HomeMy WebLinkAbout1 - Approve PC Minutes 2012-10-17City of Seal Beach - Planning Commission
October 17, 2012
Chair Massa-Lavitt called the regular meeting of the Planning Commission to
order at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers and lead the Salute to the Flag.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Massa-Lavitt;
Commissioners: Cummings, Everson, Galbreath, Goldberg
Staff Present: Greg Hastings, Interim Director of Community Development
Jerry Olivera, Senior Planner
Steven Flower, Assistant City Attorney
Linda Devine, City Clerk
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Cummings moved, second by Goldberg, to approve the agenda as presented.
AYES: Cummings, Everson, Galbreath, Goldberg, Massa-Lavitt
NOES: None Motion Carried
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Chair Massa-Lavitt opened oral communications. Mike Buhbe, Central Way,
indicated that technology for parking control is available that can be used for off
street parking for vacation rentals. There being no other speakers, Chair Massa-
Lavitt declared oral communications closed.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
Goldberg moved, second by Everson, to approve the minutes of Planning
Commission Meeting of October 3, 2012.
AYES: Cummings, Everson, Galbreath, Goldberg, Massa-Lavitt
NOES: None Motion Carried
SCHEDULED MATTERS
There were no matters for consideration at this time.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
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2. Conditional Use Permit 12-17 Property: 226 4 Street
Applicant: Brent Sears
Owners: Bob and Cathy West
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Request: For a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow a second
floor, detached guest room to a nonconforming property
within the Residential High Density (RHD-20) zone at 226
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4 Street.
Recommendation: Approve CUP 12-17, subject to conditions.
Commissioner Goldberg recused himself from this item; his residence is within
500 feet of the subject property; and left the Council Chambers at 7:32 p.m.
The Senior Planner provided the staff report: An application for a CUP was
submitted to allow a guest room and an expansion to a non-conforming single-
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family dwelling at 226 4 Street.
Chair Massa-Lavitt opened the public hearing. Speakers: Bob West, owner, was
present to answer any question and Brent Sears, the owner’s architect, provided
the background of the request, stated that the owners have never used the
property as a rental property and will not be using it as a rental (used by family
members), and agreed to all the conditions of the CUP. There were no other
speakers. Chair Massa-Lavitt closed the public hearing.
After Commissioners received clarification; Everson moved, second by
Galbreath, to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 12-28 approving
Conditional Use Permit 12-17.
AYES: Cummings, Everson, Galbreath, Massa-Lavitt
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Goldberg Motion Carried
The Assistant City Attorney advised that the approval of Conditional Use Permit
12-17 and adoption of Resolution No. 12-28 begins a 10-day appeal period to the
City Council. The Commission action tonight is final and the appeal period
begins tomorrow morning.
Commissioner Goldberg returned to the Council Chambers at 7:44 p.m.
3. Conditional Use Permit 12-20 Property: 1115 & 1115½ Seal Way
Applicant: Alexander Yoffe
Owner: Harold B. Rothman
Request: For a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow a short-term
vacation rental property within the Residential High Density
(RHD-20) zone at 1115 & 1115½ Seal Way.
Recommendation: Due to an error with the radius map, this project will need
to be re-noticed for a future meeting.
The Senior Planner announced that Conditional Use Permit 12-20 has been re-
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noticed and rescheduled for the November 7 Planning Commission meeting.
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4. Conditional Use Permit 12-15 Property: 546 Ocean Avenue
Applicant: John Lima
Owner: Seal 546, LLC
Request: For a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow a short-term
vacation rental property within the Residential Low Density
(RLD-9) zone at 546 Ocean Avenue.
Recommendation: Approve CUP 12-15, subject to conditions.
The Senior Planner provided the staff report: The subject property is presently a
three-level, 5 bedroom, 3½ bathrooms, single-family dwelling with an attached
two-car garage with adequate space to park two additional cars within the
driveway area – existing vacation rental since 2010 – conditions #6 (shall not rent
or lease less than 4 consecutive nights), #8 (maximum of 2 guests per bedroom),
and #23 (concerning noise and complaints) of Planning Commission Resolution
No. 12-25 were highlighted. Additional letters (5 in opposition and 1 in support)
were received and copies were placed at the dais for Planning Commissioners
and staff recommends approval subject to conditions.
Chair Massa-Lavitt opened the public hearing. Speakers: John Lima,
applicant/owner and partner in Seal 546, LLC, expressed that he was not in favor
of the CUP process but is willing comply and provided the background regarding
the activities at the residences. There were 11 speakers in opposition to the
approval of CUP 12-15 and 2 speakers that expressed their concerns. John
Lima responded to the concerns expressed by the speakers and further
questions by Commissioners. Chair Massa-Lavitt closed the public hearing.
