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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-05-15Approved June 5, 1979 MINUTES HUNTINGTON BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION Council Chambers 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach, - Civic Center California TUESDAY, MAY 15, 1979 - 7:00 PM COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Higgins, Russell, Stern, Finley, Cohen, Bazil, Paone COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None CONSENT CALENDAR: Savoy Bellavia pointed out to the Commission that a correction page has been distributed for the May 1, 1979 minutes to show that the public hearing for TT 10656 and Conditional Use Permit No. 79-5 had been continued; he also informed them that the Planning Department's recommendation on Item A-4, Conformance with General Plan No.79-8 for vacation of right-of-way on Palm Avenue, has changed to now re- quire all future vacations of small portions of this right-of-way to be brought to the Commission for individual consideration. ON MOTION BY HIGGINS AND SECOND BY COHEN THE CONSENT CALENDAR (CON- SISTING OF THE MINUTES OF MAY 1, 1979 AND CONFORMANCE WITH GENERAL PLAN NOS. 79-6, 79-7, AND 79-8) WAS APPROVED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Higgins, Russell, Stern, Finley, Cohen, Paone NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: Bazil ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. R REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS: TENTATIVE TRACT 10656/CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 79-5 (Cont. from 5-1-79) Applicant: Casa Del Sol Apartment Fund, Ltd. To permit a 34-lot subdivision of land for the purpose of convert- ing 448 existing apartments to condominiums, located on the west side of Brookhurst Street approximately 660 feet south of Hamilton Avenue. Savoy Bellavia presented information extracted from the special . census results for Tract 38, Area 4, which includes Casa Del Sol, � r Minutes, H.B. Planning Commission May 15, 1979 Page 2 the Huntington Vista apartments to the north and additional 27 apartments, totaling 695 units. This tract is considered to give a good indication of the general area. Median income for the area is $16,431 per year per household, vs. $22,187 for the City-wide median; median rent paid is $304 per month, slightly higher than the City-wide average of $293 per month; and median age for the area is the same as the City-wide average of 28 years. Legal counsel James Georges addressed the Commission to respond to the requests for information directed to the Attorney's office as follows: 1) The questions of equal protection and the loss of the right to choose where to live have no validity under the law; condominium conversions are not unconstitutional and do not violate the equal protection provisions of the 14th Amendment. 2) Use of Article 936 (Planned Residential Development) is permissible under the law but a conversion ordinance would be preferable; 3) Finan- cial assistance conditions and inclusionary zoning requirements should not be conditions on a conditional use permit but could all legally be included in a conversion ordinance; and 4) Mr. Georges addressed the use of the Subdivision Map Act in condominium conver- sions and reported that conversion is classified as a subdivision by the Map Act. He cited upcoming bills SB 823, AB 813, and AB 323 which specifically deal with condominiums, community apart- ment, and stock cooperative conversions and which all three more definitively address the relationships of said projects to the Map Act. The continued public hearing was reopened. Edward Petersen, representing the applicants, addressed the Commis- sion to review the changes made in the proposal in an attempt to more nearly comply with code provisions. He discussed parking, open space, and financial provisions and noted that further study has indicated that the cost of the units might be as low as $60,000 to $70,000. He also presented information delineating the possible future rent costs as opposed to ownership costs. Mr. Petersen said that his firm has been involved in the existing procedures for a long time and to change the process in midstream seems unjustified and costly when existing procedures are available and have been used in other cities without challenge. It was his feeling that asking the present applicant to agree to a continuance was tanta- mount to asking for a voluntary moratorium, and he requested the Commission to approve the plan as proposed under the present City planned residential development provisions. In response to questioning from the Commission Mr. Petersen acknowl- edged that he knows of no legally binding way by which the proponent could be firmly held to the financial program and unit cost figures as outlined. Peter Similak addressed the Commission in opposition to the pro- posed conversion project. Michael Kirschbaum addressed the Commission to state that the plan even as revised does not by any means meet code requirements and -2- 5-15-79 - P.C. Minutes, H.B. Planning Commission