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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 10-12-98CALL TO ORDER: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: INVOCATION: ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Present: Absent: Staff: MINUTES TUSTIN PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 12, 1998 ~"k'k'k'k 7:00 p.m., City Council Chambers Commissioner Kozak Chairperson Pontious Chairperson Pontious, Browne, Davert, Jones, Kozak Chairperson Pontious Vice Chair Kozak Douglass Davert Scott Browne Paul Jones None Elizabeth Binsack, Director of Community Development Steve Miles, Deputy City Attorney Daniel Fox, Senior Planner Doug Anderson, Traffic Engineer Karen Peterson, Associate Planner PUBLIC CONCERNS: (Limited to 3 minutes per person for items not on the agenda.) No public concerns were expressed. IF YOU REQUIRE SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE PLANNING COMMISSION SECRETARY AT (714) 573-3106. CONSENT CALENDAR: (ALL MATTERS LISTED UNDER CONSENT CALENDAR ARE CONSIDERED ROUTINE AND WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION. THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF THESE ITEMS PRIOR TO THE TIME OF THE VOTING ON THE MOTION UNLESS MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION, STAFF OR PUBLIC REQUEST SPECIFIC ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED AND/OR REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR SEPARATE ACTION.) CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. Minutes of the September 28, 1998 Planning Commission Meeting. Commissioner Davert moved, Commissioner Jones seconded, to approve the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 4-0. Commissioner Kozak abstained due to his absence at the 9~28~98 meeting. Planning Commission Minutes October 12, 1998 Page 2 PUBLIC HEARINGS: Conditional Use Permit 98-016, Design Review 98-016, & Sign Code Exception 98-004 a request to authorize a self-serve gasoline station with a convenience market; to authorize off-site alcoholic beverage sales (type 20) for off-site consumption; to authorize the site plan, architecture and landscaping for the project; authorize additional wall signs; and, a twenty-four (24) foot high pole sign. The project is located within the retail commercial district-parking oveday (C-1 P). APPLICANT: CHEVRON PRODUCTS COMPANY PROPERTY OWNER: WILDE MANAGEMENT GROUP Recommendation That the Planning Commission: Adopt Resolution No. 3618 approving the environmental determination for the project; Adopt Resolution No. 3619 approving Conditional Use Permit 98-016, Design Review 98-016; and, c. Adopt Resolution No. 3620 approving Sign Code Exception 98-004. Karen Peterson presented the subject report. The public hearing opened at 7:04 p.m. Commissioner Kozak inquired if it would be possible to underground the SCE poles for aesthetics and stated his excitement about project. Commissioner Browne asked for the height of the contents of the corner planter. Daniel Fox responded that there were no details on the landscape plans to indicate the height of the berming or the plant material and the height will depend on maintenance. He further stated that the SCE utilities Commissioner Kozak referred to do not serve this property and all utilities serving this site will be installed underground. Tracey Meronyk, applicant, stated that Chevron is redeveloping the site as a result of the widening of 17'h Street to correct a situation wherein vehicles at the outside pump island fueling station are too close to 17"' Street. She also noted that the property is now setback further than the property across Carroll Way and the pole sign is necessary to provide greater visibility to their clients following the widening of 17th Street. She also stated that the blue on the canopy is important to Chevron in that it is a corporate identity that minimizes on-site traffic conflicts by directing vehicles entering the pump island in the correct manner. Chairperson Pontious asked if some of the "7" or "11" signs could be eliminated to ease the proliferation of signs. Tracey Meronyk, applicant, stated that they feel stronger about the fuel lane signs than the others. Chairperson Pontious asked if the applicant would be willing to take them off the maintenance building thereby eliminating some of the signage. Commissioner Jones stated his agreement since the pumps will be screened from the street. Commissioner Kozak stated his agreement. Planning Commission Minutes October 12, 1998 Page 3 Chairperson Pontious asked if the applicant would be willing to compromise and have the blue around the center portion instead of the whole length of the canopy. Tracey Meronyk, applicant, stated that Chevron tries to stay with a standard image for their customers. Chairperson Pontious stated that she believed the entrance is obvious at this location. Commissioner Davert stated that he had never seen a Chevron station without the blue canopy. Commissioner Browne asked the applicant if the pole sign or the blue