HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-12-06APPROVED ON 1-4-84
MINUTES
HUNTINGTON BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION
Council Chambers
2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach,
TUESDAY. DECEMBER 6, 1983 - 7:00 PM
- Civic Center
California
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Higgins, Livengood, Porter, Erskine, Schumacher,
Mirjahangir
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Winchell
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Commissioner Livengood requested that Item A-1, minutes of the regular
meeting of November 1, 1983, be pulled for separate consideration.
ON MOTION BY LIVENGOOD AND SECOND BY HIGGINS THE REMAINDER OF THE
CONSENT CALENDAR, CONSISTING OF THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 15, 1983
MEETING, AND GENERAL PLAN CONFORMANCES 83-12, 83-14 AND 83-15 WERE
APPROVED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Higgins, Livengood, Porter, Mirjahangir
NOES: None
ABSENT: Winchell,Erskine, Schumacher
ABSTAIN: None
ON MOTION BY LIVENGOOD AND SECOND BY MIRJAHANGIR ITEM A-1, THE MINUTES
OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 1, 1983, WERE APPROVED BY THE
FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Livengood, Porter, Mirjahangir
NOES: None
ABSENT: Winchell,Erskine, Schumacher
ABSTAIN: Higgins
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS:
CONDITIONAL EXCEPTION NO. 83-05/TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP
NO. 83-576/NEGATIVE DECLARATION NO. 83-48
Applicant: State -Wide Developers, Inc.
A request to create a 5,177 square foot lot in lieu of 6,000 square
foot required, at property located at the northeast end of Park Avenue,
between Park and Midway Channel. Applicant submitted a request for
continuance to the January 4, 1984 meeting. The chairman asked if
anyone in the audience was present to address this issue. One person
was present, however, he said he would return on the 4th of January to
speak to the Commission. The chairman opened and continued the public
hearing.
ON MOTION BY LIVENGOOD AND SECOND BY HIGGINS CONDITIONAL EXCEPTION NO.
83-05, TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. 83-576 AND NEGATIVE DECLARATION NO.
83-48 WERE CONTINUED TO THE MEETING OF JANUARY 4, 1984, AT THE REQUEST
OF THE APPLICANT, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Higgins, Livengood, Porter, Schumacher, Mirjahangir
NOES: None
ABSENT: Winchell
ABSTAIN: Erskine
CODE AMENDMENT NO. 83-3/NEGATIVE DECLARATION NO. 83-39 (Continued from
10-18-83)
Initiated by City of Huntington Beach
A recommendation to amend Chapter 95 of the Ordinance Code by adding
regulations to assure that industrial developments within 150 feet of
residentially zoned and general planned sites comply with standards of
performance necessary to minimize effects to the residents of
Huntington Beach. Jim Barnes informed the Commission that word was
received from the City Attorneys office that due to substantial changes
to the code amendment, the item should be readvertised and recommends
to the Commission that they continue the item. There were no persons
in the audience to address this matter, therefore, the public hearing
was not reopened.
Discussion following regarding the information necessary to write the
code amendment. Art De La Loza stated that one of the major concerns
was interpretation of uses permitted in the 45 foot setback. He said
this setback could inhibit industrial activities such as loading and
unloading. He said perhaps a clearer definition of the word "setback"
would help in the rewriting. Chairman Porter recalled that it was not
the original intent to have no activity going on in the setback area,
he said the concern was regarding the proximity of the buildings on the
east side of Heil in the Lusk Industrial Park and that this was the
beginning of landscape buffers. Commissioner Mirjahangir recalled the
project on Heil and Gothard and that the fire requirements were a
concern with fire possibly reaching over and igniting the adjacent
residential properties. He also recalled that noise was a concern as
far as impaction of the adjacent residential areas. Commissioner
Livengood said that some compromise to reduce the setback could be
worked out with possibly a condition not to allow door openings. Tom
Poe of the Fire Department, stated that that particular site on Heil
and Gothard was accessible because of the location of the flood control
channel. He said the only additional requirement he could foresee
would be fire sprinkled if it were a high-rise structure. Commissioner
Schumacher stated that the reason this came up was that there is a
complex to the south along Gothard that residents are utilizing for
storage and is quite unsightly. Chairman Porter stated that the
important thing was not to repeat problems of the past. Discussion
ensued regarding buffers. Commissioner Erskine stated that a buffer is
the distance the structure is set back from the property line, that if
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you have a setback from a sidewalk, there should be no other use on the
street.
