HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-01-05; Planning Commission; MinutesPlanning Commission Minutes January 5, 2011 Page 1
Minutes of: PLANNING COMMISSION
Time of Meeting: 6:00 p.m.
Date of Meeting: January 5, 2011
Place of Meeting: COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson L'Heureux called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairperson L'Heureux led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chairperson L'Heureux, Commissioners Baker, Dominguez, Montgomery, and
Schumacher
Absent: Commissioner Nygaard
STAFF PRESENT:
Don Neu, Planning Director
Jane Mobaldi, Assistant City Attorney
Bridget Desmarais, Administrative Secretary
Sabrina Michelson, Senior Office Specialist
Shelley Glennon, Assistant Planner
Greg Fisher, Assistant Planner
Glen Van Peski, Senior Civil Engineer
Austin Silva, Assistant Planner
Debbie Fountain, Housing and Neighborhood Services Director
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairperson L'Heureux asked if there were any corrections or revisions to the minutes of the meeting
from December 1, 2010.
MOTION
ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Schumacher, and duly seconded, that the Planning
Commission approve the minutes from the Regular Meeting of December 1, 2010.
VOTE: 5-0-1
AYES: Chairperson L'Heureux, Commissioner Baker, Commissioner Dominguez,
Commissioner Montgomery, and Commissioner Schumacher
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Nygaard
ABSTAIN: None
Chairperson L'Heureux directed everyone's attention to the slide on the screen to review the procedures
the Commission would be following during the evening's Public Hearing.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA
None.
Planning Commission Minutes January 5, 2011 Page 2
PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING
Chairperson L'Heureux asked Mr. Neu to introduce the first item.
1. RP 10-34 - CAFE TOPES - Request for approval of a shared parking/lease agreement
between the business owners of Cafe Topes (3091 Roosevelt Street) and the property
owners of 3067 Roosevelt Street (New York Pizzeria).
Mr. Neu introduced Agenda Item 1 and stated Assistant Planner Austin Silva would make the Staff
presentation.
Chairperson L'Heureux asked if the applicant wished to continue with only 5 Commissioners present.
The applicant stated yes.
Chairperson L'Heureux opened the public hearing on Agenda Item 1.
Mr. Silva gave a brief presentation and stated he would be available to answer any questions.
Chairperson L'Heureux asked if there were any questions of Staff.
Commissioner Montgomery asked how the shared parking agreement will work. Mr. Silva stated there
will be operating hour restrictions for both restaurants, with Cafe Topes being open for breakfast and
lunch until 2:00 p.m., and New York Pizzeria will be open for dinner starting at 2:00 p.m.
Chairperson L'Heureux asked if the applicant wished to make a presentation. Seeing none, Chairperson
asked if there were any members of the audience who wished to speak on the item. Seeing none, he
opened and closed public testimony.
Commissioner Baker applauded both restaurant owners for coming to an agreement that served not only
both restaurants but the community as well.
MOTION
ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Schumacher, and duly seconded, that the Planning
Commission adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 6752 approving a shared
parking agreement to satisfy the parking requirements to allow for the conversion of
retail space to restaurant within the Village area.
VOTE: 5-0-1
AYES: Chairperson L'Heureux, Commissioner Baker, Commissioner Dominguez,
Commissioner Montgomery, and Commissioner Schumacher
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Nygaard
ABSTAIN: None
Chairperson L'Heureux closed the public hearing on Agenda Item 1 and asked Mr. Neu to introduce the
next item.
2. CUP 10-09 - CHRISTIAN CITY CHURCH - Request for a Conditional Use Permit to
allow Christian City Church to operate and hold worship services in an existing 11,080
square foot vacant office/industrial building (building "I") on property located at 2716
Gateway Road within the Bressi Ranch Master Plan, Planned Industrial (P-M) Zone, in
Local Facilities Management Zone 17.
Mr. Neu introduced Agenda Item 2 and stated Assistant Planner Shelley Glennon would make the Staff
presentation.
