HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Min 1992-07-15
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CITY OF SEAL BEACH
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA
JULY 15, 1992
7:30 P.M. * Clty Councll Chambers
211 Elghth street, Seal Beach, CA
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Minutes of July 1, 1992
SCHEDULED MATTERS
2. Electlon of Chalrman and Vlce Chalrman
[Contlnued from 7-1-92]
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3.
Minor Plan
Address:
Appllcant:
Owners:
Request:
Resolutlon:
4.
Condltlonal
Address:
Appllcant:
Owner:
Request:
Resolutlon:
5.
Condltional
Address:
Appllcant:
Owner:
Request:
Resolutlon:
ReVlew #92-12
505 Ocean Avenue
Kurt Donat, Archltect
Danlel and Yvonne Balley
Covered roof access In connection wlth
a new two-story single famlly resldence
wlth lnternal stalr access to thlrd
floor roof terrace.
Not needed for Minor Plan ReVlew.
Use Permlt #2-89
143 Maln Street
Paplllon's Restaurant
Nader Tahvlldarl
Dorothy M. Nescher
Indeflnlte extenslon/ABC #47 llcense
#92-25
Use Permlt #8-91
16281 Paclflc Coast Hwy.
Noel's Restaurant
Salvatore Camelia
Salvatore Camella
Indeflnlte Extenslon/ABC #47 llcense
#92-18
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VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
6.
Condl.tl.onal
Address:
Appllcant:
Owner:
Request:
Resolutlons:
Use Perml.t #92-3 and #92-4
333 Flrst street
John Abboud
Seal Beach Country Club,
dba Oakwood Apartments
Approval of a convenl.ence store wlth
a #20 ABC llcense (Off-Sale Beer &
Wine) Wl.thln a resl.dential complex
wlth more than 150 unlts (Oakwood
Apartments) .
#92-13 and #92-14
7. Zoning Text Amendment #92-2
Re: Entertalnment Cafes [Contlnued from 6-3-92]
Appllcant: Clty of Seal Beach
Resolutlon: #92-26
NOTE: Thl.S matter wl.ll not be consl.dered tonl.ght.
The Publl.c Hearl.ng wl.ll be contl.nued to August 19,
at that tl.me the Publl.c Hearl.ng Wl.ll be conducted.
8.
Zoning Text
Appllcant:
Request:
Resolutlon:
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
STAFF CONCERNS
COMMISSION CONCERNS
ADJOURNMENT
Amendment #92-5
Clty of Seal Beach
New Standards for Expansions
conformlng Structures.
#92-4
to Non-
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CITY OF SEAL BEACH
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF JULY 15, 1992
The regularly scheduled Planning Comm1SS1on meeting of July 15,
1992 was called to order by Chairman F1fe at 7: 31 p.m. 1n C1ty
Council Chambers.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairman F1fe led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Cha1rman F1fe
Comm1ss1oners Dahlman, Law, Ors1ni, Sharp
Staff
Present:
Department of Development Serv1ces:
Lee Wh1ttenberg, Director
Joan F1llmann, Executive Secretary
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.
Minutes of July 1, 1992
MOTION by Sharp; SECOND by Orsini to approve the Planning
Commission Minutes of July 1, 1992 with two corrections: At
page 12 the motion was clarified by change "re-advertise" to
"approve" and adding "by adopting Resolution #92-16" after
"Amendment #92-4". At page 14, line 4, the words "on the
street" are to be removed.
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
ABSTAIN:
4 - 0 - 1
Sharp, Orsini, Law, Dahlman
Fife
***
SCHEDULED MATTERS
2. Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman
NOMINATION by Dahlman; SECOND by Orsini to nominate Phil Fife
as Chairman. MOTION to close by Sharp.
NOMINATION CARRIED: 5 - 0 - 0
AYES: Dahlman, Orsini, Sharp, Fife, Law
NOMINATION by orsini; SECOND by Fife to nominate Anton Dahlman
as Vice Chairman. MOTION to close by Sharp.
NOMINATION CARRIED: 5 - 0 - 0
AYES: orsini, Fife, Sharp, Dahlman, law
***
Page 2 - Planning Comm1SS1on Minutes of July 15, 1992
~ PUBLIC HEARING
3. Minor Plan Review #92-12
505 Ocean Avenue
staff Report
Mr. Wh1ttenberg presented the staff report. [Staff report on
f1le 1n the Planning Department]. The appl1cant, Arch1tect
Kurt Donat for owners, Dan1el and Yvonne Ba1ley, requests a
covered roof access (CRAS) in connect1on w1th a new two-story
single fam1ly residence with an 1nternal sta1r access to the
third floor roof terrace. Staff recommended approval subJect
to two condit1ons of approval.
Comm1ss1on Comments
The Comm1SS1on asked why a Minor Plan Review d1d not need a
resolut1on? Mr. Whittenberg said C1ty policy has been not to
record the Planning Commission's action on M1nor Plan ReV1ews
by resolut1on. The Planning Comm1ssion' s act10n has been
recorded by a letter to the appl1cant sent after the meet1ng.
Staff has discussed this 1ssue w1th the C1ty Attorney's Off1ce
and 1t may be recommended the Plann1ng Comm1ss1on change th1s
policy and requ1re a resolution for all Plann1ng Commiss1on
actions.
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The Commission discussed the CRAS, the Jacuzzi w1th deck and
planter boxes on the roof deck/terrace. Concern was expressed
that someone standing next to the jacuzzi could lean back and
perhaps fall to the ground because the Jacuzz1 deck
effect1vely lowered the wall height at that point.
