2007 - September 17
Planning Commission Minutes
APPROVED 17 September 2007
Minutes
Planning Commission
City of Orange
17 September 2007
Monday-7:00 p.m.
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Commissioners Bonina, Merino, and Steiner
Commissioners Imboden and Whitaker
STAFF
PRESENT:
Ed Knight, Assistant Planning Director
Gary Sheatz, Assistant City Attorney
Sandi Dimick, Recording Secretary
INRE:
PUBLIC P ARTICIP A TION:
Cheryl Hansmann
446 S. Tustin #31
Orange, Ca 92886
Representing Val Verde Estates development
Cheryl Hansmann addressed the Planning Commission, representing the residents of Val
Verde Estates Mobile Home Park. She feels that the developer is representing the tenants
of the Park in an unfavorable fashion to the neighbors and at the next Planning
Commission Meeting the resident group will be here to speak to the Commission.
INRE:
ITEMS TO BE CONTINUED OR WITHDRAWN: None
(1) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR MEETING OF
August 6,2007.
Commissioner Merino made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 6, 2007
meeting as written.
SECOND:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Commissioner Bonina
Commissioners Bonina, Merino and Steiner
None
None
Commissioners Imboden and Whitaker
MOTION CARRIED
Page 1 of 5 Pages
Planning Commission Minutes
17 September 2007
CONTINUED HEARINGS:
(2) CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2601-06 AND VARIANCE NO.2177-07
ROYAL STREET COMMUNICATIONS
A proposal to co-locate and operate MetroPCS wireless telecommunications antennas on
an existing non-stealth monopole wireless communication structure and associated
equipment.
LOCATION: 595 S. The City Drive
NOTE: The proposed project is Categorically Exempt from the provisions of the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per State CEQA
Guidelines 15303 (Class 3) the project would negligibly expand an
existing public utility. There is no public review required.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Planning Commission Resolution 09-07
Assistant Planning Director Ed Knight gave an overview of the project consistent with
the Staff Report. Noting that there is a variance for an 8' wrought iron fence to add
additional height to enable it to fully screen the equipment.
Vice Chair Steiner opened the meeting for questions from the Commission to Staff.
Commissioner Bonina discussed the masonry wall and confirmed with Staff that it was 2'
6" in height.
Vice Chair Steiner opened the public hearing.
Applicant, John Koos, 2923-A Saturn, Brea, Ca came forward to discuss the changes
since the last review of the project. The antennas are now flush mounted, due to the
width of the pole they are stacked 3 above 3 and there is no microwave dish on this plan.
Applicant, Jane Noreen, 350 Commerce Ave Ste. 200, Irvine came forward to clarify a
question Commissioner Bonina had related to the GPS antenna. He was informed that
each station has a GPS that allows network operations. It is the heart of any cellular site
and its location is geared toward a satellite site. Mr. Koos added that we typically place it
at the highest point of the cabinet.
Mr. Koos gave further information on the site and gave a future depiction of what the site
may look like after the County developed this area. Adding that they do not know what
time line they are looking at for this development.
Commissioner Bonina had questions regarding the landscape maintenance. Mr. Koos
stated that they would gladly accept a condition to add automatic timers for the irrigation
and that generally this would fall on the landlord.
Mr. Koos gave clarification of ownership stating that the pole was originally built for
Page 2 of 5 Pages
Planning Commission Minutes
17 September 2007
Sprint then purchased and is now owned by Crown Castle, we are basically subleasing
from them. Commissioner Bonina clarified that they would be able to supply landscaping
and irrigation plans as this is a non-Edison property. Mr. Koos agreed with this statement
and also discussed the placement of the antennas and why based on the girth of the pole
required stacking.
Vice Chair Steiner asked for any further questions for the applicant, there were none. He
closed the public hearing and brought the discussion back to the Commission.
Commissioner Merino thanked the applicant for returning with clearing up of the
previous issues and Commissioner Bonina reiterated that his only concern was for the
maintenance of the landscaping.
Vice Chair Steiner made a motion to approve Conditional use Permit No. 2621-06 and
variance No. 2177-07 Royal Street Communications, noting that it is categorically
exempt from CEQA. Adding the following condition: To have the applicant meet with
Staff to formulate a landscaping and maintenance plan.
