HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-19-1995 PC MinutesMINUTE
Planning Commission June 19, 1995
City of Orange Monday - 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Commissioners Bosch, Cathcart, Pruett, Romero, Smith
ABSENT: None
STAFF
PRESENT: Vem Jones, Manager of Current Planning -Commission Secretary;
Stan Soo-Hoc, Assistant City Attorney,
Gary Johnson, City Engineer, and
Sue Devlin, Recording Secretary
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IN RE: APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE JUNE 5 1995 PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETIN
Moved by Commissioner Pruett, seconded by Commissioner Smith, to approve the Minutes of
June 5, 1995 as recorded.
AYES: Commissioners Bosch, Cathcart, Pruett, Romero, Smith
NOES: None MOTION CARRIED
IN RE: NEW HEARINGS
1 -- CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2112-95 -WINE EXCHANGE
A request to allow a license for on-site consumption of beer and wine for the purpose of operating a
Wine Education Faality (wine lasses and tasting) within an existing wine sales facility. The site is located
at 2356 North Tustin Street (Orange Mall).
NOTE: This project is categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per
State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.
There was no opposition; therefore, the full reading of the staff report was waived.
Commissioner Cathcart commented the property owner is Orange Mall Associates rather than HarryNewman, as stated in the staff report.
The public hearing was opened.
Aonlicant
Steve Zanotti, 436 South Cedarhaven, Anaheim, briefly explained the wine education facility they are
proposing. He also explained tasting bars. They have heard Von's Markets are planning to apply for
Type 42 licenses in approximately 20 locations. Tasting is part of product knowledge and sales.
However, they are not in the business to sell drinks. They want to teach people about wine. Samplingwineisthewayofthefuture. Wines are very expensive. Sampling makes a better relationship for the
store and the community. Traffic flows will not change at all; increased traffic will not occur. Their education
facility has no permanent fixtures or bar. This concept is unique for a store, but not unique to the wine
business.
Commissioner Cathcart asked if he knew of other business locations that allow wine tasting in the City of
Planning Commission Minutes June 19,1995
Mr. Zanotti was not aware of any. He did not believe there were any in Anaheim either. They were one
of three elite stores in Orange County with a high volume and high visibility.
Commissioner Smith asked if they were planning to lease their room for private parties?
Mr. Zanotti did not intend to rent their store for private parties. Their business is to educate people
about wine. There is no business reason to allow private parties. Their store doses at 8:00 p.m. and a
private party would not want to leave at that hour.
Chairman Bosch asked if Mr. Zanotti had a chance to review the staff report and conditions of approval?
Yes.)
The public hearing was dosed.
It was noted the item was categorically exempt from CEQA review.
Moved by Commissioner Cathcart, seconded by Commissioner Pruett, to approve Conditional Use
Permit 2112-95 with the .conditions listed in the staff report; and, find and recommend to the City Councl
the use is a public convenience and necessity from the standpoint there are no other wine tasting fadlities
in the City of Orange and this would be a welcome addition.
AYES: Commissioners Bosch, Cathcart, Pruett, Romero, Smith
NOES: None MOTION CARRIED
2 -- ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 1-95 -CITY OF ORANGE
A proposed ordinance amendment modifying provisions of the Orange Municipal Code Tdle 17.78
Outdoor Signs and Advertising Devices", more specifically relating to the length of time allowed for
display of banners and A-frame signs and conditions for such display.
If approved, this change will also be incorporated into Chapter 17.36 "Sign Regulations" of the recently
approved update of the Zoning Ordinance.
N TE: This project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15311 of the State CEQA Guidelines.
John Godlewski, Community Enhancement Manager, presented the staff report. The item is before the
Commission predicated on an action by a ggroup of small businessmen and the Chamber of Commerce.
