HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-11-26MINUTES
HUNTINGTON BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION
Council Chambers, Civic Center
Huntington Beach, California
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1974 - 7:00 P.M. - ADJOURNED MEETING
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Geiger, Higgins, Kerins, Finley, Porter
Commissioner Boyle arrived at 7:08 P.M.
Commissioner Bazil arrived at 7:11 P.M.
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None
NOTE: A TAPE RECORDING OF THIS MEETING IS ON FILE IN THE
PLANNING DEPARTMENT OFFICE.
Discussion on Flood Insurance Act as it effects the City of
Huntington Beach:
Monica Florian, Senior Planner, made a brief presentation of
the City's status in the National Flood Insurance Program.
She pointed out that the City entered the program in 1971 and
is now operating under Emergency Status. HUD has identified
the City as flood prone, and the City has complied with re-
quired minimum land management regulations. After detailed
studies are completed next year, the City will be on the
Regular Program and be required to implement strict land
management controls. She outlined appeal measures available
to the City and presented Planning Department recommendations.
Discussion followed.
Discussion on Proposed Code Amendment 74-6: "Article 979
Revisions"
The intent of this proposed code amendment being to implement
the recommendations of the off-street parking study and other
minor revisions.
John Cope addressed the Commission and presented an outline
of -the proposed code amendment. Mr. Cope discussed the graphic
portrayal of an "intensified land plan". It was noted that a
provision already exists in the code pertaining to the six
percent landscaping, whereby the six percent of landscaping
must be distributed among the entire parking area. It was
further noted that the City of Huntington Beach has no typical
landscaping requirements, i.e., normal size and location of
plants. Commissioner Higgins expressed concerns regarding the
time it takes for a plant to mature versus the screening effects
it should have at time of planting. Mr. Cope commented that
the staff looked for full maturity of most plants within 18 ,,,to
24 months. Mr. Cope further stated, if a time limit is set as
to when plants must be mature, the developer may tend to choose
Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission
Tuesday, November 26, 1974
Page 2
a lesser quality plant, looking only for rapid growth, instead
,of long term aesthetic environment.
It was Commissioner Higgins' feeling that a time limit of 18 to
36 months maturity of plants should be inserted into the code
amendment. Mr. Cope stated that it was his feeling that as much
flexibility as possible should be given the developer to allow
;for quality landscaping. i
Commissioner Bazil discussed the type and width of the screening
wall. Safer provisions in lieu of eliminating the 4 inch wall was
discussed. The majority of the Commission preferred a 6 inch wall
for safer parking.
Parking for fixed seating was discussed. It was noted that the
occupancy load should be checked out by the Fire Department. Mr.
Palin stated our statistics for one (1) parking space per 120
square feet was derived from the medical facilities within the
City, counting employees, doctors, turnover, etc. He further
stated that this figure was based on actual observation conducted
by the City.
It was the final consensus that the Staff should return to the
Planning Commission with more information on the provision of
6 inch wall, provision for existing buildings, Fire Department
standards for guest seating and screening maturing must be within
18 - 24 months.
Discussion on Proposed Code Amendment 74-3 "Planned Residential
Development Rewrite"
Mr. Palin outlined seven additional recommendations of the Sub-
committee of the Planning Commission and Staff regarding the
Planned Residential Development Rewrite.
41. Developments having less than the 50 units per development
minimum was rejected by the Commission.
#2. Low Density Planned Residential Development, Multi -family
Planned Residential Development, and a conversion to con-
dominiums of existing apartments was discussed by Commission.
Commission was in concurrence with Staff that the new direction
should be a Low -Density Planned Residential Development, Multiple -
family Planned Residential Development.and a conversion to
condominiums of existing apartments.
#3. Commission concurred with Staff to use the word "heterogeneous"
as a general statement in the low -density PRD which would encourage
the "heterogeneous" type of development and the orientation of
units to the site to enhance the living environment.
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Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission
Tuesday, November 26, 1974
Page 3
#4. The Commission concurred with Staff that the use of garages
versus carports should be utilized within planned develop-
ments.
#5. Commission
minimum of
floor -level
a sun deck.
concurred with Staff's recommendation that a
120 square feet be provided for above -ground
units through the use of balconies and/or
#6. Staff recommended that the recreational facility (clubhouse)
be of sufficient size to accommodate at least one person
for each unit proposed within the development. Commission
instructed Staff to present additional information as to
size of the facility.
V . Commission discussed recreational storage facilities and
concurred that words "either/or" should be incorporated.
Discussion ensued regarding further amendments to the proposed
code amendment. Commission and Staff discussed input received
from the Subcommittee Meeting held July 9, 1974 on subject
code amendment. Commission directed Staff to make further
amendments to the proposed code amendment and present draft to
Commission for further review.
Discussion on Proposed Code Amendment 74-11: "Administrative
Revisions"
Dave Eadie outlined the code amendment. The Commission generally
concurred with the concept of the amendment. The Staff indicated;
they would be adding to the proposed code amendment criteria
for review and approval by the Department of Building and
Community Development and perhaps some type of review by the
Planning Department. This will be determined shortly and all
revisions will be incorporated into a new draft and distributed
to the Planning Commission for final review prior to setting
the code amendment for public hearing. The Commission again
reiterated the concern that all review and approval by the
Planning Director should appear on a consent calendar on the
Board of Zoning Adjustments minutes so as to have a public
record of the Planning Director's activities and provisions for
appeal.
Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission
Tuesday, November 26, 1974
Page 4
Discussion on Proposed Code Amendment 74-17: "Upgrading of
the Automobile Related Standards"
Dave Eadie outlined Code Amendment 74-17. After review and
discussion of the issues set forth in this proposed code
amendment, the Planning Commission directed the Staff to
set Code Amendment No. 74.-17 for public hearing on all of the
concepts except auto dismantling provisions. The Commission
expressed a concern to the staff requesting investigation
of special locational characteristics for automobile dis-
mantling uses. The Staff indicated that the code amendment
will be delayed until more definitive information regarding
automobile dismantling and its locational aspects is drafted
and presented or they will proceed with the remainder of the'
code amendment and address automobile dismantling uses in the
meantime.
Discussion of the Bicycle Trails System in the City of Huntington
Beach
Parking along the bike lanes was discussed. A letter from Bill
Hartge, Director of Public Works, was discussed. Mr. Hartge
outlined that in 1973 Huntington Beach's bicycle accident rate
was 0, and that in 1974 the accident rate for bicyclists was 1.
It was his feeling that the bicycle lanes were a safe investment
and it was the only thing that could be done at the present,
budget wise. '
Commission directed Ed Selich, Planning Program Administrator,
to meet with the Police Department and prepare a detailed report
to be presented to the Commission on bicycle safety.
Discussion on Re -zoning of the"Garfield School Site .-
It was the consensus of the Commission to discourage the rezoning
of the Garfield School Site at the present time.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
A letter was received and filed from Don Kiser, Dept. of -Public
Works,regarding a seven foot walkway easement vacation. Under
the State Government Code, a finding -of conformity with the
General Plan is necessary. Commission concurred with Mr. Kiser's
letter.
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Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission
Tuesday, November 26, 1974
Page 5
ON MOTION BY KERINS AND SECOND BY HIGGINS, MEETING WAS ADJOURNED
AT 10:50 P.M. BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Geiger, Bazil, Higgins, Kerins, Finley, Boyle, Porter
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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Richard A. Harlow
Secretary
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Edward H. Kerins
Chairman