SECOND:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Commissioner Bonina
Commissioners Bonina, Merino, and Steiner
None
None
Commissioner Imboden and Whitaker
MOTION CARRIED
(3) CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2606-06; MNSP 0457-06; AND
ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUSTMENT 0148-07 - ROYAL STREET
COMMUNICATIONS
A proposal to co-locate and operate MetroPCS wireless telecommunications antennas on
an existing non-stealth monopole wireless communication structure and associated
equipment.
LOCATION: 3413 E. Chapman Avenue
NOTE:
The proposed project is Categorically Exempt from the provisions of the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per State CEQA
Guidelines 15303 (Class 3) the project would negligibly expand an
existing public utility. There is no public review required.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Planning Commission Resolution 45-06
Assistant Planning Director Ed Knight gave an overview of the project consistent with
the Staff Report. Noting that there is an administrative adjustment to increase the fence
height by 6" to further screen the ground equipment.
Vice Chair Steiner asked ifthere were any questions for Staff, there was none.
Page 3 of 5 Pages
Planning Commission Minutes
17 September 2007
Vice Chair Steiner opens the meeting to the public hearing.
Applicant, John Koos, 2923-A Saturn, Brea, Ca reviewed the improvements made since
the last meeting. The antennas have been brought into the pole, the microwave dish has
been removed and the additional modification to place some of the equipment
underground. There is no proposed landscaping for this site.
Vice Chair Steiner asked for any questions from the Commission for the applicant, there
were none. He closed the public hearing and brought it back to the Commission for
discussion.
Commissioner Merino was pleased with the improvements and the effort made by the
applicant to address the Commissions concerns. Commissioner Bonina recognizing that
the site is behind a shopping center added that he would like to have seen some attempt
of landscaping and the addition of potted plants.
Vice Chair Steiner remains supportive of this project. The issue before the Commission
is whether the proposed use of this site is permitted, authorized and consistent. He felt
the proposal to be inoffensive.
Commissioner Merino made a motion to approve Conditional Use Permit No. 2606-06;
MNSP No. 2606-06; MNSP 0457-06; and Administrative Adjustment 0148-07 - Royal
Street Communications, noting that this project is categorically exempt from CEQA.
SECOND:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Commissioner Steiner
Commissioners Merino, and Steiner
Commissioner Bonina
None
Commissioner Imboden and Whitaker
MOTION CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT:
Vice Chair Steiner asked the Commission for a motion to Adjournment to the next
scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission on Monday, October 1,2007.
Commissioner Bonina brought up a concern that was discussed at the August 6, 2007
Planning Commission Meeting. He addressed Staff on their follow up to a question he
had regarding the type of vehicles the business, Miller's Auto Sport, had on its lot. His
initial concern was that one of the reasons the Commission approved this car lot was
because it was presented to them to have high-end automobiles. This was very important
to the Commission. Mr. Knight shared with the Commission that he did review this
application and there was no language/conditions that stated that this lot would carry a
specific type of vehicle. Commissioner Bonina asked about the rotating sign and if this
was part of the approval. Mr. Knight stated that the sign was approved through a
variance by the Zoning Administrator and there was some information that the sign was
grandfathered in.
Page 4 of 5 Pages
Planning Commission Minutes
17 September 2007
Commissioner Merino brought up a concern that the Commission should use caution
when the property is sold that the approval goes with the property and that there could be
unfavorable consequences.
Vice Chair Steiner asked staff if there is anything in place that would prevent an
applicant from holding back everything that is undesirable and then getting approval
administratively. Mr. Knight stated that this was extremely rare. There was discussion
on the rotating sign located at this lot, and that the applicant had felt that there was no
provision in the application related to the sign.
Mr. Sheatz gave further information that the variance received on this site was not for a
rotating sign, but they received a variance for the timing issue of the sign. When the use
of the sign terminated. There was an issue with the legal non-conforming use and did it
terminate when the sign came down. The sign now is a legal non-conforming. He also
clarified a question from Commissioner Bonina - that in the event the property owner
wanted to change the sign does this provide access to make the sign conform. Mr. Sheatz
stated that the property owner could change the face of the sign but he could not make it
larger or change the overall design.
Commissioner Merino made a motion for Adjournment to the next regularly scheduled
Planning Commission Meeting held here in the Chambers on Monday, October 1, 2007.
SECOND:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Commissioner Bonina
Commissioners Bonina, Merino, and Steiner
None
None
Commissioner Imboden and Whitaker
MOTION CARRIED.
MEETING ADJOURNED @ 7:35 P.M.
Page 5 of 5 Pages