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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-11-07; Planning Commission; MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION City Council Chamber CALL TO ORDER: ROLL CALL: STAFF PRESENT: 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 Wednesday, November 7, 2018 Amended Minutes Chair Montgomery called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Chair Montgomery, Commissioners Anderson, Geidner, Luna, Meenes, Merz, and Segall Assistant City Attorney Kemp, City Planner Neu, Associate Planner Sexton, Associate Planner Garcia, Senior Planner Jones, and Administrative Secretary Flores PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Meenes led the Pledge of Allegiance APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the Regular Meeting held October 3, 2018, were approved, 6-0-1 (Merz abstained). Chair Montgomery directed everyone's attention to the slide on the screen to review the procedures the Commission would be following for that evening's public hearing. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA: None. CONSENT CALENDAR: City Planner Neu stated Agenda Item 1 and 2 would normally be heard in a public hearing context; however, the project appears to minor in routine and nature with no outstanding issues and staff is recommending approval. He recommended the public hearing be opened and closed, and that the Planning Commission proceed with a vote as a consent item. If the Planning Commission or any members of the public wish to pull the items, Staff would be available to respond to any questions. Chair Montgomery asked if any members of the Planning Commission wished to pull any of the items listed. Commissioner Anderson wanted to ensure that the sign request for Agenda Item 2 was not setting a precedence for the public that increasing sign size is a new standard. Agenda Item 2 was removed from the consent calendar. Chair Montgomery proceeded with Agenda Item 1 and asked if any members of the Planning Commission wanted to pull item 1 for discussion. Seeing none, he asked if any members of the public wished to speak on the item listed. Seeing none, he opened and closed public testimony. 1. CDP 2018-0019 (DEV 2018-0032) -SNYDER RESIDENCE -Request for approval of a Coastal Development Permit {CDP) to allow for construction of a new 3,380-square-foot two-story single- family residence with a 672-square-foot attached 3-car garage and an existing detached 600-square- foot garage to remain within the Mello II Segment of the city's Local Coastal Program located at 1781 Skimmer Court within Locc1l Facilities Management Zone 21. The project site is not within the appealable area of the California Coastal Commission. The city planner has determined that the project belongs to a class of projects that the State Secretary for Resources has found do not have a significant impact on the environment, and it is therefore categorically exempt from the requirement for the preparation of environmental documents pursuant to Section 15303 (a), construction of a single-family residence, of the state CEQA Guidelines. Planning Commission Minutes November 7, 2018 Page 2 MOTION: ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Anderson and duly seconded by Commissioner Luna to Adopt Agenda Item No. 1, Planning Commission Resolution No. 7314, approving Coastal Development Permit CDP 2018-0019, based upon the findings and subject to the conditions contained therein. VOTE: AYES: NOES: 7-0 Chair Montgomery, Commissioners Anderson, Geidner, Luna, Meenes, Merz and Segall None PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING: NEW APPLICATIONS: Chair Montgomery opened the public hearing and asked City Planner Neu to introduce Agenda Item 2. 2. PS 2018-0097 (DEV2016-0015) -VIASAT BRESSI RANCH CAMPUS -Request for approval of a Modified Sign Program to allow increases in sign/letter height for three Via sat building wall signs and to allow three monument signs and ten directional signs for the Viasat campus generally located north ofTown Garden Road, south of Palomar Airport Road, east of El Camino Real, and west of Alicante Road in Local Facilities Management Zone 17. The City Planner has determined that this project is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act {CEQA) per Section 15311, "Accessory Structures, On-premise signs," of the State CEQA Guidelines and will not have any adverse significant impact on the environment. City Planner Neu introduced Agenda Item 2 and stated Senior Planner Jones would make the staff presentation (on file in the Planning Division). DISCLOSURES: Commissioner Segall disclosed that he drove by the site. Commissioner Meenes disclosed that he drove by the site. Commissioner Anderson disclosed that she drove by the site and looked at their signs. Commissioner Geidner disclosed that she drove by the site. Commissioner Luna disclosed that she drives by the site every day. Chair Montgomery disclosed that he drives by the site every