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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20200618_PC_MinutesPlanning Commission Minutes June 18, 2020 5 of 9 1. Conduct a public hearing; 2. Find this project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15332 under Class 32 (In-Fall Development) of the CEQA Guidelines, because it has no potential to have a significant impact on the environment; and 3. Adopt Resolution No. PC2020-023 approving Coastal Development Permit No. CD2019-039 and Site Development Review No. SD2019-002. Deputy Community Development Director Campbell requested the Planning Commission continue the item to July 9, 2020, at the request of the applicant. Commissioners Kleiman, Klaustermeier, Ellmore, and Lowrey and Chair Koetting disclosed no ex parte communications. Vice Chair Weigand disclosed communications with the applicant, residents of Big Canyon, and members of the Big Canyon home owners association. Chair Koetting opened the public hearing. After seeing no one wishing to comment, Chair Koetting closed the public hearing. Motion made by Secretary Lowrey and seconded by Commissioner Kleiman to continue the public hearing to July 9, 2020. AYES: Koetting, Weigand, Lowrey, Ellmore, Klaustermeier, and Kleiman NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Rosene ITEM NO. 4. FIRE STATION NO. 2 (PA2019-098) Site Location: 2807 Newport Boulevard Summary: Site development review and coastal development permit to allow the construction of a new, replacement fire station, including accessory structures and paved parking. The project includes a waiver of the minimum amount of parking lot landscaping and an increase in height of the building up to a height of 32 feet for flat roofs and 34 feet 10 inches for sloped roofs. The project will consist of a two-story, 7,084- square-foot fire station building, including a 4,316-square-foot apparatus bay, a separate 147-square-foot public restroom building, and 10 surface parking spaces behind security gates. Associated with the project is the restriping of existing public parking spaces along 28th Street. The proposed project will replace Fire Station No. 2 currently operating at 475 32nd Street. Recommended Action: 1. Conduct a public hearing; 2. Find this project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15332 under Class 32 (In-Fall Development) of the CEQA Guidelines, because it has no potential to have a significant impact on the environment; and 3. Adopt Resolution No. PC2020-023 approving Coastal Development Permit No. CD2019-039 and Site Development Review No. SD2019-002. Associate Planner Chelsea Crager reported the application pertains to the replacement of Fire Station No. 2 located on the Balboa Peninsula. The application includes requests for a height increase, which is the reason the matter is before the Planning Commission, and a coastal development permit. The site is surrounded by restaurants, a dry cleaner, residences, and a public parking lot. Fire Station No. 2 was built in 1953 at 475 32nd Street and rehabilitated in 1980. In 2017, the City Council approved funding to replace the station, and the City purchased the subject property at 2807 Newport Boulevard in 2018. In October 2019, the City Council selected the conceptual design for the fire station. The proposed fire station will have two stories and contain slightly more than 7,000 square feet. The apparatus bays will contain about 7,300 square feet, and 10 secured parking spaces are located on the site. A detached public restroom building will also be located on the site. The project includes a traffic signal and restriping of on-street parking for a net gain of two parking spaces. The apparatus bays open onto from 28th Street, and the parking lot will have access to both northbound and southbound Newport Boulevard. Planning Commission Minutes June 18, 2020 6 of 9 Associate Planner Crager went on to indicate the property is located in a Commercial Visitor-Serving (CV) Zoning District, which has height limits of 26 feet for flat roofs and 31 feet for sloped roofs. The applicant requests a height of 32 feet for a flat roof and a maximum height of 34 feet 10 inches for sloped-roof portions. The Site Development Review process allows a request for a maximum height of 40 feet for sloped roofs. The project provides high- quality design, varied roof planes, metal awnings, and other features. The application also requests a deviation from landscaping standards. Parking areas adjacent to public streets are required to have 5-foot perimeter landscaping to separate the parking area from the street. The Community Development Director may waive this standard. Because this is a secure facility and large vehicles will be maneuvering on the site, the applicant proposes to provide a total of 1,820 square feet of landscaping but cannot accommodate the perimeter landscaping. The project does not negatively impact public access but provides two additional street parking spaces and a public restroom. No designated coastal views or coastal view roads are immediately adjacent to the site. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Class 32 exemption determination was redlined to include the traffic signal. The traffic signal was not originally included in the project description, but staff analyzed it and found the addition of the traffic signal does not change the outcome of the environmental determination. In response to Chair Koetting's questions, Senior Engineer Peter Tauscher advised that the restroom building will be maintained by Public Works maintenance staff. Restroom doors will typically be unlocked for public use. In reply to Commissioner Kleiman's inquiry, Senior Engineer Tauscher indicated public restrooms at the beaches are open 24/7. The doors to the public restroom building will have timed locks that can be programmed to lock at specific times if desired. Secretary Lowrey noted the public restroom building will be similar to the one at the fire station on Balboa Island. The ones on Balboa Island have worked well over the years. In answer to Vice Chair Weigand's queries, Associate