HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-27-2017 - Hearing OfficerNEWPORT BEACH HEARING OFFICER MINUTES 09/27/2017
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NEWPORT BEACH HEARING OFFICER MINUTES
100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach
Crystal Cove Conference Room (Bay D-2nd Floor)
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
REGULAR HEARING
3:00 p.m.
I.CALL TO ORDER – The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m.
Present William B. Conners, Municipal Law Consultant, Hearing Officer
Staff Present: Melinda Whelan, Assistant Planner
II. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
ITEM NO. 1 DeLormier Abatement Extension (PA2017-143)
1441 Superior Avenue Council District 2
Hearing Officer Conners opened the public hearing and provided an overview of his procedures and
expectations for the hearing.
Melinda Whelan, Assistant Planner, provided a brief staff report. She provided an overview of the applicant’s
request for the abatement extension for an additional 24 years to run concurrently with an existing lease on an
adjacent property that shares parking with the subject property. The owner’s plan is to redevelop the subject
property and two adjacent properties when the abetment extension and parking lease expire. Ms. Whelan
explained the history of use on the subject property and in the immediate vicinity. Ms. Whelan explained the
required findings including the length of time the use was operating prior to initial abatement requirements, the
suitability of the existing structure on the subject property for an alternative use, the potential harm to the public
if the use remains, and the cost and feasibility of relocating the use. Ms. Whelan included facts staff found in
support of all of the required findings and concluded with a recommendation of approval to the Hearing Officer.
Hearing Officer Conners asked if the De Lormiers had anything to add. Mrs. De Lormier added an explanation
of the efforts to redevelop the subject property and the adjacent properties that they also own. She indicated
there were complications with the state license for the skilled nursing facility (adjacent property they own which
shares the parking with the subject property), which prevented them from changing the use of the skilled nursing
facility. There is currently a good vital operator with a long lease at that facility. Mrs. De Lormier added the
family history of providing needed senior care to resident of the City and the plan is to pass the property to their
children to redevelop all three properties in the future. Mrs. De Lormier described their construction and
development of a Memory Care Facility near the subject property.
Seeing that no one from the public wished to comment, the public hearing was closed. The Hearing Officer
indicated he would deliberate on the information received in this public hearing and render a decision within
ten (10) days.
Hearing Officer Conners concluded by adding to the record that he finds it refreshing when the applicant such
as the De Lormiers are proposing to do something for the right reasons to serve the community with needed
services.
On October 1, 2017, Hearing Officers Conners approved the Abatement Extension, approving the extension
for an of 24 years until December 15, 2045.
Action: Approved.
NEWPORT BEACH HEARING OFFICER MINUTES 09/27/2017
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III. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
None.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
The hearing was adjourned at 3:33 p.m.
The agenda for the Hearing Officer was posted on September 21, 2017, at 2:40 p.m. in the
Chambers binder and 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 September 21, 2017, at 2:47 p.m.