In 1993-94 the Chamber came to the City Councl and asked for relief from the banner conditions that are
in the current sign ordinance. Because of the necessity to try and drum up more business and the
recessionary times, Council agreed to let the businesses show their banners with no time limit for the
entire year of 1993-94. Near the end of 1994 the Chamber approached the City to look into the
ordinance to see if a permanent change couldn't be made to allow banners and A-frame signs to be
displayed in the City on a year round basis. The Commission is asked to look at an ordinance that
parallels what the Chamber Committee came up with in allowing banners and A-frame signs to be
inducted on a year round basis. There are a few specific concerns the City has that would need to be
addressed at such time as the final ordinance is adopted. That is, the display of A-frame signs in the
public right-of-way, making sure there is handicapped clearance, insurance policy, a City hold harrnless
agreement, and a height limit on the height of the signs. Staff was also concerned with the display of
signs and banners to make sure there is a logical area or some kind of controls on the size of the sign that
can be displayed. Suggested in the staff report are amendments to the soon to be adopted ordnance
that's why the numbers don't match with the ordinance the Commission currently has).
Commissioner Cathcart believed the request is for the A-frames or portable signs to be limited to 48
inches high and 24 inches wide. He felt 48 inches high was too high. There needs to be some
consistency. In landscaping, the architects are held to 42 inches high.
Mr. Godlewski talked with the City Traffic Division and there are regulations limiting height to 42 inches.
They considered the height of the curb and suggested a 36 inch height on the signs would be below the
required height limit and clearances for traffic safety purposes.
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Planning Commission Minutes June 19, 1995
The public hearing was opened.
Public Input
Brent Hunter, Executive Director of the Orange Chamber of Commerce, 80 Plaza Square, appreciated
the opportunity to address the Planning Commission. They have been at this for approximately 8
months and are ready to bring the whole issue to closure. There is a problem with signage in Orange
from a variety of standpoints. The City of Orange has a very strict sign ordinance, which it took painful
years to put into place, which was adopted in 1989. They're not proposing to change the underlying
ordinance, but only to deal with the promotional signs and banners. As was pointed out, the City Council
waived the limitations of the promotional banner ordinance -- the 45 day limit per year. Over the last
couple of years in light of the recession, not only has small business and the retail community suffered,
but in turn the City has suffered. The City is very dependent upon sales tax revenue and the City has
seen a shrinking to that sales tax revenue of over three million dollars a year. As Jim Doty is now saying,
it's not a recession -- it s a complete economic restructuring. It is a very emotional issue. They have seen
a variety of promotional signs and banners since the City waived the requirements or backed away from
enforcement of the limitations. What has not been addressed are the A-frame or portable signs; those
are still illegal. But, they have not been enforced through mutual agreement. Last July or August, the
City started to enforce the signs. The Chamber asked the City for help on this. They met in September
and 40 to 50 businesses showed up. Out of that meeting, a small task force was created (3 members).
The task force and Mr. Godlewski spent a number of Tuesday mornings surveying the City -- taking
pictures of businesses with signs. He presented a photo book to the Commission showing 160 pictures
of signs, banners and situations out in the community -- some very good, but some are not appropriate
for the City of Orange. The task force realized there were some problems that needed to be
addressed. Some A-frame signs are out in the middle of the sidewalks that impede the flow of traffic,
block visual right-of-way and block pedestrians. The task force brought their recommendations to a
meeting of 80 businesses in attendance just before the end of the year. The Committee was chewed up
because the business people felt they did not have a problem with signs. The Committee is bringing a
compromise to the City: They propose that the City continues to allow promotional signs up to two per
business and/or to make legal A-frame or portable signs, which have not been legal. And that
businesses be allowed for a combination of up to two signs (2 promotional banners, 2 A-frames or one
and one). Each would need to be licensed and can be left up during the year. If the business wants to
have more than two signs, they could exchange them during the course of the year, but each one must
be licensed by the City, approved by the City and pay an appropriate fee. That fee being reflective of
the cost of the City to enforce the ordinance. Several cities have looked at this and some have shied
away from it. The City of Buena Park's underlying ordinance is probably not nearly as strict as the City of
Orange. They believe the A-frame signs need to have some limitations in terms of size. The idea of 48
inches high came from the building industry in terms of materials are often either 4 feet or 8 feet in height
and it is convenient to cut and make a sign of 48 inches. He believed 36 inches was too low. Many
retailers felt the 48 inch sign was not big enough. They believe the promotional signs need to be quality
signs; they need to be attached to the building and not impede the flow of ingress/egress to the
building: Signs should not be attached to utility poles or to landscaping elements because that is not
appropriate. Also, the signs should not be used to replace permanent signage. The Committee took
on a couple of challenging issues in addition to this. He referred to item 8 in the sign ordinance proposal
outside articulated advertising generally visible to passing traffic -- sometimes known as the East
Chapman Avenue gorilla. They did not feel that was appropriate and could not recommend support.
