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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Min 2000-07-19 . . . CITY OF SEAL BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA for July 19, 2000 7:30 p.m. District 1 - Brian Brown District 2 - John Larson District 3 - Len Cutuli District 4 - David Hood District 5 - Thomas Lyon Department of Development Services Lee Whittenberg, Director Terence Boga, Assistant City Attorney Mac Cummins, Assistant Planner Carmen Alvarez, Executive Secretary o City Hall office hours are 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed noon to 1 :00 p.m. o The City of Seal Beach complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you need assistance to attend this meeting please telephone the City Clerk's Office at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting (562) 431-2527. o Planning Commission meetings are broadcast live on Seal Beach TV3. They are rebroadcast on Sunday evenings, Channel 3 at 4:00 p.m. o Videotapes of Planning Commission meetings may be purchased from Seal Beach TV3 at a cost of $20 per tape. Telephone: (562) 596-1404. o Copies of staff reports and/or written materials on each agenda item are on file in the Department of Development Services and City libraries for public inspection. . . . City of Seal Beach Planning Commission · Agenda of July 19, 2000 PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET The following is a brief explanation of the Planning Commission agenda structure: AGENDA APPROVAL: The Planning Commission may wish to change the order of the items on the agenda. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Anyone wishing to address the Planning Commission, only on items not on tonight's agenda, may do so during this time period. No action can be taken by the Planning Commission on these communications on this date, unless agendized. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS: Public Hearings allow citizens the opportunity to speak in favor of or against agendized items. More detailed information is found in the actual agenda attached. If you have documents to distribute, you should have enough copies for all Planning Commissioners, City staff and the public. Please give one to the secretary for the City files. The documents become part of the public record and will not be returned. CONSENT CALENDAR: .Consent Calendar items are considered routine items that normally do not require separate consideration. The Planning Commission may make one motion for approval of all the items listed on the Consent Calendar. SCHEDULED MATTERS: These items are considered by the Planning Commission separately and require separate motions. These transactions are considered administrative and public testimony is not heard. STAFF CONCERNS: Updates and reports from the Director of Development Services (Planning and Building Departments) are presented for information to the Planning Commission and the public. COMMISSION CONCERNS: Items of concern are presented by the Planning Commissioners and discussed with staff. All proceedings are recorded. 2 City of Seal Beach Planning Commission · Agenda of July 19, 2000 . City of Seal Beach Planning Commission July 19, 2000 Agenda I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE II. ROLL CALL III. 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 May 17, 2000. 2. Approve Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of June 14, 2000. 3. Receive And File: Response Letter to Notice of Preparation of Draft EIR - Long Beach Desalination Project - City of Long Beach. VI. SCHEDULED MATTERS 4. Adopt Resolution No. 00-14 for Variance 00-3,220 7th Street (Denied without prejudice at Planning Commission meeting of June 14, 2000.) VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS 5. Conditional Use Permit 00-3 (Continued from Planning Commission Meeting of June 14, 2000) 615 Ocean Avenue Applicant/Owner: Request: Patrick Cronin To create tandem parking and add 853 square feet to an existing house. . Recommendation: Approval, subject to conditions, and adoption of Resolution 00-20. 3 . . . City of Seal Beach Planning Commission · Agenda of July 19, 2000 6. Conditional Use Permit 00-2 (Continued from Planning Commission Meeting of June 14, 2000) 770 Pacific Coast Highway Applicant/Owner: Request: Tom Lao, TI Planning To permit a drive-through coffeehouse where a drive-in restaurant currently resides. Recommendation: Approval, subject to conditions, and adoption of Resolution 00-18. VIII. STAFF CONCERNS IX. COMMISSION CONCERNS X. ADJOURNMENT 4 . . . City of Seal Beach Planning Commission. Agenda of July 19, 2000 2000 Aaenda Forecast AUG 09 Conditional Use Permit 00-6, 308 & 310 Ocean Avenue Conditional Use Permit 00-8, Seal Beach Blvd. & Lampson - Islands Restaurant Site Plan Review 00-3, Seal Beach Blvd. & Lampson - Islands Restaurant AUG 23 Conditional Use Permit 00-7,141 Main Street SEP 06 SEP 20 CUP 99-9 Faith Christian Assembly - 12-Month Review OCT 04 OCT 18 NOV 08 NOV 22 DEC 06 DEC 20 TO BE SCHEDULED: o o o o Study Session: Study Session: Study Session: Staff Report: Permitted Uses and Development Standards in Commercial Zones (5/6/98) Seal Beach Boulevard (10/7/98) Anaheim Bay Villas (10/7/98) Undergrounding of Utilities And Beyond Calendar: CUP 98-6 at 12147 Seal Beach Boulevard (Yucatan Grill) 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 July 19, 2000 Chairperson