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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 01-25-93MINUTES TUSTIN PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 25, 1993 CALL TO ORDER: 7:08 p.m., Tustin Senior Center PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/INVOCATION ROLL CALL: Present: Kasalek, Baker, Butler, and Weil Commissioner Stracker arrived at 7:12 p.m. 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: (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 January 11, 1993 Planninq Commission meetinq. 2. Final Tract Map 14022 APPLICANT/ OWNER: LOCATION: ZONING: ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS: REQUEST: WEBBER FAMILY TRUST 76701 NEW YORK AVENUE PALM DESERT, CA 92260 ATTENTION: MR. RICHARD WEBBER 1062 AND 1082 WASS STREET SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT (R-4) THIS PROJECT IS CONSIDERED MINISTERIALLY EXEMPT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15268(b) OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT AUTHORIZATION TO CREATE TWO (2) NUMBERED LOTS FOR A NINE DWELLING UNIT CONDOMINIUM PROJECT Recommendation - It is recommended that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. 3117 recommending to the City Council approval of Final Tract Map 14022, as submitted or revised. Commissioner Weil moved, Baker seconded to approve the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 4-0. Planning Commission Minutes January 25, 1993 Page 2 PUBLIC HEARINGS: OLD BUSINESS: 3. Status Reports Commissioner Baker asked if graffiti taggers were being identified. The Director replied that the taggers are being monitored by the Police Department; that they are utilizing more proactive enforcement; surveillance of walls which are frequently hit; and that there is a new ordinance being considered which requires the violator to pay the reward. Commissioner Kasalek asked if the graffiti items were closed out in the report when called in to Public Works or when removed. The Director replied that the item is closed out when referred to Public Works. Commissioner Butler asked for a status report on Windsor Gardens; and asked what an inappropriate business was considered. The Director replied that they are working on issuing building permits; that there is a deed restriction preventing sale of the units until certain provisions are completed; that multiple people dealing with the project have delayed it; and that an inappropriate business would be one without a business license or one not authorized by the zoning code. Received and filed. 4. Siqn Code Exception 92-010 APPLICANT/ REPRESENTATIVE: PROPERTY OWNER: LOCATION: ZONING: REQUEST: MS. LAURI BURKE on behalf of GOLDEN CHINA RESTAURANT 5942 EDINGER AVENUE, SUITE 113 HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92649 MR. FRANK NINOKAUA 2100 BRIGHTWOOD STREET MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754 1046 WALNUT AVENUE COMMERCIAL GENERAL (C-G) DISTRICT TO PERMIT AN EXCEPTION TO INCREASE THE PERMITTED NUMBER OF WALL SIGNS FROM ONE (1) SIGN TO TWO (2) WALL SIGNS PERMITTING THE INSTALLATION OF AN ADDITIONAL WALL SIGN. Recommendation - It is recommended that the Planning Commission deny Sign Code Exception 92-010 by adopting Resolution No. 3116 as submitted or modified. Presentation: Joann Perry, Associate Planner Commissioner Weil asked when the Master Sign Plan originated; and if the applicant was aware that the sign plan could be addressed. Staff replied that it originated some time in the 1970's; and that amendment of the sign plan was noted in the staff report. Planning Commission Minutes January 25, 1993 Page 3 Lauri Burke, 5942 Edinger, Huntington Beach, representative for the applicant, stated that the proposed sign was tastefully done and not intended to be street visible; passed photographs to the Commission showing other businesses with sign exceptions, i.e. Digital Ear, Tustin Yacht Club, grocery stores, Taylors, Fat Freddie's, Mobile Gas, and Alpha Beta. Commissioner Weil asked the applicant if she was aware of the possibility of amending the master sign plan; and if the shopping center owner was approached as to this suggestion. Ms. Burke replied that the restaurant owner is not the center owner; and that the owner was approached by the sign contractor. Commissioner Butler asked if the owner approved the sign. Ms. Burke stated that they were allowed 11.5 square feet and are proposing 15 square feet; that since they were under allowable square footage, and not street visible, their request would not be out of line. Commissioner Weil asked if reduction of the sign was considered; and noted that it was a beautiful design. Commissioner Baker stated that the Commission would like to be supportive and would like to work with the applicant. Ms. Burke asked if the Commission would be more amenable to reducing the sign to 11.5 square feet. Commissioner Weil stated that the master sign program takes precedence over the City's requirements. The Director stated that the property owner could process an amendment at staff level. Ms. Burke stated that the frontage had been done in marble, and that businesses with windows would be allowed a window sign. The Director stated that other signs noted in the center are window signs; the Yacht Club is a code enforcement problem; that Digital Ear's variance was related to the building architecture. Commissioner Stracker asked for clarification of the applicant's request to combine square footage. Staff replied that the property owner chose to limit the sign allowances in the master sign plan to 45 square feet, but the City would allow up to 75 square feet. Commissioner Kasalek asked if the arcade sign and nameplate were allowed to show only the name of the business. Staff affirmed and stated that they could be handled over the counter and would only allow business identification and address. Commissioner Weil asked if the Golden China sign was changed, would they have to retain brown shades; and noted that there was space remaining on their sign. Staff replied that they could return with a 75 square foot canned sign with business name and Chinese Cuisine. Planning Commission Minutes January 25, 1993 Page 4 The Director stated that the owner could request a change via a letter to the staff identifying the corrections to the plan up to the limits of the code. Ms. Burke asked if the Master Sign Plan had been located, yet; and stated that if allowed the additional square footage, they would not be allowed the additional sign due to its location. Staff replied that the owner has been requested to submit a copy of the Master Sign Plan; and that the applicant was concerned that the sign above the facade was not visible to pedestrians. The Director replied that they could have a larger sign above the facade, an arcade sign and a nameplate. Commissioner Weil asked if they would be allowed to have the Chinese Cuisine sign. The Director replied