HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/1/1989 - Minutes PCPLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
City of Orange
Orange, California
May 1, 1989
Monday - 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Commissioners Bosch, Greek, Hart, Master, Scott
ABSENT: None
STAFF
PRESENT: John Godlewski, Sr. Planner & Commission Secretary;
Jack McGee, Administrator of Current Planning;
Bob Herick, Assistant City Attorney;
Gary Johnson, City Engineer; and
Sue Devlin, Recording Secretary
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IN RE: MINUTES OF APRIL 17, 1989
Moved by Commissioner Hart, seconded by Commissioner Greek,
that the Minutes of April 17, 1989 be approved as recorded.
AYES: Commissioners Bosch, Greek, Hart, Master, Scott
NOES: None t40TION CARRIED
IN RE: CONTINUED HEARINGS
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 1695 - CHAPMAN COLLEGE:
A proposed Conditional Use Permit to allow conversion of two
residential structures to college use as a child studies
center on properties located at 485 and 489 North Center
Street. This application was continued from the December 5,
1988, January 4, 1989 and February 6, 1989 Planning
Commission Meetings.
NOTE: Negative Declaration 1292 has been prepared for this
project.
Mr. Godlewski presented the staff report. The memo from
staff to the Commission indicates that the continued
operation of the child care lab school has been before the
Commission several times. The application originally
involved a number of uses proposed by the College for the
residential properties in the neighborhood and those have
all been dealt with except for the child study center, which
was specifically taken out and continued until such time as
the City Council could review the Specific Plan for Chapman
College in assessing its acceptability as a use in the
neighborhood. The City Council adopted the Specific Plan in
January, 1989 and the day care use was listed as a permitted
use in the Specific Plan area. However, the current
location of the child study center is in an R-2-6 zone and
was not included as a part of the Specific P].an. The
Planning Commission Minutes
PRay 1, 1989 - Page 2
Council members at that time agreed that the child study
center should be allowed to operate for a period of six
months at that location. The Planning Commission had
continued its hearings in hopes that a study could be
performed to find out whether or not the child care center
was appropriate at this location; however, Council, it
appears, took the action of allowing the child day care to
remain for six months, which would basically preclude the
Commission from taking any action other than that.
Commissioner Hart noted that Dr. Beck was in the audience.
Commissioner Greek stated that as long as Council has
approved the operation of the child care center until July
10, 1989, the Commission could not take action.
The Commission agreed not to open the public hearing for
public comment because it would only be reputed at a later
time.
Moved by Commissioner Hart, seconded by Commissioner Master,
to continue the public hearing on Conditional Use Permit
1695 to July 17, 1989.
AYES: Commissioners Bosch, Greek, Hart, Master, Scott
NOES: None C90TION CARRIED
Carole Tnlalters, 534 North Shaffer, said this issue was
getting confusing. She asked if staff overrides the
Commission's recommendation? How can the City Council vote
on something before the Commission? t^7ho is the boss in the
City of Orange?
Chairman Bosch responded the City Council, elected by the
voters of Orange, is the boss. The Planning Commission is
advisory to the City Council. All applications that are
advisory to the City Council, the Council takes final
action.
Mrs. Frederick, 491 North Shaffer, stated this has been
going on since 1988. All the neighbors are going on trips
for about two or three months and they will not know what is
going on.
TN RE: NEW HEARINGS
PRE-ZONE CHANGE 1110-89 - CITY OF ORANGE:
A proposed pre-zone of unincorporated land to the City of
Orange R-1-6 (Single Family Residential, minimum 6,000
square foot lots) prior to annexing to the City of Orange.
Subject property is located north of Canyon View Avenue,
1,000 feet east of Chapman Avenue.
Planning Commission Minutes
May 1, 1989 - Page 3
NOTE: Negative Declaration 1287-89 has been prepared for
this project.
-a nd-
PRE-ZONE CBANGE 1111-89 - CITY OF ORANGE:
A proposed pre-zone of unincorporated land to City of Orange
A-1 (Agricultural) zoning prior to annexing to the City of
Orange. Subject property is located on the north side of
Canyon View Avenue, 1200 feet west of Newport Boulevard.
