Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 PC Minutes 10-24-05 7:01 p.m. Given All present Staff present None Approved Adopted Resolution No. 4002, as amended 7:03 p.m. Ortlieb ITEM #1 MINUTES REGULAR MEETING TUSTIN PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 24, 2005 CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL Elizabeth Binsack, Community Development Director Jason Retterer, Deputy City Attorney Dana Ogdon, Assistant Community Development Director Chad Ortlieb, Associate Planner Eloise Harris, Recording Secretary PUBLIC CONCERNS CONSENT CALENDAR 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 26, 2005, PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. It was moved by Pontious, seconded by Floyd, to approve the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 5-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 04-025, A REQUEST TO MODIFY CONDITION 1.4 OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 89-47 AND DESIGN REVIEW 89-68 TO ALLOW PROFESSIONAL, GENERAL, AND MEDICAL OFFICE USES, TRADE SCHOOLS, AND MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTION AT 14051-14061 NEWPORT AVENUE IN THE PLANNED COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (PC-C) ZONING DISTRICT. RECOMMENDATION: That the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. 4002 approving Conditional Use Permit 04-025. The Public Hearing opened. Presented the staff report. Minutes - Planning Commission October 24, 2005 - Page 1 Lee Ortlieb 7:09 p.m. Pontious Director Pontious Lee Menard Nielsen Adopted Resolution No. 4001 , with one correction provided by staff 7:12 p.m. Asked if there was a reason for specifying martial arts instruction versus athletic instruction. Indicated the applicant has a specific tenant that wants to do martial arts instruction; the overall request is to have more instructional uses allowed in the center without having to come back through the conditional use permit process; the condition as written would allow for an instructional school or dance studio or other uses of that nature. The Public Hearing closed. Referred to Condition 1 .3a that refers to "dance studios, martial arts studios, and professional trade schools," whereas the staff report refers to trade schools. Asked if Commissioner Pontious was suggesting the condition be modified to include "business/trade/instructionaL" Answered in the affirmative. Stated his preference would be to also include "athletic instruction." Noted this use should increase activity in the center. Agreed with the other Commissioners; the modification to the resolution should make the center more economically viable; because of the unique placement of the center, granting this application will not set any undue precedents. It was moved by Floyd, seconded by Menard, to approve Resolution No. 4002, as amended. Motion carried 5-0. 3. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 05-029, A REQUEST TO ESTABLISH A MASTER SIGN PROGRAM THAT DEVIATES FROM THE SIGN CODE FOR THE TUSTIN CROSSINGS COMMERCIAL CENTER AT 12932 NEWPORT AVENUE IN THE RETAIL COMMERCIAL (100 C1 10,000) ZONING DISTRICT. RECOMMENDATION: That the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. 4001 approving Conditional Use permit 05-029. The Public Hearing opened. Minutes - Planning Commission October 24, 2005 - Page 2 Ortlieb Director Floyd Ortlieb Pontious Ortlieb Pontious Director Pontious Ortlieb Nielsen Raymond Floyd, applicant Floyd Presented the staff report. Added that this center is adjacent to the Newport Avenue/Irvine Boulevard widening project; there is a non-conforming sign currently at the site that could be relocated and re-erected on-site; the proposed sign is larger than what is permitted by the Code but smaller than the existing sign; therefore, staff felt this would be a good compromise; compared with the Plaza Lafayette sign, there will be no advantage to one sign over the other. Asked how many tenants are in the complex. Deferred that question to the applicant. Asked if this would be the best location for a new sign in relation to the signs for Jiffy Lube and the anticipated Walgreens signage. Stated the proximity of the proposed monument sign to the Walgreens parcel is the right-of-way width of Old Irvine Boulevard which is approximately 150 feet from the Walgreens parcel. Indicated the proximity still seems close as one drives along Newport Avenue. Noted that Jiffy Lube's sign is on the corner. Stated if that is the case the proximity of the signs would not be a problem. Added that the applicant was required to locate the sign out of the traffic sight safety area. Invited the applicant to the lectern. Stated that he is no relation to Commissioner Floyd; he was in attendance on behalf of the owners of the shopping center as the redeveloper of the center; the center is being renamed Tustin Crossings; the proposed sign was developed in close cooperation with the City staff; it reflects a reasonable compromise between the sign existing today and what the Code allows; the existing sign has been relocated from its original location to the location shown as the proposed site for the new sign. Asked if the sign will contain five tenants. Minutes - Planning Commission October 24, 2005 - Page 3 Raymond Floyd Nielsen Raymond Floyd 7:26 p.m. Pontious Menard Nielsen Director Received and filed Answered that more than that makes the tenant names so small they are difficult to see; the largest tenants in the center will be featured; there are several service tenants who have been in the community for years and are therefore destination tenants; through this process, the majority of the tenants have been retained; initially there was concern the new rent structure would cause tenants to vacate. Asked for the total number of tenants. Answered approximately fifteen tenants are anticipated; the