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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/3/1986 - Minutes PC• City of Orange Orange, California PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES February 3, 1986 Monday, 7:.30 p.m. The regular meeting of the City of Orange Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman Master at 7:.30 p.m. PRESENT: Commissioners Mason, Greek, Hart, Master, Scott STAFF Stan Soo-Hoo, Administrator of Current Planning and Commission PRESENT: ~ecr~etary; Jack McGee, Associated Planner; Jim Reichert, Associate Planner; Gene Minshew, Assistant CityAttorney; Gary Johnson,- City Engineer; and Toba V. Wheeler, Recording Secretary. P1,EDGE Of A1.i;EG-KNEE IN RE :_ ~MINl1TES 0~' JANUARY 20--1986 Commiiis loner Master pointed out that on page Five,-fi,rs.t paragraph,- . second 1 i ne, -the fourth word shoal d be ."unfortunate" rather .than r'fa;rtunate." Moved by Commissioner Master,-seconded by Commissioner Scott, that-the minutes of January 20, 1986, be approved ~as corrected. AYES: Commissioners Mason,=Greek,~Hart,=Master, Scott NOES: None MOTLON CARRIED IN RE: CONTINUED HEARINGS CQNDITLONAL USE PERMIT 1486 - CHAPMAN COLLEGE Proposed college campus expansion through the construction of a four- story,- 92,000square foot building addition in the Public Institution (R-I) District, within 120 feet of residentially zoned (R-D-6) prop- erty. (Continued from the January 20, 1986,-Planning Commission meeting.) NOTE: Negative Declaration 1040 has been prepared for this project. Mr. Reichert gave a brief presentation, summarizing what was sand and. done at the January 20, 1986, Planning Commission meeting. Chairman Mason reopened the public hearing. G. T. Smith, President of Chapman College, said he accepted the proposal as prepared by Mr, Piinshew and both he and members of his staff are prepared to answer questions. Mike McLaughlin, 406 North Shaffer, Orange, (representing the Orange Residents for Rational Growth,-spoke against the project as proposed and showed slides giving a comparison between the proposed new build- ing and the present buildings on campus, as well as the proposed' parking lot. Steve Taylor, 363 North Center Street, Orange, presented what he felt were inaccuracies in the Staff Report asked the Planning Planning Commission Minutes February 3, 1986 Page Two Commission to reject the Negative Declaration. and consider the Environmental Impact Report. He objected. to the parking lot entrance and exit on Center Street and said the proposedh building would be too tall for the neighborhood and would deprive adjacent residents of privacy in their back yards. Other residents adding their voices to the general objection were: Dale Rahn, 315 North Harwood; Allen Hasson, 634 E, Jefferson; Barbara Easlick, 373 N. Center; Mark Clemons, 146 N. Shaffer;.and Teresa Smith, 169 N. Shaffer, all of whom reiterated what was said by Mr. McLaughl in and Mr. Taylor. Mr. Smith presented a rebuttal to the objections and gave the specific measurements of the proposed building and parking; areas. Commissioner Hart pointed out that the Planning Commission has nothing to do with the design of the project,-that this is a function of the Design Review Board. Chairman Mason said that a picture of what is planned could be seen at this meeting but that the final decision would be made by the Design Review Board, Mike Imlay Land Concern, Ltd., 750 East Deere Avenue, Santa Ana~a landscape architecture and planning firm. put up drawings on the wall and discussed the proposed landscaping design.. Chairman Mason declared the public hearing closed. Comrmissi.oner Master said he thinks Chapman Ca1lege i.s an asset to the community but he does have a problem w~.th the:.parking.situation.. Commissioner Greek. said he has faun problems; 7 ) parki_ng,` 2) 92,000 square feet more apace -and no -more students, '3) traffic,-and 4) the lack of a master plan. He said-there should be an environmental impact report before rushing into anything. Commissioner Hart said he concurs with both Commissioner Greek and Commissioner Master and although he if in favor of Chapman College he feels the proposed building doesn't fit in with the rest of the neighborhood, Chairman Mason said she is concerned about parking, especially guest parking. Moved by Commissioner Greek, seconded by Commissioner Master,=that the Planning Commission not accept the findings of the Environmental Review Board to file Negative Declaration 1040 but require that an environmental impact report be filed for this project. AYES: Commissioners Mason, Greek, Hart, Master, Scott NOES: None MpTLON CARRIED Commissioner Hart suggested that no action be taken on the conditional use permit until the results of the environmental impact report have been received, Chairman Mason suggested that a Study Session be set on this proposed project. . - Planning Commission Minutes February 3, 1986 Page Three IN RE: CONTINUED HEARINGS VARIANCE 1776 - .FLOWER STREET ASSOCIATES Proposed 40-foot high freeway oriented pole sign on 3.7 acres presently under construction for a mini-warehouse facility gener- ally south from Almond Avenue, west from. Flower Street, and adjacent to the yeast side