HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Min 1990-07-18
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CITY OF SEAL BEACH
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES OF JULY 18, 1990
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commlssion of the
City of Seal Beach was called to order on July 18, 1990 at 7:30
p.m. ln Clty Council Chambers by Chairman Sharp.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Flfe.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Chairman Sharp
Commlssioners Orsini, Fife, McCurdy, Dahlman
Also
Present:
Barry Curtls, Administrative Asslstant
Department of Development Services
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. PLANNING COMMISSION REORGANIZATION;
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN
MOTION by Sharp; SECOND by McCurdy nominating Commissioner Phillip
Fife as Chairman of the Planning Commission.
MOTION CARRIED: 5 - 0 - 0
AYES: Sharp, Orsini, Fife, McCurdy, Dahlman
***
MOTION by Orsini; No SECOND (no Second to the Motion was noted by
the Secretary) nominating Commissioner Howard McCurdy as Vice
Chairman of the Planning Commission.
MOTION CARRIED: 4 - 0 - 1
AYES: Orsini, Fife, Sharp, Dahlman
ABSTAIN: McCurdy
Chairman Sharp sald Commissioner Fife requested he remaln as
Chairman for thlS meeting. There was no ObJection from the
Commlsslon.
***
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Page 2 - Plann1ng Commiss1on M1nutes of July 18, 1990
2. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF JUNE 6, 1990
MOTION by Dahlman; SECOND by Fife to approve the Minutes of the
June 6, 1990 Planning Commission meeting as presented.
MOTION CARRIED: 5 - 0 - 0
AYES: Orsini, Fife, McCUrdy, Sharp, Dahlman
***
3. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF JUNE 20, 1990
MOTION by McCUrdy; SECOND Sharp to approve the Minutes of the
20, 1990 Planning Commission meeting with one correction at
4, to read "MOTION by McCurdy; SECOND by Dahlman to approve
Review #7-90, alternative "BII, with the recommended
conditions. II
June
page
Plan
four
MOTION CARRIED: 5 - 0 - 0
AYES: Orsini, Fife, McCurdy, Sharp, Dahlman
***
SCHEDULED MATTERS
There were no scheduled matters.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
4. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT #3-89 * RESOLUTION No. 1583
2490 WESTMINSTER AVENUE * PRIMROSE RESTAURANT
staff Report
Mr. Curtis delivered the staff report. Applicant, Frank
Tahvildari, 1S requesting to extend indefinitely an on-sale general
11quor license for the Primrose Restaurant. The Chief of Police,
rev1ewed the eX1sting records and has no reservations about
permitt1ng the use to continue. staff recommended approval.
Commission Comments
There were no comments from the Commiss1on.
Public Hear1ng
The applicant was not present and no one in the aud1ence w1shed to
speak for or against the proposal.
Comm1ssion Comments
Mr. Sharp asked Mr. Curt1s 1f he would comment on Mr. Tahv1ldar1's
request for an addition; Variance #4-89. Mr. Curtis replied the
shopping center owner 1S resurfac1ng the park1ng lot at the present
time and anticipates re-striping to accommodate compact spaces on
the site. Mr. Tahvildar1 could then go ahead with the add1tion.
Page 3 - Planning Commission Minutes of July 18, 1990
. Mr. Curtis sal.d he has not heard anything from the applicant
otherwise. The Planning Commission did not approve Variance
#4-89, it was approved on an appeal to the City Council subject to
the re-strl.ping of the parking lot to provide seven additional
spaces.
MOTION by McCurdy; SECOND by Dahlman to approve Conditional Use
Permit #3-89 by the adoption of Resolution No. 1583.
MOTION CARRIED: 5 - 0 - 0
AYES: Orsini, Fife, McCurdy, Sharp, Dahlman
***
5. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT #5-89 * RESOLUTION No. 1584
131 1/2 MAIN STREET * DON JUAN'S TACO HOUSE
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staff Report
Mr. Curtis delivered the staff report. The applicants, Gary and
Joan Wussow, are requesting an l.ndefinite extension of CUP #5-89,
an on-sale beer and Wl.ne license, for Don Juan's Taco House. The
Chl.ef of Police reviewed the application and had no reservations
about allowing the use to continue. staff recommends approval.
Commission Comments
There were no comments from the Commissl.on.
Publl.c Hearing
The appll.cant dl.d not speak. No one in the audience wished to
speak for or against thl.S applicatl.on.
