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CITY OF SEAL BEACH
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY CONTROL BOARD AGENDA
Minutes of February 22, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
Board Member Smalewitz called the regular meeting of the Environmental Quality Control Board
to order at 6:04 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
PLEDGE OFALLEGIANCE
Board member Hirsch led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Board Members: Smalewitz, Hirsch, Wong, Barton
Absent: Board Member Bennett
Staff Present: Crystal Landavazo, Acting Community Development Director
Steve Fowler, Assistant.Planner
Cesar Rangel, Associate Engineer
APPROVAL-OF THE AGENDA
Board Member Barton moved, second by Hirsch, to approve the agenda, as presented.
AYES: Barton, Hirsch, Smalewitz, Wong
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bennett
Motion Carried: 4-0-1
ORAL.COMMUNICATIONS
Board MemberSmalewitz opened oral communications. There being no speakers, Board Mem-
ber Smalewitz declared oral communications closed.
REORGANIZATION OF EQCB
Barton moved, second by Hirsch, to nominate board member Smalewitz as EQCB Chair.
AYES: Barton, Hirsch, Wong
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Smalewitz
ABSENT: Bennett Motion Carried 3-0-1-1
Hirsch moved, second by Smalewitz, to nominate board member Barton as EQCB Vice-Chair.
AYES: Hirsch, Smalewitz, Wong
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Barton
ABSENT: Bennett Motion Carried 3-0-1-1
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EQCB Meeting of 2/22/17
CONSENT CALENDAR
No items scheduled under Consent Calendar.
SCHEDULED MATTERS:
DISCUSSION: INITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION (IS/MND)
PREPARED FOR A REQUEST TO CREATE 5 PARCELS FROM A .52 ACRE SITE
WITHIN THE RESIDENTIAL HIGH DENSITY (RHD-20) ZONED AREA
Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Environmental Quality Control Board
accept and forward the Initial Study/ Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) with
comments to the Planning Commission for the creation of 5 parcels through
Tentative Tract Map 17925.
Assistant Planner Fowler provided a presentation on the proposed subdivision and Initial
Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND). Assistant Planner Fowler provided a
summary of the mitigation measures in the MND and added that a thirty day public
comment period started on February 9th, 2017 and would end on March 13th, 2017. Fowler
informed EQCB that up to date, the only comments received were from the local Native
American tribes. He noted that Bill Hodge from Hodge & Associates, who prepared the
IS/MND was present and available to address questions.
Member Hirsch inquired what type of public notification was completed and stated he
wanted to ensure proper notification of EQCB meetings and related documents. Acting
Director Landavazo stated that the agenda was posted in accordance with public meeting
requirements and the IS/MND was made available to the public at City Hall and all three
libraries on the first day of the public comment period and the City was in the process of
uploading the document on the City's website as an added courtesy. Landavazo clarified
that EQCB holds public meetings and not public hearings, and informed the Board that the
item would be subject to Planning Commission and City Council approval, requiring
notification of a 500 foot radius surrounding the proposed project.
Member Barton expressed concern over a single family unit having an attached storage
rather than a garage. Assistant Planner Fowler addressed the inquiry by explaining that
the unit is an existing structure that is not required to move or make changes.
Member Barton asked for clarification of the lot lines in comparison to existing structures.
Assistant Planner Fowler provided an overview of the aerial map to show orientation of
proposed parcel lines, existing structures and potential new structures.
Member Barton inquired if there were any potential hazardous materials at the site.
Assistant Planner Fowler confirmed that certified personnel would be testing the soils.
Member Wong .asked if the new structures would be one or two story units. Assistant
Planner Fowler clarified that the units will be two stories and subject to the 25 foot height
maximum.
Member Hirsch asked for clarification on the entry and exit of the alley way surrounding
the site, expressing concern over access to potential garages, the potential visibility
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EQCB Meeting of 2/22/17
concern over poles along the alley, and indicated he believed there was a potential conflict
between the traffic analysis and general plan circulation element. Assistant Planner Fowler
clarified that alleyways are not part of level of service analysis. Fowler added that the
Engineering Department could explore the possibility of relocating poles if necessary.
Fowler stated the consultant analyzed traffic volume in the area and found no major
increase in traffic was anticipated. Acting Director Landavazo clarified that the report
focused on street and roadways not alleys.
Member Hirsch inquired if the site could be subdivided even further. Assistant Planner
Fowler explained that the larger parcel could potentially be subdivided but the owner of the
site was not interested at this time.
Chair Smalewitz inquired if there was a possibility to make the alleyway into a one-way
alley and requested that a Phase 1 analysis be included as a condition of approval.
Assistant Planner Fowler confirmed this recommendation could be forwarded to the
Planning Commission and clarified that the alley access would be deferred to the
Engineering Department.
Attorney Scott Levitt, legal counsel for the applicant, spoke on behalf of the project and
provided a brief history on the subject site and the process for this review.
Chair Smalewitz moved, second by Vice-Chair Barton to move the MND forward to the
Planning Commission with three recommendations:
1. A Phase I analysis be included as a Condition of Approval.
2. Revise the MND to include further traffic analysis and explanation of General
Plan consistency determination.
3. The Board requested that the Engineering Department review the possibility of
establishing a one-way alley.
AYES: Barton, Hirsch, Smalewitz, Wong
NOES:
ABSENT: Bennett Motion Carried 4-0-1
STAFF CONCERNS
No staff comments.
PROJECT UPDATE
Acting Director Landavazo informed the EQCB that the City received a Conditional Use Permit
application for the development of an LA Fitness within the Shops at Rossmoor Center. Landa-
vazo advised the board that a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) was being finalized
and would be presented to EQCB in April.
BOARD CONCERNS
No Board comments.
ADJOURNMENT
With no objections, Chair Smalewitz adjourned the Environmental Quality Control Board meet-
ing at 6:48 p.m.
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