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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Min 2001-08-08 . . . CITY OF SEAL BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA for August 8, 2001 7:30 p.m. District 1 - Brian Brown District 2 - Jim Sharp District 3 - Len Cutuli District 4 - David Hood District 5 - Phil Ladner 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 August 8, 2001 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 MA TIERS: 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 August 8, 2001 . City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Agenda for August 8, 2001 7:30 p.m. 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 July 11, 2001. 2. Approve Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of July 18, 2001. 3. RECEIVE AND FILE: "Preliminary Review of Common Ground From the Mountains to the Sea." 4. RECEIVE AND FILE: 'Ten Principles for Reinventing America's Suburban Strips" and "Smart Growth: Myth and Fact. " VI. SCHEDULED MATTERS 5. Extension of Height Variation 00-3, 1608 Ocean Avenue 6. Determination of Proper Zoning - Low Level Decks in the Rear Yard Setback 7. RevIew of Adopted Development Standards Planning District II . 3 Cffy of Seal Beach Planning Commission' Agenda of August 8, 2001 . VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS 8. Height Variation 01-4 254 - 1 ih Street Applicant/Owner: Request: Recommendation: Joe and Mary Fregoso To construct a non-habitable architectural feature to extend 3 feet above the 25-foot height limit within the zone in which the subject property is located. Approval, subject to conditions and adoption of Resolution 01-34. 9. Conditional Use Permit 01-7 (Continued from July 18, 2001) 320 Central Avenue Applicant/Owner: Request: Recommendation: VIII. STAFF CONCERNS . IX. COMMISSION CONCERNS X. ADJOURNMENT . Brent Sears / Dan Mundy To perform a major addition/remodel to a nonconforming single family dwelling located at 320 Central Avenue. The property is nonconforming due to inadequate side and rear yard setbacks of an existing detached garage. Approval, subject to conditions and adoption of Resolution 01-31. 4 City of Seal Beach Planning Commission. Agenda of August 8, 2001 . 2001 Aaenda Forecast Aug 22 CUP 98-6 at 12147 Seal Beach Boulevard (Yucatan Grill) Review Sept 05 Sept 19 Oct 03 Oct 17 Nay 07 Nay 21 Dee 05 Dee 19 . TO BE SCHEDULED: a Study Session: Permitted Uses and Development Standards In Commercial Zones (5/6/98) a Study Session: Seal Beach Boulevard (10/7/98) a Staff Report: Undergrounding of Utilities a Study Session: Retaining Walls a Study Session: ADA Handicapped-Accessible Restrooms a Tentative Parcel Map 2000-134 (Boeing Company) . 5 '.~ 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 .~~ 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 8, 2001 Chairperson Hood called the regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:32 p.m. on Wednesday, August 8,2001. 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, Ladner, and Sharp Also Present: Department of Development Services Lee Whittenberg, Director Terence Boga, Assistant City Attorney Mac Cummins, Assistant Planner Absent: None AGENDA APPROVAL Commissioner Brown recommended that the Public Hearings be moved ahead of scheduled matters so that members of the public present for the public hearings might be able to leave before the discussion on Scheduled Matters. MOTION by Brown; SECOND by Ladner to approve the Agenda as amended. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 5-0 Brown, Cutuli, Hood, Ladner, and Sharp None None ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chairperson Hood opened oral communications. There being no one wishing to speak, Chairperson Hood closed oral communications. 1 These Minutes were transcribed from audiotape of the meeting. Q:\PC Minutes\2001\OB-OB-01 PC Mlnutes.doc 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 . CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Approve Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of July 11,2001. 2. Approve Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of July 18, 2001. 3. RECEIVE AND FILE: "Preliminary Review of Common Ground From the Mountains to the Sea." 4. RECEIVE AND FILE: "Ten Principles for Reinventing America's Suburban Strips" and "Smart Growth: Myth and Fact." MOTION by Sharp; SECOND by Cutuli to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 5-0 Brown, Cutuli, Hood, Ladner, and Sharp None None PUBLIC HEARINGS 8. Height Variation 01-4 254 - 1 ih Street Applicant/Owner: Request: Joe and Mary Fregoso To construct a non-habitable architectural feature to extend 3 feet above the 25-foot height limit within the zone in which the subject property is located. Recommendation: Approval, subject to conditions and adoption of Resolution 01-34. Staff Report 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 described the surrounding land uses as follows: NORTH & SOUTH: Residential housing in a Residential Medium Density (RMD) Zone. WEST: Residential housing in a Residential Medium Density (RMD) Zone. Q:\PC Minutes\2001\08-08-01 PC Minutes.doc 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 . CIty of Seal Beach Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of August 8, 2001 EAST: A mixture of commercial businesses and residential housing in a Limited Commercial (LC) Zone. Mr. Cummins noted that this application came in under Section 28-2317, the section of the City Code that allows for non-habitable