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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 PC Minutes 10-27-037:00 p.m. Given All present Staff present Approved None Serlet Jennings ITEM #1 MINUTES TUSTIN PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING -- 7:00 P.M. OCTOBER 27, 2003 CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL Elizabeth A. Binsack, Community Development Director Tim Serlet, Public Works Director Doug Holland, Assistant City Attorney Joe Meyers, Administrative Services Manager Karen Peterson, Senior Planner Scott Reekstin, Senior Planner Matt West, Associate Planner Boise Harris, Recording Secretary CONSENT CALENDAR 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - OCTOBER 13, 2003, PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. It was moved by Amante, seconded by Nielsen, to approve the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 4-0. Pontious abstained. PUBLIC HEARINGS REGULAR BUSINESS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003-2004, INCLUDING PARK FACILITIES SUMMARY, PUBLIC FACILITIES SUMMARY, TRAFFIC CONTROL FACILITIES SUMMARY, TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES MAINTENANCE PROJECTS SUMMARY, TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS SUMMARY, TUSTIN LEGACY FACILITIES SUMMARY, AND RE-ASSESSMENT DISTRICT 95-1 SUMMARY. Presented the staff report. Asked when the traffic light will go in at Browning and El Camino Real. Minutes - Planning Commission October 27, 2003 - Page 1 Serlet Jennings Serlet Jennings Serlet Nielsen Serlet Menard Serlet Amante Serlet Director Amante Serlet Amante Serlet Indicated that signal is planned for future years. Asked what signage is proposed for Old Town. Answered that old-style signs directing people to Old Town are planned; the signs have not yet been designed. Asked where Altadena Drive is located. Stated Altadena is in the southwest area of the City; and, directed the Commissioners to page 43 of the Capital Improvement Program FY 2003-2004. Asked how long the battery backup for traffic signals lasts once the power goes down in an emergency. Indicated that flashing signals allow approximately 6-8 hours; fully operational signals allow 2-3 hours. Asked whether the 21 properties under eminent domain are concentrated in a certain area. Answered that those properties are in the Newport/Irvine project and the Edinger Smart Street and NewportJSR-55 ramp reconfiguration areas. Asked where the City is in terms of acquiring the properties needed and what the timing will be for the above-mentioned projects. Indicated the City is in eminent domain or has acquired properties through the purchase agreement process; the City is waiting for some orders of immediate possession from counsel; the City hopes to be out to bid by the end of this year or the first part of 2004 with construction to begin in March or April 2004. Added the Newport extension is only Phase 1. Asked if the reconfiguration of the Council Chambers might be more open to the audience. Answered the new design is intended to make presentations more audience-friendly. Indicated that he discussed with the Director the fact that having the staffs backs to the audience is not an appropriate configuration for public hearings. Stated the new design is intended to address that concern. Minutes - Planning Commission October 27, 2003 - Page 2 Ron Wildermuth, Orange County Water District Jennings Wildermuth Jennings Wildermuth Jennings Wildermuth Amante Wildermuth Amante Wildermuth Menard Nielsen GROUNDWATER REPLENISHMENT SYSTEM OVERVIEW. THE SYSTEM IS PROJECTED TO TAKE EFFECT BY 2007. Presented a report using PowerPoint slides, which are incorporated herein by reference. Asked if desalination remains in the testing stages at this point. Answered in the affirmative. Asked if there is a timeframe for desalination. Indicated desalination will occur within ten years. Asked if the groundwater replenishment system needs funding. Stated the funding is in place and the plan is expected to be operational by 2007. Asked if phases beyond 2007 are scheduled. Answered in the negative but stated that research is ongoing. Suggested that there will be pressure from Sacramento to proceed further once Phase 1 is in operation. Indicated that Phase I is intended to show the public this is a safe, economical system and see what happens from there. Thanked Mr. Wildermuth for his presentation. Added that this seems to be a good way to provide the County with desperately needed water; suggested the major hurdle may be convincing the public regarding the reuse of sewer water; and, stated no one wants to see water rationing in the future. ZONING CODE UPDATE: A COMPREHENSIVE AMENDMENT OF THE CITY'S ZONING ORDINANCE IS A KEY IMPLEMENTATION MEASURE OF THE GENERAL PLAN LAND USE ELEMENT IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WILL PROVIDE MORE COMPREHENSIVE STANDARDS, USES, AND DEFINITIONS AND WILL SERVE AS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL IN IMPLEMENTING THE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE CITY'S GENERAL PLAN. Minutes - Planning Commission October 27, 2003 - Page 3 Reekstin Director Nielsen Menard Reekstin Director Reekstin Amante Staff Pontious Reekstin Jennings Director Presented the staff report. Added that the Zoning Code update will not modify the East Tustin Specific Plan or the MCAS-Tustin Specific plan; the update is intended to support those plans. Stated his appreciation for the volumes of work involved in this project and the hard work staff has done and will be doing. Asked what sort of workshops will