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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-03-29MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING HUNTINGTON BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION Room B-8, Civic Center 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach, California TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1983 - 7:00 PM COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Higgins, Winchell, Schumacher, Mirjahangir COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Livengood, Erskine, Porter AGENDA ITEMS: A. DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN - Presentation by the TAG Team - Pat Dawe Director of Development Services Palin gave a brief overview of the current status of the Downtown Specific Plan. He then introduced a representative from the consultant's consortium (TAG Team) Pat Dawe. Mr. Dawe presented an'overview and update on the Plan which included the TAG Team version of key issues, existing conditions, development opportunities, ownership and consolidation possibilities and circula- tion constraints. Mr. Dawe stated that the Plan has to come together as soon as possible. The TAG Team put together a concept sections which communicated the strengths and uniqueness and how the City in providing direction in downtown planning could play to these strengths. Another aspect of the Plan should contain --'clear and concise design standards and responses to challenges which are cogent to the public, developers and the Coastal Commission. He discussed the uniqueness of Huntington Beach as to vacant land, under-utilized areas, proximity to other commercially active areas and how these factors provide excellent potentials for development and re- development. There were several factors relating to the plan of action which would provide the foundation for the Specific Plan standards: land uses, infrastructure, packaging, implementation and how to phase developments. The TAG Team -was currently in the process of trying to resolve issues, testing land uses and how that knits with circulation and infrastructure. The TAG Team should be through the major portion of the work by the middle of"May. Mr. Dawe went into detail on displayed maps, characteristics of owner- ship, how to package opportunities, problems with routes to Costa Mesa - H.B. Planning Commission March 29, 1983 Page 2 the benefits of an easterly interconnect, short term development pres- sure versus loss of long term potential development and mixed uses issues. The Commissioners and the consultant discussed several issues: the amount of commercial use designated, phasing of development wherever the public investment is maximized, land uses and how to buffer resi- dential properties and how adequate controls will be in the downtown development. Commissioners expanded on the uniqueness of Huntington Beach: the nice residential neighborhood, the excellent environment, good developable land, the ocean and water sports participants meshing with other visi- tors, the pier and how to separate out levels or approaches from Main Street to the pier, and the oil production image. The consideration of a drawing activity - a public attraction was discussed. A very serious concern relative to oil uses and the negative impact of that image and how that could be made into an asset was voiced by several Commissioners. The market study was a key ingredient in the Downtown Specific Plan. What the market dictates is feasible for the downtown would be the primary mover of development in the near future. The Commissioners were concerned about commercial and visitor traffic through residential areas and how residential neighborhoods could be protected from adverse effects of increased traffic. Discussion regarding a theme or several themes for subareas which would identify areas within the Specific Plan took place. Finally, the Com- missioners discussed phasing of development and a time frame of new construction and rehabilitation that would take place. B. REDEVELOPMENT - Presentation by Tom Tincher Tom Tincher provided a brief overview and status report on where the agency was in its projects: Talbert/Beach area, Koledo Lane and the Downtown. There was considerable discussion regarding redevelopment financing. C. FLOODPLAIN REGULATIONS - Presentation by Hal Simmons The Flood Insurance Program is a national project and consists of two phases - emergency and regular. The emergency phase consists of an initial flood study conducted to identify areas subject to flooding ($35,000 coverage becomes available and people who assume federally insured loans must buy). The regular phase consists of more detailed studies conducted to identify flood depths (communities required to adopt Floodplain Development Regulations and $185,000 coverage becomes available). The City has participated in the Flood Program since 1971. During most of that time, we have been in the Emergency Program while the Corps of H.B. Planning Commission March 29, 1983 Page 3 Engineers prepared the detailed study and Flood Insurance Rate Map. In late 1982, the final edition of the Flood Insurance Rate Map -was issued. An explanation of the Flood Insurance Rate Map was given. At the same time the City adopted the map in January, 1983, it was also required to adopt Floodplain Development Regulations. The regulations essentially require that all new residential construction be constructed with the lowest habitable floor elevated at or above the projected flood level. Certification of proper elevation will need to be sub- mitted by the developer to the City before a building permit will be issued. Room additions do not need to be elevated as long as they are less than 50% of the value of the structure. If more than 50%, they are considered to be "substantial improvements" as defined by the ordi- nance and the whole structure most be torn down and elevated. New com- mercial and industrial developments do not need to be elevated but must be flood -proofed through berming, watertight doors or other methods. Again, certification of compliance must be submitted to the City before a building permit will be issued. Incidently, replacement of mobile homes on existing pads does not trigger the residential elevation re- quirements but rather, they must be anchored in accordance with HUD standards. The ordinance does contain provisions for the granting of variances by the Planning Commission. The fee and procedures will be those already established for conditional exceptions. Because insurance rates for non -complying construction will be extremely high, though, it is unlikely that many people will file for the variance alternative. By virtue of the City's participation in the Flood Program, tt is� es- sentially obligated to assist homeowners in appealing properties they feel are not subject to flooding. Because the City has received so many requests, the decision was made to appeal all of the shallowest flood zones. Of the 7,000 lots that were appealed, 5,000 exemptions were received. That meant that flood insurance become optional for those homeowners rather than mandatory. ADJOURNMENT: The special meeting was adjourned at 10:00 P.M. 6 Huntington Beach Planning Commission P.O. BOX 190 CALIFORNIA 92648 CALL FOR SPECIAL MEETING OF HUNTINGTON BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION Marc Porter, Chairman John Erskine, Commissioner Frank Higgins, Commissioner Tom Livengood, Commissioner Frank Mirjahangir, Commissioner Jean Schumacher, Commissioner Grace Winchell, Commissioner You are hereby notified that a Special Meeting of the Huntington Beach Planning Commission is called for and will be held in room 00 B-8 of the Civic Center, at the hour of 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 29, 1983, for the purpose of discussing redevelopment, downtown consultants, and the flood plain regulations. Marc Porter, C airm Huntington Beach Planning Commission I hereby certify that I received the above notice, "Call for Special Meeting of the Huntington Beach Planning Commission," prior to 7:00 P.M. on Friday, March 25, 1983. & t, Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner