HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-19-2013 NAHCITY OF LAKE ELSINORE
PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES OF MARCH 19, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Morsch called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Blake 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, Planning Consultant Donahoe, City Attorney Leibold, and Office
Specialist Herrington.
PUBLIC COMMENTS — NON AGENDIZED ITEMS — 3 MINUTES
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM(S)
None.
PUBLIC HEARING ITEM(S)
Consistency Zoning Project — Phase II, including the following items:
a. General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -01
b. Zone Code Amendment No. 2013 -03
C. Zone Change No. 2013 -01
Planning Consultant Donahoe presented the staff report. She stated that staff
held a community meeting on February 20, 2013, and had a good turn out. She
reviewed changes /revisions to the zoning maps on PowerPoint and explained the
revisions. Also she stated that staff received a lot of phone calls, front counter
inquiries, and a -mails and she feels comfortable that property owners were
notified of the change.
City of Lake Elsinore
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
of March 19, 2013
Page 2 of 9
Planning Consultant Donahoe noted that property owners, Michael Cargile, Said
Cohen, Eric Lent of Time Warner Cable, and Michael Gordon currently have M -1
zoning and would like to retain the M -1 zone instead of going to a C -O zone.
Planning Consultant Donahoe stated that after reviewing the Compatibility Matrix,
the Business Professional designation had a limited number of possible zones in
it. Therefore, she stated that staff is proposing that they expand the options by
adding the M -1 and C -M zones, as compatible zones in the Business
Professional Designation. She indicated that it would enable existing industrial
uses in the Business Professional designation of the General Plan to continue.
Planning Consultant Donahoe also stated that in a similar instance, there was M-
1 zoning originally on Flint Street on an existing set of industrial buildings and
because staff wants to encourage industrial uses in the Business District, they
believe they should restore these properties back to an M -1 zone. Therefore,
they are requesting that, as part of the cleanup of the General Plan Amendment,
they put this property back to the Limited Industrial designation; thereby allowing
the M -1 zone on that property, as well.
Planning Consultant Donahoe received an e-mail and a phone call from George
Koliber regarding his property located at the southwest corner where Nichols
Road intersects Collier. He requested that staff consider Castle and Cooke's
proposed realignment of Nichols Road because it goes through his property
which will create some changes. However, Planning Consultant Donahoe stated
that staff feels it is premature at this time to make the requested changes
because the realignment design has only been proposed to staff but hasn't been
implemented. She noted that Staff can revisit this issue when the alignment
does occur and when they will have a better means to determine the balance of
uses in that particular zone.
Planning Consultant Donahoe also discussed the redistricting included in the
general plan amendment, the proposed P -1 Public /Institutional Zoning, other
proposed changes to the Compatibility Matrix, and Zone Change No. 2013 -01
that are described in the staff report.
REQUEST TO SPEAK
Michael Gordon, Eric Lent of Time Warner Cable, and Mike Cargile requested to
retain the M -1 zoning applicable to their property.
Chairman Morsch asked Planning Consultant Donahoe to explain why staff had
originally proposed changing zoning to C -O. Planning Consultant Donahoe
stated that during the consistency zoning, staff had to look at the General Plan's
compatibility matrix to see what options were available. That is why Staff is
recommending the change to the matrix to add the M -1 as a permitted zone in
the Business Professional land use designation.
City of Lake Elsinore
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
of March 19, 2013
Page 3 of 9
Commissioner Gray stated that he appreciated staffs work and thinks that it is
well done.
Commissioner Jordan seconded Commissioner Gray's comment and indicated
that Planning Consultant Donahoe did a great job.
Vice Chairman O'Neal stated that he had a question about the Public /Institutional
zone and asked that as a courtesy, whether it is possible to get the Lake Elsinore
School District to review the plans before the traffic jams happen. He indicated in
particular, the problems at Rice Canyon Elementary. He asked if the City can get
a response from the School District. Planning Consultant Donahoe stated that
she agreed that the problem is horrendous and although it only lasts for an hour
in the morning and an hour in the afternoon, it is still very bad. She stated that
asking that the City request of the School District to help them with their planning,
has not been well received in the past and noted that the issue is that when the
District receives funding for a site and a design they are stuck with that design
and do not take into consideration what the City sees as possible conflicts. Vice
Chairman O'Neal stated that the design is unsafe with regards to the entrances
and exits, and when people are picking up their children, they double park which
is dangerous. Planning Consultant Donahoe stated that the City at one time had
a relationship with the Planning Department of the Lake Elsinore Unified School
District who on occasion, coordinated with the City regarding planning and
approval of maps. She suggested that the City can approach them again.
