HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Min 1992-08-19
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CITY OF SEAL BEACH
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA
AUGUST 19, 1992
7:30 P.M. * City Council Chambers
211 Eighth Street, Seal Beach, CA
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
II. ROLL CALL
III. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Minutes of August 5, 1992
IV. SCHEDULED MATTERS
2. Staff Report: ABC Ucenses in City of Seal Beach
Informational item for Planning Commission.
v.
PUBUC HEARINGS
3. Conditional Use Permit #92-6
Address: 115 Main Street * Taco Surf
Applicant: Douglas A. Maris
Owner: William W. Lescher
Request: CUP for #41 ABC license.
Resolution: #92-17
3. Zoning Text Amendment #92-.15
Applicant: City of Seal Beach
Request: Multiple ZTA propositions to:
1. Prohibit exterior stairways at single
family residences.
2. Establish setback requirements for
detached accessory structures in
residential zones.
3.
Establish a definition of a "fence".
. Page 2 - Planning Commission Minutes of August 19, 1992
Resolution:
4. Reconsider provIsions to the
municipal Code permitting large
family day care facilities In residential
zones.
#92-27
VI. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
VII. STAFF CONCERNS
VIII. COMMISSION CONCERNS
Dt ADJOURNMENT
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CITY OF SEAL BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION
Agenda Forecast:
SEP 09
CUPs #92-3 & #92-4 (Abboud/Oakwood Apartments)
CUP #92-7 (Unocal/99 Marina/Reactivate 011
Dehydration Facility)
SEP 23
CUP #14-91 (Spaghettini Rest./Entertainment)
ZC #92-1 (1 Anderson Street/Jeff Overeem)
OCT 07
CUP #16-91 (Noel's Restaurant/Entertainment)
[Joan Fillmann - excused absence/vacation]
OCT 21
NOV 04
CUP #15-91 (Cafe Lafayette/ABC renewal)
NOV 18
CUP #17-91 (Pasta Grotto/ABC renewal)
DEC 09
DEC 23
CUP #12-90 (Bonadonnas/ABC renewal)
STAFF REPORTS PENDING: NOT AGENDIZED
* CUP #92-1 for 909 Ocean/Tootsie's (May amend condition #16)
* ZT A #92-2 for Entertainment Cafes (Pending City Manager's work on One
(Day Permits)
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CITY OF SEAL BEACH
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF AUGUST 19, 1992
The regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting of August 19, 1992 was
called to order by Chairman Fife at 7:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Law led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Chairman Fife
Commissioners Law, Sharp, Orsini
Absent:
Commissioner Dahlman
MOTION by Sharp; SECOND by Law to excuse the absence of
Commissioner Anton Dahlman who is on vacation.
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MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
ABSENT:
4-0-1
Fife, Law, Sharp, Orsini
Dahlman
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Minutes of August 5, 1992
Chairman Fife had the following corrections:
Page 3, last paragraph, change IIHe apologizedll to IIDr. O'Dell apologized.
Page 6, first paragraph, change IIbid on the property ownerll to IIbid on the
propertyll. Page 8, second to last paragraph, change lIat St. Cloud Drive and
Spaghettini'sll to lIat St. Cloud Drive, near Spaghettini'sll. Add at end of final
sentence '1urther along Seal Beach Boulevard towards St. Cloud Drivell.
MOTION by Sharp; SECOND by Orsini to approve the Planning Commission
Minutes of August 5, 1992 with corrections.
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
ABSENT:
4-0-1
Sharp, Orsini, Law, Fife
Dahlman
SCHEDULED MATTERS
. There were no Scheduled Matters.
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Page 2 - Planning Commission Minutes of August 19, 1992
PUBUC HEARINGS
2. Conditional Use Permit #92-6
115 Main Street * Taco Surf Restaurant
Commissioner Abstention
Commissioner Orsini declared a possible conflict of interest because he lives
within 300 feet of 115 Main Street and he left the Council Chambers.
Staff Report
Mrs. Fillmann presented the staff report. [Staff report on file in the Planning
Department]. The applicant, Douglas Marls, requested an after-the-fact
Planning Commission review and approval of Conditional Use Permit #92-6,
for an on-sale beer and wine license (#41) at 115 Main Street, Taco Surf
restaurant.
Commission Comments
Chairman Fife asked if Taco Surf had removed the liquor signs from the front
windows. Staff indicated yes.