MOTION by Dahlman; SECOND by McCurdy to approve Conditional Use
Permit #5-89 by the adoption of Resolution 1584.
MOTION CARRIED: 5 - 0 - 0
AYES: Orsini, Fife, McCUrdy, Sharp, Dahlman
***
6. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT #8-90 * RESOLUTION 1585
412 MARINA DRIVE * IRVINE LIQUOR
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staff Report
Mr. Curtis dell.vered the staff report. The applicant, Elias Azar,
is requesting to transfer an existing off-sale general liquor
license in conjunction with the transfer of ownership of an
eXl.sting liquor store. The Chief of Police revl.ewed the existing
records and had no reservatl.ons about permitting the operation to
contl.nue. staff recommends approval with eight conditions. staff
recommended placing a special condition on this approval which
would mandate its reconsideration after 90 days rather than one
Page 4 - Plann1ng Commission Minutes of July 18, 1990
~ year period. If the applicant fa11ed to remove the alcohol signage
in the windows 1n 15 days 1t would result in the revocation of this
CUP.
Commiss1on Comments
Mr. McCurdy asked 1f the alcohol s1gnage was still in the w1ndows?
Mr. curtis replied it was on July 16th, Monday but he did not check
since then.
Mr. Sharp asked staff that 1f approval 1S not granted what will ABC
do? Mr. Curtis said ABC will not grant a license without the
ci ty' s approval of the CUP but as long as he's pend1ng City
approval he can continue doing bus1ness by using a temporary
license.
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Dr. Dahlman asked Mr. Curtis about the need for a CUP to sell
alcohol. Mr. Curt1s explained about ABC requiring the City to
approve a CUP but added there are one or two older liquor stores
in the City which have been in eX1stence prior to the zoning
regulations which are 'grandfathered' in and do not possess a CUP;
one is
N1p 'N Stuff on Main Street. Irv1ne L1quor was also
'grandfathered' in prior to it's transfer of ownership last year.
Dr. Dahlman said he v1sited as many liquor stores as he could this
past week-end, with the following results on signs advertising the
sale of alcoho11c beverages: pavillion's has no signs, 7-11 had
no signs, Liquor Jr. Market at Seal Beach Blvd. and Pacific Coast
H1ghway had 3 s1gns, West Beach had 7 signs plus 2 neon signs and
this applicant, Irvine Liquor, had 11 signs. Dr. Dahlman noted the
spirit of this regulation was to keep the town clean and
uncluttered and to minimize 1mpulse buying of alcohol.
Mr. Orsini noted an illegal sign advertising photocopying at Irvine
Liquor. Mr. Curtis said that sign was put up without a permit.
Mr. Fife asked if the Commission would be amenable to change the
wording of Condition #8 to say: approval of this CUP would become
effective only upon verification by staff 1n writing of the
applicant's compliance with the stated seven conditions which
includes removal of the signs. This would make the CUP self-
executing --- 1f the owner doesn't comply the CUP doesn't go into
effect. By doing this, the Planning Commiss1on would not have to
consider this item again.
Public Hear1ng
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Elias Azar * 240 W. Verdugo Avenue. HR. Burbank. CA
Mr. Azar introduced himself as the applicant. He stated he has no
control over the signage 1n the windows at th1s time because he is
not the owner; he will close escrow at the end of July. He has
asked the present owner to take down the signs.
Page 5 - Plannlng Commission Minutes of July 18, 1990
4It Mr. Curtis explained that ABC will not issue a full license until
the CUP lS approved. He will get a temporary license (to continue
selling alcohol) untll such time as the CUP lS approved.
Mr. Flfe asked Mr. Azar if his escrow was condl tioned on an
approved CUP? Mr. Azar replied he thought so. Mr. Fife suggested
that if the Commission granted Mr. Azar a "self-executing CUP",
which would be approved only if the seven conditions are satisfied
and thelr satlsfaction would be verified in writing by staff, it
would give some impetus to Mr. Azar to get the signs out of the
wlndow.
No one wlshed to speak in favor or against thlS ltem.
MOTION by Fife; SECOND by McCUrdy to approve Conditional Use Permit
#8-90 by the adoption of Resolution #1585 with replacement of
Condition #8 with a new Condition #8 to read:
Approval of CUP #8-90 shall become effective
only upon the Planning Department's written
verification that the applicant is in full
compliance with the aforestated seven (7)
conditions.