Hood called the regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19, 2000. The meeting was held in the City Council Chambers and began with the Salute to the Flag.1 ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson Hood Commissioners Brown, Cutuli, Lyon, and Sharp Also Present: Department of Development Services Lee Whittenberg, Director Terence Boga, Assistant City Attorney Mac Cummins, Assistant Planner Absent: None Chairperson Hood welcomed Commissioner Sharp as a returning member of the Planning Commission. AGENDA APPROVAL Regarding Item No.6, Conditional Use Permit 00-2 for Starbucks, Mr. Whittenberg reported that at the last Planning Commission meeting the Commission had requested that a traffic analysis be completed. He stated that the City Traffic Engineer and Staff have reviewed the study and have determined that there were items that were not appropriately addressed in this report. Staff has requested that Starbucks revise the report to provide this additional information. Mr. Whittenberg then requested that Item NO.6 be continued to the Planning Commission meeting of August 9, 2000. MOTION by Cutuli; SECOND by Brown to approve the Agenda as amended. MOTION CARRIED: A YES: NOES: ABSENT: 5-0 Brown, Cutuli, Hood, Lyon, and Sharp None None 1 These Minutes were transcribed from audiotape of the meeting. 1 .~ 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 July 19, 2000 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chairperson Hood opened oral communications. Mr. Walt Miller stated that he had written a letter to the Planning Commission on July 5, 2000, and he assumed that the Commissioners had received a copy of this letter. He commented that the owner of a neighboring property, who had originally purchased the land to set up a dental office, subsequently discovered that this would not be a permitted use and, as a result, has left the property unattended. He said that now this property owner has been told that with the proper permits and his neighbors' approval, he can build 3 single-family homes on this property. He stated that he has strong objections to this, noting that his neighbor is now upset with him, because Mr. Miller will not approve this plan. He said that this is another example of "spot zoning." Mr. Miller noted that it appears that the City has no plan for zoning in Seal Beach. He requested that the Planning Commission direct Staff to discontinue the authorization of land uses that are not in the best interest of the City. Mr. Miller stated that he would present his objections to the housing development proposed for the Shore Shop property when that project comes back for review. Mr. Riley Forsythe apologized to the Planning Commission for speaking on an issue that concerns the City Council. He stated that it was important that he take advantage of this public forum to express his outrage at the firing of the City Manager, Keith Till by 3 City Council Members. He described this action as a siege or hostile takeover. He stated that Mr. Till's accomplishments as City Manager outshone the performance of any other city manager in the history of Seal Beach, and to replace him would be impossible. He encouraged residents opposed to Mr. Till's dismissal to contact their respective Councilperson and to attend the next Council meeting to demand that Mr. Till immediately be reinstated as City Manager. Chairperson Hood closed oral communications. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Approve Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of May 17, 2000. 2. Approve Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of June 14, 2000. 3. Receive And File: Response Letter to Notice of Preparation of Draft EIR - Long Beach Desalination Project - City of Long Beach. MOTION by Brown; SECOND by Cutuli to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. MOTION CARRIED: 4 - 0 - 1 AYES: Brown, Cutull, Hood, and Lyon 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 47 NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: SCHEDULED MATTERS City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of July 19, 2000 None None Sharp 4. Adopt Resolution No. 00-14 for Variance 00-3,220 7th Street (Denied without prejudice at Planning Commission meeting of June 14, 2000.) Mr. Whittenberg reported that Resolution 00-14 had been reviewed by the City Attorney's office and was now ready for adoption. Chairperson Hood indicated that Commissioner Sharp would abstain from voting on this resolution, as he had not yet begun his attendance at Planning Commission meetings when this item was presented. MOTION by Brown; SECOND by Cutuli to Adopt Resolution 00-14 as presented. MOTION CARRIED: A YES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: PUBLIC HEARINGS 4-0-1 Brown, Cutuli, Hood, and Lyon None None Sharp 5. Conditional Use Permit 00-3 (Continued from Planning Commission Meeting of 615 Ocean Avenue June 14,2000) Applicant/Owner: Request: Recommendation: Staff Report Patrick Cronin To create tandem parking and add 853 square feet to an existing house. Approval, subject to conditions, and adoption of Resolution 00-20. Mr. Cummins delivered the staff report. (Staff Report is on file for inspection in the Planning Department.) He provided some background information on this item and stated that the property is nonconforming due to density, as it is zoned for one unit only and has two units on the property. He stated that Section 28-2407 allows for one-time major expansions to nonconforming buildings. Mr. Cummins noted that at the last Planning Commission meeting the Commission had asked Staff if any similar applications had been presented to the Planning Commission and approved. He said that research by Staff disclosed a few such applications. He stated that the 3 .