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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 PC MINUTES 02-25-25 ITEM #3 MINUTES COUNCIL CHAMBER & VIDEO CONFERENCE TUSTIN PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 25, 2025 6:02p.m.CALLEDTO ORDER GivenPLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Kozak All presentROLL CALL: Commissioners Douthit, Higuchi, Kozak, Mason, Mello GivenPROCLAMATION FOR COMMISSIONER STEVE KOZAK KozakKozakexpressed his gratitude to the City while serving as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Tustin. DouthitDouthit thanked Kozak for his years of public service, along with favorable comments towards Kozak. MelloMello thanked Kozak for his constant participation and leadership while serving as a Planning Commissioner. MasonMason thanked Kozak for being welcoming and supportive when she became a Planning Commission in 2016. She also made favorable comments towards Kozak. HiguchiHiguchi stated, “there will not be another Steve Kozak” along with many favorable comments about Kozak. WillkomOn behalf of City staff, Willkom thanked Kozak for his leadership, commitment, dedication, and the impact he is leaving here in the City of Tustin. Ms. Vicky Ms. Gray spoke in remembrance of Phil Cox, who passed away in January 2025. Gray Mr. Pete Mr. Beatty shared fond memories of Phil Cox and his history in Tustin. Beatty HiguchiHiguchi asked Ms. Gray about Phil Cox’s many historical artifacts. Minutes–Planning Commission Meeting –February 25, 2025–Page 1 Ms. Vicky Ms. Gray stated the Cox family is planning on keeping the many historical Gray/Mr. artifacts in their same location. She did not foresee any items being added. Mr. Pete BeattyBeatty stated, in general, Phil Cox wanted to donate many of his historical artifacts to the Tustin Historical Museum as well. DouthitDouthit asked Willkom if the City had its own version of the heritage plaque for memorable Tustin historical figures. WillkomIn response to Douthit’s question, Willkom stated the only heritage plaque the City currently has is the bust of Columbus Tustin. PUBLIC INPUT: HurtadoHurtado confirmed no public input was received. CONSENT CALENDAR: Approved 1.APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES –FEBRUARY 11, 2025 the February 11, 2025 meeting minutes, as provided. RECOMMENDATION: That the Planning Commission approve the Minutes of the February 11, 2025 Planning Commission meeting, as provided. HurtadoHurtado confirmed no public input was received. Motion:It was moved by Mello, seconded by Mason, to approve the February 11, 2025 meeting minutes. Motion carried: 5-0. PUBLIC HEARING: Adopted 2.CODE AMENDMENT (CA) 2024-0007: CONSIDERATION OF Reso. Nos. ADOPTION OF MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL AND MIXED-USE 4517 & OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS 4518, as amended. Minutes–Planning Commission Meeting –February 25, 2025–Page 2 A draftObjective Design Standards (ODS) for multi-family and mixed- use residential projects has been prepared for consideration by the Planning Commission. This effort implements Program 1.2a of the Housing Element Implementation Program and aligns with recent State laws intended to establish clear, measurable criteria to provide a streamlined and predictable review process for housing projects. RECOMMENDATION: That the Planning Commission: •Adopt PC Resolution No. 4517, recommending that the City Council have first reading by title only and adopt Ordinance No. 1562, amending various sections of Article 9 (Land Use) Chapter 2 (Zoning) of the Tustin City Code (TCC). The amendment would enable the adoption of ODS for multifamily and mixed-use residential projects via City Council resolution. •Adopt PC Resolution No. 4518, recommending that the City Council adopt City Council Resolution No. 25-03, approving the proposed ODS to establish clear, measurable criteria for the design of certain residential developments including aspects such as siteplanning, open space, building mass and scale, and more. MaldonadoPresentation given. Eastman/Alan Eastman re-introduced the item to the Commission, and Mr. Alan Loomis Loomis presented a PowerPoint. Eastman highlighted a memo with red-lines, recommending minor revisions to the ODS for clarity and alignment with the City’s intentions. HiguchiHiguchi asked Mr. Loomis to define “non-objective standards”. He referred to the design standards within the DCCSP and RHASPbeing subjective. Without objective standards, and if the standard is “subjective” could a developer do whatever they want? Mr. LoomisMr. Loomis provided detailed examples of non-objective standards (i.e., those that cannot be measured). He noted that most architectural guidelines are currently subjective. From an entitlement perspective, if an applicant submits a qualifying project thatis deemed unsuitable, the City can only use subjective criteria to deny it. Minutes–Planning Commission Meeting –February 25, 2025–Page 3 DouthitWhat is the process of changing theobjectivedesign standards? Has the City had any qualified developments, that would fit the ODS,in the last 5 years? EastmanThe ODS is new to both the City and others. Typically, cities adjust standards (e.g., zoning, parking, height) by looking at other cities, but there are few examples for ODS. Staff is requesting that the City Council adopt these standards by reference, requiring qualifying projects to comply with the ODS, which would be adopted by resolution instead of ordinance. Amendments to the ODS would then be presented to the City Council without needing a two-reading process. The City has had a few affordable housing projects that could have qualified under these standards. EastmanEastman added, the City has had some projects that would qualify if they wanted to be processed under the ODS; however, several of these projects have had other discretionary reviews associated with them (i.e. density bonus reductions) that require a public hearing. The City is approaching projects with compliance of State law and