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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/15/1943127 The Newport Beach City Planning Commission held its regular 'monthly meeting in the Council Chambers, City Hall, Newport Beach, California, on Wednesday, September 159 1943, at 4 P.M., Chairman Hopkins presiding. ROLL CALL Commissioners present: Hopkins, $eager, Johnson, Nelson, Baltz, Allen, Patterson, Isbell and Campb ell " absent: None MINUTES Commissioner Johnson moved that the Minutes of the August 189 1943, regular monthly meeting be approved as read. Motion seconded by Commissioner Campbell. Carried and so ordered. COMMUNICATIONS The Secretary read a communication from Mr. Archie H.Corn- well in which he asked f or information relative to present existing zoning restrictions - more particularly whether multiple dwellings were permitted and the requirements. The Secretary said he had replied to this communication by sending him copy of Ordinance #525, as published in the New- port- Balboa News Times, several copies of which were kindly ' furnished him by Mr. S. A. Meyer. The Secretary said this communication was only one of many he had received along the same lines, which he had answered by sending copies of the Ordinance. He said his purpose in bringing Mr. Cornwell's letter before the Commission was to show the growing inter- est in building as indicative of post war activity in pri- vate dwellings. A letter dated September 14, 1943, from the City Clerk of the Citq of Newport Beach was read. The letter transmitted the action of the City Council relative to the calling of a special meeting by the Planning Commission for the pur- pose of considering certain zoning restrictions incident to Corona del Mar section.as contained in Ordinance f525. The Secretary remarked that the letter was somewhat vague, but that in a conversation he had had with the Mayor he was in- formed that the City Council was "bending backwards" in order to give "Properties Incorporated" another opportunity to be heard on their demands to amend Ordinance #525 insofar as it affected their property in Corona del Mar. The Secre- tary said that he assumed the Planning Commission would have to take action by advertising a public hearing, stating in the Notice of Publication that it was for the purpose of con - sidering the rezoning of certain property in Corona del Mar, more particularly those of "Properties Incorporated." At this juncture, the Secretary said that Mr. Ratus, General Manager of J.S.Barrett Construction Company, had made a personal call on him in response to a letter written by him some time ago in which he offered to furnish J.S.Barrett Construction Company information as to the proper procedure in connection with its application to rezone its property located at 1350 Coast Highway, City of Newport Beach, at, present operating under a conditional permit granted by the Planning .Commission. The Secretary said that he explain- , ed the procedure briefly to Mr. Estus, giving him a marked copy of Ordinance f525, and thrt Iur. Estus said he would perfect the application for presentation. The Secretary read a letter from Mr. '.W,T. Jefferson, dated Sept. 10, 19439 He said since the communication was ad -. dressed to him, personally, he had asked and received Mr. Jefferson's permission to read it to the Planning Commis- sion. The letter had to do with certain frontage on "Miracle gild" regarding the nature of the land uses grow- ing out of conditional permits for the duration. Mr. Jefferson suggested in his letter that the recipients of such conditional permits should be given the opportunity to show their good faith by guaranteeing their intention in writing. He said residents. of Newport Heights were grow- ing apprehensive fearing their view over the Harbor would be marred by huge collections of second hand automobiles, piles of used building materials, etc., and that temporary occupancy was merely a subterfuge for permanent occupancy. The Chairman asked the members of the Cormission if they wished to take general action upon the letters just read, or if they wished to take them 'up one at a time. Commis- ' sioner Johnson said that since Mr. Cornwell's letter had already been answered by the Secretary, he thought it should be filed, but that the letters from the City Clerk and from Mr. Jefferson should have separate consideration. The Secretary was requested to read the letter from the City Clerk again. The Chairman asked Commissioner Isbell - as representative of the City Council - for further light on the purpose of the communication. Commissioner Isbell said that the matter had to do with the bluff property in Corona del Mar relative to restrictions as contained in Ordinance #525, and that the City Council wanted the matter to coos Lip before the Planning Commission again so that it could be worked out in one way or another. The Chairman asked Mr. Isbell if he knew whether or not "Properties Incorpora- ted" expected to follow the usual procedure by making appli- cation to amend the Ordinance. Mr. Isbell said he hadn't the slightest idea. Commissioner Patterson said that he thought the Planning Commission should go ahead and hold a public hearing mak- ing this particular issue the only one to be considered. He said that "Properties Incorporated" was not satisfied with the setback requirements on its property. He said he thought that the hearing should deal with that issue only- ' Corona del Mar. Commissioner Patterson said that Ordinance #525 requires a ten foot setback with the right to construct a one story garage to the property line. He said. that pro - perty ov:ners on the other side of the street were not exact- ly satisfied with the Ordinance in this respect, but that they were not protesting - only "Properties Incorporated." I ) A considerable discussion ensued. Secretary Seager stated that in accordance with the authority