~ 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 July 19, 2000 most similar was for a property at 236 - 5th Street where a major addition of 615 square feet was approved. He noted that there were no parking spaces for this duplex, and the Planning Commission had approved the application with the requirement that the applicant provide 4 tandem parking spaces on the property. Mr. Cummins stated that Staff continues to recommend approval of Conditional Use Permit 00-3 because it is consistent with the provisions of the Land Use Element, which provides a Residential High Density (RHO) designation. Commissioner Questions Chairperson Hood confirmed that this application was consistent with previous actions by the Planning Commission. Mr. Whittenberg confirmed that it was. Commissioner Brown asked why Resolution 97-35 was included with the Staff Report, and what its relevance was to this case. Mr. Whittenberg responded that Resolution 97-35 was for an application for a major expansion of property located at 308 and 310 Ocean Avenue. Commissioner Brown asked how this was related to the parking issue for CUP 00-3, as the owners of 308 and 310 had met the parking requirement without tandem parking. Mr. Whittenberg confirmed that this was correct. Commissioner Brown asked if the property for Resolution 97 -1 was nonconforming in terms of parking, and if it was also nonconforming due to density. Mr. Cummins responded that this was correct. He noted that this property had a duplex and no parking. He said that 2 tandem spaces were created for a total of 4 parking spaces. Commissioner Brown inquired about the density issue for this property. Mr. Cummins responded that the duplex still exists on the property. Commissioner Brown asked if this property was zoned for a duplex or for a single- family residence. Mr. Cummins responded that it was zoned for a single-family home and is nonconforming due to density. Commissioner Brown stated that this information was not included in the resolution. He referred to sub-paragraph (g) of the Resolution which states ''the subject property is nonconforming due to insufficient on-site parking and an insufficient side yard setback..." Mr. Whittenberg referred to sub-paragraph (d) and after doing a quick calculation of the square footage, confirmed that the property was conforming as far as density is concerned. Commissioner Brown stated that one of the reasons for requesting that CUP 00-3 be continued was to review this section of the resolution. He requested that the City Attorney provide clearer wording for Section 28-2407, Paragraph 4, Pages 8709 and 8710 of the Zoning Ordinance. Commissioner Brown recommended the following revision to the last sentence of this paragraph: "Provided the parcel is nonconforming onlv due to the use of tandem parking..." Commissioner Brown stated that as he interprets this paragraph as written, it does not refer to a property being nonconforming due to density. Mr. Boga concurred that this section of the Zoning Ordinance was confusing as written. He said that as he interpreted this paragraph, the first sentence establishes the parameters of when 4 .~ 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 July 19, 2000 you can do the expansion allowed in sub-paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), provided that all requirements have been met excluding density and parking. He explained that the problem with this Section was the second sentence in Paragraph 4. He said that he would not insert the word "only" and then go by the second sentence. He stated that the first sentence is what controls as the second sentence is vague and leaves the requirements open to interpretation. Mr. Boga stated that it was perfectly reasonable to continue to interpret this paragraph as it has been in the past. He stated that it was his understanding that this was what the Commission had done. Commissioner Brown stated that Staff had not provided an example of a case where a property was nonconforming due to density and parking. Mr. Boga responded that if the Commission is not satisfied with the examples provided by Staff, that it could treat this as a first time case. . The Commission could then make a determination that this section of the Zoning Ordinance is not clear, and request that Staff provide a more clear interpretation. Commissioner Lyon stated that the Commission is just "pushing the rules around" in an attempt to satisfy the public. He said that he believes that the public should satisfy the rules of the City instead of the other way around. He repeated his comment that the architect should have created his design plan to conform to the City regulations for the property. He stated that the more the Planning Commission deviates from City rules, the less control the City would have. He warned that making an exception for one application creates the possibility of having to make the same exception for others. Mr. Boga stated that he did not believe that the City was stretching the rules to benefit or harm