day. Senior Planner Jones gave the staff presentation. Commissioner Segall asked if the project was an exception to the sign program. City Planner Neu stated that the modified sign program is an exception that allows the sign to be bigger than the standard sign allowance, or 25% more. Anything outside of the 30% would be considered a variance. Planning Commission Minutes November 7, 2018 Page 3 Chair Montgomery asked if there were any members of the public who wished to speak on the project. Seeing none, he opened and closed public testimony. Chair Montgomery asked if there were any other comments from the commission. Seeing none, he stated he would entertain a motion. PLANNING COMMISSION DISCUSSION: None MOTION: ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Meenes and duly seconded by Commissioner Geidner to Adopt Planning Commission Resolutions No. 7313 approving Modified Sign Program PS 2018-0097 (DEV2016-0015) based upon the findings and subject to the conditions contained therein. VOTE: 7-0 AYES: Chair Montgomery, Commissioners Anderson, Geidner, Luna, Meenes, Merz and Segall NOES: None Chair Montgomery closed the public hearing on Agenda Item 2. Chair Montgomery opened the public hearing on Agenda Item 3. 3. AMEND 2017-0026/SDP 2017-0011 (DEV02092) -OMNI LA COSTA BALLROOM -Request for approval of a Minor Master Plan Amendment and Site Development Plan to expand the existing ballroom within Planning Area 5 of the La Costa Resort and Spa Master Plan, on property generally located southeast of El Camino Real and Arenal Road within Local Facilities Management Zone 6. The City Planner has determined that this project has no new significant environmental effects not analyzed in the originally approved Mitigated Negative Declaration for the La Costa Resort and Spa Master Plan, and no further CEQA compliance is required. City Planner Neu introduced Agenda Item 3 and stated Associate Planner Garcia would make the staff presentation (on file in the Planning Division). Chair Montgomery recused himself on this agenda item. He stated he lives within the 600-foot area of influence of the Omni La Costa Resort. Commissioner Anderson became the Chair. DISCLOSURES: Commissioner Segall stated he drove by the site numerous times including today. Commissioner Luna stated likewise to Commissioner Segall's disclosure. Commissioner Merz stated he drove by the site a couple of times including around the entire site itself. Commissioner Meenes stated he drove by the site. Commissioner Geidner stated she drove around the site. Planning Commission Minutes November 7, 2018 Page 4 Vice Chair Anderson stated she drove around the site in her vehicle. Vice Chair Anderson stated that a letter from the public had been provided, an Errata sheet and a letter from the applicant. Associate Planner Garcia gave the staff presentation. Vice Chair Anderson asked if there were any clarifying questions of staff. Vice Chair Anderson asked if the 2465 parking spaces stated in the study was in agreement with the presentation amount on the slide. Associate Planner Garcia referred the question to the applicant. Vice Chair Anderson asked if the applicant would like to make a presentation. Bill Hofman, President of Hofman Planning and Engineering, representing Omni La Costa made a presentation. Mr. Hofman addressed the public letter concern about parking in the neighborhood to the north. Mr. Hofman outlined the operational procedures provided by the applicant in relation to parking in the neighborhood. Employees are not permitted to park in the neighborhood or in any ballroom parking. Management works with event managers and the local police department should any problems arise. Mr. Hofman explained how large event parking is managed to include shuttle service from other lots to the ballroom. A detailed parking study was conducted for the entire campus. Mr. Hofman stated the property does not have a parking problem. Mr. Hofman explained the dirt lot would be improved within the next five years to accommodate building of residential/commercial buildings. Mr. Hofman introduced Mr. Eric Myer, project manager for Omni Resorts and stated both he and Mr. Myer would be available to answer questions. Mr. Myer confirmed the resort will continue to monitor the parking at the property. He stated the resort has further plans to build a new club house and new hotel rooms. A new parking structure would then be needed. Mr. Myer stated the ballroom expansion is critical to their expansion plan to make the resort the best in the United States. Vice Chair Anderson asked if there were questions for the applicant. Commissioner Geidner asked how the architecture style of Spanish Colonial is reflected in the design and how it will tie into the current building. Mr. Hofman explained that the tile roofing, wrought iron, windows, and columns are design elements that integrate the Spanish Colonial design and tie into the rest of the resort. Commissioner Geidner asked about the windows and louvers. She stated