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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem No. 1aCITY OF LAKE ELSINORE PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 15, 2011 CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Jordan called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairperson Jordan led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Chairperson Jordan Vice Chairperson O'Neal Commissioner Blake Commissioner Gonzales Commissioner Morsch Also present: City Manager Brady Director Seumalo, City Attorney Environmental Consultant MacHott, Morelion, Public Works Consultant Donahoe, Herrington. the `' Elsinore Citizens Committee, stated that Ion io keep the citizens informed of what is e d d ,there will be a meeting on December 8 at `creation Center with guest speaker Viet Tran, :barn California Edison Company for Lake Elsinore rhill Power Station Project, Smart Connect Budget other methods for saving electricity. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) 1. Approval of Planning Commission Minutes Recommendation: Approve the following Minute(s): • July 5, 2011 • October 18, 2011 PC January 3, 2012 Item No. 1 a Page 1 of 7 Swearing in of new Planning Commissioner David Blake. City of Lake Elsinore Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of November 15, 2011 Page 2 of 7 Motion by Vice Chairperson O'Neal, seconded by Commissioner Morsch, to approve the Planning Commission Minutes of July 5, 2011, and October 18, 2011; Motion passed by 5 -0 vote. PUBLIC HEARING ITEM(S) 1. 2011 Comprehensive Update of the City General Plan and Related Documents Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Planning Commission take the following actions: 1. Recommend to the City Council certification of 'I aRecirculated Program Environmental Impact Findings o) Fact and Statement of Overriding Consl.#'erations, and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Proajn. 2. Recommend to the City Council ap � "val of the General Plan Update, Downtown Master Plan, Key oFDowntown Implementation Plan, Downtown Code 66d Elerrient,Update. Planning Manager Morelion briefly reviewefWtke documents being considered r.. and the history of the Gegtyral Plan Update prod` � He stated that Planning Consultant Donahoe would';,be discussing the changes in the General Plan document since 2009,and Envronmental`Consultant MacHott would be reviewing the environmental determination. Planning,,3on'su)taat Dor e prestYd the staff report. She noted that a few letters regarding ffi "enerdl Plan Update came to the City after the Planning Commission Packets',were distributed and indicated that she gave each Commissioner copies o the letters prior to the meeting getting started. The nA letters include a letter from Brian Lam and a response letter prepared by staff to Mr. Lam; a le from Castle & Cooke Alberhill Ranch; and a letter staff received in the afternoon th� Commission meeting from K.S. Chen. She stated that staff t � , %a look at Mr. Chen's request, and although he gave the street names an the APNs, staff does not believe there will be a land use designation change to his property with the General Plan Update. Planning Consultant Donahoe also noted that under Exhibit B of the staff report, the State approved the Housing Element for the General Plan. Environmental Consultant MacHott presented the environmental portion of the staff report. Attorney John Messina Jr. of Kelly Lytton & Williams Law Firm, representing Brian Lam & Mebo Properties stated that he is requesting a designation change PC January 3, 2012 Item No. 1a Page 2 of 7 City of Lake Elsinore Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of November 15, 2011 Page 3 of 7 on the proposed General Plan for the property located at 116 E. Lakeshore Drive. He stated that they are proposing development of a hotel and condominiums at this property and is requesting that the proposed General Plan be postponed so that the zoning of this project can be reviewed further. He noted that this would be a major development on the waterfront and this project can't proceed if the General Plan is adopted. Vice Chairperson O'Neal stated that this process has been going on for a while and indicated that Mr. Lam, who Mr. Messina is representing, has had the property for over a year and the Downtown Master Plan was done two years ago. He indicated that Mr. Lam could have approached the Cit en. He noted that even though Mr. Lam has a project to submit, it's not ggdQ to stop the process. City Council will make the decision regarding postport \\�, General Plan. Commissioner Gonzales asked when Mr. project to the Planning Commission. Mr. I brought the project to the Planning Division that although the project looks good, if it tak project to the Planning Commission, the C the General Plan. mnirg,,,on bringing the i that Mr,, Lam has not sioner Gonzales stated to a year tklOesent the t that long and hold up Commissioner Morsch stated thi Effloo community meeting on the Downtovk+" e the community to be introduced to tl fi that City Manager Br.xq, ted in a III e the condominiums anc� e��ty cannot c proposed project', Planning/Manager t Brady's letter, it does allow tor, a number Mr. Lam's Droiect, but residential is not coi two years ago, the City had a flan and It was an opportunity for pecafic.,planning areas. He stated Mr. Lam that the primary hurdle is the' General Plan based on their lion stated that in City Manager ses that would be compatible with David ,.Garrison stated that ,die was representing Mr. Fawcett of Marinita Development, who could not att the meeting. Mr. Garrison requested that the Plan ning.Ggmmission a City ouncil add their proposed commercial project at Lake Street and Mount aif Street to the Albherill District in lieu of the Lake View District, as it is currentl�/s/, hown on all General Plan land use maps. He