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This approval is granted conditional upon the City's Planning
Department written statement saying you have complied with
Conditions #1 through #7. At that point this Conditional Use
Permit will go into full legal effect.
MOTION CARRIED: 5 - 0 - 0
AYES: Orsini, Fife, McCUrdy, Sharp, Dahlman
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Dr. Dahlman commented that there are several other establishments
ln the City that sell alcohol and the Commisslon lS not pollcing
them in the same manner and the Commission doesn't want to place
Mr. Azar at an unfair disadvantage. Mr. Curtis explalned the Clty
doesn't have a full-time Code enforcer. He added the lssue of
advertlslng alcohollC beverages in windows continually recurs. The
City just about gets all the signage down and it pops up again.
The City does have the authorlty to revoke the CUPs for violatlon
of the condl tions. Mr. Orsini asked if the City Council could pass
a flne for vlolatlon of condltlons? Mr. Curtis said he could check
on this. Code violations are misdemeanors at the present time and
lf the City flIes a misdemeanor charge the case must go to court _
-- which is costly for the Clty. The Clty is trying to change this
status to an infraction which would glve the Clty the authority to
wrl te a violator a ticket. Mr. Flfe encouraged the Planning
Department to send a letter to a violator and if the correct
response is not received in 30 days then the CUP would be agendlzed
Page 6 - Planning Commission Minutes of July 18, 1990
~ and revoked by the Commlsslon. This process could be instituted
until the City gets a fine process worked out.
***
7. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT #6-90 * RESOLUTION No. 1587
490 PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY * ARCO STATION
staff Report
Mr. Curtis delivered the staff report. ThlS is an application from
Oahn Q. Do for an off-sale beer and wine llcense in conjunction
with an existing Arco MP&G Tune Up Center station at 490 Paciflc
Coast Highway. Staff has serious concerns regarding the sale of
beer and wine in conjunction wlth the sale of gasollne. The staff
report notes the Cl ty has one minl-mart which was permitted in
error in 1988. Addi tionally, the Chief of Police expressed
concerns regarding approval of this CUP. Staff recommends denial
of CUP #6-90 through adoption of Resolution No. 1587. Staff
recommends a zoning ordinance to allow mini-markets and the service
of beer and wine at automobile serVlce stations with such stringent
conditions that the selling alcohol would be impossible.
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Commission Comments
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Mr. Flfe asked staff if they had looked at mini-mart ordinances ln
other clties? Mr. Curtis replied staff has reviewed ordinances in
local cities. Usually the ordinance has a definition of "mini-
mart" and in most cases it doesn't have anythlng to do with sale
of alcohol. Several o~ the cities do allow the sale of alcohol at
gasoline stations but the conditions are extremely strict.
Mr. Flfe said mlnl-marts are 'here to stay' in Southern Callfornia
but he sees a difference between minl-marts that sell sandwiches
and a gas statlon which has a beer cooler. ABC regulations can be
lnterpreted as saying we will not discriminate --- to suggest we
would have to allow gasoline statlons to sell alcohol. Dr. Dahlman
sald he understands the current rule says you can't have a mini-
market wlth a gas station so we are not discriminating when we deny
alcohol sales at gas station. Mr. Fife didn't agree and said ABC
overrides our gasoline statlon definitions. The Clty has an old
definition of a gasoline service station that pre-dates by many
years the ABC regulatlons. Dr. Dahlman said he thought the City
Attorney had said the City was secure ln its policy of prohibiting
alcohol sales at gas stations because of its rule that prohibits
mini-marts; maybe the Commission needs more input from the City
Attorney as to what its alternatives and options are. Mr. Curtls
said the City Attorney stated that the best approach to this CUP
would be to utilize the existing zoning ordinance. However, the
City Attorney felt, that if challenged, our zonlng ordinance is so
strict that it could be overturned and there's a llkelihood that
alcohol service at gasoline stations would be allowed at these
Page 7 - Planning Commission Minutes of July 18, 1990
~ sites. They recommended staff write a zoning text amendment which
def1nes a min1-market and wh1ch sets criteria by which they could
sell alcohol but to write the criteria so strictly as to have no
means to meet those cr1teria. staff would recommend not acting on
CUP #6-90 and wa1t until a new ordinance 1S drawn.
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Oral Communications
The app11cant was not present and no one 1n the audience wished to
speak 1n favor of this applicat10n.
Galen Ambrose * Seal Beach (No address g1ven) - spoke aga1nst this
application. He said there were enough places to buy beer in the
City and 1t need not be sold at a gas station.
Fran Johnson * 125 Coastline * Seal Beach - spoke against this
app11cation. She said she lives across the street from th1s Arco
Station. Th1S was built as a gas station --- not a grocery store
w1th a gas pump 1n front. She added there are 17 food places on
Ma1n Street and said the C1ty doesn't have enough variety.
Charles Antos * (No address given) * Seal Beach - spoke against
this application. He stated th1s property is 1n a Redevelopment
area so 1 t may not meet the requ1rements of the Riverfront
Redevelopment Agency Plan. It all came 1n under a PUD. All the
uses were called out and a mini-mart that sells alcohol was not
called out; a gas stat10n was. At one t1me there was no regulat10n
of gas stations -- no m1n1mum lot S1ze. Because of that non-
regulation 1n the City, in 1971, got together a draft set of
regulations that included more parking, landscap1ng requirements
because a gas station is strictly an outdoor business. Soon after
those regulations went 1nto effect some of the stations wanted to
sell other products, including alcohol and the City said "no". A
d1stinct separation was made between alcohol, store and automobile
related uses and that has been in force until th1s one mini-mart
got 1n and violates the ordinance. Mr. Antos felt the present
ord1nance will stand up --- 1t's been challenged by some of the
large petroleum compan1es they never took the City to court
they just dropped it.
Patr1c1a Bell * 4090 Corsa1r - spoke against this app11cat10n.
She presented a petit10n from neighbors living behind the area.
Bettv Ponti * 408 Corsa1r - spoke against this application stat1ng
she had also contacted ABC against this.
Elias Azar - sa1d he owns an Arco MPG stat10n and they have two
types of businesses and MPG sells no liquor.
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Page 8 - Planning Commission Mlnutes of July 18, 1990
Commlssion Comments
MOTION by Dahlman; SECOND by Orsini to deny Conditional Use Permit
#6-90 through the adoption of Resolution No. 1587 per staff
recommendations.
MOTION CARRIED : 5 - 0 - 0
AYES: Orsini, Fife, McCurdy, Sharp, Dahlman
***
8. VARIANCE #3-90 * RESOLUTION No. 1586
136 ELECTRIC AVENUE
Mr. Sharp reported that the applicant, Stephen Curry, withdrew his
application, Variance #3-90, on July 18, 1990.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Galen Ambrose * Seal Beach (No address given).
Mr. Ambrose stated he was speaking for himself only and not for any
organization. Mr. Ambrose requested agendizing the Hellman Ranch
to be considered for rezoning as wetlands --- "which will then back
up the decision of the City Council to not allow constructlon on
such a dangerous area". He felt it would be appropriate to do this
as soon as possible "to preclude any future plans for corning ln for
consideration for construction on the property on the dangerous
portions - which are about 120 acres plus acreage that would be
built on in the future and is still under oil production plus the
retention basin and the adjoining State Lands property".
Mr. Sharp asked Mr. Ambrose what he thought the Planning Commission
should do about Leisure World and other areas between Pacific Coast
Hlghway and the Ocean if they all have liquefaction potential?
Mr. Ambrose said why make the same mistake over and over? Mr.
Ambrose indicated that if the soil indicates instability, nothing
should be bUllt on It.
Mr. Fife lndicated that all the Old Town area is rated as hlghly
liquefiable. And given the determination by the Clty Council that
the Hellman site contalns seismlc and liquefaction risks which are
so extreme as to make it lncompatible with residential development
--- given that finding ... how would we close our eyes to that same
issue when someone comes in here wlth two vacant lots in downtown
Seal Beach and says "I want to build a triplex on there". With
that precedent set on the Hellman site we have to begin applying
that throughout the city. We are not talklng about tearlng down
existing structures but we are talking about rebuilding or
Page 9 - Planning Commission Minutes of July 18, 1990
4It expanding existing structures. We could demand liquefactlon and
soils studies. We cannot deal with the issue of public safety in
isolation.
Mr. Fife asked Mr. Ambrose for hlS thoughts on seismic safety
issues vis-a-vls residential construction throughout the City.
