HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/21/1983 - Minutes PCPLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
City of Orange
Orange, California
March 21, 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 Coontz, Hart, Master, Mickelson, Vasquez
ABSENT: Commissioners none
STAFF Jere P. Murphy, Administrator of Current Planning and Commission
PRESENT: Secretary; Norvin Lanz, Associate Planner; Gene Minshew, Assistant
City Attorney; Gary Johnson, Gary Johnson, City Engineer; Bert K.
Yamasaki, Director of Planning & Development Services; and Doris
Ofsthun, Recording Secretary,
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IN RE: APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR MARCH 7, 1983
Moved by Commissioner Mickelson, seconded by Commissioner Vasquez
to accept the minutes of March 7, 1983, as transmitted.
AYES: Commissioners Coontz, Hart, Master, Mickelson, Vasquez
NOES: Commissioners none
ABSENT: Commissioners none MOTION CARRIED
IN RE: CONTINUED HEARINGS:
ZONE CHANGE 994 - CITY OF ORANGE:
A proposal to rezone from the M-1 (Light Manufacturing) District
to the MH (Mobile Home) District on land located on the north side
of Rampart Street approximately 400± feet east of the centerline of
State College Blvd. (300 North Rampart Street, Park Royal Mobile
Home .Park). (Continued from February 23, ]983 hearing.)
(NOTE: This project is exempt from Environmental Review.)
Jere Murphy presented this application to the Commission, stating
that this property contains 24.57 acres of land and is located on
the northwest side of Rampart Street approximately 400± feet east
of the centerline of State College Boulevard. It is currently
developed with a 203 unit mobile home park in the M-1 zone.
Mr. Murphy explained that on May 18, 1982, City Council adopted
Urgency Ordinance No. 15-82 prohibiting the conversion of any mobile
home park to any other use pending completion of a study on the ap-
propriate land use provisions which should be applied to all mobile
home parks. At the same hearing, the City Council directed Staff to
commence public hearings to rezone existing mobile home parks to the
mobile home district. Mr. Murphy pointed out that this rezone action
is the ninth of nine mobile home park rezone actions on existing parks
in the City. The General Plan designates the land use in the subject
area for Industrial land use.
Mr. Murphy then said that the Housing Advisory Committee recommendations
of November 10, 1982 were heard at the January 3, 1983 Planning Com-
mission meeting and recommended for adoption to the City Council. The
City Council adopted the policies at their January 11, 1983 hearing and
directed Staff to prepare the necessary resolutions for Council adoption.
Mr. Murphy then read the essence of the Council policies which were
adopted at the January 18, 1983 meeting as follows:
a. Require that future mobile home park developments be placed
in the MH (Mobile Home) District,
b. Continue to hold public hearings to consider whether to rezone
existing parks to the MH District.
Planning Commission Minutes
March 21, 1983
Page Two
c. The General Plan Land Use Element should be reviewed for
consistency and amendments initiated when appropriate should
the City Council feel an existing mobile home park should be
placed in the Mobile Home District.
d. The City Council feels it is important to advise tenants that
the rezoning of parks to the MH District is not to be con-
strued as affording permanent protection to tenants from
possible conversion to other uses.
e. Should the rezoning of a park to the MH District be denied,
the City Council should require that upon the change of use,
closure or reversion to acreage that a Tenant Dislocation
Impact Report and possibly a Tenant Relocation Assistance plan
be prepared.
f. The City shall refrain from direct involvement in tenant re-
location assistance.
g. Tenant relocation assistance efforts are best resolved between
the park owners and park tenants using a neutral. third party,
if necessary.
h. The City views its role in tenant relocation assistance as a
monitoring entity assuring public hearings and weighing the facts
as to the adequacy of the relocation plan.
i. The City shall not adopt a relocation assistance formula applicable
to all mobile home parks as the City Council must consider cir-
cumstances unique to each park.
j. That once a park is proposed for conversion, all tenants are to
receive benefits based on the same criteria, regardless of when
they actually vacate the park.
k. The City Council should adopt a set of guidelines applicable to
all mobile home park conversions listing the factors to be
considered when developing relocation assistance plans.
