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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 03-14-05 7:05 P.M. Given All present Staff present None Approved None Received and filed Willkom Pontious MINUTES REGULAR MEETING TUSTIN PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 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 Justina Willkom, Associate Planner Chad Ortlieb, Associate Planner Eloise Harris, Recording Secretary PUBLIC CONCERNS CONSENT CALENDAR 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - FEBRUARY 28, 2005, PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. It was moved by Pontious, seconded by Floyd, to approve the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 5-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS REGULAR BUSINESS 2. CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) WORKSHOP This report provides an overview of CEQA's framework, purpose, applicability, and fundamentals; the process; and, the associated documents. It also provides information regarding public review, filing procedures, and project approval. Presented the workshop. Asked if there are also Federal exemptions. Minutes - Planning Commission 3-14-05 - Page 1 Willkom Stated that, if the project involves Federal funding, review of the project would involve the guidelines provided by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Director Added that there have been projects before the Commission involving NEPA; for example, the MCAS Tustin Specific Plan, the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), and the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) were considered by the Planning Commission and the City Council; the EIS was prepared in compliance with NEPA at the Federal level, and the EIR was prepared in compliance with CEQA; all CDBG projects are subject to NEPA; Public Works projects such as roadways adjacent to freeways would require NEPA compliance; the bike lockers proposed at the commuter rail station are another example; even projects that are exempt must go through the process of preparing the exemption. Pontious Asked about cell sites; and, suggested there are limitations as to the mitigation required. Director Indicated that the City is somewhat restricted in approving or denying such projects. Projects are generally sent to the State Clearinghouse when there is a matter of State-wide concern versus the local level; other State agencies that may have a concern or want the opportunity to comment. The improvements of the off-ramps at Newport Avenue and the SR-55 widening were sent to the State Clearinghouse, because that project involved Caltrans. Nielsen Asked if there is an appeal process if someone disagrees with the project or the findings. Director Responded that is one criticism of CEQA; while it was originally instituted to preserve and promote the benefits of the environment and to disclose to decision-makers the impacts a project may have on the environment before a project was approved, one of the downsides is that CEQA has become a vehicle for litigation; the Planning Commission must make determinations regarding CEQA before making a recommendation on and/or approving projects; all Planning Commission recommendations may be appealed to the City Council. Minutes - Planning Commission 3-14-05 - Page 2 Holland Pontious Director Holland Received and filed Ortlieb Floyd Holland Pontious Director Added that litigation is typically filed after a decision is made on the merits of a project; the Planning Commission should keep in mind the determination is made by the Commission, and a project could be rejected based on the environmental documentation. Asked if the permit streamlining is based on the applicant not requesting any extensions. Indicated that both sides may agree to extend the time. Added that permit streamlining applies to non-legislative actions; when a project comes in that involves a General Plan Amendment or a Zone Change, those kinds of applications are legislative and not subject to permit streamlining. 3. SUMMARY OF PROJECTS 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. Provided highlights of the summary of projects. Asked if there is any link on the City's website to ongoing projects, especially housing. Stated that one of the issues in providing this information on the City's website would be limiting the access; typically this type of link would be done through the Chamber of Commerce. Asked if there is a start time projected for Prospect Village. Answered that staff met with the Prospect Village team last week; they indicated they had a peer review for the soils analysis and that was delaying the process of resubmitting to plan check, because it might add $100,000 to $200,000 to the cost of construction; plan check comments were returned in December on the commercial building; the residential portion has not been submitted; a preliminary submittal was provided to the Redevelopment Agency and the planning staff to modify some of the elevations. Minutes - Planning Commission 3-14-05 - Page 3 Pontious Director Nielsen Director Director reported Lee Menard Floyd Asked if the entire center is being remodeled around Trader Joe's. Stated that Trader Joe's submitted an application for a tenant improvement on the former 24-Hour Fitness. The center is also proposing a remodel separate from Trader Joe's; this will require a Zoning Administrator action; this application is in plan check and will be going before the Zoning Administrator soon. Trader Joe's will possibly open before the modifications to the center take place. Asked if the parking concerns around the Olson condominium project have been considered. Answered in the negative. STAFF CONCERNS 4. REPORT OF ACTIONS TAKEN AT THE MARCH 7, 2005, CITY COUNCIL MEETING. The City Council approved the Nevis Homes project. The City Council approved an amendment to Resolution No. 05-40 correcting an error in the calculation of the parkland credit. The City Council held second readings of the Lennar Ordinances; submittal of their Final Map is expected soon. COMMISSION CONCERNS Thanked staff for the valuable information provided in the reports. Thanked staff for their reports; and, noted it is always surprising to see the amount activity taking place all over the City. Added his thanks to the staff. Minutes - Planning Commission 3-14-05 - Page 4 Pontious Echoed the comments of the above Commissioners. Thanked staff for the CEQA update. Stated she looks forward to more workshops. Nielsen Stated tonight's items were very informative; and, thanked staff. Noted the widening of Red Hill Avenue is progressing much more smoothly than he anticipated. 7:55 p.m. ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for Monday, March 28, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at 300 Centennial Way. ~!2~-f E Izabeth A. Binsack Planning Commission Secretary Minutes - Planning Commission 3-14-05 - Page 5