Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-02-23MINUTES HUNTINGTON BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION Council Chambers, Civic Center Huntington Beach, -California WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1977 - 7:00 P.M. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Parkinson, Finley, Gibson, Slates, Shea, Newman, Boyle COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None NOTE: A TAPE RECORDING OF THIS MEETING IS ON FILE IN THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT OFFICE. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: PRECISE PLAN OF STREET ALIGNMENTS NOS. 76-6A THROUGH E Bryan Austin presented a brief summary of the January 25, 1977 Planning Commission Study Session. He stated that this was the second of three study sessions being held regarding Precise Plan of Street Alignments Nos. 76-6A through E. He further stated that these study sessions were necessary to address the number of con- cerns that have been raised regarding precise plan proposals. He pointed out that this meeting was intended to resolve the issues related to the realignment of Main Street from Mansion Avenue to Ellis Avenue, set the closure of Park and Pine Streets at Utica Avenue for public hearing, resolve other minor issues raised at the last study session; and to consider withdrawal of Precise Plan of Street Alignment 76-6E from further consideration. Mr. Austin further requested that after presentation of these pur- poses for the precise plan proposals the Commission concur with staff that traffic problems are significant in the area and that a north/ south arterial is necessary at Lake Street to implement proper circulation. Mr. Mike Zambory, City Engineer, addressed the Commission and presented the analysis completed by RGB Engineering to date. That analysis con- centrating on identification of the problems that can be anticipated if the precise plan proposals are not implemented. Mr. Zambory raised the following points as justification for the Precise Plans of Street Alignment proposals. -1- PC 2/23/77 Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Wednesday, Feb. 23, 1977 Page Two 1. To insure that residents of the area are provided accessi- bility to their businesses, homes, and recreation with a minimum of inconvenience. 2. To more evenly distribute the projected traffic between several streets to avoid focusing the burden of the dis- ruptions associated with high traffic volumes on one area. 3. To insure to the general public the right of access to the beach while minimizing the traffic impacts on local residents. 4. To minimize the separation of existing residential areas in the vicinity of downtown by diverting the majority of through traffic to the edges of this area while providing convenient access to arterial streets for those residents. 5. To eliminate portions of the diagonal streets of Main and Seventeenth Street to reduce existing time delay and safety problems at the intersections of (1) Gothard Street, Main Street and Garfield Avenue; (2) Seventeenth Street, Main Street and Utica Avenue and (3) Seventeenth Street, Mansion Avenue, and Lake Street. 6. To minimize existing and projected traffic congestion, noise impacts, and other related disruptions to the residential character of Main Street south of Seventeenth Street. 7. To eliminate the need for possible widening of Main Street from 14th Street to Pacific Coast Highway to accommodate the safe and efficient flow projected traffic. 8. To eliminate the existing S curves on Gothard Street be- tween Ellis Avenue and Garfield Avenue to increase safety. Mr. Zambory addressed his remarks to proceeding with the realignment of'Main Street from Mansion Avenue to Ellis Avenue at this time. He cited that there would be beneficial effects on the circulation system without committing the City to any further actions of any of the precise plans of street alignment proposals. Mr. Zambory then presented clarification of cost estimates of the various projects proposed. Mr. Bryan Austin then presented the results of the survey of residents of Park and Pine Streets. He indicated that 53 of the 140 question- naires mailed to residents have been returned at that time and that 34 of these respondents were in favor of closing Park and Pine Streets and 3 people indicated the desire to construct a service road to affect the closure, and 16 people expressed opposition to the closure of Pine and Park Streets. -2- PC 2/23/77 Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Wednesday, Feb. 23, 1977 Page Three Staff then recommended the closure of Park and Pine Streets utilizing cul-de-sacs and creating one-way alleys and that this matter be set for public hearing. Mr. Austin then indicated that Precise Plan of Street Alignment 76-6E, the extension of Huntington Street to link with Ellis Avenue was not desirable at this time and requested that it be removed from consideration. Mr. Austin then addressed the drainage and access concerns raised by members of the Methodist Church on Seventeenth Street regarding the abandonment and closure proposed for Seventeenth Street. It was determined that existing drainage problems would be eliminated when the storm drain system, now under design by the Public Works Depart- ment, was installed. Access would still be available to the church, and therefore, would not be affected. Mr. Austin addressed the concerns of John Peterson, present at the previous meeting, regarding the three lots he owns at the corner of Utica and Main Street. He pointed out that Mr. Peterson only has a maximum of 4 on -street parking spaces at this time due to the presence of a crosswalk, right turn lane, and a "no parking" zone on Utica Avenue. The construction of improvements proposed for this area would eliminate the existing parking on Main Street but would provide five parking spaces on Utica. In addition, the land now utilized for the traffic island and right turn lane, would probably,be offered to him and add to his front yard