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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-06-2011 NAHCITY OF LAKE ELSINORE PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 6, 2011 CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Jordan called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Gonzales led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson Jordan Vice Chairperson O'Neal Commissioner Blake Commissioner Gonzales Commissioner Morsch Absent: None Also present: Planning Manager Morelion, Public Works Director Seumalo, City Attorney Leibold, Planning Consultant Coury, and Office Specialist Herrington. PUBLIC COMMENTS — NON AGENDIZED ITEMS — 3 MINUTES None. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) Approval of Planning Commission Minutes Recommendation: Approve the following Minute(s): • February 15, 2011 Motion by Vice Chairperson O'Neal, seconded by Commissioner Gonzales, to approve the Planning Commission Minutes of February 15, 2011; Motion passed by 5 -0 vote. PUBLIC HEARING ITEM(S) 2. Residential Desiqn Review No. 2009 -02 and Tentative Parcel Map No 36193 (Modification) — A request to modify the conditions of approval pertaining to hours of construction operation for the Pottery Court Apartment Project located at 295 West Sumner Avenue City of Lake Elsinore Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of December 6, 2011 Page 2 of 5 Recommendation: It is recommended that the Planning Commission approve the requested changes to conditions relating to construction hours and activity Residential Design Review No. 2009 -02, and Tentative Parcel Map No. 36193 (Modification) to read as follows: Provisions of the City's Noise Ordinance shall be satisfied at all times during site preparation and construction activity. Site preparation activity and construction shall not commence before 7.00 a.m. and shall cease at 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or 8 :00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Construction activity shall not take place on Sunday, or any Legal Holidays. Planning Consultant Coury presented the staff report. He stated that the applicant conducted a neighborhood meeting on November 29 th and informed staff that one resident attended the meeting. The applicant also notified staff that there weren't any objections regarding the construction hours. Further, he stated that this item will be presented to the City Council as a Consent Item on December 13, 2011 because the project was previously reviewed and approved by City Council and the applicant is requesting modification to the conditions of approval regarding hours of construction. The applicant, Aruna Doddapaneni, representing Bridge Housing, addressed the Commission. Chairperson Jordan asked Ms. Doddapaneni what kind of construction will be going on in the evening when it is dark. Ms. Doddapaneni stated that there won't be any construction going on when it is dark and noted that the extension of construction hours will take place in Spring when it is light out. She also noted that any construction that would be going on would be inside the units such as plumbing, electrical or carpentry. Vice Chairperson O'Neal stated that he is in favor of the modification to construction hours and doesn't understand why this isn't in the Code to begin with because it seems to be an issue that comes up all of the time. Chairperson Jordan stated that it is part of the Code. City Attorney Leibold stated that it would require a Code Amendment and that this could be part of Chairperson O'Neal's recommendation. Chairperson O'Neal stated that he was making the recommendation. Commissioner Morsch asked if we need to do a Code Amendment. Planning Manager Morelion stated that the Code allows construction hours and specified the times. Commissioner Morsch stated that the recommendation that is stated in the staff report should be included in the conditions of approval. City of Lake Elsinore Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of December 6, 2011 Page 3 of 5 Commissioner Blake stated that he thinks it's great to get the project done as quickly as possible, having the least amount of impact on the community as possible. He also stated that the project is splendid. Motion by Vice Chairperson O'Neal, seconded by Chairperson Jordan to move staff's recommendation with the inclusion of the limitation on the construction activity from the top of the page into the re- worded Condition; Motion passed 5 -0. 3. Residential Design Review No. 2010 -01, Amendment No. 1 for "Bridgegate" Project area within the Canyon Hills Specific Plan Planning Consultant Coury presented the staff report. He stated that the applicant conducted two neighborhood outreach meetings and noted that the applicant did a good job providing information and accommodating those residents that had concerns. He also stated that the conditions reflect the change in construction hours. Sondra Harris of Richmond American Homes addressed the Commission Commissioner Gonzales requested that Condition No. 25 be modified regarding plant and grass coverage and requested that other xeriscape coverage be used and suggested artificial turf. Ms. Harris explained that they will include some grass, shrubs and turf in all of the front yards, noting that the grass is limited. Commissioner Morsch asked regarding Condition No. 25, if the City's requirements regarding landscape coverage conflict with the HOA CC &Rs. Ms. Harris explained that the City's requirements aren't in any conflict with the HOA CC &Rs and further stated that drought tolerant landscaping is a requirement. Vice Chairperson O'Neal stated