HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 02-14-05
7:00 p.m.
Given
All present
Staff present
None
Approved
Adopted Resolution
Nos. 3962, 3963,
3964
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
TUSTIN PLANNING COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 14,2005
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Elizabeth Binsack, Community Development Director
Dana Ogdon, Assistant Community Development Director
Doug Holland, Assistant City Attorney
Tim Serlet, Director of Public Works
Pat Sanchez, Director of Parks and Recreation
Doug Anderson, Senior Project Manager-Transportation
Terry Lutz, Principal Engineer
Scott Reekstin, Senior Planner
Minoo Ashabi, Associate Planner
Justina Willkom, Associate Planner
Eloise Harris, Recording Secretary
PUBLIC CONCERNS
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JANUARY 24, 2005,
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING.
It was moved by Pontious, seconded by Floyd, to approve the
Consent Calendar. Motion carried 5-0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2.
VESTING TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 16790 AND DESIGN
REVIEW 04-025 REQUESTING APPROVAL: 1) TO
SUBDIVIDE AN EXISTING 4.99 ACRE SITE INTO ONE (1)
LOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING NINETY-
THREE (93) RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM UNITS; AND
2) FOR BUILDING AND SITE DESIGN FOR THE
DEVELOPMENT OF NINETY-THREE (93) RESIDENTIAL
CONDOMINIUM UNITS. THIS PROJECT IS LOCATED IN
THE MULTIPLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (R-3) ZONING
DISTRICT.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Planning Commission:
Minutes - Planning Commission February 14, 2005 - Page 1
1. Adopt Resolution No. 3962 recommending that the City
Council adopt the Negative Declaration as adequate for
Vesting Tentative Tract Map 16790 and adopting the
Negative Declaration as adequate for Design Review 04-
025 for the development of ninety-three (93) residential
condominium units.
2. Adopt Resolution No. 3963 recommending that the City
Council approve Vesting Tentative Tract Map 16790 to
subdivide an existing 4.99 acre site into one (1) lot for the
purpose of developing ninety-three (93) residential
condominium units.
3. Adopt Resolution No. 3964 approving Design Review 04-
025 for design review and site planning to allow for the
development of ninety-three (93) residential
condominium units.
7:04 p.m.
The Public Hearing opened.
Willkom
Presented the staff report.
Nielsen
Asked how the 75 foot left-turn pocket would affect Tustin High
School traffic.
Ronn Knox, Katz, Stated the traffic study was based on the length available for the
Okitsu & Associates turn pocket; it is 297 feet from the project driveway to the high
17852 East 1 ih school driveway, which allows plenty of space; only 75 feet are
Street, #102 required.
Nielsen
Asked if that study also took into consideration the traffic coming
into and out of Tustin High School after school.
Mr. Knox
Answered the traffic was observed coming from the high school
and saw no potential for conflict.
Nielsen
Invited the applicant to the lectern.
Karen Sully,
representing Nevis
Homes
Thanked staff for their hard work and the Planning Commission for
hearing the proposal; stated preparation of the project has been
going on for a year and is designed to benefit the community; it
meets all the development standards; meetings were held with
Tustin High School, Tustin Unified School District representatives,
and the general manager at U-Haul; all those parties are in support
of the project; meetings were held with tenants of The Cottages; the
relocation notification package allows existing tenants 120 days'
notice and a half-rent reduction for the four-month period; security
deposits will be returned in full; tenants will be placed on a priority
Minutes - Planning Commission February 14, 2005 - Page 2
Nielsen
Scott Yang, Nevis
Homes
Nielsen
Mr. Yang
Floyd
Mr. Yang
Nielsen
Danny Aguilar,
1361 EI Camino
Real, Tustin
Sharrone Nance,
1361 EI Camino
Real, Tustin
Maureen Cameron,
1361 EI Camino
Real, Tustin
Pontious
list to buy one of the condominiums; Mr. Yang from Nevis Homes,
the civil engineer, traffic engineer, property manager, architect, and
developer were also available to answer any questions.
Thanked Ms. Sully for her comments; and, asked for more
elaboration regarding the tenant package for a better understanding
of what is being offered to existing tenants.
Stated the plan is to break ground October 1, 2005; at that time,
every tenant will be on the purchase priority list; there is typically a
waiting list three months before completion for a property such as
this; the relocation fee includes half rent for four months in order for
tenants to save money for moving costs.
Asked if there will be any moving assistance.
Indicated the consensus was the tenants would prefer to have the
money ahead of time.
Asked if the leases are month-to-month up to one year.
Answered the leases are month-to-month at this point.