the windows seem small in proportion to the building. Mr. Hofman stated they are open to changing the size if needed. Commissioner Meenes thanked Mr. Hofman for providing the parking assessment and had a question about figure 2, page 11, talking about parking utilization The study states 70 to 84 percent of the parking was being used. Commissioner Meenes asked for clarification on what the resort's plan on managing parking will be for the area when it appears to be heavily used with expanded use of the property. Planning Commission Minutes November 7, 2018 Page 5 Mr. Hofman explained that the operational plan will come into effect at that point to include overflow. The campus has its own shuttle service and controls that will be implemented in instances where there are big or multiple events. Mr. Hofman asked the parking consultant to assist in addressing the question from Commissioner Meenes. Mr. Jeff Weckstein from Walker Consultants explained that the peak observation time over the two weekends when the study was conducted included a local charity event where the staff directed people to park in parking area 7. That caused the lot to reach the higher percent of utilization while the lot behind the ballroom was generally empty. Commissioner Luna would like to see an operational parking procedural guide in writing before making a decision on the project. Mr. Hofman requested that a condition requiring a written operational plan be submitted subject to the approval of staff. Commissioner Merz asked about the South San Marcos Creek lot area 12, page 9 in the parking study. He asked if the 135 spaces referenced in the study include the entire lot or just what is physically available. Ms. Weckstein stated the 135 referenced are the spaces that are physically available. Commissioner Segall stated concern about the parking during some events and how the dirt lot and lot across the street reach capacity where the only parking is then valet. His concern is that if there are multiple events going on in the ballrooms, inside the resort, as well as the restaurant, there would be not enough parking. Mr. Hofman stated valet is always an option and there is other parking on the campus. Many times, locals will go to the lot they qre familiar with and they are not used to parking in other lots where there is shuttle service. Mr. Hofman stated that either a parking structure would be constructed in 5 years or the dirt lot will be paved and marked. Commissioner Segall asked about another dirt lot across the street and Mr. Hofman stated that can also be used for event parking. Commissioner Segall asked if La Costa has anyone directing traffic for parking during large events. Mr. Hofman stated that is a good thing to incorporate in the operational parking manual that Omni will develop. Commissioner Meenes stated that he is concerned about parking in the interim period that falls after the ballroom construction and before the parking structure construction. He agrees with Commissioner Luna that a parking management plan is needed. Commissioner Luna stated that it would be difficult to make a finding in favor of the project without having the parking management or operational plan to review. Planning Commission Minutes November 7, 2018 Page 6 Mr. Hofman stated he would strongly object to having the project held up pending the parking management plan. Vice Chair Anderson stated a concern that the shuttles will be bringing people from a lot located far from the ballroom and the length of time it will take. She asked if the amount of staff parked during the day for the ballroom listed in the parking study was accurate. Mr. Weckstein stated the number was based upon assumptions used in the master plan that the ballroom was primarily used at night. The number used was consistent with the observations made during the two weekends he was at the property. Vice Chair Anderson asked about regional events held at the resort. Mr. Hofman stated they no longer hold large regional events such as golf and tennis. Vice Chair Anderson asked about the signs for parking lot 8 that state it is for members only. She wanted clarification that the lot could in fact be used for public parking during events. Mr. Hofman stated that it could be converted for public use and can be part of the operational plan that would be submitted. Vice Chair Anderson asked if there were any members of the public who wished to speak on the project. Seeing none, she opened and closed public testimony. PLANNING COMMISSION DISCUSSION: Mr. Hofman clarified that the members parking area is a small area of lot 8 and the remainder is for valet parking. Commissioner Segall stated concern that there is no sidewalk or lighting leading to the dirt lot. He stated there is fencing that extends into the walkway where pedestrians have to partially walk in the road. Mr. Hofman asked that the project be conditioned, that prior to a building permit, the parking management plan be approved by the planning commission . Asking