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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/21/1938• 10 SEPTEMBER 21, 1936 THE NEWPORT BELCH CITY PLANNING COMMISSION met in regular session Wednesday, September 21, 1935 at 7:30 p.m, in the Council Chambers, City Hall. Meeting called to order by the Secretary. In the absence of the Chairman, it was necessary to elect a temporary Chairman. Com. Seeger moved that Com. Briggs act as temporary Chairman, Seconded by Com. Estus. Motion carried. Harry Estus, who was 'appointed to succeed Com. Joe Schnitker and serve the unexpired portion of his term, attend- ed his first meeting. ROLL CALL - Commissioners present: Seeger, Williams, Briggs, Find1W, Estus. Commissioners absent: Hopkins, Patterson, Whitson, Hodgkinson. Comsultant Tilton and Bldg. Insp. Nelson attended. MINUTES - Coma Seeger moved that the reading of the minutes of the regular adjourned meeting held August 29th be dispensed with, as all members had received copies thereof, and that they be approved as written. Seconded by Com. Williams. Motion carried and so ordered by the Chairman. COMMUNICATIONS Secretary read a letter from the City Clerk informing the commission that the action of the Planning Commission (Resolution 135) in the case of G. B. Stanford had been disapproved. Secretary moved that this communication be filed. Seconded by Com. Estus. Motion carried and so- order- ed by the Chairman. Secretary read a letter from A. E. Williamson, of the Automobile Club of Southern California requesting the en- dorsement by the Planning Commission of certain measures appearing on the November ballot hiving to do with long range planning. The letter was accompanied by literature on the measures. Com. Findlay moved that this '. letter to- gether with the accompanying literature be filed. Seconded by Com. Estus. Motion carried and so ordered by the Chairman.' Secretary read a letter from Mr. Hellis of the Irvine Company_ thanking the commission for their.action is approv- ing the picnic grounds to be constructed adjoining Bay Side Drive. -Com. Estus moved that this communication be filed. Seconded.by Com. Williams. Motion carried and so ordered. HEARINGS - SECOND HEARING ON REZONING LOTS 1 -5 inc., BLOCK 22, EASTSIDE SUBDIVISION, BALBOA FROM R -1. to R -2.• Secretary read the application of Mrs. Marian R. Delano for rezoning of Lots 1 -8 incl., Block 22, Eastside.sub- division from R -1 to R -2 classification to. allow 'construct- ion of a duplex on Lot 4. He stated that this was the second and final hearing on this matter. Secretary read letters of protest from Geo. R. Coffin, Jr., Edward Bouton. and William P. Boland. Mr. Boland's letter was accompanied by a petition signed by 6 property , owners in the district protesting such rezoning; also a letter of protest from Mr. P. R. Plumb signed by 7 surround- ing property owners. Secretary read five letters in favor of the rezoning' from Mrs. Mirian C. Blaich, Clellan K. Priest, Ethel B. Hill, Clare Germain and Mrs. Mirian R. Delano. Chairman inquired if anyone present wished to speak on this matter. Edward Bouton, owner of property at 1305 East Central Ave. stated that he wished to protest this change to allow rental property in this neighborhood. Although there are a number of houses constructed before the ordinance went into effect which are non - conforming, he felt that if any change in zoning is to be made it should be.to zone the whole district as R -1. This is a high class district far_ enough away from the business district to be comparatively quiet and it would decrease the value of all property in this neighborhood to lower the restrictions and allow rental • property to be built. Mr. Kirk, owner of 1208 East Central Ave. also protest - ed a change in zoning to allow construction of duplex or rental houses. No one present spoke in favor of the rezoning. No further discussion. Com. Seeger moved the adoption of Resolution No. 142 recommending that the petition of Mrs. Mirian H. Delano for rezoning of Lots 1 -8 incl. Block 22, Eastside subdivision, Balboa from R -1 to R -2 be denied and no change in zoning be made and that the Secretary be instructed to transmit the same to the City Council as the recommendation of this com- mission and a copy filed as -a part of the minutes of this meeting. Seconded by Com. Findlay. Roll Call vote: Ayes: Briggs, Seager, Williams, Findlay, Estus. Noes: None. Motion carried and so ordered by the Chairman. RE- HEARING ON APPLICATION FOR VARIANCES Secretary read a letter from the City Council referring • the application of Mrs.: James Fleming for 50% front, 50% side and 50% rear yard variances on Easterly 25 ft, of Lots 27 & 29,331k 7, Sec 5, Balboa Island back to the Planning Commission for re- hearing because of protests received by the City Council, protestant® claiming insufficient notice of the hearing had been given. Secretary stated that this matter had been re- advertised and postcard notices sent to surrounding property owners, the addresses for which were taken from the tax rolls. He considered this re- hearing unnecessary inasmuch as the post- card notices are not required by ,ordinance and are sent as a courtesy only. Chairman ddclared the matter re- opened for hearing and inquired if anyone present wished to speak on this matter. 