breezeway will be removed and the buildings squared off, which will allow parking at the rear and the creation of a patio area providing small breakfast-oriented restaurants or coffee houses. The Public Hearing closed. Thanked staff for the Findings which are specific and should prevent future requests for similar signs. Thanked the applicant for revamping the center and bringing a much nicer sign to the area. Noted that he visited the site over the weekend; changing the sign will be a vast improvement; everyone is looking forward to the opening of the new center. Added there was a minor error in Finding No.3; the correct height is 17.5'; staff will modify the resolution. It was moved by Pontious, seconded by Lee, to adopt Resolution 4001, as modified. Motion carried 5-0. REGULAR BUSINESS 4. City of Tustin Emergency Preparedness Memorandum (from the City Council meeting of October 17, 2005) prepared by Joe Meyers, Administrative Services Manager/Emergency Service Coordinator, Public Works Department, for informational purposes. RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file. Minutes - Planning Commission October 24, 2005 - Page 4 Nielsen Director Commission Director reported Nielsen Director Asked if Joe Meyers could provide the full presentation and answer questions from the Planning Commission. Indicated that staff would make that request if it was the consensus of the Commission. Answered in the affirmative. It was moved by Pontious, seconded by Menard, to receive and file the report. Motion carried 5-0. STAFF CONCERNS 8. REPORT OF ACTIONS TAKEN AT THE OCTOBER 3 AND 17,2005, CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS. The City Council considered the General Plan Annual Report; it was forwarded to the State. The City Council held a second reading for Ordinance No. 1304, the Zone Change for the Library site. The Final Tract Map for Columbus Grove went forward; activity should be taking place at the Lennar site, beginning with the model homes. The Columbus Square Final Map is not yet approved; the CC&Rs are not yet finalized; the Agreement with the Tustin Unified School District is moving forward but there are issues that have not yet been resolved; staff cannot take the Final Map forward until there is agreement between Lennar and the School District. The production units for all of the Lennar sites are in plan check for both the Grove and the Square; once the maps are finaled and recorded, staff will be able to move forward. The Senior Housing project has been submitted and should be brought before the Planning Commission at least by the first of the new year. Asked about Councilman Amante's comments regarding real estate signs. Stated there have been complaints regarding real estate signs, especially in the public right-of-way; staff has spent numerous hours removing the signs; the Code Enforcement staff are tallying Minutes - Planning Commission October 24, 2005 - Page 5 the amounts of time being spent on the removal, checking compliance, returning the signs, etc. Added that the Council was asked for a consensus in terms of providing direction to staff; staff will provide an analysis and come before the Planning Commission for a recommendation to the Council. Floyd Asked if the complaints related to signs on the greenbelt being left overnight. Director Suggested the primary complaint is the numbers of signs and the visual blight; the amount of staff time spent on signs takes code enforcement away from health and safety issues; some individuals advertise sales in other communities; staff is attempting to find a reasonable balance, and there are brokers and realtors who want to assist in that process. Nielsen Asked if the staff would come back to the Planning Commission with the alternatives. Director Answered in the affirmative. COMMISSION CONCERNS Floyd Thanked staff for the reports. Commented that the Old Town signs being erected are beautiful; and, asked where the money came from for the signs. Director Indicated that Community Development Block Grant monies were allotted for the signs. Floyd Asked if the other Old Town signs will be coming down. Director Answered that staff is checking to see what the plan is for those old signs. Floyd Stated it is good to see the Tustin Auto Center sign is up and running. Reminded everyone to vote on November 8. Pontious Suggested that if the upcoming schedule of agenda items is light, this might be a good time to have a nuts-and-bolts workshop, focusing on the specifics of Tustin. Minutes - Planning Commission October 24, 2005 - Page 6 Pontious continued Director Pontious Lee Menard Nielsen 7:45 p.m. Asked again what is happening regarding the Old Town Overlay District. Indicated that staff asked the Redevelopment Agency about this and will establish a meeting with the Tustin Old Town Association to get things going. Suggested that the last discussion she remembers was a plan to check with the City Attorney regarding the legal aspects of an overlay type of zoning. Reminded everyone of the Rotary Club's poker tournament to be held at Tustin Ranch Golf Course this Friday evening. Echoed Commissioner Floyd's comments regarding the new Old Town signs. Indicated he looks forward to assisting with the poker tournament. Reminded everyone that the Prospect Village ground-breaking will take place October 31 st at 9:30 a.m. Wished everyone a happy and safe Halloween. Reminded everyone that Halloween Howl takes place a week from today from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Columbus Tustin, and the Dino Dash takes place the following weekend. Thanked staff for the reports. Thanked staff for the reports. ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for Monday, November 14, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at 300 Centennial Way. Minutes - Planning Commission October 24, 2005 - Page 7