion was made and failed for lack of a second to accept alternate plan indicating low density. A MOTION WAS MADE BY HIGGINS TO RECONSIDER COMMISSIONER WALLIN'S FIRST MOTION THAT PROPERTY INDICATED AS LOW DENSITY BE RETURNED TO ORIGINAL ZONE AS INDUSTRIAL LAND, FOR REASON THAT PRESENT PROPERTY OWNERS DO HAVE ACCESS TO AND WILL MAINTAIN ACCESS TO TAYLOR DRIVE. KERINS SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE: AYES: Higgins, Kerins, Wallin, Geiger NOES: Bazil, Porter ABSENT: Boyle THE MOTION PASSED. MINORITY REPORT Commissioner Bazil stated that if the property that is indicated low density is zoned for industrial use the City would have to provide access for said use to Taylor Drive since these parcels already front on Taylor Drive. Present owners could not make extensive repairs to their homes if needed because they would be non -conforming uses. Industrial zoning would encourage the present owners to resort to backyard industrial operations. He stated that he felt it would be much better to leave property in single family residential zoning. There was a discussion on size of park site. ON MOTION BY BAZIL AND SECOND BY GEIGER 2.9 ACRES WAS APPROVED FOR PARK SITE FOR REASON THAT POPULATION IN AREA DOES NOT WARRANT INCREASE IN SIZE OF PARK BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Geiger, Bazil, Kerins, Wallin NOES: Higgins, Porter ABSENT: Boyle Mr. Norm Worthy, representing the Recreation and Parks Commission addressed the Commission and spoke in behalf of increasing the size of the park to 5 acres. He stated that an.approximate 1200 sq. ft. building had been donated for use in the park and presented a layout of park in two different sizes. -4- 12/4/73 - PC Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Tuesday, December 4, 1973 Page 5 Mr. Ronald Russell, of the Five Points Homeowners Association, addressed the Commission and spoke in favor of a 5 acre park site as opposed to 2.9 recommended by the Commission. MINORITY REPORT Commissioner Porter submitted the following minority report on Specific Plan No. 73-1: 1. If the school site had remained, the residents south of Taylor Avenue would have had more than 5 acres of recreational area. A 2.5 or 2.9 acre park will deprive them of a neighborhood recreational area comparable to other residential areas where schools are located. 2. This area has been promised a park for many years and has anticipated a recreational area of the size indicated above. To reduce that would be unfair. The funds are available to provide the larger site. 3. Our adopted park standard is 5 acres per 1000. It should be adhered to. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 73-052 Subdivider: Harbour Pacific Ltd. This is a request for 120 lots on 23.4 acres located on the southwest corner of Edinger Ave. and Trinidad Lane. Secretary Reynolds requested that the hearing should be opened to the public and continued to December 18, 1973. He further stated that Conditional Use Permit No. 73-052 in conjunction with Tentative Tract No. 5483 will be dis- cussed by the developer with the Subdivision Committee on December 7, and parking information from Herman Kimmel & Associates should be available at that time. The Chairman opened the hearing to the public, and continued the hearing to December 18, 1973 meeting. ON MOTION BY HIGGINS AND SECOND BY WALLIN CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 73-052 WAS CONTINUED TO DECEMBER 18, 1973 BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Geiger, Bazil, Higgins, Kerins, Wallin, Porter NOES: None ABSENT: Boyle ZONE CASE NO. 73-19 Applicant: Initiated by the Planning Commission Zone Case No. 73-19 is a request to change existing R1 zone to ROS Recreation Open Space (Existing use - golf course) to keep zoning in compliance with Master Plan. This property is located on the northeast corner of Graham Street and Warner Avenue. -5- 12/4/73 - PC Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Tuesday, December 4, 1973 Page 6 Secretary Reynolds addressed the Commission and discussed the staff's recommendation for a continuance to April 30, 1974 due to the new date schedule of the Environmental Impact Report which would cover all areas designated for ROS. Com- mission discussion followed on those areas within the corporate limits of the City of Huntington Beach that were to be zoned ROS. It was the consensus of the Commission that four areas would fall in this ROS category: (1) Edison easement presently being used for recreation, (2) Meadowlark Golf Course, (3) Sea - cliff Golf Course, and (4) Huntington Harbor Beach Club. ON MOTION BY GEIGER AND SECOND BY BAZIL THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW BOARD CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING AREAS FOR NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND PROCESSING BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: 1. Edison easement presently being used for recreation. 