architectural features. He stated that this application meets all of the criteria of the policy statement adopted by the Planning Commission and the City Council and Staff recommends approval. For the record, Mr. Cummins reported that a letter in opposition to this application was received from Mr. Walt Miller. Commissioner Questions Commissioner Brown requested that Mr. Cummins respond to Mr. Miller's question regarding a habitable second story structure on a single story structure. Mr. Cummins stated that a second story is to be added to this cottage with a Covered Roof Access Structure (CRAS). Chairperson Hood asked if a permit were required to construct a second story on this residence. Mr. Cummins responded that this is permitted by right. Public Hearinq Chairperson Hood opened the public hearing. Mr. Joe Fregoso stated, that he had recently purchase this home in Seal Beach. He said that the cottage was built in 1947 and is very small.- Mr. Fregoso said that the home needs to be refurbished and he is remodeling to increase the value of the property and to beautify the home. He recommended approval of his application. There being no one else wishing to speak, Chairperson Hood closed the public hearing. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Brown noted that the applicant is not here to request a second-story addition, but to request a Height Variation (HV) for the CRAS. He stated that the HV is well within the guidelines and he moved to approve. MOTION by Brown; SECOND by Cutuli to approve the Height Variation 01-4 and adopt Resolution 01-34 as presented. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 5-0 Brown, Cutuli, Hood, Ladner, and Sharp None None Q:\PC Minutes\2001\OB-OB-01 PC Minutes.doc 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 August 8, 2001 Mr. Boga advised that the adoption of Resolution No. 01-34 begins a 10-day calendar appeal period to the City Council. The Commissioner action tonight is final and the appeal period begins tomorrow morning. 9. Conditional Use Permit 01-7 (Continued from July 18,2001) 320 Central Avenue ApplicanUOwner: Request: Brent Sears / Dan Mundy To perform a major addition/remodel to a nonconforming single family dwelling located at 320 Central Avenue. The property is nonconforming due to inadequate side and rear yard setbacks of an existing detached garage. Recommendation: - Approval, subject to conditions and adoption of Resolution 01-31. Staff Report Mr. Cummins delivered the staff report. (Staff Report is on file for inspection in the Planning Department.) He provided some background information and stated that this item was continued pending review by the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA). The Assistant Planner reported that Staff had received a letter from OCFA indicating that they have no concerns regarding the current location of the garage on this property. Mr. Cummins stated that Staff continues to recommend approval of this application. He reiterated that the Planning Commission had unanimously approved this CUP when it was originally heard approximately 2 years ago. Commissioner Questions None. Public Hearing Chairperson Hood opened the public hearing. Mr. Dan Mundy stated that he has owned the property for over 30 years and had experienced no problem with access to the garage. He said that he would like to expand the garage to accommodate 2 cars, but would like to keep it where it is presently located. There being no one else wishing to speak, Chairperson Hood closed the public hearing. Q:\PC Mlnutes\2001\08-08-01 PC Minutes.doc 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 August 8, 2001 Commissioner Comments Commissioner Cutuli stated that since he had requested the review by OCFA and the agency has approved this project, he wished to move to approve. MOTION by Cutuli; SECOND by Ladner to approve the Conditional Use Permit 01-7 and adopt Resolution 01-31 as presented. MOTION CARRIED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 5-0 Brown, Cutuli, Hood, Ladner, and Sharp None None ~ Mr. Boga advised that the adoption of Resolution No. 01-31 begins a 10-day calendar appeal period to the City Council. The Commissioner action tonight is final and the appeal period begins tomorrow morning. SCHEDULED MA TIERS 5. Extension of Height Variation 00-3, 1608 Ocean Avenue Staff Report Mr. Cummins delivered the staff report. (Staff Report is on file for inspection in the Planning Department.) He stated that Staff had received a letter from the new owners of the above-noted property requesting an extension of Height Variation (HV) 00-3. He reported that approval of this HV was granted in August 2000, but the structure was not constructed before the new owners purchased this property. He said that the new owners have requested a continuance meanwhile they prepare the plans for submission to the Building Department. Commissioner Questions Corrymissioner Brown asked if the plans had been approved in August 2000 when the HV was approved, why would the new owner need to prepare new plans? Mr. Cummins stated that should the applicant wish to change the plans they would have to be reviewed by the Planning Commission. He said that at this point the applicants are planning on using the original plans as submitted by the previous owner. MOTION by Sharp; SECOND by Ladner to approve the extension of Height Variation 00-3 as presented. MOTION CARRIED: 5 - 0 AYES: Brown, Cutuli, Hood, Ladner, and Sharp NOES: None Q:\PC Minutes\2001\OS-QS-Q1 