Publ1C Hear1nq
Kurt Donat. Arch1tect * 503 32nd Street. SU1te 130. Newport
Beach
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Mr. Donat sa1d 1f a person were standing on the Jacuzz1 deck
he would be very close to the top of the wall. The Jacuzz1 1S
4' away from the parapet wall and is elevated 18 - 20" above
the floor of the roof deck. The parapet wall 1S 2' above the
Jacuzzi; he could add 1~' of tempered glass and still be
w1th1n the 25' he1ght 11mit. Cha1rman F1fe sa1d the safety
guard of 1~' should be added on top of the parapet wall. Mr.
Wh1 ttenberg proposed a clear plex1glass panel. Mr. Donat sa1d
it was not structurally necessary for the glass wall to extend
all the way to the ch1mney. The Comm1ss1on and Mr. Donat
d1scussed whether the glass should be placed on the 1ns1de or
outs1de of the planter. Mr. Donat sa1d 1t would look less
obtrus1ve 1f the glass partit10n were on the 1nter1or on the
planter. The planter box runs 14' from the ch1mney to the end
of the Jacuzzi. Mr. Donat sa1d he had no problem 1n dev1s1ng
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Page 3 - Plann1ng Comm1ss1on M1nutes of July 15, 1992
a solution for th1s safety question. He planned to add a wood
cap on top of the glass. Staff sa1d that 1S acceptable.
Chairman Fife noted this was the first CRAS reV1ew that
included planter boxes. He asked the type and he1ght of
plants and shrubs to be used. The planter 15 about 2' - 2~'
w1de. Mr. Wh1 ttenberg sa1d staff reviews and approves
landscaping plans by authority of the C1ty's bU1ld1ng perm1t
approval process. Staff review has come more 1nto effect
Slnce the Comm1ss1on amended the municipal Code to requ1re a
certa1n percentage of the lots themselves be landscaped. Bob
Eagle of the Publ1C Works Department reV1ews these plans. At
that he1ght, ground cover and annuals would be allowed.
No one w1shed to speak further for or aga1nst th1S matter.
Cha1rman F1fe closed the Publ1C Hear1ng.
commission Comments
MOTION by orsini; SECOND by Sharp to approve Height Variation
#92-12 with the following conditions in place:
1.
Height Variation #92-12 is approved for
construction of a covered roof access structure in
excess of the height limit at 505 Ocean Avenue,
Seal Beach.
2. All construction shall be in substantial compliance
with the plans approved through Height Variation
#92-12.
3. The plant materials in the roof-terrace planter
boxes are not to exceed three (31) feet.
4. An additional safety structure shall be installed
adjacent to the jacuzzi located on the roof deck to
the satisfaction of the Building Department. This
partition wall is to be a minimum of thirty-six
(36") inches in height and shall not exceed 251 in
total height from the ground.
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
5 - 0 - 0
Orsini, Sharp, Fife, Law, Dahlman
***
2. Conditional Use Permit #2-89
143 Main Street * Papillon Restaurant
Staff Report
Ms. F1llmann delivered the staff report.
file 1n the Plann1ng Department]. The
[Staff report on
appl1cant, Nader
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Page 4 - Planning Commission Mlnutes of July 15, 1992
Tahvlldarl, requests the City's lndefinlte extension of
Condltlonal Use Permit #2-89 at 143 Main street, Seal Beach
for the Papillon restaurant.
Commlsslon Comments
commissioner orsini asked lf alcohollC beverages could be
advertlsed on outslde awnlngs? Mr. Whl ttenberg sald the
POllCY has been not to allow the advertlslng of alcohollC
beverages on the premises' exterlor In any manner.
Chalrman Fife, referenclng the July 10, 1992 letter from Dale
Rasmussen, Dlstrlct Admlnlstrator, Department of AlcohollC
Beverage Control, noted that the more restrlctlve condltlons
take precedence, whether they be the Clty'S condltlons or the
ABC's condltlons. Chalrman Flfe noted the Clty says the
applicant can open at 9:00 a.m. and the ABC says he can open
at 10:00 a.m. and asked staff for thelr Vlew. Mr. Whlttenberg
sald the applicant would have to comply with the locally
imposed condltions. ABC's posltlon might be that the
appllcant could open at 9:00 a.m. but could not sell alcohollC
beverages untl1 10:00 a.m.
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Commlssloner Dahlman dlscussed the problems that can occur
when the Clty is not notlfled of ABC's condltlons. He noted
Mr. Rasmussen's letter talks about Spaghettlnl's Restaurant.
It says ABC wll1 notlfy Spaghettlni's of thelr declslon but
they are not gOlng to notlfy the City. They wll1 make their
declslon available to the Clty. He questloned why ABC Just
doesn't send this lnformatlon to the Clty? Mr. Whlttenberg
explalned ABC has had severe staff cuts and doesn't have the
manpower to research older files. They wlll, however, make
their flIes avallable to the Clty. Ms. Fillmann lndlcated
staff wll1 be addlng a new standard Condltlon of Approval,
requesting the appllcants send the City a copy of thelr ABC
11cense and condltlons. Commlssloner Orslni sald that
Spaghettlnl's should have gone through the ABC before the City
for the entertainment permlti the reverse happened.