NOTE: Negative Declaration 1288-89 has been prepared for
this project.
Mr. Godlewski suggested combining these two applications as
both were similar. At this point, staff is dealing with the
pre-zone of of two parcels. Each application is asking for
different zoning. In terms of annexation, he believed they
are being handled as the same annexation.
Both annexations and pre-zones involve pieces of property
that have frontage on Canyon View Avenue. Canyon View
Avenue has been developed in the City of Orange to City
standards and these portions cut across County pieces of
property. The County has a different standard for street
development. At this time in the street development, staff
would like to get some consistency so that the street
stripes are consistent through the City and County parcels.
It is a matter of safety and consistency with the street
section.
The first parcel, Pre-Zone 1110-89, is the residential
parcel. The surrounding zoning in the City of Orange is
predominantly R-1-6, Single Family Residential. The City is
proposing that this parcel fronting on Canyon View also be
pre-zoned to the R-1-6 zoning.
The other parcel, in Pre-Zone 1111-89, is currently an
undeveloped approximately 3 acre parcel of land. It's
mostly located on sloping property that drops to the north
away from Canyon View Avenue. A few questions have been
addressed in the staff report concerning the access rights
from this parcel to Canyon View and a memo from the City
Engineer has hopefully resolved that issue for the
Commission. It may require further discussion. Staff is
looking for a Pre-Zone of A-1 on the property, which is
basically an agricultural zoning. They consider it a
holding district until it can be determined what this
property is ultimately going to be used for.
The public hearing was opened.
Planning Commission Minutes
May 1, 1989 - Page 4
Richard Vining, 400 West Main, Tustin, owns a piece of
property that is adjacent to Pre-Zone 1110, the lower
section of Canyon View. He is not opposed to the
development of the property, but would like to have some
kind of understanding what would happen to his property. It
will be totally surrounded by the City of Orange and he
knows he is in the sphere of influence. He wanted some
assurance that he would be left in the County.
Chairman Bosch stated the action before the Commission was
only with regard to the pre-zoning of properties other than
his and does not affect him.
Commissioner Scott said there was no way they could
guarantee he would be left in the County, but gave examples
of properties within the sphere of influence who have
remained in the County. LAFCO has encouraged the City to
annex these, but City Council's policy in the past has been,
"If you don't want to come into the City, we don't want
you." City Council's policy has not changed.
However, Commissioner Greek, stated there has been pressure
from the County to eliminate County islands because they
have difficulty in serving them.
Mr. Vining appreciated notification of the public hearing
and asked if he would receive similar notification if heard
by City Council. The Commission responded in the
affirmative.
Fred Youngdoll, 3822 Campus Drive, Newport Beach,
represented the Baldwin Company. He asked that the City
Engineer's memorandum regarding access to Canyon View be
incorporated into the Commission's findings.
Commissioner Greek commented that Commission's action would
be a recommendation to the City Council, and with the
recommendation this is not the action to get your access
rights returned to you. The Commission's action is not a
guarantee until City Council takes final action.
Tom Lofton, 1601 East Lincoln, spoke regarding Pre-Zone
1110-89. He is currently working on that parcel and would
like to go with the R-1-6 zone for single family residences.
David Williams, 7120 LaCumbre Drive, spoke regarding
Pre-Zone 1111-89. He wanted to know if there was another
agenda item or planned zone change for this property. Is
development planned for the property? What is the access
issue?
Chairman Bosch stated the Commission was not aware of any
other application other than the Pre-Zone to A-1.
Planning Commission Minutes
May 1, 1989 - Page 5
Staff affirmed they have not received any applications for
other proposals on the property. There is a proposal on the
first application, which Mr. Lofton was representing. On
the second application, staff was concerned with getting
Canyon View into the City in order to maintain street
consistency.
Mr. Johnson explained the access problems. When the tract
was created, the County has a policy of requiring all
adjacent properties to dedicate their access rights.
