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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 PC Minutes 3-24-09ITEM #1 MINUTES REGULAR MEETING TUSTIN PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 24, 2009 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Given INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL Present: Chair Puckett Chair Pro Tem Kozak Commissioners Kasalek, Murray, Thompson Staff present Elizabeth A. Binsack, Community Development Director David Kendig, Assistant City Attorney Jerry Craig, Redevelopment Program Manager Justina Willkom, Principal Planner Scott Reekstin, Senior Planner Amy Thomas, Senior Planner Eloise Harris, Recording Secretary None Approved Adopted Resolution No. 4113, as modified PUBLIC CONCERNS CONSENT CALENDAR 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -MARCH 10, 2009, PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. It was moved by Thompson, seconded. by Murray to approve the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 5-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. REVISIONS TO HOUSING ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT (GPA 09-001). The availability of housing and a suitable living environment for every family has been of increasing concern to all levels of government. In California, this concern is addressed by the California Government Code requirement that each City adopt a Housing Element as a mandatory part of its General Plan. State Planning Law requires that cities and counties update their Housing Elements at least every five (5) years. The City adopted its Housing Element per State law on June 17, 2008. Minutes -Planning Commission March 24, 2009 -Page 1 The State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) commented on the adopted element. This revised element incorporates HCD's comments. RECOMMENDATION: That the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. 4113 recommending that the City Council approve General Plan Amendment 09-001, revising the adopted Tustin Housing Element. 7:02 p.m. The Public Hearing opened. Willkom Presented the staff report; and, noted that Jerry Craig from the Redevelopment Agency was in attendance to answer any questions the Commissioners may have. Thompson Asked if HCD has seen the revisions and considered the changes acceptable. Willkom Replied that during the preparation of the revisions staff had been in contact with HCD representatives to discuss the revisions; HCD has not seen the revisions, but staff is confident that all the HCD comments have been addressed. Kozak Asked if the Kennedy Commission and Public Law Center comments and staff's responses would be forwarded to HCD. Willkom Answered in the affirmative; the staff report and proposed revisions will be provided to HCD for review. 7:09 p.m. The Public Hearing closed. Thompson Indicated he was surprised that the representatives who wrote comments were not in attendance this evening; read comments from the letters which seemed to contradict the claim that the City is not in compliance; the figures indicate otherwise: the City has achieved 71 percent of its very low income goal, 32 percent of the low income goal, 70 percent of the moderate goal while only 25 percent through the timeframe for the implementation of the plan; there seems to be a misdiagnosis of Tustin's performance; if these entities have examples of communities that are performing better than Tustin, that information should be shared with staff and the Commission. Minutes -Planning Commission March 24, 2009 -Page 2 Thompson continued Added that it is his opinion that the City staff has done an excellent job of meeting the housing needs; he is very proud of what has been accomplished by the City. Murray Stated his agreement with Commissioner Thompson's remarks; Commissioner Murray had discussions with Planning Commissioners from other cities and was told that Tustin is doing more than an adequate job; Tustin has performed due diligence in this regard. Kasalek Agreed with her fellow Commissioners; complimented staff for doing such a thorough job; and, noted that Tustin is well known for providing low-income housing. Kozak Stated that staff has done tremendous work regarding the housing needs of the community; thanked staff for the exhaustive rewrite, which he hopes HCD will approve. Requested that information be added to the resolution regarding the staff's public outreach on this matter. Puckett Indicated that he has learned over the years that it is impossible to please everyone; staff has done a phenomenal job of meeting the housing goals. Murray Asked staff if Commissioner Kozak's suggestion was acceptable. Director Indicated staff could make the suggested addition to the resolution. It was moved by Kozak, seconded by Murray, to adopt Resolution No. 4113, with the modification. Motion carried 5-0. Director Noted that Justina Willkom, Reina Kapadia, and the Redevelopment Agency worked tirelessly on the Housing Element update; one of the documents included in the Housing Element was a report card and empirical data that the Orange County Business Council independently prepared; this data identified Tustin as being ranked No. 3 in the County regarding the work force/housing scorecard which is based on total growth, housing as a percentage of total Orange County housing, jobs to housing, ratio balance, and change in housing density; this is physical production of housing the City performed. Minutes -Planning Commission March 24, 2009 -Page 3 REGULAR BUSINESS Approved: to be 3. TUSTIN HISTORIC REGISTER NOMINATION - 310 SOUTH known as the PASADENA AVENUE "Wilcox Manor"; Vote 4-1, Thompson RECOMMENDATION: dissenting That the Planning Commission approve the nomination 310 South Pasadena Street to the Tustin Historic Register Plaque Designation Program and select the most appropriate historical name and date of construction for the property. Reekstin Presented the staff report, requesting that the Commission choose the most appropriate name for the site. Murray Asked if there were any naming conventions that may be considered the norm. Reekstin Indicated that the Tustin protocol has been to include the name of a prominent owner or the builder of the home, following by "House." Puckett Invited the homeowner to the lectern. Lindburgh McPherson Reiterated the reasons for using "Wilcox Manor" which he had stated at a previous Planning Commission meeting. Brent Ferdig Indicated he was representing the Tustin Preservation Conservancy; the plaque program began as an educational device which includes the historic name; using "Manor" presents a false sense of history. Thompson Complimented the property owners for bringing this house back to its original appearance; the photos were especially interesting; while he appreciates the name suggested, he would encourage the owners to use the name but not include Manor on the