'Mr. Dutcher, owner of property in the same block as Mrs. Fleming's stated that he had appeared before the City Council to protest the granting of the front yard variance;' and wished to make the same protest before this commission. He stated that he had not been notified in time to appear at the first hearing. He protested the granting of the front yard variance because he considered it unfair to allow anyone to build out beyond the 10 ft. setback line. As his house sets back 30 ft. from the street, allowing this vari- ance will obstruct his view down Park Ave. He also stated that Mr. Escobar, the adjoining property 'owner objects to the granting of this variance for the same reason. Mrs. Doris McFarland presented a map showing setback ce all houses on Park Ave. She spoke in favor of the variances as requested stating that 85% of the houses on Park Ave. are within 3 ft. of the property line because Park, is the side yarc of their property. Whether the Flemings are allowed to build within 5 or 10 ft, of the front property line will make little difference as both Escobar's and Dutcher's houses set: on the back of the lot. Com. Seeger inquired how close Mr. Dutcher's house was to the rear property line. Mr. Dutcher stated that it was within 4 ft. of the rear lot line and Escobar's is within 3, ft. Mr. Granger Byer spoke in favor of the variances stating that Channel Island has many 60 ft. lots which were subdivid4 ed before enactment of Ordinance 440. Most of the houses built upon these lots are built right up to the front pro- perty line or within 3 ft, of it. The lot in question and one other are the only ones left whose front property line is on Park 'Ave. and the only ones, therefore, who would have to stay 10 ft. back. All the others could build within 3 ft/ of the property line. Coma Seager stated that he regretted that the commission could not allow a 3 ft, setback to conform with other build- �. iags on the street. Just because someone subdivided this lot to face on Park Ave, it seems unfair to require them to set back 10 ft. when the majority of the houses are within 3 ft. of the property line. He asked Mr. Tilton's opinion is ti 77 . on this matter. Mr. Tilton stated that the commission should analyse all of the problems of a particular ease and find whether, there are peculiar circumstances making the granting of variance necessary. It should be the general policy of the commission to encourage the type of building which will add value to the neighborhood. Mr. Hyer stated that this house would be a distinct im- provement to the neighborhood and be believed the variances should be granted so that ,a house can be constructed, rather than allow the lot to remain vacant. No further discussion. Com. Estus moved the adoption of Resolution No. lot " recommending that a 50%, 5 ft. front, a 50%, 18 aide and a 50%, 5 ft. rear yard variance be granted to Mrs. James Fleming on the Easily 25 ft. of Lots 27 & 29, Blk 7, Sec 5, Balboa Island and that the same be transmitted to the City Council by the Secretary as the recommendation of this commission and a copy filed as a part of the minutes of this meeting. Seconded by Com. Findlay. Roll Call vote: Ayes: Briggs, Seeger, Williams, Findlay, Estus. Noes: None. Motion carried and'so ordered by the Chairman. TENTATIVE APPROVAL OF PLANS FOR MOTOR -COURT - Mr. Durfee presented plans for a Motor Court to be con - structed on Coast Highway for the approval of the commission.' They were discussed informally.; Com. Seeger moved that this commission go on record as tentatively approving this project providing the plans can be worked out to conform to the ordinance as to a 10 ft. setback on the Highway. Seconded by Com, Findlay. Motion carried and so ordered by the Chairman. PUBLIC MEETINGS FOR DISCUSSION OF BOND ELECTION. Com. Williams announced that the citizens of Corona del Mar are holding a public meeting September 30 for dis- cussion of the forthcoming bond election having to dowith municipal improvements. She urged other sections of Newport Beach to do the rime. Com. Seeger stated that the public should understand what they are voting for. From the standpoint of justice . to the public they should know thw whole story and be in- formed as to the advantages or disadvantages of these con- templated improvements; this is not being done. It is not the function of this body to do it, although we have a certain amount of responsibility in the matter since it is our plan. Mr. Tilton's opinion was that this is a comprehensive program including items which are worthy of support. 0 Ir These new facilities are things which will attract people to the city. It, is up to the people to .decide whether they are 'buying something well worth the cost. It is the a. duty, of Civic Organisations to give publicity to a' project of this kind, not the Planning Commission. He suggested tht the commission might write to the Chamber of Commerce and the Newspaper asking that some publicity be given this bond issue so that the public may be informed. Com; Seeger moved that the Secretary be instructed to write a letter to the Chamber of Commerce stating that the Planning Commission feels that it is desirable that public, meetings be held for the purpose of informing the public on the items contained in the forthcoming bond election and giving opportunity for questions and explanations of all the features of it. Seconded by Com.. Williams. Motion carried and so ordered by the Chairman. REPORT ON PACIFIC SOUTHWEST PLANNING CONFERENCE Secretary Seeger reported on the Planning Conference held in Santa Barbara. He stated that he bad been impressed by the high type of men interested and engaged in the work of planning and with the importance and value of planning, especially the adoption of a Master Plan. The National Government was well represented at the conference, there be- ing 4 or 5 men from the Department of the Interior and 4 or 5 from the National Parks, showing that the government real- izes the value of planning. He explained that the National Government has a Master Plan of every National Park in the country. No work is done without consulting this plan and -working toward its ultimate completion. The most valuable service we can give to the City of Newport Beach is to work upon and adopt a Master Plan; if this is properly worked out, any emergency that arises is easily solved through this plan. Lot us get at our Master Plan. Com. Findlay suggested that a Variance Committee be appointed to receive applications, attend to the routine connected with advertising, posting, and inspection of the property. This committee could then present their findings and recommendation and the commission would not take up all the time of each meeting handling variances, and,could devote part of every meeting to working on the Master Plan. All members concurred with this suggestion. ADJOURNMENT - On motion of Com. Williams, seconded by Com. Seeger and carried the meeting adjourned. Re ectfully�s'ubmitted, r HOWARD W. STAGER, SECRE