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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/16/1983 - Minutes PCPLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES City of Orange Orange, California May 16, 1983 Monday, 7:30 p.m. The regular meeting of the Orange City Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman Hart at 7:30 p.m. PRESENT: Commissioners Hart, Coontz, Master, Vasquez ABSENT: Commissioner Mickelson STAFF Jere P. Murphy, Administrator of Current Planning and Commission PRESENT: Secretary; Gene Minshew, Assistant City Attorney; Gary Johnson, City Engineer; and Doris Ofsthun, Recording Secretary. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IN RE: APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY' 2, 1983 Moved by Commissioner Master, seconded by Commissioner Vasquez to approve the minutes of May 2, 1983, as transmitted. AYES: Commissioners Hart, Master, Vasquez fdOES: Commissioners none ABSENT: Commissioner Mickelson ABSTAIN: Commissioner Coontz MOTIOPJ CARRIED Commissioner Coontz explained that her reason for abstaining was that she had been absent from the May 2, 1983 Commission meeting. IN RE: JEW HEARINGS: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 1282 - SOUTH COAST CHRISTIAN CENTER: A request to operate a church in an existing building in the industrial zone on land located on the southeast corner of Katella Avenue and Batavia Street (720-826 6Jest Katella Avenue). (Note: Negative Declaration 841 has been filed in lieu of an Environmental Impact Report.) It was the consensus of the Commissioners that no presentation be given. ~ Chairman Hart opened the public hearing. Pastor Richard L. Maiden, 13302 Shara Loma, Tustin, the applicant, addressed the Commission in favor of this application. He explained tf~at the congregation wanted this church facility to be in Orange and since it has become almost impossible to find church facilities anymore, they felt that their only alternative was to go into an industrial area. He pointed out that this area is located at Katella and Batavia. He said that they have made preparations to talk to the surrounding tenants regarding the church coming into that area. They have talked to some of the surrounding tenants and they seem to be agreeable to the church coming into the complex. The owner of the facility has guaranteed them parking spaces, not only in the immediate area, but in nearby areas. Commissioner Vasquez asked if they had reviewed the special conditions outlined in the Staff Report and h1r. f•1aiden said that these had been reviewed. Commissioner Vasquez pointed out the figures quoted on page 2 of the Staff Report, asking if the foreseeable increase was a good estimate. He said that it is a known fact that all churches strive for growth and he thought these figures might be a little small. Mr. F1aiden explained that they project that within two years they will be in their own property. They consider this an interim move. Planning Commission Minutes Play 16, 1983 Page Two U Chairman Hart asked if the use would be limited during the week and he was told that they have projected three employees, which would consist of the pastor, assistant pastor and a secretary, as soon as they can afford one. Irwin Newhouse, owner of the property in question, addressed the Commission in favor of this application. He said that he did not anticipate any problems having the church in his complex. He has talked to the other tenants and no one objects to this use. He explained that he will not allow a problem there. This is one reason why the applicants will have a short term lease. He said that he has gone over their program very carefully and cannot see how they can hurt anyone in the area. Chairman Hart asked Mr. 1~lurphy if there is a parking deficiency could this be handled with a conditional use permit. Mr. Murphy responded that the conditions as listed, particularly Condition #l, which is intended to address Sunday morning activity only and would curtail the amount of people using the facility, should take care of this. The Staff feels that the 59 spaces available would be adequate based on their experiences with other churches in the area. He pointed out that Special Condition #4 is an attempt to do the same thing pertaining to weekday use. There being no one else to speak for or against this application, the Chairman closed the public hearing. Commissioner Vasquez explained that he had previously expressed some concerns about churches in industrial areas of the city. He said that he felt that these concerns still exist, particularly the fact of placing a church in an area which might not be meant for public assembly and also the problem of control, both security for local law enforcement, as well as the safety of those who attend there. He realized that one of the conditions would place responsibility of control on the church, but still had reservations with regard to thi s kind of use. At this point, Commissioner Mickelson entered the meeting. Moved by Commissioner Vasquez, seconded by Commissioner Master to accept the findings of the Environmental Review Board to file Negative Declaration 841. AYES: Commissioners Hart, Coontz, Master, Mickelson, Vasquez PJOES: Comr~~i ssioners none ABSENT: Commissioners none MOTION CARRIED Moved by Commissioner Vasquez, seconded by Commissioner Mickelson to deny Conditional Use Permit 1282 for the reasons as stated in the Staff Report and those Commissioner Vasquez had previously stated. Commissioner Mickelson asked Mr. Murphy about the comments stated in Item #3 of Staff's concerns. Mr. Murphy responded that this comment is based on the actual occupancy of the main room, not actual conditions. One person per every 35 feet would generate some 69 cars. To limit the use of the room to 125 people, the Staff feels would bring the parking into line with available spaces. Commissioner Coontz pointed out that in two different facilities