HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/28/1937OCTOBER 28, 1937.
THE NEWPORT BEACH CITY PLANNING COMMISSION met
in regular session in the Council Chambers;
• City Hall, Newport Beach California, Thursday,
October 28, 1937 at 7:30 P.M. Chairr;an Hopkins
presided.
Meeting was called to order by the Chairman.
ROLL CALL: Present -- Hopkins, Seager, Mrs.
Williams, Briggs, Schnitker, Patterson
and Whitson.
Absent -- Thompson and Findlay.
Mr. Sampson representing Mr. Tilton attended.
Chairman Hopkins stated that Mr. Tilton was
unable to attend due to his many duties as con-
sultant. He will be able to attend more regularly
later in the year.
SPECIAL BUSINESS
Secretary Seager called the attention of the
Commission to a regular form which he recommended
that the Commission adopt in referring recommend-
ations to the City Council and read the form which
follows:
111';HEREAS, heretofore and in accordance with.
Ordinance #440 of the City of Newport Beach,
Orange County, California, there was filed.by
a petiticn for a permissible variance of
regulations and for a conditional permit as pro-
vided for by said ordinance, accompanied by the
fee as required and it appearing to the Newport
Beach City Planning Commission that all fees
have been paid and that all notices required to
bd given have been given as required by law, and
it further appearing that in addition to t be
notice required by law a notice of the hearing
was given to all persons owning property in the
block in which the variance is requested, and it
further appearing that said application was
accompanied by complete plots, plans and descri-
ption of the property involved and the proposed
use, with ground plans and elevations of all
proposed buildings, and evidence having been
submitted to the Planning Co *- mission satisfactor
• to it of the ability and intention of the appli-
cant to proceed with the construction work in
accordance with said plans within six months
from the date of consideration, and the Planning
Commission having posted said application and
all mans, plans and other accompanying matter
in its office for public inspection for a period
of more than one week and having given _notice of
a public hearing by one publication in the New-
port News, a legal newspaper circulating in the
particular section of the City affected by the
application and the said hearing having been set
for the day of ,193 at 7:30 P -M. in the
Council Mambers o the City Hall, Newport
Beach, California, and at said time the matter
was called for hearing and no one appeared to
contest or object to the same,(or said object-
ions or and protests were deemed and were dec-
lared by the Planning Commission to be in-
sufficient and denied) and at said time and at
said hearing the applicant having presented a
statement and adequate evidence as required.by
the Commission:
NOW, THEREFORE, the Commission finds the facts
to be as .follows, to -wit:
1. That there are special circumstances or
conditions applicable to the property
referred to in the application;
2. That the granting of the application is
necessary for the preservation and enjoy-
ment of substantial property rights,
3, That the granting of such application
will not materially affect the health or
safety of persons residing or working in
the neighborhood, and will not be mater-
ially detrimental to the public welfare,
nor injurious to property or improvements,
in the neighborhood.
4..That the Planning Commission finds that
detriment or injury to the neighborhood
will not result from the issuance of the
permit as applied for.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the application
of for variance be approved in accordance
with the provisions of Paragraph 3 of Section
XI of Ordinance 440, and that a per cent variant
and reduction in regulations affecting yard
requirements be,:and the same is hereby approved
for the applicant, for property situated in
the City of Newport Beach, County of Orange,
State of California, upon Lot ,Block ,Section.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this'.:recommend-
• ation, including this complete report of its
findings and recommendations be transmitted to
the City Council for approval and 6rdorsement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that to secure sub -
stantially the objectives of the regulation or
provision to which this variance is granted,
and to provide adequately for the maintenance of
• the integrity and character of the district in
which such conditional permit is granted, that
the granting of this permit and the variance
effected thereby shall apply only to the pre-
sent one family residence to be erected on said
lot.
BE IT FURTHE.a RESOLVED that when approved by
the City Council a copy of this resolution shall
be provided to the Building Inspector.