stated that the project'Wo 1, ; d better served in the Alberhill District and discussed why and indicated that t)r this with staff. Vice Chairperson O'Neal stated that he agrees that this project should stay in the Alberhill Ranch District and doesn't understand why staff changed the location to the Lakeview District. Planning Consultant Donahoe clarified that the 2009 District map did not reflect any changes compared to today's map. She also noted that staff didn't change any of the District boundaries except for the one required by LAFCO where the area was incorporated into the City of Wildomar. City Attorney Leibold stated that if the Planning Commission recommends changes then staff will evaluate those changes and the issue will become whether or not those changes necessitate additional environmental analysis. She also stated that from her understanding, staff is saying that there is nothing in the Lakeview District that PC January 3, 2012 Item No. 1 a Page 3 of 7 City of Lake Elsinore Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of November 15, 2011 Page 4 of 7 prohibits or is inconsistent with the proposal the property has made in the past and as Mr. Garrison said, there are no existing entitlements. Additionally, she stated that the project is not within the boundaries of the Alberhill Specific Plan and there isn't anything in the Lakeview District policies that are inconsistent, incompatible, or would in any way prohibit the project that Mr. Fawcett previously proposed. Commissioner Morsch asked whether Mr. Fawcett's proposed project was prior to 2009. Mr. Garrison stated yes. City Attorney Leibold explained the purpose of the District boundary. There was discussion from Commissioner Blake regarding Mr. Fawcett's request for district boundary changes and whether it would affect the recirculation of the EIR. City Attorney Leibold stated that she doesn't think it would require a full EIR and Consultant M&Hott stated that he doesn't think that the change to the boundary would ne�essitatb the recirculation of the EIR. Mr. Garrison thanked the Commission for,146onsideration. Steve Semingson of Civic Partners stated that thee - Genera ,lan has been an intensive and arduous task. He also stated, th in his opinio it,was a "pretty sophisticated process ". He thanked staff and the Commission and commended them for their hard work and job well done. BUSINESS ITEMS mil 7 Commissioner stated that he associated se greenhouse eg 2 In the .;CIIm< govern „the City. docy 7 t is requ office reL mend as the existing ct Plan, this wa” _i, rsi 1 . chapter provides`,' regulations drivinc Iced staff and1the consultants for their hard work. He to %see Chapter2 in the Climate Action Plan and the ie` EIR deleted�iKy` hich include how the effects of -5„ .et oll rlimate� ommissioner Blake asked if Chapter Ian can 66 eleted and still abide by the laws that ,ery „of Rincon Consultants said that the CEQA xpl6ih,� isting conditions and the Attorney General's existing quantities of greenhouse gases be disclosed She also stated that regarding the Climate Action with staff and they came to the conclusion that this Ind for the entire document and also provides State iment and therefore, included it. Vice Chairperson O'Neal stated that he agreed with Commissioner Morsch regarding eliminating Chapter 2 of the Climate Action Plan. He stated that staff has done a remarkable job, and thanked Planning Manager Morelion for his work on the General Plan. He also stated that he appreciated everyone's comment letters. Commissioner Blake thanked staff for their excellent work. He asked if Chapter 2 of the Climate Action Plan can be deleted. City Attorney Leibold explained that for purposes of the environmental documentation and the background, the City PC January 3, 2012 Item No. 1 a Page 4 of 7 City of Lake Elsinore Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of November 15, 2011 Page 5 of 7 needs to look at the history, the purpose, or the science behind the legislation. City Attorney Leibold stated that she doesn't think that it is necessary that the City adopt or endorse the science and thinks that there is a middle ground between eliminating Chapter 2 and recognizing that the legislature has imposed a mandate to adopt the Climate Action Plan based on this science. Further, she indicated that it is unclear whether the elimination of Chapter 2 would still provide for a defensible and complete Climate Action Plan. Commissioner Blake asked if it is mandatory to put goals in the Climate Action Plan. City Attorney Leibold stated that the goals and the caps are legislatively mandated. Commissioner Blake stated that he respects the develop a $50 million dollar project in the City which attractive place, but doesn't think that the General I suggested that Mr. Lam bring the project to Plannint He also stated that whether Mr. Fawcett's proper Lakeview District or the Albherill District shouldn't "h same right to improve the property and noted both districts. He also thanked staff for maki[> District. Further, he stated that he is impress and with the Native American Heritage areas well done. Chairperson Jordan Hydraulic Resources that the plan shows Regarding the Down she found it diffic j clarification Plannr stated that s L a � pp %- Un Public Dir'&df noted tfi,ey don't would try Ya1d funs from Caltransyso.thai also wanted to° roadways in the that staff would stated that on the Gei fact Lam wants to the City a more ang,84ould be delayed. He "om jsgion at a later date. location' is located in the after as loq �s he has the guidelines ar he same for ings happen Ballpark h'e>�General Plan document firmed staff that it was a job regarding Exhibit 4.4 would like to confirm location of th dad hazard zone on the map. ode, exhibit92.6a on the District Map, she stated inrJish betwe' . the different Districts and requested nager Morelion 4W eed