Chairman Fife asked how the restaurant wound up without a CUP? Staff
explained the previous operation, Family Affair restaurant, had a non-
transferrable CUP for a beer and wine (#41) license. When the Maris'
bought the restaurant the previous CU P ceased. The City erroneously
allowed the restaurant to open without catching the fact the Maris' did not
have a CUP.
Chairman Fife asked if the Old Town area is designated as an over-
concentrated and high crime area? Staff said yes, by the State's definition.
Chairman Fife asked if the ABC Is consistently imposing conditions in this
area? Staff said yes. Mr. Whittenberg said Mrs. Fillmann has been working
on a fairly detailed report which staff hopes to present to the Planning
Commissioners within the next month.
Commissioner Law asked about the landscaping requirement, stating this
business should not be exempt. Mr. Whittenberg explained physically there
is no way to provide landscaping on this property; this is true for many
properties in the Old Town area.
RECESS FOR TEN MINUTES to fix the public address system.
Commissioner Law said if the word "exempf' were put in this application
then other applicants would want to be exempt from the landscaping
requirement also. Commissioner Sharp said the Commission has exempted
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Page 3 - Planning Commission Minutes of August 19, 1992
other properties where physically the landscaping could not be provided.
Mr. Whittenberg agreed, noting that on Main Street there are many 25' lots
and the buildings are built to the property line.
Commissioner Law asked about re-striping for meeting parking
requirements. Mrs. Fillmann said the applicant would lose two parking
spaces by re-strlping to the current required dimensions. He will be short
sixteen (16) parking spaces. Commissioner Fife asked if staff had
conditioned the payment of parking mitigation fees? Mr. Whittenberg said
no because that's been a Commission determination on a case-by-case
basis.
Public Hearing
Charlene Maris * 3762 Montego Drive. Huntington Beach. CA
Mrs. Maris stated she has read staff's recommended conditions and findings
and has no problems with them. Mrs. Maris said they understand that
alcohol may have adverse Impacts to the City streets but people don't want
to eat without the ability to order an alcoholic beverage. To pay the rent the
restaurants have to be able to get the income. Mrs. Maris added they had
two trees in front of Taco Surf but one died. The benches (at the front) are
used by a lot of people as they walk along Main Street, not just by their
customers. The benches are attached because the others were stolen. Mrs.
Maris said It would not be a problem for her to contact the Engineering
Department to get the proper City permits to put the benches there
permanently. Commissioner Sharp explained the City regulation is there to
keep people from putting almost anything on the sidewalks that could cause
injury, and to standardize the looks.
David Rosenman * 208 Eighth Street. Seal Beach. CA
Mr. Rosenman asked if this CUP could be issued only to Douglas Maris and
made non-transferrable? The Commission advised him that CUPs are not
transferrable.
No one wishing to speak further, either for or against this application,
Chairman Fife closed the Public Hearing.
Commission Comments
Commissioner Sharp asked what the parking fees would be? Mr.
Whittenberg said the report does not specify parking fees. The applicant Is
not paying any parking fees now. Mr. Whittenberg said some restaurants are
paying in-lieu fees, some are not paying any fees at all, and some are paying
parking impact fees which are equivalent to in-lieu fees of $100 per
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Page 4 - Planning Commission Minutes of August 19, 1992
delinquent space per year. Chairman Sharp asked staff if an ordinance
could be prepared to bring all businesses up to the same standard,
eliminating the inequity of some businesses paying parking fees and some
not? Mr. Whittenberg said he would review this with the City Attorney's
Office and report back to the Commission.
Chairman Fife suggested, as condition #15, the applicant pay $100 per year
per space for the sixteen (16) delinquent spaces and proposed, as condition
#16, the applicant meet with the City's Engineering Department with respect
to placement of the two benches and work out with that Department a
mutually satisfactory solution.
MonON by Sharp; SECOND by Law to approve Conditional Use Permit
#92-6, through the adoption of Resolution No. 92-17 with the following two
Conditions of Approval added:
1. $1,600 per year shall be paid by the applicant to the City of Seal
Beach for parking mitigation fees. The site is delinquent sixteen (16)
parking spaces.
2.
The applicant is to meet with the City's Engineering Deparbnent with
respect to the placement to two benches outside the Taco Surf
restaurant
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
ABSENT:
4-1-0
Sharp, Law, Fife, Orsini
Dahlman
Mrs. Maris asked the Commission is the parking mitigation fees are
applicable for all businesses in the City or just for restaurant businesses?
