HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Res 93-03 - 1993-01-06
-.
RESOLUTION NUMBER 93-3
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
SEAL BEACH ADOPTING NEGATIVE DECLARATION 92-5 AND
APPROVING CUP NO 92-]2, A REQUEST TO CONSTRUCT A CAR WASH
ON A VACANT LOT AT THE BASE OF THE SUNSET WATER TOWER
RESIDENCE (ORANGE COUNTY AP# 178-502-46)
THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH DOES HEREBY FIND
AND RESOLVE:
Section I. On September 1, 1992, JeffOvereem (liThe Applicant") filed an
application for CUP 92-12 and Variance 92-2 with the Department of Development Services
The applicant seeks to construct and operate an automobIle car wash/quick lube on a vacant lot
located at the base of the Sunset Water Tower residence. In conjunction with the proposed use
the applicant is proposing to provide less than the required drive aisle
Section 2 Pursuant to ]4 Calif Code of Regs ~ IS02S(a) and ~ II A of the
City's Local CEQA Guidelines, staff has performed an initial environmental assessment as
required by the California Environmental Quality Act and based upon the results of the initial
environmental assessment has prepared a Negative Declaration
In response to the mailed notice for Negative Declaration #92-5, the City received written
comments back from the Orange County Environmental Management Agency, CAL TRANS and
the Southern California Gas Company expressing no concern with the proposed use.
On November ]8, 1992, the Planning Commission received comments on the proposed Initial
Study
On January 6, ] 993, the Planning Commission, after receiving public comments on the initial
study and proposed Negative Declaration, based upon the evidence contained in the initial study
and presented during the public comment period, independently evaluated all evidence and
testimony presented during the public comment period, and determined to adopt Negative
Declaration 92-5. The Commission's action was based on the following findings' 1)
Construction of the proposed structure, at approximately ]5 feet in height, will not result in the
obstruction of any scenic views; 2) noise associated with the proposed use of the property is not
expected to exceed City noise standards; 3) the increase in emissions will not result in increased
air emissions or deterioration of ambient air quality beyond projections by the South Coast Air
Quality Management District, and 4) the proposed use of the property is projected to generate
approximately 288 vehicle trips per day, City records indicate that both PCH and Anderson Street
can accommodate the additional 24 vehicle trips per hour (12 arriving, ]2 departing).
Section 3. A duly noticed public hearing was held before the Planning
Commission on November ]8, 1992 to consider the application for CUP No. 92-12 and continued
to December 9, 1992 and January 6, 1993. Evidence, both written and oral, was submitted for
and against the project
Section 4 The record of the hearings on November ]8, 1992, December 9,
1992 and January 6, 1993 indicates the following
(a) On September 1, ]992, the applicant submitted an application for
Variance 92-2 and CUP 92-12 to the Department of Development Services The applicant
proposed to construct a quick lube/car wash with a second story office above on the subject
property.
(b) The proposed quick lube/car wash would have ingress access off of
Pacific Coast Highway with all vehicles exiting the property from a one-way drive aisle onto
Anderson Street
C \AMIPR.O\DQCS\,ClJN9I2 BCC be
Plamung ComnuSSIOD ResolutlOll 9J~J
(c) The subject property is generally flat and has an area of
approximately 4,775 square feet and is currently used as a fenced, paved vacant lot. The subject c
property is located at the base of the Bunset each Water Tower residence and formerly housed
much of the ground level equipment for the old water tower prior to construction of the tower
residence in 1982-83. The eastern extension of the site is 25' in width, an unusual configuration
which results from the establishment of the Tower residence as a separate parcel
(d) In June of ] 992 the applicant submitted a different application
proposing to construct a three-story, two-unit condominium structure. The proposed condo was
35 feet in height During the public hearing on the earlier request several members of the public
expressed concern over the height of the structure and the impact it would have on views of the
adjacent water tower and the applicant elected to withdraw the proposal.
(e) The surrounding land uses and zoning are as follows
NORTH
The Bunset each Water Tower residence and a commercial auto detailing and
sales lot located in the General Commercial zone (C-2) and Pacific Coast
Highway.
BOUTH
The residential community ofBurfside located in the Residential Low Density zone
(RLD)
EABT
The Bunset each Water Tower residence located in the General Commercial zone
(C-2) and located across Anderson Btreet is a mixture of residential uses in the
unincorporated area of Bun set each.
WEBT
Noels restaurant located in the General Commercial zone (C-2) and Pacific Coast
Highway.
(f) At the December 9th meeting the Commission directed staff to meet with
the applicant to consider alterations to the proposed project which would reduce expected
impacts generated by the project Btaffmet with the applicant on December 10th and the
applicant agreed to the following modifications to achieve greater compliance with the City's
zoning ordinance:
(1) The second story office and deck will be removed from
consideration;
(2) The flow of traffic through the site will be reversed from the
original proposal with all traffic entering the site from Anderson Btreet and exiting onto Pacific
Coast Highway, and
(3) The first floor office and waiting area will be relocated to
the easterly side of the property, adjacent to the tower and abutting the storage room.
These alterations will result in the following'
(I) Removal of the second floor and deck will bring the
proposed use into conformity with the parking requirements,
(2) Reversal of traffic flow will allow all traffic from Pacific
Coast Highway to enter the property from a controlled intersection at Anderson Btreet.