Chairman O'Neal stated that someone is going to get hurt or killed there. Public
Works Director Seumalo responded that the City has a good working relationship
with the School District but when it comes to building a school, if the funding is
there, they want it to be completed right away. He stated that they have
coordinated with a few "Safe Routes to School" funding grants but the City is on
the verge of losing the "Safe Routes to School" grant because the School District
wasn't prepared to do their share of the work and all the City can do is offer our
help and noted that the City will work with the School District as much as
possible.
Vice Chairman O'Neal stated that the Public Works Department adjusted traffic
lights for left turns at Machado. Public Works Director Seumalo stated that are
looking into re- stripping the road on Lincoln to provide a left turn pocket.
Chairman Morsch asked if the School District's participation is mainly financial.
Public Works Director Seumalo stated no and explained that it requires them to
do some construction as well. He indicated that they are going to reconfigure
their on -site circulation and widen their driveway and the City's portion is to widen
the entrance in the right -of -way, as well as reduce the size of the median and put
in an additional signal.
Linda Ridenour stated that there is no safe way for the kids at Lakeshore High
School to walk to the Lakeland Village area and indicated that someone has
City of Lake Elsinore
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
of March 19, 2013
Page 4 of 9
already been killed there. Public Works Director Seumalo stated that the City
has been working on a project for almost a year and noted that the City has been
trying to process an encroachment permit through Caltrans to allow them to start
work on that project. He stated that the City received word that the contractor will
be receiving the encroachment permit from Caltrans later in the week. Work will
begin within two weeks. The project will provide a pathway on Riverside Drive
and Grand Avenue to Lakeside High School. He indicated that there will be a
Phase II to the project which is currently in design but there is no construction
funding at this time. He stated that there will be a signal light at Grand Avenue
and Riverside Drive which will facilitate pedestrian crossing and at the lake side
of the intersection.
Chairman Morsch asked if a sidewalk will be part of the "Safe Routes to School.
Public Works Director Seumalo stated that the City applied for "Safe Routes to
School in that area but were not successful. Therefore, the City applied for the
Senate Bill 821 grant funding which was successful.
Commissioner Blake stated that the report that Planning Consultant Donahoe did
was very impressive and thanked her for her work. He asked what the process
was for determining Public /Institutional zones. Planning Consultant Donahoe
stated that staff took a look at the existing buildings that may not remain as
Public /Institutional uses and they kept their existing zoning rather than forcing
them into a Public /Institutional zone. City Attorney Leibold stated that if there
was a Public /Institutional General Plan designation, then it changed for zoning
consistency. She stated that if those parcels want to change the use of the
property, they would have to go through a General Plan Amendment and a zone
change and noted that staff did make sure that the zoning designations matched
the General Plan designations.
Chairman Morsch asked Planning Consultant Donahoe to explain why under
Zone Code Amendment No. 2013 -03, where staff is adding Chapter 17.106
Public /Institutional District to the Municipal Code. The Motion states that an
appropriate zone is not currently available but is entirely consistent and
compatible with the Public /Institutional designation. Planning Consultant
Donahoe explained that the City didn't have a Public /Institutional zone and the
only current options would be Recreation or Open Space and neither of those
applied. She stated that the City needs a zone that clearly states that these are
public uses, or institutional uses that generally are not governed by the Municipal
Code.
Chairman Morsch asked that when the City adopts a Specific Plan for an area,
why there isn't a zone change concurrently processed with that Specific Plan
adoption. City Attorney Leibold stated that the Specific Plan is the zoning
designation and noted that zoning provides for specific land use designations
and the alterative to zoning is a Specific Plan which also provides for specific
land use designations.
City of Lake Elsinore
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
of March 19, 2013
Page 5 of 9
Planning Consultant Donahoe clarified the changes that will be made to the
General Plan /Zoning Compatibility Matrix to the Commission, as noted in the
staff report.
Motion by Commissioner Jordan and seconded by Commissioner Gray to
approve Resolution No. 2013 -45, 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 General Plan Amendment No. 2013 -01, modifying
the General Plan Compatibility Matrix (Appendix B) by adding the "Floodway"
Designation, the "L Lakeshore" and "P -1 Public /Institutional" zones, adding the
"M -1 Limited Manufacturing" zone as a compatible zone in the "Business Park"
designation, and changing the Compatible zone in the "Lakeside" designation
from "R -1 Single - Family Residential" to "L Lakeshore;" relocating the Non -
Residential areas of Annexation No. 81 from the North Central Sphere District to
the Business District; relocating the Residential Areas of Annexation No. 81 from
the North Central Sphere District to the Lake Elsinore Hills District; relocating the
Commercial Area on the west side of Lake Street, between Running Deer and
Mountain, from the Lake View District to the Alberhill District; changing the Land
Use designation of Non - Cemetery properties from "Public /Institutional" to
"Limited Industrial;" and changing the Land Use designation of existing industrial
Properties on the south side of Flint Street from "High Density Residential" to
"Limited Industrial. "; Motion passed 5 -0.