that there is only one business identification sign allowed on the facade. Staff stated that multiple signs could create a cluttered look; and that an exception would have to be made, with a possible precedent being set. Commissioner Weil stated that if the applicant still had a window, they could paint a sign on it. Staff stated that the applicant chose to remove the window; and are now requesting a pedestrian oriented sign. Commissioner Weil stated that they have done a beautiful job with the restaurant; that they should not be penalized for replacing the window with a beautiful piece of marble and not allowing them to put on the marble what would be allowed on a window; and asked if the owner could declare a hardship due to not having a window. Staff replied negatively, since the owner chose to remove the window. Commissioner Baker asked if the sign design logo could be allowed. Staff replied that Chinese Restaurant or Cuisine could be allowed on the nameplate as the occupation; and that the design could be considered a logo and part of the business identification. The Director replied that the logo would be allowed anywhere that there was business identification. Commissioner Butler asked if the identification was engraved into the marble, would it be an identification sign. The Director affirmed. Commissioner Kasalek asked if the nameplate size could be varied. The Director replied that the sign code exception process would allow variance of any of the standards. Commissioner Butler asked if the window could be replaced; and could that be used as a special exemption, and not set a precedent. Commissioner Stracker asked about the landowner's opinion, since it is his Master Sign Plan. Planning Commission Minutes January 25, 1993 Page 5 Ms. Burke stated that the landlord is in full agreement with this proposal; and that sign plan changes would be a personal expense. Staff stated that the tenant would go through the procedure of changing the Master Sign Plan with a total fee amount of $65. The Director offered to credit their application fee toward the sign code amendment fee; that the center's sign band is dilapidated and is not a marketing device due to its condition; that the sign band has not been renovated to the standard of the rest of the center; that it may be time for the owner to consider a color change for increased marketing; that the arcade sign would be effective for pedestrians; that a sign flush with the wall would only help people coming from the parking lot who have already seen the wall sign; and that all signs would not have to be changed at one time. She also suggested a continuation to give the applicant an opportunity to discuss the matter with the property owner; and that the fee already paid would be refunded. Ms. Burke stated that she could not speak for the property owner; that this suggestion would not allow for the proposed wall sign; asked for a consensus from the Commission; suggested that she would speak with the landlord; and asked for information regarding the signs she provided photographs of. Commissioner Butler stated that this would be precedent setting and would not approve of this application. Commissioner Kasalek agreed with staff in their suggestion to change the Master Sign Plan; and agreed that additional signage is needed, but preferred an arcade and nameplate sign. Commissioner Stracker stated that the Master Sign Plan should either be worked with or changed; that he looks at requests on a case by case basis. Commissioner Weil stated that she would like to approve the sign, but it is part of a larger center with an overriding sign code. Commissioner Butler asked the time frame to change the code. Staff replied that upon receipt of text from the landlord, it was a simple procedure. The Director offered to provide an outline to the owner with necessary guidelines; and suggested tabling the item. Commissioner Baker moved, Weil seconded to table the item to a date uncertain. Motion carried 5-0. NEW BUSINESS: STAFF CONCERNS: o Report on actions taken at January 19, 1993 City Council meetinq A discussion was held between the Commission, the Director, and Public Works regarding Costco and Arcada/Almeria Associations. Staff reported on the subject agenda. Planning Commission Minutes January 25, 1993 Page 6 COMMISSION CONCERNS: Commissioner Weil -Inquired about parking problem at Tustin Ranch projects. Staff informed the Commission that there was a problem with cars speeding and that a traffic study was being done to evaluate issues. Staff will be reporting back to the City Council on the issue. -Informed staff of her appreciation of the implementation of two-sided reports. -Congratulated the Commission on the performance of the flood channels during the recent rainstorms. -Commented on houses in the City of Anaheim Hills that are sliding due to the recent rainstorms. Believed that there was a fault running under the hillside that was responsible. Asked if the City of Tustin had a similar situation. It was noted by Staff that with every project a geotechnical analysis must be done which provides the mechanism to identify trace faults. Commissioner Butler -Asked about the status of the rehabilitation of Prospect Avenue. -Public Works staff informed the Commission that the work on Prospect Avenue would run from Irvine Blvd. to the flood channel. Federal monies are funding the project. Main Street would also be undergoing rehabilitation from Newport Avenue to Prospect Avenue. Both projects are expected to take from one to two months each. -Informed staff of a design problem with apartments in Tustin Ranch. Hallways are too narrow on three-story apartment buildings. Design makes it difficult to move furniture into apartments. -Asked if the Wass Street development would be individual lots as separate parcels or totally divided interest. Staff replied that most projects of this nature are a divided interest because of the bank. Commissioner Baker -Noted that he would like to see more consideration by the City in issues associated with temporary uses. -Informed staff of the condition of the lot on First Street and Newport Avenue. He believes materials are being stored without authorization. Commissioner Stracker -Informed staff of the proliferation of sidewalk signs recently. -Congratulated Public Works staff on the work they did as a result of the rainstorms. Planning Commission Minutes January 25, 1993 Page 7 AD JOURNM~: Commissioner Baker moved, Butler seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:41 p.m. Motion carried 5-0. A workshop on patio homes is scheduled on February 8, 1993 at 5:30 p.m. at the Senior Center. As this directly precedes the Planning Commission meeting, sandwiches and beverages will be provided. The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is on February 8, 1993 at 7:00 p.m. at the Tustin Senior Center, 200 S. "C" Street, Tustin. ChairperSon Kathleen Clancy Secretary