May 15, 1979 Page 3 to urge the preparation of a conversion ordinance prior to any approvals of this nature. He discussed the precedent -setting effect which approval would have and the consequent reduction in rental units which would result; the proposed financial package, which on its face seems attractive but which had not been given a detailed presentation to the existing tenants of Casa Del Sol nor clearly understood by them; and the financial ability of the renters to pur- chase their units. Nell Giles addressed the Commission to describe the method by which the tenants survey had been taken and to assure them that it was as complete and accurate as possible. The public hearing was closed. The Commission reviewed the revised plan and the financial assist- ance proposals submitted by the applicant. Discussion included consideration of whether condominium conversion would tend to phase out minority and elderly people from the City, whether it could sufficiently diminish the rental stock to cause an imbalance of housing types in the City, the prevailing and future economic situ- ations which might affect both rent and housing costs, and the need for a condominium conversion ordinance to give exact direction for projects of this nature. Commissioner Russell said that approving any project before enactment of an ordinance would mean that the City would be applying two sets of standards to this and future con- versions, which might later be construed as a special privilege for the subject applicant. The revised plan was found not to attain acceptable compliance with existing code requirements. Commissioner Stern quoted the goals and policies of the Housing Element, suggesting that these be included in the findings for denial. He also set forth the following additional suggested findings: 1. Twenty-five percent of the families in Huntington Beach are spending more than the acceptable norms for shelter cost, and conversions to condominiums would severely increase that per- centage, based on the surveys presented to the Commission. 2. Housing costs are increasing twice as fast as other costs and will continue to rise. 3. No programs exist to encourage new apartment construction; therefore, housing stock will be reduced. 4. The majority of new housing is being designed and constructed for those families above the median income level. 5. There is an immediate shortage in the City of approximately 5500 housing units for low-income families and approval of this request would only serve to exacerbate this condition. -3 5-15-79 - P.C. Minutes, H.B. Planning Commission May 15, 1979 Page 4 Mr. Stern read the staff's suggested findings into the record as well. A MOTION WAS MADE BY STERN AND SECONDED BY BAZIL TO DENY TENTATIVE TRACT 10656 AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 79-5 WITH THE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN, THE ABOVE - LISTED ADDITIONAL FINDINGS, AND THE FINDINGS AS PRESENTED IN THE STAFF REPORT AS REASONS FOR DENIAL. Commission.discussion ensued. Commissioner Higgins pointed out that the parking can be brought into compliance; however, he finds the provision of additional open space over the carports unaccept- able. In addition Mr. Higgins indicated that he did not feel the special permit was appropriate in this case. Commissioner Paone said that the mention of the parking deficiency in the staff's Finding No. 1 should be deleted because the project can comply with parking requirements,.albeit perhaps not in as desirable form as it presently exists. He also noted that sufficient information is not available on which to base the added conditions suggested by the motion and these should be deleted, as well as the references to the goals and policies of the Housing Element. He noted that his vote to deny would be based solely upon code deficiency and special permit considerations. A MOTION WAS MADE BY PAONE AND SECONDED BY HIGGINS TO AMEND THE MOTION FOR DENIAL AS NOTED ABOVE. In the discussion which followed, Commi.ssioner,Bazil said that, rather than delete all reference to a parking deficiency, the find- ings could state that the -project had not complied with code in regard to parking requirements and none of the alternatives pro- posed are acceptable. ON MOTION BY BAZIL AND SECOND BY STERN THE AMENDMENT TO THE ORIG- INAL MOTION WAS AMENDED TO READ: "PARKING IS BELOW THAT REQUIRED BY ORDINANCE AND NO ALTERNATIVE PARKING LAYOUT PRESENTED BY THE APPLICANT IS ACCEPTABLE." MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES:* Russell, Stern, Finley, Cohen, Bazil NOES: Higgins, Paone ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Discussion on Commissioner Paone's amendment followed. Commissioner Finley agreed that the General Plan findings should be eliminated because no facts are now available to determine just what the effects of a conversion ordinance on the city's housing patterns would be. Mr; Paone again pointed out that the findings are conclusionary statements only with no facts to substantiate the numerical con- clusions as given. The Commission again reviewed future rental costs as opposed to ownership of unit costs. 