Chairman Fife said that as businesses have applied for CUPs, the Planning
Commission has consistently required them to pay $100 per year per
deficient parking space. The objective is to have all businesses coming
before the Planning Commission paying the same. Commissioner Sharp
said the fee has been for all businesses, not just restaurants.
***
Commissioner Orsini returned to the Council Chambers.
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Page 5 - Planning Commission Minutes of August 19, 1992
3. Zoning Text Amendment #92-6
Staff Report
Mr. Curtis delivered the staff report. [Staff report on file In the Planning
Department] .
Commission Comments
1. Amend Sections 28-400, 28-700, 28-800 of the Code to prohibit
exterior stairways at single family residences, when not required by
the Uniform Building Code.
2. Establish specific setback requirements for non-habitable, detached
accessory structures in residential zones.
The Commission discussed the recommended five foot (5') setback
from the rear property line.
Commissioner Sharp spoke against the suggested five foot (5')
setback. He said the 5' setback would be a place for trash to collect.
Since this amendment pertains to only those properties backing up to
a major arterial streets, he felt building to the property line would not
effect the health, safety, welfare, acoustics or looks of any other
owner's property.
Commissioner Orsini expressed his concerns for excess lot coverage
and the aesthetics of building without a 5' setback. He objected to the
aesthetics of an eight foot wall with a twelve foot structure built
against it.
Chairman Fife suggested a five foot (5') unqualified setback, and when
a property backs onto a public street they could build with less than
the 5' setback subject to Commission approval. Mr. Curtis said the
Commission could consider setting forth a certain percentage of the
width of the property that the structure to take.
Mr. Curtis said staff's recommendation for 5'setback from the rear
property line is based on aesthetics, as a 5' setback from an 8' wall
would severely restrict the view of a 12' structure. Mr. Curtis
reminded the Commission these must be detached structures, they
cannot be attached to the main structure at some future point. Lot
coverage requirements would prevent many problems; these zones
have a 45% lot coverage maximum.
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Page 6 - Planning Commission Minutes of August 19, 1992
Chairman Fife asked the Commission how they would feel about (page
11) expanding Attachment B(2)(b) to IIRear Yard Abutting Street - or
other public properties, such as a drainage ditch-? Commissioner
Sharp said that should be included, noting properties along a drainage
ditch could be in danger from transients and animals that use the
ditch.
Director Whittenberg urged the Commission to keep the issues of
walls and detached accessory structures separated. Detached
accessory structures may be a gazebo with a lattice work roof, a
detached garage at the back of the property with a shingle or tile roof,
a storage shed with a metal roof. Staff was suggesting the 5' setback
from an aesthetic standpoint, so these structures are not right next to
the property line, allowing a diversity of appearance. Major streets of
the City provide an impression of the City as people drive through the
community.
Commissioner Sharp said he felt the Planning Commission directed
staff to investigate and write an ordinance allowing for outdoor
recreational facilities --- a gazeboes, or a structure over a swimming
pool or barbecue, not a storage shed or a garage. Mr. Whittenberg
said the way the amendment is proposed at this time Is it's for
detached accessory structures which would be any type of a structure
that's not a residence.
Commissioners Sharp and Orsini suggested tightening the wording
here, such as it's a detached accessory structure that's open on at
least two sides.
Chairman Fife asked about lot coverage requirements, asking if
habitable and non-habitable space were included? Mr. Curtis said
yes, lot coverage would include anything with a roof. Chairman Fife
asked how koi ponds, waterfalls, jacuzzi's would be categorized for
setback purposes? Mr. Curtis said ponds and jacuzzis require a 4'
setback from property lines. Waterfalls are treated as landscaping
and don't require setbacks. Koi ponds are classified as a pool for
setback purposes, as long as they have a minimum depth of 1811.
Commissioner Orsini asked what would happen if a jacuzzi were built
into the corner of a lot? Mr. Curtis said a jacuzzi would have to be 4'
from the property line. The Commissioners advised staff to review
this because most jacuzzi are built into the corner of the lot.
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Page 7 - Planning Commission Minutes of August 19, 1992
3.
Amend Article II of Chapter 28 of the Code to establish a definition of
a -rence-.
Chairman Fife asked staff about the foundation for the various heights
of block walls/fences? Staff said the footings vary for block walls at
6' and 8' heights.
Chairman Fife asked staff about not having wood tack-ons to block
walls/fences? Mr. Curtis said the City's municipal Code allows staff
to prohibit wooden tack-ons. In the past the City didn't follow through
with this but the City's policy now is to require the addition match the
existing fence.
Public Hearing
The Commission decided to discuss each of the three segments
together.