Respectfully submitted
By order of the Chairman
Secretary,
NEWMIT BEACH
CITY PLANNING 001,21ISSION
Secretary Seager moved that this form be adopted
.and used as the prescribed form in presenting ap-
plications for variance to the City Council.
• Seconded by Whitson.
Patterson asked if the intent was to have a legal
form, said it might vary, but approved of it.if
it met with the approval of the City Attorney.
The Chair ruled that it would be adopted subject
to the approval of the Attorney, also subject to
such variation as is necessary to suit the indiv-
idual case. Motion carried.
MINUTES
Chairman asked if the Commission wished the
minutes read as all had received conies of them.
7aitson moved that the reading of the minutes be
dispensed with and that they be approved subject
to the corrections indicated. Seconded by Patters
Motion carried.
CORRESPONDENCE
Secretary read replies he had made to letters ..
received from Lir. Heyler and lar. Harvey. lir.
Patterson suggested that the maps submitted to the
• Commission by I.1r. Harvey should be signed by the
members before sending them to the City Council.
Hop$ins advised him that the Commission's approv-
al was tentative and informal and the maps would
come back from the City Council for final action
and sipmatures.
Secretary read a letter from Kr. Hal ';�'ill Smith
which suggested changing the set back line along
the East✓Bay to 5ft. to eliminate all the var-
iances being asked for; also a letter from Mr.
Reed containing a newrsnaper clipping describing
unsightly condition of lots in Laguna Beach and
calling the attention of the Commission to similiar
conditions of.some of the lots adjoining.business
properties in idewport Beach.
PETITIONS
A letter from Ur. McFarland was read asking
that a 50o variance on the rear set back be added
to his application for front and side yard var-
iances as an amendment. Hopkins asked if the
property owners had been notified of this request.
Secretary said they had not, he had not thought
it necessary as this was an amendment to the other
application. Patterson said "it was another var-
iance and therefore should be handled in the usual
manner. Seeger thought it unfair to ask Yr. Mc
Farland to pay for this variance as he had al-
ready paid for the others. Upon examination of
the plot plan it was found that the rear yard
variance was shown thereon. Sampson read from
Ordinance 440 on.the charges set for variances
and gave the opinion that as the Commission fix-
es the charges for variances they could also wave
the charge. Patterson suggested that T.tcFarland
might get wavers from the surrounding property
owners on the rear yard variance and go ahead
with the construction of the other.buildiags at
his own risk. McFarland stated that he would rather
have the other variances put through and make
regular application for the rear yard variance at
the.next ;t;eeting. He withdrew the application
for amendment.
APPLICATION FOR VA$IANCM
Application of Kathryn Holman for 5D,! front
and 50;`o side yard variance on Lot 35, Tract 742,
was read.
Chairman inquired of the Secretary if this ap-
plication had been properly advertized, the draw-
ings posted, and notices of hearing posted.. They
had. LU ss Holman was not present. Chairman asked
• if there was anyone objecting to these variances.
no one objected. Plot and plans of the building
were examined by the members of the Commission.
Patterson thought the co.uaission should have more
information about the buildings on the surround-
ing property. Chairman thought it wrong to go
ahead without the Droner information. Whitson
stated that when the block was vacant the applic-
ation for front variance should be turned down
and then a proper set back could be established
• as the houses were built. 1,r. Smith, stated that
the lot is small and he doubted if anything could
be built on it if the variances were not granted.
tor. Sampson's advise to the commission was that
the set back lavrs are established for a purpose;
because the machinery to vary these laws is set
up does not give the commission sufficient reason
to use them. The front, side and rear set back is
to provide sufficient light and air and �.,,rhen you
have a block with only two houses built, it is an
opportunity to get a good set back and the commis-
sion should proceed with caution in granting var-
iances. Ten per cent of the lot depth should be
allowed for set back. It is up to the person
applying for a variance to come before the com-
mission and prove the 3 points mentioned in the
Ordinance. Also it should become a practice of the
commission that some member of the commission
view the property with those things in mind.
