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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Min 1997-12-17 '. , . CITY OF SEAL BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA for DECEMBER 17,1997 7:30 P.M. * City Council Chambers 211 Eighth Street, Seal Beach, CA 90740 I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Next Resolution: 97-52 ll. ROLL CALL ID. AGENDA APPROVAL By Motion of the Planning Commission, this is the time'to: (a) Notify the public of any changes to the Agenda; (b) Re-arrange the order of the Agenda; and/or (c) Provide an opportunity for any member of the Planning Commission, staff, or public to request an item is removed from the Consent Calendar for separate action. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS . At this time, members of the public may address the Planning Commission regarding any items within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Planning Commission, provided that the Planning Commission may undertake no action or discussion unless otherwise authorized by law. V. CONSENT CALENDAR Items on the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and are enacted by one motion unless prior to enactment, a member of the Planning Commission, staff or the public requests a specific item be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate action. 1. Approve Planning Commission Minutes of November@ 1997. 2. Approve Planning Commission Minutes of December 3, 1997. 3. Receive and File:, Staff Report, dated December 8, 1997, to City Council regarding Consideration of Ordinance 1419, re: Zoning Text Amendment 98-1. . The City of Seal Beach complies with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. If you need assistance to attend this meeting, please telephone the City Clerk's Office at (562) 431-2527 at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting; thank you. . . . City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Agenda · December 17, 1997 4. Receive and File: Staff Report, dated December 8, 1997, to City Council regarding Proposed Marine Corps Reserve Center at Seal Beach Weapons Support Facility. 5. Receive and File: Staff Report, dated December 8, 1997, to City Council regarding Scoping Meetings - State Route 22 Freeway Improvements. 6. Receive and File: Staff Report, dated December 8, 1997, to City Council Regarding 1997 Proposed Airport Environs Land Use Plan Amendments - Orange County Airport Land Use Commission. VI. SCHEDULED MATTERS VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7. Conditional Use Pennit 97-13 Minor Plan Review 97-8 Address: 121 2nd Street Applicant: Mark Gole Property Owner: Mark Gole Request: To perform a major addition and remodel to a non- conforming duplex. This would include the addition of two (2) new tandem parking spaces to create a four- car tandem garage, the demolition and replacement of the one-story front unit. The new front unit will be two stories in height with an area of 2,334 square feet. Recommendation: Approval subject to Conditions of Approval. 8. Zoning Text Amendment 97-4 Applicant: City of Seal Beach Request: To consider amending the municipal Code of the City of Seal Beach to allow exterior stairwells to the second floor of residences in the Residential Low Density (RlD) zone which have original, existing second floor kitchens. 2 The City of Seal Beach complies with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. If you need assistance to attend this meeting, telephone the City Clerk's Office at (562) 431-2527 at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting; thank you. . . . I City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Agenda * December 17, 1997 VIII. STAFF CONCERNS ./ Staff Memo re Yucatan Grill review. ./ City Letter of 12/8197 re Draft EIR - Marina Shores ./ City Letter of 11/13/97 re Draft EIR - Long Beach Animal Care Facility ./ City Letter of 11/13/97 re Draft EIR - Commercial Development of Los Altos Drive-In Theater. IX. COMMISSION CONCERNS X. ADJOURNMENT 3 The City of Seal Beach complies with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. If you need assistance to attend this meeting, telephone the City Clerk's Office at (562) 431-2527 at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting; thank you. . . . , City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Agenda * December 17, 1997 1998 AGENDA FORECAST NOT SCHEDULED: CUP 97-1 Yucatan Grill @ 12147 SBB JAN 06 Note: Commissioner Hood Absent Memo Realty sign @ Old City Hall JAN 21 VAR 87-2 Revocation [Cont'd from 12-3-97] FEB 03 FEB 17 MAR 03 MAR 17 APR 08 APR 22 MAY 06 MAY 20 JUN 10 JUN 23 JUL 08 JUL 22 AUG 05 AUG19 SEP 09 SEP 23 OCT 06 OCT 20 NOV 04 NOV18 DEC 09 DEC 23 T~~ 11/ BI;~ Review commercial uses. VAR 93-1 212 MAIN ($7300 final in-lieu pmt) 4 The City of Seal Beach complies with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. If you need assistance to attend this meeting, telephone the City Clerk's Office at (562) 431-2527 at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting; thank you. . - e CITY OF SEAL BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES of DECEMBER 17, 1997 Chairman Brown called the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting of December 17,1997 to order at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The meeting began with the Salute to the Flag. ROLL CALL Present: Also Present: Absent: Chairman Brown Commissioners Larson, Yost, Department of Development Services Lee Whittenberg, Director Craig Steele, Assistant City Attorney Barry Curtis, Associate Planner Joan Fillmann, Executive Secretary Commissioners Law and Hood MOTION by Yost; SECOND by Larson to excuse the absences of Commissioners Hood and Law. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: ABSENT: 3-0-2 Yost, Larson, Brown Hood, Law AGENDA APPROVAL The Chair requested Consent Calendar item #3 be pulled for separate consideration. MOTION by Yost; SECOND by Larson to approve the Agenda as presented with the exception of Consent Calendar item #3 which would be considered separately. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: ABSENT: 3-0-2 Yost, Larson, Brown Hood, Law ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were no oral communications from the audience. City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Minutes * December 17, 1997 . CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION by Larson; SECOND by Yost to approve the Consent Calendar as presented with the exception of item #3 which would be considered separately. 1. Approve Planning Commission Minutes of November 17, 1997. 2. Approve Planning Commission Minutes of December 3, 1997. 4. Receive and File: Staff Report, dated December 8, 1997, to City Council regarding Proposed Marine Corps Reserve Center at Seal Beach Weapons Support Facility. 5. Receive and File: Staff Report, dated December 8, 1997, to City Council regarding Scoping Meetings - State Route 22 Freeway Improvements. 6. Receive and File: Staff Report, dated December 8, 1997, to City Council Regarding 1997 Proposed Airport Environs Land Use Plan Amendments - Orange County Airport Land Use Commission. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: ABSENT: 3-0-2 Yost, Larson, Brown Hood, Law e The Planning Commission next considered item #3: 3. Receive and File: Staff Report, dated December 8, 1997, to City Council regarding Consideration of Ordinance 1419, re: Zoning Text Amendment 96-1. Chairman Brown requested information on the staff report. Mr. Whittenberg explained the staff report was presented to the City Council on December 8, 1997 when the Council was considering adoption of Ordinance 1419. The basic provisions of the ordinance are: 1. For those properties along Crestview Avenue, adjacent to the Hellman Ranch and Gum Grove Park, which have an existing, but non-permitted, deck in their rear yard, this ordinance would require those non-permitted decks to come before the City and obtain a Minor Plan Review within 12 months from the effective date of the ordinance. 2. Secondly, individuals wanting to build a new deck in that same area would have the right to come to the Planning Commission and apply for a Conditional Use permit to receive approval to build a deck within the 10' rear yard setback. e 2 City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Minutes · December 17, 1997 e The ordinance has been introduced by the City Council and they will have a second reading on January 12, 1998. If approved, the ordinance would take effect thirty (30) days after that. Chairman Brown said when the issue of the decks on these properties came before the Planning Commission; the Commission turned down this Zoning Text Amendment. This issued involved people who had illegally built decks into their setbacks, some with permits and some without. They now desire to keep their illegally built decks. Mr. Whittenberg said this ordinance would allow persons to keep or build their decks with review and approval of the Planning Commission. The Commission could impose conditions to ensure the deck is compatible with the neighborhood. If the Commission felt a greater setback were required, the Commission could require the deck be smaller. Chairman Brown asked staff what is the setback for a deck in this neighborhood? Mr. Whittenberg said it could be a 0' setback. Chairman Brown then asked what is the setback for all other properties, except for these properties? Mr. Whittenberg said it is 10'. e Chairman Brown asked if this ordinance were granting a special privilege to these properties that nobody else in the City has? Mr. Whittenberg answered that this ordinance would allow for different development standards, just as there's a different development standard for residential construction in Surfside. There are particular property circumstances in Surfside. The City Council felt there are particular property circumstances along Crestview Avenue. Chairman Brown asked what those particular property circumstances were? Mr. Whittenberg said he was not going to speak on behalf of what the Council's determinations were. This is the ordinance that they have considered to this point. Chairman Brown said the Planning Commission held meetings on this, considered the situation and he felt the Planning Commission had made the right decision. This Ordinance would be granting a special privilege. These people have built their decks illegally into the setback, in many cases without permits. He asked if any of the decks in question had building permits? Mr. Whittenberg said a number of decks had permits. Years ago the City's standards were different than what they are today; they were legal at that point. e 3 e e e City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Minutes · December 17, 1997 Chairman Brown said he thought it was wrong before and he continues to think