HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Min 2006-06-21
City of Seal Beach Plannmg Commission. Agenda of June 21, 2006
City of Seal Beach Planning Commission
Agenda for June 21,2006
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 be 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 May 2006 BUilding ACtiVity Report
2 Approve Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of June 7, 2006
3 Minor Plan Review 06-6
921 Blue Heron
Applicant/Owner
Richard Loghry / John & Jayne O'Brien
Request
To construct an approximately 6-foot high waterfall/fire
pit structure In the 5-foot south Side setback area,
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City of Seal Beach Plannmg Commission. Agenda of June 21, 2006
Recommendation
Approval, subject to conditions, and adoption of
Resolution 06-28
VI SCHEDULED MATTERS
4 Adopt Resolution 06-20 Approving Conditional Use Permit 06-4 for the
construction of two air space condominiums at 132 13th Street
5 Adopt Resolution 06-21 Recommending Approval of Tentative Parcel Map
2006-160 for 132 13th Street to legally combine two lots Into one parcel
VII PUBLIC HEARINGS
VIII STAFF CONCERNS
IX COMMISSION CONCERNS
X ADJOURNMENT
Jul05
Jul19
Aug 09
Aug 23
Sep 06
Sep 20
Oct 04
Oct 18
Noy 08
Noy 22
Dec 06
Dec 20
City of Seal Beach Planning CommiSSion. Agenda of June 21, 2006
2006 Aaenda Forecast
CANCELLED
Minor Plan Review 06-7 - 4564 Dogwood Avenue
CUP 05-6 (Indefinite Extension) - 148-F Main Street (Fyslcly Fit)
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CITY OF SEAL BEACH
PLANNING COMMISSION
Minutes of June 21, 2006
Acting Chairperson Deaton called the regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning
Commission to order at 730 pm on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 The meeting was
held In the City Council Chambers and began with the Salute to the Flag 1
ROLL CALL
Present
Acting Chairperson Deaton, Commissioners Ladner, O'Malley, and Roberts
Also
Present
Department of Development Services
Lee Whittenberg, Director of Development Services
Christy Teague, Senior Planner
Alexander Abbe, Assistant City Attorney
Absent
None
AGENDA APPROVAL
MOTION by Roberts, SECOND by Ladner to approve the Agenda as presented
MOTION CARRIED
AYES.
NOES.
ABSENT:
4-0
Deaton, Ladner, O'Malley, and Roberts
None
None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Acting Chairperson Deaton opened oral commUnications
Acting Chairperson Deaton presented departing Senior Planner, Christy Teague, With
Resolution 06-26 commending her for her work while employed With the City of Seal
Beach Mr Whittenberg added that Ms Teague has been a real asset to the City of
Seal Beach and Staff Wishes her the very best In her new pOSition as Economic
Development Manager With the City of Dana POint
1 These Minutes were transcribed from audiotape of the meeting
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City of Seal Beach Plannmg Commission
Meeting Mmutes of June 21, 2006
1 Bruce Boehm, 131 14th Street, spoke regarding Tentative Parcel Map 2006-160 noting
2 that Mr Scott Levitt does not yet own the property, and the time to stop construction of
3 3-story structures IS now He stated that he contacted the California Coastal
4 Commission (CCC) and was told that Mr Levitt had already received approval from the
5 CCC to construct a 3-story dUDlex at 132 13th Street He said he did not understand
6 how CCC approval was granted without Mr Levitt having received approval from the
7 City of Seal Beach He indicated that the text In Resolution 06-22 IS very weak In that It
8 would allow construction of a 3-story duplex He proposed that the text state "a duplex
9 bUilt on a combined lot shall remain under the ownership of a single entity In perpetuity "
10 He stated that a clear recommendation must be sent to City Council that no more
11 3-story structures should be allowed In Old Town He noted that If approved, this
12 proJect would represent the first time that a 3-story duplex was ever bUilt In the middle of
13 a single-story, and 2-story reSidential neighborhood He suggested that the best
14 solution might be to table the TPM until after City Council has had the opportUnity to
15 meet on Monday, as Councilman Antos Will be proposing a moratorium on 3-story
16 structures In Old Town
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18 Arnold Furr, 116 3'd St, proposed that when looking at the Issue of 3-story structures In
19 Old Town, the Planning Commission should also evaluate whether to continue to allow
20 Covered Roof Access Structure(s) (CRAS) , as there are other ways of haVing roof
21 access with haVing the covered stairways
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23 Joyce Parque stated that she owns a double lot that IS surrounded by 3-story apartment
24 bUildings She said that the Planning Commission (PC) should not take away her
25 property rights until there IS a public hearing She noted that most of the people who
26 have spoken against thiS proJect are owners of nonconforming structures, and yet they
27 have been allowed to do work on their bUildings She said that thiS IS selective
28 enforcement, as some people receive special conSideration for every home they
29 propose to bUild In town She said there are many political and ethical challenges to be