Chairperson L'Heureux opened the public hearing on Agenda Item 2.
Planning Commission Minutes January 5, 2011 Page 3
Chairperson L'Heureux asked if the applicant wished to continue with only 5 Commissioners present.
The applicant stated yes.
Ms. Glennon gave a brief presentation and stated she would be available to answer any questions.
Chairperson L'Heureux asked if there were any questions of Staff.
Commissioner Baker inquired about signs for the project. Ms. Glennon stated that any signs for the
project would be subject to the sign ordinance and would be approved administratively through a sign
permit application. Commissioner Baker asked if the signs would be visible from Gateway Road. Ms.
Glennon stated each building is allowed wall signs.
Commissioner Dominguez asked if there will be any monument signs. Ms. Glennon stated the site is
subject to the City's sign ordinance for monument signs. Commissioner Dominguez asked if the Planning
Commission would approve any request which is above what is allowed by the sign ordinance. Mr. Neu
stated that if the request is something that is above and beyond what is allowed by the sign ordinance,
there is the ability for an administrative approval for a small increase. Anything beyond that amount
would come before the Planning Commission for approval.
Commissioner Dominguez asked if any additional parking agreements have been negotiated as of yet for
this site. Ms. Glennon stated a Joint Parking Agreement will be finalized and signed after this approval.
Commissioner Schumacher asked if the original plan will be changed to reflect the removal of the four
parking stalls. Ms. Glennon stated yes and the applicant will need to apply for and receive approval of a
Consistency Determination for the Planned Industrial Permit to be revised to remove the four parking
stalls. Once approved, that will replace the original approval.
Chairperson L'Heureux asked if there were any other questions of Staff. Seeing none, he asked if the
applicant wished to make a presentation.
Mike Howes, Howes Weiler Associates, 5827 Balfour Court Suite 202, Carlsbad, gave a brief
presentation and stated he would be available to answer any questions.
Jurgen Matthesius, 7617 Mona Lane, San Diego, pastor for Christian City Church, gave a brief
presentation and stated he would be available to answer any questions.
Chairperson L'Heureux asked Mr. Howes about the existing swale at the front of the building. Mr. Howes
stated there will be a guardrail placed around the swale.
Chairperson L'Heureux asked if there were any further questions of the applicant. Seeing none, he asked
if there were any members of the audience who wished to speak on the item. Seeing none, Chairperson
L'Heureux opened and closed public testimony.
MOTION
ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Schumacher, and duly seconded, that the Planning
Commission adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 6747 approving
Conditional Use Permit No. CUP 10-09 for a period of 10 years based on the
findings and subject to the conditions contained therein.
VOTE: 5-0-1
AYES: Chairperson L'Heureux, Commissioner Baker, Commissioner Dominguez,
Commissioner Montgomery, and Commissioner Schumacher
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Nygaard
ABSTAIN: None
Chairperson L'Heureux closed the public hearing on Agenda Item 2 and asked Mr. Neu to introduce the
next item.
Planning Commission Minutes January 5, 2011 Page 4
3. CT 10-01/GDP 10-11/PUD 10-03 - SEABREEZE VILLAS - Request for approval of a
Tentative Tract Map, Coastal Development Permit, and Planned Development Permit to
demolish a single family dwelling and accessory structures and develop a twelve unit
multi-family residential air-space condominium project on a .70-acre infill site generally
located on the south side of Tamarack Avenue between Garfield Street and Hibiscus
Circle, just west of the San Diego Northern Railway right-of-way within the Mello II
Segment of the Local Coastal Program and in Local Facilities Management Zone 1.
Mr. Neu introduced Agenda Item 3 and stated Assistant Planner Greg Fisher would make the Staff
presentation assisted by Senior Civil Engineer Glen Van Peski.
Chairperson L'Heureux asked if the applicant wished to continue with only 5 Commissioners present.
The applicant stated yes.
Chairperson L'Heureux opened the public hearing on Agenda Item 3.