it's wrong. "The City Council, in their wisdom, made a decision that I still feel is wrong. And I think -- I don't know what the Planning Commission can do. Obviously the City Council can override our decision. But it escapes me why they made this decision. I can't think of a good reason for doing this. What this does is this allows anybody really to do whatever they want to do. I'll make my political statement on my feelings - when people come before the Planning Commission, we set up rules and regulations. If you don't like the rules or the regulations then you change them. And if you don't like the people who are making them, then you change those people. But you just don't go out and blatantly violate the law because you don't like it. And this (is a ) case, where the Council is retroactively giving approval to this. I don't know what we have to do to receive and file this. But anyway, I won't vote for this one again. The only place I think it's appropriate to file this ordinance is the waste basket". Mr. Whittenberg stated that this Council staff report was put in the Commission's packet as an information item to make the Commission aware of the Council's determination. Commissioner Yost said he was "miffed" because he heard about this from a Seal Beach Sun newspaper reporter first, before his packet arrived. He said he thought it was strange that the Commission would not be given the history/background of an item over which they will have jurisdiction before others. Mr. Whittenberg said it was put on the Commission's first Agenda after the Council introduced the ordinance. This is the first time staff could get it to the Commission. Commissioner Larson said the Planning Commission was quite concerned about how the Hellman Ranch residential section would be developed and there was discussion on how far they could go into the rear setback. Before that gets underway, the City is making an exception for Hill residents. "I guess I'm beating a dead horse". Chairman Brown said there is still a second reading. "The Council still could come to their senses and turn this around. I don't know that that's likely. I think it is a political decision for a few votes. You know, I don't even want to say that --- I don't know that that's fair. But... people can't build structures within the setbacks. And if this occurred in any other area of the City, it would not be allowed. People are taking advantage of the fact that the Hellman Ranch property is vacant behind them. And saying, well we can build because there's nobody behind. So, maybe this is a case where you're changing the rules retroactively. But I still think it's wrong". Commissioner Yost said the general issue is they are going by the process that the Chairman has described in that they have gone about it by lObbying to change the rule. The rule doesn't let them do anything yet they still require inspection by the City inspectors and it has to pass that inspection or it doesn't get permitted. Chairman Brown said many of these decks have been built in violation of the law. And at least with one of these structures, the person was told several time s to demolish the 4 City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Minutes * December 17, 1997 deck; it was red tagged by the inspectors. e Mr. Whittenberg said that deck has a long history to it. It was built without building permits. A Stop Work Order was issued. They applied for a Variance and appeared before the Planning Commission. The Commission denied the Variance request. They appealed to the City Council. The Council denied the Variance but then requested the City to consider amending the Code to deal with the issue of the non-permitted decks in that area. Chairman Brown said he was not asking the Director to defend the Council. He noted he spoke to his Council representative and told her his feelings on the subject. Commissioner Larson went back to the properties to be developed on the Hellman Ranch, asking how their rear yards would interact with this ordinance? Would this ordinance grant Crestview properties a special privilege while the Hellman homes would be required to adhere to the law without exceptions? Commissioner Yost said there is a slight difference --- the homes on Crestview Avenue abut Gum Grove Park while those that aren't along the park area, abut a setback which was promised by the Hellman people to not be built on. There won't be anything directly behind them. e Mr. Whittenberg said there is a 40' minimum separation between the existing lots along Crestview and the proposed lots for the Hellman Ranch. It will remain as a private open space area, as a part of Gum Grove Park. In many instances, the separation is much wider than 40" The Commission received and filed this matter with no further discussion. SCHEDULED MATTERS There were no scheduled matters. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7. Conditional Use Permit 97-13 Minor Plan Review 97-6 121 2nd Street e Staff Report Mr. Curtis delivered the staff report. [Staff report on file in the Planning Department for inspection]. The applicant and property owner, Mark Gole, requested to build a major addition and remodel a non-conforming duplex. This would include the addition of two (2) new tandem parking spaces to create a four-car tandem garage, the demolition and replacement of the one-story front unit. The new front unit will be two stories in height with an area of 2,334 square feet. Staff recommended approval subject to Conditions of 5 City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Minutes * December 17, 1997 Approval. . Mr. Curtis indicated that a letter in opposition was received from Jim Gibson, 121 3rd Street, Seal Beach [attached]. He noted that Mr. Gibson's property is across the street from 121 2nd Street. Commission Questions to Staff Commissioner Yost asked if there had been any complaints regarding tandem parking at this site or other sites? Mr. Curtis said no. Chairman Brown noted staff is recommending a condition be placed on this that the garage will be available to both units per the lease. He asked what mechanism is in place to enforce this? Mr. Curtis said it would be difficult to enforce. Staffs thought was that when/if the property changes hands a new owner may decide not to follow through with it. The tenants could then complain to the City. The City could proceed with a Code enforcement. Future owners would be made aware by the covenant. Chairman Brown asked which municipal Code would be enforced? e Mr. Whittenberg said the City would be enforcing the terms of the covenant, which is a Condition of Approval for the CUP. That would come back before the Planning Commission for consideration of revocation if they are not complying. Chairman Brown said the CUP is allowing them to build the structure and it would already be built at that point. Mr. Steele said that to comply with the zoning code and building code the property must be used and maintained in compliance with the terms and conditions in the CUP. If it's not, it would be a violation of the zoning code, a misdemeanor. In this case, it's not a use which would be easy to shut down, because it would already have been constructed. That's a case where you could go to criminal court. You need criminal sanctions to actually enforce compliance with the CUP. Chairman Brown asked which part would be criminal? The violation of the CUP? The zoning code says you only have to have a certain number of parking spaces per unit. Mr. Steele said the zoning and building codes both say that if you are required to have a CUP for a particular use, you must comply with all conditions. Not complying with the conditions would be a violation of Section 28-.... of the Code and that's a misdemeanor or, technically, an infraction. e Commissioner Lawson asked if it would be possible to insert a condition that the use of these parking spaces shall be limited to tenants of the building --- no renting it out to anyone or use by anyone else. Then, if the City finds that non-tenants are using it, it 6 e e e City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Minutes · December 17, 1997 would violate the conditions. Mr. Steele said that would be possible. He asked staff on the wording ... the parking would be used solely by the tenant of one unit and not available to the tenant of the other unit. So the second tenants would be parking on the street somewhere. Staff is concerned about a third party using the spaces and making sure both parties in the building have access to the spaces. Mr. Curtis said it's already a violation of the municipal code to rent out required garage spaces to third parties. Chairman Brown said it's also a code violation to rent out garage spaces to non- vehicular uses. Mr. Curtis said because required garages are to be used for short term parking of operable vehicles, this doesn't need to be a condition. Any type of storage in a garage prohibiting cars from parking there is not allowed. Also, the parking is required for the people residing on the property, which prohibits the third-party rentals. In Old Town 40% to 50% of the garages have stuff in them prohibiting the parking of the required number of cars. Because of this, it's too burdensome to enforce. Public HearinQ The applicant, Mark Gole, was present but declined to speak. There were no persons wishing to speak in favor or against this application and the Public Hearing was closed. Commission Deliberations Commissioner Yost said he liked getting rid of the illegal second unit. He didn't have much problem with the tandem garage; the more cars we can get off the street the better for Old Town where parking is a big problem. Chairman Brown said he was surprised at Mr. Gibson's letter, as it would benefit him by getting more vehicles off the street. This application is making things better --- going from three units to two units, from two parking spaces to four spaces. He was in favor of this. MOTION by Larson; SECOND by Yost to approve Resolutions Nos. 97-52 and 97-53 thus approving Conditional Use Permit 97-13 and Minor Plan Review 97-6 for 121 2nd Street. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: ABSENT: 3-0-2 Larson, Yost, Brown Hood, Law 7 City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Minutes · December 17, 1997 e Mr. Steele indicated the Commission's action is final tonight and the ten, calendar-day appeal period begins to run tomorrow. 