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Commlssloner Dahlman questloned the deflnltlon of "bona fide"
eatlng place. He felt the Commisslon had been led to belleve
a bona fide eatlng place was defined by the percentage of food
to 11quor revenue but that was not the deflnltlon provlded In
the staff report. Mr. Whl ttenberg sald ABC can place a
condltlon on an appllcant requlrlng a certaln percentage of
food be sold over a percentage of alcohol. Mr. Whittenberg
sald the staff report provldes a speclflc provlsion of the
BUSlness and Professions Code. In addltlon to the Buslness
and Professlons Code there are regulatlons In the Callfornla
Adminlstrative Code WhlCh provlde additlonal clariflcation for
deflnltlons for the establlshments ABC regulates. The
percentage crlterla appears In the Callfornla Admlnlstratlve
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Page 5 - Planning Comm1SS1on M1nutes of July 15, 1992
Code. Comm1ssioner Dahlman sa1d "OK, as long as everybody
agrees what 1t means. That's what matters".
Comm1SS1oner Dahlman felt the other #47 ABC licensees were
requested by the City to close around 11: 00 p. m., he asked why
thlS restaurant closes at 1: 00 a.m.? Mr. Whlttenberg sa1d for
th1S part1cular restaurant the hours were approved ln 1989.
Commiss1oner Dahlman noted the week-day hours are more 11beral
than what has been approved in the recent past.
Commissloner Dahlman asked about the 1n-I1eu park1ng fees?
Mr. Wh1ttenberg sa1d the 1n-lieu park1ng fees are from the
older in-I1eu park1ng program. There are agreements w1th the
Cal1forn1a Coastal Comm1ss1on establlsh1ng the fees for that
property.
Publ1C Hear1nq
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Nader Tahv1ldar1 - 143 Ma1n street - Pap11lon Restaurant
Mr. Tahvlldar1 introduced himself as the owner of Pap11lon
restaurant. He sa1d h1S Sunday brunch starts at 10:00 a.m.
He asked what d1fference 1t makes if he opens at 9:00 a.m. or
10:00 a.m., he has never had any problems and doesn't 1ntend
to have any problems. Regard1ng the hours, he goes home at
9: 00 p.m. on Sundays. Cha1rman F1fe clar1f1ed that he thought
the restaurant opened at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays and he d1dn't
want Mr. Tahv1ldari to get 1nto trouble w1th the ABC. If he
does open at 9:00 a.m. he would have to resolve that wlth ABC;
he should follow that up.
Mr. Tahv1ldar1 sa1d the percentage of food to alcohol doesn't
have any meanlng. He m1ght have a $200 bottle of W1ne and h1S
entre is $16, therefore he wouldn't be a bona f1de eat1ng
place --- that wouldn't make any sense. As long as he serves
food in the manner that ABC accepts the food that's what they
call "bona f1de". Comm1ss1oner Dahlman sa1d that's what he
was afra1d of and felt the Comm1ss1on needed to look lnto that
a b1t further, adding the rule 1S flawed for the reason given.
Regard1ng the hours, they are set w1th the CUP to m1n1m1ze
confl1ct with surround1ng res1dents. Mr. Tahv1ldar1 sa1d he
would not apprec1ate hav1ng h1S old hours changed; he has
always kept the same hours. Also, his restaurant has no
surround1ng res1dents. His week-day clos1ng hour 1S 1:00 a.m.
If It'S slow, 1t closes earl1er. Comm1ss1oner Ors1nl sa1d
the ABC says you can't turn your restaurant 1nto a publ1C
prem1ses bar; you could not serve cold sandw1ches Just to say
you're serv1ng food. A real restaurant has a well set-up
k1tchen with wa1tresses; there are several factors 1nvolved.
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The Comm1ss1on d1scussed advert1sing and the word "cockta11"
written on the appl1cant's slde door awn1ng. Mr. Tahvlldari
sa1d the word "cockta1Is" 1S not 11ke a neon slgn advert1s1ng
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Page 6 - Planning CommlSSlon Minutes of July 15, 1992
alcohol sales, It'S telllng people cocktalls are served there.
Mr. Tahvlldari sald he planned to put up new awnlngs but,
saYlng "cocktalls" lS not advertlslng per se. Commlssioner
Orslni said "cocktalls" means mlxed drlnk, and questloned what
lS the dlfference between the words "cocktall" and "beer"?
Mr. Whlttenberg said the Clty's POllCY, as set by the Plannlng
Commlsslon, has been not to allow any advertlslng of alcoholic
beverages belng avallable wlthln a partlcular locatlon. He
lnterpreted the Commlsslon's POllCY to mean nelther the
wordlng "beer" or "cocktall" would be allowed. It would be up
to the Plannlng Commisslon to determlne lf that would be
appropriate or lnappropriate In this partlcular case.
Chalrman Flfe asked lf any other applicant had that wording?
It was determlned "wlne and splrlts" was palnted on the wlndow
at Walt's Wharf. Mr. Whittenberg sald 11quor stores call
themselves "llquor stores" and 11quor's an alcohollC beverage.
Conslderatlon for generlc terms themselves lS somethlng the
Planning CommlSSlon allows. The Planning CommlSSlon needs to
make a declslon on how far in that regard lt wants to go.
There lS no ordlnance requirement prohibl tlng the type of
slgnage the Commlsslon has been restrlcting In previous
applicatlons; It'S been a POllCY action of the Commisslon.
Most of those have lnvolved lighted slgns in wlndows.
Commlssioner Sharp sald he never related the slgns In the
windows to a slgn on the outslde of the bUlldlng that sald he
served cocktalls and food. CommlSSloner OrSlnl sald he wanted
to develop a pattern for falrness for all merchants. Mr.
Tahvildarl sald there would be nothlng wrong with Don Juan's
Taco House wrlting "beer and wlne" on the window but not
havlng 11ghted slgns. Mr. Whlttenberg sald the past
Commlssion actlons have not allowed for lighted wlndow signs.
