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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Min 1999-08-04 . . . City of Seal Beach Planning Commission. Agenda of August 4, 1999 City of Seal Beach Planning Commission August 4, 1999 Agenda I. II. III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL 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 Meeting Minutes of July 7, 1999. 2. Site Plan Review 98-1 To revise and reduce a previously approved site plan from a maximum 286,957 square foot commercial shopping center plus a 28,100 square foot outdoor garden center to a maximum of 286,967 square feet, including a 10,000 square foot outdoor garden center on a 26-acre parcel located on property at the northeast comer of Seal Beach Boulevard and St. Cloud. VI. SCHEDULED MATTERS VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. Zoning Text Amendment 99-2 Citywide ApplicanVOwner: Request: City of Seal Beach To consider an amendment to the Code of the City of Seal Beach to reduce the required side yard setbacks in residential housing zones that abut streets. The setback requirement is currently 15% in all 3 City of Seal Beach Planning Commission. Agenda of August 4, 1999 . housing zones (RLO, RMO, and RHO) and is proposed to be reduced to 10% in the RLO, RMO, AND RHO zones. Recommendation: Recommend approval to the City Council. 4. Zoning Text Amendment 99-3 Citywide ApplicanVOwner: Request: City of Seal Beach To consider an amendment to the Code of the City of Seal Beach to limit the number of items that may be placed on a temporary banner in the city. Specifically, the proposal will limit the number of items of information placed on the temporary banner to three (3) on streets with speed limits of 35 MPH or more, and proposes to limit banners to two (2) items of Information on streets less than 35 MPH. Recommendation: Recommend approval to the City Council. VIII. STAFF CONCERNS IX. COMMISSION CONCERNS . X. ADJOURNMENT . 4 City of Seal Beach Planning Commission. Agenda of August 4, 1999 . 1999 Aaenda Forecast AUG 04 AUG18 Height Variation 99-2, B-74 Surfside MPR 99-6 , 1100 Ocean Avenue MPR 99-7 , 1605 Seal Way MPR 99-8 , 620 Island View Drive SEP 08 SEP 22 OCT 06 OCT 20 NOV 03 NOV17 . DEC 08 DEC 22 TO BE SCHEDULED: (J (J (J (J Study Session: Study Session: Study Session: Staff Report: Pennitted Uses and Development Standards in Commercial Zones (5/6/98) Seal Beach Boulevard (10n/98) Anaheim Bay Villas (10n/98) Undergrounding of Utilities And Beyond Calendar: CUP 98-6 at 12147 Seal Beach Boulevard (Yucatan GrilQ Review (April 2001) ADA handicapped-accessible restrooms (April 2001) . 5 .~ 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 .23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 . CITY OF SEAL BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of August 4,1999 Chairman Brown called the regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 4, 1999. The meeting was held in the City Council Chambers and began with the Salute to the Flag.1 ROLL CALL Present: Chairman Brown Commissioners Hood, Larson, and Lyon Also Present: Department of Development Services Mac Cummins, Assistant Planner Craig Steele, City Attorney Absent: Commissioner Cutuli Lee Whittenberg, Director Development Services MOTION by Hood; SECOND by Larson to excuse Commissioner Cutuli. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 4-0 Brown, Hood, Larson, and Lyon None Cutuli AGENDA APPROVAL Mr. Reg Clewley requested that Items 1 and 2 be removed from the Consent Calendar. MOTION by Hood; SECOND by Larson to approve the Agenda as amended. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 4-0 Brown, Hood, Larson, and Lyon None Cutuli 1 These Minutes were transcribed from audiotape of the meeting. 1 e1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 e22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 e45 46 47 City of Seal Beach Planning CommIssion Meeting Mmutes of August 4, 1999 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chairperson Brown opened oral communications. Mr. Reg Clewley inquired whether Chairperson Brown and the Commissioners had received a copy of a letter written by Dr. Michelle A. Brendel and also a copy of a letter addressed to the Planning Commission from Ms. Sue Corbin. Ms. Sue Corbin inquired regarding the system used to deliver mail to the members of the Planning Commission. She claimed she brought in an item today to be given to the Commissioners, and had previously delivered a withdrawal of an appeal that was not delivered to the Planning Commissioners. She stated that this was happening frequently. Ms. Corbin said that she was told that in the absence of Mr. Lee Whittenberg, the City Attorney would be consulted regarding this issue. She said she did not believe the City Attorney should determine how the Commissioners' mail is delivered. Ms. Corbin indicated that a standardized system for delivery of mail to the Planning Commission shpuld be established, and mail should not be diverted, as timeliness was critical to the decision making of the Commission. Chairperson Brown stated that Mr. Whittenberg was not present tonight, and that this item would be placed on the agenda. He stated that mail should be addressed to the Planning Commission c/o the City of Seal Beach and a copy of the items would then be distributed to each of the Commissioners. Mr. Steele commented that on many occasions items for inclusion on the agenda arrive on the day of the scheduled meeting making it difficult to have them copied and distributed in a timely manner. He recommended that these items be mailed a week in advance of the meeting in order to include them with the Agenda packet when it is delivered to the Commissioners. Chairperson Brown indicated the e-mail addresses for the Commissioners appear on the City website, and that items for consideration for the Agenda can be forwarded via e-mail, either directly to the Commissioners or c/o the City. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Approve Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of July 7, 1999. Mr. Reg Clewley stated that the minutes made a fairly good representation of his statements, but that the word "uh" had been inserted in several instances where the word "ahh" would be appropriate. He requested that the minutes reflect this change. Chairperson Brown referring to Page 14, Line 7 of the Planning Commission minutes of July 7, 1999, indicated th~t he did not recall making this statement and did not know where it came from. He stated that the statement from Dr. Brendel's letter, "including the result of the straw vote," did not make sense either. He requested that this line be stricken from the minutes. 2 e1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 e22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 e45 46 47 City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of August 4, 1999 MOTION by Hood; SECOND by Larson to approve the Minutes of July 7, 1999 as amended. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 4-0 Brown, Hood, Larson, and Lyon None Cutuli 2. Site Plan Review 98-1 To revise and reduce a previously approved site plan from a maximum 286,957 square foot commercial shopping center plus a 28,100 square foot outdoor garden center to a maximum of 286,967 square feet, including a 10,000 square foot outdoor garden center on a 26-acre parcel located on property at the northeast corner of Seal Beach Boulevard and St. Cloud. Recommendation: Approve, subject to conditions, by adoption of Resolution 99-26. Reg Clewley stated that from the way the item was worded, it appeared that the square footage was increasing rather than decreasing. He stated that he did not understand how items related to this commercial business development could continue to be approved or disapproved while this project was under litigation. Mr. Steele noted that the Staff Report clearly states 286,967 square feet throughout. Mr. Clewley stated that the report was terribly written and suggested that this item be continued to the next meeting after it had been "properly worded," and it could then be approved. Mr. Steel explained that in the Agenda description the first reference to the size of the center (286,957) is a typographical error. The square footage should be 286,967 as noted in the second reference. This square footage would include the 10,000 square foot outdoor garden center. Ms. Sue Corbin stated that apparently the City Attorney believed that the Commission was going to "rubber stamp" this item. She said that changes on this development should not be made until after the EIR is approved. Commissioner Lyon noted that Page 3 of the Staff Report reflected the Building Footprint as 286,967 square feet. Mr. Steele explained that the difference was that previous approval had been given for a 286,967 square foot commercial center that did not include in its total area a 28,100 square foot outdoor garden center. He noted that the item for approval at tonight's meeting was for a 286,967 square foot commercial center which now includes the outdoor garden center, which has been reduced to 10,000 square feet. Commissioner Larson asked if with the current litigation, whether the Commission is legally authorized to proceed with the recommendation by Staff. Mr. Steele said that Staff and the City Attorney's office were attempting to process this application in compliance with what the court had requested at the last hearing on the matter. With regard to the commercial center, the judge stated that he wanted to be sure that what was approved on this site is only 286,967 square feet of total commercial 3 -1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 .22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 .44 45 46 City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of August 4, 1999 development. The judge stated that if this were the case, there would be no need to revise and re-circulate the EIR. Mr. Steele said that issues remain regarding the residential development, and that City Council has directed the City Attorney to revise the EIR accordingly. Mr. Clewley stated that this proposal was eliminating over 10,000 square feet where plants could bloom. He began to discuss the loss of the eucalyptus trees when Chairperson Brown interrupted to ask Mr. Clewley to restrict himself to the City Attorney's comments on this issue. Mr. Clewley stated that it would have been better to stick with the original plan for the larger, outdoor garden center, which would now become part of the parking lot, and instead of breathing more oxygen we would now be breathing exhaust fumes from cars. Ms. Corbin said that this was a "sneaky way of pushing something through that doesn't allow for public comment." She stated that she had no idea there had been changes in the EJR. She said that the public did not receive full disclosure and that this was "rotten, dirty, and it is indicative of the way our law firm operates." Commissioner Hood stated that he had not understood why this Site Plan Review was necessary until the City Attorney had explained it. He asked if this information appeared in the Staff Report. Mr. Steele responded that it did not. MOTION by Larson; SECOND by Lyon to approve Site Plan Review 98-1 and adopt Resolution 99-11. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: 3-0-1-1 Brown, Larson, and Lyon None Hood Cutuli SCHEDULED MATTERS None. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. Zoning Text Amendment 99-2 Citywide Applicant/Owner: Request: , City of Seal Beach To consider an amendment to the Code of the City of Seal (Beach to reduce the required side yard setbacks in 'residential housing zones that abut streets. The setback 4 e1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 e22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 e44 45 46 City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of August 4, 1999 requirement is currently 15% in all housing zones (RLD, RMD, and RHD) and is proposed to be reduced to 10% in the RLD, RMD, AND RHO zones. Recommendation: Recommend approval to the City Council. Staff Report Mr. Cummins delivered the staff report. (Staff Report is on file for inspection in the Planning Department.) He stated this request was to change the side yard setbacks for Residential Low Density (RLD), Residential Medium Density (RMD), and Residential High Density (RHO) housing zones that abut streets. The current requirement is 15% and Staff is petitioning to reduce this to 10%. When the Planning Commission considered Variance 98-2 the Commission requested that a Zoning Text Amendment be drafted to deal with side yard setbacks. He stated that the Commission had granted 3 Variances identical to this request. Reduction of setbacks would allow for greater usage of residential property. Staff determined that there would be no line of sight problems and little or no fiscal impact to the City. Recommendation is to approve Zoning Text Amendment 99-2. Chairperson Brown stated that in making this recommendation he was not recommending it citywide, but was referring specifically to the beach stub-alleys to allow residents to beautify this area. He asked if the Zoning Text Amendment could be re- written to reflect this. He also asked if Staff had misunderstood his recommendation or if Staff was in fact proposing to make this a citywide change. Mr. Cummins stated that Staff understood this to be implemented citywide. He again emphasized that it would not create any building separation or fire issues and would allow residents greater usage of their property. Chairperson Brown inquired of the City Attorney if he recalled Chairperson Brown's recommendation. Mr. Steele responded that he recalled discussion of the beach stub-properties, but he did not recall discussion of targeting the beach stub-properties only. Commissioner Lyon asked by how much this would reduce the side yards. Chairperson Brown explained that it would depend upon the size of the property. Public Hearina Mr. Reg Clewley stated that reduction of side yard setbacks could interfere with installation of public signage (stop signs, stop lights) at corners. He also stated that this would obliterate the view from one block corner to another. He stated that what the City needs is a local coastal program to responsibly approach requests to build. Mr. Clewley said that when this issue came up for discussion, it was in reference to stub-alley properties on the Gold Coast only. Mr. Clewley stated that rather than issue variances on a case-by-case basis, the Commission had decided to request a zoning text amendment specifically for the Gold Coast. He said that if this amendment were approved citywide, it would create discrepancies in the side yard setback requirements between properties in Old Town and properties on "The Hill." He stated that this could 5 e1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 e22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 e44 45 46 City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of August 4, 1999 also create access problems for emergency service personnel and equipment. Mr. Clewley stated that approving this amendment would pollute our building code, as it would create many problems between property owners. Ms. Sue Corbin requested that this item be tabled. She stated that the City would have a local coastal plan very shortly. She said that the City needs to have uniformity in requirements for property owners. Ms. Corbin noted that property was recently purchased in Surfside and the owner wants to build a structure that the residents of Surfside do not want. She stated that the City was going to be forced to have a local coastal plan and, if not, she would go to court to pursue this, and ensure that the plan would protect Surfside also. Chairperson Brown closed the public hearing. Mr. Cummins stated that re had spoken to the City Engineer, Steve Badum, and Mr. Badum had assured him that there would be no line of sight issues. Chairperson Brown stated that unfortunately, he believed Staff had misunderstood his request. He said that his objective was to allow residents near the stub-alleys to landscape on the other side of the walls to help beautify the alleys. Chairperson Brown stated that it was not his intent to reduce side yard setbacks to allow property owners to build on their property. He stated that he would vote against Zoning Text Amendment 99-2 as it did not reflect what he had intended to accomplish. Commissioner Larson stated that he sympathized with property owners who were subject to side yard restrictions, and that he was not comfortable with granting variances on a case-by-case basis as opposed to approving a citywide ordinance for side yard setbacks. He' said that he did not feel there would be a problem with obstruction of site view for automobiles driving by or for emergency vehicles. Chairperson Brown asked to clarify an issue regarding the Variance approved for a property on the 300 Block of 3rd Street. He stated that the issue was whether the property owners could build new construction within the side yard setback. There was pre-existing construction within the side yard setback, which the variance allowed them to keep, but