Charles Antos * 328 17th Street. Seal Beach
Mr. Antos supported staff's comments on dealing with properties in
flood zones, saying exterior stairs are safety devices for those
residents. He suggested, at page 10, B(1) to add an exception
allowing Planning Commission review for properties located within the
flood zone and/or along Seal Way. The flood area covers more than
Seal Way. Page 9 would need the same footnote at ~28-700 because
some of the flood zone properties are in the RMD. Regarding
detached structures, a structure open on two, three or four sides
could be a detached carport located in the rear yard; that can look
ugly. Even meeting setbacks, an owner could build a 2' x 30' x 12'
tool shed and plant Italian cypress in the remaining 5' setbacks. That
would get around the fence limitations and staff doesn't have the
manhours to monitor the height of these trees. He urged the
Commission to think of their real intent and be more specific.
Sol John * 330 Main Street. Seal Beach
Mr. John said in 1983 the sewer and drain lines were stopped up City-
wide.
No one wishing to speak further either for or against this application,
Chairman Fife closed the Public Hearing.
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Page 8 - Planning Commission Minutes of August 19, 1992
Commission Comments
MOTION by Sharp; SECOND by Orsini to approve the proposed
changes outlined in Attachment A, amendments to Sections 28-400,
28-700, 28-800 of The Code of The City of Seal Beach. CA, by the
adoption of Resolution No. ~ to prohibit exterior stairways at single
family residences, when not required by the Uniform Building Code,
with the following wording added:
Exterior stairways may be permitted on single
family dwellings located within identified flood
zones upon approval of a Minor Plan Review by
the Planning Commission.
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Chairman Fife commenting on Attachment A (page 6), (8)(a)(ii), asked
why the existing setback for pools must be 4' at the rear property line?
Mr. Whittenberg said the provision for that 4' setback is an outgrowth
of the Uniform Building Code for seismic stability. The setback allows
for soil movement in the event a pool would move during an
earthquake the setback would prevent damage to adjacent property.
Chairman Fife said where a rear property line backs onto an arterial
street you are not talking about endangering adjacent property
owners. Director Whittenberg said if the Commission desired to
amend that section of the zoning ordinance, he would like the
opportunity to go back and look at the building code provisions to see
how the two tie in together. Commissioner Orsini said the 4' setback
is the pool itself and then you have to have walk deck around it.
Chairman Fife said College Park East has many pools which are within
2' or less of the property line. He asked staff to look into this and
ascertain the real source. Chairman Fife said that in the Old Town
area, where land is dear and expensive, there are a number of things
that enhance the capacity of a person to make maximum use of his
property. Staff will report back to the Commission on this issue.
Charles Antos * 328 17th Street. Seal Beach, CA
Mr. Antos said these provisions were put in about twenty years ago
because (1) the Fire Department required them for access around the
pool and (2) a structural engineering requirement which mandated
having all your own foundation and support structures on your own
property. Pools are designed with a lot of foundation and structure to
support the water, a pool doesn't go straight down. Commissioner
Orsini said there must be enough room to get safety equipment
around a pool.
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Page 9 - Planning Commission Minutes of August 19, 1992
Chairman Fife asked staff to report back to the Commission on rear
yard setbacks on swimming pools.
MOTION CARRIES:
AYES:
ABSTAIN:
4-0-1
Sharp, Orsini, Law, Fife
Dahlman
***
MOTION by Orsini; SECOND by Sharp to re-advertise item #2:
2. Establishment specific setback requirements for non-
habitable, detached accessory structures in residential
zones.
Staff is to report on (1) advisability of an amendment to the existing
allowable fence height along properties which abut an arterial street
An eight foot fence height is currenUy allowed along certain specified
streets; (2) a possible amendment for a ten foot (10') fence height
along specified streets; (3) limiting the type of accessory structures
that can be built within the rear yard to not include garages and
storage sheds. Only to allow for lattice work structure for shade over
pools, barbecues, patios etc. Clearly specify that the lot coverage
requirements would apply to those structures and provide a
recommendation on the maximum width of the property that could be
used with that type of accessory structure and anything other than this
to come before the Commission as a Minor Plan Review for a site plan
review.
Chairman Fife asked if the term "arterial streets" would limit many
streets in College Park East and West because they dead-end? Staff
is to provide the list of streets to the Commission so they can make
a determination. Chairman Fife asked staff to include those properties
backing onto other public properties.
