Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 PC Minutes 04-10-12 ITEM # 1 MINUTES REGULAR MEETING TUSTIN PLANNING COMMISSION APRIL 10, 2012 7:03 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 p.m. Given INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Eckman ROLL CALL: Present: Chair Thompson Chair Pro Tem Puckett Commissioners Eckman, Kozak, Moore None PUBLIC CONCERNS Staff Present Elizabeth A. Binsack, Director of Community Development Lois Bobak, Assistant City Attorney Dana L. Ogdon, Assistant Director of Community Development Scott Reekstin, Senior Planner Steve Lewis, Police Captain John Buchanan, Redevelopment Program Manager Doug Anderson, Transportation and Development Services Mgr Adrianne DiLeva, Recording Secretary CONSENT CALENDAR: Approved 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MARCH 27, 2012, PLANNING COMMISSION. RECOMMENDATION: That the Planning Commission approve the minutes of the March 27, 2012, meeting as provided. Motion: It was moved by Kozak, seconded by Eckman, to move the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 5-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Adopted Resolution 2. CONCEPT PLAN 2012-001, DESIGN REVIEW 2012-001, No. 4195 as amended AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2012-01. The discretionary approvals requested include: Concept Plan 2012-001 and Design Review 2012-001 to develop: 1) a 149-room, four-story Residence Inn; 2) a 144-room, four-story Fairfield Inn & Suites; 3) an 8,885 square foot restaurant; 4) a 7,295 square foot retail building; and 5) approval of Conditional Use Permit 2012-01 authorizing a Master Sign Program and Joint-Use Parking for a coordinated and integrated site design for the project. LOCATION: Southwesterly corner of Edinger Avenue and Newport Avenue adjacent to the State Route 55 Freeway within the Pacific Center East Specific Plan (SP 11) – (Lots 2, 3, and 4 of Parcel Map No. 2010-127 within the city of Tustin and on a portion of property identified as the “Water Well Parcel and Easement Area”). APPLICANT: RD Olson Development 2955 Main Street Irvine, CA 92614 PROPERTY OWNER: City of Tustin ENVIRONMENTAL: An environmental checklist was prepared for the proposed project that concluded no additional environmental impacts would occur from approval of the project. The environmental analysis checklist concludes that it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment because all potentially significant effects 1) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR pursuant to applicable standards, and 2) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project. Minutes – Planning Commission April 10, 2012 – Page 2 of 6 RECOMMENDATION: That the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. 4195 approving Concept Plan 2012-001, Design Review 2012- 001, and Conditional Use Permit 2012-01 to develop an approximately 196,000 square foot commercial mixed-use development (hotel and retail) with a Master Sign Program and Joint-Use Parking at the southwesterly corner of Edinger Avenue and Newport Avenue adjacent to the SR 55 Freeway within the Pacific Center East Specific Plan (SP 11). Ogdon Presented the staff report for the item. The Director noted there was a proposed amendment to Resolution No. 4195 adding a Condition of Approval regarding signage, and that MicroCenter submitted a letter for the Planning Commission’s review. Planning Commission questions of staff included: the number of parking spaces planned for the easement area, landscaping and screening of the wall area, EIR mitigation measures/impacts, material selection on the exterior of the buildings, detail on the parking study, clarification of the role of the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency within the proposed project conditions, impacts of the project on nearby residential areas, ownership of the water well, height of the structures and signage, time-frame for the Newport Avenue extension, and Tustin Police Department evaluation of safety/community-related impacts of the hotel development. Doug Anderson stepped forward to address Commission questions regarding the parking study and Newport Avenue extension. Mr. Anderson described how the parking study ensures compliance with City Code. He further stated the Newport Avenue extension is in the final design stages of Phase 2 and anticipates construction to begin by December of 2012. Captain Steve Lewis stepped forward to address Commission questions regarding public safety. Captain Lewis stated the Police Department is in favor of the project, feels the lighting and landscaping generally supports public safety, and that problem areas within the site have been adequately addressed within the Conditions of Approval. The public hearing opened at 7:48 p.m. Minutes – Planning Commission April 10, 2012 – Page 3 of 6 The following members of the public stepped forward: Anthony Wrzosek Tim Davis Scott McAllister Mike Papai Coralee Newman Anthony Wrzosek, Tim Davis, and Scott McAllister stepped forward representing R.D. Olson Development and discussed their support for the proposed project, while addressing the Commission’s questions/concerns. Mike Papai and Coralee Newman stepped forward representing a neighboring business, MicroCenter. Mr. Papai and Ms. Newman generally stated they do not oppose