HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/28/2016 - Zoning Administrator NEWPORT BEACH ZONING ADMINISTRATOR MINUTES 01/28/2016
NEWPORT BEACH ZONING ADMINISTRATOR MINUTES
100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach
Corona del Mar Conference Room (Bay E-1st Floor)
Thursday, January 28, 2016
REGULAR HEARING
3:30 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER—The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m.
Staff Present: Patrick J.Alford, Zoning Administrator
Gregg Ramirez, Senior Planner
Melinda Whelan, Assistant Planner
B. MINUTES of January 14, 2016
Action: Approved
C. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
ITEM NO. 1 600 Newport Center Drive Sign Modification Permit No. MD2015-011
(PA2015-217)
Site Location: 600 Newport Center Drive Council District 5
Melinda Whelan, Assistant Planner, provided a brief project description stating that the request is for a
modification permit to allow an additional secondary tenant wall sign and to request an increase in the letter
and logo height for both secondary tenant wall signs. The proposed signs would have a letter height of 24
inches and a logo height of 30 inches where the PC regulations limit the maximum height to 16 inches. The
location of the tenant is unique because it is the bottom floor of a parking garage structure and is within a
large scale area across the street from Fashion Island. There are larger signs in Fashion Island and taller
buildings in the surrounding Newport Center office area, which also have larger signs. Also, the main
entrance where the additional sign is proposed is within an interior courtyard, which is not visible from the
street. Additionally, there are mature trees on the west and south side where the signs are proposed, which
would call for the additional size. Staff found no negative impact to the surrounding area as the proposed
signs are within the scale and size comparable to the surrounding neighborhood. Based on these facts, staff
was able to make all of the required findings and recommends approval to the Zoning Administrator. The
applicant has reviewed all of the draft conditions of approval and is available for questions.
Zoning Administrator Alford inquired as to the allowed height for primary tenant signs, to which Ms. Whelan
answered 24 inches.
Shawna Schaffner of CAA Planning, representing Irvine Company, introduced Churchill Bunn from Irvine
Company, as well as Paul Shaver of CAA Planning. Ms. Schaffner explained the Planned Community
regulations provide flexibility in different letter heights for restaurants at 40 inches and they think these are
appropriate given the unique location of the tenant.
Zoning Administrator Alford replied he sees a need for a sign in the courtyard, but inquired as to the
applicant's justification for the increased letter height.
Ms. Schaffner replied it is necessary for visibility and consistency with the other signage.
Zoning Administrator Alford then asked if the applicant thought the proposed signage was proportional to the
building elevation, which Ms. Schaffner stated that it is due to the unique location on the ground floor of the
parking structure.
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NEWPORT BEACH ZONING ADMINISTRATOR MINUTES 01/28/2016
Zoning Administrator stated that he would like confirmation for the record that Irvine Company would not be
removing the mature trees. Mr. Bunn replied that they will be trimmed and maintained, but not removed.
The Zoning Administrator opened the public hearing. Seeing that no one from the public wished to comment
the public hearing was closed.
Action: Approved
ITEM NO.2 Juice Served Here Minor Use Permit No. UP2015-045 (PA2015-203)
Site Location: 3418 Via Lido Council District 1
Senior Planner Gregg Ramirez provided a brief description stating this application is for a food service, eating
and drinking establishment within Lido Marina Village that will contain 14 seats on the interior and 8 seats on
an outdoor patio. He explained that parking was provided in the Lido Marina Village parking structure and that
the proposed restaurant was covered under a parking management plan approved by the Planning
Commission.
The Zoning Administrator asked the applicant's representative, Dorothy Augustyniak, if they believe that
adequate parking was available. Ms. Augustyniak responded that that she believed there was and briefly
explained how the parking structure functioned. She also confirmed that she reviewed the findings and
conditions of approval and understood them.
The Zoning Administrator opened the public hearing. Seeing that no one from the public wished to comment
the public hearing was closed.
Action: Approved
D. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
None
E. ADJOURNMENT
The hearing was adjourned at 3:39 p.m.
The agenda for the Zoning Administrator Hearing was posted on January 22, 2016, at 4:15 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 January 22, 2016, at 4:20 p.m.
atrick J. Alford
Zoning Administrator
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