1 -4- 5-15-79 - P.C. Minutes, H.B. Planning Commission May 15, 1979 Page 5 THE AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION FOR DENIAL FAILED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: ' AYES: Paone, Higgins, Finley NOES: Russell, Stern, Cohen, Bazil ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ON MOTION BY STERN AND SECOND BY BAZIL THE ORIGINAL MOTION TO DENY TENTATIVE TRACT 10656 AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 79-5 WAS AMENDED TO DELETE THE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT, THE SUGGESTED ADDITIONAL FINDINGS, AND TO INCORPORATE THE WORDING IN REGARD TO PARKING CONTAINED IN COMMISSIONER BAZIL'S AMENDMENT TO THE ORIGINAL AMENDMENT. ALSO ADDED WILL BE A NEW FINDING NO. 7 TO STATE: "THE PROPOSED CONDOMINIUM CONVERSION IS NOT IN ACCORD- ANCE WITH SOME SECTIONS OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN OF THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH." MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Higgins, Russell, Stern, Finley, Cohen, Bazil NOES: Paone ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Commissioner Cohen again cautioned the Commission against basing any computation of ownership advantage vs. renting costs on tax and interest deductions; he added also that many savings and loan institutions are using the variable interest rate for mortgages, thereby further lessening the "fixed" nature of house payments. THE ORIGINAL MOTION TO DENY TENTATIVE TRACT 10656 AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 79-5, AS AMENDED ABOVE, WAS APPROVED WITH THE FOL- LOWING FINDINGS, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: FINDINGS FOR DENIAL: 1. The proposed map is not consistent with applicable general and specific plans insofar as common and private open spaces are below that required by ordinance; parking is below that required by ordinance and no alternative parking layout presented by the applicant is acceptable; building bulk exceeds that per- mitted by ordinance; and setbacks of some parking structures do not comply with ordinance requirements. 2. The design or improvements of the proposed subdivision are not consistent with applicable general and specific plans insofar as drive entrances into the project do not comply with Article 936. 3. The site is not physically suited for the type of development, due to the lack of required parking and private and common open space. 4. The granting of a special permit in order to approve Conditional Use Permit No. 79-5 will not promote a better living environment. -5- 5-15-79 - PXc Minutes, H.B. Planning Commission May 15, 1979 Page 6 5. The granting of a special permit will not provide better land planning techniques with maximum use of aesthetically pleasing types of architecture, landscaping, site layout, and design. 6.- The granting of a special permit is not consistent with the objectives of the planned unit development standards in achiev- ing a development adapted to the terrain and compatible with the surrounding environment. 7. The proposed condominium conversion is not in accordance( with some sections of the Housing Element of the General Plan of the City of Huntington Beach. AYES: Higgins, Russell, Stern, Finley, Cohen, Bazil, Paone NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None In response to a request from Mr. Petersen that the applications be denied without prejudice, Mr. Palin informed him that there is no time restriction contained in the Map Act which would preclude him from refiling the petitions in less than one year; therefore, denial without prejudice is not necessary. Discussion took place between the Commission and staff members on — some method of including in the denial supplementary information in regard to the concerns on inclusionary zoning requirements, vacancy factors, the financial package proposed by the developer, and other sociological concerns which have arisen in these hearings. "A motion was made -by Bazil and seconded by Stern that a statement be included to the effect that on the advice of counsel it has been determined that the Commission is unable to impose conditions be- yond the requirements of the present planned residential ordinance and it would be the desire of the Commission to impose restrictions which can only be accomplished by the establishment of a condominium conversion ordinance. Commissioner Paone objected to including such a statement with the findings for denial, stating that such a conclusion hinges on the legal question of whether or not conversions can be processed by the conditional use permit vehicle (which he noted is being used by other cities without apparent conflict). Commissioner Finley agreed, expressing deep concern about the effects on the community of con- versions but concurring that such a statement should not'be included within the findings for denial. Mr. Stern withdrew his second. Commissioner Bazil, considering the possibility that the application might be appealed to the Council, said that perhaps the Department's transmittal to the Council on such appeal could include the above - noted concerns. ON MOTION BY BAZIL AND SECOND BY STERN THE COMMISSION DETERMINED TO TRANSMIT TO THE CITY COUNCIL A STATEMENT OUTLINING THEIR CONCERNS AND INDICATING THAT THE COMMISSION IS WORKING ON A CONDOMINIUM 1 -6- 5-15-79 - P.C. Minutes, H.B. Planning Commission May 15, 1979 Page 7 CONVERSION ORDINANCE WHICH SHOULD BE ADOPTED AND IN EFFECT PRIOR TO APPROVAL OF ANY CONVERSIONS WITHIN THE CITY. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Higgins, Russell, Stern, Finley, Cohen, Bazil, Paone NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 79-12 Applicant:, Kimberly H. Gordon To permit operation of a private ski school at 5142-1 Bolsa Avenue. The public hearing was opened. Kim Gordon addressed the Commission to describe his project. A rep- resentative of the land owner informed the Commission that signing on the use will be restricted to an approximately four square foot sign by the door, in conformance with the remainder of the uses. There being no one else present to speak on the proposed project, the public hearing was closed. Commission discussion of signing, advertising, and hours of opera- tion followed. ON MOTION BY BAZIL AND SECOND BY RUSSELL CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 79-12 WAS APPROVED WITH THE FOLLOWING FINDINGS AND CONDITIONS, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: FINDINGS: 1. The subject industrial complex has adequate parking to accommo- date the proposed use. 2. The proposed ski school is generally compatible with the sur- rounding land uses.. CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL: 1. The site plan and floor plan received and dated April 4, 1979, shall be the approved layout. 2. Hours of operation shall be limited to 10:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, with a special two -week ski ballet session to be offered in July or August. 3. The Planning Commission reserves the right to rescind this Conditional Use Permit approval in the event of any violation of the terms of this approval or violation of the applicable zoning laws; any such decision shall be preceded by notice to the applicant and a public hearing, and shall be based upon specific findings. -7- 5-15-79 - P.C. Minutes, H.B. Planning Commission May 15, 1979 Page 8 AYES: Higgins, Russell, Stern, Finley, Cohen, Bazil, Paone NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 79-14 Applicant: Steven Ta'lcott To permit use of an educational unit in an existing church facility for summer school K-8, and for pre-school year round, located on the north side of Ellis Avenue approximately 110 feet west of Goodwin Lane. The public hearing was opened. Steve Talcott was present to describe the operation of the proposed use. No other persons were present to address the Commission, and the public hearing was closed. The Commission reviewed the original master plan for the church facility, the street improvements adjacent to the use, and the anti- cipated number of children and methods by which they will reach the school facility. ON MOTION BY COHEN AND SECOND BY HIGGINS CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 79-14 WAS APPROVED WITH THE FOLLOWING FINDINGS AND CONDITIONS, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: FINDINGS: 1. The proposed use.is in conformance with the adopted master plan for the church. 2. The church has sufficient parking to accommodate the preschool and the summer school. 3. The proposed use is generally compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. CONDITIONS 'OF APPROVAL: L. Hours of operation for the summer school will be from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon for six weeks beginning June 25, 1979. 2: The Planning Commission reserves the right to rescind this Conditional Use Permit approval in the event of any violation of the terms of this approval or violation of the applicable zoning laws; any such decision shall be preceded by notice to the applicant and a public hearing, and shall be based on specific findings. AYES: Higgins, Russell, Stern, Finley, Cohen, Bazil, Paone NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None 1 -8- 5-15-79 - P.C. 1 Minutes, H.B. Planning Commission May 15, 1979 Page 9 CONDITIONAL EXCEPTION NO. 79-03/CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 79-15 Applicant:, Diocese -of Orange To permit repair and expansion of an existing church facility and the creation of a 38-space parking lot on the southwest corner of Tenth Street and Orange Avenue. Savoy Bellavia informed the Commission that the project description as listed on the agenda will have to be modified, as the 6-foot wall on the rear property line had not been included in the public notice for this project and therefore cannot be a part of this hearing. The applicant has been notified and has concurred that he will file a separate conditional exception to the Board of Zoning Adjustments for the wall. Therefore the deliberations of the Com- mission will include only the expansion and the request for the reduction of required parking spaces, even though