Articulated signs is not the solution. Likewise, the Committee has taken on, under item 10, a very
challenging, sensitive issue in terms of vehicles that have become principal)y advertising vehicles that are
not moved, but are placed in high visibility locations for their advertising. The Committee recommends
those be moved on a daily basis or be subject to parking violations and cited. This form of advertising
defeats the sign ordinance. For those areas with A-frame signs, Downtown has been singled out
sometimes in the Press on this. They are in a variety of locations; they need to be in areas where they
do not impede the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic. In the cases of Old Towne, the feeling is most
of those are located on public right-of-way. The City already has an encroachment permit process and
those signs should be subject to that encroachment permit to protect the City from any liability in the
event there is an unfortunate incident resulting from one of the signs. Controls need to be put in place
so they can enjoy an attractive and sucxessful community.
Commissioner Pruett understood Mr. Hunter to say the Chamber of Commerce was recommending a
permit fee that was reflective of the cost to enforce the ordinance.
Planning Commission Minutes June 19, 1995
Mr. Hunter responded that was correct, to cover the cost of issuing the permits and enforcement. They
estimated approximately $25. If there is evidence it should be higher or lower, they would not object to
what staff felt should be the actual cost.
Commissioner Smith did not see a recommendation of who would be able to put out the A-frame or
portable signs if there was limited space to put it in. For instance, a small shopping center that had a
limited grassy area. There was room for two signs, but there were 7 businesses. She sees that
problem in Downtown as well.
Mr. Hunter said in Downtown the encroachment permit will for the most part address that issue. They
have some off site A-frame signs in Downtown and he presumed the encroachment permit would limft that
to the area immediately in front of their property and not allow signs across the street or down the street
from the business location. For the shopping centers, many of them will have terms within their lease that
will limit the signage or placement of signage within the leases. Those areas that have small frontages
but larger acreage towards the back (i.e., Egghead, south side of Katella, west of California), he thought
the property owner would be the person to determine placement of signs.
Commissioner Pruett continued on that line of thought...Mr. Hunter indicated that the property owner
would be able to restrict it; in fact, the tenants could ask for a permit to encroach into public property --
could the property owner be able to control that?
Mr. Hunter responded in those cases, using the same center, they would not anticipate an encroachment
ermit onto the sidewalk area, but most of those, the request has been to put those within thePandscapingsetbackareas.
Commissioner Pruett was leading to, is if there is a lease agreement that would restrict the signage, but
an individual insists on putting his sign out on the public property and getting an encroachment permit
from the City; therefore, the landlord would not have control over that. Has that been thought about?
Mr. Hunter would call Mr. Godlewski and ask for direction at that point.
Chairman Bosch said there were a variety of types of centers in the City, ranging from a regional
shopping center, which typically has a urnfied sign program that was brought before the City and
approved. The recommendations don't specifically state whether it would be one A-frame or two
banners per business or per property. (They were looking at it per business.) For a regional shopping
center that may have 100 shops, there is a potential for 200 banners and/or A-frames, or a combination
thereof on that property. That's something the City needs to be concerned about. He didn't find a
recommendation limiting the size of banners. Currently, there is a limitation in size for the ordinance.
