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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-10-13MINUTES HUNTINGTON BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13,1998 Council Chambers - Civic Center 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach, California STUDY SESSION - 5:00 PM (Room B-8) ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD JOINT MEETING — OPEN SPACE ISSUES (5:00 — 5:30 PAD - Peter Vanek WAL*MART PLAN GPA (5:30 — 6:30 PAD —Jane Madera AGENDA REVIEW (PC INQUIRY LIST)-(6:30 — 6:45 PMl — Scott Hess REGULAR MEETING - 7:00 PM PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE P P A P P P P ROLL CALL: Inglee, Chapman, Tillotson, Livengood, Kerins, Biddle, Speaker AGENDA APPROVAL Anyone wishing to speak must fill out and submit a form to spear No action can betaken by the Planning Commission on this date, unless the item is agendized. Any one wishing to speak on items not on tonight's agenda or on non-public hearing items may do so during ORAL COMMUNICATIONS. Speakers on items scheduledfor PUBLIC HEARING will be invited to speak during the public hearing. (4 MINUTES PER PERSON, NO DONATING OF TIME TO OTHERS) A. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Dick Harlow, 211-13 Main Street, spoke in regards to Item No. D-1, clarification to the Meadowlark Specific Plan, Garage Use/Design. He presented a matrix to the Commission, which outlined the changes to the Specific Plan made by the Commission and the applicant's interpretation of those changes. He stated he would be available to answer questions when the Commission discussed the item. B. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS B-1 ENTITLEMENT PLAN AMENDMENT NO 98-6 (TAXI'S TAVERN): APPLICANT: Emil Varona LOCATION: 318 Main Street (northwest of Main Street and Olive Avenue) PROJECT PLANNER: Peter Vanek Entitlement Plan Amendment No. 98-6 is a request by Mr. Emil Varona to increase the number of live performers permitted and to allow dancing in an existing restaurant and bar. Conditional Use Permit No. 90-32 limited the number of live performers to two (2) and prohibited dancing. The applicant would like to increase the number of live performers to six (6) in an effort to provide a more diverse mix of live entertainment to the local residents and tourists. The increase in the number of permitted live performers will not increase the parking requirement or noise emanating from the existing establishment as conditioned. However, the proposed 300 square foot dance floor will increase the parking requirement by three spaces. The additional live performers and dance floor will be compatible with the adjacent commercial and office uses and will not impact the residences in the general vicinity as the nearest residential property is more than 200 feet from the restaurant/bar. The proposed project complies with the goals and policies of the General Plan and the Downtown Specific Plan, and is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the Planning Commission approve Entitlement Plan AmendmentNo. 98-6 for the following reasons: .s % • The proposed change complies with the provisions of the Downtown Specific Plan, District No. 5. • The increased number of performers will not increase the parking demand on site, however the addition of the dance floor will require additional parking which is conditioned to comply. • Since the time of the approval of the original conditional use permit, the restaurant/bar has been expanded and accommodate a larger audience, more than two live performers and dancing. • Increasing the number of performers and allowing dancing will not increase the noise level, which is regulated by a central sound system. Staff submitted a letter from the applicant requesting the withdrawal of their request to permit dancing. Staff stated that this would eliminate the need for suggested Condition of Approval No. 4 requiring additional parking. PC Minutes— 10/13/98 2 (98PC1013) The Commission asked staff how many noise complaints have been received, if it was confirmed that they originated from Taxi's Tavern and how this request differs from the request the applicant submitted in 1995. Staff stated that six (6) complaints have been received since September of 1997. The Police reports do not confirm if the complaints were valid or where they may have originated. Staff also stated that this request is to increase live performers to six (6), whereas the previous request was for an unlimited number of performers. Staff had recommended that if the previous application were approved the number of performers would be limited to seven (7). THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED. George White, 506 E. Shoreline Drive, Long Beach, spoke in support of the request stating the existing restaurant/bar was an asset to the community. Robert Navarro, 8711 Doremere, spoke in support of the request stating that he has been at the restaurant/bar when live entertainment is occurring and stated the doors have been closed. Rhonda, 945-10`h Street, spoke in support of the request. Jason Crump, 204 Elmira, stated he lives in Huntington Beach and works at the subject site. He spoke in support of the request stating the music played brings culture to the city. David R. Haas -Baum, 303 '/z Alabama Street, spoke in support of the request stating that the subject site is a friendly neighborhood tavern. Donovan McGrath, 16787 Beach Boulevard, spoke in support of the request stating the subject site is a neighborhood bar with different kinds of music. Maxine Garrett, 9652 Pettswood Drive, spoke in support of the request and the music played. Loretta Wolfe, 411-61h Street, spoke in opposition to the request or if approved require an automatic door closure mechanism and double -glazed windows. Marie