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Home My WebLink About01 PC Minutes 5-24-04 7:00 p.m. Given All present Staff present None Approved Adopted Resolution No. 2916, as amended 7:02 p.m. ITEM #1 MINUTES TUSTIN PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING - 7:00 P.M. MAY 24, 2004 CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL Elizabeth Binsack, Community Development Director Doug Holland, Assistant City Attorney Karen Peterson, Senior Planner Eloise Harris, Recording Secretary PUBLIC CONCERNS CONSENT CALENDAR 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - APRIL 26, 2004, PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. It was moved by Pontious, seconded by Nielsen, to approve the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 5-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. DESIGN REVIEW 04-012 AND VARIANCE 04-001 AUTHORIZING CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW CARWASH BUILDING FOR AN EXISTING AUTOMOTIVE DEALERSHIP LOCATED AT 45 AUTO CENTER DRIVE AND REDUCING THE REQUIRED FRONT YARD BUILDING SETBACK FROM SIXTY (60) FEET TO NINE (9) FEET SIX (6) INCHES. THIS PROJECT IS LOCATED IN THE EAST TUSTIN AUTO CENTER PLANNED COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (PC-C) ZONING DISTRICT. RECOMMENDATION: That the Planning Commission approve Design Review 04-012 and Variance 04-001 by adopting Resolution No. 3916. The Public Hearing opened. Minutes - Planning Commission 5-24-04 - Page 1 Peterson Floyd Peterson Floyd Peterson Floyd Pontious Nielsen Peterson Dennis Muth, the architect for the project, representing the applicant Director Floyd Pontious Amante Nielsen Mr. Muth Floyd Presented the staff report. Asked if there is an existing carwash at this location. Replied that Lexus currently hand washes the cars in the rear of the service area. Asked for clarification whether or not car washing will only be used for vehicles that are being serviced by Lexus or will anyone who owns a Lexus be allowed a free wash. Answered staff's understanding is that any Lexus owner could use the service. Referred to the traffic impacts created by the Mercedes Benz dealership in Laguna Niguel that offers similar service-25 to 100 cars per day getting free carwashes. Suggested the applicant may be the one to ask; the applicant was not in attendance. Asked if there will be signage at the front. Indicated the applicant has not proposed any signage. Stated the carwash would be intended for those who get their cars serviced, but he was not sure if Lexus intends for any owner to be allowed to use the carwash. Noted that during her meetings with Tustin Lexus representatives, it was understood the service would be for those vehicles being serviced; staff will check with the applicant to verify this is the intention. Noted that other tenants could also be inconvenienced if this approval were to include any Lexus owner. Suggested that a condition be added to restrict the use. Asked staff to prepare the language. Asked Mr. Muth if any signage is planned. Answered in the negative. Asked about the height of the wall blocking the carwash. Minutes - Planning Commission 5-24-04 - Page 2 Peterson Mr. Muth Director Pontious Director 7:12 p.m. None Director reported Menard Director Answered the wall is approximately six feet high. Indicated the wall is eight feet from the street side and six feet on the Tustin Lexus side. Suggested adding Condition 2.23 to read: "The use of the carwash shall be for vehicles being serviced at the facility. Said use may be expanded if approved by the Community Development Director." Stated there should be a reference to allowing Lexus to wash new cars arriving at the dealership. Suggested adding "and/or new cars owned by the dealership" to the first sentence. The Public Hearing closed. It was moved by Pontious, seconded by Menard, to adopt Resolution No. 3916, as amended. Motion carried 5-0. REGULAR BUSINESS STAFF CONCERNS 3. REPORT OF ACTIONS TAKEN AT THE MAY 3 AND 17, 2004, CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS. The Prospect Village Project was appealed to the City Council; the Planning Commission's decisions were upheld, including the recommendations on the Zone Change and the Tentative Map; it was a 5-0 decision; the second reading on the Zone Change will take place at the Council's next meeting; various statute of limitations need to run, after which the developer will be submitting plans and carrying out various mitigation measures required by the EIR. The Council also approved modifications to the Council Chambers that will be taking place in the near future and will require the regular meetings be relocated, probably to the Community Center. Asked for the timeframe on the Utt Juice development. Indicated the developer may wait until the statute runs before submitting the plans; there are also DDA obligations to be fulfilled; staff can provide information to the Commission as things proceed. Minutes - Planning Commission 5-24-04 - Page 3 Floyd Director Amante Director Menard Director Menard Peterson Amante Director Commissioners Floyd Pontious Director Pontious Director Asked about the Tustin Ranch Golf Course expansion. Answered the expansion is proceeding well; and, added that grading permits will soon be issued for The Barn site. Asked if there is any news on the gas station site at Red Hill and San Juan. Answered in the negative. Asked about the site at EI Camino Real and Newport Avenue. Indicated that preliminary plans, but no formal submittal, have been received for that site; the City is still working with Caltrans on the excess parcel at that location. Asked about the retail center next to the carwash on First Street. Answered the developer submitted plans last Thursday. Asked staff for another update on existing and plans projects. Asked the Commission if everyone had been advised as to the date of the State of the City address. Answered in the affirmative. COMMISSION CONCERNS Stated he attended the Farmer Boys' Grand Opening and was impressed by the brisk business they are doing. Indicated he will be out of town and will not be able to attend the Armstrong Nursery Grand Opening. Stated her understanding that The Irvine Company has announced that the IKEA site will be divided and Best Buy and CompuServe are coming in. Indicated that CompuServe will be located at the old Kids R Us site; staff has heard that perhaps Linens 'N Things will go into the other portion where Best Buy will be split. Noted that is good news for the City's tax base. Stated The Irvine Company is also proposing to do some traffic and other improvements to the main entrance into the Minutes - Planning Commission 5-24-04 - Page 4 Best Buy location (where the fast food restaurants are located); significant improvements may come before the Planning Commission; minor improvements will be approved at the staff level. Nielsen Wished everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day; and, asked that we remember the service individuals, particularly those overseas, and give thanks and thought to them this weekend, Menard Stated he is looking forward to Armstrong's opening. Reminded everyone the Chili Cook-Off takes place June 6. Thanked staff and the applicant for working on the difficult site involved with the Tustin Lexus project. Amante Stated he happened to see some of the neighbors who attended the Planning Commission regarding the Farmer Boys' project and was very happy to hear them say Farmer Boys is a good neighbor and a great place to eat. Floyd Noted that it will be nice if similar accolades are offered when the Prospect Village development is completed. Amante Welcomed back Assistant City Attorney Doug Holland. 7:23 p,m. ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for Monday, June 14, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at 300 Centennial Way. Minutes - Planning Commission 5-24-04 - Page 5