the proposed project; however, they have concerns related to the construction of the hotels blocking their building and signage, which is their primary method of advertisement and would negatively impact their sales. A continuance of the item was requested with a segregation of the Master Sign Program to provide more time to work with R.D. Olson regarding this concern. Mr. Wrzosek requested that additional language be added to Condition of Approval 3.15 specifying width and square footage for the increase in the primary pole sign. The public hearing closed at 8:34 p.m. The Planning Commission began deliberation on the proposed project. Moore Is in favor of the proposed project; however, had concerns with some design elements including a preference for a variety of materials to add dimension to the façade, the selection of landscaping elements, permanence of parking arrangements, and traffic signal specifications. Requested a condition indicating the developer and the adjacent property owners would be responsible for their proportionate fair share of the cost of design and construction of a traffic signal to serve their uses. Would support Resolution No. 4195 as amended with the addition of Condition 3.15. Minutes – Planning Commission April 10, 2012 – Page 4 of 6 Kozak Noted his initial concerns were adequately addressed within the Conditions of Approval. Suggested clarification adding “perimeter” to the language regarding the retaining walls, and would like to add the approval of the City Attorney to Condition 3.7, as well language specifying that the document is recorded with the County Clerk Recorder. Puckett Is in favor of approving Resolution No. 4195 as amended, and does not want to further delay the progress of the project. Eckman Had similar concerns to his fellow Commissioners regarding the perimeter wall, parking, and signage, but believes a fair assessment of the situation has been given. Is in support of staff’s recommendation with the given amendments. Thompson Stated in this situation, it is difficult to approve a continuance based on the expressed concerns; however, stated he respects the concerns brought forward by MicroCenter, and encouraged them to work with R.D. Olson regarding their proposal. Would like to amend Condition 2.4 to provide flexibility to move the trash receptacles and would like to require that the trash enclosures be covered. Suggested some flexibility in Condition 3.10 regarding the final colors and textures of the buildings. Recommended adding the word “agreement” to Condition 3.13 in reference to the Joint-Use Parking Analysis. Would like to specify in that in Condition 2.4, vines will be used to soften the retaining walls. Is in agreement with Condition 3.15 with Mr. Wrzosek’s recommended amendment regarding square footage. Is in favor of approving Resolution No. 4195 with the given amendments. Motion: It was moved by Puckett, seconded by Kozak, to adopt Resolution No. 4195 as amended. Motion carried 5-0. None REGULAR BUSINESS STAFF CONCERNS: The Director reported on staff concerns as follows:  Congratulated Chair Thompson and Chair Pro Tem Puckett on being reappointed to the Planning Commission, and is excited to work with them for another term;  Took forward the Residential Design Guidelines to City Council, and they were adopted pursuant to recommendation by the Planning Commission. Once the final document is signed by the Commissioners, it will be made available to members of the public and the Commission. Minutes – Planning Commission April 10, 2012 – Page 5 of 6 COMMISSION CONCERNS: Eckman  Indicated nothing to report on this evening. Puckett  Thanked the City Council for his reappointment to the Planning Commission, has enjoyed serving on the Commission, and looks forward to his continued service;  The Easter Egg Hunt and Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the Tustin Community Foundation was successful, thanked all the residents who participated;  The Tustin Community Foundation Volunteer Recognition Luncheon at Wilcox Manor will be held in early May;  Will participate in the upcoming Hundred-Hole Golf Marathon for Hope International University. Moore  Congratulated Chair Thompson and Chair Pro Tem Puckett on their reappointments, is excited to have them as a part of the Commission again;  Thanked staff for their work on this evening’s item, and for following-up on his question from the last meeting regarding the IRWD project. Kozak  Congratulated Chair Thompson and Chair Pro Tem Puckett on their reappointments, complimented their presentations to Council;  Thanked staff for their coordination with other departments to bring forward information regarding this evening’s item, and for the memorandum regarding the IRWD project. Thompson  Congratulated Chair Pro Tem Puckett on his reappointment, and is glad to be back on the Commission;  Requested to begin the process pursuing Commercial Design Guidelines, seeks consensus from the City Council on beginning the process, and would like updates regarding a timeline for this process. The Director additionally reported that Planning Intern Suzanne Schwab is exploring options to begin a draft of the Commercial Design Guidelines. 9:05 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at 300 Centennial Way. Minutes – Planning Commission April 10, 2012 – Page 6 of 6