How did the Committee feel about that?
Mr. Hunter said in most cases the situations (with few exceptions) had nothing to do with the size. The
problems were more in keeping with the location, how they were attached and in many cases, being
attached to landscaping materials or utility poles. In most cases, the Committee felt they were in keeping
with the scale of the building and did not see a major problem.
Chairman Bosch said there were a variety of methods of arriving at multi-tenant signs. Typically, the older
signage feature on a strip shopping center -- everyone has one line up on the big sign under the name
of the center. Did the Committee Piave any discussion as to the merits of additional signage per a site
such as that, given there is already individual tenant identification vs. others that may have a window
visibility problem, with only a few key tenants identified?
Mr. Hunter responded at this point they tried to stay away from addressing the underlying sign ordinance.
They chose not to get involved with that whole issue. There are a number of variance procedures
currently available for those special circumstances in terms of permanent signage and center signage.
They felt it was best to continue to deal with those issues on a variance or overall property basis.
Chairman Bosch asked how does one face the dilemma of permanent signs in a sign ordinance vs.
unlimited utilization or year round utilization of banners or A-frames, which, therefore, becomes a
permanent sign, although perhaps not constructed of as permanent material, and state they are not
interfering or having an effect upon the permanent sign ordinance?
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Planning Commission Minutes June 19, 1995
Mr. Hunter replied they must be maintained and there is a relatively short life to those temporary
promotional banners. They will not maintain season after season. In talking with a lot of the businesses,
the feeling is that they would like to rotate signs, each of them separately permitted. Therefore, you
hopefully will not see the same sign month after month. They are not in favor of roof mounted signage; it
must be attached to the facia. They had not given any thought yet to lettering size or text as to business
names.
Commissioner Romero discussed the quality of the signs. How would enforcement of these be
handled? He sees it as being quite costly. Did the task force come up with a time frame as to when the
moratorium should be lifted and enforcement of the ordinance be enforced?
Mr. Hunter said all permits would be on record with the City. One could determine whether or not the
sign is legal by checking the permits. The Committee/task force is willing to work with the City staff to
address the enforcement issues and to help make a determination. The task force now addresses sign
problems by talking to the business owners if they feel the sign is not appropriate. As soon as a
revised ordinance is in place, 30 days notice should be given and enforcement can begin. The permit
process should be self-paying; it should not be a cost to the City.
Commissioner Cathcart said one of the issues everyone is wrestling with is enforcement. He suggested
the staff and Chamber committee ~o back and try to come up with actual specifications, sizes for
banners, a ratio of the sign to the facia, a ratio of the banner to the front of the building -- some ratio that
would lead to some enforceable method of deciding whether the size was correct. Another issue is the
life of the banner. Maintenance of the signs must be addressed. Will someone review that to make sure
the banner is in good shape? He did not have a problem with promotional banners being up for as long
as a business feels they need to advertise. He was not ready to make a decision at this hearing. It's a
good start, but it needs to be worded in such a way as to be able to enforce it. Safety needs to be
addressed. Enforcement and permit/fees needs to be re-evaluated.
Commissioner Pruett questioned the cost of enforcement. Has the Chamber polled its members to find
out how many of the businesses do, in fact, use these types of signs? He wanted to know if there was
an interest in making that kind of investment. If there are a lot, it's not that much, but if there is very few,
then it becomes expensive.
Mr. Hunter replied no. They have had a couple of general meetings. He knows those people who
have the siggns, absolutely swear by them because they have made a tremendous difference in their
business. He would guess there are about a couple hundred signs throughout the City.