Mr. Ambrose sald we should look at selsmic safety issues throughout
the Clty ... "we have all the information available to us ... a lot
more than we had". Mr. Fife sald the City needs more information
and a Cl ty-wide soil mapping. Mr. Fife indicated he wrote the Long
Beach earthquake safety ordinance ln 1971 which was used to bring
the Long Beach unreinforced masonry bUlldings into compliance
under a concept called "balanced risk". That concept attempts to
balance the risk of earthquake hazards against the risks faced ln
dally Ilfe and not unduly focus on one hazard over another. One
of the requirements of that ordinance was to conduct a mapping of
the soil conditlons throughout the City of Long Beach because it's
a known fact that tremendous differences ln intensity of shaking
are found depending on what type sOlI you're on ... test borings,
WhlCh are expensive, need to be done.
Mr. Ambrose said that if there's an existing structure and people
already live there his idea would be not to increase the density
on that property and let them stay there.
4It Dr. Dahlman indicated the seismic element of the General Plan
should include geologlc mapping WhlCh would indicate
high/moderate/low soil rlsks so the Commission would know how may
obstacles to erect when somebody's trYlng to build.
Mr. Flfe said his maln concern was that given the precedent of this
City Councll's actlon he dldn't think there's anything ln place to
prevent lndivldual construction going through the Planning
Department wlthout the Commission knowing about it and with having
absolutely nothlng done about seismic and/or liquefaction concerns
on that speclflc lot.
Dr. Dahlman wanted to clarify a legal issue with respect to denial
of the Mola project. The court apparently has only one issue left
to decide and that is whether the Housing Element is adopted.
Mr. Fife said he thought Mola would appeal that declsion and
nothlng is final until the hlghest appellate court says 'that's
it' .
Chairman Sharp sald the Clty Councll, the Plannlng Commisslon and
staff need to develop guidelines of what the Clty'S going to expect
for new bUllding.
4It
Mr. Ambrose indicated the enforcement of City laws is lax. The
emergency sign ordinance is an example. Illegal signs are posted
allover and the Commission doesn't fine anybody and doesn't do
anything to make violators comply with the law.
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Page 10 - Planning Commission Minutes of July 18, 1990
Charles Antos * Seal Beach (No address glven).
Mr. Antos suggested rezon1ng the Hellman Ranch property to
agricultural, wetlands and oil extraction designat1ons, with Gum
Grove Park being zoned an urban forrest. He felt the rezon1ng of
Gum Grove would prevent the owner from cutting down the trees if
the C1ty should lose their lease there. He noted the Long Horn
Borer could be stopped by watering those trees.
Helen W11son * 252 17th Street
Ms. Wilson spoke against rezoning the Hellman property to A-I
because pesticides would be used.
STAFF CONCERNS
9. A-76 SURFSIDE * GREENHOUSE WINDOW
Mr. Curtis 1nformed the Commission the appl1cant withdrew his
appl1cat1on, stating he wanted to wait a few weeks pending
d1Scussions he is having W1 th the International Conference of
Building Offic1als. This item will corne back before the
Comm1ss1on.
. 10. ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONCERNS
Staff Report
Mr. Curtis indicated this item was agendized to initiate Commission
review. The City Council considered th1S item on June 11, 1990 and
referred it to the Planning Commission and Environmental Qual1ty
Control Board (EQCB) for review and 1nput. Staff has contacted the
California Coastal Commiss1on, the Nat1ve American Heritage
Comm1ss1on, Mendocino County, Santa Barbara County and the cities
of San Juan Cap1strano and Irvine to receive the1r cultural
resource guidelines and regulations. Once received, staff will
schedule a j01nt meeting between the Plann1ng Commiss1on and the
EQCB to being the process of establishing formal policies and
guidelines.
Commission Comments
Mr. Sharp asked staff why the C1 ty Council felt archaeolog1cal
policies and guidelines were needed? Mr. Curt1s said many counties
and local jurisdictions have guidelines that are in excess of the
State's minimum requ1rements.
