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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-08-07Approved September 5, 1979 MINUTES HUNTINGTON BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION Council Chambers - Civic Center 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach, California TUESDAY, AUGUST 7,.1979 - 7:00 PM COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Higgins, Russell, Stern, Paone, Cohen, Bazil COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None CONSENT AGENDA: Staff informed the Commission that Consent Item A-3, Conformance with General Plan 79-5, is being removed from the agenda for con- sideration at a future date. ON MOTION BY STERN AND SECOND BY COHEN THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF JULY 17, 1979, AND THE ADJOURNED MEETING OF JULY 24, 1979, WERE APPROVED AS TRANSCRIBED, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Higgins, Russell, Stern, Paone, Cohen, Bazil NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS: SPECIAL SIGN PERMIT NO. 79-1 Applicant: Fred Boyles Request to add an 8' by 916" freestanding pole sign to a site already containing two existing freestanding signs, located at the northeast corner of Bolsa Chica Street and Heil Avenue. Savoy Bellavia informed the Commission that the existing sign on Bolsa Chica is below the square footage permitted by code, so that there is additional area available if necessary without a requirement for a special sign permit (the additional area is 65 square feet of sign space). The public hearing was opened. Dr. Adrian Hubbell, representing the owners of the shopping cen- ter, addressed the Commission in favor of the request. Slides of the two existing signs were displayed. Minutes, H.B. Planning Commission August 7, 1979 Page 2 There being no other persons to address the Commission, the public hearing was closed. Commission discussion included consideration of the types of busi- nesses in the center and the existing signs on the building fascias, the original conditions under which signing had been provided, and the possible ways of incorporating signing for all the tenants into the presently existing signs. It was the consensus of the Commission that the signing at this location was not different from that allowed similar shopping centers throughout the City. Commissioner Stern asked that if the signs on the site were modified the address of the site be included in future lettering. ON MOTION BY RUSSELL AND SECOND BY STERN SPECIAL SIGN PERMIT NO. 79-1 WAS DENIED FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: FINDINGS: 1. Strict compliance with the ordinance code will not result in a substantial economic hardship. 2. There is no exceptional or extraordinary circumstance that does not apply generally to this property or similar other uses within the shopping center and/or the same district. 3. The granting of this request will constitute the granting of a special privilege. AYES: Higgins, Russell, Stern, Paone, Cohen, Bazil NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None SPECIAL SIGN PERMIT NO. 79-2 Applicant: Yvonne Rofer To permit erection of an internally illuminated sign 8' by 25' by 65' and a 10-foot diameter globe 12 feet high at 7561 Center Drive, north side of the street within Old World Village. Mr. Bellavia informed the Commission that the special request is for the height limitation only, not for sign square footage. (Sign would exceed code -permitted height by 40 feet.) The public hearing was opened. Ramona Hoertner, representing the Old World Association, addressed the Commission. She explained that no sign had ever been erected for the center as originally promised by the developer, except for the existing wrought iron globe constructed at the insistence of the Asso- ciation. The lack of signing and identification from the freeway has -2- 8-7-79 - P.C. Minutes, H.B. Planning Commission August 7, 1979 Page 3 resulted in a severe economic hardship for the shopowners in the complex, according to Ms. Hoertner. In response to quest- ioning from Commissioner Russell in regard to the legality of removing the existing globe, she responded that it is located on land owned by the Association and that the members of the Asso- ciation have agreed to its removal in order that it will not interfere with the proposed signs. Barbara Kester-Robinson addressed the Commission in favor of the proposed signing and explained that the applicant listed on the request had submitted a letter from the Association authorizing her to apply in its behalf. Mr. Paul Taylor from a sign company explained to the Commission how the location for the proposed sign had been selected to give maximum visibility from the freeway. He also explained the physi- cal construction of the proposed sign. Virgil Batesole spoke in favor of the sign location and height, saying that the highrise construction being proposed by Jer- wel would preclude siting of the sign in the westerly portion of the property. The public hearing was closed. The Commission discussed at length the size and location of the sign, the propriety of the application's being in the name of an individual and not in the name of the Association, and the possibility of alternative design and location of the signs. ON MOTION BY RUSSELL AND SECOND BY COHEN SPECIAL SIGN PERMIT NO. 79-2 WAS CONTINUED TO THE MEETING OF AUGUST 21, 1979, FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING INFORMATION ON LOCATION AND TYPE OF SIGNS AND OF DETERMINING THAT THE APPLICATION ITSELF HAS BEEN FILED IN A LEGAL MANNER, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Higgins, Russell, Stern, Paone, Cohen, Bazil NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ON MOTION BY HIGGINS AND SECOND BY BAZIL THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SPECIAL SIGN PERMIT NO. 79-2 WAS REOPENED AND CONTINUED TO THE AUGUST 21 MEETING, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Higgins, Russell, Stern, Paone, Cohen, Bazil NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None -3- 8-7-79 - P.C. Minutes, H.B. Planning Commission August 7, 1979 Page 4, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 79-18/TENTATIVE TRACT 9671 Applicant: Foxx Development Corporation To permit a 3-lot subdivision for the construction of a 130-unit planned residential development on 8.69 gross acres located on the north side of Warner Avenue west of Beach Boulevard. Savoy Bellavia outlined the history of the site, which was previously approved for a four-plex subdivision, and indicated that revisions had been made to