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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-07-2006 NAHMINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 183 NORTH MAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CA 92530 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2006 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman O'Neal called the Regular Planning Commission Meeting to order at 6:02:17 PM PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Gonzales, led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS: O'NEAL, GONZALES, MENDOZA, FLORES, ZANELLI ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Also present were: Community Development Director Preisendanz, Planning Manager Weiner, City Engineer Seumalo, Deputy City Attorney Santana, Senior Planner Harris, Associate Planner Carlson, and Planning Consultant Miller, Associate Planner Resendiz, Office Specialist Christine Herrington PUBLIC COMMENTS (Non-Agenda items) NONE CONSENT CALENDAR Chair O'Neal requested to pull item No. 2. MOVED BY ZANELLI, SECONDED BY FLORES AND PASSED BY A VOTE OF 5-0, TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS NO. 1, 3, AND 4. 2. Minor Desien Review for two (2) Single Family Residences located on two (2) senarate lots at 29315 and 29327 Gunder Avenue (APN: 378-204-020, 021 and 0~. PAGE 2 -PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES -NOVEMBER 7, 2006 Planner Resendiz presented the Minor Design Review for the development of the project on Gunder Avenue. He stated there will be two single family residences with attached garages. They will both be built in Craftsman Architectural Style, however they will differ in elevations. Staff has determined that the project proposed meets all the requirements of the district guidelines, as well as the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code development standards. He stated that he has worked with the applicant and has made tremendous improvements on what is being presented. The Jimmy Colazo is present, he is representing the investor building the project and agrees to the conditions of approval Bill Gentry 16525 McPherson Avenue, Lake Elsinore, he stated he welcomes any new housing coming in, the only problem they are experiencing is the water pressure at times you only get a dribble of water. He also stated he is afraid of there being a fire, because there is basically no water pressure. Chairman O'Neal stated the commission is awaze of the problem. Vice Chair Gonzales stated he spoke to a resident and she stated she has to keep a bucket of water by her toilet to flush, because there is no water pressure available. He stated the water district must do something with the water pressure. The applicant stated he is aware of the issues with water pressure in some parts of the city, basically once they get the approval from the water department, as far as they know everything is good to go at that point. He stated he has the will serves, and they check fire hydrant pressure prior to approval, so he assumes the criteria has been met. Chairman O'Neal stated there is a condition of approval that requires the will serve be submitted prior to the issuance of the building permit and the analysis will be looked at with scrutiny at that time. Chairman O'Neal stated they have been advising applicants to meet with the Fire Department to check access and water availability. He also stated he would like to instigate a process where all projects especially in "Country Club Heights" go through the Fire Department. Commissioner Flores questioned where the nearest fire hydrant is located that will serve this property. Planner Resendiz stated the hydrant is located 275 linear feet from the site and the size of the water main is 4 inch in size. Commissioner Flores he can not see approving this project until water conditions have improved. Commissioner Mendoza stated this project needs to be postponed for the safety of the other houses and the city does not fall under any legal action for approving it. Commissioner Zanelli stated he agrees with the other Commissioners and when it comes time to test the water pressure he would like a representative from the Fire Department to be present to verify water pressure. PAGE 3 -PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES -NOVEMBER 7, 2006 Chairman O'Neal stated the commission's approval does not allow them to build, it just allows the project to move along in the process, in order for the applicant to get a building permit this issue will have to be settled. He also stated he does not want to postpone the commissions decision today, based on the discussion. Director of Community Development Preisendanz stated that prior to the issuance of the grading permit the applicant shall provide protection access and facilities as required by Riverside County Fire Department. Commissioner Zanelli stated he would like to amend Condition No.51 stating that the technical data for water service at this location, such as the water pressure and volume shall be verified and certified by the Fire