HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/19/2014 - Planning Commission NEWPORT BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 6/19/14
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Council Chambers—100 Civic Center Drive
Thursday, June 19, 2014
REGULAR MEETING
6:30 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER-The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—Planning Technician Jason Van Patten
III. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Ameri, Brown, Hillgren, Kramer, Lawler, Myers, and Tucker
ABSENT: None
Staff Present: Brenda Wisneski, Deputy Director, Community Development; Leonie Mulvihill, Assistant City
Attorney; Tony Brine, City Traffic Engineer; Jason Van Patten, Planning Technician; Fern Nueno, Associate
Planner; Brittany Ramirez, Administrative Support Technician; and Marlene Burns, Administrative Support
Specialist
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 address the Planning Commission, Chair Hillgren closed public comments.
V. REQUEST FOR CONTINUANCES- None
A. CONSENT ITEMS
ITEM NO. 1 MINUTES
A. STUDY SESSION MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 5,2014
Vice Chair Tucker noted corrections submitted by Mr. Jim Mosher.
Chair Hillgren opened public comments.
Seeing none, Chair Hillgren closed public comments.
Motion made by Vice Chair Tucker and seconded by Commissioner Myers and carried (4 — 3) to approve the
study session meeting minutes of June 5, 2014, as corrected.
AYES: Ameri, Kramer, Myers, and Tucker
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: Brown, Hillgren, and Lawler
ABSENT: None
B. REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 5,2014
Vice Chair Tucker noted corrections submitted by Vice Chair Tucker, Commissioner Myers, Chair Hillgren, and
Mr. Jim Mosher.
Chair Hillgren opened public comments.
Seeing none, Chair Hillgren closed public comments.
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NEWPORT BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 6/19/14
Motion made by Vice Chair Tucker and seconded by Commissioner Ameri and carried (4 — 3) to approve the
regular meeting minutes of June 5, 2014, as corrected.
AYES: Ameri, Hillgren, Kramer, and Tucker
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: Brown, Lawler, and Myers
ABSENT: None
VII. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
ITEM NO.2 108 11TH SETBACK DETERMINATION (PA2014-070)
Site Location: 108 11 th Street
Planning Technician Jason Van Patten provided a PowerPoint presentation addressing the location of the
subject property, existing conditions, Code-required setbacks, proposed setbacks, compatibility with typical lots
on the block,findings, FAR and a proposal to reorient third-floor setbacks as well as recommendations.
Discussion followed regarding the setbacks along 11th Street of the property next to the subject site and a three-
story structure along West Balboa.
Chair Hillgren opened the Public Hearing.
Jim Mosher questioned whether the setbacks are typical of other lots in the area.
Seeing no other speakers; Chair Hillgren closed the Public Hearing.
In response to Chair Hillgren's inquiry, Mr. Van Patten addressed the street front noting that it is established by
the setback map. Relative to split lots, setbacks are typically three(3)feet.
Motion made by Commissioner Brown and seconded by Secretary Kramer and carried (7 — 0) to adopt a
resolution approving Staff Approval No. SA2014-011.
AYES: Ameri, Brown, Hillgren, Kramer, Lawler, Myers,and Tucker
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: None
ITEM NO. 3 WESTCLIFF DRIVE MEDICAL OFFICES (PA2013-154)
Site Location: 2011, 2043, 2121, and 2131 Westcliff Drive
Associate Planner Fern Nueno provided a PowerPoint presentation addressing locations, existing conditions,
parcel size, surrounding uses, details of the proposal, structure and surface parking, review of the project by the
City Traffic Engineer, required applications, traffic study and results, lot merger request, building heights, existing
site plan, proposed site plan, proposed buildings, landscape plan, renderings and photos of the project site and
architectural design, materials and colors. She corrected an error in the resolution under Fact No. 3, Finding B
noting that it should list the height of Building 2 at 33 feet, 6 inches and presented recommendations.
In response to an inquiry from Commissioner Myers regarding a reference to three (3) lots, Ms. Nueno
reported that it is an error and there was an issue regarding a public easement adjacent to the lot, and
clarified that the lot merger is for two lots.
Discussion followed regarding a drive aisle through the parking structure at the lower level, the width of the
drive aisle and requirements and results of the traffic study.
