Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 PC Minutes 3-11-08ITEM #1 SPECIAL MEETING TOUR OF SOUTHWEST TUSTIN 4:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. LEFT CITY HALL AT 4:20 P.M. TOUR DESTINATIONS:* 14071 Newport Avenue, Retail Center, 4:15 p.m. 14552 Newport Avenue, Arbor Walk, 4:45 p.m. 14772 Newport Avenue, Family/Youth Center, 5:15 p.m. 1400 Mitchell Avenue, Frontier Park, 5:45 p.m. *Arrival/Departure times are approximate. MINUTES REGULAR MEETING TUSTIN PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 11, 2008 7:02 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Given PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioners Puckett and 1. SEATING OF COMMISSIONERS PUCKETT AND Thompson sworn in by THOMPSON. Mayor Jerry Amante 7:05 p.m. Due to technical difficulties, a brief recess was called. 7:10 p.m. Audio was restored, and the meeting was reconvened. ROLL CALL: Present: Chair Nielsen Chair Pro Tem Puckett Commissioners Kozak, Murray, Thompson Staff present Elizabeth Binsack, Community Development Director David Kendig, Deputy City Attorney Dana Ogdon, Assistant Community Development Director Scott Reekstin, Senior Planner Justina Willkom, Senior Planner Eloise Harris, Recording Secretary Minutes -Planning Commission March 11, 2008 -Page 1 None PUBLIC CONCERNS CONSENT CALENDAR Commissioner Thompson 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -FEBRUARY 28, 2008, asked that the item be PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. pulled; approved, with one minor modification Commissioner Nielsen 3. 2008 GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL REPORT. asked that the item be pulled for discussion; California State Law requires each city to adopt a authorized staff to forward to comprehensive, long-term general plan for its City Council for consideration physical development and any land outside its boundaries which bears a relationship to its planning activities. Section 65400(b) of the Government Code requires that the City's planning agency provide an annual report to the City Council on the status of the General Plan and progress in its implementation. RECOMMENDATION: That the Planning Commission review and authorize staff to forward the Annual Report on the Status of the Tustin General Plan to the City Council for consideration. It was moved by Murray, seconded by Kozak, to pull both items for discussion. Motion carried 5-0. Thompson Asked that a correction be made on page 11 to remove the language "soften the massing on the north elevations" to "other historical materials." It was moved by Thompson, seconded by Puckett, to approve the minutes of February 26, 2008, with that modification. Motion carried 5-0. Nielsen Asked if other members of the Commission had any questions. Thompson Requested an explanation of the Regional Housing significance to the City and the objectives that were met; and, asked what might happen if there is a gap and the goals are not achieved. Minutes -Planning Commission March 11, 2008 -Page 2 Willkom Stated there was a revised table provided to the Commission that shows the correct total of units that have been constructed as of December 31, 2007; the Regional Housing Needs (RHNA) assessment is the number assigned by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) to the City; those numbers are goals that the City would need to achieve; Table 2 describes what has been constructed and also the units that have been entitled; comparing the two tables, there are other units at the Legacy that have not been included; for example, the 192 units at the Village of Hope are nearing completion but not yet considered complete and were not included in the report; the same would apply to the Orange County Social Services Agency; 90 beds have been approved for abused and neglected children, but that number cannot yet be reflected; there are units required of the Tustin Legacy Community Partners which are not reflected; the City actually has proposed more units than are required. Thompson Noted that Table 3 represents incredible progress. Kozak Questioned whether or regarding the units that included in the table. Willkom not a footnote could be added are nearing completion but not Answered in the affirmative. Nielsen Referred to Goal 3, Congestion Management Program; and, asked if staff could provide any specific data regarding the time period. Willkom Answered in the affirmative. Nielsen Asked if Public Works monitors that program. Willkom Answered in the affirmative. Nielsen Queried whether or not that monitoring is in conjunction with other agencies. Willkom Responded that staff can provide further information. Nielsen Referred to Goal 4 regarding traffic signal coordination; and, asked if that aspect has been completed. Willkom Replied that staff will need to bring a status report back to the Commission. Minutes -Planning Commission March 11, 2008 -Page 3 Nielsen Referred to Goal 12 regarding the CLG; and, asked for verification that City is in compliance. Reekstin Responded that the City is still a CLB; no official change has taken place; there has been no feedback from the state. It was moved by Puckett, seconded by Thompson, to receive and file the report and to forward the report to the City Council. Motion carried 5-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Adopted Resolution No. 4. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 07-024 4085 REQUESTING AUTHORIZATION TO ESTABLISH A MASTER SIGN PLAN FOR THE TUSTIN FINANCIAL CENTER. THIS PROJECT IS LOCATED AT 17772, 27782, 17822, 17852, AND 17862 EAST 17T" STREET IN THE PLANNED COMMUNITY BUSINESS PARK ZONING DISTRICT. RECOMMENDATION: That the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. 4085 approving Conditional Use Permit 07-024. 7:32 p.m. The Public Hearing opened. Ogdon Presented the staff report. Murray Asked for clarification regarding past deviations for similar projects. Ogdon Referred to the Market Place and Legacy as developments that requested master sign programs. Thompson Asked if the signs are to be illuminated. Ogdon Suggested that would be a question for the applicant. Thompson Asked if temporary "For Lease" signs are covered by this program or would be a separate category. Ogdon Indicated temporary signs are a different category. Thompson Asked if there are signs that will be removed and replaced by the proposed signs. Minutes -Planning Commission March 11, 2008 -Page 4 Ogdon Responded that the site has many signs that will be replaced. Thompson Asked if the signs would include contrasting colors from the existing signs. Ogdon Answered that the signs will be shades of grey and white, identical to the existing buildings. Thompson Asked if 17th Street has any specific plan similar to First Street. Ogdon Responded that the reference to a master sign program and a specific plan would be more related to larger developments such as Vestar and unifying the signs to the architecture of the site; when there are many property owners along a street, it is difficult to reach agreement on a sign program for the entire street. Thompson Suggested that there is no unifying sign program for First Street. Ogdon Answered in the affirmative; added that the Master Sign Plan Code indicates that a single development project must be at least 30,000 square feet of building and at least one acre project size; and, noted that any new developments fitting that criteria would be required to have a sign program. Nielsen Asked if the landscaping shown in the renderings would be included as part of the project. Ogdon Replied that the sign program is separate from the development plan for the site and landscaping is not a part of the application. Nielsen Stated the easternmost entryway from 17th Street into the financial center has a monument sign on the northwest corner of the entryway; and, indicated that there seemed to be line-of-sight materials for other signs but not that particular sign, which seems to be the one that would create the most problems. Director Stated that pages and 11 and 12 of the exhibit show the line-of-sight. Minutes -Planning Commission March 11, 2008 -Page 5 Ogdon Noted that the exhibit shows line-of-sight; however, prior to issuance of building permits, staff would make sure that requirement is met. Nielsen Asked if it would be a requirement that the minimum be met. Director Stated that would specifically be required at the time of issuing a building permit. Nielsen Invited the applicant to the lectern. Garrick Batt, Sign Stated he was available to answer any questions the Specialist Corporation Commission might have. Thompson Requested that Mr. Batt respond to the illumination question posed earlier. Mr. Batt Replied that the two property identification monuments will have illuminated letters; the sign itself will not be illuminated; the three monuments for tenant advising are not illuminated in any way; canopy signs will be placed over the northern door to each of the buildings which will be illuminated downward but will not project light forward on onto the street or surrounding area. Murray Asked for elaboration regarding the type of lighting. Mr. Butt Replied that the lighting is known as neon channel lettering; the lettering has tubes of neon behind; the glow of the neon is projected on the background surrounding the letters; what will be seen at night is a nice halo effect around the letters. Puckett Suggested that the neon is protected. Mr. Butt Responded in the affirmative. Director Added that the general requirements prohibit exposed lamps of any kind, and specifically exposed neon. 7:50 p.m. The Public Hearing closed. Commission It was the consensus of the Commission that this is a fitting project for the Meredith Financial Center. It was moved by Murray, seconded by Kozak, to adopt Resolution No. 4085. Minutes -Planning Commission March 11, 2008 -Page 6 REGULAR BUSINESS: Received and filed the report 5. FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSION; TOUR OF and provided direction to SOUTHWEST TUSTIN. staff The discussion provides a forum for the Commission to generally discuss the tour and to make recommendations for future tours. RECOMMENDATION: That the Planning Commission receive this report and provide direction to staff. Commission It was the consensus of the Commission that the tour was very informative, and they look forward to the next one. Director Indicated that staff would like to schedule workshops prior to the March 25, 2008, Planning Commission meeting, beginning at 5:30 p.m., rather than schedule another tour for that date. A Business License workshop would be scheduled at 5:30 p.m. and a Building Code Update and Issues workshop at 6:00 p.m. Commission Indicated that workshops beginning at 5:30 would be acceptable. STAFF CONCERNS 8. REPORT OF ACTIONS TAKEN AT THE MARCH 4, 2008, CITY COUNCIL MEETING. Director reported The Prospect Village amendment to the planned community, upon recommendation of the Planning Commission, was approved; the second reading