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Mr. McCurdy stated the Native American Coalition 1S suggesting the
ci ty undertake research efforts to locate and ident1fy
archaeological sites wi thin the C1 ty. The location of
archaeological sites 1S not the function of the City of Seal Beach
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Page 11 - Planning Comm1ssion Minutes of July 18, 1990
1t is the function of the state and Federal government
specif1cally the Cal1forn1a Coastal Comm1ssion. There is no need
to spend the City taxpayer's money to finance the digging up of
back yards of people living on the H1ll. The requested guidelines
would requ1re searching the entire City of archaeological sites not
just the Hellman Ranch property. One ruling cannot be made for the
Hellman property and another ruling for the rest of the C1ty. If
the Native Amer1can Coalition wishes to determine if there are any
archaeological sltes within the City they should do so with their
own funds and not ask City taxpayers to finance it for them. The
request contains a claim to ownership of any v1llage or burial site
within the City. Dispute over ownership of land is not within the
jurisdiction of the City of Seal Beach, it's a matter to be taken
up with the State and Federal courts. Mr. McCurdy said he would
like to see the Commission deny this entire request and refer the
Native American Coalition to the Cal1fornia Coastal Comm1ssion,
who has the author1ty over archaeological invest1gations.
Dr. Dahlman said the permit framework is not working - there is
archaeological digg1ng continuing on the Hellman project, according
to the Native Amer1can Coali t1on, desp1 te the fact that their
Coastal Commission permit 1S probably not val1d right now.
Comm1ssioner Dahlman indicated the Native American people seem to
be asking for help to see if the digs can be better mon1tored and
the permits enforced, perhaps with City help, to see that the
Coastal Commission guidelines are followed. Mr. McCurdy said they
should go to the Coastal Commission who made the regulations in the
first place.
Mr. Sharp asked staff 1f the llcense to d1g on the Hellman property
1S not a City license but a Coastal Commiss1on llcense. Mr. Curtis
said he believed 1t was a Coastal Comm1ssion permit. Mr. Sharp
said that even though the City Council den1ed the Mola proposal,
this digging was allowed by the Coastal Commission and the Coastal
Commission is allow1ng them to finish the dig.
Commissioner Dahlman sa1d the Gabrielino's are saY1ng the permit
granted to Mola for the dig was granted when he was a developer.
Now that Mola 1S not a developer on this site they need to apply
to the State for another permit. Mr. Sharp sa1d he bel1eved the
dig would be completed July 18 or 19th.
Mr. Sharp asked Mr. Curtis if formal action on this item was
expected ton1ght? Mr. Curt1s said was an informat1onal report. It
w1ll eventually be com1ng back before the Commiss1on as soon as
staff gets the documentation from other municipalit1es (ment1oned
earlier) .
Ana ChristensonjGabrielino Indian Band sa1d Slnce
informational hearing she wanted to speak; she
archaeologist to help the Commission understand
proposed guidelines. When Cha1rman Sharp indicated
th1s was an
brought an
about their
this was not
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Page 12 - Planning Commlssion Minutes of July 18, 1990
a Public Hearing she sald she thought the Native Amerlcans were on
the agenda and that Mr. Whittenberg requested her to brlng an
archaeologist tonight, saying it would be helpful to the
Commlsslon. Mr. Sharp restated thls was not agendized as a Public
Hearlng. Mr. curtis said Mr. Sharp was technically correct but
that the Commission has the authority to open thlS item to the
publlC.
MOTION by Fife; SECOND by Dahlman that the Planning Commisslon open
this item, Archaeological Concerns, to the public as a Public
Hearing with the understanding that whatever testimony is given
will, to have any effect on any future action, have to be given
again at the time there is a genuine Public Hearing on this item.
This will be informational testimony only.
MOTION CARRIED: 4 - 1 - 0
AYES: Orsini, Fife, Sharp, Dahlman
AGAINST: McCUrdy
Galen Ambrose * No address glven * Seal Beach
Mr. Ambrose, referencing State and Federal guidellnes, sald citles
should take the lead in establishing what they want in their
Cl ties. He would like to see these gUldelines adopted. The
Commlssion asked Mr. Ambrose how much money he was willlng to see
spent on adopting these proposed guidelines? Mr. Ambrose said he
was wllling to put in as much as he could --- he didn't know how
much lt would cost to implement these guidelines.
Mr. Fife informed Mr. Ambrose that it would be very helpful to the
Commission if speakers could corne forward with the appllcable
regulations to say, for example, this much of the problem is
controlled by the Federal Government or the State and this much is
left by those laws for local jurisdictlons.
Charles Antos * No address qlven * Seal Beach
Mr. Antos said for the Record the California Coastal Commission's
jurisdiction ends at Westminster Blvd. Anything that is inland of
Westminster, which includes the Bixby property, and would not be
in their Jurisdlctlon.
