HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Min 1982-10-06
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MINUTES OF THE SEAL BEACH
PLANNING COMMISSION OF
OCTOBER 6, 1982
The Planning Commission of Seal Beach met in
regular session on Wednesday, October 6, 1982,
in the Council Chambers of the City Admini'stration
Building. The meeting was called to order by Vice-
Chairman Goldenberg at 7:40 p.m., and the pledge,
to the flag was led by Commissioner Jessner.
PRESENT: Commissioners Goldenberg, Jessner, Smith and Perrin
ABSENT: Chairman Covington
STAFF: Planning Associate Charles Antos
The minutes of the September 15, 1982 meeting were considered and approved
as corrected by Commissioner Jessner.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTIONS
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Height Limit, Seal Beach Trailer Park
As a result of a petition received by the City Council from the residents
of the Seal Beach Trailer Park requesting a change in height limit for
the trailer park, staff presented a report to the Planning Commission.
In that report, the formation of the S?a1 Beach Trailer Park was explained,
along with general background information about the trailer park. Onset
of the two-story cabanas and their potential problems were noted. Staff
recommended that the Planning Commission receive public comments from
residents of the trailer park and others and discuss alternatives regarding
the height limit in the park.
Commissioner Goldenberg asked if Title 25 of the CAC allowed heights to
exceed a 14 ft. limit. Staff replied that Title 25 of the CAC has set
standards for the construction of trailers, mobile homes and factory
built housing, just as the Uniform Building Code sets standards for
other construction. Title 25 calls out standards for wiring, plumbing,
etc., and in addition, it deals with accessory rooms for trailers,
mobile homes, etc.
Staff further stated that in the case of the trailer park, there was a
petition for a1tern~te strucutres that went up to the administrator of
Title 25, who reviewed the request and granted variances, if you will,
for the Seal Beach Trailer Park. Those people who were in the park who
wished to exercise that variance and build higher that 14 feet, were
able to do so.
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Commissioner Goldenberg asked if this meant that the City zoning standards
were superceded by Title 25. Staff replied that the City has the right to
determine zoning requirements, whether or not they agree with State require-
ments. In this particular instance, City height limitations for that area
was 35 feet. At the time of onset of cabanas, after many complaints
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Minutes of P.C. Meeting of 10/6/82
Page 2
regarding the visual impact of the cabanas, the City stated that the
height 1imiLfor.small lots such as thase in the trailer park, could
not exceed 15 feet.
Cammisioner Goldenberg asked exactly what is meant by free-standing
buildings, which in fact are attached to the trailers. Staff replied
that the cabanas are built much the same a normal room addition would
be built, in that it is on a permanent foundation, they can be above
the trailer and have all been approved by,the Building Department.
Free-standing means that if the trailer is removed,the cabana will
remain and another trailer of appropriate size can be installed in
the original trailers location.
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Commissioner Perrin stated that in one case, the trailer itself has been
punctured to. set posts. Staff replied in the affirmative,
Commissioner Goldenberg stated that he gathered the intent of the trailer
park was to provide housing for low to moderate income persons, and that
allowing additions to come within the range of low to maderate income
persons. He further asked, that when these tra 11 ers wi th cabanas are
sold, would the trailer be sold in the $150-200,000 range and thereby
negate the reason for affordable housing in the first place. Staff replied
that yes, some trailers with cabanas have been sold at a profit, but that
the peap1e buying those trailers or residing in them still have to fall
within the category of low or moderate income depending upan the space
they are occupying. Generally speaking, a person with an income of $25,000
could not qualify for purchase of a trailer far exceeding the norm.
Commissioner Goldenberg asked if the City cantro1s this. Staff replied
that it is controlled by participation agreements between the park
management and the Redeve1apment Agency, by a condition of the Coastal
permit and it is tied into the lease which has 64 years remaining on it.