because is that this is an interim use. She other churches have been approved in similar conditions, and she asked if this church has already been ~f its growth. The indication also pointed out that two industrial areas, with there had been any problems. Planning Commission Minutes May 16, 1983 Page Three L!J f~1r. Murphy explained that the Commission has approved two other churches under somewhat similar conditions and neither of these approvals have been appealed to the City Council. Commissioner Master had concern about parking, not so much the impact on the immediate development, but the impact on other owners of properties nearby. He would be concerned if parking spilled over to other industrial areas. Mr. Murphy responded that the Staff is concerned about both situations. He thought that the on-site conditions may be more self-policing than off-site. He could see possible problems with owners of off-site properties and possible conflict of interfacing with other uses in the nearby area. Commissioner Coontz stated that having looked at the property, she did not see any reason for spillover because it is a self-contained industrial site. Chairman Hart had concerns about the inability to secure church sites anymore. He pointed out one particular instance of a site near the freeway which a church tried to use, but the neighbors made such a fuss that it was turned down. He did not know where churches can go anymore. Therefore, he would support the proposal. Commissioner Coontz pointed out that Orange has always been known for its churches. One thing that is distinctive is that there seems to be more concern for the congregation rather than the edifice. If we can do anything to help them we should do so. Commissioner Vasquez, speaking as the maker of the motion for denial, said that he wished to explain his motion. He is not against the church itself, being the son of a clergyman. His concern is for the planning aspects of this application. AYES: Comrissioners Mickelson, Vasquez NOES: Commissioners Coontz, Hart, Master ABSENT: Commissioners none MOTION FAILED ~ Moved by Commissioner Coontz, seconded by Commissioner Master to approve Conditional Use Permit 1282, subject to strict conditions, both standard and special, including the length of time in which the conditional use permit will operate, which is two years, for the reasons that this is an interim use and the churches are having a difficult time finding places to lease. Since we have industrial and office-professional facilities which are vacant it is a good meld. Commissioner Mickelson asked Mr. Newhouse if he would be agreeable to restriping the diagonal spaces to get additional parking spaces on an "as needed" basis. Mr. Newhouse answered in the affirmative. He explained that he had submitted a letter to the Commission, stating that he has an additional piece of property across the street from this property and is allowing these people to use that for parking, which would give 16 additional parking spaces. He then asked how the restriping could be accomplished if it were to become necessary. Commissioner Mickelson explained the process in detail to him. Commissioner Vasquez asked about the letter from P4r. Newhouse, which he had mentioned, stating that he had not seen this letter. Mr. ~ Murphy explained the contents of the letter. Planning Commission Minutes May 16, 1983 Page Four AYES: Commissioners Hart, Coontz, Master, Mickelson NOES: Commissioner Vasquez ABSENT: Commissioners none MOTIOPJ CARRIED CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 1280 - LESLIE LEONARD: A request to operate a sandwich/salad type restaurant in an existing 3-building office complex in the industrial zone on land located at the northeast corner of Orangewood Avenue and Eckhoff Street (1915 Orangewood Avenue). (Note: Negative Declaration 839 has been filed in lieu of an Environmental Impact Report.) It was the consensus of the Commissioners that no presentation be given. Chairman Hart opened the public hearing. Bill Williams, 3630 Pacific Avenue, Long Beach, addressed the Commissioner on behalf of the applicant, stating that they had nothing to add to the Staff Report and were in agreement with the conditions. There being no one else to speak for or against this application, the Chairman closed the public hearing. Moved by Commissioner Master, seconded by Commissioner Coontz to accept the findings of the Environmental Review Board to file Negative Declaration 839. AYES: Commissioners Hart, Coontz, Master, Mickelson, Vasquez NOES: Commissioners none ABSENT: Commissioners none MOTION CARRIED Moved by Commissioner Master, seconded by Commissioner Coontz to approve Conditional Use Permit 1280, for the reasons stated by Staff and including the special and standard conditions as out- lined in the Staff Report. AYES: Commissioners Hart, Coontz, Master, Mickelson, Vasquez NOES: Commissioners none ABSENT: Commissioners none MOTION CARRIED IN RE: MISCELLANEOUS: Commissioner Coontz asked for an update on the last two mobile home actions, Mr. Murphy explained that the Mobile Ritz Mobile Home Park zone change was denied by the City Council - 3/2, as recommended by the Planning Commission. The Rampart Street zone change has been continued to May 24th fora continued discussion and possible decision by the City Council. These will be the last of the original mobile home zone changes. The interim moratorium on mobile home park conversions will go before the City Council on Tuesday, May 17th. He explained that the Staff has prepared a memorandum to the Council and suggests that the extension of the moratorium is probably not necessary, since there is only the Rampart Street Mobile Home Park left to be acted upon. ~` IN RE: ADJOURPJMEWT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m., to be reconvened to a regular meeting on Monday, June 6, 1983 at 7:30 p.m, at the Civic Center Council Chambers, 300 East Chapman Avenue, Orange, California.