that xeriscape landscape by definition is drought tolerant. Commissioner Gonzales stated that he doesn't like that the Condition states 100 percent plant and grass coverage. Commissioner Blake stated that he read the Condition the same way and suggested landscaping a model home with all artificial turf. Ms. Harris stated that if the Commission would like to see artificial turf on a model, they can do that and would include it in the package that they submit as an optional package. Public Works Director Seumalo stated that before using to artificial turf, he would like to do more research and make sure that there are no NPDS restrictions. Commissioner Morsch stated that the Monterey, Timothy Models look plain from the street view. He also asked if the single car garage is practical on some of the Thomas models due to the confined driveway. Ms. Harris addressed Commissioner Morsch's concerns. Commissioner Morsh indicated that other than the concerns that he mentioned, they did a great job. Vice Chairperson O'Neal asked regarding Condition No. 22, how the requirements that are made by EVMWD are checked by the City. Public Works City of Lake Elsinore Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of December 6, 2011 Page 4 of 5 Director Seumalo stated that the Building Department checks the plans and the sewer connections are on the building plans. Vice Chairperson O'Neal asked if there are fees associated with bringing planning projects back to the Planning Commission, particularly because this has been the third time that this project has been brought back to the Planning Commission for approval. He asked if the City charges fees for reviewing the projects more than once. Public Works Director Seumalo stated that there is a Cost Recovery Account on all projects. City Attorney Leibold stated that Cost Recovery Account covers staff time, and Planning Commissioners and City Council members are paid for meeting attendance which doesn't deviate on the length of the meeting, the number of times considered, or the number of times that an applicant has requested Planning Commission or City Council review. Further, the City Attorney's attendance at Planning Commission or City Council is part of their retainer. Chairperson Jordan stated that she thinks the architecture looks great and thanked the applicant for all of the architecture elements. Motion was made by Commissioner Morsch, seconded by Chairperson Jordan to adopt Resolution No. 2011 -38, a Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, approving Residential Design Review No. 2010- 01 Amendment No. 1 with modification to Condition No. 25, striking out statement that says 100 percent plant and grass coverage and replacing statement that says 100 percent landscape coverage; Motion passed 5 -0. -U&I I1 I =61:1I I =1 r,K None. ,3IFIIJ& ]l,Ir,l=1►11 16� Public Works Director Seumalo stated that he received a report from the City's Traffic Engineer and indicated that they did a formal Traffic Study regarding the speed limit on Gunnerson Street and provided those results to the Commission. He noted that staff will continue to do spot checks regarding driver's speed at that location. Planning Manager Morelion stated that the December 20, 2011, will be cancelled and will reconvene on January 3, 2012, Planning Commission meeting. COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS Commissioner Gonzales requested the status of the two potholes that he had mentioned to Public Works Director Seumalo. Director Seumalo stated that would follow up with Commissioner Gonzales regarding this issue. Commissioner Morsch updated staff and the Commission regarding information discussed at the Boat Dock Subcommittee meeting and stated that there were a City of Lake Elsinore Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of December 6, 2011 Page 5 of 5 lot of comments from the public regarding roll in docks. He noted that the next Boat Dock Subcommittee meeting will be held in the middle of January 2012. He stated that December 7 th marked the 70 anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day when many lives were lost, and to take a moment and reflect on those events. Commissioner Blake stated his concerns regarding what type of boat dock is safest. Commissioner Morsch addressed Commissioner Blake's concerns regarding boat dock safety. Vice Chairman O'Neal stated that there were two more accidents on Gunnerson Street and Riverside Drive. He stated that he spoke to Caltrans who seemed to be more concerned with environmental issues rather than safety. He asked if the City could install a stop light at that location and stated that if the City doesn't have the funding for this, he requested that they install a flashing yellow signal and stop sign instead. Public Works Director Seumalo stated that he understands Vice Chairman O'Neal's concerns and noted that a signal light at that location is estimated to cost $2 million dollars which the City doesn't have at this time. He noted that the City is aware that this is a safety issue and he is working with Caltrans regarding this issue. He also stated that the City is looking for Grants to help fund a new signal light. CITY ATTORNEY'S COMMENTS None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, Chairperson Jordan adjourned the meeting at 7:03 p.m. The Planning Commission meeting of Tuesday, December 20, 2011, will be cancelled and the next regular meeting of the Planning Commission will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. at the Cultural Center located at 183 N. Main Street, Lake Elsinore, California. Shelly . t'FA r Chairperson Attest: Warren Morelion Planning Manager