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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 02-24-75 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN PLANNING COMMISSION February 24, 1975 The regular meeting of the City of Tustin Planning Commission was held on the twenty-fourth day of February, 1975, at the hour of 7:30 p.m., of said day, in the Council Chambers, 275 South "C" Street, Tustin, California. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners: McHarris, Hill, Schier Absent: Commissioners: Dukleth Others Present: R. Kenneth Fleagle, Assistant City Administrator- Community Development Director Bruce Lenorovitz, Assistant Planning Director James G. Rourke, City Attorney Marge Will, Recording Secretary PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Commissioner Hill. INVOCATION was led by Commissioner Schier. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Hill, amended by McHarris, seconded by Schier that the Minutes of February 10, 1975 be approved as amended. MOTION CARRIED: 3-0 Chairman McHarris said that the Planning Commission was honored to have one of its Commissioners selected as the new member to the City Council. Commissioner Sutcliff will be the first woman on the City Council and we appreciated her as a Planning Commissioner and delighted that she is at the meeting tonight. PUBLIC HEARINGS (Continued) Use Permit 75-5 - Triangle Bounded by Newport Avenue, Main Street, and Bryan Avenue - Valenti-Coelhop Corp., Orange Mr. Flea~le reported this public hearing was continued from February 10, 1975. During this time period staff has met with the project architect to effect changes in design and to obtain compatibility with existing development. The Commission had the opportunity to review the revised design plans submitted last Thursday prior to tonight's meeting and the concepts appear feasible for development. Mr. Fleagle said another concern related to drainage and traffic impact. The City Engineer advises that the Main-Bryan storm drain will be con- structed between Newport Avenue and Red Hill Avenue in conjunction with the Newport Avenue improvement project. This storm drain is designed to accommodate drainage from the Newport-Main Triangle. Also the City Engineer reports that the abutting streets are designed by width and controlled access to accommodate the anticipated vehicle count. Mr. Fleag~e said that staff was not satisfied with the trash location on the property, and that the Silver Fox Restaurant has a service door at the rear which will require modification. Opened public hearing at 7:40 p.m. John Coelho, owner, showed the Commission the drawing of the redesigned offic~ building on Main Street. A new addition to the plans was a clock towner in the middle of the project. PC Minutes 2/24/75 Page 2 Commissioner Schier suggested that this clock tower might be an ideal drop-off point for people to leave their cars if passage ways of a garden- type setting could be worked into the layout. Ite suggested a passageway between the existing Silver Fox Restaurant and the proposed retail building. Commissioner McHarris said the existing restaurant seemed out of scale. also asked Mr. Coelho what the operating hours of the center would be. He Mr. Coelho replied that most of the shops would be open from 9-5:30 or maybe 6, but closed on Sunday. He acknowledged that the roof line was out of scale on the drawing. Commissioner McHarris commented that 31 spaces is a little more than the Commission can overlook, and encouraged Mr. Coelho and Noel Hart, the architect, to work with staff on this problem. He also questioned the sign plan. Mr. Flea~le replied that at this time no sign plan had been submitted, but would be required for precise plan approval. Moved_ by Schier, seconded by Hill that the concept plans be approved, but that the details of the relocation of trash area; sign plans indicating size, location and color; passageway between the Silver Fox Restaurant and pro- posed retail buildings, pedestrian access to and among the structures; adequate parking spaces; and plans and elevations in a scale with more detail be worked out with staff and incorporated into a resolution for approval at the next meeting of the Planning Commission. MOTION CARRIED: 3-0 Use Permit 75-6 (Continued) The Irvine Industrial Complex on Behalf of the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. Location: 14242 Chambers Road in the Tustin-Irvine Industrial Complex Mr. Lenorovitz stated this permit is to authorize the construction and operation of a plant operating center for the purposes of supporting the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co.'s installation and repair activities in the Tustin area which was continued from the last Planning Commission meeting at the request of the applicant. A 7,975 square foot building is to be located on Lots 47 and 48 of Tract 8590 with a parking lot to accommodate 149 spaces for employees, company vehicles, and visitors. The parking lot is designed to accommodate the ultimate number of employees. The preliminary plot and elevation plans have been reviewed by the Irvine Industrial Complex and by staff. These conceptual plans are generally acceptable with a few exceptions: (1) The proposed cor-ten building materials has been revised at the suggestion of staff and IIC. Staff has suggested that the 8 foot high western wall join the building at the southwest corner, so as to allow a feature of the building the recessed window--visible from the street. (2) Security of the parking lot. Plot plans show only a wall along the Chambers Road frontage, and no walls along the perimeter. A 10-foot wide planter with adequate dense landscaping can provide the needed visual screening of the rear parking lot. (3) The City Engineer advised there would be no specific problems created regarding traffic as some employees will be working outside the normal work, company vehicles will be going in different directions, and the majority of these vehicles will be small thus not affected by the load limit on Walnut Avenue. The City Engineer did have the following conditions: (1) Submission of a site plan and grading plan as parking layout