they were not allowed to build new construction within the side yard setback. He stated that traditionally the Commission had allowed property owners to keep pre-existing structures, but that the Commission had never allowed a Variance to intrude into a setback on a new structure. He also noted that the copy of the resolution on the Ocean Avenue property provided to him was not readable. Mr. Cummins stated that this was the best copy that could be taken from the microfiche, and, unfortunately, it was difficult to read. Commissioner Hood requested that this item be referred back to Staff for "rethinking or redevelopment." Chairperson Brown indicated that if the Commission denied this amendment, Staff could redevelop it and revisit the item if they so decided. Commissioner Hood asked Chairperson Brown if he preferred flat out denial of the 6 e1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 e22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 e44 45 46 City of Seal Beach Plannmg Commission Meeting Minutes of August 4, 1999 amendment as opposed to referring the item back to Staff, to which Chairperson Brown responded that he preferred to deny. Commissioner Lyon inquired as to the number of wide lots on side streets having a 15% setback requirement. Mr. Cummins stated that there were many of these lots. Commissioner Lyon again referred to the stub-alleys in reference to the side yard setbacks, to which Chairperson Brown responded that his original intent had been to allow landscaping on the City side of the stub-alleys abutting the walls which separate the properties from the alleys. Mr. Steele confirmed that Chairperson Brown did not intend to make what was approved in the last Variance a legal use. Chairperson Brown again restated his intent to allow for beautification of the stub alleys leading to the beach. Mr. Steele stated that his impression was that Staff was attempting to legalize what had been permitted by the Variance on the Ocean Avenue property. He stated that Chairperson Brown's recommendation was more of an encroachment permit, which has been used by some of the beach cities. Chairperson Brown stated that if Staff felt it was a good idea to have a 10% side yard setback, then he would like to see further analysis by Staff on this issue. Commissioner Lyon read from Page 3 of the Staff Report regarding previous issuance of Variances for reduction of side yard setbacks and stated that only 2 had been approved. Mr. Cummins stated that 3 had been approved. Commissioner Lyon said that making this a citywide amendment could be like "opening a can of worms." MOTION by Brown; SECqND by Hood to deny an amendment to the Code of the City of Seal Beach to reduce tHe required side yard setbacks in residential housing zones that abut streets. The setback requirement is currently 15% in all housing zones (RLD, RMD, and RHD) and is proposed to be reduced to 10% in the RLD, RMO, AND RHO zones. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 4-0 Brqwn, Hood, Larson, and Lyon None Cutuli 4. Zoning Text Amendment 99-3 Citywide ApplicanUOwner: Request: 'City of Seal Beach To consider an amendment to the Code of the City of Seal ~ Beach to limit the number of items that may be placed on a temporary banner in the city. Specifically, the proposal will limit the number of items of information placed on the temporary banner to three (3) on streets with speed limits of 35 MPH or more, and proposes to limit banners to two (2) items of information on streets less than 35 MPH. 7 e1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 e22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 .44 45 City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of August 4, 1999 Recommendation: 'Recommend approval to the City Council. Staff Report Chairperson Brown asked if this was a modification to the original Banner Permit approved by the Commission, to which Mr. Cummins responded in the affirmative. Mr. Cummins delivered the staff report. (Staff Report is on file for inspection in the Planning Department.) He stated that this request was to limit the number of items of information that could be placed on a temporary banner. Mr. Cummins noted that the request would be the same as the sign ordinance but would require that banners placed on buildings fronting streets with speed limits of less than 35 MPH have only two (2) items of information, and banners placed on building fronting streets with speed limits of 35 MPH or more have no more than three (3) items of information. He stated that currently there was no limit to the information that could be placed on a temporary banner, which has led to banners that are very cluttered and aesthetically unpleasing being placed on buildings. The intent of the code is to allow these temporary banners as supplemental advertisir,lg and clearly states that banners may be displayed for only 30 days at a time, no more than 3 times a year, with at least 14 days between displays. He stated that currently there are applications for temporary banners that do not fit the spirit of the code. Mr. Cummins stated that approval of this zoning text amendment would make the Banner Ordinance consistent with the City Sign Ordinance and would present little or no fiscal impact tot he City. Commissioner Lyon asked for a definition of a banner. Mr. Cummins responded that it had to be affixed to a building. Mr. Cummins presented examples of acceptable and non-acceptable banners. Chairperson Brown asked how a determination would be made on the number of items on a banner. Mr. Cummins responded that he would complete approval of banners. Chairperson Brown asked the City Attorney if enforcement of this banner requirement would be feasible. Mr. Steele responded that prior