1. The factors. in a guideline could include age and condition of
the park, age and condition of the coaches, amount and type of
park improvements, length of tenure, demographic profile of
tenants, resale potential of coaches, availability of park spaces
elsewhere, and other similar factors.
~J
m. After due consideration of the problem, the City Council has
determined that the City should neither establish a temporary
shelter park for dislocated tenants, nor require that the mobile
home park being converted be retained as a temporary shelter park
for a fixed period of time. However, the City Council reserves
the right to determine whether any particular park should be re-
tained fora temporary shelter park and for what period of time
it should be so retained.
The Staff has reviewed this proposal and has expressed a few concerns:
1. Should the City Council decide to rezone this property to the
MH zone, the City General Plan Land Use Element will require an
amendment to residential use in the area prior to reading the
final zoning ordinance. Such zoning action would infer tacit
approval of a General Plan revision.
Planning Commission Minutes
March 21, 1983
Page Three
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2. Some tenants may develop a false sense of security and
not realize an owner may yet reuse the site by the notice
and rezone procedure like that used for this action.
3. Rezoning this site to residential use may be deemed to be
"spot zoning" as it relates to State zoning law, Surrounding
property is zoned and used for commercial and industrial
development.
Staff recognizes this 10 year old park is surrounded by office and
industrial uses, All have developed in a compatible manner, as
there is no history of complaints about any of the uses. The park's
27 year lease has 17 years to run. Park Royale is located within
close proximity of regional shopping and public transportation.
Present park owners have indicated that they intend to retain the
use of the site for mobile home park.
It is unlikely that the City would generate General Plan changes to
reflect the present mix of uses in the area. Further, to redesignate
nearly two thirds of the area now designated for industrial use on
the General Plan to residential use for the park site would leave a
small industrial use area designation occupied by a small industrial
use and a drive-in theater.
With the adopted City policy that requires owners electing to terminate
or change park uses to file Tenant Dislocation Plans and/or Assistance
Plans, it is the Staff's recommendation that the Planning Commission
recommend to City Council that Zone Change 994 not be approved for
three reasons:
1. The proposed rezone is incompatible with the General Plan.
2. The City policy requiring Tenant Dislocation Plan and perhaps
Assistance Plan filing upon the termination or reuse of a mobile
home park site adequately serves to protect the rights of park
tenants.
3. Redevelopment of the park and surrounding uses is not a fore-
seeable action in the near future.
~ However, if it is felt that the subject property should be rezoned,
it is recommended that Zone Change 994 be recommended for approval
using the Resolution of Intent procedure requiring that an appropriate
General Plan Amendment be approved prior to reading the final ordinance
for two reasons:
1, The proposed zone is compatible with the surrounding uses
and zones .
2. The proposed zone is consistent with the foreseeable and
present use of the property,
Commissioner Coontz asked Mr. Murphy to explain to the audience in
greater detail the General Plan and why the change would be in-
consistent with the General Plan.
Mr. Murphy explained that the area in question, as well as the
surrounding areas are all in commercial and industrial zones. There-
fore, any zoning for residential purposes for this specific property
would be considered to be different than the use or General Plan for
the surrounding properties.
I
Commissioner Coontz pointed out that it is California law that we have
a General Plan and a relationship designed to the General Plan. She
felt that what was being discussed here was probably over the heads
of the people who were only interested in the zoning of the mobile
home park.
Planning Commission Minutes
March 21, 1983
Page Four
u
Chairman Hart opened the public hearing.
Ernest R. Johnson, President of the Park Royale Homeowners' Assn.,
300 N. Rampart St., Space #202, Orange, addressed the Commission
in favor of this application, speaking on behalf of all of the
homeowners in the mobile home park. He stated that they were very
concerned over the negative recommendation contained in the Staff
Report and explained that on Monday, March 14, 1983, 175 residents
of Park Royale met in their park clubhouse with Bert Yamasaki, the
Director of Planning, Furman Roberts, the City Attorney and one
of the City Council members. During their explanation of the Staff
Report, the question was asked as to why the Staff Report. recommends
against rezoning this particular park and Mr. Yamasaki replied in
words to the effect that it is only a tech nica7 reason due to the
City's master zoning plan. It was explained that the park is zoned
M-1 and if it is rezoned, it will have to be re-examined, re-evaluated
and the Master Plan amended. However, he assured the residents that
this would pose no serious problem if the City should so desire to
rezone the mobile home park.
