2005 - June 7
APPROVED
Minutes
Planning Commission
City of Orange
June 7, 2005
Tuesday - 6:00 p.m.
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Commissioners Pruett, Enderby and Imboden
Commissioners Bonina
PRESENT:
Ed Knight, Principal Plannner
Gary Sheatz, Assistant City Attorney
Roger Hohnbaum, Assistant City Engineer
Angie Andrelus, Recording Secretary
IN RE:
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: None
IN RE:
ITEMS TO BE CONTINUED OR WITHDRAWN: None
IN RE:
STUDY SESSION:
(1) Staff presentation regarding noise analysis relating to Santiago Hills WEast
Orange Development Proposal.
(2) Staff presentation regarding housing programs with Santiago HillsWEast Orange
Development Proposal.
Principal Planner, Ed Knight gave a brief presentation on the types of homes being
planned for the project, including aspects of density and affordability.
Noise consultant Matthew B. Jones, Mestre Greve Associates, presented a noise study of
the project. He summarized existing conditions, impacts from the project and mitigation
to reduce impacts.
Commissioner Pruett stated that there is current noise issues along Chapman Avenue and
asked if the study revealed that the project will not significantly add noise; and asked
why the study projecting noise levels decreasing in 2025.
Principal Planner, Ed Knight clarified that the study showed that there will be added
noise, but not of a level exceeding the thresholds currently established by CEQA. He
explained that the noise decrease projected for 2025 is reflecting the change in residents
changing work locations once they move to the area.
Commissioner Pruett asked about the housing corporation managing the low-income
housing program. When would that occur?
Mr. Knight responded that the program will be made a part of the Conditional Use Permit
and at that time the determination is made as to how many years the affordability
requirement would be in place. It will also be made a part of the development agreement
that the City Council will consider, prior to the building permits being issued.
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Planning Commission Minutes
June 7, 2005
Public Comments:
Chery Rout, 2411 N. River Trail Rd., requested an increase of affordable housing, citing
St. Joseph Hospital employees needing affordable housing.
Commissioner Pruett asked her to relay to staff what is affordable.
Ed Amador, Silverado Canyon Resident, suggested that staff look at the urban village
concept.
Alex Mintzer, 465 N. Christine, stated that there was no provision for affordable housing
in areas I, II and ill. He requested it in area I.
Sister Mary Terese Sweeney, 2075 Greengrove, stated that St. Joseph Hospital
Administration would contact City staff with employee housing needs. She added that
the United Way organization contacted 1,000 employers in Orange County who all stated
that housing was the no. 1 problem for their employees. She also cited information
related to housing in the City of Irvine.
Eileen McCarthy, Staff Attorney at the Public Law Center requested decent, safe and
affordable housing on behalf of the center's clients. She pointed out that the affordable
housing represented only 3% of the East Orange proposal and felt that it should be 5% for
the very low income.
Anthony Mack, 14354 Ladd Cyn. Rd. stated that the noise study levels were taken at 100
feet from the road centerline. He stated that at 1,000 feet away there is currently no noise
at all. He requested no building occur in Area II and ill.
Eric Noble, address on file, spoke on the cumulative effect of the nine segments of the
project being over the allowable decibel level.
Peter Wetzel, 7217 E. La Cumbre, stated that the noise levels are already at the
unacceptable level. He referred to the area residents requesting rubberized asphalt. He
stated that renaming a portion of Santiago Canyon Rd. to Chapman Avenue will add
traffic heading to the toll roads.
Andrew Ashford, 1758 Windes Dr., stated his opposition to the development. He
indicated the noise study did not account for walls.
Kathy Ashford, 1758 Windes Dr., added that the roads are already at capacity and her
concern for circulation.
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Planning Commission Minutes
June 7, 2005
Tony Richards, 178 S. Amberwood St., stated he considered the study to be underrated
and flawed. He added that the analysis should be citing the maximum rather than the
average noise levels. He also stated that weather and environmental effects will amplify
the noise.
Karl Greenblatt, 29206 Isabelle Dr., Stated that the talk should be on decreasing levels.
He asked that any housing being built be done as far west as possible. He opposed sound
walls.
Tara Brewer, 3045 E. Craig Dr., Attorney for St. Joseph and CHOC and volunteer at the
Public Law Center, supported the project and affordable housing. She suggested
increasing the percentage of affordable housing and density. She indicated a
recommendation of 15% for the very low, low, and moderate income.
Carole Mintzer, 465 N. Christine St., Encouraged verification of the sound study and that
the experts are truly expert and qualified to be making their recommendations.
Julie Jones-Dtkes, 20121 E. Clark, Encouraged staff to research noise levels to pre-
Santiago Hills, Phase I levels. She supported urbanization projects.
Cesar Covarrubias, 1033 Cumberland Rd., Stated that the Kennedy Commission has
provided the City with comments on the housing element and the progress of the
commission's goals. He stated that the city is short 1,000 affordable units.
Ed Brishin, Broadmoor Park Homes, cited the need to regulate or minimize the ratio of
egress and ingress for the proposed 4,000 homes.
Commissioner Pruett stated that staff will review all comments made.
Dan Miller, Irvine Company, spoke on the project generating funds designated to
mitigate noise. He stated that the noise will rise with the increase in growth with or
without the proposed development; and if there were no development, the funds would
not be available to address the noise issue. He also spoke on fiscal impacts of the project
and affordable housing.
MOTION:
SECOND:
AYES:
ABSENT:
Enderby
Imboden
Enderby, Imboden, Pruett
Bonina
Moved to adjourn to a CEQA workshop on Monday, June 20 at 6:00 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
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