Invited members of the audience to speak, to limit their comments
to three minutes, and to choose a spokesperson rather than repeat
comments.
Stated he did not know about the project until August 2004; the
contractors who do maintenance for The Cottages knew but were
instructed not to say anything to the tenants; last Wednesday
evening the tenants received a notice to come to the pool area for a
discussion; none of the renters are contesting the project but are
asking for consideration regarding the difficulties of moving tenants
such as single parents, the disabled, etc. who have special needs
and limited incomes.
Indicated she cares for her disabled mother and has no idea where
she will be able to find affordable housing and continue taking care
of her mother in the time allowed.
Stated she and her husband both have disabilities, have lived in
The Cottages for eleven years, and had not intentions of moving;
the six months allowed will be adequate for them, but there are
other people who will need help to move.
Asked for clarification of the legal parameters; and, suggested this
is private property, for which the applicant is within the permitted
uses.
Minutes - Planning Commission February 14,2005 - Page 3
Holland
Pontious
Holland
Mr. Yang
Floyd
Mr. Yang
Floyd
Mr. Yang
Nielsen
Mr. Yang
Retha Robert,
2411 East Coast
Highway, Corona
del Mar
7:34 p.m.
Pontious
Floyd
Lee
Indicated the applicant is intending to redevelop at the owner's own
cost and expense; it is not within a Redevelopment area; it does not
require any City or Redevelopment Agency assistance; this is a
private project with basic requirements under State law that deal
with relocation requirements with which the applicant has complied.
Suggested that Mr. Yang is going above and beyond what would
be legally required.
Answered in the affirmative.
Indicated the tenants were notified once the project seemed to be
near approval; there is still risk involved, because the real estate
market can change.
Asked if, as vacancies occur, the units will remain empty.
Stated that no new tenants will be signed; recent tenants have
been given written notice about the planned conversion.
Asked how much rent is at the present time.
Answered approximately $1,100 per month.
Suggested that the speakers seem to be asking for more regarding
rent forgiveness; and, asked if Mr. Yang had discussed that with the
tenants.
Responded in the affirmative.
Indicated she represents Schroeder Property Management
Company which manages The Cottages; she also chairs Tustin
Effective Apartment Managers (T.E.A.M.); the tenants will not be
left floundering; all Schroeder's resources will be used to relocate
them; availability exists through T.E.A.M.
The Public Hearing closed.
Stated the project looks very nice; it complies with all development
standards; while she understands the concerns of the tenants, she
supports the project.
Concurred with Commissioner Pontious; if residents move from one
project to another of Schroeder's properties, perhaps more financial
assistance can be provided; he supports the project as presented.
Agreed with the above Commissioners; and, asked for clarification
regarding the trash enclosures.
Minutes - Planning Commission February 14, 2005 - Page 4
Willkom
Lee
Menard
Nielsen
Director
Nielsen
Adopted Resolution
Nos. 3955, 3956,
3957,3958
Indicated trash enclosures are provided with each building cluster
and are required to meet the City's standards.
Added the relocation package seems generous, but he hopes
some money can be funneled back to the current tenants to help
with finding another location.
Thanked Mr. Yang and Nevis for this project which will be an
improvement; he hopes it will be a successful project and a smooth
transition can be arranged; he supports the project.
Echoed the other Commissioners' remarks; he hopes the applicant
will continue to communicate with the tenants; it is important to
have happy citizens; if that can be accomplished through T.E.A.M.
or other entities, that will make the transition easier.
It was moved by Pontious, seconded by Floyd, to adopt Resolution
Nos. 3962, 3963, and 3964. Motion carried 5-0.
Indicated the appeal period for this item ends Monday, February
21, at 7:00 p.m.
Thanked the residents for their testimony.
3.
CONTINUED GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 04-001,
PREZONE 04-001, AND ZONE CHANGE (MCAS TUSTIN
SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT) 04-001 FOR
ANNEXATION 159 (MCAS TUSTIN SPECIFIC PLAN
DISPOSITION PARCEL 36 - COLUMBUS GROVE)
REQUESTING: 1) A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT TO
ESTABLISH THE GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATION OF
"MCAS TUSTIN SPECIFIC PLAN" FOR THE ANNEXATION
OF MCAS TUSTIN SPECIFIC PLAN DISPOSITION
PARCEL 36; 2) PREZONING OF MCAS TUSTIN SPECIFIC
PLAN DISPOSITION PARCEL 36 FROM THE CITY OF
IRVINE "2.3 MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL" ZONING
DISTRICT TO THE CITY OF TUSTIN "MCAS TUSTIN
SPECIFIC PLAN" ZONING DISTRICT (SP-1 SPECIFIC
PLAN); AND, 3) ZONE CHANGE TO AMEND SECTIONS
3.9.4 AND 3.13.2 OF THE MCAS TUSTIN SPECIFIC PLAN
TO ESTABLISH NEW SITE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
FOR MCAS TUSTIN SPECIFIC PLAN DISPOSITION
PARCEL 36.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Planning Commission:
Minutes - Planning Commission February 14, 2005 - Page 5
7:41 p.m.