will take place at the March 18, 2008, City Council meeting. The appeal of the Planning Commission's denial of the project at 740 EI Camino Real was continued to the March 18, 2008, City Council meeting. The project at 170 EI Camino Real was approved; the resolution was amended, and adopted, to include the five recommendations from the Planning Commission related to the architecture on that project; the City Council appreciated the Commission's hard work on the project; the applicant and architect have already met with staff and have begun developing revised plans. Minutes -Planning Commission March 11, 2008 -Page 7 Director continued A letter was prepared and signed by the Mayor relating to the City's concerns regarding the proposed amendments to the Airport Environs Land Use Plan. The Director congratulated the two reappointed members of the Planning Commission. COMMISSION CONCERNS Thompson Stated his appreciation and thanks for being reappointed to the Planning Commission. Asked if staff could schedule an overview of the goals and guidelines of the Old Town Parking Study to help the Commissioners understand the study in context with the various applications the Planning Commission will be reviewing. Indicated that he was traveling through Old Towne Orange over the weekend; there were large banners across some of the main streets advertising an on-the-house permit program; this appears to be some sort of incentive program; perhaps this is something the City of Tustin could explore regarding improvements to Old Town Tustin. Thanked staff for the memorandum responding to the Commission's questions regarding the Mitigation Monitoring Report; he looks forward to further clarifications from Public Works. Thanked staff for the tour of Southwest Tustin and the insights into the development of that area. Kozak Congratulated Chair Pro Tem Puckett and Commissioner Thompson on their reappointments to the Commission. Thanked staff for the opportunity to attend the California Preservation Federation workshop at Cal Poly last Friday; it was held on the Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies which is itself an interesting location in view of the projects and studies that are underway by the faculty and students; the primary topic of the workshop had to do with preserving modern monuments; it was very informative in terms of classification of different styles of development by area and period and the contribution development has made to the history of the different communities; Survey LA was there, along with Pasadena and Palm Springs; Los Angeles has 880,000 individual parcels in the city, 463 Minutes -Planning Commission March 11, 2008 -Page 8 square miles, and every parcel will be reviewed, analyzed, and cataloged; a disc of all the presentations was provided and can be shared with staff and the members of the Commission, in interested. Thanked staff for the agenda items this evening; and, apologized for being unable to make the tour. Referred to page 90 of the Old Town Parking Study regarding the Action Plan; and, asked what action has been taken. Director Answered that staff can bring that information back to the Commission. Kozak Asked for information regarding the SunCal properties in Tustin. Director Indicated that staff will be preparing a memorandum highlighting the facts related to the two properties, the entitlements, and the status of those properties; SunCal no longer has an interest in either property; acourt- appointed trustee is acting as the asset manager. Murray Congratulated Chair Pro Tem Puckett and Commissioner Thompson. Thanked staff for the tour, a great job by everyone. Offered special accolades to Barbara at the Youth Center; she did a great job providing a tour of the Center. Referred to the article in the Orange County Register regarding the recent clean-up project by the Tustin Pride Committee. Reminded everyone that the Easter Egg Hunt takes place March 22"d at the Tustin Sports Park beginning at 8:30 a.m. Puckett Congratulated Commission Thompson on his reappointment to the Commission; it is an honor to have been reappointed and to serve with the gentlemen of the Planning Commission. Thanked Kim Leason for the work of Tustin Pride. Minutes -Planning Commission March 11, 2008 -Page 5 Puckett continued Thanked Scott Reekstin for the tour of Southwest Tustin. Noted the Tustin Community Foundation sponsors the Pancake Breakfast that Commissioner Murray mentioned; Erin Nielsen, the Executive Director of the Foundation, has done a great job putting this Breakfast together. Wished everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day and Happy Easter. Nielsen Congratulated Chair Pro Tem Puckett and Commissioner Thompson. Stated the Pancake Breakfast begins at 8:00 a.m.; tickets are $5.00 for adults and $4.00 for children. Noted he attended the ribbon-cutting at Beach Pit B-B-Q; and, encouraged everyone to visit this landmark building and have some great food. Asked that a workshop be scheduled regarding the Old Town Parking Study. Asked if there are any regulations regarding smoke shops in relation to distance from school. Director Answered in the negative; smoke shops are considered a retail use within the City. Nielsen Stated there ,is a shop very close to Tustin High School that concerns him; and, asked staff to research whether there are ordinances in surrounding cities. 8:16 p.m. ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at 300 Centennial Way. Minutes -Planning Commission March 11, 2008 -Page 10