Patterson moved that the application of 'iss
Holman be laid on the table. Seconded by Mrs. -
. dilliams. 11:otion carried.
Secretary Seager stated that he appreciated
Sampson's advise but that in his opinion the
Planning Commission was created to serve the in-
terests of the property owners rather than to
serve the nords of an ordinance.
APPLICATION FOR VARINICE
Application of Kathryn Zahn, owner of Lot 24,
Tract 742, for a 50o front yard variance was read.
Chairman asked the Secretary if the application
had been properly advertized and the maps and
notices nosted. They had. Mrs. Zahn was not present
;;r.Smith Representing firs.Zahn stated that several
of the houses in the block had a 5 ft set back.
No one appeared to protest the variance. After
examination of the plot and plans by the Commission
Briggs moved that the Commission recommend to the
City Council using the prescribed form, that a
50o front yard variance be allowed. Seconded by
Whitson. Lotion carried. So ordered by the
• Chairman.
VARIANCE RECON31DIRM
Building Inspector Nelson.appeared and took his
place at this point in the proceedure, thus making
available needed information relative to the Yathry.
Holman application which had been tabled.
3chnitker moved that the petition of Kathryn
Holman be taken from the table. Seconded by
• 3eager. Iaotion carried.
On advise from Building Inspector Nelson that
there is another house in the block with a 5 ft.
set back and after examination of.the plans, the
general opinion was that the variance could be
granted.
dhitson moved tha.t.the request of Kathryn
Holman for variances be granted and recommended
to the City Council using the prescribed form.
;seconded by 3chnitker. Lotion carried. So ordered
by the Chairman.
APPLICATION FO' VARIANCE
Application of 1".rs. H.R.aobertson, owner of
Lot 21, Tract 742, for a front yard variance was
read and the.maps submitted for examination. The
plot showed that they were asking for a 1000
variance. Lir. Harvey, representing ldr.Y_irby the
builder for Mrs.Robertson, said that they had
drawn the plot that way In hope of getting a 10%
variance. He understood that the City was con-
sidering abandoning 10 ft. of their right -of -way
on the East Bay to the property owners, and if this
went into effect a 100" variance would be a reason-
able request. Patterson stated that in his opinion
the City would not abandon any of the property.
the notices sent out to the surrounding property
owners stated that a 506 variance was requested.
The notices given in the -,paper mere for a 50 °6
variance. The Chair ruled that the request was not
in order. 3eager asked if a 50'j variance would be
acceptable to the owner. Harvey said they wanted
as much as they could get. None of the members of
the Commission seemed to favor a 100o variance.
L.r.Harvey altered the plot plan to a 50�L variance.
He said that a 50o variance would line the house
up with other houses in the block,.
Briggs moved that a 50?o front yard variance be
granted to LSrs.Robertson and recommended to the
Council using the prescribed form. Seconded by
3chnitker. Lotion carried. So ordered by the
Chairman.
• UIIF INI13HI:D BUIDMTE33
Second Hearing on AILEITDING ORDINANCE 44.0 in
regard to Lido Isle.
Chairman Hopkins asked if there was any further
discussion on the matter.
A Lr.Anes spoke for Lr. 'ilson and stated tnat he
viould appreciate action on this matter as he wants
• to start his building right away.
Schnitker moved that recommendation be sent to
the City Council using t)Ce prescribed form that
Ordinance 440 be amended in accordance with the
application of The Lido Isle Commi2hity Association,
dated September , 1937. Seconded by Patterson.
Motion carried. So ordered by the Chairman.
Second Hearing on REZONING OF LOTS 1 and 2,
BLOCK 7, SLCTION 1, RE- SUBDIVISION OF BALBOA ISLAND.
BrIF7s asked why the change could not be back to
1-2 instead of to R -3, as 11 -3 makes spot zoning.