Reekstin
Nielsen
Rich Knowland,
representing
Lennar
7:47p.m.
Adopted Resolution
Nos. 3943, 3944,
3945,3946,3947
1. Adopt Resolution No. 3955 recommending that the City
Council find that General Plan Amendment 04-001,
Prezone 04-001, Zone Change (MCAS Tustin Specific
Plan Amendment) 04-001, and Annexation No. 159 are
within the scope of the adopted Final EIS/EIR for the
MCAS Tustin Specific Plan/Reuse Plan.
2. Adopt Resolution No. 3956 recommending that the City
Council approve General Plan Amendment 04-001 for
the annexation of MCAS Tustin Disposition Parcel 36.
3. Adopt Resolution No. 3957 recommending that the City
Council approve Prezone 04-001 for the annexation of
MCAS Tustin Disposition Parcel 36.
4. Adopt Resolution No. 3958 recommending that the City
Council approve Zone Change (MCAS Tustin Specific
Plan Amendment) 04-001 for MCAS Tustin Disposition
Parcel 36.
The Public Hearing opened.
Presented the staff report.
Invited the applicant to the lectern.
Stated he concurred with staff's recommendation.
The Public Hearing closed.
It was moved by Pontious, seconded by Floyd, to adopt Resolution
Nos. 3955, 3956, 3957, and 3958. Motion carried 5-0.
4.
CONTINUED CONCEPT PLAN 03-004, SPECIFIC PLAN
AMENDMENT/ZONE CHANGE 04-002, TENTATIVE
TRACT MAP 16582, AND DESIGN REVIEW 04-004, FOR
COLUMBUS GROVE (MCAS TUSTIN DISPOSITION
PARCELS 35 AND 36) AS FOLLOWS: 1) SPECIFIC
PLAN AMENDMENT/ZONE CHANGE 04-002 TO LIST
CARRIAGE WAY UNITS AS PERMITTED USES WITH
RELATED DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND AMEND
THE MINIMUM DEVELOPMENT SITE OF 10 ACRES
FOR DEVELOPMENT OF CONDOMINIUM AND
MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLINGS IN PLANNING AREA
21; 2) CONCEPT PLAN 03-004 TO SUBDIVIDE 86.26
ACRES AND DEVELOP 465 RESIDENTIAL UNITS
Minutes - Planning Commission February 14, 2005 - Page 6
WITHIN PLANNING AREA 21; 3) TENTATIVE TRACT
MAP 16582 SUBDIVIDING 86.26 ACRES FOR
DEVELOPMENT OF 286 NUMBERED LOTS AND 68
LETTERED LOTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF
DEVELOPING 465 RESIDENTIAL UNITS INCLUDING
211 SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED UNITS, 68 CARRIAGE
WAY UNITS, AND 184 CONDOMINIUM UNITS; AND, 4)
DESIGN REVIEW 04-004 FOR SITE AND
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT
OF 465 RESIDENTIAL UNITS.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Planning Commission:
1.
Adopt Resolution No. 3943 recommending that the
City Council find that Tentative Tract Map 16582 is
within the scope of the adopted Final EIS/EIR for the
MCAS Tustin Reuse and Specific Plan and finding
that Concept Plan 03-004, Design Review 04-004,
and the Affordable Housing Plan and Density Bonus
Application and the request to transfer affordable
housing units from Planning Area 21 to Planning Area
5 are within the scope of the adopted Final EIS/EIR
for MCAS Tustin Reuse and Specific Plan;
2.
Adopt Resolution No. 3944 recommending that the
City Council approve Specific Plan AmendmentlZone
Change 04-002 to list carriage way units with related
development standards in Planning Area 21 and
amend the 10- acre Minimum Development Site
requirement for condominiums and multiple family
dwelling developments to allow development of the
triplex units on a 9-acre site, which is part of Tentative
Tract Map 16582 encompassing 86.26 acres.
3.
Adopt Resolution No. 3945 approving Concept Plan
03-004 to subdivide 86.26 acres and develop 465
residential units within Planning Area 21 ;
4.