that they be allowed to proceed, to obtain a grading permit. Commissioner Geidner stated that the operational parking plan include a definition of what a large event is, for the resort to consider parking when booking an event, and asked legal counsel to comment on the condition the applicant is requesting. Assistant City Attorney Kemp asked for clarification from Mr. Hofman if they were considering pulling a grading permit if approved. Mr. Kemp stated the concern is that grading permits sometimes are considered in the law to be synonymous with the building permit. Building permits can confer vested rights and it would be awkward if the project was stopped in the future if the parking plan was not satisfactory. Mr. Hofman stated that if they knew they could be back in 30 days they would be okay with the condition prior to a grading permit. Mr. Hofman confirmed they are asking for an approval tonight. Vice Chair Anderson stated that an approval could not be granted at this point until the parking plan was submitted for review. Planning Commission Minutes November 7, 2018 Page 7 City Planner Neu explained that staff would try to review any parking plan submitted and give recommendations by December 5. If that date could not be met then staff would ask for a continuance. Commissioner Merz stated that after touring the site, reviewing the reports provided, and attending the brief he is not comfortable causing the project to be delayed any longer. He feels there is sufficient conditions listed to address any parking concerns he previously had. Commissioner Segall asked where the project is in the process of permits. Mr. Hofman explained that they are having the grading plan reviewed and cannot get a grading permit until the project is approved. Commissioner Segall suggested a compromise that the commission move forward in approval and that the parking plan be presented on the December 5 meeting. City Planner Neu stated that he wanted to reiterate what Mr. Kemp was saying in relation to approving the plan and the applicant coming back with a parking plan. That once the project is approved the commission is agreeing to the findings and conditions. Commissioner Segall stated he understands that an approval tonight would be an approval and he is confident the applicant will come back with a parking plan they are satisfied with. MOTION: ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Geidner and duly seconded by Commissioner Segall to add a condition that the grading permit cannot be pulled until both an interim and a final parking operational plan is submitted and approved by staff. Assistant City Attorney Kemp asked for clarification on the motion. He asked if the motion included voting on project approval. Commissioner Geidner stated that is not the motion she is making. She stated the only motion she is making is to modify the resolution to include a condition for an interim and final parking operational plan to be submitted and approved by staff. Commissioner Segall stated that the motion does not include any action on approval of the project. Commissioner Luna stated she is not comfortable with the procedure of the motion being made. Assistant City Attorney Kemp stated the topic could be tabled and suggested taking a hand vote. If the vote is positive then the resolution can be amended. Vice Chair Anderson asked for a show of hands in favor of adding a condition that the grading permit cannot be pulled until both an interim and a final parking operational plan is submitted and approved by staff. Planning Commission Minutes November 7, 2018 Page 8 VOTE: AYES: NOES: Mr. Hofman stated that as the applicant they are in support of the condition being added and understands that action to approve the project is not included in the motion. City Planner Neu asked that the motion be amended to include grading and building permit. That no permit be issued until the parking plan is approved. 3-3 Commissioner Geidner, Merz, and Segall Vice Chair Anderson, Commissioner Meenes, and Luna The motion does not carry. Vice Chair Anderson stated they would continue discussion and come back to the parking topic. Commissioner Geidner stated she reviewed design guidelines and would like to add a condition for staff to follow up on. Commissioner Segall asked for a point of clarification from City Planner Neu. He asked if they are voting on the architecture as a site development plan. City Planner Neu stated they are voting on the project as a site development plan to find that the applicant is in compliance with the master plan which contain some architectural design guidelines. Commissioner Geidner stated the louvers look out of proportion and archways are heavily used on other end of the building and not in the new building. She stated there is no continuity and work needs to be done to meet the architecture guidelines stated in the master plan. Commissioner Segall asked City Planner Neu and Associate Planner Garica if the design that has been presented meets the