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Home My WebLink About2.0 - Draft Minutes_09-26-2016 CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Marina Park— 1600 West Balboa Boulevard Monday, September 26, 2016 SPECIAL MEETING 6:00 p.m. Deputy Director Wisneski provided an overview of the process. She explained that it was a long term plan for development in Mariners Mile. She discussed pending projects in Mariners Mile. I. CALL TO ORDER-The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. Il. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—Secretary Zak III. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Vice Chair Peter Koetting, Commissioner Bill Dunlap, Commissioner Bradley Hillgren, Commissioner Erik Weigand; and Secretary Peter Zak EXCUSED: Chair Kory Kramer and Commissioner Ray Lawler Staff Present: Community Development Director Kim Brandt; Public Works Director Dave Webb; Deputy Director Brenda Wisneski; Principal Planner Jim Campbell; Program Planning Manager Patrick Alford;Associate Planner Rosalinh Ung; Assistant Planner Chelsea Crager; Assistant Planner Liz Westmoreland; Assistant City Attorney Michael Torres; Planning Technician David Lee; Senior Planner Jaime Murillo; and Administrative Support Specialist Jennifer Biddle IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS Jim Mosher commented on the AutoNation project. Nancy Skinner asked if the AutoNation project was part of Mariners' Mile. V. MARINERS' MILE REVITALIZATION PLAN—PUBLIC WORKSHOP 1. Introduction—Woodie Tescher, PlaceWorks, provided an overview of the purpose of the Mariners' Mile Revitalization Master Plan, progress made to date and format of the workshop. 2. Presentation — Mr. Tescher presented a PowerPoint outlining the General Plan vision for Mariners' Mile, existing development, expansion of Pacific Coast Highway to six lanes, and comments regarding parking, access and circulation, uses and development building heights and densities. He presented ideas for consideration regarding circulation, pedestrian plazas, boardwalk, pedestrian scramble, shared streets,village streetscapes, parking strategies, and Avon Village. 3. Small Group Breakout Discussions Vice Chair Koetting recessed the meeting for small group breakout discussion at 6:41 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7:14 p.m. 4. Report on Group Discussions Group#1,facilitated by Patrick Alford The group spokesperson stated the group was concerned with the scramble idea on a six lane highway, suggested view corridors, varied heights and buildings and underground parking. Group#2,facilitated by Jim Campbell Phil Edmonston indicated support for a boardwalk or promenade and balancing on-street parking. He expressed concern with giving up private land or shortening docks. He suggested rooftop landscape areas and pedestrian bridge from the parking structure to the other side. He stated the group liked the 1 of 3 NEWPORT BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 9/26/16 idea of scrambling but were concerned with stacking. He suggested a seasonal trolley and incentives for public plazas or a promenade. Group#3,facilitated by Rosalinh Ung Daniel Walker discussed the need to revitalize the area and indicated support for the extension of Avon. He suggested implementing the 2nd option for bike access and stated a boardwalk may not be realistic. He expressed concern that a pedestrian scramble might delay drivers and questioned whether two parking structures were necessary. He stated his group loved the pedestrian bridge concept. Group#4,facilitated Chelsea Crager Russell Cook stated his group was made up of homeowners on the cliff bluff overlooking the project. He expressed concern with PCH widening and uncertainty with scrambles in Newport Beach. He suggested retaining the existing charm of the harbor area. He encouraged consideration of expanding Avon and an alternate traffic pattern to reduce traffic by the slips. Group#5,facilitated by Liz Westmoreland Jim Mosher asked why the east end of Mariners' Mile was not addressed. He expressed concern with the method for measuring building height and preserving the views of the bluffs. He stated his group expressed enthusiasm regarding pedestrian bridges. He suggested ungrounding PCH, if cost was not an option. He stated the parking garage was met with enthusiasm, if it included green roofs/public parks. His group expressed concern with building into the bluffs and requested the nautical theme be used. He suggested a boardwalk be constructed by pushing the existing docks out. He expressed concern about bicycle safety on PCH. He suggested of public art. Group#6,facilitated by Brandt Birkeland Peggy Palmer expressed concern about a scramble and bikes on a six lane corridor. She discussed the noise levels. She stated it was necessary that traffic did not increase on Tustin and suggested the possibility of one way only south on Tustin