HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Min 2002-10-23
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CITY OF SEAL BEACH
PLANNING COMMISSION
AGENDA for October 23,2002
7:30 p.m.
Dlstnct 1 - Ellery Deaton
District 2 - Jim Sharp
District 3 - Gordon Shanks
Dlstnct 4 - David Hood
District 5 - Phil Ladner
Department of Development Services
Lee Whittenberg, Director
Terence Boga, Assistant City Attorney
Mac Cummins, Associate Planner
Carmen Alvarez, Executive Secretary
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City Hall office hours are 7 00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and
Fnday 8'00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed noon to 1.00 p.m
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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.
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Planning Commission meetings are broadcast live on Seal Beach TV3. They are
rebroadcast on Sunday evenings, Channel 3 at 4:00 p.m.
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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 libranes for public inspection.
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET
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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 agamst agendized items. More detailed information is found m 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 routme 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 Droceedinas are recorded.
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City of Seal Beach Planning Commission
Agenda for October 23, 2002
7:30 p.m.
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
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
Approve Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of October 9, 2002
SCHEDULED MATTERS
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2 Zone Text Amendment 02-1
Retaining Wall Standards
AppllcanUOwner
Request
City of Seal Beach
To consider an amendment to specify the height and other development
standards for retaining walls within the City of Seal Beach The current
code allows retaining walls to be any height, so long as they are retaining
natural earth Further, the fence code currently allows fences to be an
overall height of 6 feet In most areas (10 feet abutting major roadways)
The provIsions provided for In this Zone Text Amendment will Incorporate
the changes recommended by the Planning Commission at the lats
meeting dUring the study session and Will Include provIsions limiting the
height of retaining walls and landscaping provIsions
Recommendation
Approval, subject to conditions and adoption of Resolution 02-42
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CIty of Seal Beach Plannmg CommissIon. Agenda of October 23, 2002
VIII STAFF CONCERNS
IX COMMISSION CONCERNS
X ADJOURNMENT
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CIty of Seal Beach Planning CommIssIon · Agenda of October 23, 2002
2002 Aaenda Forecast
Nay 06
CUP 02-15 - 226 Fourth Street
CUP 02-16 and HV 02-5 - 1210 Electnc Avenue
Nay 20
Dee 04
Dee 18
Grading Policies, Retaining Walls & Environmental Review of Projects
TO BE SCHEDULED:
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Study Session
Staff Report
Study Session
Permitted Uses and Development Standards In Commercial Zones (5/6/98)
Undergroundlng of Utilities
ADA Handicapped-Accessible Restrooms
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CITY OF SEAL BEACH
PLANNING COMMISSION
Minutes of October 23,2002
Chairperson Hood called the regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission
to order at 7 33 p.m on Wednesday, October 23, 2002. The meeting was held in the
City Council Chambers and began with the Salute to the Flag 1
ROLL CALL
Present' Chairperson Hood, Commissioners Deaton, Ladner, Shanks, and Sharp
Also
Present: Department of Development Services
Lee Whittenberg, Director
QUinn Barrow, City Attorney
Mac Cummins, Associate Planner
Absent None.
AGENDA APPROVAL
MOTION by Shanks, SECOND by Ladner to approve the Agenda as presented.
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
5-0
Deaton, Hood, Ladner, Shanks, and Sharp
None
None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approve Planning CommiSSion Meeting Minutes of October 9, 2002
MOTION by Sharp; SECOND by Ladner to approve the Consent Calendar as
presented.
1 These Minutes were transcribed from audiotape of the meeting
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City of Seal Beach Plannmg Commission
Meetmg Mmutes of October 23, 2002
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
5-0
Deaton, Hood, Ladner, Shanks, and Sharp
None
None
SCHEDULED MATTERS
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2 Zone Text Amendment 02-1
Retaining Wall Standards
Applicant/Owner:
Request:
City of Seal Beach
To consider an amendment to specify the height and other
development standards for retaining walls within the City of
Seal Beach The current code allows retaining walls to be
any height, so long as they are retaining natural earth.
Further, the fence code currently allows fences to be an
overall height of 6 feet in most areas (10 feet abutting major
roadways). The provisions provided for in this Zone Text
Amendment will incorporate the changes recommended by
the Planning Commission at the last meeting dunng the
study session and will include provisions limiting the height
of retaining walls and landscaping provisions.
Recommendation'
Approval, subject to conditions and adoption of Resolution
02-42
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
noted that what IS presented to the Planning Commission (PC) thiS evening IS the actual
Resolution recommending approval of Zone Text Amendment (ZTA) 02-1 with the
language recommended at the last PC meeting for Inclusion in the ordinance. He noted
that a memorandum providing further clanflcation of language relating to the height
standards for the retaining walls along the Gold Coast has been provided to each
Commissioner. He also indicated that the Englneenng Department requested that
additional language be included stating that an irngation system is to be required for the
landscape buffers along the Gold Coast retaining walls
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City of Seal Beach Planning Commission
Meeting Minutes of October 23, 2002
Commissioner Questions
Commissioner Shanks inquired about the first bullet item on Page 1 of the Staff Report
under the "Discussion" section. Mr. Cummins explained that the Planning Districts in
Seal Beach are set up so that the Residential Low Density (RLD) housing IS In District 5,
which is distinct from the Council District divisions
Chairperson Hood recommended that a copy of the District maps be prOVided to the
Planmng Commissioners for reference purposes.