Department, independently of the Water District. Amendment to condition no. 53 regarding the fire protection, access and facilities required by the Riverside County Fire Department. City Attorney Santana suggests that this language is added: In addition the applicant shall request that Riverside County Fire Department independently review and provide a written report of the sufficiency of water pressure and volume vies a vie, the attached project, to the extent the Riverside County Fire Department issues a written report, that report shall be submitted to the Community Development Director for review prior to the issuance ofgrading permit. The applicant representative agrees with the conditions. MOVED BY ZANELLI, SECONDED BY GONZALES AND PASSED BY A VOTE OF 5-0, TO APPROVE WITH AMENDMENT TO CONDITION NO. 51, AS STATED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS 4. Zonine Ordinance Text Amendment No. 2006-02. Chairman O'Neal opened the Public Heazing at 6:31:55 PM . Director of Community Development Preisendanz presented the items and fumed it over to the planner for formal presentation. Planner Carlson presented the staff report to the commission. He stated the amendment would increase the required minimum on-site landscaping percentages for all commercial and industrial zones, also to increase the amount and size of required trees in ratio to the number of parking spaces within areas as outlined in chapter 1766 "Pazking Requirements". Planner Cazlson also stated that by recommending approval this will assist in but not limited to improved aesthetics by insuring that all future development meets all reasonable landscape PAGE 4 -PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES -NOVEMBER 7, 2006 requirements, improve landscaping consistency among developed sites, improve customer service, the documented standards allowed developers to plan for and budget for landscaping eazly in the project. Finally, provide guidelines to the landscape architect as they prepare plans. He also stated that the benefit of increased landscaping aze as follows; enhances property values, resale value of property, beautifies streetscapes and right of ways, improves air quality, reduces energy consumption and stabilizes soils. Staff surveyed several cities with in close proximity and for on site landscaping requirements, it was found that the current requirements of 10% for commercial and 8% for industrial was on the lower end of the spectrum for an average of what all the cities used. In regazds to the trees, staff did also survey several cities in close proximity; we found we were on the lower end of the cities that use one per how many stalls ratio. Staff would like to recommend the following changes in commercial and industrial zones; a) Increase the amount of on-site landscaping coverage from 10% to 20% in all commercial districts. b) Increase the amount of on-site landscape coverage from 8% to 20% in all industrial districts. c) Increase the required ratio from one 15 gallon tree for every 10 spaces, to one 24 inch box tree for every 5 spaces. Comments• Chair O'Neal has no comment Commissioner Zanelli would like the wording to adjust to each different project and site, the more flexibility we have would be better for the planners and developers. Commissioner Flores had no comment. Commissioner Mendoza agrees with the change and it will make the city look even better. Vice Chair Gonzales stated he likes the idea of the using the 24 gallon trees, we will be raising the baz. MOVED BY ZANELLI, SECONDED BY GONZALES AND PASSED BY A VOTE OF 5-0, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2006-122, A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, APPROVAL OF ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT NO. 2006-02, IN ADOPTION OF THE NEGATIVE DECLARATION. None INFORMATIONAL PAGE 5 -PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES -NOVEMBER 7, 2006 None STAFF COMMENTS City Engineer Seumalo commented on: • The city finally received the encroachment permit from CALTRANS to go ahead with the intersection improvement and signalization of Grand/Ortega intersection, it is currently out for bid, and it is expected to go to construction in eazly January 2007. • He stated the paving of Gunder and Engel Circle has begun by Harding & Harper is working on the grading and the paving will be completed before Thanksgiving. • Engineer Seumalo stated there is a project on Lakeshore Drive, it's an Aeration Station, this is being constructed by EVMWD, the point of the station is to aerate the lake, and this will improve the health of the lake by oxygenating the water. The residents have been questioning the allowance of the water district to fill within the boundary streets, there is a specific ordinance in the city that prohibits that. The Water District brought in imported fill inside the boundary streets, on the lake side of Lakeshore Drive fill has been placed. The intent of the ordinance, not to fill within the boundary streets is to preserve the flood plane and flood capacity of the lake, the intent of the preservation