He would lnterpret that, based on what eXlsts at Walt's Wharf
and a couple of other locations, lf It's a generlc lndlcation
that alcohollC beverages are avallable lnslde the premlses and
that is painted on the window or the wall of the bUlldlng or
on an awning, the Commisslon' s preVlOUS actlons would be
consistent wlth that. Merchants could not have a 11ghted slgn
In the wlndows to advertlse a partlcular brand. Chalrman Fife
sald hlS understandlng was the Plannlng Commlsslon was aimlng
at the classlc 11ghted beer slgns In the wlndows or a neon
dlsplay of a cocktail glass. The Commlssion wanted to get
away from the heavy advertlslng that emphaslzed alcohol. The
particular vendors could push these 11ghted slgns on the
establishments creatlng a honky tonk look up and down Maln
Street. The phllosophy was you wouldn't advertlse In the
wlndows, you wouldn't use 11ghted slgns and you wouldn't push
a particular brand but that's not the same thing as announclng
you serve alcohollC beverages. He thought "beer and wine"
could be painted or etched on wlndows.
No one wished to speak further In favor or Opposltlon to this
appllcatlon and the PubllC Hearlng was closed.
Page 7 - Planning Comm1ssion Minutes of July 15, 1992
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commission Comments
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Mr. Wh1ttenberg suggested add1ng the word "lighted" to
Cond1t1on #7, to read "No 11ghted alcoho11c beverage s1gns
shall be located 1n the window areas. Cha1rman F1fe sa1d he
would want to go beyond that, add1ng "No advertis1ng of a
particular brand or alcoho11c product". Comm1SS1oner Dahlman
said th1s should 1nclude paper signage, not Just a 11ghted
sign. The lighted s1gns can be posit1oned inside the premises
so they are vis1ble from the exter1or. Mr. Whittenberg sa1d
staff will review the most recent cond1t1ons and place that
same cond1tion 1nto th1S resolution. Comm1ssioner Ors1ni
requested the Sunday clos1ng hours be changed from 9:00 p.m.
to 11:00 p.m. Comm1ssioner Dahlman sa1d he would agree if the
week-day closing hours also conform to what the Plann1ng
Comm1ss1on granted other merchants --- not 1:00 a.m., but
11:00 p.m. Commiss1oner Ors1ni sa1d the 11:00 p.m. clos1ng
t1mes pertain to #41 beer and W1ne licenses. The #47 11censes
are general liquor and they stay open to 1:00 a.m.
Commiss1oner Dahlman asked Comm1ss1oner Ors1n1 to clar1fy the
difference between a #41 and a #47 11cense and why a #41 must
close at 11:00 p.m. and a #47 closes at 1:00 a.m.?
Comm1ss1oner Ors1n1 sa1d the beer and wine estab11shments are
smaller type restaurants that close early. If a smaller type
restaurant stays open beyond 11:00 p.m. they are a tavern,
they are sel11ng beer, 1t becomes almost a pub11C prem1se. In
a full restaurant, people w111 go 1n to eat at 9:30 p.m. If
they eat slowly, they may have a cockta11 or an Ir1sh coffee
later. Comm1ss1oner Sharp said that when the restaurants come
before the Comm1ss1on they state what hours they want to
operate and to h1S recollect1on the Planning Comm1ss1on has
never forced a restaurant to close ear11er than they wanted.
Commiss1oner OrS1n1 said SeaS1de Gr111 wanted 1:00 a.m. and
they were given 11:00 p.m. BaJa B111s had restr1cted hours
but there were other extenuat1ng problems.
MOTION by orsini; SECOND by Sharp to approve Conditional Use
Permit #2-89, by the adoption of Resolution No. 92-25, thus
indefinitely extending the on-sale general liquor license (#47
ABC license) at 143 Main Street, papillon' s restaurant. There
are two changes to the conditions, which are as follows:
#5. with the applicant's consent the hours of operation
shall be:
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Monday through saturday
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday
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#7. No liahted beverage signs shall be located in the
window areas, nor shall a particular brand or
alcoholic product be advertised. Interior disPlays
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Page 8 - Planning Commission Mlnutes of July 15, 1992
of alcoholic beverages which are clearly visible to
the exterior shall constitute a violation of this
condition.
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
NOE:
4 - 0 - 1
Orsini, Sharp, Law, Fife
Dahlman
***
Chairman Fife called a recess from 8:55 p.m. to 9:10 p.m.
3. Conditional Use Permit #8-91
16281 Pacific Coast Highway * Noel's Restaurant
staff Report
Mr. Whlttenberg delivered the staff report. [Staff report on
flle In the Plannlng Department]. The appllcant, Salvatore
Camella, requests lndeflnlte extenslon of Condltlonal Use
Permlt (CUP) #91-8, an on-sale general llquor llcense at
Noel's restaurant, 16281 Paciflc Coast Hlghway, Seal Beach.
The current hours are 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. dally. Staff
recommended approval.
Commlsslon Comments
Commlssloner Orslnl asked why the Commlsslon was not glven a
set of condltions from ABC? Mr. Whlttenberg sald staff has
been able to obtaln a copy of some of the condltlons from ABC,
but not for thlS location. Commlssioner OrSlnl sald he would
then llke to contlnue thlS matter untll a copy of the ABC
condltions are supplled. Chalrman Fife he felt the CUP
appllcants should supply staff and Plannlng Commlsslon wlth
coples of the ABC condltlons. The ABC petltlon for the
transfer of the llcense was provlded to the Commlsslon but
does not have any condltlons. Chalrman Flfe suggested addlng
to the standard condltion #5 verblage that says the appllcant
lS to provlde the Plannlng Department a copy of hlS ABC
llcense and any conditlons placed on It.
