The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutPC Min 1982-11-17 . e e . . Minutes of the Seal Beach Planning Commission of November 17, 1982 The Planning Commission met in regular session on Wednesday, November 17, 1982 in the City 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 Vice Chairman Goldenberg. PRESENT: Commissioners Jessner, Perrin, Smith, Goldenberg and Chairman Covington ABSENT: None STAFF: Charles Antos The minutes of the November 3, 1982 meeting were considered and approved with one abstention. PUBLIC HEARING A. Zoning Text Amendment, ZTA-7-82 To raise permitted building heights on small lots to 25 feet. Staff report presented by Mr. Antos, Commissioner Perrin asked if the requirement for life safety sprinkler systems would be retroactive to those 2-story cabanas which have already been constructed. After some discussion, it was felt that a requirement such as life safety sprinkler systems could not be made retroactive, Chairman Covington felt that since the trailer park is one piece of property under one owner, that the owner should be required to bring substandard situations up to code. Staff replied that is only the case in hazardous situations, which this is not, Pu1ic Hearing was reopened. Bill Dawson, 1700 Catalina, spoke as the property owner of the Seal Beach Trailer Park. He stated that he was attending the meeting as a result of a letter from the tenants of the trailer park asking him to make himself available to the Planning Commission to answer any questions that might come up during the meeting: He felt that since the life safety sprinkler system condition was not in effect when the already constructed 2-story cabanas were built, that those occupants should not be penalized for a nonconforming use, if other nonconforming uses in the City such as Surfside were not penalized, He further stated that it is true that the occupants are on a month- to-month basis, but that the tenants own their own property. . -2- -~"",'. . ..; ." He said that he was here on a planning matter. For those who recall the old trailer park, it was substandard in every way imaginable. The landowner sent eviction notices to 226 occupants. The tenants after complaining to City Council, newspapers, tele- vision, etc, extracted from the landowner a 5-year extension with the written promise that they would leave peacefully at the end of 5 years, The tenants now have won a Governor's award for a solution to affordable housing in high rent areas. The value of the land is $30 per foot, worth millions of dollars. To date, he has been a one-man architectural review board and has no objection with sharing that board with others. Chairman Covington asked what rights would the tenants have with Bill Dawson's heirs. Mr. Dawson stated that the agreement with the RDA is binding with his heirs. Chairman Covington stated that there are no specified parcel lines denoted. Mr. Dawson stated that there are memoranda of established lot lines. He further stated that he has tried to hold to the separation of units. " Chairman Covington stated that there were a number of photos presented at the last meeting which showed serious violations of setbacks, noncompliance to fire regulations. Mr. Dawson stated that some of these instances were management problems. The Fire Department had gone over the original design of the trailer park for adherence to safety regulations. Jay Covington asked how many of the cabanas now exist which qualify as low income. Mr. Dawson replied that there are around eight 2-st6ry cabanas, but that he does not know how many of those are low income. The RDA mandates that 120 of the 126 units be for low/moderate incomes. At least 50% of those is for low income only. The present cabanas are built with sweat equity. They are the finest example of low income housing liv- ing in a high rent district. When a trailer must be rerented, we qualify those tenants to make sure they fall under the RDA agreement" stated Mr. Dawson. . ., Commission Jessner asked if Mr. Dawson agreed with the conditions as set forth in the resolution. Mr. Dawson stated that he agreed. He stated in answer to Mr, Jessner's question, that the condi- tions would be adhered to by him as the review board, by the Planning Department and then by the Building Department. Commis- sioner Perrin asked why reference to the tree planter was left out of the 11/9 letter from the Q,C. Fire Department. Mr. Antos replied that it was eliminated because it was pointed out that when the condos are built, there will be an access from First Street. Commissioner Perrin asked if it was felt that the Fire Department still felt that 2-story cabanas should not be built, Mr. Antos replied that the Fire Department felt that if all conditions as stated in the 11/9 letter were adhered to, there would be no objection to the 2-story cabanas. . e e . . -3- Mr. Dawson asked to speak with regard to tree well planter. Origin- ally he argued strongly against the requirement that 'the Cottonwood trees be retained du~ to safety reasons, but the City Council, at the suggestion of the past Planning Commission and architectural review ,board imposed a condition that they be retained which necessi- tated a redesign of their road, which was redesigned with the help of the Fire Department. The City then reversed their decision to remove the trees, but he had already invested $14,000 in the planter and could not afford to remove it and did not since there was ?dequate clearance for fire vehicles. Steven Cook, 62 Riversea Road, showed the Governor's award to the Commission which stated "innovation, imagination, and initiation in developing practical solutions to established housing in Seal Beach." He stated that the trailer park would like to continue in this vein. Mike Neunuebel, 106 Welcome Lane stated that he has been in the trailer park for 10 years, since he was 14, It affords a young pers~n the only opportunity for decent housing in Seal Beach. He stated that he has a cabana and that he has faith in Bill Dawson's word, Stu Orton, 49 Riversea, stated that he also has a 2-story cabana and he feels that those who are able to add onto their trailer have shown a source of pride in their home. He stated the trailer park has become a decent community to live in since owners can take pride in their homes, , Tom Coster, 78 Riversea, did not feel that it was possible to put in a fire safety sprinkler system in those cabanas already constructed. He then offered Mr. Bill Dawson to answer any questions Commission might have, No one spoke against the zoning text amendment, Chairman Covington asked Mr, Dawson if he would have any objection to being responsible for increasing the density and the height of the plants along First Street, Mr, Dawson replied that his tenants were asking for an increase in building height on cabanas, not he and that he felt he should not be responsible for increasedlandscap- ing as a result of approval of the zoning text amendment. He was here solely to support his tenants, Mr. Dawson was then asked about the pile of dirt across the street, He stated that in lieu park fees were collected for that use. Staff replied that the Marina' Park Extension project is out to bid now. Public Hearing Closed. 1 ,. ~ Commissioner Jessnerasked that the wording in condition #7 be changed to what it was last week. Commissioner Goldenberg stated that he was very impressed by the presentations and requests made by the people in the trailer park and that he would vote for it. - 8 o . . -4- Commissioner Jessner asked if these conditions could be applied to the cabanas that are presently being constructed. Staff replied that it would apply to those cabanas which are under construction now. Staff replied that it would apply to those cabanas who have stopped construction but will need a building permit in the future to complete construction, Jay Covington indicated he would like three additional conditions to say: 1) All of the above required safety conditions be made a requirement of all existing cabanas that are still in the process of construction. 2) There will be a complete Orange County Fire Department inspection of the park and whatever they found to require change or correction would have to be complied with before any other permits were granted. 3) Any of the other safety standards required in the prior conditions would have to be verified as existing before any permits would be granted for 2-story cabanas may be constructed. Co~~issioner Jessner moved to adopt the zoning text amendment, Com- missioner Goldenberg seconded and amendment passed 4-1, Cownissioner Jessner mentioned a traffic safety hazard on Bolsa Avenue near the school. Staff replied that it would be reported to Traffic Safety Committee for review, Meeting was adjourned 4~ Recording Secretary