involve the Planning Commission. Responded there will be at least five workshops that will include the public, followed by formal public hearings before the Commission and the City Council. Noted that staff's desire is to identify what is currently in the Code and what major policy changes may be necessary. Added staff has also attempted to make the Code more flexible and more accommodating to developers and others. Applauded the voluminous amounts of work required by the staff; and, asked if there will be different types of workshops, some more technical and others more geared toward the average citizen. Responded in the affirmative. Asked what section would address multiple uses, such as residential and retail. Stated multiple use would be included and will be kept as flexible as possible. Suggested that some of the workshops should be held in a less- intimidating location than the Council Chamber. Indicated some of the workshops for the restructuring of the Cultural Resources Overlay District were held at the Youth Center and the Senior Center; those locations could also be used for these workshops. 5. PROJECT SUMMARY The summary focuses on the status of projects that the Planning Commission, Zoning Administrator, or Community Development Director approved, major improvement projects, and other items of interest. Minutes - Planning Commission October 27, 2003 - Page 4 West Nielsen Peterson Nielsen Peterson Jennings Peterson Serlet Nielsen Director Amante Director Jennings Director Presented the summary, using PowerPoint slides to highlight certain projects such as: the car wash at Tustin Avenue and First Street, the residence at 690 West First which was converted to an office building, the Yesterday Antique & Classic Car Gallery in Old Town, Dr. Helm's medical office building, the Tustin Water Reservoir project at Prospect and Main, the renovations at Columbus Tustin Park at Prospect and Irvine, the new Albertsons store on Newport Avenue, the Heritage Place senior housing, etc. Asked if the Zoning Administrator action at 13861 Red Hill regarding serving alcohol was for Big Andy's Restaurant. Answered that action involved a Chinese restaurant in Red Hill Plaza. Pointed out there is an ongoing problem with the traffic exiting the parking lot at Starbucks on the corner of El Camino Real and Newport Avenue. Responded there is a parking lot expansion project underway; plans have been submitted to amend the approved Design Review; the addition of another driveway may alleviate some of the congestion. Asked where the additional driveway is being proposed. Indicated the driveway would be to the west of the existing parking lot; part of the Caltrans property will be used and part of the City property. Added that the Red Hill/l-5 dedicated right-turn lane may also reduce traffic congestion from right turns off El Camino Real. Asked if Heritage Place is considered Iow-income housing. Answered that Heritage Place is dedicated to senior housing; some of the units are restricted to lower income tenants. Asked for details regarding the November 3 ground-breaking for Armstrong Nursery in Old Town. Answered that no permits have been issued; a Temporary Use Permit had been submitted for the ground-breaking ceremony. Inquired about the Armstrong grading plans. Indicated the grading plans and architectural plans have been submitted to plan check. Minutes - Planning Commission October 27, 2003 - Page 5 Pontious Amante Director Director reported Jennings Amante Pontious Suggested the construction will not be complicated. Noted that Farmer Boys grading has begun; and, inquired about the time frame for that project. Indicated Farmer Boys appears to be a well-run operation; no complaints have been received from any of the residents; the project is expected to move quickly. STAFF CONCERNS 6. REPORT OF ACTIONS TAKEN AT THE OCTOBER 20, 2003, CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS. The City Council approved the Tentative Tract Map for development of the condominium project at the old Steelcase site. The City Council awarded the graffiti contract to the sole bidder, the same firm that has been working with the City. A Temporary Use Permit was issued to the Orange County Fire Authority for training exercises at the Lennar site at MCAS-Tustin; only simulated burns are taking place. Discussions have begun with the Rancho Santiago and South Orange County School Districts for site developments; the Rancho site will be law enforcement training; the South County site will be a technology training center; periodic reports will be brought to the Planning Commission as the projects get underway. COMMISSION CONCERNS Noted the clock camouflaging the cell site at Jamboree and Edinger is going up. Stated the Golden State Insurance Company sign on First Street needs to be repaired. Thanked everyone for their contributions to tonight's presentations. Congratulated Tracy Worley-Hagen and her husband, Brad, on their recent marriage. Referred to the wild fires burning in Southern California; and, stated his appreciation for the work being done by the various fire-fighting entities. Echoed the comments of Commissioners Jennings and Amante. Minutes - Planning Commission October 27, 2003 - Page 6 Menard Nielsen 8:00 p.m. Stated his appreciation for tonight's presentations. Added his congratulations to the Mayor. Stated his appreciation to all the firefighters. ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for Monday, November 10, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at 300 Centennial Way. Minutes - Planning Commission October 27, 2003 - Page 7