to PCH. She encouraged a "wow" project that the residents could support with a maritime theme. Group#7,facilitated by Jaime Murillo David Grant stated his group was made up of long time Height residents and liked the idea of a boardwalk along the water. He stated the PCH widening was not set in stone and did not have to be done. He agreed with undergrounding PCH. His group felt a pedestrian scramble could work and suggested utilizing some of the open space in the Avon area but ensuring the water could be seen. Group#8, facilitated by David Lee The group spokesperson discouraged adding more traffic to an already congested area. She stated the boardwalk, pedestrian tracks and plazas were good ideas but it would be difficult to get the property owners to give up their property. She stated Avon Street was not wide enough for shared streets and encouraged 35-foot height limits measured from the street and limiting trees to 15-feet in height. 5. Planning Commission Comments Vice Chair Koetting stated it was necessary to determine whether PCH would be six lanes and suggested the boardwalk along Bay Front be two stories. Commissioner Hillgren thanked the public for its input. He stated he heard concepts of protecting and expanding views and comments regarding the conflict between going 60 miles per hour and turning into a driveway. He stated the PCH Master Plan needed a hard look. He discussed mixes of uses and the need to create a place that was easy to use for both residents and visitors. Secretary Zak stated it was necessary to determine whether PCH would be 4 or 6 lanes and it was critical to come up with a "woW' plan. He stated the plan needs to be practical and able to be implemented. He stated parking needed to be resolved and suggested incentives for alternative modes of transportation rather than building a parking structure. Page 2 of 3 NEWPORT BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 9/26/16 Commissioner Dunlap discussed traffic issues and the need to balance visitors and residents needs. He suggested consideration of expanding Avon and village type development. Commissioner Weigand thanked the participants. He indicated support for a parking structure. Vice Chair Koetting opened it up to public comments. Peggy Palmer asked how a scramble would work with emergency vehicles. Sue Leal requested the Commission correct the saying that everyone was agreeable to a three or four story building off of Avon. Ernie May praised the venue where the meeting was held. Slavica Milo, PCH business owner, indicated support for the proposed plan but we need to figure out whether it will be a speedway or village. 6. Next Steps Mr.Tescher discussed the next steps including the third workshop. Community Development Director Wisneski stated the PowerPoint would be available on the City's website. VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m. to the Planning Commission meeting of October 6, 2016. The agenda for the Planning Commission meeting was posted on Friday, September 23, 2016, at 12:30 p.m. in the Chambers binder, on the digital display board located inside the vestibule of the Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive and on the City's website on Friday, September 23, 2016, at 12:45 p.m. Kory Kramer, Chair Peter Zak, Secretary Page 3 of 3 Planning Commission - October 6, 2016 Item No. 2a Additional Materials Received Draft Minutes of September 26, 2016 Oct. 6, 2016, Planning Commission Agenda Item Comments Comments on Newport Beach Planning Commission regular meeting agenda item submitted by: Jim Mosher( iimmosher(o),vahoo.com ), 2210 Private Road, Newport Beach 92660 (949-548-6229). Item No. 2. MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 Changes to the draft minutes passages shown in italics are suggested in sty,-.ken t underline format. Page 1, Item IV, paragraph 1: "Jim Mosher Carmack commented Gn asked for confirmation that comments were not being taken on the AutoNation project." Page 1, Item IV, paragraph 2: "Nancy Skinner asked if the AutoNation project was part of Mariners'Mile." [?? Although such a comment may have been made later in the meeting, there is no such comment at this point in the SPON video. Instead, Vice Chair Koetting asked why the AutoNation portion of Mariners Mile was not included on the maps being used at the workshop.] Page 1, Item V.2: "Mr. Tescher presented a PowerPoint outlining the General Plan vision for Mariners'Mile, existing development, expansion of Pacific Coast Highway to six lanes, and comments regarding parking, access and circulation, uses and development,building heights and densities." [add comma after "development'] Page 1, last paragraph, sentence 2: "He suggested rooftop landscape areas and a pedestrian bridge from the parking structure to the other side." Page 2, paragraph 3, sentence 4: "He suggested ungrounding undergrounding PCH, if cost was not an option a concern." Page 2, paragraph 