Mr. Johnson then spoke to the reasons given in the Staff Report for
requesting denial of this zone change, stating that if the City
of Orange has the interests of these people at heart rather than the
the need for a perfect master zoning plan, they will ignore the first
reason that the rezoning is incompatible with the General Plan and
recommend the zone change. He also said that the residents of Park
Royale were appalled at Rbason #2 which states that the City Policy
requiring Tenant Dislocation Plan and perhaps Assistance Plan filing
upon the termination or reuse of a mobile home park site "adequately"
serves to protect the rights of park tenants. He then went on to explain
that when a coach is purchased inside a mobile home park all set up,
including landscaping, rock work, fireplaces, patios, etc. it would
cost $45,000 to $50,000. If these people were forced to move out of
the park, say to Hemet, since there is no available space within
Orange County at this time, the value of that same coach would drop
to $20,000 to $25,000, which is a loss of almost half.
Mr. Johnson also pointed out that the average tenant in Park Royale
is close to retirement age and they hold key, valued positions with
their companies, earned from a lifetime of work and experience. Others
~. own their own businesses in the local area. If they were uprooted and
forced to move, now or in the future, it would mean loss of seniority,
loss of job security, loss of pension privileges, or a forced drive of
many miles each day on congested roads. He also pointed out that many
of the residents of the park are retired an d in their late 60's even to
some in their 80's. Some are crippled, some are ill and some are on
life support systems. A forced move could do irreparable damage,
physically and emotionally.
Mr. Johnson did not see redevelopment of the park and surrounding
uses not being a foreseeable action in the near future as being a
reason not to vote for rezoning, indeed thinking that it was a good
reason to vote for rezoning. He pointed out that this park has been
a mobile home park for the past 10 years and, according to the current.
lease, it will continue to be a mobile home park for the next 26 years..
In closing, Mr. Johnson stated that there is over eight million dollars
worth of property value now in Park Royale. If it were to cease being
a mobile home park and the residents were forced to move, that value
would be cut in half immediately. He pointed out that there are 360
residents who live there who spend their money in Orange, contribute
to the work force in the Orange area and who are involved in community
activities and are registered voters. This rezoning would give all of
them a little peace of mind. He said that they understand that the
zoning could be changed at a later date, but they feel it is proper to
have it rezoned to MH a,t the present time and ask that the Planning
Commission recommend approval of this zone change.
Planning Commission Minutes
March 21, 1983
Page Five
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Commissioner Mickelson asked Mr. Johnson about his statement that
the current lease has 26 years left to run, since the Staff Report
states that it has 17 years left to run. Mr. Johnson replied that
an extension was granted raising the time to 26 years. This was
done about four years-ago when the current owner took over the lease.
Commissioner Coontz explained why she had made the statements she
made earlier with regard to the laws of the State of California.
She thought perhaps Mr. Yamasaki could explain this further at a
later time. She pointed out that the Commission did not receive a
report of the meeting between the Park Royale homeowners and the
people from the City.
Bill Gaines, 300 N. Rampart St., Space 51, Orange, addressed the
Commission in favor of this application, stating that in view of
the fact that the lease has another 26 years to go they do not think
it would be detrimental to rezone to MH, They are comfortable with
the surrounding uses and zones which are there at this time. He
added a few more reasons for rezoning to MH and asked the Commission
to consider the full impact of relocation on these tenants.
