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HomeMy WebLinkAbout00 - Draft Minutes NEWPORT BEACH ZONING ADMINISTRATOR MINUTES 09/10/2015 NEWPORT BEACH ZONING ADMINISTRATOR MINUTES 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach Corona del Mar Conference Room (Bay E-1st Floor) Thursday, September 10, 2015 REGULAR HEARING 3:30 p.m. A. CALL TO ORDER—The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m. Staff Present: Brenda Wisneski, Zoning Administrator Ben Zdeba,Assistant Planner B. MINUTES of August 27, 2015 Action: Approved C. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS ITEM NO. 1 Phoenix Multisport Studio Minor Use Permit No. UP2015-023 (PA2015-091) Site Location: 901 West 16th Street Council District 2 Ben Zdeba, Assistant Planner, provided a brief project description stating that the proposed use is a health and fitness facility that is in excess of 2,000 square feet in area within a multi-tenant light industrial center in the Industrial (IG)Zoning District. He provided information regarding the proposed hours of operation and class schedule and further indicated conditions of approval were added to the resolution for approval to limit said operational characteristics and help ensure compatibility. He also detailed the parking requirements for other uses within the light industrial center and noted that sufficient parking exists to support the proposed use. Scott Strode of Phoenix Multisport Studio stated that he had reviewed the draft resolution and the required conditions. The Zoning Administrator opened the public hearing. One member of the public, Jim Mosher, spoke and expressed concern with regard to the proposed use being consistent with the purpose and intent of the Industrial (IG) Zoning District. He also mentioned a similar use which was recently approved with smaller floor area and maintained a larger amount of participants in each class. There were no other public comments.Zoning Administrator Wisneski closed the public hearing. Mr. Zdeba addressed Mr. Mosher's comments by noting that the proposed use would not compromise the purpose and intent of the IG Zoning District inasmuch as nearly 82 percent of the floor area within the light industrial center would remain industrial in nature. He added that the limitation on class participants in this case was based on the applicant's proposal and to help ensure compatibility with uses in the immediate area. Zoning Administrator Wisneski expressed agreement that the conditions of approval are appropriate for the proposed use and approved the project as proposed. Action: Approved ITEM NO.2 Verizon Wireless Right-of-Way Telecom Minor Use Permit No. UP2015-024(PA2014-094) Site Location: 1 (CS) Narbonne (Northeast Corner of Spyglass Hill Road and EI Capitan Drive) Council District 7 Ben Zdeba, Assistant Planner, provided a brief project description stating that the proposed wireless telecommunications facility is a Class 3 Installation which will be located within the public right-of-way by replacing an existing light standard with a new light standard containing three antennas on top in a radome structure to provide screening. He noted the lower prioritization of Class 3 Installations pursuant to the Zoning Code and the limited opportunities provided to create a Page 1 of 3 NEWPORT BEACH ZONING ADMINISTRATOR MINUTES 09/10/2015 higher priority installation within the area given that the majority of structures are residential. He further added that the design, as conditioned, would blend and be compatible with the existing infrastructure. Also, the City's Public Works and Municipal Operations Departments would be reviewing the project, should it be approved, to ensure there are limited impacts to the landscaping and right-of-way area. Lastly it was noted that the applicant would be entering into a license agreement with the City to utilize the public right-of-way for the purpose of establishing an unmanned wireless telecommunications facility, if approved. Applicant Ryan Birdseye of Tectonic Engineering, on behalf of the Verizon Wireless, stated that he had reviewed the draft resolution and the required conditions. Zoning Administrator Wisneski requested additional information from the applicant regarding the ground equipment and suggested the opportunity to relocate some of the equipment within the adjacent planter area for improved screening. Mr. Birdseye indicated Verizon Wireless would work with the City to ensure the equipment is located appropriately. The Zoning Administrator opened the public hearing. K. Eddie Mehrfar, a resident of the area, expressed concern regarding the proximity of the wireless telecommunications facility to Spyglass Hill Park as it relates to potential health hazards of radio frequency emissions. He added that he was not concerned with the aesthetic or design of the facility. Dr. Reza Lotfi, a resident of the area, expressed agreement with Mr. Mehrfar and noted the potential health