3, last sentence: "He suggested of public art." Page 2, paragraph 5: "David Grant stated his group was made up of long time sleight Heights residents ..." Page 2, Item 5, paragraph 1: "Vice Chair Koetting stated it was necessary to determine whether PCH would be six lanes and suggested the boardwalk along Say FFOnt the bay front be two stories." Page 3, paragraph 7: "Slavica Milo, PCH business owner, indicated support for the proposed plan but we need to figure out whether it will be a speedway or village." [per the City's business license database, the last name (inaudible in the recording) is Milosavljevic] Changes proposed by Commissioner Hillgren Planning Commission - October 6, 2016 Item No. 2b Additional Materials Received Draft Minutes of September 26, 2016 CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Marina Park—1600 West Balboa Boulevard Monday,September 26,2016 SPECIAL MEETING 6:00 P.M. Deputy Director Wisneski provided an overview of the process. She explained that it was a long term plan for development in Mariners Mile. She discussed pending projects in Mariners Mile. I. CALL TO ORDER-The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—Secretary Zak III. ROLL CALL PRESENT:Vice Chair Peter Koetting,Commissioner Bill Dunlap,Commissioner Bradley Hillgren,Commissioner Erik Weigand;and Secretary Peter Zak EXCUSED:Chair Kory Kramer and Commissioner Ray Lawler Staff Present:Community Development Director Kim Brandt;Public Works Director Dave Webb;Deputy Director Brenda Wisneski;Principal Planner Jim Campbell;Program Planning Manager Patrick Alford;Associate Planner Rosalinh Ung;Assistant Planner Chelsea Crager;Assistant Planner Liz Westmoreland;Assistant City Attorney Michael Torres; Planning Technician David Lee; Senior Planner Jaime Murillo; and Administrative Support Specialist Jennifer Biddle IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS Jim Mosher commented on the AutoNation project. Nancy Skinner asked if the AutoNation project was part of Mariners'Mile. V. MARINERS'MILE REVITALIZATION PLAN—PUBLIC WORKSHOP 1. Introduction—Woodie Tescher,PlaceWorks,provided an overview of the purpose of the Mariners'Mile Revitalization Master Plan,progress made to date and format of the workshop. 2. Presentation — Mr. Tescher presented a PowerPoint outlining the General Plan vision for Mariners' Mile,existing development, expansion of Pacific Coast Highway to six lanes, and comments regarding parking, access and circulation, uses and development building heights and densities. He presented ideas for consideration regarding circulation,pedestrian plazas,boardwalk,pedestrian scramble,shared streets,village streetscapes,parking strategies,and Avon Village. 3. Small Group Breakout Discussions Vice Chair Koetting recessed the meeting for small group breakout discussion at 6:41 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7:14 p.m. 4. Report on Group Discussions Group#1,facilitated by Patrick Alford The group spokesperson stated the group was concerned with the scramble idea on a six lane highway, suggested view corridors,varied heights and buildings and underground parking. Group#2,facilitated by Jim Campbell Phil Edmonston indicated support for a boardwalk or promenade and balancing on-street parking. He expressed concern with giving up private land or shortening docks. He suggested rooftop landscape areas and pedestrian bridge from the parking structure to the other side. He stated the group liked the 1 of 3 Changes proposed by Commissioner Hillgren Planning Commission - October 6, 2016 Item No. 2b Additional Materials Received Draft Minutes of September 26, 2016 NEWPORT BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 9/26/16 idea of scrambling but were concerned with stacking. He suggested a seasonal trolley and incentives for public plazas or a promenade. Group#3,facilitated by Rosalinh Ung Daniel Walker discussed the need to revitalize the area and indicated support for the extension of Avon. He suggested implementing the 2""option for bike access and stated a boardwalk may not be realistic. He expressed concern that a pedestrian scramble might delay drivers and questioned whether two parking structures were necessary. He stated his group loved the pedestrian bridge concept. Group#4,facilitated Chelsea Crager Russell Cook stated his group was made up of homeowners on the cliff bluff overlooking the project. He expressed concern with PCH widening and uncertainty with scrambles in Newport Beach. He suggested retaining the existing charm of the harbor area. He encouraged consideration of expanding Avon and an alternate traffic pattern to reduce traffic by the slips. Group#5,facilitated by Liz Westmoreland Jim Mosher asked why the east end of Mariners Mile was not addressed. He expressed concern with the method for measuring building height and preserving the views of the bluffs. He stated his group expressed enthusiasm regarding