Public Input
Bob Bennyhoff, 10642 Morada Drive, Orange Park Acres, understood the need for additional advertising,
but he wondered about East Chapman. East Chapman looks more like Burbank or the San Fernando
Valley each week. What will it look like if each merchant had an A-frame sign on the sidewalks? Signs are
everywhere. How is that going to be regulated?
Commissioner Cathcart responded he believed somewhere along the line, within the encroachment
permit for A-frames, there may be enough methodology of setbacks to get it down to where the signs
are not permitted everywhere. It's important to look at the actual location where a sign would be
acceptable.
The public hearing was dosed.
Commissioner Pruett had several questions that needed to be answered before he could support this.
There's a variety of issues: One is the issue of enforcement. He was pleased to hear the Chamber is
interested in making certain the program pays for itself. He's an advocate of that. He thought the costs
should be supported by those who are incurring a cost from the City. He was concerned though that it
be structured proper)y so the fees can be recovered. When getting into the issue of encroaching into the
right-of-way, it's a whole different issue of the City having some legal responsibility. That business is
benefiting from the use of public property. It wouldn't be out of line for the City to charge an additional
rental fee for the use of that public property if they were to put the sign in the public right-of-way. That's
something the citizens should be able to enjoy. That needs to be looked at to see if there is a fee
structure for renting the right-of-way. He was also concerned as they get into the public right-of-way with
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Planning Commission Minutes June 19, 1995
C
banners and temporary signs, where they are placed is going to be important. When a sign issue comes
before the Planning Commission, it is looked at in relationship to ingress/egress; Is it going to be
blocking the view?; What is it going to contribute in terms of accidents or obstruction of public right-of-
way? He's also concerned if a car is parked on private property and there is a sign on it, does the City
have the right to, under existing ordinance, go out and ticket it and tow it away? He would like to see the
Chamber consider a contractual relationship in terms of enforcement with the City -- not for a fee. The
Chamber is proposing a sign ordinance for local businesses and that is going to require some
enforcement and follow up. Maybe the Chamber is the appropriate organization to do this. They would
follow up with their members to make certain they are keeping their signs in order, turning the signs over
so they don't look like an eyesore, make sure they have a flavor to them. Maybe the City's action could
be structured in such a way the agreement would be the Chamber would follow up on this and provide
an annual report to the Planning Department in terms of what they've done and what has occurred
Improvements and changes) and then staff could react to the report as to whether they agree with it. If
there's agreement, it could move on; but, if there's disagreement, a correction needs to occur. This is a
partnership and it involves the citizens of Orange who need to be protected as well.
Commissioner Smith wanted clarification on a public right-of-way.
Mr. Johnson responded it was any right-of-way the City has acquired for purposes other than signs. In
other words, street right-of-way or non fee owned land. General)y, it is behind the curb, which might be
landscaped or it might not. It's areas other than the street itself. It's not just the sidewalk; it could be the
grassy areas between the curb and sidewalk.
Commissioner Smith would like staff to address the topic of dueling A-frames. As she understands it,
they're not talking about the display of merchandise or changes in balloons or streamers. The other thing
she hasn't heard about is the actual signage on windows in terms of painting on windows or hanging
things in the windows inside the building. It seemed to her in some cases a person could have their
store sign, banner, the painting on the windows with banners inside and A-frame signs outside -- it might
not be very aesthetic. She was asking that there be sensitivity to all pieces of the ordinance working
together. The permit for banners will create an absolute paperwork nightmare. It seems it would be a
very expensive task as well. She was also in favor of restricting the banner size so it would not be
dependent on the size of the building.
Commissioner Romero asked what risk the City had in allowing A-frames on public property?
Mr. Soo-Hoo didn't know if that could be precisely answered. Whenever there is increased activity on the
public right-of-way, the City faces increased exposure to liability. Obvious)y, through the encroachment
permit process they would be looking at some means of indemnification of the City.