area. Mr. Austin concluded by stating that the remainder of the issues raised at the last meeting had either been addressed in the previous presen- tation or would be addressed at the upcoming Study Session. Commissioner Parkinson felt the need for further study on the one-way street alternative. Staff indicated that further study is being made into this alternative. Chairman Slates invited people from the audience to speak but emphasized that this was not a public hearing, and that a public hearing would be held for each of the addressed precise plans of street alignment at a later date. Mr. Slates further stressed the importance that every affected citizen be notified of the upcoming public hearing. Mr. Tom Gray addressed the Commission. He stated that the Commission had charged the Planning Department with presenting new alternatives at the last study session. He felt that no new alternatives had been presented by staff, rather only justifications to the existing proposals had been made. Mr. Selich, Planning Director, stated that the Planning Staff has not been ignoring alternatives, but that the time constraints prohibited the Planning Staff from presenting any further alternatives at this time. -3- PC 2/23/77 Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Wednesday, Feb. 23, 1977 Page Four Mr. Robert Bazil addressed the Commission and stated he was in favor of the Lake Street widening. He further urged adoption of the recommendations made by the Planning Staff. He also endorsed the closure of Pine and Park Streets for safety reasons and to enhance the residential neighborhood. Mr. Lance Jacot addressed the Commission and spoke in opposition to the proposed precise plans of street alignment. He stated that the planning assumptions are susceptible to change and that he would like to see a less dramatic plan proposed. Mr. Whiteburn addressed the Commission and spoke in opposition to the closure of Pine and Park Streets. Mr. Steve Batchelor addressed the Commission and spoke in favor of the proposed cul-de-sac on Pine and Park Streets. He was concerned with the safety of the children. Mr. Robert Belihoff addressed the Commission and also spoke in favor of the proposed cul-de-sac on Pine and Park Streets. He also was concerned for the children's welfare and safety. Mr. Barry Waters addressed the Commission and also spoke in favor of t proposed cul-de-sac on Pine and Park Streets. Mr. Bob Dolan addressed the Commission and spoke in opposition to the Pine Street closure. Mrs. Farr addressed the Commission and spoke in favor of the cul-de-sac on Pine and Park Streets due to faster moving traffic. Mr. Robert Montgomery addressed the Commission and stated his opposition to the widening of Lake Street. He also voiced his opposition to the closure of Pine and Park Streets. Chairman Slates closed the public testimony at this time. Chairman Slates stated he was in favor of the staff's recommendation to delete Precise Plan of Street Alignment No. 76-6E from further consider- ation and that he was in favor of setting Park and Pine Streets ' closure for public hearing. He further requested that staff return at the next study session with a complete and total assessment of the precise plan proposals and alternatives. Commissioner Parkinson stated that staff has not had the opportunity to evaluate alternatives, therefore, recommendations should not be made until such analysis is completed. -4- PC 2/23/77 Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Wednesday, Feb. 23, 1977 Page Five ON MOTION BY SLATES AND SECOND BY SHEA THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT WAS DIRECTED TO DELAY PRECISE PLAN OF STREET ALIGNMENT 76-6E FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION, FURTHER COMMISSION RECOMMENDS THAT THE CUL-DE-SAC FOR PARK AND PINE STREETS BE SET FOR PUBLIC HEARING, STAFF SHALL COME BACK WITH A COMPLETE AND TOTAL CIRCULATION PLAN ON ALTERNATIVES FOR LAKE STREET AND MAIN STREET AND OTHER STREETS AND CONSIDER ELIMINATION OF BOTH STREETS FROM ARTERIAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM, AND USE BEACH BOULEVARD AND GOLDENWEST ONLY, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Parkinson, Finley, Gibson, Slates, Shea, Newman, Boyle NOES: None ABSENT: None Chairman Slates called a 5 minute recess. WARNER AVENUE/GOLDENWEST STREET PRELIMINARY PLAN Commission discussed contents of staff report presented and commended staff for an outstanding job done on the staff report. ON MOTION BY GIBSON AND SECOND BY SHEA, COMMISSION ADOPTED THE PROJECT AREA BOUNDARY FOR THE WARER-GOLDENWEST SITE AND THE PRELIMINARY PLAN FOR THE WARNER-GOLDENWEST REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA (RESOLUTION 1193) BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Parkinson, Finley, Gibson, Slates, Shea, Newman, Boyle NOES: None ABSENT: None ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES: Mr. Jim Palin addressed the Commission and discussed the flow of environmental documents and the responsibilities of the Commission in this process. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS: Chairman Slates expressed great concern about the need for a raised median along Pacific Coast Highway commencing at Goldenwest Street to the Santa Ana River. He stated that a resolution to the City Council was in order requesting them to contact the Board of Supervisors, Assembly, Caltrans, etc. to request the State to install such a safety device. STAFF'S COMMENTS: Mr. Ed Selich explained the new boundaries of the Coastal Commission to the Commission. -5- PC 2/23/77 Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Wednesday, Feb. 23, 1977 Page Six Mr. Selich then gave a brief summary of City Council action of February 22, 1977. , ON MOTION BY SLATES AND SECOND BY SHEA MEETING WAS ADJOURNED TO MARCH 1, 1977 BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Parkinson, Finley, Slates, Shea, Boyle, Newman, Gibson NOES: None ABSENT: None Edward D. Selich Secretary :gc R ger Slates Chairman -6- PC 2/23/77 1 u