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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/26/193810 9 JANUARY 26, 1938 THE NYViPORT BEACH CITY PLANNING'CODTMISSION met in adjourned session 4'Jednesday, January 26, 1938 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall. Chairman Hopkins presiding. Meeting was called to order by the Chairman. ROLL CALL - Commissioners present: Hopkins, Seager, Briggs, Schnitker, Whitson Patter- son, Findlay. Commissioners absent: Mrs. Williams.. excused. City Attny, Thompson, Bldg. Insp. Nelson and Mr. Tilt It t 1 tt d d - MAP consu an a so a en .e . Secretary stated that this was an ,adjourned meeting l from January 19, 1938. Chairman Hopkins stated that if there were no objections, the regular order of business would be dispensed with. He also informed the commission that the committee on the Harvey casd had not been appointed as ordered because the utter 'iad been taken care of in another manner. APPLICATION FOR REZONING OF LOTS Application of Frank Riddle, owner of Lots 3,4,5 and 6 at 6600 Coast Highway in loest Newport for Rezoning of Lot 6 from R -3 to C -1 was read by the Secretary. 1,Ir. Riddle_ requested that this lot be rezoned so that he might build an auto court on his property." Bldg. "Insp. Nelson stated that the permit has been granted to Mr. Riddle to build cottages on these lots and that they are under construction now.He presented the map showing the looation of the cottages which was inspected by the commission. He said that Mr. Riddle wishes to add garages to the ?cottages and so is requesting the rezoning of the rear of his property in order to do this. Chairman Hopkins felt that this was as good a use as could be made of this land, provided ad- equate archttectural and planning control over such developments and projects could be made effect- ive. This in his mind is most important for not only: public convenience, health and happiness are involve but the neighborhood land values are at ,stake and can be increased or lowered just to the degree that the control can be imde effective. Comm. Schnitker said that he had inspected the property and saw no objection to allowing an auto court on this land. Attny. Thompson said that the I same situation exists all along the Coast Highway; the front of the property is zoned as 0-1 and the rear land extending to the bluffs is R -3. Mr. Tilton said that as conditions change it may be necessary to meet these changing conditions •by changing the ordinance from time to time. There was no demand for auto courts when the ordinance was dravin. Each auto court is -a problem in itself and if it is made neseccary that all plans are sub- mitted for approval by the Planning Commission, it will be possible to keep them =.under control. Iie suggested that this commission might follow the example of the New York Planning Commission. once each year the Planning Commission is authorized to receive and pass upon all changes in the Zoning Ordinance. In this way all changes are made at one time. Chairman inquired how these changes could be affected most expediently. Mr. Tilton suggested that a special committee could be appointed to carefully scrutinize the ordinance and see how it is working and suggest changes.` Mr. Thompson said that he thinks it a fine Ord- inance and would favor making changes as the need arises rather than at one time. • Chairman inquired how the Planning Commission can control the architecture as lots are changed to C -1 before the Traffic Plan is completed and adopted. Mr. Thompson said that the Coast Highway is a major street by State law and all plans must be subr.l.tted to the Commission before buildings can be erected. Mr. Tiltin stated that when the ordinance was drawn the idea of zoning the 100 ft. facing on the boulevard as C -1 was to control the architecture of the buildings along the entrance to the city. Any changes thar are made must apply uniformly throughout the city in accordance with a general plan covering the entire city. Public opinion keeps the architecture under control to a great extent and you will have little trouble with prospective builders in having them conform to the general plan established after you get a start. Co.. Briggs moved to send this matter to hearing. Seconded by Comm. Findlay. notion carried. So ordered by the Chairman' :. • DISCUSSION ON Ab^ENDING ORDINANCE 440. Secretary explained the 'Nallace case to Mr.. Tilt- on and asked his advise on; amending the ordinance so that under conditions existing in this case a 100% rear yard variance 'might be allowed. Mr.'Tiltonsaid that he would hate to see a change written into the ordinance allowing 100% variances. He feared that it might establish a precedent. Dr. Seager asked if the commission could .estab- lish set back lines in this paticular block. Comm. Bri1gs suggested wording the amendment to say that '100% variance could be allowed on these certain alleys between these certain streets. " Comm. GVhitson suggested "where these peculiar con- ditions exist" the commission could grant 100% variance. Pair. Thompson did not think it advisable to say "that paticular ?dock" as the same conditions exist all over the city. Chairman suggested that the Secretary and Attny. Thompson draft an amendment to cover this situation and present it for hearing at the next regular meet- ing. Comm, Whitson moved that this body proceed to hold hearings on the matter of amending the ordinance. Seconded