pedestrian bridges. He suggested ungrounding PCH, if cost was not an option. He stated the parking garage was met with enthusiasm, if it included green roofs/public parks. His group expressed concern with building into the bluffs and requested the nautical theme be used. He suggested a boardwalk be constructed by pushing the existing docks out. He expressed concern about bicycle safety on PCH. He suggested of public art. Group#6,facilitated by Brandt Birkeland Peggy Palmer expressed concern about a scramble and bikes on a six lane corridor. She discussed the noise levels. She staled it was necessary that traffic did not increase on Tustin and suggested the possibility of one way only south on Tustin to PCH. She encouraged a"wow'project that the residents could support with a maritime theme. Group#7,facilitated by Jaime Murillo David Grant stated his group was made up of long time Height residents and liked the idea of a boardwalk along the water. He stated the PCH widening was not set in stone and did not have to be done. He agreed with undergrounding PCH. His group felt a pedestrian scramble could work and suggested utilizing some of the open space in the Avon area but ensuring the water could be seen. Group#8,facilitated by David Lee The group spokesperson discouraged adding more traffic to an already congested area. She stated the boardwalk, pedestrian tracks and plazas were good ideas but it would be difficult to get the property owners to give up their property. She stated Avon Street was not wide enough for shared streets and encouraged 35-fort height limits measured from the street and limiting trees to 15-feet in height. 5. Planning Commission Comments Vice Chair Koetting stated it was necessary to determine whether PCH would be six lanes and suggested the boardwalk along Bay Front be two stories. Commissioner Hillgren thanked the public for its input. He stated he heard four basic themes or concepts regarding the future of the area: 1) Maintaining existing views of the harbor for residents and whenever possible expanding vie w• - Formatted:List Paragraph,Discussion Text- opportunities to the harbor along PCH List Paragraph,Numbered+Level:1+ 2) Reconciling the plan for PCH (to widen or not) with the plan for Mariner's Mile as they currently Numbering Style: 1,2,3,...+Start at:1+ appear to be in direct conflict. Traffic moving at 60 MPH is not consistent with the pace of activities Alignment:Left+Aligned at: 1"+Indent at: associated with a retail and residential village. 1.25^ 3) Determination of the desired mix, density and placement of uses as this will have the most significant impact on defining and identifying what Mariner's Mile is Page 2 of 3 Changes proposed by Commissioner Hillgren Planning Commission - October 6, 2016 Item No. 2b Additional Materials Received Draft Minutes of September 26, 2016 NEWPORT BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 9/26/16 4) The desire to create a genuine sense of place which is convenient and which attracts both residents and visitors-particularly as the current condition was observed and described to be as"an uncomfortable place to be" pf protect _ _ regarding __ - Formatted:Font:(Default)Arial,Condensed by 0.15 pt Secretary Zak stated it was necessary to determine whether PCH would be 4 or 6 lanes and it was critical to come up with a 'Wow' plan. He stated the plan needs to be practical and able to be implemented. He stated parking needed to be resolved and suggested incentives for alternative modes of transportation rather than building a parking structure. Commissioner Dunlap discussed traffic issues and the need to balance visitors and residents needs. He suggested consideration of expanding Avon and village type development. Commissioner Weigand thanked the participants. He indicated support for a parking structure. Vice Chair Koetting opened it up to public comments. Peggy Palmer asked how a scramble would work with emergency vehicles. Sue Leal requested the Commission correct the saying that everyone was agreeable to a three or four story building off of Avon. Ernie May praised the venue where the meeting was held. Slavica Milo, PCH business owner, indicated support for the proposed plan but we need to figure out whether it will be a speedway or village. 6. Next Steps Mr.Tescher discussed the next steps including the third workshop. Community Development Director Wisneski stated the PowerPoint would be available on the City's website. VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m.to the Planning Commission meeting of October 6,2016. The agenda for the Planning Commission meeting was posted on Friday,September 23,2016,at 12:30 p.m. in the Chambers binder,on the digital display board located inside the vestibule of the Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive and on the City's website on Friday,September 23,2016,at 12:45 p.m. Kory Kramer,Chair Peter Zak,Secretary Page 3 of 3