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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 06-26-95MINUTES TUSTIN PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JUNE 26, 1995 CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 p.m., City Council Chambers PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/INVOCATION ROLL CALL: Present: Kasalek, Lunn, Mitzman and Weil Absent: Baker PUBLIC CONCERNS: (Limited to 3 minutes per person for items not on the agenda.) At this time members of the public may address the Commission regarding any items not on the agenda and within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission (NO action can be taken off-agenda items unless authorized by law). IF YOU WISH TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION ON ANY MATTER, PLEASE FILL OUT ONE OF THE CARDS LOCATED ON THE SPEAKER'S TABLE SO THAT YOUR REMARKS ON THE TAPE RECORDING OF THE MEETING CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO YOU. WHEN YOU START TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION, PLEASE STATE YOUR FULL NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. CONSENT CALENDAR: IF YOU REQUIRE SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECORDING SECRETARY AT (714) 573-3105. (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.) 1. Minutes of the June 12, 1995 Planninq Commission Meetinq. Commissioner Well moved, Lunn seconded, to approve the minutes of the June 12, 1995 Planning Commission Meeting. Motion carried 4-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS: IF YOU CHALLENGE AN ITEM CONSIDERED AT A PUBLIC HEARING IN COURT, YOU MAY BE LIMITED TO RAISING ONLY THOSE ISSUES YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE RAISED AT THE PUBLIC HEARING DESCRIBED IN THIS AGENDA, OR IN WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE DELIVERED TO THE CITY OF TUSTIN AT, OR PRIOR TO, THE PUBLIC HEARING. NONE Planning Commission Minutes June 26, 1995 Page 2 REGULAR BUSINESS: 2. Discussion of Anti-scavenqing Of Recyclable Materials Presentation: Rita Westfield, Assistant Director Community Development Department Commissioner Mitzman reviewed his reasons for suggesting the subject matter. His neighbors at Tustin Ranch have approached him with their concerns about scavenging and one of those is that credit card receipts might be obtained from the trash. The Director through the witnessed. stated that the problem with taking the violator litigation process is that the incident must be Sqt Steve Lewis, Tustin Police Department, stated that most of the scavenging is done by those primarily interested in the aluminum and glass. He noted that the type of criminal that would go after credit card receipts is more interested in the commercial businesses. He stressed that incidents must be witnessed and good information was needed, but the Police Department will respond as long as they have the manpower and availability to do so. Colin Wittke, representing Great Western Reclamation, stated that Tustin does not have as great a problem as other cities where the commodities are actually separated out and easier to take. He stated that their power and resources to stop the scavangers was very limited, however, their drivers do confront the violators and take down license information when possible. They have a newsletter for Tustin and plan to include informational material in the next issue. Commissioner Lunn stated that in her experience not putting the trash out until the morning of pick up also helped the situation. Colin Wittke stated that this was one of the suggestions they had planned to include in their newsletter. Commissioner Mitzman asked what the procedure to be followed was when a scavenger was spotted. Sqt. Lewis stated the information should be phoned to the Police Department on the non-emergency line and they will respond. Commissioner Mitzman suggested that educational information be sent to the Homeowners Associations asking them to include it in their newsletters. Commissioner Weil suggested that notice be given to the scavengers by way of a sign such as is used for Neighborhood Watch. Commissioner Lunn stated that she has signs posted on the dumpsters in her apartment complex in both in english and spanish warning scavengers about the violation and that seemed to work very well. Following informal discussion which included input from the Tustin Police Department and a representative from Great Western Reclamation it was agreed that staff would, update the Homeowner Association lists, and send educational correspondence to each Association which would include suggestions for inclusion in their newsletters related to scavenging, explore possible educational spots for cable TV, and prepare handouts. In additional to the educational information, the Public Works Department will make a template available for lending to the public for spraying trash cans to include notification to scavengers in both english and spanish that scavenging is against the law. Planning Commission Minutes June 26, 1995 Page 3 3. Status of Code Enforcement Efforts, Illegal Portable Siqns Presentation: Christine Shingleton, Assistant City Manager Commissioner Weil suggested that since a fine for any single violation was only $250 that perhaps the fine should be quadrupling for a second citation. The Director stated that the fine system is designed so that after a written warning notice, a citation is issued and the fines go up if there is more than one violation. The only constraint is that a fine over $500 is considered a felony and that threshold cannot be breached. Lois Bobak, Deputy City Attorney, stated that the bail schedule is given to the court but there is no guarantee the court will impose the fine requested. Commissioner Lunn stated that T.E.A.M. was concerned with off-site advertising in the entire City. The Director stated City Council has directed continued enforcement of off-premise signs but are also interested in a program that would provide a similar advantage to large apartment projects in the southwest neighborhood as is currently in the East Tustin community. The objective of an interim Ordinance would be to provide as much potential advertising as possible without creating a proliferation of signage. Reqina Amthauer President of T.E.A.M., stated that basically the objective was in obtaining advertising help for the larger apartment communities. Commissioner Mitzman asked what the Ordinance provided for in the way of "human arrows" Staff stated that "human arrows" were prohibited. The Irvine Company had been spoken to about this problem and in response have moved them to the County side of the road where the City has no jurisdiction. Commissioner Well moved, Lunn seconded, to receive and file this report. Motion carried 4-0. 