did not conform to city standards; (2) verification of street light and fire hydrant locations with regard to driveway; and (3) indication as to where vehicle maintenance will take place. Mr. Lenorovitz stated that it is felt with the property improvements and ~esign items being proposed by the applicant, and those to be incorporated in future precise plans the site and proposed use will be compatible with the adjacent land use and zoning. Opened public hearing at 8:20 p.m. PC Minutes 2/24/75 Page 3 Michael Tewalt, project engineer Industrial Irvine Complex stated that maintenance and repair of vehicles would be done inside the garage except for rare instances when the repair could not be accomplished inside the building. A block wall will be constructed on the side and rear property lines alleviating the security problem. The Planning Commission felt that the Chambers Road wall should return to the southwesterly corner of the building, thus exposing the recessed window. They also requested additional planters in the rear parking lot. They would like to see gates of tubular metal at the drive entrances. Mr. Lenorovitz said that staff will make sure that the revised plans encompass the revisions requested by the Commission. Closed public hearing at 8:35 p.m. Moved by Hill, seconded by Schier to adopt Resolution No. 1431 subject to changes to be worked out with staff. MOTION CARRIED: 3-0 PUBLIC HEARING (Initial) Use Permit 75-7 - To permit the location of a temporary trailer behind the existing Red Hill Volunteer Fire Station Mr. Lenorovitz explained that the Orange County Fire Department has requested a use permit for a trailer measuring 8'x16' which was recently located behind the Red Hill Volunteer Fire Department. This trailer provides sleeping facilities for the paramedic personnel operating from this location, and will be located there until such time as the permanent fire station is completed on Irvine Blvd. The trailer is almost hidden from view and is equipped with skirts screening the undercarriage from view from Newport Blvd. The Engineering Department has no objections to this use on a temporary basis, but did question where restrooms are located within the existing building and how the access is to these facilities from the trailer. The Fire Department stated that because of the window opening in the building being adjacent to the trailer, they recommended that a minimum 5-foot clearance be observed between the trailer and existing structure. Opened public hearing at 8:40 p.m. Bill Teie, Assistant Chief, Orange County Fire Department said they plan to keep the trailer as close to the building as legally possible. Architectural plans for the new facility on Irvine Blvd. are 50% completed and they expect to vacate the Red Hill site within the year. There are only two people sleeping in the trailer and only at night, as during the day they are out on training or in the station house. Closed public hearing 8:42 p.m. Moved by Schier, seconded by Hill to adopt Resolution No. 1432 as drafted. MOTION CARRIED: 3-0 Use Permit 75-8 - To permit the remodeling and expansion of Thrifty Drug Store (Larwin Square) by construction of a one-story addition 24'x128' adjacent to existing premise (3,072 sq.ft.) Mr. Flea~le told the Commission that the existing shopping center was constructed in the 1960's and standard deficiencies exist in parking lot design, landscaping, drainage, signing, and architectural style. In reviewing the subject proposal the following items have been resolved: (1) The elimination of the roof sign on the existing Thrifty Drug Store; (2) new signing to conform to the present requirements of the Tustin sign code; (3) architectural compatibility of new structure with existing and possible future developments; and (4) the preparation of a master drainage plan. The project would include the building addition, a new parking lot development on the easterly side of the development to accommodate 54 vehicles, and a drainage swale from First Street to the Newport-Bryan entranceway. Opened public hearing at 8:55 p.m. PC Minutes 2/24/75 Page 4 Morrey J. Friedman, Manager, Larwin Square showed the Commission the architect"s drawing of Thrifty's expansion, plus a drawing of the remodeled look for the complete shopping center. E. Briesmeister, representing Heath & Co. who is the sign contractor for all T~rif'ty Drug Stores described the signing that Thrifty prefers. The Planning Commission stated that either the free-form script or the elliptic sign cabinet is acceptable as submitted. It was suggested that Thrifty might gain maximum exposure by using the elliptic sign on First Street, and the free-form script sign of white plex against the red tile roof on the southern exposure. They were of the opinion that the free-form script sign was a much preferred identification sign. They also hoped that the architect would give consideration to matching the roof tile of the Thrifty Drug Store with that proposed for the remainder of the center. This would eliminate the stucco framing panels at the top and sides of the tile roof. Arthur Rosenthal, civil engineer stated the 54' parking with 45 degree angle parking instead of the 56' curb to curb dimension is perfectly adequate from an engineering standpoint. Walter Fredr~ksen~, president of the Chamber of Commerce said that he thought the upgrading of Larwin Square was a very good proposal and that the expansion of Thrifty Drug was a step in the right direction as part of the general overall redevelopment of the shopping center. Commissioner McHarris added that he too was pleased with Thrifty Drug%s remodeling and expansion and asked Mr. Fleagle what the plans were for any additional stores to remodel. Mr. Fleagle replied that it might be within the next year or two and that he expected substantial improvement within the year. Closed public hearing 9:25 p.m. Moved by Schier, seconded by Hill to adopt Resolution No. 1430 as drafted approving the plans as revised, and to work out signing with staff. MOTION CARRIED: 3-0 OLD BUSINESS Modification regarding the roof overhang for the Montessori School of Tustin. Mr._ Lenorovitz stated that at the January 27, 1975 