Dr. Gary stickel * 450 1/2 N. Genessy Ave.. Los Angeles. CA
Dr. stickel said he has his Ph.d in Archaeology from UCLA and has
been working in the field of archaeology for 25 years. Dr. Stickel
said the Uni ted States is behind Europe in preserving
archaeological remains. He said programs fail because there is "no
regulation of archaeologists in this State. Anybody who wants to
call themselves an archaeologist can go out on a dig and no one is
there to stop them". He urged adoption of these gUldellnes to
preserve Natlve American heritage and respect for Amerlcan culture.
For a few thousand dollars the City could inventory all the known
archaeological sites ln the City of Seal Beach. The unknown sites
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Page 13 - Planning commission Minutes of July 18, 1990
would be considered on a case-by-case basis where the developer
would pay the costs of the archaeologists.
Mr. Fife asked Dr. StJ.ckel if the Native American Coalition
representative(s) would be qualified? Dr. stickel said "yes" and
urged following of proper protocol. The GabrielJ.no's have formed
a coalition which includes the Juaneno Band in San Juan Capistrano
and these are people who can verify their native American heritage.
They are organizing and provJ.ding monitors, observers to be
J.nvolved with the archaeological sites.
Mr. Orsini asked if any City is employing Native groups? Dr.
Stickel said Santa Barbara is. Ms. ChrJ.stensen said this was not
a massive dJ.gging allover town --- it is paper research. UCLA has
much documentation as does UC Riverside. It would take a few days
at a library. Santa Barbara's guidelines cover everything from
pre-historic to historic resources.
Vera Rocha * Native AmerJ.can Coalition of Southern California
Ms. Rocha said her purpose in speaking tonight was to help the
CommJ.ssJ.on by showJ.ng them what resources they have in the City.
She urged adoption of their guidelines. Mr. Fife asked if the
Native American Coalition was assembling a library for reference?
She said yes. She noted much of Native American heritage is passed
along orally versus written history.
MOJ.ra Hahn * 1515 1/2 Ocean Avenue * Seal Beach
Ms. Hahn said we really need to adopt these gUJ.delines because
Native Americans have no input. She said LSA spoke before the City
Council on June 11, 1990 and their representative denied there were
IndJ.an burials on the Hellman site so that person either lied or
was uninformed. Ms. Hahn said she has had trouble obtaining
information on the Redwine report because the professor who has the
unpublished report is retiring. The Redwine Report shows two
Indian burials on the Hellman Ranch site in the 1950's. Ms. Hahn
said that on June 20, 1990 LSA found a human hand fragment.
Riva Olsen * No address given * Seal Beach
Ms. Olsen said the NatJ.ve Amerioans are being treated like second-
class citizens and is appalled this could happen in this city. She
added we are bulldozing their heritage and we have no respect for
culture.
Manual Rocha * Gabrielino Indian Bank
Mr. Rocha said they want to bury their ancestor's remains where
they can' t be unearthed --- whether J. t' s one bone or a whole
skeleton. Mr. Fife asked if their religion WJ.ll allow removal and
reburial? Mr. Rocha said yes, at the very least they wanted to
give their ancestors a good burJ.al.
~ Page 14 - Planning Commission Mlnutes of July 18, 1990
Marie Antos * No address given_* Seal Beach
Ms. Antos opposed Commissioner McCurdy's opinion and said the
Gabrielino's are asklng for help and the Clty should never mind the
money and think about the problem.
commission Comments
Mr. Fife suggested the Commlssion schedule a PubllC Hearing to
develop an archeological element to the General Plan which would
embrace the subject under discussion tonight. The Planning
Department wlll have a joint session wlth the EQCB which will be
scheduled before the regularly scheduled Planning Commlssion
meeting. Mr. curtis said there is an open agenda on August 15,
1990 and he would ask Mr. Whittenberg if he will be at that meeting
and lf this ltem could be scheduled for that date.
COMMISSION COMMENTS
.
Super Saver Seven Theaters
Mr. Flfe said he vlsited the Super Saver Theaters a number of times
in the last several months and there is no rope separating the
video machines from the general lobby, there is no adult on site
supervising. Those were conditlons for the approval of their CUP
and from hlS observatlons these conditions are not belng followed.
Mr. Fife requested staff to contact the owner and get the
condltions compIled wlth. Chalrman Sharp sald he agreed with Mr.
Fife completely and urged staff to follow-up stating the Commission
will do whatever lS necessary if they don't follow the guidelines
of the CUP. Mr. Curtis said staff will give a progress report to
the Commission at the August 1st Planning Commission meeting.