the plans so recently that the staff has not had adequate time to prepare appropriate conditions of approval, if it should be the desire of the Commission to approve the requests. There- fore, -the staff is requesting that,if the Commission's intention is to approve, a continuation of at least two weeks be granted to allow time for conditions to be formulated. A recess was called at 8:25; at 8:35 p.m. the Commission reconvened. The public hearing was opened. Warren James, representing the applicant, addressed the Commission in support of the project. He described the surroundings of the site and the orientation of the project inward away from those surroundings; he also described the market and lifestyle for which the project has been designed. The Commission questioned the applicant in regard to quality and main- tenance of the waterways, quantity and location of landscaping, sep- aration of units, dimensions on the plan, and the scope of the proposed deviations from the code. Mr. James indicated his willingness to work with staff to overcome objections of the Commission and resolve difficulties with the plan. The public hearing was closed. The project was discussed extensively by the Commission, with the overall consensus that the concept of the development was desirable but the plan as submitted was too far distant from either the City's code requirements or the model project which the applicant had pre- sented as an example of the type of housing he is proposing. Commis- sioner Cohen emphasized that this sort of development is what is needed in the City of Huntington Beach and should not be discouraged. Commissioner Russell discussed the difficulties presented by this specific site, noting that perhaps in view of market pressures and lack of suitable land it is time the ordinances were reviewed with an'eye to increased densities and easing of restrictions. He strongly urged a study session to assist the applicant in working out the problems with the project. After discussion, Mr. James concurred with a continuance of the request. -4- 8-7-79 - P.C. Minutes, H.B. Planning Commission August 7, 1979 Page 5 ON MOTION BY STERN AND SECOND BY RUSSELL, TENTATIVE TRACT NO. 9671 AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 79-18 WERE CONTINUED TO A STUDY SESSION ON AUGUST 14, 1979 AND A PUBLIC HEARING AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 5, 1979, WITH THE CONCURRENCE OF THE APPLICANT, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Higgins, Russell, Stern, Paone, Cohen, Bazil NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None The Commission members outlined for the applicant the specific concerns which they would like to see addressed in the plan and discussed at the study session; however, he was cautioned by Chairman Paone that this informal listing would not necessarily preclude other concerns being expressed later. The public hearing was reopened and continued to the September 5, 1979 meeting. DISCUSSION ITEMS: TENTATIVE TRACT 8197/CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 77-14 Applicant: WSB and Associates, Inc. To permit modifications to conditions of approval previously im- posed on a planned residential development located on the north side of Taylor Street approximately 660 feet west of Beach Boulevard. Staff explained that the applicant is requesting relief from a condition of approval requiring decorative block wall fencing around the entire perimeter of his project, which he has stated has not been required of other developments in the City. The staff concurs and is recommending that the condition be changed to require the decorative block along only the streetside of the project. The request and the original intent of the conditions were reviewed. ON MOTION BY BAZIL AND SECOND BY HIGGINS THE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR TENTATIVE TRACT 8197 AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 77-14 WERE MODIFIED AS FOLLOWS, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: J MODIFIED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL NOS. 5 AND 6: 5. A decorative masonry wall shall be constructed to City specifications along Taylor Drive. The wall located along the north, east, and west property lines shall be constructed of masonry block and shall be similar in color to match the decorative block along Taylor Drive. Said wall shall be six (6) inches wide and a minimum of six (6) feet in height. The height of said wall shall be measured from whichever side is -5- 8-7-79 - P.C. Minutes, H.B. Planning Commission August 7, 1979 Page 6 higher at finished grade. The architectural design of said wall shall be approved by the Director of Development Services. The structural design shall be approved by the Department of Public Works. 6. The wall located along the east side of the pedestrian walkway easement shall be designed to incorporate wrought iron open- ings intermittently along the entire length of the wall. The materials and design of the subject wall shall be reviewed and approved by the Director of Development Services. AYES: Higgins, Russell, Stern, Paone, Cohen, Bazil NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None PLANNING DIVISION ITEMS: Secretary Palin reviewed the City Council meeting of August 6, 1979, for the Commission's information. PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS: Commissioner Cohen requested that some acknowledgement be made to Mike Zambory for his service and assistance to the Commission. After discussion, staff was directed to prepare a resolution of apprecia- tion for Mr. Zambory. Mr. Cohen also discussed the revision to the Sign Ordinance indicated by staff in its report on Special Sign Permit 79-1. Criteria for placement of freestanding signs were reviewed and it was suggested that staff should obtain sign codes from neighboring cities for com- parison with this City's criteria. Staff reported that revision of the sign code will be given a high priority. Commissioner Russell discussed fire danger from keyed deadbolt locks and suggested review of the Security Ordinance for possible correction of the hazard. Commissioner Paone requested that some action be initiated in regard to standard plans for landscape corridors. Legal counsel reported as directed on the procedures and time periods for emergency ordinance to establish a moratorium on the Daon property. The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m. to a study session in Room B-8 at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 14, 1979. ames W. Palin, Secretary Tim Paone, Chairman :df 5