to approval Staff could work with the business owners in providing recommendations for creating banners that would be in compliance with this amendment. Chairperson Brown asked if pre-approval of banners was currently required. Mr. Cummins responded that once a banner was approved a tag was issued to permit display of the banner for a specified time period. He stated that although there was an ordinance restricting items on signs within the City, there currently was no restriction for banners, and this zoning text amendment would incorporate enforcement of item clutter on temporary banners. Public Hearinq Ms. Sue Corbin noted a Main Street business that had erected a 5-foot long structure, which had been built into the easement, advertising a business special. She stated that these are a safety hazard, and that all citizens have to pay if someone falls over them and is injured. She said that the easement is there for safety reasons and that if this law is passed it would not be enforced, as the City does not enforce laws for any of the 8 e1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 e22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 e:~ 46 City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of August 4, 1999 Main Street businesses. She states it is unsafe to walk on Main Street and business owners need to get back to following the law. Mr. Reg Clewley stated his opposition to Zoning Text Amendment 99-3 as written. He said that banners should not be construed as being exempt from the Environmental Quality Review Act and proposed an amendment to this amendment, requiring that all applications for banners be approved by the Environmental Quality Control Board. He stated that Staff was not qualified to determine what is aesthetically pleasing or what constitutes 3 or more items per banner. He requested that the Commission deny Zoning Text Amendment 99-3. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Larson asked who would make the determination of what was aesthetically pleasing, as what is pleasing to one person might not be as pleasing to another. He stated that the marketplace should make the determination of what they do or do not like, and it should not be within City jurisdiction to decide what is "pretty," and on this basis, he would vote against this amendment. Commissioner Lyons stated he was in agreement with limiting the number of items advertised on banners as too many items in advertisements make them ineffective. Chairperson Brown stated that the City basically functions as "landlord" to Main Street, with responsibility for furthering the interest of the community by increasing property values, increasing sales tax revenues, and having a pleasant place to shop. He said the City had not done a ,particularly effective job in this capacity, but because Seal Beach has chosen to maintain a small town atmosphere with residents and visitors able to walk down Main Street and stop to shop or dine, he feels that this is a reasonable attempt by Staff to help keep the visual clutter to a minimum. MOTION by Hood; SECOND by Brown to approve Resolution 99-25 as presented. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 3-1-1 Brown, Hood, and Lyon Larson Cutuli STAFF CONCERNS Mr. Cummins reminded the Commissioners that election of a new Chairman and Vice- Chairman was to be held at the next Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Steele introduced Terrance Boga who would be replacing Mr. Steele as the City Attorney for the City of Seal Beach beginning in the fall. 9 .~ 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 .~~ 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 . City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of August 4, 1999 COMMISSION CONCERNS Chairperson Brown referred to a letter received by the Commission regarding O'Malley's On Main. He confirmed the Planning Commission had voted that O'Malley's could not open for patio dining unless signage was posted on the church parking spaces, but that this was not a scheduled agenda item. If the applicant was not able to provide signage, he could reappear before the Commission or appeal to Ctiy Council. Chairperson Brown referred to another letter received questioning the accuracy of the minutes. He stated the intention of the minutes was not to provide a verbatim account of meetings, and because videotapes of the meetings are made, he does not believe Staff should expend a great deal of time with verbatim transcriptions. Chairperson Brown stated that in the majority of organizations minutes are a summary of events, which he believes to be, more accurate. He said that the Resolutions provided represent a word-for-word transcript of what was voted on. Chairperson Brown requested that in the future Staff present a summarization of the minutes as opposed to a verbatim account of proceedings. Commissioner Hood agreed that the minutes should summarize what has taken place (motions made, resolutions passed, etc.), and not have to reflect what everyone says. Mr. Steele stated that the verbatim transcript of the meetings had evolved because of complaints from member's of the public who believed their statements had been inaccurately summarized.. Chairperson Brown confirmed that it was the consensus of the Commission that minutes should reflect a summarization of events and not a verbatim account and requested that Staff conform to this procedure. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Brown adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, (\..o...~ ~ C\.~^~ Carmen Alvarez Executive Secretary Planning Department APPROVAL The Commission on August 18, 1999 approved the Minutes of the Planning Commission Meeting of Wednesday, August 4, 1999. e b... 10