PC Minutes.doc 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 August 8, 2001 A,BSENT: None 6. Determination of Proper Zoning - Low Level Decks in the Rear Yard Setback Staff Report Mr. Cummins delivered the staff report. (Staff Report is' on file for inspection in the Planning Department.) He stated that Staff had received an application to construct a deck on the rear of the property. He explained that the foundation on the property is taller than one foot and the applicant would like the deck to come straight off the back door of the residence. He said that City Code permits only low level wooden decks not taller than 1 foot. The Assistant Planner noted that Staff was not certain of how to process this application and is presenting this to the Planning Commission for a determination on how this application might be addressed. Mr. Cummins outlined the two main issues involved as: a. City Code specifically states "low level wooden deck," and Staff is requesting direction on whether the Planning Commission would like to see wooden decks as the only type of construction allowed, or whether another type of deck might be appropriate. b. The height of low-level wooden decks. He noted that if decks were set up high, this would allow a view over a neighbor's fence. Mr. Cummins stated that Staff is recommending the following options: 1) Allow a 1-foot high low level deck from the finish of natural grade, regardless of construction. 2) Allow low level deck of any composition up to a maximum height of the existing first floor of the residential structure. 3) Allow low level d~cks, of any composition, but make them "step down" to a one-fobt maximum height 3 feet from the side property line, and 5 feet from the rear property line. 4) Change nothing, and give direction to Staff that any application of this type must request a Variance from City Code. Commissioner Questions Commissioner Cutuli stated that he was aware of homes with subterranean garages with the first floor 8 or 9 feet above the grade of the house. Mr. Cummins noted that for this type of situation the Planning Commission could require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) or a Minor Plan Review (MPR). Q:\PC Minutes\2001\OB-OB-01 PC Minutes doc 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 .6 CIty of Seal Beach Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of August 8, 2001 Mr. Whittenberg interjected that the issue involves a deck that projects into a required setback area. He stated that most of the setback problems that Staff deals with have to do with the narrow lots in Old Town with a resident wanting to construct a deck on an older home with a raised foundation with crawlspace under it. He explained that the way City Code is constructed now, if there is no intrusion into the rear yard setback area, the deck can come out at the floor level of the house. He stated that as the Code currently reads, if the deck intrudes into the setback area, the deck can only be one foot above the grade level. He noted that on The Hill and in College Park East and College Park West the homes have a 10-foot rear yard setback and 5-foot side yard setbacks. He said that the Planning Commission could determine to maintain these requirements or elect one of the options presented by the Assistant Planner. Mr. Whittenberg stated that because many of the homes in Old Town do not have much of a side yard and the garages are at the back of the lots, the only usable land is in the front yard. He explained that in these cases the provision has been to keep those decks at one foot in the front yard setback. Commissioner Brown commented that if the deck is allowed into the rear yard setback, then the fence at the rear yard becomes shorter. Mr. Whittenberg stated that this was Staff's concern. He said that this is why Staff favors approving Option No.3. Chairperson Hood clarified that under Option 3, the deck could be at grade level until it intrudes into the rear yard setback area, at which point the deck must be only one foot in height. Mr. Whittenberg confirmed that this was correct. He noted that it was also possiple to step down at the grade level and have concrete at the grade level. Commissioner Brown asked what the current side yard setback requirement is. Mr. Whittenberg reported that on The Hill and in College Park East and College Park West the side yard setback is 5-feet, and in Old Town it is 3 feet. Commissioner Brown inquired about what the current policy would be for the homes on The Hill that abut the Hellman Property where the Code was changed to allow overhanging decks. Mr. Whittenberg stated that these decks would be subject to approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Commissioner Brown asked what this would allow. Mr. Whittenberg stated that this would allow the decks to come out from the natural grade at the rear of the property. Commissioner Cutuli asked if part of the concern was the privacy issue for neighboring residents. Mr. Whittenberg stated that this would probably not be a major concern in front yards, but if the deck intrudes into the rear and side yard setback areas this in all likelihood would create privacy issues. He said that this was why Staff prefers Options 3 where a "step down" to the one-foot maximum would be required. Commissioner Ladner asked whether residence lots are all the same depth. The Director of Development Services stated that most lots are standard 50 x 100-foot lots, but many vary in depth. Commissioner