by Comm. Patterson. Motion carried. So ordered by the Chairman. PLAN OF YAJOR STREETS AND THOROUGHFARES Mr. Tilton presented for study and approval of the Commission the map showing Major streets and thoroughfares as prepared by Mr. Patterson and himself. He told the commission that this is the first step in the traffic plan. When these streets are established as major streets and the plan adopt- ed by the commission, the commission will have the power to control the architecture of buildings along these streets in the 0 -1 and C -2 zones. Everything that is to be built along these streets must be referred to the Planning Commission for approval. One advantage that has resulted in other cities is preventing the building of schools on Major Highways. The idea of the traffic plan is to prevent mistakes if possible. He suggested pro - jecting some of the lines into the county area as it is desirable for the city to know where these streets are going to be in the future. After dis- cussion and addition of some streets by the members, Comm. Schnitker moved that a hearing on the Traffic Plan be held at the next regular meeting. Second - ed by Comm. Whitson. Motion carried. So ordered by the Chairman. APPLICATION FOR VARIANCE • Application of Clarinda C. Smith for a 50% front ,yard and 66% side yard variance on Lot 16, Blk 3, Section 2, Balboa Island was read by the Secretary. He explained that the application was not correct as Mrs. Smith owns Lot 17 and had made a mistake , in the legal description of her property. She owns the Southeast corner instead of the South- west corner as stated in the application. He said that the application had been advertised and posted with this error. Asked what the commission wished to do. I Comm. Briggs moved that the application be re- jected on the ground that the variance is requested on the wrong property. Seconded by Comm. Findlay. Motion carried. So ordered by the Chairman. Secretary asked if it would be necessary for Mrs. Smith to pay an additional ° &10 when she makes the corrected application. After discussion, Comm. Schnitker moved that in this case the secretary should not collect a second fee. Seconded by Commr Findlay. Motion carried. So ordered by the Chairman. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED CIRCULAR DRIVE Secretary read a letter from Mr. Story asking for a discussion by the Commission of the proposed circular drive and parking facilities on the ocean front. He said that the Balboa Business Men and 2ropert7 Ovmer's Assn. is arranging to get commit - ments from the property owners within this circular drive to deed their property to the city for parkr or roadway pruposes. . Chairman Hopkins asked +1r. Vogel to inform the commission of what success they were having with the owners. Irir. Vogel said the property owners are reluctant " in making any assignments. The property is heavily mortgaged and they don't know whether the mortgage holders will be willing to assign it to the city. Attny. Thompson said he would like to see the city purchase this 'property at the price paid for the other ocean frontage. ?iir. Patterson said it was the duty of the Planning Commission to secure the right -of=way. Mr. Hopkins thought the com- mission could do nothing until they find out if the property can be secured, Mr. Thompson said that those working on this project would like the tentative approval of the Planning Commission. Chairman Hopkins called upon each member of the Commission for their opinion of the project. He said the plan in theory looks alright. Comm. Patterson was in favor of the street, but said he would add a small bulkhead on the outside to protect the street from high seas. Comm. Findlay thought it a good plan as to cir- culation of traffic. He would favor it. Comm. Schnitker thought the plan was right and the idea right. Some such plan will have to be worked out that will give circulation for traffic.. Secretary Seager said he approved the principle E of the drive and parking area; he also thought the commission should take some action on the matter to assist the Business Men's Assn. in put- ting the plan over. He moved that a letter be addressed to the Balboa Business Men and Property Owner's Assn. stating that the Newport Beach City Planning Commission does approve in principle only the street and parking area as suggested; by the map submitted by the Business lien but reserving final action until the necessary maps and details are submitted by the City engineer for consideration and modification by the Planning Commission.' Seconded by Comm. Schnitker. Comm. Vihitson said he was in favor of the plan and would like to include in the motion_ti.at one member of the commission be included in the commit- tee working on the plans. Before putting the motion, Chairman Hopkins made it clear that the motion dealt only in a tentative way with the principle of turning and returning traffic flow and all other details and consideration as to location, shape, dimensions, materials, time of action, kindred requirements in reference to general planninJ3 and so on were not involved or determined but would later be considered and passed upon. Motion carried. So ordered by the Chairman. ADJOURNMENT On motion of Comm. Schnitker, seconded by Comm. Findlay and duly carried, the meeting; adjourned to meet February 16, 1938 in the Council Chambers. Respectfully submitted, Howard W. Seage NEWPORT � CITY PLANNING C ecretary, SSION