ON MOTION BY LIVENGOOD AND SECOND BY ERSKINE NEGATIVE DECLARATION NO.
83-39 AND CODE AMENDMENT NO. 83-3 WERE CONTINUED TO THE JANUARY 4, 1984
MEETING AT THE REQUEST OF THE CITY ATTORNEYS OFFICE, BY THE FOLLOWING
VOTE:
AYES: Higgins, Livengood, Porter, Erskine, Schumacher, Mirjahangir
NOES: None
ABSENT: Winchell
ABSTAIN: None
CODE AMENDMENT NO. 83-29 (Continued from 10-18-83)
Initiated by City of Huntington Beach
A recommendation to amend Section 9101.3 of the Ordinance Code to set
forth standards for allowing second units in the single family dis-
trict. Jeanine Frank gave a brief summary of the "second unit" code
amendment.
Commissioner Erskine stated that he believed the intent was to provide
low cost housing and that by requiring additional park and recreation
fees on, basically, a room addition, was counter to the original
intent. Some discussion followed regarding age of the prospective
tenant of the second unit. Jeanine Frank stated that the Housing
Committee recommended that it was not their intent that age of the
tenant be limited, because it would be too difficult to police. There
was some misunderstanding that this is a result of the "granny flat"
bill which would limit the age of the tenant. Commissioner Erskine
suggested that staff contact the League of Cities to ask if it was
their intent to limit the units to older persons. Some discussion
ensued regarding the various fees being proposed.
The public hearing was opened. Mark Conley, on behalf of the
Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley Board of Realtors, submitted a letter
regarding their position on the proposed code amendment and went on to
explain the contents of that letter. He voiced their opposition to the
fees being proposed, that it be treated the same as a room addition.
He was also opposed to the owner -occupied requirement because of deed
restrictions and transferability of property. Mr Conley saw the
concept of the second unit as an income producer for persons who do not
utilize the whole property. He also said he was opposed to calling it
a unit. The public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Schumacher requested that staff investigate how the flood
plain laws will affect this new code amendment. It was suggested that
smoke detectors be required in the second units. Separate discussion
and straw voting was conducted by the Commission on the following
twelve standards delineated in the proposed code amendment.
1. Applicant must be owner -occupant.
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ON MOTION BY LIVENGOOD AND SECOND BY MIRJAHANGIR #1 WAS APPROVED AS
WRITTEN BY THE FOLLOWING STRAW VOTE:
AYES: Higgins, Livengood, Porter, Erskine, Schumacher, Mirjahangir
NOES: None
ABSENT: Winchell
ABSTAIN: None
2. Minimum lot size is 6,000 square feet.
ON MOTION BY LIVENGOOD AND SECOND BY MIRJAHANGIR #2 WAS APPROVED AS
WRITTEN BY THE FOLLOWING STRAW VOTE:
AYES: Higgins, Livengood, Porter, Erskine, Schumacher, Mirjahangir
NOES: None
ABSENT: Winchell
ABSTAIN: None
3. Parking requirements, etc.
ON MOTION BY LIVENGOOD AND SECOND BY MIRJAHANGIR #3 WAS APPROVED AS
WRITTEN BY THE FOLLOWING STRAW VOTE:
AYES: Higgins, Livengood, Porter, Erskine, Schumacher, Mirjahangir
NOES: None
ABSENT: Winchell
ABSTAIN: None
4. Second unit shall be attached to the main dwelling as to be an
architecturally unified whole.
ON MOTION BY MIRJAHANGIR AND SECOND BY LIVENGOOD #4 WAS APPROVED AS
WRITTEN BY THE FOLLOWING STRAW VOTE:
AYES: Higgins, Livengood, Porter, Erskine, Schumacher, Mirjahangir
NOES: None
ABSENT: Winchell
ABSTAIN: None
5. Not larger than 650 square feet and one bedroom.
ON MOTION BY LIVENGOOD AND SECOND BY MIRJAHANGIR #5 WAS APPROVED AS
WRITTEN BY THE FOLLOWING STRAW VOTE:
AYES: Higgins, Livengood, Porter, Erskine, Schumacher, Mirjahangir
NOES: None
ABSENT: Winchell
ABSTAIN: None
6. Second unit shall not be sold separately from the main dwelling.
ON MOTION BY LIVENGOOD AND SECOND BY MIRJAHANGIR #6 WAS APPROVED AS
WRITTEN BY THE FOLLOWING STRAW VOTE:
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AYES: Higgins, Livengood, Porter, Erskine, Schumacher, Mirjahangir
NOES: None
ABSENT: Winchell
ABSTAIN: None
7. A separate entrance will not be visible from the street in front
of the main dwelling.