CommisSloner Law asked about the Code vlolatlon of a roof
banner at Noel's. Commlssloner Orslnl sald the banner was
still up today.
Commlssloner OrSlnl asked what would happen lf the ABC
condltlons state no entertainment and the Clty grants It?
Chairman Flfe sald he felt that would become the appllcant's
problem. Mr. Whlttenberg sald that on future appllcatlons for
entertalnment at restaurants servlng alcohollC the
entertainment permlt through the Clty will not become
effectl ve untll the Cl ty lS provlded proof that ABC has
granted their approvals for the entertainment also.
Commlssioner Orslnl agreed, saYlng rlght now the Clty assumes
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Page 9 - Plannlng Commisslon Mlnutes of July 15, 1992
the 11ablllty. Clting Spaghettinl's restaurant, the City
granted them an entertainment license, ABC comes down on them
and says you lose your 11cense, the Clty never had the rlght
to grant It. Mr. Whlttenberg dlsagreed, saying the Clty has
the rlght to glve lt to them. It's the appllcant's
responslblllty to ensure he lS meetlng the requlrements of
both the Cl ty and the ABC. Commlssioner OrSlnl sald thls
should be put into the CUP application --- that the appllcant
must clear 1 t Wl th ABC that they can have entertainment. ThlS
wll1 be done ln the future. Chairman Flfe sald the generlc
conditlon that the applicant comply wlth ABC restrictlons
placed on the license covers that. The Clty does not suggest
by ltS approval that an appllcant can 19nore hlS ABC
requirements.
PubllC Hearinq
The appllcant was not present. Mr. Whlttenberg sald he met
wlth the appllcant Thursday or Frlday of thls week and
lndlcated to hlm he should attend thls meetlng.
There was no one who wlshed to speak for or agalnst thls
appllcatlon.
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MOTION by Sharp; SECOND by Law to continue the Public Hearing
on CUP #8-91 to the August 5, 1992 Planning Commission meeting
to allow the applicant to appear and to have the ABC
conditions for Commission review.
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
5 - 0 - 0
Sharp, Law, Fife, Dahlman, Orsini
***
4. Conditional Use Permits #92-3 and #92-4
333 First Street (Oakwood Garden Apartments)
staff Report
Mr. Whlttenberg delivered the staff report. [Staff report on
file ln the Plannlng Department]. The appllcant, John Abboud,
requests approval of a convenlence store with an off-sale beer
and wine license wlthln a residentlal apartment complex wlth
more than 150 unlts located at 333 Flrst Street, Seal Beach
(Oakwood Apartments).
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Mr. Whlttenberg lndlcated, for the on premlse sale of beer and
wine, the City's munlclpal Code requlres that all access to
the accessory use shall be from a lobby, patlo, courtyard or
interlor walkway. Pursuant to ABC Rule 27 any establlshment
selllng on-sale or off-sale beer, Wlne and/or llquor must be
open to the general publlC. There lS a dlrect confllct and
therefore staff recommended denial of CUP #92-4. Staff
.
Page 10 - Plannlng Commisslon Minutes of July 15, 1992
recommended approval of CUP #92-3 for the convenlence market
subject to conditlons.
Commlsslon Comments
The Commlssion noted the Old Ranch Country Club lS open to the
publlC. CommlSSloner OrSlnl thought they had a club ABC
license --- llke an Elks club. The Commlssion dld not know If
they were subject to ABC's Rule 27. Chalrman Flfe said this
lS the f lrst tlme he has encountered a rule which broadly
states that any establlshment selling on-sale or off-sale beer
or wine must be open and accessible to the publlC. A brlef
dlscusslon of Rule 27 ensued. Mr. Whlttenberg sald the
Plannlng Commisslon mlnutes in 1971 were mlnlmal and gave no
lndlcatlon of lntent of the Code Sectlon 28-800(3) (3) when It
was adopted.
Publlc Hearinq
.
Larrv Mlller. ESqUlre * 5850 Canoqa Ave.. Woodland Hills. CA
Mr. Mlller introduced himself as an attorney wlth the law firm
of Mlller & Chernoff. At thls meetlng he represents both John
Abboud and the Seal Beach Country Club/Oakwood Apartments. He
stated the property owner and appllcant agrees to all
condltlons of approval In the staff report for CUP 92-3.
Regarding CUP #92-4, the concerns for mlnors loiterlng, gate
guarded communlty and how to enforce the ABC regulatlons have
been dlscussed. The gates are unlocked from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00
p.m. with access through the lobby to members of the general
publlc and residents. The Seal Beach Flre Department and
Pollce Department have pass keys to allow lmmedlate access.
They would have no obJectlon to providlng a pass key to ABC
and Dlrector Whlttenberg. Thls lS prlmarlly and adult
communlty but they would agree that the applicant and Oakwood
security would strlctly monltor mlnors' purchases and
gatherlng. Regardlng ABC Rule 27 and the alleged confllct
between munlcipal Code sectlon 28-800(3) (e) and thelr
interpretatlon lS the language of the Seal Beach munlclpal
Code lS non-excluslve and does not prohlblt the concurrent use
of the faclllty. The language of speclflc convenlence does
not exclude the use of other segments of the population or
general publlc. The lobby lS open to the general publlc. The
proJect contalns 549 unlts of whlch 436 are occupled. At the
suggestlon of Commissloner Orslni, several weeks ago Oakwood
went to each of the lndlvidual resldents by letter and door-
to-door canvasslng and secured a petitlon for thelr Vlews on
the convenience store wlth a beer and Wlne license. Coples
were presented to staff and the Commlsslon. Of the 436
occupled unlts, Oakwood talked to 89% of those unlts. Each
lndlcated thelr approval and consent to that operatlon. They
belleve the convenience store wlth a beer and Wlne llcense
would beneflt the resldents and thelr guests but could also
beneflt the Clty of Seal Beach by reduclng traffic on Flrst
.
.
Page 11 - Plann1ng Comm1ssion Minutes of July 15, 1992
street and Pacif1c Coast H1ghway as res1dents wouldn't dr1ve
to local stores to purchase certain 1 tems. The res1dents
would not chance to drink and dr1ve. The publ1C use 1S
lim1ted --- there are no signs advert1s1ng the fac111ty, no
access other than through the lobby doors.
Cha1rman Sharp asked 1f they have appl1ed for the ABC 11cense?
Mr. M11ler sa1d the applicant was advised he needed to secure
a C1ty CUP before applying.
.
Helen Evans. Manaqer. Oakwood Apartments * Seal Beach
Ms. Evans expla1ned a person could enter off F1rst Street and
go r1ght into the store. The complex is gated, but that only
restr1cts automob1les. There 1S a front door that's open.
The small off1ce 1S a Hertz rental car off1ce. If approved,
th1S area w111 be rebu1lt for the conven1ence store. The
contemplated hours of operat1on are 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The office 1S open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. After 6:00
p.m. the front door is locked and res1dents have pass cards.
They are prepared to live with no selling of beer after 6:00
p.m. There would be no problem glving a pass key to the
C1ty's Planning Director. When asked for the age compos1t1on
of the complex, Ms. Evans sa1d the apartments are 85% to 90%
corporate persons with many p1lots from McDonald Douglas
rent1ng. Dur1ng the summer W1ves and ch1ldren V1S1t. The
average age of children is 4 to 5 years; there are few school
age children.
Cha1rman F1fe said a cond1tion could be placed that, with the
appl1cant's consent, the hours of the conven1ence store shall
be 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. prov1ded that alcoholic beverages
may be sold only dur1ng the hours the convenience store 1S
access1ble to the general publ1C. That would make the C1ty'S
approval cons1stent w1th 1ts understand1ng of the ABC's
cond1t1ons.
I
Commiss1oner Dahlman asked 1f there are other serV1ces
currently at Oakwood that are open to the general publ1C
during those hours? Ms. Evans sa1d no. Mr. M11ler sa1d 1 t is
the1r position that the language of the Seal Beach Code is
non-exclus1ve and does not proh1b1t the concurrent use of the
fac111ty of the conven1ence store to comply w1th the ABC
requirement. If ABC was w1ll1ng to 1ssue a 11cense Wh1Ch
would prov1de for not be1ng open to the general publ1C they
would 11ke to restr1ct the use only to the res1dents. They
don't see a confl1ct or inconsistency, stat1ng both Rule 27
and the C1 ty ord1nance can be followed by the appl1cant
W1 thout v1olat1ng e1 ther. He suggested a C1 ty Attorney
op1n1on on whether th1s 1S exclus1ve or proh1b1t1ve.
Comm1ssioner Dahlman sa1d the word 1S "spec1f1C" Wh1Ch means
the res1dents and the1r guests. That sounds exclus1ve to h1m.
Mr. M1ller sa1d he felt a reasonable argument could be made
.
.
.
Page 12 - Plann1ng Comm1ssion M1nutes of July 15, 1992
that 1t can be 1nterpreted that 1t's non-exclUS1ve.
Comm1SS10ner Dahlman asked Mr. Wh1ttenberg for his view on why
th1S Code sect10n 1S wr1tten this way. Mr. Wh1ttenberg sa1d
the Plann1ng Comm1SS10n minutes for the meet1ng when th1S
section was adopted are very 11m1ted with no helpful
d1Scuss10n, indicat1ng the sect10n was proposed and approved.
Staff interpretat10n of the term "specif1c" 1S that the word
was put there to limit the uses w1th1n this part1cular type of
an operation to those persons who res1de with1n the complex
itself and not open to the general publ1C. Comm1ss10ner
Dahlman sa1d if the Oakwood complex were opened to other uses
(gas stat10ns, 11quor stores etc.) 1t would soon be a mall.
Commiss10ner Dahlman suggested the conven1ence store not be1ng
v1s1ble from the street and not v1sible from a publ1C
waterway. Mr. M111er sa1d 1 t would not be v1s1ble, the
conven1ence store would be located in the m1ddle of the
building. Cha1rman F1fe sa1d, regarding the Code sect10n 28-
2800(3) (e), 1f the word "spec1fic" 1S intended to mean
"exclus1ve" as contrasted with "pr1mary" that would effect
even the usage as a conven1ence store w1thout alcohol because
it 1S then a commerc1al use. Commiss10ner Dahlman felt that
desp1te what the appl1cant was saY1ng, the conven1ence store
would w1nd up be1ng almost ent1rely used by Oakwood res1dents
and guests. Comm1ss10ner Sharp sa1d he d1dn't see a problem
with its be1ng exclus1vely used by the res1dents except the
ABC has the rule 1t must be open to the publ1C; d1Scussion
back and forth won't solve th1S. Comm1ss10ner Dahlman sa1d he
has been fortunate enough to attend several pr1vate country
clubs but has never seen a store where you could buy potato
Ch1pS or a beer and drive off with it. Comm1SS10ner Ors1n1
asked what Oakwood has for security? Ms. Evans sa1d she has
a security off1cer who comes on at 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Then ma1ntenance people from 7:00 a.m. Commiss10ner OrS1n1
said he was 1nterested in secur1ty to act as a deterrent to
m1nors want1ng to buy 11quor.