4. Discussion of Zoning Administrator Amendments Presentation: Rita Westfield, Assistant Director Community Development Department Commissioner Weil was concerned that public hearings held during daytime hours were not convenient for neighbors that work during the day. She asked how this would be handled and how did the neighbors receive notification at present. Staff stated that written comments could be submitted and would be entered into the record and noted that in a survey of other cities no Zoning Administrator held hearings in the evening. Lois Bobak suggested that if there was a great deal of apparent public opposition to what the Planning Department may consider a minor Variance then that would be something the Zoning Administrator would forward to the Planning Commission anyway. She stated that the noticing would be identical to notice requirements of the Planning Commission. Planning Commission Minutes June 26, 1995 Page 4 Commissioner Weil stated she had no opposition to the system so far but that it was because of the expansion of the items of responsibility that she was concerned with availability of the public hearings to the public. Commissioner Lunn was concerned with delegating too much authority to one person and does not want the public to think the Planning Commission has closed their forum. She also wanted to study the item in more detail. Commissioner Weil feels that an increase in authority now could easily lead to more and wishes to leave things as they are. Commissioner Kasalek has the same concerns for the public and likes the idea of having five people hearing an item as opposed to only one. Commissioner Mitzman would like to see parking issues stay as strict as possible and was interested in seeing what other cities have done in regard to Zoning Administrator authority. Following discussion it was decided that a workshop will be agendized for such time as the two new Commissioners have been seated. Staff will provide to the Commission an updated list of those surveyed cities which have Zoning Administrators and any changes that have been made to any Zoning Administrator programs in these cities since the last survey. 5. Discussion of Tustin City Siqn Code Presentation: Rita Westfield, Assistant Director Community Development Department Commissioner Kasaiek requested that language on "human arrow" off- premise signs be made very clear. She thinks there is a real problem with banners in the City and requested a time restriction for new business banners. She was also concerned with the length of time holiday lights could be left up in residential neighborhoods. Commissioner Lunn believes that the height of decorative flag poles at 12 feet is too low. Commissioner Weil had comments on several areas. She requested that the term "exposed neon" be added to definitions, that official flag poles at 50 feet seems a little high, thinks that for residential property, political signs should be less than 32 square feet, would like to give business in the City a more level playing field and requested review of the Tustin Marketplace master sign plan. She wanted clarification of portable signs being prohibited (page 26) and asked for expansion of that Section of the Code to explain why A-frame signs could not be used. She asked if bumper stickers were included on page 27 vehicle sign prohibition language. She thinks that in light of the sound walls erected by Cal trans the City should be actively pursuing Caltrans for their business service freeway signs and, under item D, she would like to see the height changed from 24 to 45 feet. Following discussion it was agreed that staff would provide the Commission with a current copy of the Sign Code, and a copy of the Tustin Marketplace master sign program criteria and follow up with Public Works on the progress made with Caltrans concerning the freeway (gas, food and lodging) signs. Discussion of this item will be included in the workshop to be agendized for the Zoning Administrator discussion. Planning Commission Minutes June 26, 1995 Page 5 6. Status Reports Recommendation -Receive and file. Commissioner Well moved, Lunn seconded, report. Motion carried 4-0. STAFF CONCERNS: 7. Report on Actions taken at the June 19, Meetinq Staff reported on the subject agenda. COMMISSION CONCERNS: Commissioner Lunn - None Commissioner Weil - None Commissioner Mitzman to receive and file this 1995 City Council Stated that the memo he received concerning his report of the safety hazard at Bryan and Red Hill did not fully address the problem. Commissioner Mitzman will contact Tim Serlet, Public Works Director, about his specific concerns. Commissioner Kasalek Reported that Cox Cable is not broadcasting the City Council meetings in entirety. Staff will refer the issue to Public Works. Inquired about the status of the former Cafe Auto Spa billboard. Staff stated that the billboard has been expanded. City staff has been in contact with the owner who contends that this expansion is consistent with the State Advertising Act. Currently staff is coordinating discussion with the City Attorney and Caltrans to consider legal arguments. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Lunn moved, Weil seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Motion carried 4-0. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission is on July 10, 1995 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 300 Centennial Way, Tustin. Chairperson Secretary