ON MOTION BY MIRJAHANGIR AND SECOND BY LIVENGOOD #7 WAS APPROVED AS
WRITTEN BY THE FOLLOWING STRAW VOTE:
AYES: Higgins, Livengood, Porter, Erskine, Schumacher, Mirjahangir
NOES: None
ABSENT: Winchell
ABSTAIN: None
8. Second unit will not cause any change in visual character of
surrounding neighborhood.
ON MOTION BY MIRJAHANGIR AND SECOND BY LIVENGOOD #8 WAS APPROVED AS
WRITTEN BY THE FOLLOWING STRAW VOTE:
AYES: Higgins, Livengood, Porter, Schumacher, Mirjahangir
NOES: None
ABSENT: Winchell
ABSTAIN: Erskine
9. Unit shall comply with applicable land use regulations.
ON MOTION BY LIVENGOOD AND SECOND BY MIRJAHANGIR #9 WAS APPROVED AS
WRITTEN BY THE FOLLOWING STRAW VOTE:
AYES: Higgins, Livengood, Porter, Erskine, Schumacher, Mirjahangir
NOES: None
ABSENT: Winchell
ABSTAIN: None
10. Park and recreation fees, etc.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ERSKINE AND SECONDED BY LIVENGOOD TO DELETE #10.
MOTION FAILED TO ATTAIN FOUR AFFIRMATIVE STRAW VOTES AS FOLLOWS:
AYES: Livengood, Erskine, Mirjahangir
NOES: Higgins, Porter, Schumacher
ABSENT: Winchell
ABSTAIN: None
11. Implementation of energy and water conservation measures, etc.
A MOTION BY MIRJAHANGIR AND SECONDED BY HIGGINS TO APPROVE #11 ADDING
THE REQUIREMENT OF INSTALLATION OF A SMOKE DETECTOR UNIT.
Discussion ensued on the motion. Art De La Loza asked the Commission
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to clarify if these requirements were to apply to the entire property
or just to the new unit. Commissioner Higgins agreed that this would
apply to the whole property. Commissioner Mirjahangir did not agree to
this amendment and withdrew his motion.
A SUBSTITUTE MOTION WAS MADE BY HIGGINS AND SECONDED BY PORTER TO
APPROVE #11 AS REVISED ABOVE. THIS MOTION FAILED TO ATTAIN FOUR
AFFIRMATIVE VOTES AS FOLLOWS:
AYES: Higgins, Porter, Schumacher
NOES: Livengood, Erskine, Mirjahangir
ABSENT: Winchell
ABSTAIN: None
ON MOTION BY ERSKINE AND SECOND BY LIVENGOOD #11 (a-d) WAS APPROVED TO
APPLY ONLY TO THE SECOND UNIT, BY THE FOLLOWING STRAW VOTE:
AYES: Higgins, Livengood, Erskine, Schumacher, Mirjahangir
NOES: Porter
ABSENT: Winchell
ABSTAIN: None
12. No separate utility meters shall be permitted for the second
unit.
ON MOTION BY LIVENGOOD AND SECOND BY MIRJAHANGIR #12 WAS APPROVED AS
WRITTEN BY THE FOLLOWING STRAW VOTE:
AYES: Higgins, Livengood, Porter, Erskine, Schumacher, Mirjahangir
NOES: None
ABSENT: Winchell
ABSTAIN: None
Brief discussion took place about limiting the age of tenants to over
62 years, as far as the intent of the State legislation. Discussion
resumed on Item #10 which failed to attain four affirmative straw votes.
ON MOTION BY LIVENGOOD AND SECOND BY MIRJAHANGIR A COMPROMISE STATEMENT
FOR ITEM #10 WAS REACHED LIMITING THE FEE ASSESSED TO 25%, BY THE
FOLLOWING STRAW VOTE:
AYES: Higgins, Livengood, Porter, Schumacher, Mirjahangir
NOES: Erskine
ABSENT: Winchell
ABSTAIN: None
ON MOTION BY LIVENGOOD AND SECOND BY HIGGINS SECTIONS 5.04.010 AND
5.16.260 WERE APPROVED AS WRITTEN, BY THE FOLLOWING STRAW VOTE:
AYES: Higgins, Livengood, Porter, Erskine, Schumacher, Mirjahangir
NOES: None
ABSENT: Winchell
ABSTAIN: None
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ON MOTION BY LIVENGOOD AND SECOND BY MIRJAHANGIR CODE AMENDMENT NO.