Ladner asked what the variance in size would be. Mr. Whittenberg stated that some rear yards can run from 20 to 25 feet to up to 40 feet in depth. Commissioner Ladner asked how many steps down would be required. Mr. Whittenberg responded that currently the Code states that within 10 Q'\PC Minutes\2001\08-08-01 PC Minutes.doc 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 August 8, 2001 feet of the rear property line the deck would have to step down to 1 foot. He explained that most of the homes were only 1 to 2 feet above grade. Commissioner Ladner asked what the height measurement of the steps would be. Mr. Whittenberg stated that by law steps couldn't be steeper than 8% inches. He also noted that there is no standard grade but it would vary from house to house. Commissioner Brown reiterated that allowing the decks at grade level might lead to a decrease in the remaining height of the fence separating properties. He said that he would be in favor of leaving the Code requirement as is. He inquired as to what type of decks Staff had in mind. Mr. Whittenberg explained that many times residents would bring in dirt to build up the grade to the level of the house in the non- rear yard setback area and pour a concrete slab on top of that. Commissioner Ladner asked if the resident could build footings into the concrete slab making it possible to enclose the deck and create habitable living space. Mr. Whittenberg stated that a patio would not have footings, and Staff would not issue a permit to allow footings on a patio, but this would not eliminate the possibility of a homeowner attempting to construct a room without a permit. Commissioner Ladner stated that he agreed with Commissioner Brown that the Code remain as is. Commissioner Sharp stated that this would not affect his district, however, he agreed that the Code should not be changed. Commissioner Cutuli agreed and stated that he did not want to compromise the privacy of residents in Seal Beach. Mr. Whittenberg noted that because there is a consensus on behalf of the Planning Commissioners, there would be no need for a vote on this item. 7. Review of Adopted Development Standards, Planning District II Staff Report Mr. Whittenberg delivered the staff report. (Staff Report is on file for inspection in the Planning Department.) He stated that Staff wanted to present a status report of the progress in reviewing the Zoning Provisions for District 2, which includes the Bridgeport area, the Riverbeach Condominiums, the Oakwood Apartments, and the Seal Beach Trailer Park. He noted that this area falls within a Residential Medium Density (RMD) Zone and currently has certain development standards in place. He said that in looking at the standards, no project that is constructed within this area of the City currently conforms to these standards. Mr. Whittenberg explained that every development that has occurred in this area was completed by Precise Plans (PP) used back in the late 1960s early 1970s, and Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) used during the 1970s and 1980s. He stated that these incorporated very Q:\PC Minutes\2001\08-08-01 PC Minutes.doc 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 Planmng Commission Meeting Mmutes of August 8, 2001 specific and different standards for each of the entitlements granted. As an example he noted that Bridgeport is a development of one and two-story single family dwellings (SFD) on small-lots with zero lot lines. He added that the Oakwood Apartments is a large, three-story, multi-family, high-density residential complex, and the Riverbeach Condominiums are two-story, attached structures of a different density. He stated that Staff would be working with the City Attorney's office to develop a zoning ordinance. He said that some sort of an Overlay Zone would probably be proposed, designating very specific development standards for the different areas within District 2 and would eliminate the existing standards. He indicated that the Staff Report includes an overview of all of the ordinances that have been adopted related to this area since 1963. He stated that in 1963 Ordinance 628 was adopted, which was a comprehensive revision of the ordinance and established standards for all of the different zoning districts. He noted that since then, there have been 15 or 16 different ordinances adopted by the City that either adopt these PPs, PUDs, or changed definitions of what certain items are in the Code that relate to how the development standards for each of these areas are determined. He indicated that within the next 2-3 months Staff would return with a General Proposal for review at a study session. He stated that the property owners within that area would receive notice of a public hearing for the proposal. The Director of Development Services reported that, unfortunately, many of the old ordinances from the 1960s and 1970s do not have all of the original attachments, which in many cases were plans showing lot arrangements and setbacks, etc. He stated that Staff is still attempting to track down some of these documents. STAFF CONCERNS Mr. Whittenberg reported that Burger King on Pacific Coast Highway has closed and the building completely vacated. He stated that Staff contacted Starbucks to see if they still intended to go into the building under the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) approved by the City, and they reported that this would not be their intent. Mr. Whittenberg said that Burger King is pursuing