Trash @ Bixby Fence
Mr. Fife sald a lot of trash has collected along the spite fence
which Bixby erected by the Mobil station. The trash is on Bixby
property. Bixby should clean this trash up or take the fence down.
.
Covered Roof Access Structure
Dr. Dahlman said he received a lot of information from one of the
neighbors of the dome on Marina Hill. There is "pretty much
unanimous nelghborhood agreement, 300 signatures on a petltion,
saying thlS thing (dome) should corne down". Chairman Sharp said
this matter is ln the hands of the City Attorney and the Clty
doesn't have a final report. Mr. Curtis added the City Council has
forwarded this to the City Attorney and the City Attorney is
looking lnto a means for amortizlng the dome's use out of existence
over a period of years. Staff recommends amending the zoning
ordinance to make it stricter as it's vague at present. Staff will
present a report to the Plannlng Commisslon and City Council. Dr.
Dahlman asked the Chairman if this item could be agendized for the
next meetlng. Mr. Curtls advised the item is now before the City
Council and until they direct down to the Planning Commission lt
would not be appropriate for the Commisslon to take action on it.
.
Page 15, Planning Commission M1nutes of July 18, 1990
General Plan/200 Pages
Dr. Dahlman said more than two hundred (200) pages of the General
Plan is occup1ed by the Hellman Specific Plan, and he would like
to see the item removed from the General Plan. Mr. curtis sa1d
staff could make a report back to the Commiss1on regarding the
possib11ity at the next meeting.
Keep Record on Review of House Plans
Dr. Dahlman said he understood house plans are not released by the
BU1lding Department. Mr. Curtis indicated staff's legal policy is
that building permits are public record but that house plans are
not public record although they can be viewed at the counter; no
copy can be made. Only current property owner or the architect who
drafted the plan can get a copy. The secretary, Mrs. Fillmann,
said staff has a policy statement from Attorney Efrat Cogan of the
C1ty Attorney's Off1ce, that's being prepared by Mr. Whittenberg
for the Commission's review. Dr. Dahlman requested staff keep an
office record of who comes to look at what plans, dates, addresses
etc.
.
Patio Encroachment @ 1733 Crestview
Mr. Fife asked about the patio encroachment on Crestview. Dr.
Dahlman said he spoke to the owner who said he would be applY1ng
for a variance.
Noise Study/Variance #6-89
Mr. Fife asked the status of the noise study that Intern John
Fraser had been working on; he thought the study was generated by
Tom Dutton, Variance #6-89, at 320 Coastline Dr1ve. Mr. Curtis
replied that the City has been working with Orange County and
backyard noise studies had been done and staff is awa1ting those
results. Staff w111 report back to the Commission when it rece1ves
and d1gests those study findings.
.
soil study
Cha1rman Sharp referenced C1ty Counc11 Resolut1on No. 3937 g1ven
to the Commission and asked Mr. Fife 1f he had a opin1on on it.
Mr. F1fe said he studied the findings the City Council made and his
reaction was the City has established a factual precedent
attributable to those findings. We cannot continue to do bus1ness
as usual with respect to other parts of the C1ty. We have to adopt
a policy for the rest of the City that 1S consistent with the
action taken on that specific site. He felt the qU1cker the City
acts the better off 1t 1S. He sa1d if we cont1nue to de facto
exempt other parts of the C1ty with the same evidence that presents
the same dangers then the City is exposing itself to liabil1ty for
cont1nual problems if someone builds on those s1tes and has seismic
problems later on. Mr. Sharp asked Mr. Fife if he had 1n mind any
type of schedule or who would do the research? Mr. Sharp said he
agreed completely with Mr. Fife and it would have to apply to any
new construction or any substant1al additions. Mr. F1fe suggested
.
.
.
Page 16 - Plannlng Commission Minutes of July 18, 1990
the CommlSSlon ask the Plannlng Dlrector, Lee Whittenberg, to
adVlse the Commlssion by the next meeting (August 1, 1990) whether
he is prepared to initiate Public Hearings in September.
ADJOURNMENT
Chalrman Sharp adjourned the meetlng at 10:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
JS&~"Fi~~
Secretary
Department of Development Servlces
***
These Minutes are tentative and subject to the approval of the
Plannlng Commlssion.
***
The Plannlng Commission Minutes of July 18, 1990 were approved on
August J"", 1990. ~