Bill Bartlett, 300 N. Rampart, Space 64, Orange, addressed the
Commission in .favor of this application, stating that he is the
current manager of the mobile home park. He said, on behalf of the
people who own the leasehold on the property that there is no plan now
to change anything. It will remain a mobile home park until the year
2010. He stated that there has never been, in the history of our
economy, a time when we should take a closer look at mobile home
parks as now. He told the Commission that he has learned during his
12 years of management about the problems of the mobile home owners
and also the problems of the owners. He explained that there is a
lot of difference between moving a mobile home out of a park and an
apartment dweller moving out of an apartment which has been converted
to a condominium. He felt that these people are entitled to protection
under the law and felt that this zone change is one positive step in
the right direction for mobile home owners. The best reason to rezone
this park MH is that it is a mobile home park already.
Commissioner Vasquez asked for clarification of the statement that he
is the manager of the park and that he does not intend to change the
use. Mr. Bartlett explained that he knows the Ericksons who own the
property, do not intend to change the use.
Richard Raines, 300 N. Rampart Street, Space 58, Orange, addressed
the Commission in favor of this application, stating that if he were
forced to move out of the park it would cost him approximately $5,000-
$6,000 to move. The landscaping would cost $1,000 just to tear it out.
The chances of relocating nearby are almost nil. All of the other
people in the park are in the same position. This would be a terrible
burden on these people.
Mr. Yamasaki addressed the Commission, speaking with regard to the
meeting between City people and the Park Royale residents. He did
not agree with the comment made by Mr. Johnson regarding the alternative
that the Staff had concerns about the residents of the City. He did
not make that statement directly, but said that the City Council has
concerns about the people. He explained to the people that the Staff
must state all of the alternatives available to the Commission.
Commissioner Coontz expressed some confusion with regard to statements
made by the City Council and what has been dictated to the Planning
Commission through the City Attorney's office over the years and asked
~ Mr. Minshew for a legal definition of spot zoning in California if,
for instance, the General Plan was not changed and this was rezoned to
MH. Mr. Minshew explained that the definition of spot zoning is nor-
mally considered the change of use of a small area. He did not know
exactly how small a small area would be considered to be. This could
be used to benefit a landowner or it could be used to downzone, which
would be considered inverse condemnation. He thought that it was
Planning Commission Minutes
March 21, 1983
Page Six
difficult to argue a spot zoning or inverse condemnation.
Mr. Johnson felt that they were not asking for spot zoning. It was
his understanding that the bank holding the loan on this land stated
that the owners have no intention of .changing the use of the land
within the next 26 years.
Elizabeth Hoskins, 300 N. Rampart Street, Space 31, Orange, addressed
the Commission in favor of this application, stating that she has
lived in Park Royale for l0 years. She is a widow .and this is her
permanent home. She wanted consideration from the Commission for
those who live alone.
Vickie Talley, 17845 Skypark, Irvine, representing the Mobile Home
Park Owners of Orange County, as the Executive Director of that
association, addressed the Commission in opposition to this application.
She pointed out that each person who addresses the Commission is con-
cerned about a permanent place of residence and the Staff has clearly
stated that this zone change will not give this kind of security.
She said she was addressing the Commission because she saw possible
~ action by the Commission as a threat to the members of her association.
Her concerns are on behalf of the park owner and she pointed out that
after doing extensive study of the parks in Orange and what has
happened to them over the years, she discovered that these parks were
set up originally with the idea that 10 or 20 years down the road they
would probably be converted to other uses when the land became more
valuable. In the meantime, mobile home housing has become such an
affordable mode of housing, together with the fact that affordable
housing has become a rarity in Orange County in recent years, which
places a different light on how mobile home parks are looked at today.
She pointed out that the original application for use of the property
in question began several years ago and they requested on two different
occasions an R-3 zoning. -These were denied both times both by the
Planning Commission and City Council. In 1970 the current lessee came
in to apply fora use as a mobile home park. Staff recommended denial
and at that time the Planning Commission went along with it. She
read from that Staff Report, stating the reasons for denial, among them
the fact that this piece of land lay in an intensively developed indus-
trial and commercial area. Ms. Talley pointed out that this is exactly
the situation today. She said that there were no reasons given in the
Council minutes and no background as to how the applicant pleaded his
case, but she suspected that he told the Council that allowing this
to be a mobile home park would not threaten the area, since it was only
a variance and placed the property in a landbank position, looking at
a higher and better use in the future.