8. Zoning Text Amendment 97-4 Staff Report Mr. Curtis delivered the staff report. [Staff report on file in the Planning Department for Inspection]. The applicant, the City of Seal Beach, requested consideration to amend the municipal Code of the City of Seal Beach to allow exterior stairwells to the second floor of residences in the Residential Low Density (RLD) zone which have original, existing second floor kitchens. e Mr. Curtis explained this issue was brought to staff's attention last year by a Marina Hill resident, David Prime, who has a second floor kitchen with no access to his back yard without walking through the house. The Commission considered the matter and requested staff seek Council approval for a Zone Text Amendment. Mr. Prime listed six other properties having similar second floor kitchens. In looking thru the building permits, the addresses were correct. All of those other six homes have existing exterior stairways to the yards. Because these homes were built in the 1950's and the plans are microfiched, it became too burdensome for staff to review all the microfilm to find if there were other properties beyond the six or seven properties noted. Staff drove around to locate additional examples but didn't see any. Staff went through the floor plans of College Park East and College Park West, two other areas of the City affected by this text amendment, and none of those floor plans included second floor kitchens or exterior staircases. In 1993, the City adopted a ZT A to prohibit exterior stairways to second stories in single family dwellings. It was intended to make it more difficult to convert single family structures to illegal second dwelling units. The main target at that time was the Old Town area. Commission Questions to Staff Commissioner Larson asked about original existing second floor kitchens and the ordinance applies to existing second floor kitchens; is there a distinction? Mr. Curtis said yes, if it's read that way. As he prepared the staff report he noticed this but didn't catch it in the correction. Commissioner Larson asked if there were anything in the ordinance from getting a building permit to build a kitchen on the second floor? e Mr. Curtis said no. He intended to add that in. Staff intended it to be for existing kitchens at the time the ordinance was adopted and this should be added in. If the Commission doesn't mind new kitchens coming in and new stairways being allowed to them in the future then it won't be added. 8 e e e City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Minutes · December 17, 1997 Public Hearino David Prime * 1435 Catalina. Seal Beach Mr. Prime spoke in favor of this ordinance. If there's any apprehension on the terms of this he would be willing to sign a covenant to be recorded on his property that his property will not be converted to a rental property. There were no other persons wishing to speak for or against this application and the Chairman closed the Public Hearing. Commission Deliberations Commissioner Yost said he did not have a major concern with this. His concern would be the same concern as the City's - that the units not be divided into illegal, multiple dwelling units. He asked about signing a covenant determining it be a single family resident. Mr. Curtis said the Commission could add this. Staff didn't feel it was worth going to that effort at this time because it applies to one house at this time. Commissioner Yost said a ZTA would apply to other properties and favored making the conditions as tight as possible. Commissioner Larson said the legislature used to make laws by allowing the cities to do peculiar things that no one else was allowed to do and then say this statute will expire in 90 days. He suggested this could be done in this case. Mr. Curtis said the only problem he could see with that is staff is not sure if there are any similarly situated properties. Staff knows there are these seven properties but it was too difficult to review 1500 sets of microfiche. Commissioner Yost said this would be like giving someone a special privilege and then taking it away. He would prefer to find a rule, which applies to everyone equally. Chairman Brown asked Mr. Steele for ideas to accomplish this. Mr. Steele said the wording could be adjusted to read: B. Permitted Uses rSinole-Familv Dwellinos). (1) Exterior stairways providing access from the ground level and/or the first floor to the second floor or above, when such stairways are not specifically required by the Uniform Building Code. Excepting such stairways may be permitted through the building permit process in Planning District V on properties with a second story kitchen existing as of the effective date of this ordinance. Owners of such property shall be required to first 9 . It . City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Minutes · December 17, 1997 record a covenant against the title of the property prohibiting the use of the property for second residential purposes. That would make it apply only to second-story kitchens that in effect on the date that the City Council actually approves it (if they do). Staff will know who has existing kitchens via building permit records. MOTION by Yost; SECOND by Larson to approve Resolution 97-54, thus approving Zoning Text Amendment 97-4 with amendments as noted by the City Attorney. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: ABSENT: 3-0-2 Yost, Larson, Brown Hood, Law Mr. Whittenberg indicated that this matter would now be scheduled for a Public Hearing before the City Council on January 12, 1998. STAFF CONCERNS Mr. Whittenberg wished the Commission happy holidays. He noted there might not be a Planning Commission on January 7, 1998 due to lack of agenda items. Mr. Whittenberg indicated the following items were presented for the Commission's information: ./ Staff Memo re Yucatan Grill review. ./ City Letter of 12/8/97 re Draft EIR - Marina Shores ./ City Letter of 11/13/97 re Draft EIR - Long Beach Animal Care Facility ./ City Letter of 11/13/97 re Draft EIR - Commercial Development of Los Altos Drive-In Theater. Chairman Brown discussed the Marina Shores development, asking the scope of the development? This development will affect Seal Beach. Mr. Whittenberg said there would be a 40,000 square foot market and 19,000 square feet of retail uses. It will be on the ocean side of Pacific Coast Highway at Studebaker Road. The City had significant comments on that project, primarily regarding issues of traffic impacts into Seal Beach and the impact of another market in the area. The City of Long Beach said there was a study done which indicates there's a demand for an 10 e . . City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Minutes * December 17. 1997 additional market. Staff has asked them to provide a copy of that market study because staff is not sure there is a market demand. Secondly, staff feels they have not addressed some of th~ secondary impacts that type of a use could generate to local markets along Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway. Chairman Brown said that's 60,000 square feet of retail space. The Boston Store was about 40,000 square feet but not larger than the Seal Beach Center. Mr. Whittenberg said another project that staff will be commenting on in the future - a proposal to open an Orchard Supply hardware store on the opposite side of PCH, adjacent to the river. Comments will be forthcoming once the DEIR is submitted to the City for review. Chairman Brown asked if when the EIRs are prepared, are they done with the knowledge that there's another project coming along? Mr. Whittenberg said yes, that's the reason the DEIR was redone for Marina Shores. That had gone through the environmental review process as a Negative Declaration. When the Orchard Supply project was submitted, they went back because of the cumulative impacts of both projects so close to each other and had to prepare an EIR. Chairman Brown said those projects would have a major impact on PCH traffic in that area. Commissioner Larson said they may have a market study but Ralph's market has complained bitterly that there isn't enough room for other markets. That will affect Seal Beach; Mr. Whittenberg agreed. Commissioner Larson indicated that cities might shut their eyes to what's going on in the community and focus on the sales tax dollars to be received. Chairman Brown asked what the City of Seal Beach could do? Mr. Whittenberg indicated that assuming their EIR is certified the City of Seal Beach could file suit challenging the adequacy of the EIR. Mr. Steele said individuals and the City could go to their public hearings and protest. There was some disagreement in the Hellman EIR process with regard to the means of counting traffic and the mitigation measures. In the Hellman EIR staff considered that market project. There was some disagreement by the City of Long Beach on the traffic counting. It was responded to at some length in the Hellman EIR. Chairman Brown said that's a clear difference in the philosophy between the City of Seal Beach and the City of Long Beach. Seal Beach is building a golf course with 70 homes and restoring wetlands. Long Beach is putting up another large commercial 11 City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Minutes * December 17, 1997 project. - COMMISSION CONCERNS Commissioner Larson asked when the Planning Commission would review the Bixby Co. proposal? Mr. Whittenberg said staff anticipates this in mid-March to early April 1998. Commissioner Yost complimented Mr. Curtis on the City's web page. Mr. Curtis gave the address as www.cLseal-beach.ca.us. Chairman Brown thanked staff for it's high-quality work in 1997 and said the Commission appreciated it. Commissioners Larson and Yost wished staff happy holidays. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Brown adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: ~D~) _ Joan Fillmann, Executive Secretary Planning Department1 e -. 1 The Planning Commission Minutes of December 17, 1997 were approved on January _ 1998._. 12 '- Mr. Jim Gibson 121 3rd St., Seal Beach, CA. 90740 (310) 493-0360 (also FAX) CITY OF SEAL BEACH 1 OE""'~.. DEPARTMENT OF , - . qEYE..,L.QPMENT -~JC;:~S.-'i Mr. Lee Whittenberg Director of Development Svcs. City Hall 211 Eighth Street Seal Beach, CA. 90740 ref: Conditional Use Permit 97-13 121 and 121 1/2 Second St. Minor Plan Review 97-6 Dear Mr. Whittenberg, -- Thanks very much for your notice regarding the Planning Commission hearing on 17 Dec 97. Unfortunately I will be unable to attend due to conflicts with my normal work schedule. Please note my objection to the proposed addition. I do not feel that a double tandem parking garage should be allowed. I feel that there would be an adverse affect on the traffic and noise in the alley directly behind our house. Normal use of such a tandem parking arrangement would require jockeying of vehicles back and forth in the narrow alley which would cause unwanted traffic, obstruction to normal use, and ~acc~ptable Je_yels ofnojse ap.d activity at anY p-ossible ti!lle of the day or I)ight, _ _ _ ____ I am strongly opposed to any such use of the property and request that this objection be noted in the proceedings. Thanks and best regards, ~~' 4DEc1-1-. James E. Gibson e