vested in it by Sec- tion 19; Ordinance 225, the City Council did transmit to ' the Newport Beach City Planning Commission a communication requesting tlr t the Planning Commission set the date for and legally advertise and hold public hearings in accordance with the statutes governing such matters upon the question of whetter or, not front yard setback requirements having to do with cer- tain properties in Districts 16 and 17 in Corona del Mar be changed, and whether or not in accordance with the findings resulting therefrom the Ordinance be amended. There was some discussion as to the time and place of publio hearing. It was unanimously agreed that an evening hearing at Corona del Saar would be more convenient for property owners there. Secretary Seager said tl.t every precaution should be taken so that there could be no question as to the legality of the proceedings as the Commission was dealing with people who would not hesitate to take advantage of any loop- hole. Commissioner Allen moved that the Newport Beach City Planning Commission hold ,a special meeting upon October 6, 1943, at 7 :30 P.M., in the Palisades Tavern, Corona del Mar, for the purpose of a public hearing, and that the Secretary be instruct- ed to advertise said hearing, in accordance with the provi- sions of the Ordinance.as having to do with a proposal to amend ' Ordinance 1525 changing the setback requirements as affecting certain properties in district a46 and 17, and that said hearing be devoted to this matter of business only. Motion seconded by Commissioner Patterson. Carried and so ordered. :he Chairman called upon the Commission to consider Mr. Jeffer- son's letter. He said that he, personally, was gravely concern- ed over conditional permits already granted - one in particular. He said- he thought the only way to proceed legally was by pro- perly advertised public hearings to amend the Ordinance. He called upon Mr. Jefferson, who was present at the meeting, for any further ramrks he wished to make in substantiation Of his letter. Mr. Jefferson said that, Newport Height s-wasprimerily wr.esidential district and while he did not own property in that district, nevertheless, tae felt it would be, a detriment to that district if conditional permits for land uses on "Mira- cle Mile" were allowed to become permanent. After some dis- cussion, Commissioner Isbell moved that Mr. Jefferson's letter be filed. Motion seconded by Commissioner Campbell. Carried and so ordered. 141 ; 11 The Chairman said that since Mr. Finch had resigned from the Commission, it was incumbent upon him at this time to appoint a chairman to replace him as Chairman of the Committee on Post War Planning. He suggestee Commissioner Allen as Chair- man of such Committee, and also suggested a reconsideration of the other members of the Committee. Commissioner Patterson moved that the Chairman appoint a new Committee of three on Post War Planning. Commissioner Baltz 130 seconded the motion. thereupon appointed mission era Balt z and ni ng . Carried and so ordered. The Chairman Commissioner Allen, Chairman, and Com- Campbell, Committee on Post 'gar Plan- The Secretary suggested that the Chairman of the Committee on Post ;dar Planning adopt a program of his own, or ac- cept the plan of the former Chairman and revise it if nec- essary. The so called New Civic Center Plot which had been on the ballot some time ago was suggested as a possible nucleus for post war planning. The Chairman said that now that a new Committee on Post. War Planning Was appointed, the Commission should get busy with post war plans. He said he thought the Committee would have to call upon the City Engineer to do a great deal of the work. Commissioner Patterson thereupon moved that the Committee call apon his office for all available information required in this con- nection. Commissioner Allen seconded the motion. Carried and so ordered. Commissioner Allen suggested, among other things, the value of some form of quiz which could be introduced at various . club meetings and public gatherings whereby public opinion could be tested as to post war planning. The Chairman remark - ed that Commissioner Allen had a real job on his hands, but that he felt he was equal to the task. He also said that. Commissioner Allen as Chairman of the Committee on Post Afar Planning and the other members of his Committee were the authorized representatives of the Commission on matters per- taining to post war planning. DISCUSSIONS The Chairman then introduced Mr. H. B. Pier, Secretary of the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce. wbo was present by invitation of the Planning Commission. He gave a very interesting and; enlightening discourse on the need of post war planning as seen by the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce. Among other things, he a' aid that. it was estimated that after the war there would be approximately three million unemployed in California, alone, and that the need of absorbing and giving employment to these people was uppermost. He gave a comprehensive out- line on the program for post war planning of the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce. On conclusion, the Chairman extended on behalf of the Commission best wishes for a 'Very success and the appreciation of the Commission to Mr. Pier, personally. an BuSINESS The question of charge for the printed form of the new Zoning Ordinance f525 arose. Secretary Seager suggested a price of $1.00 be charged, and moved that Commissioner Isbell be re- quested to convey to the City Council that it is the conoen- sus of opinion of the Planning Commission that a charge of $1.00 be placed on the printed Ordinance. Motion seconded 4DJOUBNME by Commissioner Johnson. Carried and so ordered. NT Commissioner Campbell moved that the meeting be adjourned. Motion seconded by Commissioner Nelson. Carried and so ordered. .Reaps ICY ally sub