any particular property owner, but the problem is that the rules as they are written are not clear. He said that a choice has to be made as to how the rules will be interpreted and applied. In response to Commissioner Lyon's comments, Mr. Whittenberg stated that as Staff interprets Section 28-2407, Paragraph 4 of the Zoning Ordinance, it states that application for a major expansion can be made if the property is nonconforming due to density 2! parking. He said that as Staff interprets this section of the Code, it does not state that both of these conditions must exist. He stated that most of the examples provided with the Staff Report relate to parking issues and not density, as the research done by Staff did not yield a case that had both parking and density issues. He said that because the City does allow applications having either one of these issues, Staff has to accept the application. He stated that Staff feel this application falls within the guidelines of the criteria. Mr. Whittenberg noted that if the Planning Commission felt that the language for this Section of the City Code is unclear, this would be a separate issue. He emphasized that Staff would not have presented this application to the Commission if Staff felt that it was not appropriate to begin with. 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 .45 46 City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of July 19, 2000 Public Hearina Chairperson Hood opened the public hearing. Mr. Patrick Cronin stated that he was not exactly sure as to how to proceed, as this was the first time he had done this. He said that he was aware of two other properties within the City that are similar to the project for which he is seeking approval. He stated that one of the properties is a single lot on the 200 block of 2na Street that has a 4-car garage and a second-story addition. He noted that the Planning Commission has approved this project. He said that these projects are not as nice as the structure he plans to construct. He said that he would be investing a lot of money into the project and feels that it will be an asset to the City. Mr. Cronin stated that in 1992 he had constructed a home on 15th Street, but found it too large and had sold the home. He noted that next door to his property are five units with 4 single parking garages, and all the way down the block there are twice as many units as parking areas. He said that the only thing that would change with his project is that the property will look better and have 4 off-street parking spaces. He questioned how the two other properties he had mentioned had been allowed to be constructed. Chairperson Hood closed the public hearing. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Brown stated that Mr. Cronin's question was a good one, and asked how these two other property owners were allowed to construct 2 units on their properties. He noted that he did not recall these applications coming before the Planning Commission. Mr. Whittenberg stated that he could not recall the circumstances of these cases. Commissioner Brown asked if the width and length of the properties were known. He stated that properties on 2nd Street are 37 feet wide, and this was probably why this construction was allowed. Mr. Whittenberg interjected that lot sizes vary throughout Old Town, from lot to lot. He said that although the lots were originally subdivided as 25-foot wide lots, over the years there has been a lot of re-subdividing, creating a variety of lot sizes in this area. He stated that each address would have to be viewed individually to determine what the exact lot size is. Commissioner Brown stated that he would like to think that the Planning Commission is applying the rules fairly and equally to everyone. He said that he had no major objections to the project, but that his concern is whether City Code was being adhered to. He stated that he agreed with Commissioner Lyon's comments, and he likes to follow the Code and not make exceptions. He stated that this Section of the Code is confusing, and he could see how it might be interpreted differently. He said that if the City Attorney interprets this Section of the Code as referring to both density and parking, then Commissioner Brown would go along with that. He re-emphasized that one of the sentences in Paragraph 4 does not make 6 .~ 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 July 19, 2000 sense. Mr. Boga agreed that the second sentence of Paragraph 4 does not make sense, but this provision of the Code does allow for this type of expansion when the property is nonconforming as to density !2! parking. He said that he agreed with Mr. . Whittenberg that the and in this sentence should be interpreted to read as or. He stated that this was not the only possible interpretation, but until it is corrected, Staff has to make sense of the Code. as it is written, and this is the interpretation that Staff has assigned. Commissioner Brown stated that he was happy to accept the City Attorney's statements and approve the project. He said that he still had concerns with what follows the first sentence in Section 28-2407, Paragraph 4, and he wants to be clear on what the Planning Commission is doing. Chairperson Hood asked if this application is approved, would the Planning Commission in essence be interpreting "and" to read as "or? Mr. Whittenberg stated that this would be a separate