Motion by Commissioner Gray and seconded by Commissioner Jordan to
approve Resolution No. 2013 -46, a Resolution of the Planning Commission of
the City of Lake Elsinore, California, recommending that the City Council of the
City of Lake Elsinore, California approve Zoning Code Amendment No. 2013 -03,
modifying the City of Lake Elsinore Municipal Code, Title 17 — Zoning, adding
Chapter 17.106 "P /I Public /Institutional District. ": Motion passed 5 -0.
Motion by Commissioner Gray and seconded by Commissioner Jordan to
approve Resolution No. 2013 -47, a Resolution of the Planning Commission of
the City of Lake Elsinore, California, recommending that the City Council of the
City of Lake Elsinore, California approve Zone Change No. 2013 -01, known as
the Consistency Zoning Project — Phase II, changing the zoning of various
parcels in the Business District of the City to zones consistent with the General
Plan designations therein, and as amended in Area 2; Motion passed 5 -0.
BUSINESS ITEMS)
None.
DISCUSSION ITEMS)
2. Presentation by Historic Preservation Ad Hoc Committee regarding
establishment of a Historic Preservation Commission
City of Lake Elsinore
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
of March 19, 2013
Page 6 of 9
Acting Planning Manager MacHott stated that at the beginning of last year, the
Planning Commission held several workshops regarding historic preservation
and as a result, a recommendation was made to the City Council to create an Ad
Hoc Committee to consider historic preservation within the City and to come back
to the City Council with recommendations. As part of their motion to create the
Ad Hoc Committee, the City Council directed the Ad Hoc Committee to make a
presentation before the Planning Commission with regards to their
recommendations and to obtain the Commission's comments; which they could
forward to the City Council. Since the Ad Hoc Committee reports directly to the
City Council, the Planning Commission will have no action with regards to the
recommendation and will just have a discussion and offer their comments. He
indicated that the Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee is Joyce Hohenadl and
she will be making a presentation on behalf of the Ad Hoc Committee.
Joyce Hohenadl, Chairman of Historic Preservation Ad Hoc Committee thanked
the Historic Preservation Ad Hoc Committee members for volunteering their time
in attending meetings and conducting research for the Committee. She also
gave a special appreciation to Richard MacHott for helping the Committee reach
the goals established in the Resolution.
Ms. Hohenadl stated that Lake Elsinore is rich in history and there are many
properties of architectural and historic significance. She indicated that the
Committee wants the City to promote historic preservation, which will bring
tourists and visitors to enjoy Main Street and other areas where there are
historical buildings and sites in the City. She stated that on September 28, 1982,
Resolution No. 82 -67 was adopted by the Lake Elsinore City Council,
establishing a Historic Preservation Commission. However, one was never
appointed. She discussed the Committee's recommendations and stated that a
Historical Preservation Commission is needed to monitor the continuing
existence of the City's heritage and everything historical in the City and sphere of
influence.
Ms. Hohenadl recommended that another survey regarding the historical
buildings be done because that last survey was done in 1991. She indicated that
this is a huge endeavor and explained that new pictures have to be taken;
information needs to be given to the Assessors Office, etc. Commissioner
Jordan asked if Ms. Hohenadl has an estimate of how many more buildings she
thinks need to be added vs. the survey done in 1991. Ms. Hohenadl stated that
there are a lot of homes in the City that are now over 45 years old since the 1982
and 1990 surveys were done, and many more homes need to be looked at and
added onto the survey, as well as taken off, possibly because they are no longer
in existence.
Vice Chairman O'Neal stated that his house was built in 1928 and he wants to
modify his own house and knows what he wants but it may not be what the
Commission wants. He asked how he reconciles this kind of situation. Ms.
Hohenadl stated that he never designated his house as being historical and she
City of Lake Elsinore
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
of March 19, 2013
Page 7 of 9
discussed their proposed Certificate of Appropriateness procedures. Acting
Planning Manager MacHott added that the Certificate of Appropriateness
programs that have been implemented by other cities only address those
properties that the owner has voluntarily agreed to designate their house as a
historical structure. Therefore, the City is not going to designate his site as
historic and then impose the requirements without his concurrence.