the wall is delin- eated upon the site plan under consideration. The public hearing was opened. Charles Bollan addressed the Commission in regard to the proposal. He stated that he would prefer that the entrance be from the alley and the present curb cut eliminated, as parking on the street is already very limited. He also objected to the view the parking lot would present to the residences immediately across the street and suggested that a 6-foot fence should also be installed across the Tenth Street frontage. Larry La Bonte, architect for the project, addressed the Commission to describe the plan and the landscaping proposed for both the rectory site and the parking lot. He expressed the opinion that the present layout would be a great improvement over what presently exists on the site and would partially solve a parking problem for church members. He objected to the deletion of the curb cut, say- ing that there are presently two cuts on Tenth Street, one of which they will be eliminating, and that access from the alley is not suitable or desirable for their proposal. The public hearing was closed. Acting Secretary Palin informed the Commission on the requirements for access as spelled out in the Townlot Specific Plan and said that where there is a change of use it is at the discretion of the Commission as to whether or not access from the street will continue to be allowed. Extensive discussion followed, taking into con- sideration the access points, location of the curb cuts, and how the project could best be screened from the street. ON MOTION BY RUSSELL AND SECOND BY BAZIL CONDITIONAL EXCEPTION NO. 79-03 AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 79-15 WERE APPROVED WITH THE FOLLOWING FINDINGS AND CONDITIONS, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: -9- 5-15-79 - P.C. Minutes, H.B. Planning Commission May 15, 1979 Page 10 FINDINGS - CONDITIONAL EXCEPTION NO. 79-03: 1. Because of the limited amount of vacant land in the general area, there is an exceptional or extraordinary circumstance that does not apply generally to the property or class of use in other areas of the City. 2. Said conditional exception is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of substantial property rights. 3. The granting of this conditional exception will not be materially detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare or injuri- ous to the conforming land, property, or improvements in the neighborhood. 4. The applicant is willing and able to carry out the purpose for which this conditional exception is sought, and he will proceed to do so without unnecessary delay. FINDINGS - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 79-15: 1. The proposed expansion of the existing church facility is com- patible with the existing facility and will not be detrimental to the surrounding land uses. 2. The proposed expansion complies with all applicable provisions of the Huntington Beach Ordinance Code. CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL: 1. The'site plan and elevations received and dated April 26, 1979 shall be the approved layout and building elevations, except as modified in Condition No. 2 below. 2. The site plan shall be revised to provide a six (6) foot wide planter along the street frontage of the parking lot with a 32-inch high decorative masonry wall provided in back of that planter, area -for the purpose of screening the lot. (The Commis- sion recognizes that this will effect a reduction of two or three of the parking spaces proposed to be provided.) 3. All landscaping shall be provided with a sprinklering system. 4. Prior to the issuance of building permits, a landscape plan shall be submitted to the Planning Department for approval. 5. Natural gas shall be stubbed in at the location of cooking facili- ties, water heaters, and central heating units. 6. Low -volume heads shall be used on all spigots and water faucets. 7. If outside lighting is included onsite, energy -saving lamps shall be used and directed to prevent spillage onto adjacent properties. AYES: Higgins, Russell, Stern, Finley, Cohen, Bazil, Paone NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None -10- 5-15-79 - P.C. u Minutes, H.B. Planning Commission May 15, 1979 Page 11 CONDITIONAL EXCEPTION NO. 79-02/USE PERMIT NO. 79-10/NEGATIVE DECLARATION NO. 79-23 Applicant: Gary Schmidt To permit a 50-foot building height in a C4 zone for the construc- tion of a five -story commercial/office building located on the south side of Ellis Avenue approximately 450 feet east of Beach Boulevard. The public hearing was opened. Gary Schmidt, applicant, was pre- sent and requested the withdrawal of all three applications. He informed the Commission that he has found a different location for this project. The public hearing was closed. ON MOTION BY RUSSELL AND SECOND BY BAZIL THE COMMISSION ACCEPTED THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF CONDITIONAL EXCEPTION NO. 79-02, USE PERMIT NO. 79-10, AND NEGATIVE DECLARATION NO. 79-23 BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Higgins, Russell, Stern, Finley, Cohen, Bazil, Paone NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None DISCUSSION ITEMS: USE PERMIT NO. 79-9; ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW NO. 79-33; ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW NO. 79-34 Applicant: Frank Buccella Savoy Bellavia reported that these requests have been brought to the Planning Commission for review at the request of Commissioner Stern. The applications are for mini -warehouses, multi -tenant industrial, and recreational vehicle storage facilities at the northeast corner of Talbert Avenue and Gothard Street, approved by the Board of Zoning Adjustments on April 25, 1979. Commissioner Stern explained that he:would like the Commission to review the uses because of concerns with storage of flammable mater- ials in the warehouses and possible overloading of second story portions of the warehouse buildings, the landscaping provided, access into the area, and the visual impact on Gothard Street. Acting Secretary Palin said that the lot configuration of these uses had been designed to partially screen off some of the more un- desirable and offensive uses in the area, and in his opinion would be an improvement over the existing state of the property. He also outlined staff efforts to work with property owners to precise plan Metzler Lane for improved access into the area planned for RV stor- age. Mel Ott discussed fire protection requirements for these types of uses and described the difficulty of inspecting and enforcing restrictions on what is stored in the warehouses. However, he noted that all applicable fire protection provisions had been applied to these requests. -11- 5-15-79 - P.C. Minutes, H.B. Planning Commission May 15, 1979 Page 12 Commissioner Bazil discussed the landscaping requirements for vari- ous industrial uses, saying that it seems counterproductive to require it to be installed only to die later on from lack of care and watering. For this reason he suggested a code change to require that automatic sprinklering systems be installed along with the landscaping for these uses. Savoy Bellavia said that the Design Review Board could require sprinklering of this particular project, since it is in the CD District, but that would not apply overall. Commission discussion ensued. ON MOTION BY COHEN AND SECOND BY FINLEY THE STAFF WAS DIRECTED TO PURSUE A CODE AMENDMENT TO REQUIRE AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERING SYSTEMS TO BE INSTALLED IN LIEU OF JUST IRRIGATION SYSTEMS, BY THE FOLLOW- ING VOTE: AYES: Higgins, Russell, Cohen, Finley, Cohen, Bazil, Paone NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Steve Schumacher, of the Seacliff Homeowners Association, addressed the Commission to compliment its handling of the Seacliff Phase IV project and to inquire in regard to the progress of the rezoning previously discussed for the oil islands within the existing Seacliff developments. The Commission discussed priorities of zone changes in the community and alternate methods of notification (e.g., mailing, posting of property, advertising). Staff was directed to bring this matter back to the Commission as a discussion item at the next regu- lar meeting. PLANNING DEPARTMENT ITEMS: Savoy Bellavia discussed the special census information which was distributed to the Commission. It was noted that any special areas a Commissioner would like to have explored should be communicated to staff and a special computer program will be set up for them. Acting Secretary Palin briefly reviewed City Council actions taken at the May 7, 1979 meeting. Mr. Palin informed the Commission that transportation will be ar- ranged for the Lancer tour on May 23, leaving from the Civic Center at 4:00 p.m. COMMISSION DISCUSSION: Commissioner Stern suggested that the City should consider studying future control of solar installations, with a view both to protect- ing solar rights and maintaining aesthetic quality. Commissioner Finley announced a seminar at UCI on the Subdivision Map Act. Commissioners Finley, Stern, Russell,,.& Cohen will attend. Mrs. -12- 5-15-79 - P.C. r� Minutes, H.B. Planning Commission May 15, 1979 Page 13 Finley will also attend the American Planning Association workshop on May 25. She requested that anyone who cannot attend the Subdivi- sion Committee meeting on May 17 notify an alternate. Commissioner Russell discussed deteriorating neighborhoods in the City, particularly the Five Points area. Commissioner Paone pointed out the varying vacancy factors which had surfaced in the discussion of the condominium conversion appli- cation and requested that an accurate vacancy factor for the City be developed for use in formulating the conversion ordinance. He also requested that staff provide findings and conditions of approval for applications submitted to the Commission for which the staff is recommending denial, saying that findings for denial only leaves the Commission with no options. The Commission adjourned at 10:45 p.m. to a special meeting on May 23, 1979 at 4:15 p.m. 0 ames W. Pa in Ruth Finley, Chairman Acting Secreltary :df -13- 5-15-79 - P.C.