St. Germain, 505 Alabama Street, spoke in opposition to the request stating her concern with the negative noise impacts. Kirk Tracy, 7323 Willowsby, #4, Los Angeles, musician, spoke in support of the request stating that his band plays the Big Band Sound and the subject site is one of the very few places in Orange County that caters to this type of music. Joseph Nappa, 315-3`d Street, Suite G, spoke in support of the request. Dan Dunham, 26855 La Sierra, Mission Viejo, musician, stated the subject site's sound system has a fixed volume so the number of musicians would not affect the noise levels. He spoke in support of the request. Art Hopkins, 404 Townsquare, spoke in opposition to the request stating her concern with the negative noise impacts. PC Minutes — 10/13/98 3 (98PC1013) Wanda Hopkins, 404 Townsquare, spoke in opposition to the request stating her concern with the negative noise impacts. Emil Varona, 318 Main Street, applicant, stated that they always keep the doors closed during live entertainment and that they have a fixed volume system so the sound level does not change with the number of musicians. He stated that they are trying to change with the neighborhood and not just be a beer bar with pool tables. The Commission asked the applicant to explain his ventilation system. Mr. Varona stated that he has installed two (2) swamp coolers and will install three (3) ceiling fans if the request is approved. The Commission asked the applicant if he had been exceeding the number of performers allowed by the approved conditional use permit and entertainment permit. Mr. Varona stated that he had misunderstood and was not counting the musicians playing acoustic equipment. He stated that he stopped this conduct as soon as the Police Department brought it to his attention. THERE WERE NO OTHER PERSONS PRESENT TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THE REQUEST AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED. The Commission expressed their concern over the possible noise violations that may be occurring with the current use and if the Police Department had any concerns. They stated that they wished to have an informed representative from the Police Department available to answer their questions. The Commission recommended a continuance to the next meeting to allow the Police Department to make a report and have a representative available for questions. A MOTION WAS MADE BY INGLEE, SECONDED BY CHAPMAN, TO CONTINUE ENTITLEMENT PLAN AMENDMENT NO.98-6 TO THE OCTOBER 27,1998 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Inglee, Chapman, Livengood, Kerins NOES: Biddle, Speaker ABSENT: Tillotson, ABSTAIN: None MOTION PASSED ti C. CONSENT CALENDAR C-1 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES DATED JULY 28,1998 A MOTION WAS MADE BY INGLEE, SECONDED BY SPEAKER, TO APPROVE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES DATED JULY 28,1998, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Inglee, Chapman, Kerins, Biddle, Speaker NOES: None ABSENT: Tillotson ABSTAIN: Livengood MOTION PASSED PC Minutes — 10/13/98 4 (98PC1013) J C-2 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES DATED SEPTEMBER 22,1998 A MOTION WAS MADE BY KERINS, SECONDED BY LIVENGOOD, TO APPROVE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES DATED SEPTEMBER 22,1998 AS AMENDED, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Inglee, Chapman, Livengood, Kerins, Biddle, Speaker NOES: None ABSENT: Tillotson ABSTAIN: None MOTION PASSED D. NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS D-1 CLARIFICATION OF MEADOWLARK SPECIFIC PLAN (ZTA NO.97-4) Section 4.4.G Garage Use/Design No action was taken, this was a discussion item only. The Commission restated to the applicant the modifications they had voted upon at the previous meeting and directed staff to ensure that the City Council understands these modifications when it is presented to them. E. PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS E-1 PLANNING COMMISSION COMMITTEE REPORTS Commissioner Biddle — stated that he attended a luncheon program at the El Toro Marine Base featuring Alexander Garvin. Mr. Garvin discussed the economic value of open space. E-2 PLANNING COMMISSION INQUIRIES/COMMENTS Commissioner Kerins — requested that staff research the status of the monies owed to the City, by Catellus, to offset staffs time for processing their application as per the contractual agreement. Staff stated they would report back. Commissioner Biddle — asked staff if the stairway access to the beach at Seapoint Avenue was going to become a reality. Staff stated that the stairway would be built by a State grant, and they would investigate and report back. Commissioners Biddle and Speaker stated they would not be present for the October 2 7, 1998 Planning Commission meeting. PC Minutes — 10/13/98 (98PC1013) Y F. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ITEMS F-1 CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS FROM PREVIOUS MEETING Howard Zelefsky. Director of Planning —restated actions taken at the previous City Council meeting. F-2 _ PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING Scott Hess, Senior Planner — reviewed items for the October 27, 1998 meeting. G. ADJOURNMENT —Adjourn to the October 27,1998 Planning Commission meeting. A MOTION WAS MADE BY LIVENGOOD, SECONDED BY SPEAKER, TO ADJOURN TO A 5:30 PM STUDY SESSION ON OCTOBER 27,1998, AND THEN TO REGULARLY SCHEDULED PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AT 7:00 PM, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Inglee, Chapman, Livengood, Kerins, Biddle, Speaker NOES: None ABSENT: Tillotson ABSTAIN: None MOTION PASSED /kjl APPR VED BY: 7 and Zelefsky, Secretary Planning Commi tsion Chai erson LJ PC Minutes—10/13/98 6 (98PC1013)