Adopt Resolution No. 3946 recommending that the
City Council approve Tentative Tract Map 16582 for
the subdivision of 286 numbered lots and 68
lettered lots for the development of 465 residential
units including 211 single family detached units, 68
carriage way units, and 186 condominium units;
and,
Minutes - Planning Commission February 14, 2005 - Page 7
7:50 p.m.
Ashabi
Director
Commission
Adopted Resolution
Nos. 3949, 3950,
3951,3952,3953
5.
Adopt Resolution No. 3947 approving Design
Review 04-004 for the site and architectural design
for the development of 326 residential units on
Parcel 35 in City of Tustin and 139 residential units
on Parcel 36 currently in City of Irvine upon
annexation to City of Tustin for a total of 465
residential units in Planning Area 21 (Parcel 35 and
36).
The Public Hearing opened.
Presented the staff report.
Stated it was up to the Planning Commission how to proceed, but it
might be better to hear staff's presentation on Columbus Square;
the Public Hearing could then be heard on both Items 4 and 5 and
all parties proceed from there.
Agreed with the Director's suggestion.
5.
CONTINUED CONCEPT PLAN 03-003, SPECIFIC PLAN
AMENDMENT/ZONE CHANGE 04-003, TENTATIVE
TRACT MAP 16581, DESIGN REVIEW 04-006, FOR
COLUMBUS SQUARE (MCAS TUSTIN DISPOSITION
PARCELS 23 AND 24): 1) SPECIFIC PLAN
AMENDMENT/ZONE CHANGE 04-003 TO LIST
CARRIAGE WAY UNITS AS PERMITTED USES IN
PLANNING AREA 4 AND PLANNING AREA 5 AND
AMEND THE MINIMUM DEVELOPMENT SITE OF 10
ACRES FOR CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT IN
PLANNING AREA 4; 2) CONCEPT PLAN 03-003 - TO
SUBDIVIDE 105.5 ACRES AND DEVELOP 1,077
RESIDENTIAL UNITS WITHIN PLANNING AREAS 4 AND
5; 3) TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 16581 SUBDIVIDING
105.5 ACRES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF 386 NUMBERED
LOTS AND 186 LETTERED LOTS FOR THE PURPOSE
OF DEVELOPING 1,077 RESIDENTIAL UNITS; AND, 4)
DESIGN REVIEW 04-006 FOR SITE AND
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT
OF 1,077 RESIDENTIAL UNITS AS FOLLOWS:
PLANNING AREA 4:
. 84 SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED UNITS;
. 181 CARRIAGE WAY UNITS;
. 72 SENIOR HOUSING UNITS;
Minutes - Planning Commission February 14, 2005 - Page 8
. AVERAGE DENSITY OF
DWELLING UNITS PER ACRE
PLANNING AREA 5:
. EIGHTEEN (18) CARRIAGE
PRODUCTS;
. 170 SENIOR HOUSING UNITS;
. 552 CONDOMINIUM UNITS
. AVERAGE DENSITY OF
DWELLING UNITS PER ACRE
8.62
WAY
18.8
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 3949, recommending that the City
Council find that the Final Environmental Impact
Statement/Final Environmental Impact Report for the
Disposal and Reuse of MCAS Tustin ("FEIS/FEIR") is
adequate to serve as the project EIS/EIR for Zone
Change 04-003, Tentative Tract Map 16581, Concept
Plan 03-003, Design Review 04-006, the Affordable
Housing Plan and Density Bonus application, and the
request to transfer affordable housing units from
Planning Area 4 and 21 to Planning Area 5 and that all
applicable mitigation measures will be incorporated into
the project as required by the California Environmental
Quality Act.
2. Adopt Resolution No. 3950, recommending that the
City Council of the City of Tustin approve Zone Change
04-003 to permit the development of detached Carriage
Way single family dwelling units in Planning Area 4 and
5 and establish related development standards and
amend the requirement for a 10-acre minimum
development site for condominiums and multiple family
dwellings in Planning Area 4.
3. Adopt Resolution No. 3951 approving Concept Plan 03-
003 to subdivide 105.5 acres (gross) and develop
1,077 residential units bounded by Edinger Avenue on
the north, Valencia North Loop Road on the south, an
industrial business park and Severyns Road on the
west, and West Connector Road on the east within
Planning Area 4 and Planning Area 5 of the MCAS-
Tustin Specific Plan (Parcel 23 and Parcel 24).
4. Adopt Resolution No. 3952 recommending that the City
Council approve Tentative Tract Map 16581 to
subdivide 105.5 acres bounded by Edinger Avenue on
the north, Valencia North Loop Road on the south, an
Minutes - Planning Commission February 14, 2005 - Page 9
industrial business park and Severyns Road on the
west, and West Connector Road on the east for the
purpose of developing 1,077 residential units within
Planning Area 4 and Planning Area 5 of the MCAS-
Tustin Specific Plan (Reuse Plan Disposal Parcel 23
and Parcel 24).
