HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-05-01; Planning Commission; Minutes@ PLANNING COMMISSION
M. 1nutes .
City Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Luna called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Chair Luna, Commissioners Anderson, Geidner, Lafferty, Meenes and Stine
Commissioner Merz absent
STAFF PRESENT: Assistant City Attorney Kemp, City Planner Neu, Associate Planner Dan, Senior
Engineer Carroll, Fire Marshall Metz, and Administrative Secretary Flores
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Luna led the Pledge of Allegiance
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes of the Regular Meeting held April 3, 2019 were approved, as amended, 6-0-1 (Commissioner
Merz absent).
Minutes of the Regular Meeting held April 17, 2019, were approved, as amended, 5-0-2 (Commissioner
Merz absent, Meenes abstain).
Chair Luna 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.
PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING:
Chair Luna opened the public hearing for Item 1.
1. PUD 2018-0009/SDP 2018-0019/CDP 2018-0044/MS 2018-0013 (DEV2018-0172) -REDWOOD
BEACH HOMES -Request for approval of a Planned Development Permit, Site Development Plan,
Coastal Development Permit, and Tentative Parcel Map to demolish two multi-family residential
structures containing a total of four residential units and a separate four car garage residence and
construct four-detached residential air-space condominiums on a 0.26-acre infill site located at
3861-3873 Garfield Street, within the Mello II Segment of the Local Coastal Program and Local
Facilities Management Zone 1. The project is not within the appealable area of the California Coastal
Commission. The City Planner has determined that this project is exempt from the requirements of
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15332 "In-Fill Development
Projects" of the State CEQA Guidelines and will not have any adverse significant impact on the
environment.
City Planner Neu introduced Agenda Item 1 and stated Associate Planner Dan would make the staff
presentation (on file in the Planning Division).
DISCLOSURES:
Commissioner Stine recused himself from the item due to a conflict of interest. He stated he has a
personal familiarity with the architect.
Planning Commission Minutes May 1, 2019 Page2
Commissioner Meenes stated he drove by the site.
Commissioner Lafferty stated she drove by the site.
Commissioner Geidner stated she drove by the site and got out and walked around.
Commissioner Anderson stated she drove by the site.
Associate Planner Dan made the presentation.
Commissioner Meenes asked for further information on Council Policy 44.
City Planner Neu stated the policy was created in response to large subdivisions. The policy was developed
to address street scenes and variety in massing. He stated the policy was not developed with the smaller
projects in mind although it applies to this project.
Commissioner Lafferty asked if there were any sections available for the building.
Associate Planner Dan stated there will be during the building permit phase but not during entitlement.
He stated they are not included in this package.
Chair Luna asked if there were additional questions of staff. Seeing none, she asked if the applicant would
like to make a presentation.
Kevin Dunn, applicant, Carlsbad CA, stated they designed the project with the neighborhood in mind. He
stated they provided extra visitor parking on site. He stated head height will be 8 feet on the ground level,
9 feet on the second floor and the third floor is vaulted up to almost 9 ½ feet.
Commissioner Lafferty stated she is concerned that the city is not meeting their housing requirement and
this project is building 4 units versus the 5 that is allowed.
Mr. Dunn stated he understands her concern.
Commissioner Anderson asked if the visitor parking would be open or assigned to owners by the HOA.
Mr. Dunn stated it will be visitor parking as per the requirement. He stated it would be nice if they were
assigned however it is not yet determined how that will work. He stated the CC&R's of the HOA will
address visitor parking.
Commissioner Geidner asked about storm water on the property.
Mr. Dunn stated the project did not meet the threshold to require a basin on the site for stormwater
retention.
Commissioner Anderson asked about further information on the RHNA numbers in relation to this project.
City Planner Neu stated this project would probably have a sales price at the above moderate-income
level. He stated the project meets the density requirements that the general plan calls for.
Planning Commission Minutes May1 ,2019 Page 3
Chair Luna asked if there were additional questions for the applicant. Seeing none, she 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:
Commissioner Geidner stated the project is at a density of 15.38 units per acre and is not concerned
about the density. She stated people have to build what will sell.
Commissioner Lafferty stated the neighborhood currently has multiple attached homes and she is not
sure that the detached model fits the particular area. She stated the project does however meet the
general plan requirements and density.
MOTION:
ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Meenes and duly seconded by Commissioner Anderson to Adopt
Planning Commission Resolution No. 7332 APPROVING a Planned Development Permit, Site
Development Plan, Coastal Development Permit, and Tentative Parcel Map, based upon the
findings and subject to the conditions contained therein.