meeting the Commission reviewed a wall-mounted fascia in lieu of a roof overhang. The Commission was concerned as to the visual impact of this proposal and directed that various alternatives be presented to the Commission for their review. The project engineer has designed an alternative showing a new 2"x10" wood fascia mounted 8" + from the wall, and a gutter mounted on the outer fascia visible to view costing approximately $2,500. This design shows an exposed gutter on the outer fascia, with the rake end of the roof still being visually prominant. Staff has suggested that a larger fascia be provided on the leading edge which would act to screen the rake end of the metal roof. Also, that the new gutter be placed behind the fascia and thus hidden from view. The engineer suggested that the roof could be painted with a non-luster paint to match the existing fascia thus taking care of the appearance of the metal roof. Mr. Lenorovitz requested that the Commission evaluate the various suggestions. The Planning Commission approved the staff recommendation which called for the fascia on the leading edge enlarged so as to screen the rake-end of the roof, and that the 4"x4" gutter be installed behind the fascia and thus screened from view. Also that the roof was to be painted with a non-luster paint to match the fascia if physically possible. They did indicate their approval on the fact that all these changes should be both structurally and economically feasible. M__oved_~v Sgh~erf ~econded by Hill to accept staff proposal if structurally and-~conomically feasible. MOTION CARRIED: 3-0 PC Minutes NEW BUSINESS 1. Final Map No. 8763 Mr. Flea~le reported to the Commission that a proper application has been filed for approval of Final Map No. 8763 by the Irvine Industrial Complex for 16 industrial lots and 2 open space lots, as the third and final phase of the Industrial Complex, south of Walnut Avenue, bounded by the new Myford and proposed Jamboree Road. He said that the map is in accord with the Tustin Area General Plan. The City Engineer certifies that the final map is in substantial conformance with tentative Map No. 8451 which was approved by the City Council on March 4, 1974. With adoption of Resolution No. 1433, the map will be scheduled for City Council consideration on March 3, 1975. Moved by McHarris, seconded by Schier, to adopt Resolution No. 1433 as drafted. MOTION CARRIED: 3-0 AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Mr. John Jamieson, representing John DeGennaro who submitted plot plans and elevations Monday morning for the improvement of the property at 301-305 E1 Camino Real. He told the Commissioners that the stately specimen tree was removed on Friday after finding out from a tree specialist that the tree had dry rot which made it .unsafe and beyond salvage. The plans provide for a new frontage and roof design wi~h a Bavarian theme and in keeping with the intent of the E1 Camino Real Specific Plan. Mr. Fleagle told the Commissioners that staff had no objection to the plans as submitted. He was requesting the Commission's approval for deviations from parking standards for the present buildings only. If any new buildings are proposed, they would be required to meet city sta.ndards for parking. If we apply our standards to the present structure, five parking spaces would be lost. Also in order to use the parking spaces in the rear of the building some sort of paving would be required to keep down dust and dirt. Lou Gerdling, Studio of Photography, who owns the property next door, said h'e would like to endorse this improvement in downtown Tustin and that he would tie in with the theme for his building. Walter Fredriksen, President Chamber of Commerce told the Planning Commission that h~ was glad to see someone was finally interested in revitalizing the downtown area of Tustin. HZ emphasized that the redevelopment of E1 Camino Real is vital to the city and that he was very enthused with the start of this property. After reviewing the plans and elevations the Planning Commission had the following suggestions for the proposal: (1) Widening of the E1 Camino Real planter area the width of the front car overhang, and (2) spaces served by the alley should be designated for employee rather than public parking and that these spaces should be surfaced to eliminate chuck holes and loose gravel that is now present. The Commission granted all concessions related to parking and landscape requirements that are within their authority to grant without holding a public hearing or variance. Moved by Schier, seconded by Hill to accept plans as shown, but that any new ~uild'ing w~'ll be required to come before the Planning Commission. They also requested if at all possible to change or improve the parking situation to bring into line with present standards without undue hardship. MOTION CARRIED: 3-0 Commissioner McHarris said that he wanted to congratulate Mr. DeGennaro on such a good start. CORRESPONDENCE - None PC Minutes 2/24/75 Page 6 STAFF CONCERNS Mr. Fleagle told the Planning Commission that the City Council approved the ~esolution for Tustin's application for HUD funds for the economic feasibility study. These funds are expected to be deposited in the city's account by July 1 and that the proposals should be ready to go to the consultant at that time. The City Council would like to prepare the request for proposals for the design and economic studies. The Commission could assist in preparing the request for proposals by indicating elements to be included. The Council has agreed to a workshop with the Commission at which time these proposals could be discussed. COMMISSION CONCERNS Commissioner Hill wanted to know the status of Jamboree Road. Mr. Fleagle ~eplied tha~ the IIC has submitted landscaping, irrigation and screening plans and that these plans will be presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission at their next regular meeting. As soon as the plans are approved, the work will be accomplished. Moved by McHarris, seconded by Schier to adjourn at 10:55 p.m. to the next regular meeting of the Plahning Commission.  ~/COMMI~S ION C~AIRMAN PLANNING/COMMISSION RECORDING SECRETARY