5. Adopt Resolution No. 3953 approving Design Review
04-006 authorizing the development of 1,077
residential units on a 105.5 acre (gross) site bounded
by Edinger Avenue on the north, an office industrial
building and Severyns Road on the west, Valencia
North Loop Road on the south and West Connector
Road on the east within Planning Area 4 and Planning
Area 5 of the MCAS Tustin Specific Plan (Parcel 23
and Parcel 24).
Ashabi
Presented the staff report.
Director
Added the following comments:
. On page 7 of the Columbus Grove report, the proposed
residential product summary provides some square footages
that are incorrect; the square footages that were provided in the
booklet are correct.
. On page 13 of the report under the section that refers to Parcel
36, halfway down, it states "the City of Irvine affordable housing
allows the developer to pay in-lieu fees for off-site development
for affordable units and therefore as proposed only 27
affordable units including 14 transitional units for Families
Forward will be provided on Parcel 37." The City of Irvine has a
program wherein, if for sale product versus for rent product were
provided, the applicant would provide a 50 percent reduction;
the City of Irvine provided that program on the development
parcel in Irvine; the City of Tustin requested an agreement be
provided; the City of Irvine did not feel comfortable doing that; a
condition was included that requires the applicant to provide an
agreement with the City and homeless providers, or provide the
affordability that would normally be provided.
. In the next paragraph on page 13, it notes there was an
approval by the City of Irvine on October 26; that should read
November 4.
. On the same page farther down, the reference to Families
Forward should refer to Human Options.
Minutes - Planning Commission February 14, 2005 - Page 10
Nielsen
Director
Pontious
Staff
Director
Nielsen
Commissioners
Nielsen
Rich Knowland,
Lennar
Nielsen
Floyd
Mr. Knowland
Asked if those changes are included in the new resolutions at the
dais.
Indicated the staff resolutions included only minor corrections that
were discovered by staff or the applicant; the Lennar modifications
presented this evening regarding affordable housing phasing are
applicable to the resolutions for both the Grove and the Square.
Indicated the Commissioners had not been given the document.
Handed the appropriate printouts to the Commissioners.
Added there was a question related to the density bonus and where
it applied; the density bonus relates to Columbus Square; however,
it does relate to Columbus Grove inasmuch as this is a transfer
request of a portion of affordable units from Columbus Grove to
Columbus Square; staff has included various conditions and
findings related to affordable housing and the density bonus; the
Planning Commission is being asked to make various findings
regarding consistency with the City's General Plan and affordable
housing requirements; no specific separate action is being
requested on the density bonus, because the City's Density Bonus
Ordinance notes the approval authority is the City Council; the
Planning Commission will be making recommendations on the
overall entitlement to the City Council.
Asked if there were questions for staff on either project.
Answered in the negative.
Invited the applicant to the lectern.
Thanked staff and the Commissioners for being available on
Valentine's Day; presented a PowerPoint show highlighting the
amenities of the proposed developments; and, added that the
applicant wished to discuss several conditions of approval.
Asked if the Commissioners had any questions.
Asked how many single-story homes there will be among the two
projects.
Answered that within the detached neighborhoods approximately
15 percent would be a single-story configuration; most of the
homes will be traditional single-story homes; some will have a
single story with master bedroom downstairs, but with a popup
space on the second floor that does not take away from the single-
story appearance.
Minutes - Planning Commission February 14, 2005 - Page 11
Nielsen
Mr. Knowland
Floyd
Mr. Knowland
Floyd
Mr. Knowland
Floyd
Mr. Knowland
Pontious
Nielsen
Pontious
9:00 p.m.
9:13 p.m.
Asked if that breaks evenly in the two projects.
Answered that the attempt was a blended average.
Asked what the senior citizens age restriction will be.
Responded it would be 55 and up.
Questioned who would run the recreation center and other
buildings attached to the project.
Indicated a master homeowners association will be responsible for
the maintenance of all the parks, parkway landscaping, private
streets within neighborhoods, and will also be managing and
owning the clubhouse; the developer will program Intranet activity
among all the homes and hire community managers and program
managers to start setting up programs, sending out newsletters,
setting up the Intranet program so that residents will know what is
available to them; when the project is built out, the homeowners will
have the right to change this; the senior project will have a different
homeowners association from the rest of the community, and
residents will not pay the same fee; senior needs will be different
and they will not be assessed for programs that do not apply to
them.