Bob Raqland * 484 Schooner Way. Seal Beach
Mr. Ragland spoke 1n opposit10n to th1S these appl1cat10ns.
He stated he has been a res1dent of Schooner Way for f1fteen
years and has w1tnessed an ambulance enter1ng Oakwood
Apartments once a month for a f1ght or drug overdose, the
police com1ng every two weeks for exceSS1ve n01se, heard very
loud part1es from the upper floors when the slid1ng glass
doors are open, on July 3, 1992 11stened to men 1n the Oakwood
park1ng lot yell1ng obscen1ties at 2:00 a.m., many July 4th
bottle rockets. Alcohol won't help. He felt the Oakwood
residents are younger than purported. He asked where the
park1ng would be as there is no park1ng on F1rst Street. He
felt there must be a slgn to let the publ1C know where the
store is. He favored no alcohol, Just a store. He noted
there are f1ve 11quor stores w1th1n walk1ng d1stance of
Oakwood.
.
Page 13 - Planning Commisslon Mlnutes of July 15, 1992
Chalrman Flfe asked staff what the off-street parklng
requlrements are for thlS store? Mr. Whl ttenberg sald staff's
lnterpretatlon lS that the store would not be open and
accesslble to the general publlC. It's an accessory use of
the resldentlal complex ltself. It would then require no more
parklng than lS currently provlded withln the complex. If lt
were open to the general publlC, addltlonal parklng would be
requlred. The calculatlon would be one parklng space for
every 300 square feet of bUllding area of the store --- this
would be flve spaces for 1258 square feet of store. The
complex lS currently parked at 1~ parking spaces per unlt with
no excess over thlS requlrement. The pOlnt to keep ln mlnd,
is staff's approval of the convenlence market is wlth the
understanding that lt is not open to the general publlC.
.
Commlssioner Dahlman noted Oakwood Apartment lS a permltted
use ln a resldential zone but thlS convenlence store lS a
commerclal use and therefore must be heavlly restrlcted. If
It'S open to the publlC It's a commerclal use and the zonlng
would need to be changed. Chalrman Fife agreed, saYlng lf you
sell beer and wine you have to be open to the public pursuant
to ABC condltions. Once you become open to the publlC, you
fall under City zoning law and parklng requlrements WhlCh
probably cannot be met and would need a Zonlng Text Amendment.
Commlssloner Dahlman sald thelr problem lS wlth the ABC ln
belng open to the publlC.
Mr. Mlller sald, wlth respect to Mr. Ragland's comments,
Oakwood is deallng with 480 occupled unlts and he dldn't know
what the ratlo of pollce calls to other complexes lS but he
dldn't thlnk Oakwood's lS exceSSl ve. They believe the sale of
beer or Wlne would not lncrease complalnts as alleged by Mr.
Ragland. Chairman Flfe sald flrst you run into parklng and
zoning requlrements lf you're open to the publlC then to other
lssues. If you don't sell beer and Wlne you're not requlred
to be open to the publlC and you don't have to deal wlth the
parking and zonlng requirements. Mr. Mlller sald the
appllcant and owner are not prepared at thlS tlme to waive the
ABC application. Chalrman Flfe sald lf the Commlsslon
approves only the convenlence store, the appllcant has the
rlght to appeal to the Clty Councll, to declde not to bUlld lt
at all or maybe get the ABC to change lts rules.
No one wished to speak further, elther for or against this
appllcatlon. Chalrman Flfe closed the PubllC Hearlng.
.
MOTION by Sharp; SECOND by Dahlman to qrant Conditional Use
Permit #92-3 by the adoption of Resolution No. 92-13, subject
to the nine (9) Conditions of Approval outlined in the staff
report. Conditions #3 and #S will be chanqed to read:
.
.
.
Page 14 - Plann1ng Comm1SS1on M1nutes of July 15, 1992
3.
All uses shall be conducted wholly within the
enclosed building. The door outside be chanqed to
"emerqencv exit" only.
5. No signage for convenience store may be visible
from any public or private street or water waVe
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
5 - 0 - 0
Sharp, Dahlman, Fife, Law, Orsini
Commiss1oner Dahlman said he could support th1s Mot1on because
1t 1S really not open to the publ1c. The appl1cant d1d not
present enough eV1dence to convence Comm1ss1oner Dahlman that
1t really 1S open to the publ1c. It w111 probably be for the
spec1f1c use of the res1dents and the1r guests.
Comm1SS1oner Sharp sa1d he would be 1n favor of grant1ng
Cond1t1onal Use Perm1t #92-4 w1th the st1pulat1on that 1t not
be open to the public and that they would have to get a
11cense from ABC st1pulating 1t wasn't open to the publ1C.
MOTION by Fife; SECOND by orsini to deny Conditional Use
Permit without prejudice, by the adoption of Resolution No.
92-14. The applicant may re-submit his application in the
event he can work something out that does not require the
store to be open to the public in the event it sells beer and
wine.
Director Whittenberg advised that if approved, this motion
would require the filing of a new application and a new filing
fee by the applicants. If the matter were continued, allowing
the applicants to meet with ABC to see if there were a
different type of license they would apply for, they could
amend their application.
MOTION WITHDRAWN BY CHAIRMAN FIFE.
MOTION by Fife; SECOND by Orsini that the Public Hearing for
Conditional Use Permit #92-4 be continued to the Planning
Commission meeting of September 9, 1992. with instruct10n to
staff that a Police Department report regarding OakwoOd
Apartments to accompany the staff report. Staff is to re-
Notice within a 300' radius of the continuation of the Public
Hearing.
