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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-01-2011 NAHPage 1 of 8 CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 1, 2011 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Gonzales called the regular meeting of the Lake Elsinore Planning Commission held on Tuesday, February 1, 2011, to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Cultural Center, located at 183 N. Main Street, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530. PRESENT: Chairman Gonzales, Vice Chairman Mendoza, Commissioner Jordan, Commissioner Morsch, Commissioner O'Neal ABSENT: None Also present: City Manager Brady, City Attorney Leibold Staff members present included: Senior Planner Harris, Public Works Director Seumalo, Redevelopment Agency Analyst Carlson and Office Specialist Porche'. CALL TO ORDER (6:00 p.m.) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Jordan. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman Gonzales Vice Chairman Mendoza Commissioner Jordan Commissioner Morsch Commissioner O'Neal Absent: None. PUBLIC COMMENTS — NON AGENDIZED ITEMS — 3 MINUTES None. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) None. Lake Elsinore Planning Commission Meeting Regular Meeting Minutes of February 1, 2011 Page 2 of 8 PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS) (1) Conditional Use Permit No 2010• A request to establish and operate an animal crematory facility within an existing Industrial building located at 18345 Pasadena Street Recommendation: Accept the applicant's withdrawal request. City Manager Brady indicated that the applicant has withdrawn their request for consideration. Commissioner O'Neal indicated that he thought the applicants, Mr. and Mrs. Dhupa were very classy individuals and encouraged them to stay in Lake Elsinore and would be happy to consider any other opportunities that they might wish the Commission to look at. Commissioner Jordan seconded Commissioner O'Neal's comment. Chairman Gonzales indicated that he looked at the site and stated that the applicant is looking at another site to have the Animal Crematory Facility and suggested that they look more carefully to make sure that everything is in place first. Vice Chairman Mendoza indicated that he thinks it's a shame how everything turned out. BUSINESS ITEMS) (2) General Plan Conformity Determination for Proposed Street Vacation of a portion of Riley Street Recommendation: Adopt a resolution determining that the vacation of a portion of the street right -of -way on Riley Street between Sumner Avenue and Pottery Street is in conformity with the City's General Plan. City Manager Brady indicated that this is a request that is in association with the development of the Affordable Housing Project known as Pottery Court and asked Redevelopment Agency Analyst Carlson to review with the Commission, and answer any questions. Redevelopment Agency Analyst Carlson provided an overview of the project and indicated that staff was requesting a vacation of Riley Street between Sumner Avenue and Pottery Street and is in conformity with the City's General Plan. Lake Elsinore Planning Commission Meeting Regular Meeting Minutes of February 1, 2011 Page 3 of 8 Commissioner Morsch asked Public Works Director Seumalo if there are utilities in Riley that would be reserved by easement to the City. Public Works Director Seumalo indicated that the vacation is only for street purposes so the easement for utilities would remain. Commissioner Morsch asked if it becomes a private street. Public Works Director Seumalo indicated yes. Commissioner Morsch asked if there are any plans to build a bridge across Pottery Road. Public Works Director Seumalo indicated no. Commissioner Morsch asked what the possibility was of getting a link from Main Street to the other side of the outlet channel. Public Works Director Seumalo agreed that this is needed which would increase the circulation in the area. He stated that they can put it on the unfunded portion of the Capital Improvement Program and once funding is found, they can construct the project. Commissioner Morsch stated that if the Governor is successful in dissolving the Redevelopment Agencies, how would this impact the City's requirements to provide affordable housing. City Attorney Leibold indicated that the Pottery Court and the Lakeview Apartments projects are through the Agency and are already fully committed by way of agreements and those stay in place and are protected against the proposed legislation. Commissioner Morsch asked about the cash bonds for the City. City Attorney Leibold indicated that all of the Agency's existing bonds and contracts will still be fully enforceable. Commissioner Morsch asked how this will affect the City with the new General Plan and the new Housing Element. City Attorney Leibold indicated that this does not change the Housing Element, it just changes the City's ability to fund projects to meet the City's regional fair share. She stated that the Housing Element and the General Plan are Planning documents that are not affected by the financing in terms of implementation and the goals are still in place. Commissioner Jordan had no comments Lake Elsinore Planning Commission Meeting Regular Meeting Minutes of February. 1, 2011 Page 4 of 8 Commissioner O'Neal asked if the Pottery Street bridge is available to happen. Public Works Director Seumalo indicated that it is not available to happen at this time but it can put it on the unfunded portion of the Capital Improvement Program once funding is available. Commissioner Mendoza had no comments. Chairman Gonzales had no comments. Passed and adopted the following Resolution: "Resolution No. 2011 -01 — A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, recommending that the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore adopt findings that the vacation of a portion of Riley Street conforms to the City's General Plan. MOTION was made by Vice Chairman Mendoza, seconded by Commissioner Jordan and unanimously carried recommending that the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore adopt findings that the vacation of a portion of Riley Street conforms to the City's General Plan. AYES: Chairman Gonzales, Vice Chairman Mendoza, Commissioner Jordan, Commissioner Morsch, Commissioner O'Neal NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None STAFF COMMENTS Public Works Director Seumalo indicated that regarding the River Walk Project, they are completing installation of some informational signs along the walk as well as scheduling the striping for crossings along that project. Also, regarding the 4 corners project, he stated that there was a meeting between the contractor and staff regarding some deterioration that they observed on the final lift of asphalt so the solution will be to repair the areas that are deteriorated and will be competed within the next couple of weeks. Redevelopment Agency Analyst Carlson had no comments. Senior Planner Harris had no comments. Lake Elsinore Planning Commission Meeting Regular Meeting Minutes of February 1, 2011 Page 5 of 8 Office Specialist Porche' stated to the Commission that Office Specialist Herrington has requested to e-mail the Planning Commissioners when the Planning Commission packets are completed and ready for pick up. The