83-29 WAS APPROVED AS AMENDED AND RECOMMENDED TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR
ADOPTION, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Higgins, Livengood, Porter, Erskine, Schumacher, Mirjahangir
NOES: None
ABSENT: Winchell
ABSTAIN: None
Glen Godfrey asked the Commissioners if it was their intent that Item
#11 supercede any requirements established by State energy conservation
requirements. Chairman Porter asked staff to investigate that possi-
bility and to report the findings to the City Council with the Commis-
sion's recommendation.
Commissioner Schumacher requested that Item C-5 on the agenda be heard
next due to the people in the audience who wish to address this issue.
SPECIAL SIGN PERMIT NO. 83-5
Applicant: McDonalds Corporation c/o John Ramsey
A request to permit a 100 square foot freestanding sign at an existing
restaurant located on the north side of Edinger Avenue, approximately
250 feet east of Edwards Street. Mike Strange announced that the
applicant indicated that because their project planner was ill and not
present this evening that they would be requesting a continuance to the
next meeting. Chairman Porter stated that normally the Commission is
willing to grant a continuance the first time it is requested.
Commissioner Erskine suggested that public testimony be heard tonight
from those who were present. Mike Strange made the staff presen-
tation. He said that staff found that identification of the existing
restaurant could be accomplished with a wall sign within a landscaped
planter. He also was in receipt of a petition from neighbors who are
opposed to the approval of the special sign permit, which was dis-
tributed to the Commission. He added that the play area that was
previously approved by the Board of Zoning Adjustments has not yet been
constructed.
The public hearing was opened. Don Nelson, representing the applicant
stated he would like to continue to the next available date.
Bob Deguise stated that he agreed with the staff's recommendation to
deny the sign permit. He said he obtained the petition that was
distributed and that most were in favor of a low profile sign. He said
he was also opposed to the color of the sign (red). He went on to
complain about the noise that is ongoing in his opinion.
Gerald Collins stated he was also a neighbor who concurs with Mr.
Deguise's objection of the permit. The public hearing was continued to
the next meeting.
ON MOTION BY LIVENGOOD AND SECOND BY HIGGINS SPECIAL SIGN PERMIT NO.
83-5 WAS CONTINUED TO TH9 MEETING OF DECEMBER 13, 1983, BY THE
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FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Higgins, Livengood, Porter, Erskine, Schumacher, Mirjahangir
NOES: None
ABSENT: Winchell
ABSTAIN: None
Commissioner Erskine requested that this item be placed first on the
December 13th agenda.
COASTAL ELEMENT AMENDMENT NO. 83-2
Initiated by City of Huntington Beach
An amendment which would change the following land use designations:
1) The half blocks from the alley to Pacific Coast Highway between
16th and 18th Street and between 8th and 9th Streets from High Density
Residential to Visitor -Serving Commercial, 2) the half blocks from the
alley to P.C.H. between llth and 14th Streets from Visitor -Serving
Commercial to High Density Residential and 3) the area north of Pecan
Street up to Hartford Avenue between 6th and Lake Streets from General
Commercial to Mixed Use Office Residential. Jeanine Frank gave a brief
presentation.
The public hearing was opened. Seeing there was no one present who
wished to address the Commission on this issue, the public hearing was
closed.
ON MOTION BY LIVENGOOD AND SECOND BY HIGGINS COASTAL ELEMENT AMENDMENT
NO. 83-2 WAS APPROVED BY ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 1315 AND
RECOMMENDED TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Higgins, Livengood, Porter, Erskine, Mirjahangir
NOES: None
ABSENT: Winchell, Schumacher
ABSTAIN: None
ITEMS NOT FOR PUBLIC HEARING:
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION NO. 83-5
Applicant: Heath & Company
A request to permit the continued use of an existing, nonconforming
sign at a restaurant located at the northwest corner of Beach Boulevard
and Damask Drive. Mike Strange made the staff presentation and
recommended approval of the continued use for a two year period.