Chairman Bosch believed they should look closely at the ratio in terms of size of any banners to the
permanent signage permitted on a building. He agrees it will be difficult to determine what is
professional and not particularly when one sees how marketability best for their business. There should
be some reasonable ratio to permit permanent signage and also locational relationship. Part of the
problem is when everyone sees signs arbitrarily applied throughout a property. The sign ordinance, as it
is written for permanent signage, is concerned with typically square footage of sign per lineal foot of
street frontage or front face area of the building. There should be something that could be similarly
reviewed and understood by business owners that could be applied as well. He's concerned from a
safety point of view on a number of areas, in addition to the ones already heard. Flammability of
materials on buildings; it could be applied in proximity to electrical signs and cause problems. It also
applies to police visibility through store fronts and into buildings. There has to be concern with the
application of banners that block sight lines, as well as painting and other devices hung on the windows.
He didn't want to control everything that goes on in a business and certainly a window display of products
can block sight lines as well. However, some rule of thumb needs to be in place to avoid problems.
The key concern he had particularly with A-frames is the impact on maintenance of required landscape
planting -- its health, size and continued existence without being chopped down to provide better
visibility; without landscape irrigation being cut off so that the flowers and pants don't grow up to hide
the signs. Staff needs to look at this carefully. He was concerned, too, with what types of businesses;
there are retail and professional offices. In some cases, there are professional offices on the second
floor above retail. Does this mean two stories of banners? Does this mean two stories of other
devices? The City needs to make sure that whatever is done, affords equals rights for given
Planning Commission Minutes June 19, 1995
circumstances. He's very much against the permanent parking of vehicles that serves solely as directional
sins or advertising; he's concerned about how the City enforces that legally. He suggested looking into
City Link and League of Cities for information as to how it has been successfully accomplished elsewhere
so that it can be applied to the City of Orange. Size of banners has been mentioned many times.
There must be control over the signs in terms of size. The number and type primarily with regard to
multi-tenant sites -- he was concerned about what will occur there. Maybe staff needs to look back to the
basic reasons why sign ordinances were adopted in the beginning: The A-frame sign concept seemed
good in many instances, but it applies to type of business and location. It's truly a pedestrian sign; not a
vehicular sign. It doesn't belong by the curb; he thought it belonged in relationship to drawing people
from parking areas to the back of a center -- more of a directional thing -- or drawing people from sidewalk
and mall areas back into businesses where there is space available for handicapped accessibility and
where pedestrian walkways can be kept clear. How will the A-frame signs be regulated so as not to
cause a problem. There is a lot to address before proceeding. He was concerned there may be some
thorny issues right now out in the City where people are taking advantage of the moratorium and creating
danger. He hopes there is a way, while this is coming to a good and fruitful conclusion to help everyone,
that there is something that can be done to enhance the enforcement of those problems and do it without
making people feel like they're being singled out. He wondered if something could be done in terms of
an emergency ordinance for those who are greedy in terms of safety; maybe set higher penalties within
the limits of the misdemeanor code and the law to assure there is some funding available if the people
who wish not to be good citizens don't conform with regard to safety and get them off the street now.
Chairman Bosch looked to the staff for assistance on a time frame for coming back to the Commission
continuance) to take the next step forward and answer some of the questions and concerns.
Mr. Godlewski felt staff would need at least 30-45 days to have a chance to meet with the Chamber of
Commerce and discuss tonight's meeting. They could either come back with a report or come back with a
revised ordinance.
Moved by Commissioner Cathcart, seconded by Commissioner Smith, to continue Ordinance
Amendment 1-95 to August 21, 1995. They look to staff to come back with what they feel is the most
appropriate report.
AYES: Commissioners Bosch, Cathcart, Pruett, Romero, Smith
NOES: None MOTION CARRIED
3 -- CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2113-95 -ORANGE ELDERLY SERVICES, INC.
Applicant is requesting a conditional use permit to allow weekly bingo games to be conducted at the
Orange Senior Center located at 170 South Olive Street.
N TE: This project is categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CE~A)
per State CEQA Guidelines Section 15323.
