The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About03/06/2014 - Planning CommissionNEWPORT BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Council Chambers —100 Civic Center Drive Thursday, March 6, 2014 REGULAR MEETING 6:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Raymond Lawler, Jr. III. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Brown, Hillgren, Kramer, Lawler, Myers, and Tucker ABSENT: Ameri 3/6/14 Staff Present: Brenda Wisneski, Deputy Community Development Director; Leonie Mulvihill, Assistant City Attorney; Tony Brine, City Traffic Engineer; Patrick Alford, Planning Manager; Melinda Whelan, Assistant Planner; and Marlene Burns, Administrative Assistant IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS Chair Hillgren invited those interested in addressing the Planning Commission on items not on the agenda, to do so at this time. Seeing no one wishing to speak, Chair Hillgren closed public comments on non - agenda items. V. REQUEST FOR CONTINUANCES - None VI. CONSENT ITEMS ITEM NO. 1 MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 6, 2014 Chair Hillgren reported receiving comments from Mr. Jim Mosher with corrections to the minutes of February 6, 2014. Chair Hillgren opened public comments. Seeing no one wishing to speak, Chair Hillgren closed public comments for this item. Motion made by Commissioner Brown and seconded by Chair Hillgren and carried (3 — 0) to approve the minutes of February 6, 2014, as corrected with Commissioners Lawler, Myers and Tucker, abstaining and Commissioner Ameri, absent. AYES: Brown, Hillgren, and Kramer NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: Lawler, Myers, and Tucker ABSENT: Ameri VII. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS ITEM NO.2 191 RIVERSIDE LAND USE AND ZONING AMENDMENTS (PA2013 -210) Site Location: 191 Riverside Avenue Planning Manager Patrick Alford provided details of the staff report addressing a description of the project, location, existing conditions and surrounding land uses. He pointed out that Cliff Drive Park is adjacent to the site and noted that no significant environmental impacts were found. He addressed public review of the Negative Declaration, letters received and corresponding responses. He added that no significant issues were Page 1 of 4 NEWPORT BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3/6/14 seen related to those comments. He addressed General Plan policies and consistency of the project with same and noted that no development is being proposed at this time but noted potential development maximums were used in the environmental analysis. He added that if a mixed -use project is proposed in the future, it would have to undergo a site development review. Mr. Alford presented findings as stated in the staff report and provided recommendations and subsequent steps. Discussion followed regarding the General Plan designation and previous related efforts and the Negative Declaration. Deputy Community Development Director Brenda Wisneski reported that the designation is consistent with other Post Offices in the City and the use was a Post Office. Vice Chair Tucker noted that it is a commercial space and the applicant should not have had to spend money to make it into a commercial space for lease. Chair Hillgren guessed that when the site was looked at for General Plan purposes, consideration was not given to ownership, but rather use and anticipating that it was a government facility. In terms of the ultimate development, Chair Hillgren asked whether it will have issues of compliance, in the future. Mr. Alford stated that it is difficult to determine at this point in time and that the analysis was done assuming a worst -case scenario. He added that the Mariners Mile mixed -use designation allows for vertical and horizontal and that the project could be done independently or integrated as part of a larger development with the adjoining Mariners Center. In response to Chair Hillgren's inquiry regarding options for the owner if the Post Office were to relocate or close and the project were not approved, Mr. Alford stated that it would have to build under one of the permitted land uses in the PF Zoning District, which is limited. Chair Hillgren opened the Public Hearing. Michael McAllister, Applicant, reported there are no plans for revisions to the current structure and that the application is only for rezoning of the building. Chair Hillgren closed the Public Hearing Motion made by Vice Chair Tucker and seconded by Commissioner Lawler and carried (6 — 0) to adopt a resolution recommending to City Council adoption of Negative Declaration ND2013 -003 (SCH No. 2014011028) pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act and City Council approval of Code Amendment No. CA2013 -007, General Plan Amendment No. GP2013 -002 and Local Coastal Plan Amendment LC2013 -003. AYES: Brown, Hillgren, Kramer, Lawler, Myers, and Tucker NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Ameri VIII. CURRENT BUSINESS ITEM NO. 3 GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL STATUS REPORT INCLUDING HOUSING ELEMENT (PA2007 -195) Site Location: City -wide Assistant Planner Melinda Whelan presented details of the report noting it includes a status report on the progress of implementation of the General Plan and a report specifically for the Housing Element. She highlighted various projects including Uptown Newport and addressed the Housing Element update. She Page 2 of 4 IX. NEWPORT BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3/6/14 reported that the City received a letter from the Department of Housing and Community Development in September, 2013, that the City was in full compliance with State law and Council adopted the updated Housing Element. This year the report is on the previous Housing Element program and next year staff will report on the updated Housing Element. Vice Chair Tucker commented on the General Plan process development agreement and asked if there will be a development agreement clause in the updated General Plan. Deputy Community Development Director Brenda Wisneski noted that the implementation plan will be heard by the Committee at its next meeting on April 1, 2014. She anticipates there will be implementation measures to address the existing policy. She noted that the General Plan will be updated, as appropriate. Vice Chair Tucker suggested that the development agreement clauses be brought to the attention of the Committee Chair. Chair Hillgren opened public comments. Chair Hillgren closed public comments. Motion made by Chair Hillgren and seconded by Commissioner Brown and carried (6 — 0) to forward the report to City Council for review and authorize submittal to the Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). AYES: Brown, Hillgren, Kramer, Lawler, Myers, and Tucker NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Ameri STAFF AND COMMISSIONER ITEMS ITEM NO.4 MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION - None ITEM NO. 5 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR'S REPORT Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski reported that the Land Use Element Amendment Advisory Committee and the General Plan /Local Coastal Program Implementation Committee did not meet last month. She added that the Land Use Element Amendment Advisory Committee will meet April 1, 2014 and listed matters on the agenda for their consideration. She added that draft EIR will be released for public review, next week. Ms. Wisneski confirmed that the meeting will be at 2:30 p.m. and that the Planning Commission will consider the matter in May. Commissioner Myers commented on an appeal related to a medical use on Newport Boulevard and was told that this will be presented to the Planning Commission on April 3, 2014. She listed upcoming items for the Planning Commission's consideration. Committee Updates: 1. Land Use Element Amendment Advisory Committee 2. General Plan /Local Coastal Program Implementation Committee Page 3 of 4 NEWPORT BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3/6/14 ITEM NO. 6 ANNOUNCEMENTS ON MATTERS THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION, OR REPORT Vice Chair Tucker requested a brief report on matters that have been heard by the Planning Commission and gone on to City Council as well as appeals filed. Ms. Wisneski addressed the most recent appeal heard by Council and reported their determination. Additionally, she addressed Back Bay Landing, the Yacht Club and the Jewish Center. An upcoming item for the Planning Commission's consideration will be A -frame signs. ITEM NO. 7 REQUESTS FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES Vice Chair Tucker requested an excused absence for the Planning Commission meeting of April 17, 2014. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 6:54 p.m. The agenda for the Regular Meeting was posted on February 27, 2014, at 1:16 p.m., in the binder and on the City Hall Electronic Bulletin Board located in the entrance of the Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive. Page 4 of 4