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Home My WebLink AboutPC Minutes 10-23-00 MINUTES TUSTIN PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 23, 2000 CALL TO ORDER: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: ROLL CALL: Present: Staff: 7:01 p.m., City Council Chambers Commissioner Jennings Chairman Kozak, Commissioners Bell, Jennings, Miller, and Pontious Chairman Kozak, Commissioners Bell, Jennings, Miller, and Pontious Elizabeth Binsack, Community Development Director Doug Holland, Deputy City Attorney Karen Peterson, Senior Planner Minoo Ashabi, Associate Planner Patricia Adams, Assistant Planner Eloise Harris, Recording Secretary PUBLIC CONCERNS: There were no Public Concerns. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. Minutes of October 9, 2000 Planning Commission Meeting. Commissioner Pontious moved, Commissioner Bell seconded, to approve the Consent Calendar with the following correction: On page 6, third paragraph, last word should be "accepted," not "excepted." Motion carried 5-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2. Conditional Use Permit 00-011 authorizing a master sign plan for an office building to allow larger wall signs and continued use of a monument sign for the primary tenant. APPLICANT: PROPERTY OWNERS: LOCATION: RECOMMENDATION: OSCAR SALINAS P.S. SERVICES SYCAMORE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT ATTN: STAN WOLF 13522 NEWPORT AVENUE That the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. 3754 approving Conditional Use Permit 00-011. The Public Hearing opened at 7:02 p.m. Minoo Ashabi, Associate Planner, presented the report. Chairman Kozak asked the applicant to address the Planning Commission. MINUTES TUSTIN PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 23, 2000 CALL TO ORDER: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: ROLL CALL: Present: Staff: 7:01 p.m., City Council Chambers Commissioner Jennings Chairman Kozak, Commissioners Bell, Jennings, Miller, and Pontious Chairman Kozak, Commissioners Bell, Jennings, Miller, and Pontious Elizabeth Binsack, Community Development Director Doug Holland, Deputy City Attorney Karen Peterson, Senior Planner Minoo Ashabi, Associate Planner Patricia Adams, Assistant Planner Eloise Harris, Recording Secretary PUBLIC CONCERNS: There were no Public Concerns. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. Minutes of October 9, 2000 Planning Commission Meeting. Commissioner Pontious moved, Commissioner Bell seconded, to approve the Consent Calendar with the following correction: On page 6, third paragraph, last word should be "accepted," not "excepted." Motion carried 5-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2. Conditional Use Permit 00-011 authorizing a master sign plan for an office building to allow larger wall signs and continued use of a monument sign for the primary tenant. APPLICANT: PROPERTY OWNERS: LOCATION: RECOMMENDATION: OSCAR SALINAS P.S. SERVICES SYCAMORE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT ATTN: STAN WOLF 13522 NEWPORT AVENUE That the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. 3754 approving Conditional Use Permit 00-011. The Public Hearing opened at 7:02 p.m. Minoo Ashabi, Associate Planner, presented the report. Chairman Kozak asked the applicant to address the Planning Commission. Planning Commission Minutes October 23, 2000 Page 3 Chairman Kozak stated the Commission was in agreement with allowing flexibility in replacing the sign and asked staff for language to modify the conditions. The Director responded that staff had enough general direction from the Commission and would appreciate a continuance to the November 14'h meeting of the Planning Commission in order to provide specific language. Staff then requested further direction in terms of proceeding with the monument sign, whether it should be a conforming sign or remain as a nonconforming sign terminating with the lease. The Commission responded the latter would be preferable. The Director suggested deed-restricting the property. Chairman Kozak asked staff if it would be appropriate to ask for a motion to continue the item. The Director responded affirmatively. The Public Hearing remains open. Commissioner Pontious moved, Commissioner Bell seconded, to continue this matter to the November 14, 2000, Planning Commission meeting. Motion carried 5-0. REGULAR BUSINESS: Sign Code Exception 00-001 to authorize refacing of an existing joint use monument sign originally approved for businesses at 145 and 155 West First Street for exclusive use of Surfas Furriers at 145 West First Street. APPLICANT/ PROPERTY OWNERS: SURFAS FURRIERS LTD. ATTN: ARNOLD SURFAS LOCATION: 145 WEST FIRST STREET RECOMMENDATION: That the Planning Commission continue Sign Code Exception 00-001 to the January 22, 2001, Planning Commission meeting. The Director mentioned correspondence at the dais from a neighboring property owner who was in the audience and wished to come forward to provide testimony. The Deputy City Attorney approved the taking of testimony. David McCombs, representative for Econo Lube N Tube, stated opposition to continuing the matter; Mr. Surfas