plaque. Murray Complimented staff on the report and the speakers for sharing their views of the naming; this is a sensitive issue; while leaning toward the desire of the homeowners, it may be necessary to stick with the convention from an historical perspective. Kasalek Stated it was her opinion that the homeowners' request should be honored because they have done a great deal to bring back the historical value of the home; the most important aspect is that the Wilcox name and history be preserved; she supports continuing to refer to the property as "Wilcox Manor." Minutes -Planning Commission March 24, 2009 -Page 4 Kozak Added his compliments to the property owners; thanked the Conservancy for their historical perspective; and, suggested that the best compromise might be to choose "Wilcox Manor -The Villa." Puckett Indicated that the owners should be allowed to use the name they want for the property. Thompson Asked if the homeowners would have further comments in response to the Commission's discussion. Mr. McPherson Stated again that the home does not look like a villa, but instead an English manor; he feels it is not asking too much to preserve the name they have been using since they acquired the property, "Wilcox Manor"; preserving the Wilcox name is the key element to the history of this house. It was moved by Murray to allow the name "Wilcox Manor" to be used, seconded by Kasalek. Motion carried 4-1. Thompson dissented. Approved: to be 4. TUSTIN HISTORIC REGISTER NOMINATION - 415 WEST known as the SIXTH STREET "W.W. Martin- Thompson House"; RECOMMENDATION: Vote 4-0, Thompson abstaining That the Planning Commission approve the nomination of 415 West Sixth Street to the Tustin Historic Register Plaque Designation Program and select the most appropriate historical name and date of construction for the property. Thompson Recused himself and left the dais. Reekstin Turned the item over to Commissioner Thompson who presented a slide show from the lectern. Thompson Stated, at the end of the slide show, that he is satisfied with the name the Conservancy suggested. Mr. Ferdig Indicated that, due to the time the Thompsons have lived in the house and the fact that they rescued the house from demotion, the Conservancy recommended W.W. Martin-Thompson House. Kozak Asked if Mr. Ferdig would comment on Commissioner Thompson's comment regarding the use of Morehead. Minutes -Planning Commission March 24, 2009 -Page 5 Mr. Ferdig Stated that Morehead was the builder but, considering the history, Mr. Martin lived in the house quite some time and was involved in the development of Tustin, which is more historically relevant. Commission It was the consensus of the Commission that the Thompson family has done an incredible job of restoring this house; and, offered compliments to the family. It was moved by Kozak, seconded by Kasalek, to approve the name "1/1/.W. Martin-Thompson House." Motion carried 4-0. Thompson abstained. STAFF CONCERNS 5. REPORT OF ACTIONS TAKEN AT THE MARCH 17, 2009, CITY COUNCIL MEETING. Director reported The City Council authorized staff to forward the General Plan Annual Report to the state HCD. The Planning Commission requested information regarding freeway sound walls, especially in the Old Town Area. Staff will be researching this issue with the Orange County Transportation Authority and Caltrans and will bring those issues back to the Commission and the Council. COMMISSION CONCERNS Thompson Thanked everyone for their compliments regarding his presentation; Tustin is a wonderful city, and he is proud to live here. Kasalek Indicated that she was pleased to see Councilman Palmer on the ABC World News and the spot regarding the Orange County Rescue Mission. Reminded everyone that the Easter Egg Hunt takes place April 11 at the Sports Park, ,and the Community Recognition Luncheon will be on April 30. Kozak Thanked staff for their excellent work on the Housing Element revisions. Asked for the status of the old Econo Lube `N Tune on First Street; the building is very decrepit and the surrounding area looks unkempt. Minutes -Planning Commission March 24, 2009 -Page 6 Director Indicated that Code Enforcement staff will take a look; there is a proposal in plan check for that site. Kozak Stated that the former Sizzler site on Red Hill looks abandoned; the property owner needs to be contacted to mitigate the blight. Noted that he attended the Tustin Preservation Meet and Greet last night, a wonderful event with lots of interesting residents in attendance. Reminded everyone that the EI Camino Real Park reopening and dedication is taking place April 2. Thanked staff for the information regarding the San Clemente Historic Preservation workshops; he hopes to attend. Puckett Thanked staff for their fine work on the Housing Element and also the quality of the plaque program presentations. Noted the Volunteer Recognition Luncheon sponsored by the Tustin Community Foundation will be held at 310 Pasadena; Erin Nielsen and Lindburgh McPherson worked hard to put this together; this is an excellent opportunity to see this property newly recommended for the plaque program. Stated the Easter Egg Hunt is preceded by a Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the Community Foundation; he hopes to see everyone there. Indicated he also attended the Old Town Meet and Greet; Linda Jennings has done a great job bringing the Old Town community together; he met people he has not met previously even though he has lived in Tustin for 34 years. Murray Stated that he also attended the Old Town Meet and Greet. Reminded everyone that the annual Preservation Awards Banquet takes place Monday, April 27. Complimented the Community Services Director, David Wilson, who obtained grant funds to assist in the renovation of EI Camino Real Park; the reopening takes at 6:00 p.m., on April 2. Indicated he also saw the Village of Hope TV segment and thought it was outstanding. Minutes -Planning Commission March 24, 2009 -Page 7 Murray continued Noted there was an article in the newspaper about the Advanced Technology and Education Park (ATEP) at Red Hill and Valencia; the facility is developing many new training opportunities, such as a state- of-the-art nursing lab, a digital recording arts program, and green technologies. Recommended Bistro West, 2601 Park Avenue, as a fine new restaurant-great foot, great service, and reasonable prices in a wonderful atmosphere. Asked for a moment of silence in honor of the Oakland Police Department officers who were killed in the line of duty over the weekend and that the meeting be adjourned in memory of these peace officers. 8:20 p.m. ADJOURNMENT In Honor of and In Tribute to Sgt. Mark Dunakin, Officer John Hege, Sgt. Ervin Romans, Sgt. Daniel Sakai and their families The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at 300 Centennial Way. Minutes -Planning Commission March 24, 2009 -Page 8