Mr. Fisher gave a brief presentation and stated he would be available to answer any questions.
Chairperson L'Heureux asked if there were any questions of Staff.
Commissioner Baker asked if there were previous project approvals for this site. Mr. Fisher stated yes.
Commissioner Baker asked if there are requirements for further noise standards for those units facing the
tracks. Mr. Fisher stated the project has been conditioned for that, and through the building permit
process, the project will need to comply with certain interior noise standards.
Commissioner Baker commented that the landscape plans show plants that seem to be more water
intensive plants and inquired about the use of more drought tolerant plants for the landscape plans. Mr.
Fisher stated the landscape plans will have to be reviewed by the City's Landscape Architect and will
have to adhere to the City's Landscape Manual. Mr. Neu stated that the state passed legislation for cities
and counties to adopt a Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. The main point in the ordinance is
that each project is given a water budget to work within. When the construction drawings are developed
for this project, the City's Landscape Architect will work with the developer to stay within the water use
budget.
Commissioner Montgomery asked if there is reclaimed water in Tamarack Avenue. Mr. Van Peski stated
he was not sure.
Commissioner Dominguez asked if the wall on the eastern flank of the project will attenuate the noise.
Mr. Fisher stated yes. There is an acoustical study for the project which shows what the noise levels
should be and that the wall will help mitigate any extra noise. Commissioner Dominguez asked if any
additional landscaping would help mitigate the noise attenuation along the project perimeter. Mr. Fisher
stated it is possible but the rear part of the project is for private patio areas.
Commissioner Dominguez asked why the project was designed for individual trash receptacles for each
unit instead of a collective trash area for the project. Mr. Fisher stated that the project was purposefully
designed to not have a collective trash area. The project is below the Growth Control Point, and the
project complies with all the applicable standards. It is very difficult to fit everything within the project and
comply with the density range. Accommodating a common trash enclosure would take up valuable
space. The developer is also trying to keep the home owner's association fees to a minimum.
Commissioner Dominguez stated it is the cumulative impact of the individual trash receptacles in the
beach area that is of concern to him.
Commissioner Schumacher inquired about traffic entering the site from westbound Tamarack Avenue and
if there would be enough room for cars to queue before the train tracks. Mr. Van Peski stated Staff did
review the number of ADT generated from this project. The main concern is for the afternoon peak and
people returning to the site. Statistically speaking, Staff does not anticipate having more than 2-3 cars
stack up in the turn lane during the afternoon peak 15 minutes so it is unlikely there would be more than 2
cars stacked to make a left turn at any given point in time.
Planning Commission Minutes January 5, 2011 Page 5
Chairperson L'Heureux asked if there were any further questions of Staff. Seeing, he asked if the
applicant wished to make a presentation.
Tony Sfreddo, 32 Sylvan, Irvine, gave a brief presentation and stated he would be available to answer
any questions.
Chairperson L'Heureux asked if there were any questions of the applicant.
Commissioner Montgomery asked about the small community area between buildings B and C. Mr.
Sfreddo stated it will be a small grassy area. The larger community area will have things such as picnic
tables and benches.
Commissioner Dominguez asked about noise attenuation for the project. Mr. Sfreddo stated the project
will be conditioned to meet conditions for noise attenuation and there will be an additional noise study
submitted during construction which is also required.
Chairperson L'Heureux asked about additional building features that will minimize the vibrations caused
from the trains. Mr. Sfreddo stated there are conditions to mitigate the vibrations on the flooring of all the
bottom floors of each unit. Chairperson L'Heureux stated most of the vibrations will be noticeable on the
second floor. Mr. Sfreddo stated that according to the vibration study, the vibrations are relegated to the
first floor and do not transfer to the second floor. The building will be constructed with materials to meet
current codes.
Chairperson L'Heureux asked about the perimeter wall, potential graffiti and if the HOA will be responsible
for maintaining the wall and be required to remove the graffiti. Chairperson L'Heureux suggested that a
condition be added to the CC&Rs that the wall be maintained by the HOA. Mr. Sfreddo stated he would
be happy to add that to the CC&Rs.