VOTE: 5-0-2
AYES: Chair Luna, Commissioners Anderson, Geidner, Lafferty, and Meenes
ABSENT: Commissioner Merz
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Stine
NOES: None
Chair Luna closed the public hearing on Agenda Item 1.
Chair Luna opened the public hearing on Agenda Item 2.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
2. Informational Presentation by the Fire Marshall -Role of Fire Prevention Staff in the Development
Process
Fire Marshall Metz stated that all projects are routed through fire prevention to review things like fire
access requirements, that the project meets fire code, identifying when fire sprinklers will be required,
and he also looks at design elements of the project. He stated they look at the wild land urban interface
and how that impacts the project itself, fire lanes and water availability. He stated his office works
closely with the City Planner before the project comes to the Planning Commission to ensure the project
meets all fire requirements.
Commissioner Stine asked how Fire Prevention works with staff and the developer when it comes to
designing exits from the area during an emergency.
Planning Commission Minutes May 1, 2019 Page4
Fire Marshall Metz stated Carlsbad is in a wild land urban interface area. He stated the fire code requires
a secondary point of egress from all planned developments where the housing number hits 40. He
stated that code has been applied to most developments within the last 10 years. He stated there are
developments in the city that were built prior to the second egress requirement. He stated the city has
a very well-established evacuation plan that the Emergency Management Division manages. He stated
there are some high fire hazard severity zones in the city that require additional mitigation. He stated in
those areas they require wider streets. He stated Carlsbad has done a good job with the habitat
management plan and landscape manual to ensure known dangers are mitigated in developments.
Commissioner Stine asked if surrounding density is considered a factor when determining exits from a
development.
Fire Marshall Metz stated no, they do not because it is a prescriptive code. He stated the only discretion
he has is when the code states "as decided by the Fire Marshall".
Commissioner Stine asked how people are notified of an emergency.
Fire Marshall Metz stated the County of San Diego has the ability to notify people through cell phone
alerts. He stated reverse 911 can be utilized and the Emergency Management Bureau manages those
processes.
Commissioner Geidner asked if master plans will be revised since density is being added.
City Planner Neu stated any land use changes would be reviewed with Fire Prevention.
Commissioner Geidner asked if the Habitat Management Plan includes thinning out vegetation
throughout the city.
Fire Marshall Metz stated the Habitat Management Plan is designed to be a natural habitat area. He
stated the city does not go in and thin the land unless it is on the perimeter and it's very clear that it is
dead. He stated there is a 60-foot buffer zone when habitat abuts to a property or development. He
stated as the habitat comes closer to the property lines, the requirement is for the vegetation to be
thinned out. He stated there are specific non-combustible plant pallets required to landscape these
buffer zones. He stated there is personnel within fire prevention that monitors the landscaping of these
areas.
Commissioner Geidner asked if the habitat goes all the way up to a road or is there a fire break.
Fire Marshall Metz stated there are specific habitat management requirements in the public right o.f way
, that is managed by public works. He stated the city does have a crew that addresses those areas.
Commissioner Geidner asked about fire ladder access in narrow developments, including zero lot lines.
Fire Marshall Metz stated zero lot line development is allowed, however he does not see that many of
them. He stated the fire code requires all developments allow a 150-foot access for a fire truck to reach
the building. He stated in some cases they can utilize the truck company ladder to access windows for
fire rescue when a fire truck cannot enter a driveway.
Commissioner Anderson asked if Fire Marshall Metz is involved with the Traffic and Mobility
Department when calming measures or speed bumps are installed.
Planning Commission Minutes May 1, 2019 Page 5
Fire Marshall Metz stated every type of traffic calming measure is evaluated by his office and how those
will affect Fire Department response time.
Commissioner Anderson asked how homes built next to the wild land urban interface differ from those
that aren't near it.
Fire Marshall Metz stated there are specific construction requirements such as dual pane windows, fire
sprinklers in all new construction, and screened attic vents that mitigate fire dangers when projects are
built near the wild land urban interface areas.
Commissioner Lafferty asked Fire Marshall Metz what his stance is on fire sprinklers when a home is
adding an addition or almost doubling in size.
Fire Marshall Metz stated that fire prevention follows the code and requirements set out. He stated he
would like to see fire sprinklers in additions, however he cannot require it if it is not in the fire code.
Chair Luna stated Fire Marshall Metz did an excellent job of providing information to the commission.
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS:
None
CITY PLANNER REPORTS:
City Planner Neu stated there is an EIR currently out for the Marja Acres project. He stated once public
review is complete and staff has responded to public comments, the final EIR will be provided to the
commission.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS:
None
ADJOURNMENT:
The Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission of May 1, 2019 was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Don Neu -City Planner
Melissa Flores -Minutes Clerk