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Home My WebLink About1994-04-26APPROVED 6/28/94 1 MINUTES STUDY SESSION HUNTINGTON BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1994 (arrived 4:45 PM) P ROLL CALL: Kerins, PUBLIC COMMENT Room B-8 - Civic Center 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach, California STUDY SESSION -4:15 PM P P P P A A Gorman, Inglee, Dettloff, Richardson, Newman, Biddle I. Introduction of Staff (4:00 - 4:30 PM) Herb Fauland, Acting Senior Planner, introduced the Advance Planning Staff. The Commission asked staff if there was sufficient staff in the Advance Planning Section, and if not what projects suffer, and would Planning Commission projects suffer because of a lack. Staff stated that Advance Planning was currently understaffed. The major impact of this is to the Flood Control (FEMA) projects. Staff stated that Planning Commission projects were not affected by this. Staff also stated that understaffing is caused by budgetary problems and could not be rectified until the budget problems are resolved. Mike Strange, Senior Planner and Zoning Administrator, introduced the Code Enforcement Staff. Reported to the Commission on conducting Zoning Administrator meetings at night. The Commission asked staff to investigate the cost effectiveness of this change and report it to the public. Staff also reported that Code Enforcement Officer's were utilizing the Police Department in problem cases to assure their safety. It was also stated that currently Code Enforcement is 95% Active and 5% Pro -active. Scott Hess, Senior Planner, introduced the Current Planning Staff. Report on the status of the Current Planning projects. II. Role of the Planning Commissioner A video tape was shown to the Planning Commission on the Role of the Planning Commission. A. How can the Planning Commission be more effective? Responsibility of the Planning Commission. Responsibility of interpreting the codes, making projects conform, while remaining objective. How do we make more effective decisions? What consideration necessary when abstaining from voting on a project. Counsel stated that they may abstain anytime but the reason must be stated for the record. Addressing the public, Commission and staff in a formal fashion to avoid showing partiality in any situation. Need to focus on land use and zoning issues. Process to discuss financial impacts if they have an impact on the project. More information necessary in Staff Reports on previously approved projects that come back for an extension of time. Also what the Commission can or cannot do legally. PC Minutes 4/26/94 2 (pcm007) IV. V. Show any Code Violations on proposed projects, also, any input from Police and Fire Departments. Debating and dialogue with public not acceptable during public hearing testimony. Questions may be asked but debates and dialogue should not occur. Planning Commission should have a protocol format that can be followed. Does the sub -committee format work? No discussion. Commission/Council Relationship Director to relay the Planning Commission's rationale behind their decisions when projects are appealed to the City Council. Planning Commissioner should be on City Council Committee's for appealed hearing items. Discuss rational with individual appointing Council member. A. Joint Study Session Melanie Fallon, Director Community Development, to write memo for Planning Commissions approval, requesting the above issues be reviewed by the City Council. Dinner Break (5:15 PM) Planning Terminology and Concepts A. CEQA -Herb Fauland Presentation made. B. Subdivisions - Steve May Presentation made. C. General Plan/Zoning/Specific Plans - Scott Hess Presentation made. PC Minutes-4/26/94 3 (pcm007) I VI. Staff Report Format/RCA Format A. Findings Melanie Fallon, Director Community Development, stated that if the Planning Commission did not agree with staff s suggested findings, they should discuss at the meeting. The findings should be precise. B. Disagreeing with Staff Recommendation Verbalization of rationale behind disagreeing with staffs recommendation. VH. Adiournment The Study Session adjourned at 8:00 PM to a 5:30 PM Study Session at the regularly scheduled May 3, 1994 Planning Commission meeting. /kjl APPRO D BY: Ho rd Zelefsky, eta Planning Co fission Chairperso PC Minutes-4/26/94 4 (pcm007)