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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 PLANNING COMM AA 02-21-06AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: FEBRUARY 21 , 2006 TO: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER FROM: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SUBJECT: PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION AGENDA ACTION AGENDA REGULAR MEETING TUSTIN PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 13, 2006 7:03 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Given PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE All present ROLL CALL Staff present Elizabeth Binsack, Community Development Director Jason Retterer, Deputy City Attorney Dana Ogton, Assistant Community Development Director Terry Lutz, Principal Engineer Justina Willkom, Senior Planner Minoo Ashabi, Associate Planner Matt West, Associate Planner Eloise Harris, Recording Secretary Approved CONSENT CALENDAR 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JANUARY 23, 2006, PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. PUBLIC HEARINGS Adopted Resolution 2. No. 4016, as amended 2. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 05-026 AND DESIGN REVIEW 05-012 REQU ESTI NG AUTHORIZATION TO DEMOLISH AN EXISTING 1,900 SQUARE FOOT DRIVE- THROUGH PHARMACY, CONSTRUCT A NEW 2,565 SQUARE FOOT RESTAURANT WITH OUTDOOR SEATING AREA AND PERMIT A TYPE 47 ABC LICENSE (ON SALE GENERAL FOR BONA FIDE PUBLIC EATING PLACES) TO SELL BEER, WINE, AND DISTILLED SPIRITS. THIS PROJECT IS LOCATED AT 13348 NEWPORT AVENUE IN THE RETAIL COMMERCIAL (100, C-1, 10,000) ZONING DISTRICT. RECOMMENDATION: That the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. 4016 approving Conditional Use Permit 05-026 and Design Review 05-012. Adopted Resolution 3. No. 4015 TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 2005-240 A REQUEST TO CREATE A CONDOMINIUM OFFICE BUILDING FOR ELEVEN (11) SUITES WITHIN AN EXISTING TWO-STORY OFFICE BUILDING. THIS PROJECT IS LOCATED AT 2552 WALNUT AVENUE IN THE PLANNED COMMUNITY INDUSTRIAL (PC-IND) ZONING DISTRICT. RECOMMENDATION: That the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. 4015 approving Tentative Parcel Map 2005-240. REGULAR BUSINESS 4. SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: At the meeting of January 9, 2006, staff provided an overview of a number of Specific Plan Amendments to the MCAS Tustin Specific Plan. The Amendments are based on a policy direction provided by the City Council at a workshop on November 1,2004. The purpose of the workshop was to transmit the associated Specific Plan Amendment documents to the Planning Commissioners and to provide the Planning Commission with an adequate amount of time in which to review the proposed Amendments. At the workshop, staff indicated the item would be re-agendized to allow further questions from the Planning Commissioners. Director Indicated, regarding the replacement documents that were provided to the Planning Commission, there were minimal changes to Chapter 2; regarding Chapter 3, there were not many changes; however, the changes that were made changed the Action Agenda - Planning Commission 2-13-06 - Page 2 page numbering and that is why a complete revised Chapter 3 was included. Nielsen Noted that percentages of density on the project seem to have changed from the inception of the project to the present; it is difficult to determine what the density will be. Director Stated it was important to the City Council that there be a one-for- one ratio, none of the environmental thresholds be increased, no unit counts be increased, the same amount of open space be provided based on the original MCAS Specific Plan; the PowerPoint presentation provided to the Planning Commission in January provides side-by-side representations of what was and what is proposed. Nielsen Indicated that it appears the numbers are moving to different planning areas while the overall totals remain the same percentages of low, medium, and high density. Director Stated that is correct in terms of the master developer footprint area; Lennar received a 25 percent density bonus; the City is required by law to provide that bonus; otherwise, the overall unit numbers are the same. Pontious Referred to the community core elements (residential and commercial) listed on page 210; stated it was her impression that the City prefers an integrated concept for that area; and, asked if such a desire could be specifically stated to make it clear what the preference would be. Director Answered that staff has done that; the Business Plan may articulate that even further. Pontious Asked why convenience stores have been removed (page 369). Director Indicated that the plan is to encourage specialty stores and other retail stores; this was a matter of definition. 