Asked whether or not these facilities are limited to the homeowners
and the existing homeowners buying into the project versus other
homeowners in Tustin.
Stated that most homeowners associations allow people from the
outside to rent them for special occasions; anything with a gate
would be for the residents only; the areas outside the buildings will
be open to the public; there will be public use easements over them
and also adequate parking available.
Suggested coordination with programs provided by the City's Parks
and Recreation Department, particularly regarding the seniors.
Noted this might be the time to begin going through the issues one
by one.
Suggested it would be a good idea to take a short break to allow
the Commissioners time to read the material presented by Mr.
Knowland.
Adjourned for a break.
Reconvened the Public Hearing.
Minutes - Planning Commission February 14,2005 - Page 12
Nielsen
Mr. Knowland
Nielsen
Mr. Knowland
Floyd
Mr. Knowland
Pontious
Holland
Nielsen
Director
Asked Mr. Knowland to further elaborate on the differences
between staff's recommendations and Lennar's suggested
mod ifications.
Addressed the issues presented in the submitted "Proposed
Modifications to Conditions of Approval for Columbus Grove and
Columbus Square," which are incorporated herein by reference.
Asked if the product will be pre-sold.
Answered in the negative; and, added the applicant's preferred
method of selling the affordable housing would be to target the
marketing to the buyer rather than use a lottery system.
Suggested that targeting a select group will generate criticism from
the general public.
Indicated that a tiered program would be the most acceptable
approach.
Stated the major issue for the Planning Commission is the phasing.
Emphasized that the condition does not reference to whom the
product will be marketed; staff is sympathetic to the applicant's
concerns regarding affordable housing; the traditional approach in
many jurisdictions is to require that affordable housing be built first;
the condition of approval allows the developer some flexibility
regarding this housing; 63 percent of the affordable units are in the
senior housing project; staff is uncomfortable with the language that
has been suggested by the developer because it is too loose, with
no guarantee or assurance that things will take place at any
particular time.
Indicated there is a difference between good faith and approximate
phasing.
Noted there is an additional issue related to the senior housing; the
appropriate entitlements have not been submitted to the
Community Development Department or to the Planning
Commission for consideration; these entitlements are discretionary;
the units were used for density averaging purposes; a conditional
use permit and a parking demand analysis to support such a
reduction in parking would be required, but the application has not
been submitted; a condition of approval was included indicating
that, if the parking demand analysis does not support a reduction,
the number of units would need to be reduced; with the exception
of the number of affordable units, staff tried to move all the
entitlements forward for the benefit of the applicant so that the other
Minutes - Planning Commission February 14, 2005 - Page 13
Mr. Knowland
Nielsen
Mr. Knowland
Pontious
Director
Mr. Knowland
Menard
Mr. Knowland
Menard
products could go forward and imposed conditions of approval to
ensure the 63 percent of the affordability would happen within a
reasonable amount of time and get the model homes, recreation
building, and first production units moving; the 420th building permit
was considered a rational point in time.
Added the real issue is that a 2,000-home master-planned
community with 16 different neighborhoods has been designed up
to construction documents in order to satisfy questions asked by
staff; that is not how master-planned communities are done; this
project involves multiple builders committed to programming and
developing senior housing; the senior issue has been floating for a
year and a half while other plans were being prepared; it was not
possible to submit at the same level of architecture that Lennar's
builders could; the intention is to come up with something better
than what has been submitted; the applicant needs more time to do
the final senior design.
Suggested the applicant has not had enough time to prepare the
senior housing portion; and, asked if more time is needed.
Responded that Condition 2.2, as written, requires submission of
an approved senior housing program prior to the first building
permit.
Stated that is not how staff explained it to her.
Indicated the requirement is that, prior to the issuance of a building
permit for the first production unit, not prior to the issuance of the
first building permit; applicant may proceed forward with the initial
phase which would include the models.
Noted that allows only two weeks; questioned how the developer is
expected to accomplish the approval of the model and then go right
into production; the applicant is not prepared to rush into this
situation; there will be no risk to the City.
Asked for clarification of the phasing that would include the very
low, low, and moderate income housing, excluding the senior
housing.
Referred to Exhibits CP 8 and 9 that show the phasing by each
floor plan.
Asked again where those three phases will be on the timeline; for
example, the three-story town homes.
Minutes - Planning Commission February 14, 2005 - Page 14
Mr. Knowland
Menard
Mr. Knowland
Pontious
Mr. Knowland
Pontious
Mr. Knowland
Pontious
Mr. Knowland
Pontious
Holland
Answered Phase I; and, noted that everything comes online at the
same time to allow the public to have price points and different
home types from the beginning; the disaster for this type of
neighborhood would be trying to build half of it, because that would
result in all high-end homes or all entry-level homes.