Chair Hillgren opened the Public Hearing.
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NEWPORT BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 6/19/14
Richard Dick, representing the applicant, addressed the Commission and commented on a prior project. He
addressed improvements in the site and neighborhood circulation, benefits related to the project, proposed
uses, enhancing and providing services to the medical community, and thanked Ms. Nueno for her help.
In response to Chair Hillgren's inquiry, Mr. Dick confirmed acceptance of all conditions of approval. He
addressed the location of handicap parking and Chair Hillgren suggested grouping them on the ground level
of the structure.
Ms. Nueno reported speaking with the applicant and stated that can easily be done prior to plan check.
Jim Mosher commented on the traffic study and traffic impacts noting that the public should know what was
studied and that the written materials had inconsistent tables as to what future projects were being
considered in calculating impacts. He commented on the anticipated use as a mix of medical, retail, and
food services and wondered if the food services will continue where they are located presently. He
wondered if existing or future tenants would need a new use permit for the food services that currently exist
and asked about the fiscal impacts of the project.
Seeing no other speakers; Chair Hillgren closed the Public Hearing.
Vice Chair Tucker commented that the proposal to build a parking structure highlighted the high value of
property in the City and commented positively on the proposed project. However, he expressed concerns
regarding the look of the existing building with a lesser quality stucco installation and noted he would like to
see the use of smooth stucco for the new buildings. He also suggested the use of a mature hedge instead of
a green screen in front of the parking structure along the Sherrington frontage as had been done to screen
the parking structure at the Civic Center.
Jim Dietze, Architects Orange, noted that a better quality smooth stucco finish could be used on the buildings
and commented on the installation of green screen panels or hedges. He noted the need to ensure proper
ventilation but agreed with installing hedges rather than green screens.
Commissioner Lawler stated his support of the project noting that it enhances the area and provides much-
needed services to the community.
Motion made by Commissioner Lawler and seconded by Vice Chair Tucker and carried (7 — 0) to adopt a
resolution approving Site Development Review No. SD2013-003, Traffic Study No. TS2014-001, and Lot
Merger No. LM2013-005, and incorporating corrections as suggested by staff, using smooth stucco on the
proposed buildings and adding a mature hedge for screening of the parking structure.
AYES: Ameri, Brown, Hillgren, Kramer, Lawler, Myers, and Tucker
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: None
VIII. STAFF AND COMMISSIONER ITEMS
ITEM NO.4 MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION -None
ITEM NO. 5 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Deputy Community Development Director Brenda Wisneski addressed the results of the Echo Beach project that
was appealed to City Council and that the Nesai Restaurant project, also appealed, will be before Council next
week.
Assistant City Attorney Leonie Mulvihill referenced the Ocean Boulevard Lot Merger and reported that the City
was successful in defending the CEQA challenge and that the Court of Appeals recently agreed that the City had
properly conducted all of the CEQA analysis. She added that neighbors and owners continue to disagree but all
of the City's approvals were upheld.
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NEWPORT BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 6/19/14
Commissioner Kramer requested that an email be sent with proper attachments on similar future decisions.
1. Update on the General Plan/Local Coastal Program Implementation Committee
Ms. Wisneski reported that the General Plan/Local Coastal Program Implementation Committee met last month
where the Harbor Resources Chapter was discussed and modified. She addressed upcoming meetings and
items to be discussed.
Ms.Wisneski added that the Planning Commission meeting of July 3, 2014, has been canceled and listed items
on the July 17, 2014, agenda.
2. Update on City Council Items
ITEM NO. 6 ANNOUNCEMENTS ON MATTERS THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS
WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION, OR
REPORT
Commissioner Ameri addressed parking and parking studies and commented on the typical process in other
cities. He asked regarding a way for the Planning Commission to develop projections for the future and
identifying certain sites within certain areas that could be designated as potential future parking structure
sites.
ITEM NO. 7 REQUESTS FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES
Chair Hillgren and Commissioner Ameri requested excused absences for the Planning Commission meeting
of July 17, 2014.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, the meeting was adjourned at
7:15 p.m.
The agenda for the Regular Meeting was posted on June 13, 2014, at 3:45 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.
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