Commissioners requested to be called when they are ready, instead of being e- mailed due to the fact that some Commissioners do not check their e- mails. City Manager Brady announced that the City now has a new City Clerk, Virginia Bloom. She just started working for the City and asked the Commissioners to meet her if they are at City Hall. Commissioner Morsch noted that Pardee Homes will be coming back to the Commission in a few weeks with a request for recommendation of approval to the City Council for a few more tract maps and mentioned that Councilman Magee brought up an issue at the Housing Element regarding "Estate Size" lots. He asked if the Commission could consider looking at "Estate Size" lots" in the community and indicated that County Club Heights has large lots but the infrastructure is very substandard with narrow streets. He asked if the Canyon Hills Specific Plan has any goals for providing a certain percentage of the newly created lots to be "Estate Size" property. City Manager Brady indicated that they had different planning areas that related back to the size of the lots and they had a variation in terms of size of lots but he indicated that he didn't recall if the Specific Plan required a certain percentage of estate size lots. CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS None. PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Morsch indicated that he looked at some of the lots and in the first tract, the largest lot was 17,000 square feet, tract 36116 had 37,000 square feet and some hillside lots that had 26,000 square feet. City Attorney Leibold indicated that this discussion needs to be put on the next Agenda because the Commission is not supposed to engage in deliberations on something that hasn't been included on the Agenda. She indicated that this item will be put on the next Agenda for discussion and asked if this issue should be included with this item or should it be a separate item. Commissioner Morsch indicated that the applicant will be looking for tentative map approval and he would like to have these issues ironed out before the applicant comes before them so that there are no surprises and they have time to consider this. Lake Elsinore Planning Commission Meeting Regular Meeting Minutes of February 1, 2011 Page 6 of 8 Commissioner Jordan indicated that this would surprise the applicant because Commissioner Morsch is asking them to go from R -1 to R -2 which would be a complete redesign. Vice Chairman Mendoza requested that guidance be given by Councilman Magee in the next Council Study Session regarding the inclusion of "Estate Lots ". Commissioner Morsh stated that there might be opportunities for "Estate Lots' in the next tract phases. City Attorney Leibold indicated that in the context of Canyon Hills, if what the applicant is proposing is consistent with both the Specific Plan, and their Development Agreement, then the Commission doesn't have the discretion to change it because the applicant has a vested right to develop the land accordingly. Commissioner Jordan had no comments. Commissioner O'Neal suggested that the Planning Commission send a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Dhupa of Peaceful Paws, regarding their withdrawal of the Conditional Use Permit for the Animal Crematory Facility. Chairman Gonzales indicated that he would write the letter and have it proofed by the all Commissioners. Vice Chairman Mendoza indicated that he had concerns about the dust and noise affecting the residents in the area regarding the school expansion at Tuscany Hills. He stated that there are no signs posted letting the residents know about the expansion, and no hours of operation or contact number in case a resident wants to contact them with questions or concerns. Commissioner O'Neal noted that the schools in the City have design problems and the traffic is very bad and dangerous. Commissioner Morsch indicated that he spoke to the job superintendent regarding the grading at this location and was told that they filed a Notice of Intent with the state, and also filed with the Urban Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program. There are pollution measures in place and there is a water truck at the location. Their hours of operation are 7:00 am to 5:00 pm and will start mass hauling /import of dirt of approximately 7,000 to 8,000 yards and will be filing a haul route application with the City. Vice Chairman Mendoza indicated that even though the Planning Staff and the Planning Commission are aware of the activity at the location, the residents in the area need to be aware and therefore signs should be posted with contact information. Lake Elsinore Planning Commission Meeting Regular Meeting Minutes of February 1, 2011 Page 7 of 8 Public Works Director Seumalo indicated that the City's inspector goes by the site daily and he suggested that the City coordinate with the School District to request that a sign be posted with the pertinent contact information. He agreed with Commissioner Morsch that the City does have a good working relationship with the School District but also noted that Commissioner O'Neal is correct in stating that the School District has no approval obligations to go through the City. The Director indicated that staff would notify the assistant superintendent at the job site to post a 24 hour contact number for residents that have any concerns. City Manager Brady asked Public Works Director Seumalo to suggest to the School District to provide a notice to each of the homeowners in the area their contact information in case the residents have any concerns and also suggested that the residents contact the HOA directly who can provide them with the information. Commissioner O'Neal indicated that he is happy that there is cooperation between the City and the School District but the Lake Elsinore schools have poorly designed parking, drop off and pick -up circulation areas. Vice Chairman Mendoza agreed that the parking at the schools is dangerous, and people are parking illegally, particularly during Little League season. He suggested that Code Enforcement be involved. City Manager Brady indicated that he agrees with Commissioner O'Neal regarding the poor design of Lake Elsinore school parking lots which is a concern with the City. He indicated that the City has talked to the School District about future designs because of these concerns. Commissioner O'Neal suggested that the School District, as a courtesy, review the designs of any future schools parking circulation with the Planning Staff. Public Works Director Seumalo agreed with the Commissioners and indicated that the parking lot that the School District is building is going to be a joint use so that will help alleviate a lot of the street parking issues. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, Chairman Gonzales adjourned the meeting at 6:28 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Lake Elsinore is scheduled for Tuesday, February 15, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. in the Cultural Center located at 183 N. Main Street, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530. Lake Elsinore Planning Commission Meeting Regular Meeting Minutes of February 1, 2011 Page 8 of 8 Respectfully Submitted, P Kristine Herrington Office Specialist Attest: ykobert A. Brady City Manager