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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Min 1982-06-02 . MINUTES OF THE SEAL BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION OF JUNE 2, 1982 The Planning Commission of Seal Beach met in regular session on Wednesday, June 2, 1982 in the Council Chambers of the City Administration Building. The meeting was called to order by Chairman' Covington , at 7:35 p.m., and the pledge to the flag was led by Commissioner Gilkerson. PRESENT: Commissioners Gilkerson, Smith, Jessner, Goldenberg and Chairman Covington, STAFF: P1 anni ng Associ ate Antos The minutes of the t1ay 19, 1982 meeting were considered and approved unanimously. ' PUBLIC HEARINGS . A. CUP-4-82-Transfer of an on-sale beer and wine license at Giancola's restaurant, 101 Main Street, from,Mr. & Mrs. Giancola to Yu1 ian and Purwaty L igioso (Zone C-1, Service Commercial) Staff report was presented by Mr. Antos along with a memorandum from the Chief of Police indicating no opposition to application. Chairman Covington asked if the County Health Department automatically makes a review of facilities after a transfer. Staff replied that the Health Department inspects all new applicants for business licenses, and a transfer would fall into that category. Public Hearing opened. Applicant was available for questions. No person spoke in favor nor in opposition to the conditional use permit application, therefore, public hearing was closed. Commissioner Goldenberg moved to adopt Resolution #1261, Commission Gilkerson seconded the motion, and the resolution was unanimously approved. B. ZTA-5-82 - A zoning text amendment to permit compact car parking spaces in commercial and industrial zones. . Staff report presented by Mr. Antos who indicated that the amendment was initiated by staff due to increasing percentages of persons driving compact ca rs. . Public Hearing opened; and as no person spoke in favor, nor in opposition, the public hearing closed. Chairman Covington asked if it might be more feasible to come up with a standard length for all parking spaces, with the width being the variable. Staff replied that a common length could work in parking lots with open spaces, but not enclosed parking lots. ( . Minutes Of Planning Commission Meeting of June 2, 1982 Page 2 Staff indicated that most of the successful compact car parking programs used varied striping along with signs denoting areas to park for compact cars. Commissioner Jessner asked if staff surveyed aJolnlng cities such as Huntington Beach, Los A1amitos, etc. Staff replied that information received from the Auto Club included a survey of all large cities such as Anaheim and Fullerton. . In reply to a question by Chairman Covington, Mr. Antos indicated that Bay City Center has reduced parking spaces due to its jOint uses. Mr. Antos stated that the Oakwood Apartments and the Seal Beach Trailer Park were the only areas in Seal Beach which have compact car parking. Commissioner Goldenberg stated that it is quite common today for this type of parking and also there are standard drawings available for design of compact car parking. He said the utilization of compact parking depends quite a bit on design as to the space you have available and how to make the most of it. He further noted that the Planning Commission has had quite a few sessions where the case of parking is the main factor as to whether an applicant is able to expand or not. He personally felt that this idea was 'a very good one and should be approved. He also felt that with regard to the percentage, it should be flexible to allow for staff review. Staff replied that a maximum percentage could be arrived at with the stipulation "unless authorized by the Planning Commission for a greater amount," added. The Planning Commission would then have the opportunity to make that judgment based upon the information before them. Commission Jessner asked if this resolution applied to City parking lots. Staff indicated that those areas in the public land use were not included, but that they could be if the Planning Commission wished. However, streets would not fall into that category as they are standardized according to State, County and City regulations. Streets and City parking lots are already under the jurisdiction of the City Engineer. Commission Jessner also asked if the allowing of additional parking spaces would then allow businesses to come back to the Commission for expansion. Chairman Covington stated that that was possible, but that the Planning Commission would make final determinations. Commissioner Smith asked staff what recommendation would be made as to the percentage of parking for compact cars ~hich should be p1ac~d}in the resolution. Staff replied that his recommendation would be not any higher than 25% to start with, and that after studying other cities' successes, we could change that percentage in the future. . Chairman Covington asked that the resolution be amended to read: . Planning Commission Minutes of June 2, 1982 Page 3 "In commercial and industrial zones, 25% compact car parking spaces may be included in the total parking count subject to staff approval. Each space shall be 8 ft. wide by 16 ft. deep with a 24-foot turning radius. A complete parking plan must be submitted andacceptab1e to staff." Commissioner Goldenberg seconded the approval of the resolution ,as amended, and the resolution passed unanimously. Planning Commission Annual Report . Annual report given to Planning Commission after being held over from previous Planning Commission meeting. Chairman Covington asked if the Seal Beach Trailer Park report had been included in this report. Staff replied that it had not been included as it had not occurred until after the calendar year, but that the report itself would be forwarded to the City Council for their