There was no opposition to this item and the full reading of the staff report was waived.
The public hearing was opened.
Applicant
Keith Regan, Executive Director of Orange Senior Center, 170 South Olive Street, thanked the Planning
staff, Police Department and Commission for their help in putting this together. Satellite Market has
agreed to allow them to use some of their parking spaces for bingo. Someone has looked at the
ventilation system at the Center and they have come to an agreement on what they could do to improve
it to make it more than acceptable regarding the smoking issue. This is a volunteer-run operation;
employees are not paid for running the program. They see it as a non-work place when it comes to the
smoking issue.
Commissioner Cathcart called upon Mr. Soo-Hoo for a legal interpretation of the smoking issues and
State law. He wanted to make sure condition 3 is clarified and that it remain in place.
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Planning Commission Minutes June 19, 1995
Mr. Soo-Hoo thought Mr. Regan was referring to the enactment and enforcement of AB 13, which
became effective in January, 1995. It precludes smoking in closed places of employment with certain
exceptions. One of the exceptions includes bingo facilities; however, within that exception there are
exceptions and bingo facilities are exempted until January 1, 1997 or upon adoption of certain standards
by either the Federal EPA or State OSHA Departments. As to Mr. Regan's rationale that the facility
would not be a place of employment and therefore is exempt from the mandate of State law, he was
not certain how that would be interpreted. One possible interpretation is that it's a place of employment
regardless of whether employees are there or not. The short of it is, the facility will need to comply with
State law. He didn't believe the City had the ability to modify those requirements. If there is the
opportunity to, within State law, exempt the facility for a longer term or by some other means, he was
sure that would be available; however, it was not a matter the Commission could have any effect on. Any
enclosed place of employment is broad; it covers any location other than a personal residence. The law
only went into effect the beginning of the year and is still being refined. There will be questions such as
how the law will be implemented in bingo facilities. It's premature right now to determine exactly how the
law will be applied to facilities such as this.
Commissioner Smith asked when bingo would begin at the center? She was surprised there were no
senior citizens present to support the request. Are they aware of the bingo request? She wondered
how the people who use the center during the day feel about filling the center with smoke on Friday
nights?
Mr. Regan anticipated 30 days after City Council approval. He said they have received numerous calls in
support of bingo games.
Commissioner Smith had heard Satellite Market was in escrow, or close to being in escrow and she didn't
know if they could count on the parking spaces permanently.. She knows the property is for sale. If this
use would be approved, there wilt be a conflict for parking space on Friday night of the Street Fair
Labor Day Weekend).
Mr. Regan didn't see that as a major hurdle. They're willing not to have bingo on that Friday night and
they would work with the Street Fair Committee and allow them the full use of the parking lot.
Commissioner Smith suggested adding a condition of approval -- no bingo on Friday night of the Street
Fair. Or perhaps, a better condition would be to say the public parking lots needed to remain open for
public use on Friday night of the Street Fair.
Mr. Regan didn't foresee parking to be a problem. He has been talking to the manager of the Legion
Hall next door and she sees no problem either, as long as they communicate to the people playing
bingo they can't use the parking lot next door to them. That's going to be their responsibility; they are
going to work close with the Legion Hall to see that there are no problems with parking.
Public In{~ut
Walter Roman, 19273 Canyon Drive, Villa Park, is the President of the Orange Elderly Services and
represented the Board of Directors in favor of bingo games. They recently completed a fund raising
campaign and fell below their goal. The last two years their fund raising campaigns have fallen short of
their goals. They are in the process of trying to develop additional revenues from different sources, This
bingo program is hopefully a source that is worth pursuing. He asked for a favorable consideration of
this request.
The public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Cathcart believed the Orange Elderly Services provides such a need in the City of
Orange to the elderly citizens. Fund raising is very difficult and a lot of the monies/contributions have
fallen off. He thought this would be a wonderful opportunity for the Center to raise enough funds to
continue its many programs.