concerns relative to radio frequency emissions, especially given the close proximity to Spyglass Hill Park and the residences. He also noted he had not seen the proposed design and expressed concern regarding the aesthetics given to the anticipated height of the proposed project. Lastly, he expressed concern regarding the need for additional carriers to locate within the area. Jim Mosher, resident, questioned the use of "stealth" in reference to the proposed facility and asserted the proposed radome atop of the proposed may not screen the antennas effectively. He also expressed concern regarding the equipment related to the necessity of the supporting power box/pedestal meter as well as the potential for emitting noise. He further questioned the effectiveness of the proposed location and agreed with the previous speaker's concern regarding the future need for additional carriers. Lastly, he noted a previous project stated the need for eight-foot tall antenna panels whereas the proposed project entails 4-foot tall antennas and expressed concern regarding encouraging the use of the most diminutive technology. After reviewing a copy of the staff report, Dr. Lotfi commented regarding the height of the project. Mr. Mehrfar commented regarding the sufficiency of the existing coverage provided by Verizon Wireless in the area. He further expressed concern regarding the location of the facility and added that it could be placed on an existing roof elsewhere. The Zoning Administrator closed the public hearing. Zoning Administrator Wisneski invited the applicant to address some of the comments made by the public. Mr. Birdseye noted that Verizon Wireless provided electromagnetic field and radio frequency reports to demonstrate compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC)guidelines. In response to a question by Zoning Administrator Wisneski, Mr. Zdeba stated the existing height of the light standard was not confirmed; however, he noted that conditions of approval have been included to ensure the replacement light standard is in kind with the existing light standard (Condition of Approval Nos. 37 and 38). Mr. Birdseye added that these light standards are typically 29 feet tall and he expressed agreement with the conditions of approval that were included. Zoning Administrator Wisneski noted that the proposed radome would add approximately five feet to the height of the existing light standard. In response to a question by Zoning Administrator Wisneski, the applicant noted Verizon Wireless had worked with Southern California Edison and the City's Public Works Department regarding the need for an electrical box above Page 2 of 3 NEWPORT BEACH ZONING ADMINISTRATOR MINUTES 09/10/2015 ground. It was noted there is a condition of approval included to require a letter from Southern California Edison documenting its position on locating the required meter elsewhere. Zoning Administrator Wisneski noted the coverage maps supplied with the staff report identifying the increased coverage that would be provided by the proposed project. In response to a comment by Mr. Mehrfar, she further noted that the City relies upon information provided by the carriers and their design professionals when reviewing applications such as this. Mr. Mehrfar questioned whether or not the public could submit information regarding health concerns related to this project. Zoning Administrator Wisneski stated the information could be submitted as part of the appeal process should the project be approved. Regarding the potential for noise impacts, Mr. Zdeba noted that a condition of approval had been included to ensure appropriate sound attenuation studies are provided during building permit plan check (Condition of Approval No. 42). In reference to the electrical box discussed by the applicant, he stated that Condition of Approval No. 39 was included to ensure appropriate documentation is provided to substantiate the need for a new box as requested by the City's Public Works Department. Zoning Administrator Wisneski expressed agreement with the conditions of approval and approved the project. After action, Dr. Lotfi requested to speak on the public record. He requested a letter from the City indicating there will be no health impacts with respect to the approved project. Zoning Administrator Wisneski stated that staff would provide the approved resolution along with the conditions of approval placed on the project. Action: Approved D. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS None. E. ADJOURNMENT The hearing was adjourned at 4:05 p.m. The agenda for the Zoning Administrator Hearing was posted on September 4, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. in the Chambers binder and on the digital display board located inside the vestibule of the Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive and on the City's website on September 4, 2015, at 2:40 p.m. Brenda Wisneski,AICP, Zoning Administrator Page 3 of 3