Therefore, this particular triangular shaped parcel was
created without any access at all. The issue is they have
to have access to a public street. Until it is in the City,
staff cannot consider giving them the legal right to access
the property properly.
The public hearing was closed.
Moved by Commissioner Hart, seconded by Commissioner Scott,
that the Planning Commission recommend the City Council
accept the findings of the Environmental Review Board to
file Negative Declaration 1287-89.
AYES: Commissioners Bosch, Greek, Hart, Master, Scott
NOES: None MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Commissioner Scott, seconded by Commissioner Greek,
that the Planning Commission recommend the City Council
approve Pre-Zone Change 1110-89.
AYES: Commissioners Bosch, Greek, Hart, Master, Scott
NOES: None MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Commissioner Hart, seconded by Commissioner Master,
that the Planning Commission recommend the City Council
accept the findings of the Environmental Review Board to
file Negative Declaration 1288-89.
AYES: Commissioners Bosch, Greek, Hart, Master, Scott
NOES: None MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Commissioner Scott, seconded by Commissioner
Master, that the Planning Commission recommend the City
Council approve Pre-Zone Change 1111-89, and that the
memorandum submitted by the City Engineer be included. (At
such time the access point is granted, the Planning
Commission should review the site development so it would
not be in conflict with traffic circulation.)
AYES: Commissioners Bosch, Greek, Hart, Master, Scott
NOES: None MOTION CARRIED
Planning Commission Minutes
May 1, 1989 - Page 6
IN RE: NEW fiEARINGS
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 1750-89 AND TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP
88-442 - RCO ONE:
A proposed Tentative Parcel Map to allow the creation of 9
parcels of land, and a Conditional Use Permit to permit 5
lots without direct street frontage. Subject property is
located at the southwest corner of State College Boulevard
and Orangewood Avenue (Koll Center).
NOTE: Environmental Impact Report 1018 has previously been
certified for the Koll Center.
A staff report was not presented.
The public hearing was opened.
Applicant
Steve Layton, Koll Company, 4343 Von Karmon, Newport Beach,
agrees with the staff report and conditions. His
consultants were present for questions.
Commissioner Greek was concerned with the narrow throat and
asked how wide that strip was (Parcel 6 configuration).
P4r. Layton stated one of the reasons is the parcel that is
set aside for the hotel in order to accomplish a 3 acre sale
to them, actually goes to the mid part of the street, coming
into the driveway and it carries across. The actual street
part is wider than what is shown as the parcel. In order to
get some things done with the hotel, they needed to sell
them exactly 3 acres of that site. The hotel ovans a part of
the street.
Commissioner Greek asked why they needed that strut as part
of the parcel?
Mr. Layton said they had parcelled the rest of the site to
keep it common with the other common areas of the project.
The two parcels will essentially be one in the same. It's
just to keep it consistent with the site plan.
Mr. Johnson commented the narrow strip is not going to be
the final parcel configuration. 6Vhen the road is abandoned,
then that southerly property line of the road disappears and
that parcel will become a part of the southerly parcel.
Commissioner Scott asked if there will. be a future vacation
of the street that would eliminate the narrow throat?
Mr. Johnson understood the road will be abandoned. It has
been requested and needs to be set for public hearing.
Planning Commission Minutes
clay 1, 1989 - Page 7
Mr. Layton pointed out on the map where the abandonment of
the street will take place. The vacation area is actually
on Hollister, which is to the south side.
The purpose of the lot was to create a parcel to which taxes
could be attributed to -- a common area of the whole
project. Parcel 6 and Parcel 9 end up being common areas
that are shared costs for the entire parcel.
The public hearing was closed.
Moved by Commissioner Scott, seconded by Commissioner
Master, that the Planning Commission recommend the City
Council approve Conditional Use Permit 1750-89 and Tentative
Parcel Map 88-442 subject to the conditions of the staff
report.
