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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-05-2013 NAHCITY OF LAKE ELSINORE PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 5, 2013 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Morsch called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Jordan led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman Morsch Vice Chairman O'Neal Commissioner Blake Commissioner Gray Commissioner Jordan Absent: None Also present: Acting Planning Manager MacHott, Public Works Director Seumalo, City Attorney Leibold, and Office Specialist Herrington. PUBLIC COMMENTS — NON AGENDIZED ITEMS — 3 MINUTES CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S) 1. Minutes for the following Planning Commission meeting(s) • February 5, 2013 Motion by Vice Chairman O'Neal and seconded by Commissioner Blake, to approve the Planning Commission Minutes of February 5, 2013; Motion passed 5 -0. PUBLIC HEARING ITEM(S) None. BUSINESS ITEM(S) None. City of Lake Elsinore Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of March 5, 2013 Page 2 of 5 DISCUSSION ITEMS) 2. Presentation by the Citv Manaaer City Manager Yates introduced himself. He stated that he worked in the City of Carlsbad for 6 years and the City of Temecula for 21 years. He discussed the goals and the vision for the City of Lake Elsinore, focusing on the key initiatives that the City Council gave him. He stated that the City has so much to offer, and he is very excited for the future of the City. Chairman Morsch asked if the City is still interviewing for the Economic and Community Development Director. City Manager Yates stated that the position is for Community Development Director only and they are currently interviewing for the position. 3. Presentation regarding Highway 395 Corridor Study for Southwest Riverside County Jennifer Ward and Chris Gray representing the Western Riverside Council of Governments ( WRCOG) gave a PowerPoint presentation. Ms. Ward stated that WRCOG's goal of the study is to enable the four contiguous cities to accommodate future growth by utilizing a range of transportation options and to reduce transportation demand through better community design. Grace Sandlin of Studio 395 asked if public art can be done at the bus stops and metro links. Mr. Gray indicated that WRCOG's priority and the funding is for improvement to bus stops by putting benches, shade, shelter, and sidewalks in first and noted that if Studio 395 would like to put artwork in, they can do so voluntarily but the improvements as discussed have to be made prior to any art work to be done to them. Chairman Morsch asked if there are initiatives to open the Corridor. Ms. Ward stated that there is a collective effort to bring all four cities together which will bring Grants. Mr. Gray stated that there may be additional funding if there is additional transportation. Chairman Morsch and Commissioner Blake asked if they are going to add a Class 1 bike trail in Lake Elsinore. Mr. Gray stated that the current proposal did not include the City of Lake Elsinore and indicated that WRCOG did a regional bicycle plan and studied the Class 1 trail and found that the trail became difficult to extend through Lake Elsinore due to the terrain but noted that there is a demand for the Class 1 bike trail. Commissioner Jordan asked if there are a lot of right -of -way easements that are going to have to be obtained to accomplish some of this. Mr. Gray stated that it is possible; however, there is no development at a number of locations, along the corridor. Therefore, their recommendation would be that as development occurs, City of Lake Elsinore Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of March 5, 2013 Page 3 of 5 that the City make sure that the Conditions include a requirement that the roadway be built out and he pointed out that the City's General Plan calls out for the widening of certain roads within the corridor. 4. Presentation regarding proposed Lake Elsinore Outlet Center Renovations The architect, Mark Tweed, presented a PowerPoint presentation. He stated that the current owners of the Outlet Center have developed a plan to invigorate the project. Their plans include the demolition of two buildings to open up the mall (currently underway), renovating the inside to include landscaping and improvements to give the facility a new sense of place and a more aggressive signage program. Mr. Tweed also stated that the City's staff is currently reviewing applications for a Specific Plan Amendment and a Uniform Signage Program that would implement the owner's vision. Staff is planning to bring the matter forward for a public hearing before the Planning Commission as soon as the SB 18 (Native American Tribal Consultation) process concludes on or before May 27, 2013. Therefore, there will be a public hearing before the Planning Commission no later than June 2013. Commissioner Jordan stated that she thinks it's a great project. Mr. Mike Garner, representing the owners answered that they are recommending to the City that as the development occurs that the roadway be built out. Commissioner Jordan suggested having one or two sit down restaurants to bring more customers to the outlet. Mr. Garner stated that once there are more customers coming to the Outlet, they would like to build more restaurants. Vice Chairman O'Neal asked what the City's Sign Program allows. Acting Planning Manager MacHott stated that since the Outlet Center is part of a Specific Plan, there is capability of developing signage at very select locations, such as along the freeway which is a location that allows extreme signage. Vice Chairman O'Neal discussed the signage at car dealerships and asked if it will impact their business. Acting Planning Manager MacHott stated that if a developer has a new specific plan to develop, staff will review the plan on a case by case basis to determine the appropriate signage for a specific project based on their overall program. Commissioner Blake asked if the property to the north of the Outlet Center is part of the Outlet Center. Mr. Garner stated that it is part of the Outlet Center and noted that it is temporarily being used as a parking lot. He stated that there is some interest to do a freestanding restaurant pad. Commissioner Blake stated that he loves the design of the water spouts. He also asked what will happen with the parking lot. Mr. Garner stated that they will be City of Lake Elsinore Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of March 5, 2013 Page 4 of 5 refreshing the parking lot and would like to have music in the parking lot to enhance the experience at the Outlet. He indicated that they are beginning the work on the signage and the renovation will begin as they go through the planning and building permit process and the estimated time of completion is the spring of 2014. He also noted that tenants will be keeping their stores open during this process. Commissioner Gray stated that it is a great improvement to the City. Chairman Morsch asked what will happen to the backside of the signs. Mr. Garner stated that they are going to make a monochrome finish on the back which will be a consistent color. Chairman Morsch asked what the budget is for this improvement. Mr. Garner stated approximately 3 -5 million dollars. Chairman Morsch asked about the status of the medium to go along Collier. Public Works Director Seumalo stated that staff is asking for Council approval to do landscape improvements along the median. Chairman Morsch asked about the intersection at Collier. Public Works Director Seumalo stated that the City has no plans at this time but indicated that it is part of the Conditions of Approval for the Alberhill Ranch project. Vice Chairman O'Neal asked about the 60 acres in the area of Nichols Road. City Manager Yates stated that this area is on the radar. STAFF COMMENTS None. PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Blake stated that he was pleased to attend the League of California Cities presentation for Planning Commissioners and indicated that it was very educational. Chairman Morsch thanked City Manager Yates for his presentation and stated that he believes that good times are ahead for the City. He also thanked staff for all of their hard work. CITY ATTORNEY'S COMMENTS None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, Chairman Morsch adjourned the meeting at 8:12 p.m. City of Lake Elsinore Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of March 5, 2013 Page 5 of 5 The Lake Elsinore Planning Commission will adjourn to a regular meeting to be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. to be held at the Senior Activities Center located at 420 E. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530. /&4 Rick Morsch, Chairman City of Lake Elsinore Attest: Richard J. MacHott Acting Planning Manager