Additionally, over sixty (60) feet of stacking area will be provided on the subject property,
(3) Vehicles exiting the property will exit onto Pacific Coast
Highway approximately 100 feet westerly of the Anderson Btreet intersection, similar to the exit from Noels restaurant; and
C \AMIPR.O\DOCS\(..UJII2 BCC be
Page 2
PIamung Comn.Il"on ResolullCm 93-3
(4) Relocation of the tirst Boor office will allow an additional
parking space as well as remove the necessity of a variance from side and rear yard setback
requirements
(g) The City received two written comments in opposition responding
to the notices of the hearing on CUP No 92-12, including a petition against the proposal
Section 5 Based upon the facts contained in the record, including those stated in
~ 4 of this resolution, and pursuant to ~~ 28-2503 and 28-2504 of the City's Code. the Planning
Commission hereby tinds as follows
(a) CUP No 92-12 is consistent with the provisions of the Land Use
Element of the City's General Plan, which provides a "general commercial" designation for the
subject property and permits automobile mechanical services and car washes subject to the
issuance of a Conditional Use Permit. The use is also consistent with the remaining elements of
the City's General Plan as the policies of those elements are consistent with, and reBected in, the
Land Use Element. Accordingly, the proposed use is consistent with the General Plan
(b) The building and property at the base of the sunset water tower are
adequate in size, shape, topography and location to meet the needs created by the proposed use of
the property, except as to the narrow width of the eastern extension of the site, which necessitates
Variance No 92-2 for a single lane drive-aisle
(c) Required adherence to applicable building and tire codes ensures
there will be adequate water supply and utilities for the proposed use.
(d) As conditioned hereby, approval ofa car wash/quick lube at the site
will be compatible with surrounding uses and the community in general and will not be
detrimental to the neighborhood.
Section 6 Based upon the foregoing, the Planning Commission hereby
approves Conditional Use Permit 92-12, subject to the following conditions:
I Conditional Use Permit 92-12 is approved for the construction ofa quick lube/car wash at
5 Anderson Street (the proposed address for the subject property)
2 The maximum hours of operation shall be daily from 7 00 a m to 7 00 p.m.
3 Prior to issuance of a building permit, the applicant shall enter into a permanent and
irrevocable easement agreement with the owner of the adjacent property at 16305 Pacitic
Coast Highway and the City of Seal Beach Said agreement shall be drafted by the City
Attorney's office with the applicant bearing all costs of preparation.
4. Prior to issuance ofa building permit, the applicant shall submit a drainage plan for the
proposed project to the Engineering Department for review and approval. Upon review
of the drainage plan, the applicant may be required to install a curb and gutter system
along Anderson Street
5 The applicant shall comply with all conditions imposed by the City's Engineering
Department and the Orange County Fire Department.
6. All water used in conjunction with the car wash shall be recycled on site Proposed water
recycling plan shall be subject to the review and approval of the Director of Development
Services.
7. A minimum of 10% of the site shall be landscaped and maintained in a neat and weed free
manner at all times Prior to issuance of a building permit, the applicant shall submit a
formal landscaping and irrigation plan to the Department of Development Services for
review and approval
C\AMlPR.O\DOCS\C12 BCCbo
Page 3
. .
PllUUWIg Conmusslon Resolul1Oll93-2
8.
Lighting and glare shall be confined to the subject property to avoid disturbance to
neighboring uses Prior to issuance of a building permit, the applicant shall submit a
formal lighting plan to the Department of Development Services for review and approval
9.
The first Boor office/waiting area shall be relocated to the east side ofthe property
adjacent to the tower and abutting the storage area
10
A fifth parking space shall be included in the area vacated through the relocation of the
first floor office/waiting area.
11.
The applicant shall construct an eight (8) foot block wall along the northwesterly (adjacent
to Noels restaurant) and southwesterly (adjacent to Surfside Colony) sides of the
property. The required block wall shall match the existing block wall on the southwesterly
side of the property (separating Noels from Tower Auto)
12
Prior to submission of plans for Building Department plan check, the applicant shall
submit revised plans to the Planning Commission for consent calendar architectural review
and approval
Section 7 Based upon the foregoing, the Planning Comnussion finds that there is no
substantial evidence that Conditional Use Permit 92-12, Car Wash/Quick Lube (Anderson Street)
will have a significant effect on the environment, involves no [potential for adverse impact, either
individually or cumulatively, on wildlife resources and will not have an adverse impact on fish and
wildlife and directs the Director of Development Services to tile the appropriate De Minimis
Impact Finding for the California Department ofFish and Game Certificate of Fee Exemption
The Commission further finds that the proposed Negative Declaration reBects the independent
judgment of the City of Seal Beach The proposed Negative Declaration is hereby adopted
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the Planning Commission of the City of Seal Beach
at a meeting thereof held on the 6th day ofJanuary, 1993 by the following vote.
AYES Commissioners Fife. Dahlman. SharD. Law
NOES' Commissioners
ABSENT. Commissioners
Whittenberg, Secretary
Planmng Commission
C \AMlPRO\DOCS'CUP\R92-12 BCC be::
Page 4