Planning Commission concerns and comments:
Mixed use of property – private vs. short term rental;
CUP only addresses the use as a short term rental of the property and not
for private use;
Private use activities may be causing the neighbors’ concerns;
Intense private use and determining when property is used as rental;
How to notify the neighbors when it is used as short-term rental;
Condition #2 (not authorized to use as a rental venue for special events);
Can only determine if the conditions are enforced if the neighbors call the
police of any violations;
Owners do not reside at property – can be seen as renters;
Intensive use by owners for fund raisers, private parties, and allowing
friends, family members, and business clients to stay at the property; and
This property is unique in the use and does not seem that the conditions
would work.
Everson moved, second by Cummings, directing staff to bring a resolution
denying CUP 12-15 with findings in support thereof based on the evidence
presented to the next Planning Commission meeting.
Page 4 – Planning Commission 10/17/12
AYES: Cummings, Everson, Galbreath, Goldberg, Massa-Lavitt
NOES: None Motion Carried
The Assistant City Attorney stated that there will be no further public hearing on
this item and staff will provide a resolution at the next Planning Commission
meeting for the Planning Commission to take formal action in denying CUP 12-15
and at that time the Planning Commission decision would be appealable to the
City Council.
With no objections Chair Massa-Lavitt called for a recess at 9:20 p.m. and
reconvened the meeting at 9:25 p.m.
5. Zone Text Amendment 12-2 – Residential Roof Decks (Citywide)
Request: For a Zone Text Amendment to amend certain sections of
Title 11 of the Seal Beach Municipal Code, regarding
Residential Roof Decks.
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution Number 12-26, recommending to the
City Council the approval of Zone Text Amendment 12-2
regarding Residential Roof Decks.
The Interim Director of Community Development provided the staff report: The
City Council directed the Planning Commission to develop criteria regulating
placement of items on residential roof decks – Planning Commission held 2
public hearings – before the Commission is a draft resolution to recommend to
the City Council the approval of Zone Text Amendment 12-2 adding language to
Section 11.2.05.015.T of the Municipal Code
“Roof Decks. Roof Decks are allowed in
the residential districts pursuant to Table 11.2.05.015: Development Standards for Residential
Districts. Detached canopies are permitted on roof decks provided that canopies greater than
100 square feet in area are permitted only if they are collapsible, and maintained below the height
limit when not in use. In addition, all required roof deck railings in accordance with the provisions
of the California Building Code shall not exceed the height limit provisions of Table 11.2.05.015.
The provisions of Section 11.2.05.015.I: Projections are not applicable to roof decks.”
Chair Massa-Lavitt opened the public hearing. Speakers: Mike Buhbe, Central
Way, stated there needs to be a limit to the number of canopies allowed and that
detached canopies be weighted or tied down as to not blow off the roof deck and
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cause harm or damage to any person below; Mark Loopesko, 7 Street, inquired
about the number of pop-ups allowed on the roof deck; and George Moreno,
Seal Beach, received clarification of “in-use” and their current canopy is 12x12 in
size. There were no further speakers – Chair Massa-Lavitt closed the public
hearing.
After Commission comments the resolution was amended to increase the size of
the detached canopies to 150 square feet, and it was determined further
language of intent is needed before a recommendation can be sent to the City
Council.
Page 5 - Planning Commission 10/17/12
Massa-Lavitt moved, second by Cummings, to approve Zone Text Amendment
12-2 regarding residential roof decks with a statement of intent to be included
and amend to increase the size of the detached canopies to 150 square feet and
direct the Assistant City Attorney to bring back the revised language to the
Resolution No. 12-26 and place it on the next Planning Commission consent
calendar.
AYES: Cummings, Everson, Galbreath, Goldberg, Massa-Lavitt
NOES: None Motion Carried
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
The Interim Director stated that an appeal was submitted for the property on 413
Ocean (CUP 12-10 vacation/short-term rental) and will be on the November 13,
2012 City Council agenda; the public hearing on the ordinance prohibiting future
vacation/short-term rentals will be on the October 22, 2012 City Council agenda;
and the Senior Planner provided an update on up-coming Planning Commission
meetings.
COMMISSION CONCERNS
Commissioner Galbreath inquired about the progress of the Rite Aid store and
Chick-Fil-A located at the Rossmoor Center.
ADJOURNMENT
With no objections, Chair Massa-Lavitt adjourned the Planning Commission
meeting at 10:00 p.m.
City Clerk
Approved:
Chair
Attest:
City Clerk
NOTICE: The following document has not been approved for accuracy and may be corrected, modified or amended before final
approval. Because it is being made available prior to final action, it should not be considered a true record of the meeting. It is not
the official Minutes of the Planning Commission and cannot be relied on or used as an official record of the proceedings. Although
the City of Seal Beach makes every effort to see that proper notes are taken at a meeting, and although draft Minutes are
generally approved as submitted, changes and corrections are sometimes made before a final version is approved. The City
therefore makes no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the contents of this document. Once Official Minutes have been
approved, a copy can be obtained from the City Clerk.