Commissioner Jordan asked about the Mills Act. Ms. Hohenadl stated that if a
resident wants to sign up for the Mills Act to get the tax benefit, the house has to
be registered as a historical site first. Ms. Hohenadl clarified that just because
your house is 45 years or older does not necessarily make it historical.
Ruth Atkins, a member of the Historical Society, stated that the Mills Act is not an
open program that anyone in the City can do and explained that the City has to
decide how many properties they want to do during a given period of time, and
the residents have to do what the Mills Act requires. Acting Planning Manager
MacHott clarified that the Mills Act is a contractual arrangement between the
property owner and the City to preserve the property.
Commissioner Blake thanked the Historical Society for taking the task seriously
and appreciates all of the work they have done. He stated that although he
knows that historical value of a building is considered 45 years and older, it may
be too soon, and suggested that a building be 100 years and older to be valued
as historical. He suggested as a consideration that the Historical Commission
serve a one year term instead of a four year term, to see how this Commission
develops. Ms. Hohenadl stated that the 45 years or older for historical buildings
was established by the Riverside County Historical Commission.
Commissioner Gray stated that he appreciates the Committee's enthusiasm in
getting this moved along and noted that 30 years seems like a long time to have
waited for a Historic Commission to be established.
Chairman Morsch applauded the work that Ms. Hohenadl and the Historic
Committee has done.
Tim Fleming, resident of Lake Elsinore and a member on the Ad Hoc Committee
stated that the purpose of the Ad Hoc Committee is to come up with an inventory
of historic buildings that Lake Elsinore has. As a Commission, their goal is to get
the inventory set up so that the staff and the public can have access to these lists
and a resident will be able to see if their property is on this list. He emphasized
that it is the Historic Preservation Commission that will be doing the work. He
thanked Ms. Hohenadl and Acting Planning Manager MacHott for all of their work
establishing the Historic Preservation Ad Hoc Committee and bringing it to
Council within a year.
Chairman Morsch indicated that the recommendation states that they are either
leaving it up to the City Council to adopt a Certified Local Government Program
City of Lake Elsinore
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
of March 19, 2013
Page 8 of 9
or adopt a Historic Preservation Ordinance and wanted to know if there is one
preference or another, or can they do both. Ms. Hohenadl stated it will be one or
the other and the Committee would like a certified program because that entitles
the City to apply for grants. Acting Planning Manager MacHott stated that in
order to have a certified program, the City needs to meet certain criteria which
include having an ordinance. Commissioner Morsch asked Ms. Hohenadl if they
have an estimated annual cost budget for this Commission. Ms Hohenadl stated
that it is not their task and they are leaving it up to the City Council to decide the
annual cost budget and also to decide how many Commissioners they would like
to have on the Commission.
City Attorney Leibold stated that under the City Council Policy, the Ad Hoc
Committee is a Special Purpose Committee that dissolves upon the completion
of its task.
Vice Chairman O'Neal stated that he was mainly interested in a survey of all of
the buildings in Lake Elsinore and it is important for the Commission to have
knowledge of specific historic buildings. Ms. Hohenadl stated that she knows
that he published two books with photographs of Lake Elsinore and noted that he
is aware of the importance of having a survey that not only the Planning
Commission can review but also that the public can review with a description of
the historic buildings.
PLANNING COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS
Commissioner Blake thanked Fred Lopez, the City's Code Enforcement officer
for being on top of things in the City.
Chairman Morsch stated that a few weeks ago, four of the Planning
Commissioners attended the League of California Cities' Planning Commission
Academy and indicated that the 3 -day academy was very informative and he
thanked the City Clerk, Virginia Bloom, for recommending to the City Council that
they rejoin the League of California Cities. He stated that it offers a valuable
resource. Also, he stated that there was a great presentation from about mixing
pedestrian and bicycle paths with the traffic elements and indicated that it is
important that the City stays on top of the current philosophy on developing our
community so that it is safe for pedestrians, for the bicycle riders, and for
everyone that lives in the City.
STAFF COMMENTS
None.
CITY ATTORNEY'S COMMENTS
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City of Lake Elsinore
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
of March 19, 2013
Page 9 of 9
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission,
Chairman Morsch adjourned the meeting at 7:47 p.m.
The Lake Elsinore Planning Commission will adjourn to a regular meeting to be
held on Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. to be held at the Senior Activities
Center located at 420 E. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530.
kick Morsch, Chairman
City of Lake Elsinore
Attest:
j
Richard Z MacHott
Acting Planning Manager