issue. He stated that in approving this application, all that would happen would be approval of the application. He said that Staff could then recommend to the Planning Commission that Staff research the actual language used when this amendment to the Code was approved. He said that if it is determined that in the translation from approval by the City Council to incorporation of the language for the ordinance and there was some clerical error, then Staff can correct this. Commissioner Cutuli stated that before the Planning Commission votes on an issue there should be official clarification about what the Commission is voting on, as this sets a precedent for future votes. He said that the Commission could be making an important decision today without really knowing the correct wording of the Code. He said he was never in favor of tandem parking because it doesn't work, but if the City Council members feel that this should be allowed, then he would like to have City Council approve this. Mr. Whittenberg reported that City Code already allows the use of tandem parking if the Commission can make a finding that there is no other feasible way to provide parking on a property. He stated that although he understood the Commission's concerns regarding tandem parking, the City Council has already adopted the ordinance to set this as an acceptable solution to the provision of parking. He said that whether or not to approve this application before further clarification of this Section of the Code has been completed is a policy choice of the Planning Commission. He said that Staff has continuously interpreted this Section of the Code to read that if a property is under a major expansion and is nonconforming due to density or parking, the property owner can apply for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). The CUP allows for a discretionary review by the Commission to either approve or deny applications on a case-by-case basis. He stated that the Planning Commission was not tied into making the same determination on a similar project on a different property, because of what has been done on another application. He said that the Planning Commission had wide discretion to make a decision based upon the different findings and conditions of each case. Mr. Whittenberg noted that as witnessed by the examples provided in 7 .~ 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 July 19, 2000 the Staff Report, there were not many instances of this type of application being made. He explained that the Planning Commission had the choice tonight of approving or denying the application, and once this is done, the Planning Commission can direct Staff to research the history of this amendment to the Code to verify that the language is correct as adopted by the City Council. Chairperson Hood commented that Staff has interpreted Paragraph 4, of Section 28- 2407 of the City Code in one way, and the Planning Commission interprets it in another. He noted that Staff has already counseled the applicant, and it is up to the Planning Commission to resolve this. He related the following points: 1. The applicant has made the application, in good faith based upon advice given by Staff. 2. The zoning ordinance is unclear to begin with and is subject to ambiguity. 3. Should the Planning Commission approve the application before receiving clarification on this ordinance, or should the decision be delayed until clarification is received? He questioned whether the applicant should be penalized because of unclear ordinance language, or whether the application should be approved possibly setting an undesirable precedent. MOTION by Lyon to Deny Resolution 00-20 as presented. There being no SECOND, Chairperson Hood reported that Commissioner Lyon's MOTION was dead. Commissioner Brown re-stated that the whole purpose in continuing this item was to discuss clarification of this section of the Zoning Ordinance. He said that the applicant had been tortured enough, and although there is ambiguity in the paragraph discussed, the question almost becomes how the Planning Commission will interpret this paragraph. He questioned whether the situation would be made better or worse in approving this application. Commissioner Brown said that like Commissioner Cutuli, he was not in favor of tandem parking, because rather than storing items in the garage and parking on the street, residents will park in the garage and store items in the tandem parking spaces. He said that given these ambiguities, he was still in favor of approving this application. He also added that he did not believe any research into old records would provide adequate clarification. MOTION by Brown; SECOND by Cutuli to approve Conditional Use Permit 00-3 and adopt Resolution 00-20 as presented. MOTION CARRIED: A YES: NOES: ABSENT: 3-1-1 Brown, Cutuli, and Hood Lyon None 8 .~ 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 July 19, 2000 ABSTAIN: Sharp Mr. Boga advised that the adoption of Resolution No. 00-20 begins a 10-day calendar appeal period to the City Council. The Commissioner action tonight is final and the appeal period begins tomorrow morning. Commissioner Brown stated that the Planning Commission would like to direct Staff to research this issue. Mr. Whittenberg reported that Staff would complete research and have the information available for the August 23, 2000 Planning Commission meeting. 