Asked if the only issue involves the ones the applicant cannot
control due to outside issues and the senior housing.
Indicated that Lennar will control everything; there is a huge amount
of plan check work that will be coming to the City, plus having the
senior housing approved before the first building permit; submitting
within 12 months seems a feasible alternative.
Suggested it may not be possible to reach a point of resolving these
issues tonight, but the Planning Commission needs to reach a point
where staff and the developer have some notion of the
Commission's position; the affordable housing phasing within the
development is not the primary concern; separating out the senior
housing issue with Condition 2.3 of Resolution No. 3952 to deal
only with the designated low income housing within the
development would be advisable; this is an outstanding developer,
but good faith efforts only create problems; 12 months seems too
long; the Commission needs to see that the project is moving
forward.
Stated the best way to handle the phasing of the affordable housing
is to have a condition that says: "Construction phasing of market
rate and affordable homes shall be in accordance with Sheet CP-8
of the phasing plan."
Asked if that would include the senior housing.
Answered in the affirmative; the issue with the senior housing is
that it has not been approved yet and must go back through the
process.
Reiterated that the Commission needs some assurance that things
will get done.
Stated his fear that staff will not get it done; the applicant will be
stuck in a process over which the developer has no control; then
building permits will be stopped.
Suggested going back to staff to fast track the project.
Asked the applicant for a realistic assessment of when a final map
will be processed.
Minutes - Planning Commission February 14, 2005 - Page 15
Mr. Knowland
Nielsen
Pontious
Mr. Knowland
Director
Mr. Knowland
Director
Mr. Knowland
Nielsen
Mr. Knowland
Nielsen
Indicated there are final maps that could be submitted tomorrow;
there are also construction plans of homes, engineering plans of
streets, landscape, and final maps that are all ready to go.
Stated there would be no way to get through these complex issues
this evening; and, asked staff for tentative language on the points
discussed so far.
Suggested staff and the developer may need a feeling of where the
Planning Commission would like to see the project going; and, ask
them to come back.
Stated the construction phasing includes adequate detail about how
to phase through this development; Condition 2.1 states the first
building permit cannot be pulled until all the infrastructure is
complete; this is unrealistic in master-planned communities.
Indicated staff could write a modified condition but not specifically
related to the referenced pages, because there are several phases
identifying Phase I; if the infrastructure were not in place and Phase
I to be built, it would not have appropriate streets in place; staff
needs to sit down with the phasing plan and the suggested
condition and work out the language.
Suggested this might be a City Council issue: there are conditions
of approval regarding constructing backbone infrastructure adjacent
to the property or off-site that the applicant would be conditioned to
build; there is no issue with that; however, if the applicant builds a
piece of infrastructure within the Tustin Legacy Backbone
Infrastructure plan, a credit should be allowed against the fee that
will pay for the Backbone Infrastructure.
Agreed that would be a City Council issue; the Public Works
Department will go through those conditions of approval and will
modify them for the Commission's approval; that is also true of the
park credit and the phasing; on subdivision issues, the Planning
Commission makes a recommendation, not an approval.
Stated that staff is not happy with some of the architecture.
Asked if the applicant and staff would be able to get together and
move this along.
Indicated the applicant is happy with the architecture and does not
want to have to cut through another design review.
Indicated it sounds as though the developer can work with staff to
resolve the architectural issues.
Minutes - Planning Commission February 14, 2005 - Page 16
Mr. Knowland
Nielsen
Mr. Knowland
Pontious
Floyd
Mr. Knowland
Director
Mr. Knowland
Pontious
Mr. Knowland
Director
Menard
Mr. Knowland
Nielsen
Peter Gorman,
11105
Matthews Drive
Tustin
Referred to the motor court town homes with one-bedroom units
that have a one-car garage; this meets the parking requirements,
but the condition calls for a two-car garage; this would require the
entire motor court to be redesigned; there is adequate parking
without a two-car garage.
Asked how many units would be involved.
Answered there would be a total of 40 units, two one-bedroom units
in each building.
Clarifed there would be a one-car garage and a parking stall.
Asked for the location of the parking stall.
Indicated it would be in close walking distance.
Asked which condition was being referred to.
Stated Resolution No. 3952, Condition 9.1, on page 17 was the
appropriate condition.
Noted that was the CC&Rs section.
Indicated that part of the CC&Rs is to require the garage to be
usable.
Stated that could be addressed as a clean-up issue.
Suggested that recommendations could be made to staff and move
forward.