other avenues for other uses for the building, but has not yet reported to Staff as to the final determination. COMMISSION CONCERNS Commissioner Sharp requested an update on the construction at the Old Towne Center along Lampson Avenue and Seal Beach Boulevard. The Director of Development Services reported that a 10,000 square foot building that will house a Cal-Fed Bank, Rubio's Fish Tacos, Baja Fresh, and another use is currently under construction. He stated that directly at the off ramp of the 405 Freeway and Seal Beach Boulevard construction for the Country Inn Suites by Ayres has begun. It is expected to open the first quarter of 2002. He said that in between the Country Inn and the current building, a 9,000 square foot building is to be constructed and titled to the City. This building will house a Wells Fargo Bank branch and other retail Q;\PC Minutes\2001\OB-OB-01 PC Minutes.doc 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 Mmutes of August 8, 2001 uses. Mr. Whittenberg added that the Planning Commission received an application from Sunrise Assisted Living to take over the Marriott senior care facility project previously approved. He said that the configuration is slightly different from the facility originally approved, and the plans will be presented to the Planning Commission in late September 2001. Commissioner Cutuli asked why Marriott had abandoned the project. Mr. Whittenberg explained that Marriott had made a corporate decision approximately 1 % years ago to no longer develop assisted care facilities for seniors. Commissioner Sharp asked about where the senior care facility would be located. Mr. Whittenberg stated that it would be located off of Lampson Avenue, east of the buildings just described. Commissioner asked if it would be located before or after the street cut crossing over into the driving range. Mr. Whittenberg reported that it would be a signalized entrance east of the entrance to the driving range. Commissioner Brown asked if a sound wall along the freeway was required with this project. Mr. Whittenberg stated that the previous application did require a sound wall. He said that the current project is a slightly different configuration with the sound analysis received the early part of this week. He stated that there would be a sound wall of some kind along the freeway. Mr. Whittenberg noted that the previous application required a low (5-foot) wall in front of the project along Lampson Avenue to help reduce sound levels coming off Lampson Avenue. He noted that he was not sure whether the current development plans would include this. Commissioner Brown asked if the other two buildings described would have sound walls. Mr. Whittenberg stated that because these uses are not defined as sensitive land uses by California State Law, they have different sound level criteria. Commissioner Brown stated that while on the golf course he noticed that the noise from the freeway really carries. Commissioner Brown reported that the previous Sunday there had been a rather serious tra'ffic accident at the beach parking lot. He said that this had occurred at the new outlet on the 10th Street lot, which had originally been an exit only outlet. He noted that this outlet was made into an entry/exit driveway and the driveway underneath the pier had been removed for safety standards. He said that the pier driveway had existed for many years without any problem, yet within a few months of opening the 10th Street entrance/exit, a three-car accident occurs resulting in serious injuries. Commissioner Brown stated that this is what happens when things are changed into something that they are not designed to do. He emphasized that the City must be mindful of "taking a problem that doesn't exist and creating one.' Chairperson Hood inquired about how long the temporary golf cart tent approved for the Bixby Ranch Golf Club would remain in place. Mr. Whittenberg responded that the approval was for a period of up to one year. He noted that the changes to the country club are currently under construction, and once these are completed the tent will be removed. - Q:\PC Minutes\2001\Oa-oa-o1 PC Minutes.doc 10 .~ 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 I. City of Seal Beach Planning Commission Meeting Mmutes of August 8, 2001 Chairperson Hood inquired as to the final grandfather date by which residents with nonconforming decks along The Hill should have applied for permits. Mr. Whittenberg stated that there was a final date set, although he could not recall what the date is. He stated that to date one application for a building permit has been received, and the Planning Commission heard this application. He said that there was another nonconforming deck that the owners tore down and reconstructed to meet City standards. Chairperson Hood confirmed that all nonconforming decks on The Hill have been dealt with. Mr. Whittenberg confirmed that this was correct. Chairperson Hood apologized for having forgotten to request that the Planning Commission elections be placed on the agenda. Mr. Whittenberg stated that this item would appear on the agenda for the next scheduled meeting. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Hood adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Carmen Alvarez, Executive Seer tary Planning Department APPROVAL The Commission on August 22, 2001, approved th~nutes of the Planning Commission Meeting of Wednesday, August 8,2001. . \\SCULL y\CARMEN\PC Minutes\2001\08-08-01 PC Minutes.doc 11