of Orange (57) Freeway. (Continued from the October 21, November 4, November 18, December 16, 1985, and January 20, 1986, Planning Commission meetings.) NOTE: This project is exempt from environmental review. Commissioner Greek asked to be excused due to conflict of interest. Mr. McGee gave a brief summary of what has occurred since the ~kast meeting. Chairman Mason opened the public-hearing. Bob Mickelson, 3823 Glasse1l Avenue, Orange, representing the applicant, said that the applicanla has considered other types of signing at the .request of the Planning Commission and is asking that the proposed sign be allowed for a period of one year, He pointed out the struggle that has gone on for many years to find a suitable use for this site and. that the proposed use is an ideal use for the site, being the least objectionable,-the quietest and the least traffic-generating.. He pointed out that the sign will be needed to make people aware of the mini-warehouse,-due to its unusual location, and will not be necessary after it is completely leased. Therefore, the applicant is seeking approval for one year, commencing with the day of occupancy rather than with the date of Commission approval .(a difference Qf about three mgnths), Chairman Mason declared the publ is hearing closed. Moved by Commissioner Scott, seconded by Commissioner Hart= that the Planning Commission approve Variance 1776 subject to the conditions in the Staff .Report with an amendment to Condition No. 3 that this approval be fora period of one year from the date of the signed permit. Commissioner Hart said he is opposed to freeway signs but seconded this motion because of the hardship imposed on the applicant by the location`of tte site and because it is for a period of only one year. AYES< Commissioners Mason., Hart, Scott NOES: Commissioner Master ABSENT:. Commissioner Greek MOTION CARRIED Commissioner Master said he voted aga inst the motion because he feels the one~year 1 imit will be difficult if not impossible to enforce. Commissioner Greek returned to the meeting. , - Planning Commission Minutes February 3, 1986 Page Four IN RE: NEW HEARINGS PRE-ZONE CHANGE 1044 - City of Orange Proposed pre-zone change from County E-4 to City R-1-7 (Single-family Residential, 7,000-square foot minimum lot size) prior to annexation to the City. The area includes 40± acres located northeast, s.~outh- east, and southwest of the intersection of LaVeta Avenue and Yorba Street. NOTE: Negative Declaration 1049 has been prepared for this project. Mr, McGee made the presentation in accordance with the Staff Report and said Staff recommends acceptance of the findings of the Environ- mental Review Board and approval of .Pre-Zone Change 7044. He said a meeting with the residents of the area had been held on November 18 to discuss this, at which time there were a number of questions raised, and since that time a number of petitions, signed by a~majority of .the residents in the area, stating that they do not wish to be annexed into the City at this time, Commissioner Hart said he would like to know why the residents of the area do not want to come into the City4 He asked if they get He asked if .these residents get local police and fire protection and Mr. McGee said they do. He said also that the City of Orange recently purchased the water rights from the City of Tustin and would henceforth be supplying the water to the area residents,--which would be at a higher cost than if these people `lived in the City.. He said taxes would be approximately $5,00 per year more if the area is annexed to the City. Discussion among the Commissioners resulted in the agreement that the City of Orange certainly didn't wish to force annexation upon anyone who didn`t wish to be a part of the City, They agreed:, however, that they would like to know the reasons for being against annexation. Chairman Mason opened the public hearing. John Sanders,=1247-Rosalind Drive,-said he is not for or against annexation but would like an explanation of why annexation is being considered,. Commissioner Hart explained the benefits of being a part of the City, Chairman Mason pointed out that this is not a 'hearing on actual annexation but rather for rezoning so that if in the future it might be desirable to annex that area it will already be zoned properly, Wayne King, 1 2592 Murietta Drive, said he personally is in faVOr of being within the City but there seems to be a fear on the part of many of the residents that once the area is in the City some developer will come along and erect high-rise buildings. Commissioner Planning Commission Minutes February 3, 1986 Page Five Hart said he didn't see any uninhabited land within the area where new construction could take place. He reiterated the fact that he is curious as to why anyone would not want to be in the City, as well as the fact that the City really doesn't want anyone who does not wish to be a part of it. He paid he would like to know what the motive was behind circulation of the petition against annexation. Carl Gaither, 12571 Lowry Lane, presented a copy of the petition and expressed his opinion that it contains many facts that are incorrect; therefore,-many people who signed it