Ms. Talley told the Commissioners that this property is much too
valuable to retain as a residential use. She pointed out some conflicts
in the Staff Report, stating that we all know that the Staff must make
findings. She hoped that this would be addressed at a later time.
She also pointed out that this is not a compatible use. It is a
residential use in an area that is commercial and industrial. She
explained that inverse condemnation and downzoning is a real issue today
and should be taken into consideration by the Commission. She felt
that this is spot zoning. Clearly the entire area is not residential
and this is really what we are looking at here. The bottom line is
that this came about through concerns for the residents. As far as
protecting the residents is concerned, she felt that the policies which
have been adopted more than protects the residents in this case. These
people came in on a lease and the people know that they cannot live
there forever.
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Planning Commission Minutes
March 21, 1983
Page Seven
Commissioner Mickelson asked Ms. Talley about her statement regarding
the app]icantion which was denied in 1970 for R-3, asking if the
City Council later approved this. She replied in the affirmative.
Eugene Katnik, 1205 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, a member of the law firm
which represents the property owners, in distinction to the lessees
(Ericksons) who lease the property for 26 years, addressed the Com-
mission in opposition to this application. He stated that there is
currently no threat of the lease being terminated, the use being
changed, or the variance being eliminated. He said that he had the
impression from the statements made that there is some imminence of
this happening and that is not so. He also pointed out that a zone
change to MH would not insure this remaining a mobile home park for
26 years or 26 months. He explained that the property owners went
into this zone position with the idea of total planning regarding
properties in the trust. Everything is in balance and working well.
Those property owners feel that they have the right to rely on the
law as it stands. They are not attempting to accomplish anything.
They are the real property owners and everyone involved has a vested
property interest. The property owner looks to the government to
protect them. As he understands it, the function of government is to
handle emergency problems and to protect the health and welfare of
its citizens. There is nothing that is threatening. these residents
at this time. Even the Staff Report points this out.
Mr. Katnik felt that status quo should be maintained and he felt that
the owners have the right to have that maintained. The fact that
other parks have been changed is immaterial. The fact that new parks
will require certain conditions is fine - that is progress. He felt
that a new tenant coming into this park if it were zoned MH would be
mis]ed. He reiterated that nothing is happening, nothing is about to
happen as far as the use of the property involved. They wish to go
on record advising the Commission that they feel it would be improper,
unreasonable and totally unnecessary to make a zone change to this
property at this time.
Dan Jacobs, Mobile Ritz Park, Orange, addressed the Commission, stating
that he felt that inconsistent statements had been made when it was
stated that all of the parks in Orange had been rezoned. His park has
not yet been rezoned. He explained that he has no plans for reconversion
and he considered that the action that might be taken is downzoning.
He felt that rezoning to MH does not gain mobile home owners anything
and neither does it gain land owners anything. It only gives a false
sense of security to the residents of the park.
Commissioner Vasquez clarified the statement made with regard to all
parks having been rezoned.
Mr. Johnson then asked Mr. Jacobs whether he had given a written
statement to his tenants that they can live in his mobile home park
as long as they wish. He asked the same question of the attorney for
the owners of Park Royale. He also asked Ms. Talley if the residents
who move into a mobile home park know that it is a temporary situation
when they move there.
Commissioner Mickelson stated that, in his opinion, what Mr. Jacobs
tells his tenants is rm business of the Commission or the public.
Ms. Talley said that she would not have any way of knowing whether or
.not each potential resident of a mobile home park was told of the
temporary nature of a mobile home park. However, at the time the park
was built it was clearly on a variance and a lease was signed at that
time. That lease was then a 26 year lease and then was extended l0
years further. This is a fact that this existed.
Mr. Bartlett again addressed the Commission to clear up this point.
He said that when this variance was originally given many people moved
into the park knowing at that time exactly what their situation was.
They told the people when they moved in that the master lease is good
Planning Commission Minutes
March 21, 1983
Page Eight
n
until 2010. That is all they are required to do. They also disclose
that they are on a variance if they are asked. He did not believe
that any park manager goes any further than that. However, these
pwople own homes within this park and he was sure none of their homes
would sell if they were told that they could pay $40-50,000 for a
mobile home and then two years later they would have to move and the
mobile home would only be worth $5,000. These people come into the
mobile home park on faith against a very real danger that this could
happen. As far as lulling people into false sense of security, when
you live with the fact that the property could be changed to a high
rise commercial property these people are taking a big chance.
Mr. Bartlett pointed out that there are 320 people in this park who
would like a little assurance that they are full fledged citizens
of this city.
Commissioner Mickelson asked Mr. Bartlett what kind of land lease
the residents have and was told that their lease reads 26 years that
the ]and will remain a mobile home park. The tenants lease .reads for
one year, or could be on a month to month basis. Sometimes a longer
lease is granted. He explained that some new mobile home parks are
granting their leases for 30 years.
Commissioner Coontz asked for clarification that this was a variance
and not a conditional use permit. She was. told that it definitely was
a variance.
Ms. Talley again addressed the Commission., stating that she was a little
confused about Mr. Bartlett's involvement in this as he is going to
leave his position as manager of Park Royale. She wanted to correct
one of his statements made about a 30 year lease, since this is simply
not so. The park in Santa Ana does provide its tenants with a five
year ]ease. But there is no such thing as a 30 year lease.
Sheldon Ferrell addressed the Commission and explained that just because
Mr. Bartlett is leaving his position in the park does not mean that
he is severing his connections with the residents of the park.
There being no one else to speak for or against this application, the
Chairman closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Coontz pointed out that one of the things that keeps coming
through in these hearings is that MH zoning is not a guarantee. She
explained that the landowner can always come back in and request a zone
change. She also pointed out an alternative given by Staff in each of
these cases, which was that an ordinance can be adopted which would
indicate to the residents of the mobile home park that it has or has
not been rezoned and what that means. She felt that she would like to
see the policy resolution made into an ordinance because only then
will the parks zoned MH get the benefit of a real hearing of what
happens to the people in the park or will they understand what is really
happening.
Moved by Commissioner Coontz, seconded by Commissioner Master to
recommend approval of Zone Change 994 for the reasons that:
1. Use has been in existence for 10 years.
2. The project is large enough to have developed its own
environment within the boundaries.
3. The proposed zone is consistent with the present and fore-
seeable use of the property.
Commissioner Coontz stated that she felt that the only other thing
to do would be to continue this and get the information that is
needed. She also did not wish to include a Resolution of Intent
because there is a question on the acreage involved for spot zoning.
Planning Commission Minutes
March 21, 1983
Page Nine
Mr. Minshew explained in a little more detail what spot zoning
entails and there was more discussion in this regard.
Commissioner Master pointed out a large acreage in the city that
had been zoned Commercial and was converted to multiple family
residential. He did not recall hearing about spot zoning at that
time.
Commissioner Vasquez said that in contrast to .previous mobile home
parks which have come before the Planning Commission, this one
is exceptional in view of its location and the ramifications if it
is zoned MH. Also, the concerns of relocation and assurance, assurances
have been made several times. He felt that, particularly in this
instance, the needs and concerns expressed can be met by the policy
recommendations that are already in effect. He said that he was
sensitive to the concerns expressed by the residents of the park, but
felt that they are covered by the policies already in effect. He
did not feel the City would abandon these citizens but would endeavor
to protect their rights.
Commissioner Nickelson said that he shared many of the same feelings
as Commissioner Vasquez and wished to emphasize some of the policy
guidelines which were set forth in the Council Resolution, namely:
that hearings should be held to consider whether parks should be
rezoned; and that if the General Plan Land Use Element is inconsistent
an appropriate amendment should be initiated if the MH zone appears
appropriate in an existing mobile home park. He thought that there is
a situation here that goes beyond just the mobile home park. He thought
that they could assure the people here that this City is concerned and
will do everything reasonable and proper to protect them. He did not
think that the zoning change does that. He felt that they should put
more confidence in the fact that the 26 year lease is binding on the
parties involved. He explained what would happen if the General Plan
is amended and the surrounding land owners are notified that there will
be a zone change, By zoning this parcel you inadvertently change the
zoning next door. He agreed with Commissioner Vasquez that we should
look to other means to accomplish the protection of the residents.