30 addressed before conSidering rewriting the Code
31
32 Kim Klisanln, 218 11th Street, stated that he has lived In Seal Beach for many years and
33 owns SIX properties Within town, which he worked very hard to acqUire He said that
34 should he Wish to split one of hiS properties, or to construct a 3-story home on a double
35 lot, he feels that he should be able to do thiS He noted that he has clients present
36 tOnight who purchased a large lot on 118 11 th Street and already have their plans for a
37 3-story home before the California Coastal CommiSSion (CCC) He said that they paid
38 good money for their property and should not be denied the ability to do thiS He then
39 noted another client who purchased a property at 113 11 th Street With a condemned
40 structure on It, which he has had demolished and IS now debating whether to construct
41 a new home on thiS lot, or purchase a larger double lot Mr Klisanln stated that he IS
42 concerned, as he sold these lots to these clients With the understanding that they could
43 construct a 3-story structure He indicated that times are changing and people no
44 longer live In small, 2-bedroom, 1 bath homes, but are constructing larger homes, and
45 the City does benefit from taxes whenever new construction takes place
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City of Seal Beach Planmng CommiSSIOn
Meehng Mmutes of June 21, 2006
Bob Black stated that he owns two properties In town and what bothers him the most
about Resolution 06-21 IS that It caters to a few people He noted that as long as he IS
abiding by City Code, he does not feel that anyone should dictate what he can or cannot
do on his property, and he should be able to get a return on his Investment He said
that the PC IS manipulating the real estate Industry by prohibiting 3-story homes He
noted that he has never heard anything good about the Seal Beach Planning
Commission or City CounCil, and he promises to fight against this proposed moratorium
Scott Levitt, the applicant for the 132 13th Street property, stated that he IS In agreement
with the comments made tOnight He said that Imposing this moratorium based upon a
few reSidents prompting a CounCilman to do so IS embarrassing He said that as an
attorney he works to uphold the law and hates seeing the law circumvented He said
that he has Invested a lot of money on the proposed proJect and noted for the record
that the city did provide written notice to 139 people Within a 300-foot radius of the
proposed Site, and out of these 139 people, 1 of them attended the public hearing two
weeks ago, which shows the level of concern the Immediate neighbors have about
Improving a 50-year-old bUilding, and replaCing It With a structure that IS 3 stories on the
rear half of the lot, even though the third story IS not VISible from the front of the lot or
from the street He said that the Director of Development Services had correctly
explained the requirement for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) In order to construct
condominiums and noted that thiS has to do primarily With ensuring that the CC&Rs
clearly present the requirements for common area maintenance He noted that thiS IS
what the CUP IS for, not to permit a third story, and thiS IS why he was so upset at the
last meeting, as the has PC basically Ignored thiS fact He indicated that he has
observed several blatant Violations of City Code Within the neighborhood, and finds It
Interesting that the PC chooses to overlook these He stated that In reviewing thiS
application Acting Chairperson Deaton had not been obJective nor did she make a
decIsion based upon City Code, but Simply read from selected portions of the GP
designed to help back up her pOSition on thiS Issue He called for her Immediate
resignation
There being no one else Wishing to speak, Acting Chairperson Deaton closed oral
commUnications
CONSENT CALENDAR
1 May 2006 BUilding ACtiVity Report
2 Approve Planning CommiSSion Meeting Minutes of June 7,2006
3 Minor Plan Review 06-6
921 Blue Heron
Applicant/Owner
Richard Loghry / John & Jayne O'Brien
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City of Seal Beach Plannmg Commission
Meetmg Minutes of June 21, 2006
Request
To construct an approximately 6-foot high waterfalllflre pit
structure In the 5-foot south side setback area,
Recommendation
Approval, subJect to conditions, and adoption of Resolution
06-28
Member O'Malley noted that although he was absent for that meeting, he has viewed
the videotaped proceedings and will vote on this Item
MOTION by Roberts, SECOND by Ladner to approve the Consent Calendar as
presented
MOTION CARRIED:
AYES'
NOES:
ABSENT'
4-0
Deaton, Ladner, O'Malley, and Roberts
None
None
Mr Abbe advised that the adoption of Resolution No 06-28 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 MATTERS
4 Adopt Resolution 06-21 Approving Conditional Use Permit 06-4 for the construction
of two air space condominiums at 132 13th Street
Mr Whittenberg stated that Resolution 06-21 and 06-22 were prepared based upon the
PC determination of June 7, 2006, and they have been reviewed by the City Attorney's
office and are appropriate for adoption as presented
Commissioner Roberts stated that the PC could approve these resolutions or suspend