It was noted the project was exempt from CEQA review.
v
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Planning Commission Minutes June 19, 1995
Moved by Commissioner Cathcart, seconded by Commissioner Smith, to recommend to the City Council
to approve Conditional Use Permit 2113-95, given the conditions in the staff report and the addition of a
new condition that there be no conflict with parking on Friday night of the Street Fair held on Labor Day
Weekends, and a condition there be no advertising of bingo games on the Orange Senior Center
building, and a condition that a security guard be provided as a volunteer.
AYES: Commissioners Bosch, Cathcart, Pruett, Romero, Smith
NOES: None MOTION CARRIED
Discussion
Chairman Bosch looked at this as a good cause. His key concern was with regard to sound principals of
land use. It is a public gathering place; it's been utilized for many years as a sernor center. Parking is the
key concern when associated with bingo. He didn't like bingo because it turns out to be an out of town
game more often than not. He would hope something could be done to encourage and promote this to
the citizens of Orange in support of programs for the City of Orange, rather than bussing in people from
out of town. He hopes the Orange Elderly Services would continue to look to other sources of support
in the community. The site location is one of the better ones for this type of activity.
Commissioner Cathcart concurred with the statement we need to get our own community involved and
hopefully keep the bussing of outsiders down as much as possible.
Commissioner Pruett would like the Orange Elderly Services group consider and take advantage of talking
to the bingo groups about Orange Elderly Services and all that it provides; with maybe some
opportunities on ways people can get involved to support the organization beyond lust playing bingo.
Chairman Bosch called upon Detective Sergeant Barry Weinstein of the Orange Police Department to talk
r about bingo in general. Sgt. Weinstein reported the Police Department has not had any problems with
the limited bingo games in the City of Orange. The Police Department suggested their consideration of
no advertising of bingo games on the building based on the fact it is a City owned building and also the
fact they prefer not to draw major attention to elderly people playing bingo with a large amount of money
on the site. They were concerned about the players safety and protection. He didn't know if there was
money available through Orange Elderly Services, but they would also like to see a security guard on site
on Friday nights during the bingo games. The Police Department does not oppose bingo and felt it
would be a benefit to the commurnty.
4 -- ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 3-95 -CITY OF ORANGE
A proposal to amend provisions contained within Sections 17.10.040 and 17.32.040 of the Orange
Municipal Code, regarding development standards for accessory second housing units. This amendment
is proposed to respond to recent changes in the State law regarding parking requirements for accessory
second units.
If approved, this change will also be incorporated into Chapter 17.14 "Residential Districts" of the
recently approved update of the Zoning Ordinance.
N TE: This amendment is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) per State CEQA Guidelines Section 15303.
There was no opposition to this item; the full reading of the staff report was waived.
The public hearing was opened and closed.
The amendment was categorically exempt from CEQA review.
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Planning Commission Minutes June 19, 1995
Moved by Commissioner Cathcart, seconded by Commissioner Pruett, to recommend to the City
Council to approve Ordinance Amendment 3-95 by amending Sections 17.10.040 H and 17.32.040 I of the
current Zoning Ordinance and Section 17.14.060 A of the recently approved Zoning Ordinance Update, as
indicated in the staff report.
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AYES: Commissioners Bosch, Cathcart, Pruett, Romero, Smith
NOES: None MOTION CARRIED
IN RE: ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Bob Bennyhoff, 10642 Morada Drive, Orange Park Acres, complained about not hearing people talk
when sitting in the audience. There is an echo and it sounds mushy. The sound system is worse -- not
better.
The air conditioning needs to be checked as well because it was not working.
IN RE: ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Commissioner Cathcart, seconded by Commissioner Smith, to adjourn the meeting at
8:50 p.m.
AYES: Commissioners Bosch, Cathcart, Pruett, Romero, Smith
NOES: None
sld
MOTION CARRIED
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