with Chairperson Jordan and rtrfv 1 Jordan stated that the curb to Main'Strbet is not esthetically pleasing and asked urrralg if Caltrans can landscape that area. Public tat fiat he would make the request to Caltrans, but fundtri'g. He stated that the Public Works Department trough grants and apply for an encroachment permit :ity can landscape the area. Vice Chairperson Jordan that bike paths were designated as part of the future i Master Plan. Public Works Director Seumalo stated k with the Parks and Recreation Department regarding this issue. Chairperson Jordan thanked staff for all of the hard work on the General Plan and stated that she is very excited about the Downtown Master Plan and the Waterfront District. Commissioner Gonzales thanked staff for doing a marvelous job on the General Plan. Motion was made by Commissioner Gonzales, seconded by Commissioner Morsch to adopt Resolution No. 2011 -36, a Resolution of the Planning PC January 3, 2012 Item No. 1 a Page 5 of 7 City of Lake Elsinore Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of November 15, 2011 Page 6 of 7 Commission of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, recommending that the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore, certify Recirculated Program Environmental Impact Report for the General Plan Update, Housing Element Update, Downtown Master Plan and Annexation No. 81 (SCH No. 2005121019), deleting Section 2.2 of the Climate Action Plan; Motion passed 4 -1. Motion was made by Commissioner Morsch, seconded by Vice Chairperson O'Neal to adopt Resolution No. 2011 -37, a Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, recommending that the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore, approve the Comprehensive Update of the General Plan, which includes the Housing Element te, the Downtown Master Plan, the Key to Downtown Implementation R1,, and the Downtown Code; Motion passed 5 -0. Commissioner Gonzales thanked staff for all Plan and asked when staff would be presentin, City Attorney Leibold stated that the General Council on Tuesday, December 13 ''d Works Director Seumalo when they would be C Public Works Director Seumalo stated that It started in one month. Commissioner Morsch welcomed Brady if the City would be main City going to lease th goncessio City Manager Brad�statei tflat completed and puf a Reque and revitalization of th�,nampgro a "Class A" type of Recxe tlon /R City Co u ; ,140'r," '- ,, al the Ci executes a (ease on )�eh the ,J He exp�af gd that , communl£y nd believeshat tf�e'p location for�si� r, long tear. �f the�C hard v�grk on the General the General Plant to City Council. Plan w be preseri�ed,to City issloer Gonzales asked Public RU C �i g1tk' & on Hunt Avenue. is rrent in design and will be Commissjon�er Blake`0He asked City Manager tainmg own ershlp3 ,,th Boat Launch or is the nary services out'brlease the entire facility out. the City's approach is to get the Boat Launch st For Proposal for the operation, development and The City will then look for someone to put V Park into the facility which will be brought to Issioner Morsch stated that his concern is that if If of the City, the City no longer has control of kte is a big proponent of bringing solar to the arkina lot at the Boat Launch would be an ideal Vice Chairperso6, #I'welcomed Commissioner Blake to the Commission. He stated that there`lt house on Pinnell that is half built, graffitied, and is a potential safety hazard that either needs to be finished or demolished. City Manager Brady stated that he has instructed Code Enforcement to put this property into structure abatement and indicated that the City hasn't had any response back from the property owner. He also stated that eventually it will have to be torn down. Vice Chairperson O'Neal also stated that there is a platform on Haag that is dangerous and needs to be demolished and indicated that Building and Safety Manager Chipman is aware of this but it still hasn't been demolished. Additionally, Vice Chairperson O'Neal informed Public Works Director Seumalo that there was another accident at Riverside Drive and Gunnerson Avenue which is a very dangerous intersection. He also stated that PC January 3, 2012 Item No. 1 a Page 6 of 7 City of Lake Elsinore Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of November 15, 2011 Page 7 of 7 he believes Nichols Road is going to open soon and should be closed to truck traffic that should be diverted down the freeway for safety reasons. Chairperson Jordan welcomed Commissioner Blake and stated that she was impressed with his questions. She also thanked staff for all of their hard work on the General Plan. STAFF COMMENTS City Manager Brady thanked everyone who worked on the General Plan over the years which included members of the General Plan Committee, staff and Planning Manager Morelion. He wanted to thank, lnJparticular, Planning Consultant Donahoe, Environmental Consultant MacH.ott, City Attorney Leibold and Public Works Director Seumalo. He also than ik�d, outside consultants that helped work on the Housing Element and the Cllm f�Act bi'i <Plan. He welcomed Commissioner Blake to the Commission. Public Works Director Seumalo welcomed Commissioner Blake. Planning Consultant Donahoe thanked the Planning Manager Morelion thanked,,staff for their hand work on the General Plan and welcomed Commissioner Blake.; CITY ATTORNEY'S COMMENTS City Attorney Leibo)elcar,ad Commissioner B gf There be)pg further byness fo6me before the Planning Commission, Chairperson Jordar✓�dj oum the meeting at 7:46 p.m. to the next regular meeting of the Planm Commission of the City of Lake Elsinore to be held on Tuesday;. December 6; -011 „fit 6:00 p.m. at the Cultural Center located at 183 N. Main: #reef, Laklslnore, California. Shelly Jordan Chairperson Attest: Warren Morelion Planning Manager PC January 3, 2012 Item No. 1a Page 7 of 7