Asked the Planning Commission to do whatever needed to be done
in order for the project to move forward.
Invited other interested parties to come forward.
Stated he is the Superintendent of the Tustin Unified School District
but was speaking this evening as a parent and resident of the City;
there needs to be appropriate funding for schools in the plan
approved; there should be equity in funding schools among all
developers that will be on the Base within the Tustin Unified School
District; approval of the project should be delayed or language
added regarding school facilities mitigation, such as: "Prior to
recordation of the first final tract map, Lennar should enter into a
school facilities mitigation agreement with the Tustin Unified School
District."
Minutes - Planning Commission February 14, 2005 - Page 17
Jonathan Abelove,
13859 Apache,
Tustin
Director
9:54 p.m.
Pontious
Mr. Knowland
Nielsen
Director
Mr. Knowland
Pontious
Director
Mr. Knowland
Stated he is a governing Board member of the Tustin Unified
School District but was speaking as a private citizen, the parent of
two children who attend schools in the District, a resident of Tustin,
and the owner of a business within the District; supported the
statements of Peter Gorman; this request is being made in the best
interests of the children who are currently attending and will be
attending schools within the District; the appropriate developers
should pay for the new schools on the Base and not the entire City
and residents of the rest of the City.
Directed attention to the conditions in the packet which were
associated with the design review; for example, Resolution No.
3947, page 17, the Fees section addresses various fees the City
collects and includes school district fees in the amount required by
the Irvine Unified School District because the Grove is within the
Irvine School District; for Columbus Square, Resolution No. 3953,
page 17, subsection h requires that the fees be paid to the Tustin
Unified School District; those fees would be collected prior to
issuance of building permits.
The Public Hearing closed.
Recommended continuing the project to the next Planning
Commission meeting, February 28, 2005.
Stated that continuing the item to February 28 will be detrimental to
the developer; a $32 million cooperative agreement with the City
was signed a week and a half ago; it is necessary to get the
entitlements; Planning Commission providing direction on those two
issues in order to move this to Council to get final resolution would
be appreciated.
Asked if staff was comfortable with what was discussed.
Suggested the items be continued for two weeks or proceed with
staff conditions as presented.
Indicated the applicant would prefer an action tonight.
Asked if the items were continued to February 28th the project
would go before the City Council March ih.
Answered in the affirmative.
Insisted these conditions have been unresolved for six months;
adding an additional two weeks will serve no purpose; the applicant
would like to proceed to Council.
Minutes - Planning Commission February 14, 2005 - Page 18
Pontious
Staff
Mr. Knowland
Nielsen
Pontious
Director
Floyd
Pontious
Mr. Knowland
None
Director
Lee
Menard
Asked if the item would go to Council on February 22nd.
Indicated in the affirmative.
Restated the applicant's desire to move forward.
Stated the project could either be continued or approved with the
original conditions.
Suggested that some of the phasing sections could be modified.
Indicated staff is not comfortable with the modifications presented
at the dais by the applicant; if the applicant wished to propose
modifications for consideration this evening per the handout, staff
recommends a continuance.
Agreed with the Director's suggestion.
Stated the City Council may also ask for a continuance.
Answered that $58,000 a day in interest makes reaching a
resolution imperative.
It was moved by Pontious, seconded by Menard, to adopt
Resolution Nos. 3943, 3944, 3945, 3946, and 3947 (Columbus
Grove) and Nos. 3949, 3950, 3951, 3952, and 3953 (Columbus
Square), as written by staff. Motion carried 5-0.
REGULAR BUSINESS
STAFF CONCERNS
6.
REPORT OF ACTIONS TAKEN AT THE FEBRUARY 7,
2005, CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
Stated the City Council approved Tentative Tract Map 16782 and
Design Review 04-024 for the Lennar South Coast project.
Noted the CDBG meeting takes place Wednesday, February 16, at
6:00 p.m.
COMMISSION CONCERNS
Thanked staff for their work on tonight's reports.
Echoed Commissioner Lee's thanks to staff.
Minutes - Planning Commission February 14, 2005 - Page 19
Floyd
Wished everyone a Happy Valentine's Day.
Thanked staff.
Pontious
Offered congratulations to Dana Ogdon for his promotion to
Assistant Director of Community Development.
Asked whether staff has any workshops planned, especially
regarding a timeline for Tustin Legacy development
Nielsen
Thanked staff.
Wished everyone a Happy Valentine's Day.
10:05 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled
for Monday, February 28, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council
Chamber at 300 Centennial Way.
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Elizabeth A. Binsac
Planning Commission Secretary
Minutes - Planning Commission February 14, 2005 - Page 20