AYES: Commissioners Bosch, Greek, Hart, Master, Scott
NOES: None MOTION CARRIED
IN RE: NEW HEARINGS
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 1751-89 AND ADMINISTRATIVE
ADJUSTMENT 89-11 - PAC TEL CELLULAR:
A proposed Conditional Use Permit to allow construction of
an antenna 76 feet in height for use in a cellular phone
system on a vacant portion of land located at the rear of a
12 unit apartment building. The applicant is also
requesting an Administrative Adjustment to allow the
reduction of standard size parking spaces from 20 feet long
by 9 feet wide to 18 feet long by 8 1/2 feet wide in order
to facilitate access to the antenna site. Subject property
is located at the north end of Park Lane, addressed 180
South Park Lane.
tdOTE: Negative Declaration 1285-89 has been prepared for
this item.
Commissioner Scott asked about the reduction in the parking
space width and depth, 8 1/2 by 18: does that meet the new
Code requirement that is currently being studied?
Mr. Godlewski stated it was consistent with the latest
proposal of the parking study. It is neither compact nor
standard, but a uni-stall.
The staff report was presented by Mr. Godlewski. The
proposed antenna support structure will be of a pole design.
It will be 2 1/2 feet in diameter at the base tapering to a
1 1/4 at the top. The structure will hold up a three sided
antenna typical of the cellular antennas seen along the
~'lanning Commission Minutes
May 1, 1989 - Page 8
freeways. It is 12 feet wide and has vertical antenna
elements 23 feet high. The total height of the antenna will
be 75 feet. The antenna will b~ located 50 feet from the
nearest residences to the west and 65 feet from the
apartment building to the south. Associated with the
antenna will be a ground base structure. It will be a small
building approximately 12 1/2 feet in height and it will
house the automatic equipment used for the antenna. Access
to the Pac Tel site at the rear of the apartment building
will be via a 20 foot wide access easement. The request to
reduce the width of the parking stalls across the back of
the apartment building will facilitate a full size access to
the site. The development of the project does not affect
the existing density of the site and the existing apartment
building appears to meet all the requirements in terms of
adequate parking on site for the apartment portion. Staff
has received indications from people in the neighborhood
that perhaps an added condition limiting the hours that Pac
Tel people could work on the structure, except for
Emergencies, would be appropriate.
Commissioner Greek asked staff the height of the temporary
tower.
Mr. Godlewski believed it was stated in the staff report as
being approximately 52 feet, but was not sure.
Commissioner Greek wondered what kind of permit was applied
for since it has been there for six months? (Staff was not
aware of existing permits.)
Commissioner Scott asked if there was concern regarding the
hours of operation?
Mr. Godlewski stated Planning staff had received phone calls
from the neighbors relating to workmen on the antenna at
late hours in the night creating noise and disturbance in
the surrounding area.
The public hearing was opened.
Applicant
Dennis Lowry, 3100 Airway Avenue, Costa Mesa, represented
Pac Tel Cellular. They have familiarized themselves with
the conditions of approval and fully agree with all terms
and conditions recommended. There was one point of
clarification: Item 11. It refers to concrete
construction. Rather than concrete construction, it should
be that the exterior will be stone aggregate finish. With
regards to maintenance, it is a test facility. In a
permanent setup, Pac Tel would schedule 4 to 6 service
planning Commission Minutes
May 1, 1989 - Page g
maintenances per year. Those would occur during normal
business hours. He was not aware of interference in the
community. This facility is part of an earthquake
preparedness program, which Pac Tel is actively
participating in.
Commissioner Greek asked what the height of the existing
pole was? (60 feet} Who issued the permit to install it?
(There was no permit pulled.)
Chairman Bosch explained to the applicant that he is at some
risk operating without proper permits and advised he should
contact Planning staff to make sure it becomes a legal
installation.
Commissioner Scott commented about the criticism of work
being done in the off hours. He asked what hours were being
worked at the site?
Mr. Lowry stated during a normal situation, it would be
between normal working hours, 8 to 5. If there is a failure
in the system, emergency crews would respond to provide
continuous service. In reference to the interference or
irritation to the neighbors, he assumes it had to have been
because of the fine tuning that had to be done in order to
set the facility in proper working order.