5. PROJECT SUMMARY 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. Action Agenda - Planning Commission 2-13-06 - Page 3 Director Provided an overview of the projects listed; and, noted the City Council approved the Final Map for Columbus Square at last week's meeting. Menard Stated there are still only two lanes of traffic at the railroad track on Red Hill; and, asked if a modification could be put in place in order to have three lanes heading north and south on Red Hill. Lutz Responded that three lanes for northbound Red Hill are a possibility; and, added that Public Works is waiting for construction to subside before going ahead with the striping, but the hope is for continuous six lanes through that area. Menard Asked if it was possible to remove on-street parking altogether on Tustin's major arteries. Lutz Responded that three arteries, Red Hill Avenue, Newport Avenue, and Irvine Boulevard are being studied for removal of on-street parking and the possible impacts that might result; Public Works is meeting with a consultant to prepare a study. Nielsen Noted that the earlier response related to modifications to the intersection of Edinger and Red Hill and construction at the old Barn site and that the lane reduction would be a temporary situation; the problem is now getting out of hand; the traffic back- up during rush hour going north on Red Hill sometimes backs up almost to Barranca; widening at the railroad tracks to create more access is also an issue; anything that can be done to alleviate the congestion will be appreciated. Lutz Stated that the plan is to get back to as much capacity as possible on Red Hill as soon as construction allows. Menard Asked who is doing the independent study regarding the parking. Lutz Responded that Katz Okitsu Traffic Engineers are the consu Itants. Pontious Noted from a historical perspective that traffic on Red Hill was an issue when she first served on the City Council in 1985. STAFF CONCERNS 6. REPORT OF ACTIONS TAKEN AT THE FEBRUARY 6, 2006, CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS. Action Agenda - Planning Commission 2-13-06 - Page 4 Director Reported the Tentative Parcel Map to combine two parcels on Valencia Avenue was approved by the City Council. Noted that Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 1309 related to medical marijuana dispensaries will be in effect for 45 days and will go back to the City Council with a study; the Council will have the ability to either do nothing or to extend that Ordinance for 1 0 months and 15 days; the Planning Commission might be interested because this is a zoning-related issue; at the end of the 10 months and 15 days, staff will return with some alternatives; in that timeframe, the Planning Commission will likely be making a recommendation to the City Council for a possible amendment to the City's Zoning Code; staff can provide the Planning Commission with a copy of the staff report that will be taken to the City Council next month. Floyd Asked for clarification regarding the letter to the City of Costa Mesa regarding high-density projects and resulting traffic for the City of Tustin. Director Answered that this. was a letter in response to a Notice of Preparation for a project that is pending in Costa Mesa; the City Council was making a statement regarding other projects in other cities that may have an impact on the City of Tustin; it is necessary to track these projects to ensu re there are no negative impacts on the City. Pontious Referred to the agreement between Tustin and Santa Ana that requires both cities to equally share the burden; this agreement was the result of Santa Ana building a high rise on the border that resulted in increased traffic in Tustin; it is important for the Council to be informed about other cities' similar projects. Floyd Noted the increased traffic will impact the City as a result of the apartment complexes and high rise condominiums on Irvine Boulevard that will add traffic to Jamboree. Director Indicated that the City has been commenting on those projects as they come forward. Menard Asked if the City has a reciprocal agreement with City of Irvine similar to the one with Santa Ana. Director Answered in the negative. Action Agenda - Planning Commission 2-13-06 - Page 5 COMMISSION CONCERNS Floyd Thanked staff for their hard work; and, wished everyone Happy Valentine's Day. Pontious Stated she will be bringing $100 cash back tickets for purchase at the next meeting. Lee Thanked staff. Menard Thanked staff for their work and the applicants for being courteous and willing to make changes that were suggested. Wished everyone Happy Valentine's Day. Nielsen Thanked staff; and, wished everyone a wonderful Valentine's Day. 8:02 p.m. ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for Monday, February 27,2006, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at 300 Centennial Way. Action Agenda - Planning Commission 2-13-06 - Page 6