information. The Commission indicated by concensus of agreement to forward the report to City Council . Report on Minor Additions to NonConforming Buildings Staff report presented to Commi ss i on by Mr. Antos. ' He noted that most nonconformities occur at the time zoning regulations are amended. He stated that the City has received a number of requests for enclosed porches, covered balconies, enclosed balconies and slightly enlarged rooms and ' needed Planning Commission's direction. In order to permit these types of modifications, a zoning text amendment would have to be adopted by the Planning Commission and the City Council. He further stated that most cities allow minor additions to nonconforming buildings as long as their status remains the same, i.e., minor changes to a single family dwelling as long as they remain a single family dwelling. Warren Morton, 153 13th Street, spoke on behalf of property owners havIng the option of enclosing balconies. In ,his',particu1ar case, the balcony was on the windward side and overlooked an alley, with the tenants never using it. Enclosing the balcony should enhance the value of the property. Chairman Covington stated that the idea of open space, i.e. a balcony, was allowed to property owners so that those persons with no open space or yard available could have some form of open space. . . Robert Cooke, 441 Central Avenue, former Planning Commissioner, stated that he felt it was encouraging to hear some of the things that the Planning Commission is dealing with. He felt it would be beneficial if the Commissioners would take a drive up and down the a11eys'of Seal Beach in order to get a different perspective on some of the problems that exist here. He was quite encouraged when the Commission began to look at fractional densities, but was discouraged when the idea behind the review was to increase densities. . Planning Commission,Minutes of June 3, 1982 Page 4 He further stated that it might very well make more work for the Commissioners, but he felt that each case should be looked, at from its own pOint of view. That you should get something when you give something. He would prefer to see a decrease in densities, to see something done with the illegal units. Mitzi Morton, 153 13th Street stated that she felt that it was unfair to penalize those who obeyed the regulations and guidelines and not to stop the illegal bootlegging units which are so'b1atant in Seal ' Beach. She felt that it would be easy to trace those through the post office. Chairman Covington stated that that is the Federal government's jurisdiction and the City could not use the post office as a tracing bureau. . Staff indicated that that is why the City hired a zoning inspector (to go property by property to look for violations). A survey had been completed in the Old Town area and some letters sent out asking for comp1 iance, but that the zoning 'inspector had then been transferred to the Redevelopment Agency with regard to the Seal Beach Trailer Park, and that his, particular position ,is. proposed to be eliminated when the budget is approved by the City Council. Staff stated that the only enforcement method used ,was to state that the Franchise Tax Board would receive the name and address of the illegal bootlegged units and all those ecnomic advantages of owning income property would not be allowed. This notice would go with the property from owner to owner and would not be removed until propery owner complies. In answer to the Commission's question regarding compliance to those letters sent, the City has had some compliance, but it has been some time since the original letters had'gone out and there have been no inspections since that time. The Commission discussed methods of trying to finance a zoning inspector's salary so that he may continue the survey that he had originally started. Commission Goldenberg stated that all the money used for originally hiring the inspector would have gone down the drain. The City should try to come up with some method of continuing this type of work. It was pointed out to the Commission that there are some units which have completely sealed garages, with fireplaces, windows, curtains, and mailboxes which are obvious illegal units. Staff replied that property owners who were inadvertently sold income property as five units when they should have been less, can sue the 'real estate broker for damages. Commissioner Jessner stated that the City of Huntington Beach has a method of stopping illegal units. All apartment units must be licensed in the City of Huntington Beach with each apartment unit paying a mininum amount to obtain a business license. This money goes toward paying the person who must go around and c~eck on the units. There means of policing and getting immediate action is through a certificate of occupancy., Any . . Planning Commiss10n Minutes of June 2, 1982 Page 5 unit not being used according to the certificate of occupancy, the City has the right to remove that certificate. Staff replied that due to pressures placed on the City by real estate brokers, the inspection of multiple units was not pursued. The Commission asked that a summary of the first phase of the survey of multiple units in Old Town be presented to the Commission. They would also like to see the 'Huntington Beach plan as mentioned by Commissioner Jessner. The Commission would like to see separate reports regarding minor additions to nonconforming buildings and then the report regarding illegal units in Seal Beach. ' Chairman Covington stated that he was most concerned with the public safety regarding the illegal units. The density of homes, the faulty wiring in illegal units, etc. could lead to major safety problems, especially if a fire were to occur. Meeting adjourned at, 9:30 p.m. . ~. ...e. r7? A ,... n .e. itfi:--...J Recording Secretary .