Regarding the structures in the rear yard setbacks, Mr. Whittenberg
said it would take three - four weeks to do the additional research and
provide additional language. Staff would therefore propose to re-
advertise this item again for Public Hearing, rather than pick a date at
this time.
MOTION CARRIES:
AYES:
ABSENT:
4-0-1
Orsini, Sharp, Law, Fife
Dahlman
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Page 10 - Planning Commission Minutes of August 19, 1992
MOTION by Orsini; SECOND by Sharp to approve item #3. Amend
Article II of Chapter 28 of the Code to establish a definition of a
"ence- .
MOTION CARRIES:
AYES:
ABSENT:
4-0-1
Orsini, Sharp, Law, Fife
Dahlman
Chairman Fife asked what the arguing point would be about IIthis is a
fencell or IIthis Is not a fencell? Mr. Curtis said staff's main concern
was the cement posts in the alleys should be removed. The posts are
not defined as anything and don't require a building permit. It's not
a structure and it's not a fence and there's nothing in the Code
preventing them from being there. Staff would word the Code in such
a way to mandate a building permit and removal of those that don't
meet proper setbacks. Chairman Fife asked if a barricade was a
structure? Mr. Curtis said no. In his discussions with the City
Attorney's Office a barricade would not be a structure but Mr. Curtis
wanted to double check that because in his mind It is unclear as to
how the defimtion fit. The intent was for the cement post to be
considered a fence but it would not qualify as a use of land involving
a structure. Mr. Whittenberg said that based on the discussion staff
would like to suggest continuing this matter to the Planning
Commission meeting of September 9, 1992 to allow clarification with
the City Attorney.
The Public Hearing was reopened.
MOTION and SECOND to previous motion withdrawn.
MOTION by Orsini; SECOND by Sharp to continue item #3 to the
September 9, 1992 Planning Commission meeting.
MOTION CARRIES:
AYES:
ABSENT:
4-0-1
Orsini, Sharp, Fife, Law
Dahlman
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Page 11 - Planning Commission Minutes of August 19, 1992
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Bill Ayres * 707 Central Avenue. Seal Beach. CA
Mr. Ayres spoke against entertainment and excessive alcohol consumption along
Main Street. He said the Planning Commission holds the key to this issue because
they have the power to say yes or no to an application. He spoke about IIresiduell
from entertainment and drinking, saying people come to Seal Beach to party. This
results In drunkenness, unacceptable behavoir and damage to public and private
property. He said the business establishments realize a substantial profit but the
City realizes little revenue from liquor sales. He stated there is no way to control
things, using Taco Surf's CUP application as an example --- a person operating for
over seven years without a City CUP. He was surprised there was no penalty. He
noted ABC can't enforce because of their staff cutbacks and added there is no
police enforcement in Old Town because the City Is stretched very thin. He urged
the Commission to not allow additional alcohol penetration by granting
entertainment permits in Old Town. Commissioner Sharp clarified that Taco Surf
had no CUP but did have an ABC license and a City business license.
Commissioner Orsini said the applicant for Taco Surf holds two other liquor
licenses and knew a CUP should have been taken out.
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Sol John * 330 Main Street. Seal Beach
Mr. John agreed with Mr. Ayres. He said people need police protection.
STAFF CONCERNS
There were no staff concerns.
COMMISSION CONCERNS
Commissioner Sharp talked about the fence at Seal Beach Boulevard and Lampson
Avenue. Mr. Curtis said the Engineering Department was going to review it but he
was not certain of the outcome.
Commissioner Sharp asked about the old service station site they have had it
fenced and asked what the equipment was? Staff told him it was equipment for
soil remediation to clean out soil hydrocarbons resulting from leaking underground
gasoline tanks.
Commissioner Orsini stated he had received a couple of calls about screens not
being present at 101 Main Street, Suite D. This is SeaSide Grill.
Chairman Fife asked the status of the encroachments on Crestview. Mr.
Whittenberg said staff is reviewing ordinances regarding hillside development
. standards. In late September or early October a report will come to the Planing
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Page 12 - Planning Commission Minutes of August 19, 1992
Commission --- with the understanding the City is not involved in major staff
realignments resulting from necessary budget amendments. The City anticipates
absorbing $300,000 to $800,000 take away of revenue funds from the State of
California. Priorities may need to change once a State budget has been adopted.
The City may need to react to other things in the immediate future.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Fife adjourned the meeting at 9: 17 p.m.
Sincerely,
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Joan ~mann
Recording Secretary
APPROVAL:
The Planning Commission ~inutes of August 19, 1992 were
approved on September ~ 1992. -4=