HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 PC Minutes 12-22-037:00 p.m.
Given
All present
Staff present
None
Approved
Adopted Resolution
No. 3904, as
amended
MINUTES
TUSTIN PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING m 7:00 P.M.
DECEMBER 22, 2003
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Elizabeth A. Binsack, Community Development Director
Justina Willkom, Associate Planner
Eloise Harris, Recording Secretary
PUBLIC CONCERNS
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - DECEMBER
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING.
ITEM #1
8, 2003,
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 03-023 REQUESTING AN
AMENDMENT TO THE MASTER SIGN PROGRAM FOR
THE TUSTIN AUTO CENTER BY INCREASING THE
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SIGN AREA, ALLOWING
MANUFACTURING BRANDS OR LOGOS SIGNAGE,
INCREASING THE HEIGHT AND ADDING A NEW
ELECTRONIC CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN ON AN
EXISTING FREEWAY SIGN, AND INCREASING THE
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SIGN AREA FOR PROJECT
ENTRY MONUMENT SIGNS. THIS PROGRAM IS
LOCATED AT 1-50 AUTO CENTER DRIVE IN THE
PLANNED COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL ZONING
DISTRICT.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Planning Commission adopt resolution No. 3904
approving conditional Use Permit 03-023.
Minutes - Planning Commission 12-22-03- Page 1
PUBLIC HEARINGS
It was moved by Pontious, seconded by Nielsen, to approve the
Consent Calendar. Motion carried 5-0.
7:01 p.m.
Willkom
Jennings
Willkom
Jennings
Willkom
Director
Willkom
Pontious
Willkom
Nielsen
Willkom
Amante
Willkom
7:16 p.m.
Pontious
The Public Hearing opened.
Presented the staff report.
Asked how the signs will be arranged to allow for advertising of all
the dealerships.
Indicated the applicant has not stated clearly how the signs will
be designated.
Asked if the signs would include franchises and/or Iogos.
Answered the signs will include the name of the dealership and
the car maker.
Stated that staff wanted to ensure the proposal refers to an LCD
display; older reader boards shown in the PowerPoint
presentation were not LCD displays; the resolution can be
modified to include the LCD stipulation.
Suggested that Condition 2.1 be amended to include a sentence
at the beginning as follows: "The freeway reader board sign shall
be an LCD sign." The second sentence remains the same.
Asked for clarification regarding the maximum square footage
proposed at 128 feet versus 96 feet.
Indicated the applicant originally planned to maintain the 16 foot
high freestanding project entry sign; staff felt the size should be
reduced since the Tustin Auto Center sign remains, thereby
reducing the total area from 128 feet to 96 feet.
Asked what the setback from the curb will be for the entry signs
on El Camino Real.
Responded that the setback has not yet been provided; a
condition was included requiring the applicant to comply with the
official clearance requirement.
Asked if a variety of colors will be allowed on those signs.
Answered the project entry signs will be all one color; however,
the building-mounted signs will allow dealership colors.
The Public Hearing closed.
Stated her support for staff's recommendation.
Minutes - Planning Commission December 22, 2003 - Page 2
Menard
Nielsen
Jennings
Amante
None
Director
Jennings
Indicated it was difficult for him to support this project since the
sign request brought before the last Planning Commission
meeting was denied; suggested the Commission is deviating from
its stated position by approving tonight's application; noted that it
would be best to keep signs within the walls of the complex;
stated he feels the freeway sign and the signage on the buildings
recommended in tonight's application is inappropriate, unless the
Commission is willing to allow the same exceptions for other
dealerships near the freeways; noted that, if those two issues can
be addressed, he would be able to support the proposal.
Stated that, since this is an enclosed auto mall in a particular area
of the City, the signs are appropriate; in order to be competitive,
the Tustin Auto Center has to compete with other malls that have
this type of signage; increasing the sign by 10 feet will not have a
major impact; the sign is necessary to help the mall sustain its
business.
Indicated she shared Commissioner Menard's concerns but had
been assured that this is a self-contained unit and no precedent is
being set; while she has a concern that things may look cluttered,
it is important for the dealers to advertise; for these reasons, she
supports for the project.
Suggested there is a distinction between this project and the last
one, because this not a nonconforming sign for which a lesser
nonconforming sign is being requested; the sign is adjacent to a
freeway; the findings support the project, and no precedent is
being set; the Auto Center is an important part of the community
and depends upon commuters knowing of its existence in order
for the mall to compete with other auto malls in various cities
along that same freeway; the proposal meets the criteria required;
he supports to project.
It was moved by Amante, seconded by Pontious, to adopt
Resolution 3904, as amended. Motion carried 5-0.
REGULAR BUSINESS
Wished everyone happy holidays on behalf of Assistant City
Attorney Doug Holland.
Indicated that Mobil filed an appeal of the Planning Commission
recommendation to City Council. The appeal is tentatively
scheduled for the second Council meeting in January.
COMMISSION CONCERNS
Wished everyone happy holidays.
Minutes - Planning Commission December 22, 2003 - Page 3
Jennings continued
Amante
Pontious
Menard
Nielsen
7:26 p.m.
Noted there is now an upscale furniture business at the former
McCoy Sheet Metal.
Echoed Chairperson Jennings' holiday wishes.
Offered special wishes to our citizens in uniform all over the world,
especially the ones who found Saddam Hussein.
Added her holiday wishes to everyone, including the City Council.
Requested that the Planning Commissioners be kept apprised of
Jeffery Thomas' condition.
Wished everyone happy holidays and added his wishes regarding
the military serving our country.
Thanked staff for their hard work preparing thorough reports
throughout the year.
Thanked Tustin Pride for their holiday awards program.
Thanked the Police Department for the Santa Cop program.
Offered special thanks to all the troops serving to protect us and
especially those who caught Hussein.
ADJOURNMENT
The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled
for Monday, January 12, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber
at 300 Centennial Way.
Minutes - Planning Commission December 22, 2003 - Page 4