2. Meadowlark Golf Course. 3. Seacliff Golf Course. 4. Huntington Harbor Beach Club. AYES: Geiger, Bazil, Higgins, Kerins, Wallin, Porter NOES: None ABSENT: Boyle Chairman Kerins declared a ten minute recess at 9:35 P.M. MISCELLANEOUS REMOVAL OF EUCALYPTUS TREES ALONG THE WESTERLY PROPERTY LINE OF TENTATIVE TRACT NO. 7771. A letter recommending removal of the trees had been received by Commission from Jim Palin. Daryl Smith addressed the Commission and discussed the diseased condition of trees. Photographs were presented to Commission for their review. Commission requested that a separate landscape plan for area where removal of trees is necessary to be prepared. Mr. Palin stated that the developer is willing to furnish such a plan. TRACT 7772 PERIMETER WALL (PRD) Mr. Cronk addressed the Commission and stated that he hoped that any wall built would serve as a retaining wall to stop adjacent property from sliding down into the tract. -6- 12/4/73 - PC Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Tuesday, December 4, 1973 Page 7 WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS A letter from George D. Stringer was discussed. It contained current information on the status of the acquisition of portions of the Bolsa Chica property by the Metropolitan Water District. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Ms. Ruth Finley, League of Women Voters, addressed the Commission and asked for clarification of Mr. Behren's presentation concerning the City's relationship with the Coastal Commission. It was noted that staff does receive conditions imposed by the Coastal Commission. The City is not in a legal position to enforce the Commission's conditions of approval. Mr. Thomas Shelton addressed the Commission and requested that they give their approval to proceed with paving of Newland St. to entrance street of his development. (Tract 7772) Commission discussion followed. A MOTION WAS MADE BY BAZIL AND SECONDED BY HIGGINS TO ALLOW IMPROVEMENT TO THE POINT OF HIS ACCESS, SUBJECT TO DETERMINING BY OUR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT THAT THIS ALIGNMENT WILL BE IN ACCORD WITH14THEIR WISHES AND WILL NOT REMOVE ANY ADDITIONAL TREES WITHIN THE CONFINES OF HUNTINGTON BEACH. VOTE: AYES: Geiger, NOES: Wallin, ABSENT: Boyle THE MOTION FAILED Bazil, Higgins Kerins, Porter COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS Chairman Kerins reminded the Commission that he would like very much to start the meetings promptly at 7:00 P.M. Commissioner Higgins stated that he would like to see the meetings speeded up. Commissioner Wallin inquired if a copy of the sign code had been sent to the Design Review Board. Chairman Kerins requested that a list of people who had received sign code be furnished the Commission. -7- 12/4/73 - PC Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Tuesday, December 4, 1973 Page 8 'Commissioner Wallin suggested that staff present any suggestions they might have on energy conservation in NEW homes Mr. Spencer, Building Department, stated he would come back to Commission with any suggestions he could furnish. This related to homes that had large amount of glass in windows and doors. This information could be passed on to developers. Commissioner Geiger stated this should be energy conservation and not use of energy. Commissioner Bazil stated that he would want any study to be reflected in Ordinance changes and not conditions placed on developer by the Planning Commission. STAFF'S COMMENTS Assistant City Attorney John O'Connor discussed Senate Bill 716 which will require members of Planning Commission as well as members of other groups to file statement in April of each year. This will become effective January 1, 1974. He stated that members of the Commission would be furnished a copy. ON MOTION BY KERINS AND SECOND BY WALLIN THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED TO A 6:00 P.M. MEETING ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1973 AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE ANNEX, 523 MAIN STREET, HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: 4 AYES: Geiger, Bazil, Higgins, Kerins, Wallin, Porter NOES: None ABSENT: Boyle IAAAkJ- K. A. Reynolds Edward H. Keri s Secretary Chairman 0 1 -8- 12/4/73 - PC