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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-15; Planning Commission; MinutesPlanning Commission Minutes October 15, 2014 Page 1 Minutes of: PLANNING COMMISSION Time of Meeting: 6:00 p.m. Date of Meeting: October 15, 2014 Place of Meeting: COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Black called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Siekmann led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson Black, Commissioners Anderson, L’Heureux, Montgomery, Scully, Segall and Siekmann Absent: None STAFF PRESENT Don Neu, City Planner Chris DeCerbo, Principal Planner Jane Mobaldi, Assistant City Attorney Christer Westman, Senior Planner Jason Geldert, Engineering Manager Bridget Desmarais, Administrative Secretary Farah Nisan, Senior Office Specialist APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Black asked if there were any corrections or revisions to the minutes of the meeting from September 17, 2014. MOTION ACTION: Motion by Commissioner L’Heureux and duly seconded by Chairperson Black to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 17, 2014. VOTE: 5-0-2 AYES: Chairperson Black, Commissioner L’Heureux, Commissioner Montgomery, Commissioner Segall and Commissioner Siekmann NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: Commissioner Anderson, Commissioner Scully PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA Kalim Smith, 675 Oak Avenue, Carlsbad, stated his concerns regarding beach access from Pine Avenue. Mr. Neu stated that staff will follow up with Public Works and Parks and Recreation regarding his concerns. Jane Mobaldi, Assistant City Attorney, suggested to forward Mr. Smith’s contact information to Ed Garbo, Risk manager. PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING Chairperson Black asked Mr. Neu to introduce the first item and opened the public hearing on Agenda Item 1. Planning Commission Minutes October 15, 2014 Page 2 Mr. Neu introduced Agenda Item 1 and stated Principal Planner Chris DeCerbo would make the staff presentation. 1. CUP 8(A) – WOMAN’S CLUB OF CARLSBAD – An annual report on the status of the compatibility of the Woman’s Club of Carlsbad with the surrounding residential neighborhood pursuant to Condition No. 11 of Planning Commission Resolution No. 7011 for Conditional Use Permit 8(A). Mr. DeCerbo gave a brief presentation and stated he would be available to answer any questions. Chairperson Black asked if there were any questions of staff. Seeing none, he asked if the applicant wished to make a presentation. Kay Gernant, 2637 Sausalito Avenue, Carlsbad, representative of the Woman’s Club, commented stating that the Woman’s Club of Carlsbad has handled issues that came to their attention promptly and efficiently. Chairperson Black asked if there were any questions of the applicant. Seeing none, he asked if there were any members of the audience who wished to speak on Agenda Item 1. Seeing none, he opened and closed public testimony. DISCUSSION Commissioner Segall stated that he supports the annual report. Commissioner Montgomery stated that he was in support of the report. Commissioner Siekmann stated that she had no comments. Commissioner Anderson concurred with Commissioner Segall in support of the report. Commissioner L’Heureux stated that he had no comments. Commissioner Scully stated that she was in favor of the changes that were implemented. Chairperson Black concurred with his fellow commissioners. The Planning Commission received the report as presented by staff. Chairperson Black closed the public hearing on Agenda Item 1, asked Mr. Neu to introduce the next item, and opened the public hearing on Agenda Item 2. 2. SDP 09-04(A) – WESTFIELD CARLSBAD PHASE 2 – Request for the approval of an addendum to a previously certified Environmental Impact Report EIR 09-02 and approval of a Site Development Plan amendment for the demolition, reconfiguration and/or reconstruction of approximately 65,093 square feet of gross leasable area (GLA) within the Westfield Carlsbad regional shopping center generally located west of El Camino Real and north of Marron Road in Local Facilities Management Zone 1. Mr. Neu introduced Agenda Item 2 and stated Senior Planner Christer Westman would make the staff presentation. Mr. Westman gave a brief presentation and stated he would be available to answer any questions. Chairperson Black introduced a letter from the Chamber of Commerce dated October 13, 2014 in support of the project. Chairperson Black asked if there were any questions of staff. Commissioner Siekmann asked if the project would have to comply with the approval of the Climate Action plan. Mr. Neu stated that the measures would be voluntary if there is not an entitlement or a permit before the city. Mr. Neu also stated that depending on what ends up in the plan, there could be things that would affect future actions, but, for the most part, if a project is not needing a city approval, it would not have to comply with the list of measures. Commissioner Siekmann inquired about the Landscape Plan. Mr. Neu stated that there are landscape plans that will go concurrently with the site improvements and comply with the water efficient landscape ordinance. Commissioner Siekmann asked if Westfield had any plans Planning Commission Minutes October 15, 2014 Page 3 involving a trail from the Quarry