them and attempt to further acquire direction from City Council
Acting Chairperson Deaton asked Mr Abbe what would occur If these resolutions were
to be tabled Mr Abbe stated that given that the proposed resolution IS simply to
approve a 2-story dwelling, he recommended approval Mr Whittenberg InterJected that
Resolution 06-21 eliminates the third story, and would approve the condominium proJect
With a two-story development He noted that If these resolutions are adopted the proJect
applicant or any Interested party has a 10-day period of time to appeal the deCISion on
Conditional Use Permit 06-4 to City CounCil He said that Staff feels the resolutions
reflect the direction given by the PC two weeks ago, and are a separate Issue from the
Item on the City CounCil agenda for Monday night's meeting, which relates to three story
structures Mr Abbe added that based upon the Permit Streamlining Act, If no action IS
taken Within a specific time period, there IS always the risk a proJect could be deemed
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City of Seal Beach Plannmg Commission
Meetmg Mmutes of June 21, 2006
approved He said that If the resolutions reflect what the PC voted on, he advised
adopting them rather than postponing a vote,
Commissioner Roberts asked what the significance was of adding the word "duplex"
Into some of the approvals when this proJect talks about "condominiums" Mr
Whittenberg explained that the project before the PC IS for a condominium proJect, so
the resolution has to address thiS Commissioner Roberts asked If the California
Coastal Commission (CCC) has approved thiS project as a duplex Mr Whittenberg
stated that they have approved It as a duplex, and plans are In the BUilding Department
to approve the bUilding as a rental unit He said that If City CounCil takes an action on
third stories on Monday night, depending on how the ordinance IS structured, It mayor
may not stop further proceedings on thiS proJect or any others In the pipeline Mr Abbe
pOinted out that thiS IS a condominium application and under the Code thiS reqUires a
CUP, and the legal standard for a CUP IS that you make a finding that It IS compatible
With the surrounding neighborhood and consistent With the policies of the General Plan
(GP), which he believes IS why Acting Chairperson Deaton read certain policies of the
GP Into the record at the last meeting He said that thiS was an appropriate action given
the PC's obligation to review the GP for thiS type of deCISion
MOTION by Roberts, SECOND by Ladner to adopt Resolution 06-21 approving
Conditional Use Permit 06-4 for the construction of two air space condominiums at 132
13th Street With the ImpOSition of two-story development only, as presented
MOTION CARRIED.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
4-0
Deaton, Ladner, O'Malley, and Roberts
None
None
Mr Abbe adVised that the adoption of Resolution No 06-21 begins a 10-day calendar
appeal period to the City CounCil The Commissioner action tonight IS final and the
appeal period begins tomorrow morning
5 Adopt Resolution 06-22 Recommending Approval of Tentative Parcel Map 2006-
160 for 132 13th Street to legally combine two lots Into one parcel
MOTION by Roberts, SECOND by Ladner to Resolution 06-22 recommending approval
of Tentative Parcel Map 2006-160 for 132 13th Street to legally combine two lots Into
one parcel
MOTION CARRIED'
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
4-0
Deaton, Ladner, O'Malley, and Roberts
None
None
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City of Seal Beach Plannmg Commission
Meetmg Mmutes of June 21, 2006
Mr Abbe advised that adoption of Resolution No 06-22 IS a recommendation to City
Council and there IS no appeal period
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
STAFF CONCERNS
Mr Whittenberg noted that the July 5, 2006 Planning Commission meeting IS to be
cancelled due to vacation schedules and a small staff, With the next meeting scheduled
for July 19, 2006
Ms Teague stated that It has been a pleasure working With the Planning
Commissioners and she has appreciated the opportunity to work With them on some
very interesting Issues She also noted how valuable Mr Whittenberg has been to the
City and stated that It has been an honor working With him
COMMISSION CONCERNS
Commissioner Roberts inquired about the Rossmoor Business Center Mr Whittenberg
stated that the status remains the same, but Staff IS aware that they may receive
grading plans and preliminary foundation plans soon
CommisSioner O'Malley inqUired about the Seal Beach Pier groin proJect and asked If
the approval for the remodel for Ruby's Diner IS due to expire soon Mr Whittenberg
stated that he would have to check on the Ruby's approval He said that the pier IS due
to open on June 29th or 30th With all of the groin work completed
ADJOURNMENT
Acting Chairperson Deaton adJourned the meeting at 8 11 P m
Respectfully Submitted,
C'1'~C\,,-^ ~/
Carmen Alvarez, Executive Secretary'
Planning Department
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City of Seal Beach Plannmg Commission
Meetmg Mmutes of June 21, 2006
1 APPROVAL
2
3 The Commission on July 19, 2006, approved the Minutes of the Planning Commission
4 Meeting of Wednesday, June 21, 2006 Q.c..
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