Public Heanna
Chairperson Hood dispensed with opemng the public heanng, as there was no member
of the public present.
Commissioner Comments
None.
MOTION by Deaton; SECOND by Ladner to approve Zone Text Amendment 02-1 and
adopt Resolution 02-42 as amended
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
5-0
Deaton, Hood, Ladner, Shanks, and Sharp
None
None
STAFF CONCERNS
Mr Whittenberg reported that City Council did conduct a public heanng on the Appeal
for Conditional Use Permit 01-9 for River's End and determined to approve this request
by a 4-1 vote.
Mr. Whittenberg then stated that regarding Chairperson Hood's inquiry into the bicycle
paths along Lampson Avenue, there would be stnping painted on the north side of
Lampson Avenue for a demarcation line between the travel lane and the curb area that
will vary in width from 3 feet up to 8 feet. He said that It is not designated as an official
bicycle lane, but is an area that will be striped to provide additional protection to people
on that side of the street.
Chairperson Hood also asked that for the record the Director of Development Services
state the standards for retaining walls along Lampson Avenue. Mr. Whittenberg noted
that Chairperson Hood had inquired about the difference in grade of the public right-of-
way area on the south side of Lampson adjacent to the block walls of the homes that
back up to Lampson Avenue. He stated that if the resolution approved this evening IS
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City of Seal Beach Plannmg Commission
Meetmg Mmutes of October 23, 2002
approved by City Council, it would allow up to a 4-foot high retaining wall, and then a 6-
foot fence on top of that wall to be constructed along the rear of those properties in that
area He noted that In the past there have been occasions when cars driving too fast
along Lampson Avenue have lost control of the vehicle and driven through a block wall.
He said that this would allow residents to construct something that IS a little stronger.
Chairperson Hood stated that because there is a difference in grade between Lampson
Avenue and the adjoining properties, residents are concerned about whether they would
require a Variance or Conditional Use Permit to replace the rear property walls
Commissioner Shanks asked whether by definition a retaining wall must retain at least
2.5 feet of dirt and if the wall is higher it no longer qualifies as a retaining wall, but IS a
fence. Mr. Whittenberg clarified that the retaining wall is that portion of the wall
structure that is necessary to retain a lateral load against it, and anything that is 6
inches above that ground surface IS not considered a retaining wall, but is considered
part of a fence that IS allowed on top of the retaining wall
COMMISSION CONCERNS
Commissioner Sharp expressed his concern that In approving CUP 01-9 for River's End
that City Council imposed the same conditions of approval as those imposed on other
eating establishments in the City with outdoor dining patios. Mr Barrow stated that a
draft resolution with the standard conditions has been prepared for presentation and
approval by City Council at the meeting of Monday, October 28, 2002, and
Commissioner Sharp's concerns can be noted when the resolution is presented. Mr.
Barrow stated that with regard to gOing back to resolutions approved for other dining
establishments, each case is on a case-by-case basis and it would not be necessary to
go back and revise those resolutions in the event the conditions for River's End are
different. Mr. Cummins interjected that Staff did include all of the standard alcohol land
use conditions. He noted that the only change was that the minimum fence height for
the patio area was changed to require a 4-foot high fence. Commissioner Sharp stated
that because the standard condition for service of alcohol in outdoor dining patios IS to
have an attendant on site at all times, another concern he has is how River's End plans
to handle this, as it has two patios. Mr Whittenberg stated that Staff understands these
concerns and the conditions do include the standard conditions for service of alcoholic
beverages In outdoor dining areas, and would apply to both patios
Chairperson Hood asked if the presentation on Grading Policies, Retaining Walls and
Environmental Review of Projects is stili scheduled for the December 4, 2002 meeting
Mr. Whittenberg reported that this date is tentative, as City Council will be reviewing a
draft of this document at the October 28, 2002 meeting. He said that If it IS introduced,
a copy will be provided to the PC for review. He indicated that with the action taken on
ZTA 02-1 on retaining walls and what will happen with the grading ordinance, Staff
believes that the Issues related to this type of discussion will be resolved.
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City of Seal Beach Planning Commission
Meeting Minutes of October 23, 2002
Chairperson Hood reported that he would be out of the country from December 19,
2002 through January 18, 2003.
Mr. Whittenberg stated that because of holiday schedules, Staff generally attempts to
not schedule meetings for the second meeting in November and December.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson Hood adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
~~""...~^"~ C'~~
Carmen Alvarez, Executive Secretary
Planning Department
APPROVAL
The Commission on November 6, 2002, approved the Minutes of the Planning
Commission Meeting of Wednesday, October 23, 2002. ~.
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