Chairperson L'Heureux asked if there were any further questions of the applicant. Seeing none, he asked
if there were any members of the audience who wished to speak on the item. Seeing none, Chairperson
L'Heureux opened and closed public testimony.
DISCUSSION
Commissioner Dominguez asked if the Commission could add a requirement to add a coating to the wall
to resist graffiti. Mr. Neu stated past projects have had a condition placed on them to apply a coating to
make the removal of graffiti easier. Mr. Neu stated he feels the condition can be added to this project as
well. If in the future the city were to start receiving complaints, city maintenance staff can go out to the
site to remove the graffiti.
Commissioner Schumacher asked if the city has a policy about removing graffiti within a certain amount
of time. Mr. Neu stated he was not sure. The city does have a graffiti hotline for reporting any graffiti but
he is not sure on the timing of the removal. Ms. Mobaldi suggested that the applicant have a chance to
address the issue. Mr. Sfreddo asked what the graffiti hotline is for. Chairperson L'Heureux stated it is
used as a reporting mechanism. Chairperson L'Heureux asked Mr. Sfreddo if he would have any
objection to an added condition for a coating to be placed on the wall for the resistance and removal of
graffiti. Mr. Sfreddo stated it would limit the type of block he would use for constructing the wall.
Commissioner Schumacher asked if it would be appropriate to add a condition that if graffiti was not
removed within a specific timeframe, the City could charge the HOA for the removal. Mr. Van Peski
stated that absent any special program, the issue would fall under a code enforcement action.
Commissioner Dominguez stated the idea for the additional condition is to have the property owners
responsible for the graffiti removal and to not further burden the taxpayer.
Commissioner Montgomery suggested leaving the issue up to the discretion of the Planning Director.
Commissioner Dominguez commented that it would be beneficial for the Commission to know what
ordinances or policies the City currently has in regards to the removal of graffiti. Ms. Mobaldi commented
that in a quick review of the municipal code she could not find any reference to graffiti, but she can
Planning Commission Minutes January 5, 2011 Page 6
research it further. She stated that she believes the graffiti hotline is mainly for the removal of graffiti on
public property.
Chairperson L'Heureux stated that the concern is if there is no enforcement mechanism once the HOA is
notified of any graffiti. Ms. Mobaldi stated it would have to get to the point where it is a nuisance. She
further stated that while she cannot find any reference in the municipal code, there may be a City policy
but she would need to research that. Chairperson L'Heureux asked if the Commission can add a
condition that would require the CC&Rs to require the HOA to remove the graffiti within a specific amount
of time. Ms. Mobaldi stated yes. Mr. Sfreddo stated he did not have a concern about adding a condition
to the CC&Rs for graffiti removal.
Commissioner Baker stated the most prudent solution would be to condition the CC&Rs so that the HOA
has 5 days to remove the graffiti.
MOTION
ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Schumacher, and duly seconded, that the Planning
Commission adopt Planning Commission Resolutions No. 6740, 6741 and 6742
approving a Tentative Tract Map (CT 10-01), Coastal Development Permit (CDP 10-
11), and Planned Development Permit (PUD 10-03), based upon the findings and
subject to the conditions contained therein including the additional condition in the
CC&Rs having the HOA responsible for graffiti removal over the entire property
within 5 days.
VOTE: 5-0-1
AYES: Chairperson L'Heureux, Commissioner Baker, Commissioner Dominguez,
Commissioner Montgomery, and Commissioner Schumacher
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Nygaard
ABSTAIN: None
Chairperson L'Heureux closed the public hearing on Agenda Item 3 and thanked Staff for their
presentations.
COMMISSION COMMENTS
None.
PLANNING DIRECTOR COMMENTS
None.
CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission of January 5, 2011, was adjourned at
7:04 p.m.ax.
DON NEU
Planning Director
Bridget Desmarais
Minutes Clerk