Creek to the ocean. Mr. Westman stated that he did not have information as part of review for this project. Chairperson Black asked if there were any further questions of staff. Seeing none, he asked if the applicant wished to make a presentation. Stephen Fluhr, representing Westfield, 1632 Dale Street, San Diego, gave a brief presentation and stated he would be available to answer any questions. Chairperson Black if there were any questions of the applicant. Commissioner Montgomery asked if the façade on all four sides of the existing department buildings were going to get rebuilt. Mr. Fluhr stated only the interior façades of the buildings were getting remodeled. Mr. Montgomery asked if the department stores were going to be long term tenants. Mr. Fluhr stated yes. Commissioner Segall asked how shoppers will safely access the department stores during construction of the central part of the mall. Mr. Fluhr stated that there will be a shuttle available to transport shoppers from the various department stores. Commissioner Siekmann referred to Condition No. 16 and inquired if there were any modifications to upgrade the bus stop on El Camino Real. Mr. Fluhr stated that the bench, bike racks, and signage have been replaced, as well as landscape enhancement and a pedestrian pathway. Commissioner Siekmann asked if there will be any stores that open out into the parking lot. Mr. Fluhr stated yes there will be a wrap of store fronts facing the parking lot. Commissioner Anderson inquired about the location of the electric charging stations. Mr. Fluhr stated that the construction documentation will indicate where the direct locations will be. Commissioner Anderson inquired about the location on the handicap access. Mr. Fluhr indicated that there are elevators available for handicap access. Commissioner L’Heureux asked about the number of charging stations the parking lot is able to accommodate. Mr. Fluhr stated that a dozen have been considered for this project. Commissioner L’Heureux also asked if there was a master concept that includes all tenants on the property. Mr. Fluhr stated a proposal will be made to the designers they are currently working with. Mr. Neu stated that a façade can be changed administratively as it is required it to be compatible with the project design and comply with the requirements of the specific plan. Commissioner Scully asked if there was a suitable time for tenants to close their department stores to the public during the construction to avoid a loss of traffic. Mr. Fluhr stated that construction will actually increase traffic to department stores as curious shoppers enjoy viewing the construction. Commissioner Scully also asked about the announcement of all 120 retail stores. Mr. Fluhr stated that some stores will be announced in groups, and other major tenants in phases. Commissioner Segall inquired about the number of restaurants to be announced in Phase 1. Mr. Fluhr stated that there will be 4 restaurants and the 5th location will be used as a temporary entrance to the theater. Commissioner Segall also inquired about the number of restaurants to be announced during Phase 2. Mr. Fluhr stated once the project is completed, there will be 12 to 14 restaurants to be announced. Chairperson Black 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. Chairperson Black opened public testimony on Agenda Item 2. Carmen Rene, 3433 Moon Field Drive, Carlsbad, stated her support of the project. Jim Madaffer, 1620 5th Avenue, San Diego, 92101, also stated his support of the project. John Osborne, Chairman of the Board, Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, 1683 Orange Blossom Way, Encinitas, stated that he and the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce are in support of the project. Chairperson Black asked if there were any other members of the audience who wished to speak on the item. Seeing none, he closed public testimony. Planning Commission Minutes October 15, 2014 DISSCUSSION Commissioner Segall stated that he can support the project. Commissioner Montgomery stated that he can support the project. Commissioner Siekmann stated that she can also support the project. Commissioner Anderson stated that she can support the project. Commissioner L'Heureux stated that he can also support the project. Commissioner Scully stated that she can support the project. Chairperson Black stated that he is in favor of the project and can support the project. MOTION Page4 ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Scully and duly seconded by Commissioner Siekmann that the Planning Commission adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 7072 approving Site Development Plan Amendment SOP 09-04{A} based on the findings and subject to the conditions contained therein. VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 7-0 Chairperson Black, Commissioner Anderson, Commissioner L'Heureux, Commissioner Montgomery, Commissioner Scully, Commissioner Segall and Commissioner Siekmann None None ABSTAIN: None Chairperson Black closed the public hearing on Agenda Item 2 and thanked staff for their presentations. COMMISSION COMMENTS None. CITY PLANNER COMMENTS None. CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS None. ADJOURNMENT By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission of October 15, 2014 was adjourned at [~ DON NEU City Planner Farah Nisan Minutes Clerk