Commissioner Coontz felt that the City of Orange was a little late in
doing something about mobile home parks. It took quite a bit of work
on her part to push this through. She thought that the resolution
or policy plan is not really that binding because the policy plan is
only as good as the Council that is in session. Therefore, something
stronger should be done. She strongly felt that a recommendation should
be made to the City Council to make part of this policy a reality so
that 25 years down the road there will not be a repeat of what happened
on La Veta.
Chairman Hart expressed his sympathies to the mobile home owners and
explained that, with the exception of Jacobs, he has voted for the
mobile home change of zoning in all of the other parks. He has
reservations here, however, believing that the residents of this park
already have protection with a 26 year lease for this park. He was
concerned for the liability of the city in downzoning this park.
He said that he would have to support a denial of this motion.
The Commission then voted on Commissioner Coontz's motion for
approval of Zone Change 994.
AYES; Commissioner Coontz
NOES: Commissioners Hart, h1aster, Nickelson, Vasquez
ABSENT: Commissioners none MOTION FAILED
Planning Commission Minutes
March 21, 1983
Page Ten
1
Moved by Commissioner Vasquez, seconded by Commissioner Mickelson
to recommend denial. of Zone Change 994 for the reasons that:
1. The proposed rezone is incompatible with the General Plan.
2. The City policy requiring Tenant Dislocation Plan and perhaps
Assistance Plan filing upon the termination or reuse of a
mobile home park site adequately serves to protect the rights
of park tenants.
3. Redevelopment of the park and surrounding uses is not a fore-
seeable action in the near future.
4. The effect of rezoning this property on the adjacent land use.
5. Rezoning this property to MH would be "downzoning" it and
would be a detriment to the land owners.
Commissioner Vasquez explained that this simply represents an issue
whereby one must weigh planning issues against the u7 ti-mate concerns
presented.
AYES: Commissioners Hart, Master, Mickelson, Vasquez
NOES: Commissioner Coontz
ABSENT: Commissioners none MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Commissioner Coontz, seconded by Commissioner Master to
recommend that the City C~~uncil consider the adoption of an ordinance
stating that any change of use, including reversion to vacant land
may require the preparation of a Tenant Dislocation Impact Report
and possibly a Tenant Relocation Assistance Plan.
Commissioner Mickelson said
if there was any urgency on
she saw no urgency, but was
park if it is not rezoned.
a policy resolution which c~
another.
that he supported this motion but asked
it. Commissioner Coontz replied that
thinking about down the line for this
This would afford protection other than
Auld change from one political time to
Commissioner Mickelson asked if it is implied that a study and report
will come back to the Commission and the answer was in the affirmative.
AYES: Commissioners Coontz, Hart, Master, Mickelson, Vasquez
NOES: Commissioners none
ABSENT: Commissioners none MOTION CARRIED
Commissioner Coontz then referred to a September 23rd memo which
suggesi;ed that mobile home rezoning is not construed to afford
permanent protection for the tenants from possible conversion, but
it is to slow down the process and to assure the tenants of adequate
notification and the opportunity to address relocation requirements.
Moved by Commissioner Coontz, seconded by Commissioner Vasquez to
recommend that the City Council consider directing Staff to distribute
copies of the Council's resolution (No. 5826) regarding mobile home
park rezoning to the residents of all mobile home parks which have
been rezoned as a part of the present program of consideration of
rezoning for all existing mobile home parks. Such action would assist
the residents to better understand that the rezoning is not a perfect
solution nor is it to be construed as affording permanent protection
to tenants from possible conversion to uses other than a mobile home
park.
Planning Commission Minutes
March 21, 1983
Page Eleven
IN RE: NEW HEARINGS:
ZONE CHANGE 995 - CITY OF ORANGE:
A proposal to rezone from 0-P (Office-Professional) and R-1-6
(Single-Family Residential -- 6000 square foot lot) Districts
to PI (Public Institution) District on 4 parcels of land
located on the northwest corner of Main Street and Maple
Avenue (264 North Main Street and 1405 West Maple Avenue).