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
5 - 0 - 0
Fife, orsini, Law, Sharp, Dahlman
Comm1SS1oner Ors1ni sa1d he would second the den1al but
requested staff present the Comm1ss1on w1th Pol1ce Department
.
.
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Page 15 - Planning Commiss1on M1nutes of July 15, 1992
stat1st1cs on n01se and calls to Oakwood Apartments. He would
11ke the numbers of calls 1n the complex, when they occur for
approximately the last year.
...
7. zoning Text Amendment #92-2
Entertainment Cafes
staff Report
Mr. Wh1ttenberg reported th1S matter 1S being cont1nued to
allow the C1ty Manager t1me to prepare proposed gU1del1nes for
a special perm1t process to consider one-t1me requests for
enterta1nment. The City Manager's proposal will be cons1dered
along w1th the proposed ZTA for Enterta1nment Cafes at the
Plann1ng Comm1ssion's August 19, 1992 meet1ng.
8. Zoning Text Amendment #92-5
Expansion of Non-conforming structures
staff Re))ort
Mr. Wh1ttenberg presented the staff report. [Staff report on
f1le in the Plann1ng Department], Th1S request would amend
sections 28-2407 and 28-210 of the mun1cipal Code.
Comm1ss1on Comments
Chairman F1fe asked if the fee charged for a M1nor Plan Rev1ew
1S a flat fee? Mr. Whittenberg sa1d yes. Staff has proposed,
as part of the next comprehens1ve fee rev1s1on, that all of
the C1ty'S fees be changed to actual cost fees. A depos1t
would be glven to the C1ty at the t1me of subm1ss1on and the
C1ty would draw costs aga1nst the depos1t.
Publ1C Hearing
Cha1rman F1fe opened the Publ1C Hear1ng.
M1chael LeV1n * 1608 Ocean Avenue. Seal Beach
Mr. Levin talked about a proJect he wants to do at h1S own
home. Mr. Wh1 ttenberg adv1sed th1s would be cons1dered a
maJor expans10n requ1r1ng a CUP because h1S structure 1S non-
conforming due to the setback of the garage. The res1dence
meets the setbacks.
No one w1shed to speak further and the Publ1C Hear1ng was
closed.
Comm1ssion Comments
Comm1ss1oners Dahlman and Ors1n1 sa1d they suspected the
publ1C was not aware of th1s sUbJect be1ng cons1dered and
wondered if there could have been a problem w1th the Not1ce
and if another meeting should be held. Mr. Wh1ttenberg sa1d
.
.
It
Page 16 - Plann1ng Comm1ssion M1nutes of July 15, 1992
th1s was Noticed 1n the newspaper. Between November 1990 and
February 1992 the Planning Comm1ssion has held e1ght (8)
meetings on th1s subJect.
MOTION by Sharp; SECOND by Dahlman to approve zoning Text
Amendment #92-5, by the adoption of Resolution No. 92-24,
referring it to the City Council.
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
5 - 0 - 0
Sharp, Dahlman, Law, Orsini, Fife
Mr. Wh1ttenberg said th1S item would go to the C1ty Counc1l
for Publ1C Hearing. It would requ1re the introduction and
adopt1on of an ord1nance. The actual prOV1S1ons will take
place th1rty days after the second read1ng of the ord1nance.
***
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
There were no oral communications.
STAFF CONCERNS
Mr. Wh1ttenberg sa1d staff prov1ded the Plann1ng Comm1ss10n a copy
of the City Counc1l ordinance re the functions of the Plann1ng
Comm1ss1on. Th1S w1ll change the 1992 Comm1ss10n meet1ng dates 1n
September and December. The meeting dates w1ll now be the f1rst
and th1rd Wednesdays of the month after the f1rst Monday of the
month. Staff w1ll prov1de the Comm1ssion a new calendar. The
meet1ng changes will take effect August 22nd.
Mr. Whittenberg reported he will be on vacat10n August 5, 1992.
COMMISSION CONCERNS
P1er Repa1rs
The Comm1ss1on asked when most of the p1er repa1rs would take place
or 1f the pier would be closed? Mr. Wh1ttenberg sa1d h1s
understand1ng 1S most of the repa1r work w1ll be done after the
summer season. The activ1ties to the end of the p1er w1ll be
severely restricted.
~
Page 17 - Plannlng Commisslon Mlnutes of July 15, 1992
Coastal Commission
CommlSSloner OrSlnl reported he attended the July 7, 1992 Coastal
CommlSSlon meetlng where they approved Walter Mlller's proJect for
Seal Beach Boulevard. They were concerned about parklng for the
beach.
Slde Setback Issue
The CommlSSlon lnstructed staff to schedule a future amendment
regardlng a three foot setback on the second story of any
commerclal structures. ThlS wlll be comlng to the Commisslon at
the August 5th meetlng.
Naval Weapons Statlon ROW
Can the strlp they Navy owns be used on an easement basls for
parking? Mr. Whlttenberg sald In staff's most recent discusslon
wlth the Navy regarding parklng on Navy property the Navy sald they
would not allow thlS because of their exploslve arc.
ADJOURNMENT
Chalrman Flfe adJourned the meeting at 10:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
. ~OlAh~~
Joan Flllmann
Recordlng Secretary
***
These mlnutes are draft untll approved by the Plannlng CommlSSlon.
APPROVAL: The Plannlng CommlSSlon
approved4k by the
nll~ s- 1992.~
Mlnutes of July 15, 1992 were
Plannlng CommlSSlon on
.