canopy were more important to them. Tracey Meronyk, applicant, stated that the canopy is more important to Chevron's corporate image. Commissioner Kozak inquired about blue letters on the Chevron logo. Trace¥ Meronyk responded that blue letters are not as visible at night and this is an important night site. Chairperson Pontious asked if the blue colors from the drawings or the photo simulation would be used. The Director stated that the colors in the photo simulation are Chevron's corporate colors. Commissioner Kozak asked the Commission to reach a consensus on how much blue the Commission would like to see and give direction to staff to work with the applicant. Commissioner Browne asked if the sign resolution could be separate from the other two resolutions. Chairperson Pontious stated that the Commission is only focusing on issues that pertain to the sign code. Commissioner Davert stated that when they are finished with this item, the Commission can have further discussions on the sign code issues. Tracey Meronyk, applicant, stated that the existing blue on the canopy matches the blue in the photograph. Commissioner Davert stated that he prefers the reverse design but understands why staff is making that concession and he has no problem with the restroom signs; and, he has never seen a Chevron without the blue canopy. He further stated that as opposed to the pole sign, he would prefer to see a monument sign much like the one Unocal has across the street. Commissioner Jones stated he had also not seen a Chevron without the blue banner across the canopy; he would like to see the three restroom signs on the side of the building removed; and, he feels very strongly that the pole sign be removed and replaced with a monument sign. He further stated that he was satisfied with the parking and believed that the berming may lift the height of the monument sign so that a larger sign would not be necessary. Commissioner Davert stated that he did not want to ask the applicant to return on the signage issue but preferred that staff work it out with them and it was fine with him to remove the restroom signs. Commissioner Kozak agreed that the pole sign should be eliminated and replaced with a monument sign; he would like to see the elimination of signs on the convenience store building; and, would like to see another tree installed on the 17~ Street side for balance. Planning Commission Minutes October 12, 1998 Page 4 Chairperson Pontious stated that perhaps public works could look at the possibility of installing another tree. Chairperson Pontious stated that a monument sign would probably provide better visibility as trees and landscaping might block the view of a pole sign. The public hearing closed at 7:24 p.m. Daniel Fox read changes to the resolutions into the record. Commissioner Davert moved, Commissioner Jones seconded, to approve the environmental determination for the project by adopting Resolution No. 3618 as submitted. Motion carried 5-0. Commissioner Davert moved, Commissioner Jones seconded, to approve Conditional Use Permit 98-016 and Design Review 98-016 for the project by adopting Resolution No. 3619 revised as follows: Condition 2.18 "and shall be painted to match the primary colors of the building." Was deleted. Motion carried 5-0. Commissioner Davert moved, Commissioner Jones seconded, to approve Sign Code Exception 98-004 adopting Resolution No. 3620 revised as follows: New Condition 2.6 was inserted "Sign 11 on the convenience building shall be eliminated from the plans." Motion carried 5-0. REGULAR BUSINESS: No Regular Business STAFF CONCERNS: 3. Report on Actions taken at the October 5, 1998 City Council Meeting Elizabeth A. Binsack, Community Development Director presented the subject report. Elizabeth stated that Daniel Fox accepted a position as Planning Manager with the City of Laguna Niguel. COMMISSION CONCERNS: Commissioner Davert Inquired about canceling the December 28, 1998 Planning Commission meeting. The Commission decided to cancel the December 28th meeting. Commissioner Kozak Congratulated Dan Fox on his new position with the City of Laguna Niguel. Noted that Tustin Tiller Days was great and even better than last year's event. Stated that there was graffiti etched into the entrance door at the Blockbuster Music store and asked staff if the property owner could be encouraged to change the door. Planning Commission Minutes October 12, 1998 Page 5 Commissioner Browne Suggested staff and the City Council present Dan Fox with a commendation for his 10 years of service with the City. The Director stated that staff would prepare a commendation for the Council's consideration. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Davert moved, Commissioner Jones seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Motion carried 5-0. A regular meeting of the Planning Commission will be held on October 26, 1998 beginning at 7:00 p.m., City Council Chambers, 300 Centennial Way, Tustin. ~'LESLIE A. PONTIOUS Chairperson ELIZABETH A. BINSACK Planning Commission Secretary