The public testimony was opened. Orman Butler, on behalf of Heath Sign
Company, requested that some other method of assurance be provided in
lieu of the requested 31500 cash bond. Because no other persons wished
to address the Commission, public testimony was closed.
Commissioner Higgins did not agree with the applicant that a 31500 cash
bond would be an economic hardship on General Mills, owners of the
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property. Suggestion was made that the applicant submit a performance
bond in the same amount.
ON MOTION BY SCHUMACHER AND SECOND BY LIVENGOOD ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
NO. 83-5 WAS APPROVED WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS, BY THE FOLLOWING
VOTE:
1. Prior to issuance of building permits, the applicant shall file
a performance bond, in lieu of a cash bond in the amount of
31500.00, with the City for the purpose of indemnifying the City
for any and all costs incurred in the removal of the sign
structure. If the sign is not made to conform with the
applicable provisions of the'sign ordinance after two (2) years
from the date of approval, the City of Huntington Beach or its
agents or employees may enter on the property where said sign is
located and remove said sign, and the cost of removal shall be
deducted from the bond and summarily forfeited and paid over to
the City of Huntington Beach and the remainder, if any, returned
to the person depositing the bond.
2. The site plan and elevations dated October 27, 1983, shall be
the approved layout.
3. A revised landscape and irrigation plan shall be submitted and
approved by the Departments of Public Works and Development
Services prior to occupancy of the restaurant. The approved
landscaping shall be installed prior to occupancy of the
restaurant.
AYES: Higgins, Livengood, Porter, Erskine, Schumacher, Mirjahangir
NOES: None
ABSENT: Winchell
ABSTAIN: None
SITE PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 83-4
Applicant: Mola Development Corporation
A request to amend the approved site plan for Conditional Use Permit
No. 81-26, which permitted a 288-unit planned residential development
on 12.5 acres of property located on the east side of Bolsa Chica
Street south of Warner Avenue. The site plan amendment is a request to
permit balcony support walls for two buildings along the south property
line. The original proposal was to cantilever into the proposed
setback. Commissioner Mirjahangir asked if the garage was accessible
for fire trucks. Staff stated that it was accessible. Richard Harlow,
speaking for Mola Development, described the modifications proposed.
He said he agreed with the staff report which recommends approval.
Chairman Porter noted that if the project were coming before them as a
conditional use permit it would require a special permit for this
deviations. He also recommended that, in the future, it would be
helpful for staff to enumerate the actual amendments to the site plan,
for easier reading.
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ON MOTION BY ERSKINE AND SECOND BY LIVENGOOD SITE PLAN AMENDMENT NO.
83-4 WAS APPROVED AS SUBMITTED, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Higgins, Livengood, Porter, Erskine, Schumacher, Mirjahangir
NOES: None
ABSENT: Winchell
ABSTAIN: None
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Pay & Play Racquetball Signing
Acting Secretary Godfrey stated that staff was still evaluating this
item and would report back at the next meeting on December 13, 1983.
PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS:
Commissioner Schumacher asked staff to investigate the status of a
signal (which is not yet in operation) at the corner of Newland and
Yorktown.
Chairman Porter stressed the importance of having a member of the
Public Works staff present at the meetings because questions do arise
that require their presence.
Commissioner Livengood asked staff to research code requirements on
speed bumps (such as those at the McDonald's on Edinger) and asked for
a progress report on the shopping center at Springdale and Edinger.
Commissioner discussion took place regarding the way the staff report
is presented to City Council citing the example of the "Lube & Tube"
appeal at their last meeting. It was suggested that in a case where
the Planning Commission recommendation is opposed to staff's recommen-
dation, that a representative be present to answer any questions on the
Commission's view. Chairman Porter recommended that in lieu of that
option for staff to at least get with himself or Vice Chairman
Livengood before the report is given to City Council.
Commissioner Mirjahangir took this time to congratulate Mike Adams on
his promotion to Senior Planner in current planning.
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES ITEMS:
Acting Secretary Godfrey reviewed the highlights of the last City
Council meeting, which included their decision not to include the
Collins/Zweible site in the redevelopment project, their action on the
Circulation Element Amendment, and their referral back to the Planning
Commission on a zone change at the corner of Banning and Magnolia.
ADJOURNMENT:
Chairman Porter adjourned the meeting at 10:07 P.M. to the next regular
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meeting of December 13, 1983, in Room B-8.
Glen Godfrey, ActTng S cretary Marcus M. Porter, Chairman
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