(NOTE: This project is exempt from Environmental Review.)
By consensus of the Planning Commission, no presentation was
given.
Chairman Hart opened the public hearing.
Gene Severs, 292 N. Main Street, Orange, addressed the Commission
expressing concern with regard to the possible building of high
rises in that area and asked if there would be any restrictions in
this regard. Chairman Hart felt that, according to statements in
the Staff Report calling for the allowance of government buildings
that there could possibly be high rise buildings.
There being no one else to speak for or against this application,
the Chairman closed the public hearing.
Chairman Hart brought up a letter received from the Orange Unified
School District, which he asked to be made a part of the record.
Moved by Commissioner Coontz, seconded by Commissioner Vasquez to
recommend denial without prejudice of Zone Change 995 and ask the
City Council to direct the Staff to meet with area residents and
the School District Staff to investigate alternative zoning proposals.
Alternatives could include consideration of 0-P (Office-Professional),
RD-6 (Duplex Residential) and PI (Public Institutional) Districts, as
well as special limitations of the "A" Suffix (Single-story) and the
maintenance of a residential architectural character.
AYES: Commissioners Coontz, Hart, Master, Mickelson, Vasquez
NOES: Commissioners none
ABSENT: Commissioners none MOTION CARRIED
TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 83-751, ZONE CHANGE 996, CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT 1264 - KEITH B. COLLINS:
A request to rezone from the R-1-10 (Single-Family Residence -
Minimum 10,000 square foot lot) District to the R-7-40 (Single-
Family Residence - minimum 40,000 square foot lot) District, to
create 4 lots and to permit creation of lots without frontage
on a public street on land located at the eastern terminus of
Grovewood Lane about 1,]00± feet east of Windes Drive (7417
Grovea~ood Lane). (NOTE: Negative Declaration 826 has been filed
in lieu of an Environmental Impact Report.)
By consensus of the Planning Commission, no Staff presentation was
made.
Commissioner Coontz asked a question with regard to Staff recommendations
on Zone Change 996, on page 3 of the Staff Report: "The proposal will
not impair the desirability of investment or occupation in the
neighborhood." She wondered if this was a standard statement and
wished for clarification. Mr. Murphy responded that now and then a
Staff member will come up with a new approach to a problem and he
thought that what they were saying is that approval of this application
would not be detrimental to people's acquiring property either in the
area or on that site and occupying that property successfully.
Planning Commission Minutes
March 21 , 1983
Page Twel ve
Chairman Hart opened the public hearing.
Keith B. Collins, owner of the property in question, explained that
this property was left by his father and it was his desire to divide
the property among the family. Due to the topography, it would be
cut up in excess of 1 acre parcels. It is not being divided for
sale, just for distribution among the family. He pointed out that
the report showed a mobile home on the property which does not exist.
They are making it into four divisions.
r~1
L ~
There being no one else to speak for or against this application,
the Chairman closed the public hearing.
Moved by Commissioner Mickelson, seconded by Commissioner Vasquez
to accept the findings of the Environmental Review Board to file
Negative Declaration 826.
AYES: Commissioners Coontz, Hart, Master, Mickelson, Vasquez
NOES: Commissioners none
ABSENT: Commissioners none MOTION CARRIED
Moved by Commissioner Mickelson, seconded by Commissioner Master
to recommend approval of Tentative Parcel Map 83-751, Zone Change
996 and Conditional Use Permit 1264 for the reasons as outlined
in the Staff Report and subject to the conditions listed in the
Staff Report.
AYES: Commissioners Coontz, Hart, Master, Mickelson, Vasquez
NOES: Commissioners none
ABSENT: Commissioners none MOTION CARRIED
IN RE: ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. to be reconvened to a
regular meeting on Monday, April 4, 1983 at 7:30 p.m, at the
Civic Center Council Chambers, 300 East Chapman Avenue, Orange,
California.
u
n