Commissioner Goldenberg asked with regard to the aesthetic concerns,
would it be possible to have some type of contral in the future regarding
aesthetics. Staff replied, that yes, it si possible to have an architectural
review board such as Leisure World, Bridgeport, condominiums in the City
have. The architectural review board could not deny something that park
management wanted, awner of trailer park has the last say.
Tim Coster, 78 Riversea Drive, Seal Beach Trailer Park - Mr. Coster
explained his particular circumstance to the Commission. The tight
living arrangements for a person his size, the nonavai1ab1ity of
affordable housing for a person of his income. He asked the Commissian
to cansider raising the height limit, stating that even with a 20 ft.
limitation, all roofs would be flat and aesthetically unpleasing.
Commisianer Perrin stated that he thought the idea of the cabanas
has drifted faraway from the arigina1 thought. He stated that the
trailers could not be moved without damaging either the trailer or
the cabana. He would like to see the trailers able to be moved, as
was their arigina1 intent.
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Minutes of P.C. Meeting of 10/6/82
Page 3
Paul Jeffers, 8 Cottonwood Lane, stated that he feels there are many un-
answered questions between management and the park. He states that resi-
dents are on a month-to-month lease and that the park management could ask
someone to leave within 30 days. He stated that in his rental agreement,
Section 18, it states that all fixtures, plants, shrubs, pavement are the
property of the park and that the tenant must maintain them, but-at the
time of departure, all those fixtures revert to the park owner. He further
stated that those persons accepting HUD have even stricter requirements in
their leases.
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Commissioner Goldenberg asked if the City is in a position to see about the
leases or rental agreements within the trailer park. Staff replied that
the City has'no control over rental documents, but the park management
has a participation agreement that states there must be a certain number of
perons in the park with low to moderate incomes. State law also states
there must be considerable notice to residents if ther~ is a change in the
use for the trailer park; this would also have to have approval of the City
Council and the Redevelopment Agency.
Mr. Jeffers also stated that there should be an overall plan with regard
to building over trailers. 'He passed around pictures which he had taken
while the petition was being circulated, showing the types of buildings on
site at that time. Commissioner Jessner asked if Mr. Jeffers was in favor
of the height limitation being increased. Mr. Jeffers stated that he was
in favor with the condition, that it be known in advance what type of building
is allowed, where the property line is for each lot, what the rents are for
each lot. and that the rent be adjusted for those who end up with tiny lots
and those who have a big structure on a b~gger lot.
Steven Cook, 62 Riversea Road, stated that the Code Enforcement Officer for
Title 25 saw fit to grant a variance from the 14 foot height limit. On
June 18, 1981, the State of California give the trailer park an award for
"innovation, fmaginatipn, and initiative in ~eve10ping practical solutions
in providing affordable housing in California;" Mr. Cook stated that it is
his hope that the Commission will see fit to grant the park the approval
to build only up to 25 feet when all around the park the height limit is
35 feet.
Barbara Rountree, 1527 Marine Drive, asked how many children live in the
trailer park. Staff replied that there were no statistics on that as yet,
but the original purpose of the trailer park was to provide housing for'
those residents of the old trailer park. Mrs. Rountree further stated that
what is built at the trailer park is not always what is presented in the
drawings. Staff replied that builders must comply with what is presented
in original drawings to have a bui1aing permit finalized.
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Commissioner Perrin, moved that a public hearing be,he1d the first week
in November in order to take public testimony regarding the height limit
in the Seal Beach Trailer Park., Commissioner,Jessner seconded the motion
which passed unanimously.
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Minutes of the P,C. Meeting of 10/6/82
Page 4
An informal ,discussion was then held regarding the proposed addition to
a nonconforming apartment building. The Commission reviewed the plans,
and informally determined that this type of proposal is the kind of project
for which the new zoning amendment to allow minor additions to nonconforming
buildings was intended.
Staff indicated that the DWP Specific Plan would be brought before the
Commission at the next meeting.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
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Recording ecretary ,