Commissioner Scott was of the opinion the interference was
not related to VCR's or TV's, but was a detriment to the
living conditions of the people.
Chairman Bosch questioned emergency power generation or some
other type of back up power system?
Mr. Lowry stated there were batteries inside, not a
generator.
Chairman Bosch and Mr. Lowry discussed the grid spacing
requirements for an urban area.
Chairman Bosch asked how many of these types of
installations the City of Orange would see?
Mr. Lowry stated there were two competitors -- Pac Tel
Cellular and L.A. Cellular.
The safety factor of the citizens was discussed at length.
Commissioner Scott asked how the height of the structure was
determined? Why must they have a 75 foot antenna?
Mr. Lowry stated the lowest height would be 60 feet. Height
is determined based on line of sight, trees and buildings.
Planning Commission Minutes
May 1, 1989 - Page 10
Commissioner Hart
Discussion ensued
within the system.
towers.
had some problems with the application.
regarding co-location of two competitors
He did not want to end up with a sea of
Those speaking in opposition:
Peggy Roberts, 215 South Park Lane, disagrees about the
interference with their TV's. She thought the antenna was
installed on the Midas property. Where is the antenna
installed?
Chairman Bosch explained the temporary installation is on
the Midas property, but the proposed permanent antenna would
be installed on the Berkshire property.
Ms. Roberts stated several neighbors have noticed
interference with their TV's. There is not enough parking
space now in the apartment complex. She was concerned for
the safety of the small children living in the complex. She
had hoped they would make use of that vacant lot by adding
parking spaces for the tenants. She also commented on the
storage bins being an eye sore.
Gordon Howie, 137 South Wayfield, explained that the
temporary installation parallels his property. He said one
of his tenants had complained about being awakened late at
night. The main complaint is the general noise at such a
late hour. He was concerned about the congestion and high
density already on Wayfield. He wondered if emergency
services would be able to get back in to those residences.
Rebuttal:
Mr. Lowry indicated if there was interference with someone's
TV, they might want to notify the F.C.C. The F.C.C. issues
frequencies and it's the first kid on the block. If
something is amiss, he would recommend someone contact Pac
Tel. If there is a problem, they will come out and test
it. Pac Tel wants to be a good neighbor; they can't afford
to have people having interference. There will be no
traditional truck traffic. The service maintenance vehicles
used by Pac Tel personnel are Jeep Cherokee's. He will
relay to Pac Tel the concern of interference in normal
living conditions. It is his understanding that the
property will be brought up to existing code standards.
The public hearing was closed.
Moved by Commissioner Greek, seconded by Commissioner Bosch,
that the Planning Commission continue Conditional Use Permit
1751-88 for 60 days (the first meeting in July, 1989) until
such time as the existing tower is either taken down or
legalized; a study be undertaken by staff and
Planning Commission Minutes
May 1, 1989 - Page 11
Mr. Lowry indicating the maximum number of units that should
be allowed in the City, and recommend City Council pass an
ordinance limiting the total number of units allowed in the
City of Orange; request staff to write a letter to the
P.U.C. complaining about Pac Tel's methods in establishing
an illegal unit in the City.
AYES: Commissioners Bosch, Greek, Hart, Master, Scott
NOES: None MOTION CARRIED
Chairman Bosch seconded the motion with the condition of a
report back on a positive intervention by the Public
Utilities in question relative to determining what
electrical interference does occur within a reasonable
radius of their installations and positive mitigation
measures they would take with residents so interferred to
eliminate their problem.
Commissioner Scott further added they should be looking at
the zoning on where to place these towers with restrictions
applied to the application.
The Commission and staff discussed the issues of the towers:
maximum height, zoning, certain requirements/conditions,
etc.
IN RE: ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Commissioner
that the Planning Com
meeting May 15, 1989:
Hearing at 7:00 p.m.
AYES: Commissioners
NOES: None
Hart, seconded by Commissioner Master,
mission adjourn to their next regular
Study Session at 6:30 p.m.; Public
Bosch, Greek, Hart, Master, Scott
MOTION CARRIED
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
/sld