standards. Associate Planner Garcia stated that the proportion and scale of the louvers were a concern he brought up to the applicant. Mr. Hofman stated they are fine with adding a condition to make some architecture changes. Commissioner Luna asked for clarification from Commissioner Geidner on what she is asking of the applicant. Commissioner Geidner stated she wants the applicant to look at the design guidelines and look at the two buildings as a whole, to blend the old and new together. She stated she does not agree that the applicant has meet what the design guideline says. Commissioner Luna asked how staff is going to interpret what Commissioner Geidner is asking according to the design guidelines in the master plan. Commissioner Segall stated that he disagrees with adding an architectural condition if the current design meets the standards. Planning Commission Minutes November 7, 2018 Page 9 City Planner Neu stated staff felt that the design minimally met the standards. He stated staff supports the effort to get the best-looking project for the city. ACTION : Vice Chair Anderson asked by a show of hands who is interested in placing an architectural condition to go back to staff for approval. VOTE: AYES: NOES: 4-2 Vice Chair Anderson, Geidner, Merz and Segall Commissioner Meenes, and Luna Commissioner Segall suggested they take a break to fashion some language for the architectural condition. Assistant City Attorney Kemp clarified that if the vote for the project approval were to tie ih a 3-3 vote then it would come back on December 5 as if no action had been taken. If it were to tie again then the action would be deemed deny. Commissioner Luna asked Mr. Hofman if the applicant were to come back with the parking plan on December 5 would it significantly delay the grading permit. Mr. Hofman stated that the grading permit would be processed around December sometime and agreed that it would be around the same time as the December 5 Planning Commission meeting. City Planner Neu said that staff was in the process of preparing the staff reports for the Planning Commission meeting of December 5. It may be overly optimistic that staff would have enough time to review the parking plan and have recommendations made to the planning commission for the December 5 meeting. Mr. Hofman stated that coming back on any date after December 5 would delay their grading permit. Mr. Hofman asked the commission to reconsider Commissioner Geldner's motion to add the parking condition for staff to approve and move forward with project approval. Commissioner Merz stated he is ready to move forward without adding any further conditions due to condition 22 already included that covers the monitoring of the parking by city staff. Vice Chair Anderson stated they should continue the item until December 5. Assistant City Attorney Kemp suggested the commission continue the item until December 5 to allow staff time to draft a resolution to meet the parking and architectural concerns. Commissioner Meenes stated he would like to see the applicant come back on December 5 with a preliminary parking plan. Commissioner Geidner stated that the parking plan draft could be brought back for review by the commission since staff would not have time to review it prior to distribution of the agenda packet. Mr. Hofman offered to make a presentation on December 5 and staff would not be burdened with having to review it in a short time period. Mr. Hofman stated he would like to avoid any delays. Planning Commission Minutes November 7, 2018 Page 10 Commissioner Luna asked that the applicant bring back a revised architectural design and parking plan to review on December 5. Commissioner Segall asked if the architect can be present and a visual with the buildings side by side be presented. Mr. Hofman stated the architect will be present. MOTION: ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Luna and duly seconded by Commissioner Geidner to continue Agenda Item number 3 Omni La Costa Ballroom SDP 2007-0011 as well as minor master plan amendment AMEND 2017-0026 to the December 5 planning commission meeting directing staff and the City Attorney's office to prepare some modifications to the resolution to incorporate comments regarding architecture as well as a parking management plan. VOTE: 6-0-1 AYES: Vice Chair Anderson, Geidner, Luna, Meenes, Merz and Segall NOES: None Absent: Chair Montgomery PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS: Vice Chair Anderson stated she looks forward to a successful project and thanked Associate Planner Garcia for his time and thorough preparation. CITY PLANNER COMMENTS: City Planner Neu stated the Omni La Costa Ballroom will be the first agenda item on December 5 and there are three other items for that date. CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS: No Comments ADJ OU RN MENT: The Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission of November 7, 2018, was adjourned at 8:11 p.m . City Planner Melissa Flores -Minutes Clerk