removed a sign which was owned and maintained by Econo Lube and co-shared with the previous tenant for 23 years; for the past year Mr. Surfas has illegally used the sign in violation of City ordinance; Mr. Surfas has been given two notices of violation and has failed to comply; three years ago new signage was put on Econo Lube's building and the City found this sign was in violation; Econo Lube removed that sign and complied with City Codes; Mr. Surfas has been using Econo Lube's monument sign without permission and against City ordinance; continuing this matter creates a hardship for Econo Lube as 50 percent of their business is drive-by; the Econo Lube sign should be brought back to permitted use; and, when that is accomplished, have Mr. Surfas request a continuance to formulate an agreement at that time. Chairman Kozak commented that the proposed continuation is for consideration of the sign code exception; other code enforcement actions would continue. Planning Commission Minutes October 23, 2000 Page 4 Mr. McCombs asked why the Commission was considering an exception when the sign is in violation. Chairman Kozak answered that the Commission had not seen applications or a staff report and required additional time for those developments. The Director stated that Econo Lube N Tune's signs were expeditiously removed; Econo Lube N Tune was being a good neighbor; this issue has been a pending code enforcement action; the City did not authorize or condone the actions of Surfas Furriers; two notices of violation were sent; the Planning Commission has the ability to bifurcate the sign code exception and code enforcement issues; Mr. Surfas may continue his pending request for a sign code exception but that does not mean that the City will not compel him to return the sign to what it was; and, staff will work with Mr. McCombs to accomplish a proposed course of action. Chairman Kozak asked for a motion to continue. Commissioner Jennings moved, Commissioner Pontious seconded, to continue this matter to the January 22, 2001, Planning Commission meeting. STAFF CONCERNS: 4. Report on Actions taken at the October 16, 2000 City Council Meeting Presentation: Elizabeth A. Binsack, Director of Community Development - Adopted amendment to the Sexually Oriented Businesses Code. - Approved the assignment of the lease agreement for the food and concession at the Tustin Sports Park to the operators of Caf6 Piemonte. beverage Chairman Kozak asked about the Planning Officials Forum. The Director indicated that attendance was up, and the Forum went well. Staff will provide the survey results to the Planning Commission when that information becomes available. 5. Project Summary: The summary focuses on the status of projects that the Planning Commission, Zoning Administrator, or Community Development Director approved, major tenant improvement projects, and other items of interest. Presentation: Karen Peterson, Senior Planner Commissioner Jennings asked if anything is happening with Acorn Naturalists. Staff responded there has been contact with the property owner who is planning to submit plans this week. Commissioner Jennings then asked whether the carwash is going to be under substantial construction by December 1. The Director responded negatively but noted that ongoing discussions indicate the applicant will be requesting a continuance as well as a modification of the conditional use permit. Commissioner Jennings asked if modifications are expected from Acorn Naturalists. Approved the amendment to the agreement between Orange County Water District and the City for the construction, operation, and acquisition of a groundwater desalter project for replacement of failed well. Planning Commission Minutes October 23, 2000 Page 5 The Director responded negatively. Chairman Kozak referred to the many projects in which staff is involved and stated his hope that the press will acknowledge the amount of community involvement evidenced by the various projects. COMMISSION CONCERNS: Commissioner Jennings - Enjoyed the Planning Officials Forum which provided valuable information and networking. Commissioner Bell - Agreed with Commissioner Jennings' comments regarding the Forum. - Stated that Tiller Days were very enjoyable, but attendance seemed down this year. - Asked what the City's policy is regarding political signs. The Director responded there is a time frame for removal. That information will be provided to the Commissioners. Commissioner Pontious - Echoed Commissioner Bell's Tiller Days comments. - Reported that the IRWD well sites on Mitchell need attention. Commissioner Miller - Thanked other Commissioners and staff for their help in familiarizing him with Planning Commission protocol. Chairman Kozak Enjoyed Tiller Days. Thanked the Director for forwarding a copy of her presentation from the Planning Officials Forum to the Commissioners who were not able to attend. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. A regular meeting of the Planning Commission will be held on November 14, 2000, beginning at 7:00 p.m., City Council Chambers, 300 Centennial Way, Tustin. Elizabeth A. Binsack Planning Commission Secretary ~t'e~h Kozak Chairman