Hopkins stated that the application called for
13 -3 and that R -3 only could be considered now and
that even this was a case of going from the less
desirable 0-1 to a more desirable 11 -3. Schnitker w
in favor of changing to 11 -2. Whitson stated that
the owner of Lots 1 and 2, and communicated with
him and said that if they zoned them R -3 he would
not fight the change, but that if they zoned them
• R -2, he would.
Mrs. Villiams moved that the Commission proceed
to close the hearing and recommend to the City
Council using the prescribed form that Lots 1
and 2, Block 7, Section 1, Re- subdivision of
Balboa Island, be rezoned to R -3, in accordance
with the action of the Planning Commission of
August 25, 1937. Seconded by Seager.
Motion carried. So ordered by the Chairman.
00a:dITTEE REP03T3
Chairman Hopkins said that he had appointed
a opecial Planning Commission Committee to work
on the 3 mile. Zone problem, consisting of Dr.
Seager, Chairman, Schnitker, and Findlay.
Chairman asked if there was any report from
the Architectural Committee. There was none.
NEW BUSINESS
Mrs. Williams asked if any building restrict-
ions had been placed upon the new tract being
opened on Bay Shores. She thought much could be
done in a new tract toward making it attractive
if the ordinance was strictly adhered to.
Patterson stated that the tract had already been
laid out and that ;Fr. Tilton had been the consult-
ant and that a former Planning Commissioner had
approved the development.
• Secretary deager moved that all of the variances
granted by this present Planning Commission and
submitted to the City Council in the short form
be re- submitted to the Council using the prescrib-
ed form which was adopted tonight. Seconded by
Schnitker. Motion carried. Seager said that
this was to correct any mistake this Commission
may have made.
Whitson brought up the subject of the...trees
missing on Highway 101 and suggested that the
Secretary contact the Highway Commission and.see
what could be done toward replacing them. Seager
stated that they had already been contacted and
that he had been assured that they would be
replaced.
The matter of Kr. Heed's letter was introduced
and the opinion of the Commission was that it was
a police matter. Schnitker moved that the Sec-
retary turn the matter over to the proper author-
ities. 'Seconded by Briggs. Potion carried.
The matter referred to in LIr.Smith's letter
concerning a uniform set back of 5 ft. all around
the East Bay was brought up for consideration.
The Chairman suggested that a committee of 2 be
appointed to go into the matter and also go before
the Council and get their opinion as to what they
wish to do. Patterson so moved. Seconded by
Seager. Lotion carried.
The Secretary moved that the Chairman appoint
a committee, the number to be left to the dis-
cretion of the Chairman, to be known as "The
Variance Committee ", to go over the ground on which
variances are requested and to whom the secretary
may refer the applications for investigation.
This committee to work with the Building Inspector.
L"s. Sampson said that he was very much in favor
of such a committee and that their report to the
Commission on the conditions involved in the
• requests for variance would be very valuable in
making their decisions.
Motion seconded by Patterson. Motion carried.
GOOD OF THE CITY
Chairman Hopkins thought it would be a good idea
to have the Special Planning Committee work with
the Chamber of Commerce Committee whose chairman
is Paul Palmer and whose duties are to consolid-
ate and crystalize the ideas of the whole commun-
ity in the matter of Public Improvements. It
was pointed out that the purposes back of this
movement are most worthy in that the public must
be in the frame of mind and ready to endorse a
particular movement looking toward public improv-
ment before it can be possible for much improve-
ment to be executed. Therefore, realizing that
the execution of planning can go only as fast
as the public is willing to go, the Commission
must cooperate and see the opportunity present-
ed to it b% this movement.
The Chairman complemented Idr. Palmer and his
committee upon the work they are doing.
AD JOURIMLIIM T
On motion of Schnitker, the meeting adjourned.
Re ectfully submitted
Hoe.glzn ;r. sEAC ;
Secretar .
NEWPORT BEACH
CITY PLANNING:COMMISSION
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