Planner Crager explained that the City Council approved the project budget, which included the traffic signal. Senior Engineer Tauscher indicated staff will synchronize the timing of the traffic signal with other signals. Fire personnel can press a button that will cause the traffic signal to stop traffic and allow fire apparatus to exit the site. The traffic signal will have red, yellow and green lights. The traffic signal will increase pedestrian safety. The Traffic Division prefers a red/yellow/green signal in order to maintain this signal and the one at the next intersection. Deputy Community Development Director Campbell added that City Traffic Engineer Tony Brine has evaluated the traffic signal as part of the overall review of the project and did not have any concerns that it would negatively impact traffic circulation. Chair Koetting and Vice Chair Weigand disclosed communications with staff. Commissioners Kleiman, Klaustermeier, Ellmore, and Lowrey disclosed no ex parte communications. Chair Koetting opened the public hearing. Jim Mosher did not find the architecture facing the parking lot attractive. The parcel is zoned CV, but the fire station is neither a commercial use nor primarily intended to serve visitors. The 2017 Director's Determination indicating the fire station is consistent with the CV land use category and CV zone is clearly erroneous. The fire station belongs in a Public Facilities (PF) Zoning District. The City Council should rezone the parcel to PF. Deputy Community Development Director Campbell reported the Director's Determination was prepared by the Director and staff, and the City Council reviewed the Determination. Staff and the City Council believe the project is consistent with the General Plan. In response to Vice Chair Weigand's inquiry, Deputy Community Development Director Campbell advised that the existing Fire Station No. 2 will remain in operation through construction of the new fire station. The City Council will decide the use of the existing site at a later time. In answer to Commissioner Kleiman's inquiries, Battalion Chief Nic Lucas indicated the medic unit at Fire Station No. 2 responds to just over 3,000 calls per year or 10 calls per day. The truck at Fire Station No. 2 responds to about 1,400 calls per year with the engine responding to about 2,700 calls per year. Fire Station No. 2 serves residents and visitors. Bars, beaches, and assisted living facilities are near Fire Station No. 2. Fire Station No. 2 Planning Commission Minutes June 18, 2020 7 of 9 is one of the busiest stations in the City. Most calls occur during the day. On average, two to three calls occur between 10 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. In reply to Chair Koetting's query, Battalion Chief Lucas related that the big rig (or truck) responds to 1,400 to 1,500 calls per year. In response to Vice Chair Weigand's questions, Battalion Chief Lucas stated the existing station's service area is bounded by 15th Street. The truck at the new fire station will respond to calls from the west side of the City. The engine responds to calls from 15th Street to Industrial, up to 17th Street and in the Dover neighborhood south of Pacific Coast Highway. The Council reviewed response times for the new location of Fire Station No. 2 and they meet applicable standards. The new location is approximately 0.3 miles from the existing location. In answer to Commissioner Klaustermeier's inquiry, Battalion Chief Lucas indicated sirens are employed when necessary. After hours, sirens are not typically employed. Standard operating procedures have most responses listed as Code 2 responses, meaning lights and sirens are not employed. A Code 3 response means the situation is acute. Fire personnel are required to test sirens daily, and tests typically occur around 9 a.m. Deputy Community Development Director Campbell added that the Municipal Code exempts activities conducted on public property from the Noise Ordinance. Condition of Approval No. 21 should be deleted. Chair Koetting closed the public hearing. Motion made by Commissioner Kleiman and seconded by Commissioner Ellmore to approve the staff recommendation with the deletion of Condition of Approval No. 21. AYES: Koetting, Weigand, Lowrey, Ellmore, Klaustermeier, and Kleiman NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Rosene In answer to Chair Koetting's question, Senior Engineer Tauscher reported that plans would be resubmitted to the Community Development Department in July 2020. The City Council is anticipated to award a construction contract in Fall 2020, construction is expected to begin in Winter 2020/21, and construction is expected to be complete in Spring 2022. ITEM NO. 5. ZONING CODE AND LCP AMENDMENTS RELATED TO CORRECTIONS, CLARIFICATIONS AND INCONSISTENCIES (PA2019-055) Site Location: Citywide Summary: Amendments to Title 20 (Planning and Zoning) and Title 21 (Local Coastal Program Implementation Plan) to provide code clarification and corrections, and to resolve inconsistencies between the Zoning Code and the Local Coastal Program Implementation Plan. The amendments relate to minimum lot size and dimensions, overlay zoning districts, and public hearing notification requirements. Recommended Action: 1. Conduct a public hearing; 2. Find this project statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 21065 of CEQA and State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(c)(2), 15060(c)(3) and 15378. The proposed action is also exempt pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because it has no potential to a have a significant effect on the environment; 3. Adopt Resolution No. PC2020-024 recommending the City Council approve Code Amendment No. CA2019-001; and 4. Adopt Resolution No. PC2020-025 recommending the City Council authorize staff to submit Local Coastal Program Amendment No. LC2019-001 to the California Coastal Commission. Deputy Community Development Director Campbell reported staff considers the amendments routine clean up items. Staff proposes to change the minimum lot size exception in the Local Coastal Program (LCP) so that it is