didn't really understand what was going on. J. R. Haxton, 17372 LaVeta Avenue,-the originator of the petition, gave his reasons for circulating it. One reason was the accesability of a County library; however, it was pointed out to him that the library he said was a County library is indeed a City library. He also objected to potential City bonds and assessments and said many people with businesses in their homes would have to purchase a City business license. He said the people who signed the petition were very satisfied with things the way they are and don't want any changes that might result from annexing to the City. Andrew Blondell, 12617 Yorba, asked for an explanation of the zone designation and it was given to him. Ed Butler, 17652 East Delia Lane, said he has lived there for 25 years and is in favor of annexing to the c;ty of Orange. Chairman Mason declared the public hearing closed. Moved by Commissioner Hart, seconded by Commissioner Master, that Pre-Zone Change 1044 be denied. AYES: Commissioners Greek, Hart, Master NOES:. Commissioners Mason, Scott .MOTION CARRIED Chairman Mason said she voted against the motion because this is not a proposal for annexation but just for a pre-zone change and if,-at a later date, the residents of the area do want to come into the City, the zone change will a1 ready have been made and annexation will be accomplished more easily.. Commissioner Scott said he voted against the motion because he felt that not everyone in the area had received all of the pertinent and' correct information and consequently he would like to see the matter continued until such information can be given to all the residents. Mr. Soo-Hoe pointed out that this decision can be appealed within 15 days. IN RE: NEW HEARINGS TENTATIVE TRACT 12645, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 1.494 - FAN OUT CO., LTD. Proposal to create a seven-unit condominium complex with the R-D~6 -~ Planning Commission Minutes February 3, 1986 Page Six Zone located on a 22,500-square foot parcel on the southwest corner of Bixby Avenue and .Palm Avenue. NOTE: Negative Declaration 1048 has been prepared for this project. Mr. Soo-Hoo made the presentation in accordance with the Staff Report and said Staff recommends approval subject to the conditions in its report.. Monty Holf er, 3002 Fairbairn, asked whether or not the huge old pepper tree in the area would be preserved. He said he would not like to have it cut down, Mr. Johnson said he believes there is no intention of removing the tree. Commissioner Hart pointed out that the landscaping design is subject to review by the Design Review Board. Linda Graves, 8582 Palm,: asked if the proposed setback was a standard setback. Mr. Soo-Hoo said there are no setback requirements in a CUP development;. the whole concept of a CUP is that the entire proposal has been anal~rzed and parameters established for the entire develop- ment. Tom Hoefele, 8604 Orange. Avenue, said he bought a piece of property in the area and found out that what he though was a driveway is, in fact~~an alley, H~ said he will have a problem if the fence is not removed and if, indeed, the alley remains an alley. He was asked whether or not he had checked. the title. policy at the time of purchase, to determine the bounds of the property he purchased. He said he was under the impression that if he occupied it for a certain length of time. Chairman Mason declared the public hearing closed. Moved by Commissioner Scott, seconded by Commissioner Greek, that the Planning Commission accept the findings of the Environmental Review Board to file Negative Declaration 1048. AYES:. Commissioners Mason, Greek, Mart, Master, Scott NOES: None MOTION CARRIED Moved by Commissioner Greek., seconded by Commissioner Master, that the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council that it approve Tentative Tract 12645 and Conditional Use Permit 1494, subject to the co~tditions in the Staff Report but deleting Condition No, 19 listed under the conditions pertaining to_the conditional use permit, AYES:. Commissioners Mason, Greek, Hart, Master, Scott NOES: None MOTION CARRIED .. Planning Commission Minutes February 3, 1986 Page Seven IN RE: MISCELLANEOUS REPORT FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Request for Planning Commission recommendation to City Council relating to creation of CTR (Commercial-Tustin Street Redevelop- ment) Zone. Commissioner Hart requested that he be excused from the hearing due to conflict of interest. Ron Thompson, Economic Development Director, discussed this matter. Commissioner Master asked him what he wanted the Commission to do. He said he wanted the first reading of the ordinances. Moved by Commissioner Master, seconded by Commissioner Scott, that the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council that there be a first reading of the ordinances. AYES: Commissioners Mason, Greek, Master, Scott NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Hart. MOTION CARRIED IN RE: ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m., to reconvent at a regular meeting on February 19, 1986., at 7:30 p.m., at the Civic Center Council Chambers, 300 East Chapman Avenue, Orange, California a