6. Conditional Use Permit 00-2 770 Pacific Coast Highway (Continued from Planning Commission Meeting of June 14, 2000) ApplicanVOwner: Request: Tom Lao, TI Planning To permit a drive-through coffeehouse where a drive-in restaurant currently resides. Recommendation: Continue to Planning Commission Meeting of August 9, 2000 STAFF CONCERNS Mr. Whittenberg stated that because this was an issue of concern to the community, the public hearing for Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 00-2 would be re-noticed. He also reported that a CUP for Islands Restaurant in the Bixby Ranch Old Towne Center would be coming before the Planning Commission on August 9, 2000. Mr. Cummins reported that a CUP for 308 & 310 Ocean Avenue would be coming before the Planning Commission on August 9, 2000. He stated that the time limit for this CUP had lapsed and the applicant was re-applying for approval. Mr. Whittenberg stated that the residential component for the Bixby Project, which is being handled by Centex Homes, would be coming before the Planning Commission under a Site Plan Review for approval of the final designs for the homes, exterior elevations, and the lot configurations. He reported that Centex Homes would like to arrange a field trip for the Planning Commission to visit other Centex Homes developments to get a better idea of what the homes for the Bixby Project will look like. Mr. Whittenberg stated that this had been done in the past and had proven to be quite helpful. He recommended scheduling the visit for Wednesday, August 16, 2000, around 2:00 or 3:00 p.m., and requested that the Commissioners confirm their attendance as soon as possible so that Centex can make the necessary arrangements. Commissioner Brown stated that Thursday, August 17, 2000 would 9 .~ 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 July 19, 2000 be better. Commissioner Cutuli stated that he would not be able to attend on either of these dates. He stated that he had previously visited a Centex Homes development. The other Commissioners confirmed their attendance for Thursday, August 17, 2000, at 2:00 p.m. Mr. Whittenberg stated that the newspapers would also be notified in case one of their reporters would like to attend. Mr. Whittenberg announced the return of James Sharp to the Planning Commission and welcomed him back. Mr. Boga reported on Ordinance 1416 as it related to the statements made by Mr. Reg Clewley at the Planning Commission Meeting of June 14, 2000, regarding statements made by Mr. Boga. Mr. Boga noted that he had brought a copy of Ordinance 1416 with him and he confirmed that he had been correct in stating that the ordinance was adopted on May 10, 1999. He stated that this was not an urgency ordinance, which means it took effect 30 days after the date of adoption. COMMISSION CONCERNS Commissioner Sharp requested clarification on the issues on which he would be eligible to vote. He specifically mentioned the Bixby Project and Conditional Use Permit 00-2 for Starbucks. Mr. Whittenberg responded that as far as items coming before the Planning Commission in the future, Commissioner Sharp would be eligible to participate on items for the Bixby Project. Regarding Starbucks, Mr. Whittenberg stated that Commissioner Sharp was free to review the videotapes of the public hearings for this continued item and to review the Staff Reports, in order to be prepared to participate on this item at the meeting of August 9, 2000. Commissioner Cutuli asked for a status report on the Hellman Project. Mr. Whittenberg reported that he had spoken to the Coastal Planner for the California Coastal Commission, who stated that the Coastal Commission anticipates having this matter back on their agenda for a permit amendment at the October 2000 meeting. As soon as the permit amendment is approved, a fairly extensive archaeological testing program must be completed, which will take approximately3-4 months. Once the archaeological testing is completed, site grading and other things would begin for the home project. Commissioner Cutuli asked if heavy equipment had been put in place to begin grading. Mr. Whittenberg stated that this heavy equipment was being used for the construction work on Seal Beach Boulevard and the Hellman Property was being used as a staging area for this equipment and a storage area for some of the dirt being removed for the sewer lines that are being installed. He indicated that the City is also importing dirt for the center median being constructed along Seal Beach Boulevard. He clarified that currently there is no activity directly related to the Hellman Project itself. Chairperson Hood inquired about Mr. K's Restaurant. Mr. Whittenberg reported that during a recent meeting with the Bixby Ranch Company, it was reported that Mr. K's 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 . 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 . . . City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of July 19, 2000 is no longer involved with that property and the Bixby Ranch Company will be soliciting another use for this building. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Hood adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, ~ ~ AI\JC ^__ ~~ _ Carmen Alvarez, Executive Sec~etary Planning Department APPROVAL The Commission on August 9, 2000 approved ,tQe Minutes of the Planning Commission Meeting of Wednesday, July 19, 2000. ~ 11