as an opportunity to streamline the developer review process before they design their project. At this point, the City has not applied the ODS process ministeriallywhere ODS would have specifically helped. LoomisMr. Loomis further explained that thedocumentbeing proposedto the Commissionhas been reviewed/amended,via several cities,throughout the region. If, in the future,the Commission would like amendments to be made to the ODS guidelines, staff can make those amendments at any time. DouthitDouthit stated the State's goal was to minimize subjective design reviews for qualified projects. Have any ODS been so strict that they hindered development? If so, were they challenged, and did the State provide feedback? LoomisIn response to Douthit’s previous questions, Mr. Loomis was not aware of any projects being challenged with the State. EastmanCity staff’s objective isultimatelyto use the ODS as a tool to streamline development projects to get them through the process quicker and faster. Although the City does not have the neighborhood level design criteria, City staff sees this as an opportunity, not as a barrier. HiguchiHiguchi asked how City staff would handle a conflict if an applicant proposed a Spanish-style development but the City required an Italian style. Could Density Bonus law waivers apply to all proposed ODS standards? Minutes–Planning Commission Meeting –February 25, 2025–Page 4 EastmanFor a qualifying project, the City would not impose specific architectural standards, as neighborhood-level guidelines are still in development. Staff would collaborate with the applicant to ensure the project fits the area, recognizing that developers aimfor marketable designs. While the City hopes to incorporate architectural styles into future ODS, current design guidelines are only recommendations, not enforceable rules. LoomisLoomis spoke in great length and detailon what other cities ODS look like and examples relating to development waivers and Density Bonus law. MelloMello also referred to the different architectural styles and if it would be an opportunity for a developer to utilize one of the deviations and do something discretionary and ministerial. He also asked if a developer could request a discretionary review and go straight to the Commission. EastmanEastman reiterated that the City currently has Design Guidelines, not ODS. Defining architectural styles, such as Italian vs. Spanish, requires discretionary review, which cannot be applied to qualifying projects. City staff plans to return to the Commission soon to establish objective criteria for architectural styles. Developers may opt for discretionary review, but Design Guidelines will not prevent them from proceeding with the ministerial process. Further discussion, among the Commission, took place regarding architectural styles. HurtadoHurtado confirmed no public input was received. Closing comments, among the Commission and staff, took place. Motion:It was moved by Kozak, seconded by Mello, to adopt Resolution Nos. 4517 and 4518, as amended. Motion carried 5-0. REGULAR BUSINESS: Approved 3.2023-2024 CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT (CLG) ANNUAL REPORT moving item forward to the City Council. The 2023-2024 CLG AnnualReport summarizes the City of Tustin’s reporting period from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024. After approval by the Planning Commission, acting as the Historic and Cultural Minutes–Planning Commission Meeting –February 25, 2025–Page 5 Resources Advisor, the CLGAnnual Report will first be sent to the City Council as a receive-and-file and then forwarded to the California State Office of Historic Preservation(OHP). RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Planning Commission, acting as the Historic and Cultural Resources Advisor, approve the 2023-2024 CLG Annual Report and direct staff to forward the annual report to the City Council as a receive-and-file item and then to the StateOHP. SalmanPresentation given. The Commission, collectively, did not have any questions or comments. HurtadoHurtado confirmed no public input was received. Motion:It was moved by Mason, seconded by Kozak, to approve the 2023-2024 CLG Annual Report and direct staff to forward the annual report to the City Council as a receive and file item and then to the State OHP. Motion carried 5-0. Adopted4.2025 HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES ADVISOR WORK Resolution PROGRAM No. 4521. The HCRA is required to transmit an Annual Report to the City Council. The report is required to include a statement of goals and objectives, accomplishments and efforts to further the cultural, historical, and educational well-being of the community. RECOMMENDATION: That the Planning Commission, acting as the Historic and Cultural Resources Advisor (HCRA) to the City Council, adopt a 2025 Work Program per Resolution No. 4521. DemkowiczPresentation given. The Commission made favorable comments regarding the itemand staff’s work on the item. Minutes–Planning Commission Meeting –February 25, 2025–Page 6 Motion:It was moved by Kozak, seconded by Douthit, to adopt the 2025 Work Program, per Resolution No. 4521. Motion carried 5-0. OTHER BUSINESS: WillkomPer Willkom, the City Council, at the February 18, 2025 meeting,approved the Code Amendment itemto reduce residential parkingand elimination of private storage. The City Manager’s announcement of the new Police Chief,Sean Thulliez, new Tustin PD Chief, starts March 18, 2025. MasonMason made favorable comments to Commissioner Kozak and his retirement. DouthitDouthit also congratulated Commissioner Kozak and his retirement. HiguchiHiguchi echoed favorable comments towards Commissioner Kozak. KozakKozak made favorable comments towards his fellow Commissioners, City Council and City staff for the many years he worked for Tustin. PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS AND REPORTS: 7:31 p.m.ADJOURNMENT: The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Minutes–Planning Commission Meeting –February 25, 2025–Page 7