is to not allow fill below 1263.3 that is the hundred year flood elevation. He stated that if you fill above a flood plane area it doesn't affect the capacity of the lake, because your above where water needs to go and the lake has the same capacity, the Water District filled 200 cubic yards in the flood plane, so the capacity of the flood plane is being reduced by 200 cubic yards. Engineer Seumalo stated because of this we have had residents requesting grading permits to fill within the boundary streets because of the work the Water District is doing, the Engineering division is maintaining the ordinance that we aze not going to allow grading, because the intent of the project is to improve the health of the lake, which is a general benefit to the population. He stated they will be bringing forward an ordinance change to specifically address the limit of the fill to above the flood plane elevation to preserve the flood plane capacity and allow development that is reasonable. Chair O'Neal commented on • Where the water comes from in Gunderson pond? Engineer Seumalo stated that is reclaimed water from Eastern Municipal Water District and some from Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District. Commissioner Mendoza commented on: • What are the big poles along Lakeshore Drive? Commissioner Zanelli stated that was a project of the Safety Advisory Committee to put identifying markers azound the perimeter of the lake to be used by emergency services personnel. Director of Community Development Preisendanz commented on: PAGE 6 -PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES -NOVEMBER 7, 2006 • There is a study session on Thursday at 4:00 pm with the City Council regarding the Civic Center sites. There will be a presentation of the analysis of the possible sites, costs, and construction. • The staff has been meeting with the Marina Project, it is still in process and will come to the commission in the near future. • The Krnart building is currently on hold and they are not allowed to do any work on the building, because we don't have any permits, they have hired an person to oversee the project, the plans were submitted, we have a number of corrections, hopefully this can be worked through to get a successful business in there, but for now it is shut down. • Code Enforcement is the process of a net project, where they will be sweeping through the Historic District, looking at illegal structures. • In conclusion he stated 55 letters were sent to homeowners along Lakeshore Drive, these are letters of violation, to clean up the area, we have seen some action from the property owners and then there are some reluctant to clean up. Director of Community Development Preisendanz stated for followine regarding a Salary Survey for Planning Commission Benefits: • City of Riverside does not provide a stipend or benefits for Planning Commissioners. • City of Murrieta provides no stipend or benefits, • City of Temecula provides $50.00 per meeting not to exceed $100.00 per month and no benefits. • City of Corona provides $50.00 per meeting and no benefits. • City of Perris provides $100.00 per meeting and no benefits. He stated he will look into other cities and see what kind of stipend and benefits they provide and prepare a report. Vice Chair Gonzales commented on: The two signs up on the hill at the end of Nichols and Collier which say Alberhill Ranch, do they have a permit for those signs? Director of Community Development Preisendanz stated they do not have permits and they do need to have permits, the signs are much larger than the city permits. He stated he will have Code Enforcement look into the matter right away. Commissioner Mendoza commented on: • The recently approved signs in the industrial area and they can not have any additional signs affixed to the building, but 74 Motors put their signs in their PAGE 7 -PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES -NOVEMBER 7, 2006 windows. Director of Community Development Preisendanz stated that he has met with the owner regarding the signs and they have until the end of the month to remove the window signs. • Commissioner Mendoza stated he will not be at the next meeting, he will be out of town. Chairman O'Neal questioned Engineer Seumalo regarding the cement manufacturing plant on Lakeshore Drive and is it legal? Engineer Seumalo stated that it is more of a zoning issue and the MPVS Coordinator has been in touch with them. Engineering has also noticed them, we are waiting for compliance. Chairman O'Neal also commented on the intersection at Collier and Riverside with left turn lane signs keep changing. Engineer Seumalo stated CALTRANS was notified and they just removed the striping instead of removing the sign. He also stated that we can lobby for improvements, but that's as far as we can take it at this time. ADJOURNMENT THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, CHAIRMAN O'NEAL ADJOURNED THE MEETING AT 7:10:49 PM . Respectfully Submitted, Kris Herrington Office Specialist III ATTEST: olfe Preisendanz, Director of Community Development