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Home My WebLink About16 - Planning Commission Action ReportSEW p 'V CITY OF as NEWPORT BEACH �q��oP City Council Staff Report Agenda Item No. 16 June 12, 2012 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: Community Development Department Kimberly Brandt, AICP, Director 949 - 644 -3226, kbrandt(cDnewportbeachca.00v PREPARED BY: Brenda Wisneski, Deputy Director Community Development 949 - 644 -3297; bwisneski(a).newportbeachca.00v APPROVED: TITLE: Planning Commission Agenda Report for June 7, 2012 Item No. 1 Minutes of May 17, 2012 The minutes were approved (4 ayes, 1 abstention, 2 excused). AYES: Ameri, Hillgren, Kramer, and Toerge NOES: None ABSENT: Brown and Myers ABSTAIN: Tucker Item No. 2 Cornerstone Securities Residential Addition (PA2012 -027) 245 Evening Canyon Road Summary: A request for a variance to allow a 2,000- square -foot addition to an existing 2,757- square -foot nonconforming single - family residence. The structure is nonconforming because the existing residence encroaches between seven and 11 inches into the required 6 -foot southwesterly side yard setback. A variance is requested to allow a 73 percent addition and a second floor addition that would project into the southerly side yard setback, in -line with the existing nonconforming residence. With approval of the variance to modify the side yard setback, the structure would no longer be considered nonconforming, therefore a variance to allow the 73 percent addition would not be required. Planning Commission Agenda Report for June 7, 2012 June 12, 2012 Page 2 The public notice included a request for a modification permit to allow two garage parking spaces and two driveway parking spaces where three garage spaces are required because the proposed gross floor area exceeds 4,000 square feet. However, this request was withdrawn by the applicant and the plans were modified to include three enclosed parking spaces, which complies with the Zoning Code parking requirement. Assistant Planner Makana Nova gave a presentation highlighting the applicant's request, the history of the setback provisions for the subdivision and the surrounding conditions. She noted that the original side yard setback requirements were based on 10 percent of the lot width. Therefore roughly one -third of the structures in the neighborhood do not conform to the setback requirements. She elaborated that prior to the 2010 Zoning Code, additions could maintain nonconforming setbacks in this neighborhood. Assistant Planner Nova reviewed the required findings in support of the project. The public hearing was opened which included public testimony in support and opposition to the project. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the variance to modify the said side yard setback (5 ayes, 2 excused). AYES: Ameri, Hillgren, Kramer, Toerge and Tucker NOES: None ABSENT: Brown and Myers ABSTAIN: None Item No. 3 Coast Business Center Sign Program (PA2012 -010) 2121 East Coast Highway Summary: An appeal of the Zoning Administrator's decision to approve Modification Permit No. MD2012 -004 and to amend Comprehensive Sign Program No. CS2007 -002. Approval of the project would allow the addition of two signs on the southeast (Avocado Avenue) elevation of the building located at 2121 East Coast Highway that cumulatively (60 square feet) exceeds the maximum sign area for secondary frontage signs (37.5 square feet). Senior Planner Gregg Ramirez gave a presentation summarizing the request and the existing Sign Program. Senior Planner Ramirez explained that the Code provisions limit multi- tenant buildings with a common entrance, such as the subject property, to one 75- square foot sign. Buildings which provide tenants direct exterior access, such as a commercial strip center, are permitted one 75 square -foot sign per tenant. Planning Commission Agenda Report for June 7, 2012 June 12, 2012 Page 3 Following receipt of public testimony and comments from the applicant, the Commission voted unanimously to reverse the decision of the Zoning Administrator and deny the request to amend the Sign Program (5 ayes, 2 excused). AYES: Ameri, Hillgren, Kramer, Toerge and Tucker NOES: None ABSENT: Brown and Myers ABSTAIN: None Item No. 4 Airport Area PC Amendment (PA2011 -215) Amendment affects all properties designated for mixed -use development within an area bounded by MacArthur Boulevard, Jamboree Road, Birch Street, and Bristol Street North. Summary: Amendment to the Newport Place Planned Community Development Plan (PC -11) to implement Housing Programs 3.2.2 and 3.2.3 of the 2008 -2014 Housing Element. The amendment would permit residential development that includes a minimum of 30 percent of the units affordable to lower - income households with the approval of a Site Development Review. Developments meeting this criteria will also be eligible for a waiver of the minimum 10 -acre site area requirement. The amendment would also establish minimum development regulations including building height, setbacks, and parking requirements. Assistant Planner Melinda Whelan gave a presentation summarizing the request. Commissioner's comments expounded on the fact that residential uses were already allowed in the area, in accordance with the General Plan. Discussion also explored allowing greater flexibility in the height and density of the qualifying projects. Concerns were expressed related to removing the 10 -acre site limitation and the ability for smaller projects to provide the needed on -site amenities. Public testimony included support and opposition for the proposed amendment. The Commission voted to recommend the City Council approve the requested amendment (4 ayes, 1 noe, 2 excused). AYES: Ameri, Hillgren, Kramer, and Tucker NOES: Toerge ABSENT: Brown and Myers ABSTAIN: None Planning Commission Agenda Report for June 7, 2012 June 12, 2012 Page 4 Item No. 5 Mariner's Pointe (PA2010 -114) 100 — 300 West Coast Highway Summary: On August 9, 2011, the City Council approved the Mariner's Pointe project, a 19,905- square -foot commercial building and a three -level parking structure. As a condition of project approval, the applicant is required to submit final architectural and landscaping plans for review and approval by the Planning Commission. The applicant is also requesting review of proposed revisions to the building design, which include minor increases in height to various tower elements of the parking structure and the addition and expansion of rooftop mechanical equipment enclosures. Associate Planner Jaime Murillo gave a presentation comparing the approved concept plan and the proposed revisions. Detailed elevations and color /material board demonstrated compliance with the approved design. Required modifications were shown to comply with the Zoning regulations. Concern was expressed about the overall size and mass of the structure. Following public testimony and comments from the applicant's team, the Commission voted to approve the final architectural and landscape plans and find the changes in substantial conformance (4 ayes, 1 noe, 2 excused). AYES: Ameri, Hillgren, Kramer, and Tucker NOES: Toerge ABSENT: Brown and Myers ABSTAIN: None Item No. 6 Review of Preliminary Fiscal Year 2012 -2013 Capital Improvement Program (PA2007 -131) Summary: Review of the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is required by the City Charter and State Statute. The purpose of the review is to determine consistency with the General Plan and to make recommendations to the City Council concerning proposed public works projects. A draft of the 2012 -2013 CIP was presented to the Planning Commission on May 3, 2012. The Commission had specific questions about the details of several projects. The discussion was continued to June 7, 2012. Assistant Planner Melinda Whelan gave a presentation summarizing the requested action. Deputy Public Works Director Dave Webb, provided a summary of modifications recently made to the CIP. Planning Commission Agenda Report for June 7, 2012 June 12, 2012 Page 5 The Commission voted unanimously to determine that the CIP projects are consistent with the policies of the General Plan (5 ayes, 2 excused). AYES: Ameri, Hillgren, Kramer, Toerge, and Tucker NOES: None ABSENT: Brown and Myers ABSTAIN: None Submitted By: