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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-20-2007 NAHMINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 183 NORTH MAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CA 92530 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2007 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman O'Neal called the Regular Planning Commission Meeting to order at 6:08 pm. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Deputy City Attorney Santana led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS: O'NEAL, GONZALES, MENDOZA, ZANELLI ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: FLORES Also present were: Director of Community Development Pxeisendanz, Planning Manager Weiner, Deputy City Attorney Santana, Engineering Manager Seumalo, Associate Planner Resendiz, Associate Planner Carlson, Senior Planner Harris, Planning Consultant Coury, Planning Consultant Miller, and Office Specialist Herrington. PUBLIC COMMENTS (Non-Aeenda Itemsl Chairman O'Neal said there was one (1) request to speak. Ms. Donna Franson of Lake Elsinore Citizens Community stated that there will be another Lake Elsinore Citizens Committee Meeting on March 15~ at 7:00 pm at the Tuscany Hills Recreation Center. She said for the past two (2) years, they have been working on two (2) major projects for the City to attract more people to the City. The first project is in regards to signage on Main Street that can be seen from the I-15 Freeway, welcoming visitors to the City. A presentation will be made at the meeting by the company that will be building the archway for the City. The second project is the Princess Boat. They will be sharing with the public what steps they have taken and how far along they are in restoring the Princess to its original condition to be used for educational purposes for their schools and universities for environrnental and marine life studies and enjoyment for the people of Lake Elsinore. They invite all of the Commissioners to attend the meetings and would like to thank those Commissioners that PAGE 2 -PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES -FEBRUARY 20, 2007 attend and participate in the discussions with their Constituents. Past participation has been very helpful and there is a much greater rapport between the citizens and the City Council and the Planning Commissioners. Everyone in the City is invited to attend, Thursday, March ls` at 7:00 pm, Tuscany Hills Recreation Center which is located at 75 Summerhill Drive, and for more information, to call (951) 674-1989. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS Chairman O'Neal is pulled Item Numbers 2 and 4 and requested a motion for the balance. MOVED BY MENDOZA, SECONDED BY ZANELLI, AND PASSED BY A VOTE OF 4-0 TO APPROVE THE BALANCE. 2. Minor Desien Review of a two story Single-Family Residence located at 17395 Bromley Avenue (APN: 378-142-0161 4. Minor Desien Review of a Residential Duplex located on Langstaff Street (APN: 374 -171- 007) Chairman O'Neal stated that Items 2 and 4 have language corrections. Director of Community Development Preisendanz said that staff is requesting a revision to one of the Conditions of Approval for Items 2 and 4 and asked Planning Manager Weiner to discuss this with the Commission. Planning Manager Weiner indicated staff was modifying Condition Number 7 which applies to Item Numbers 2 and 4 and would like to delete the last two (2) sentences "In addition, the applicant.....and going all the way to the period to the end of the paragraph" related to Fire Department. Commissioner Zanelli asked why this is being deleted. Director of Community Development Preisendanz stated that with regards to the Lake Elsinore Water District water flow issues, the Fire Department has indicated that they do not regulate water pressure or volume, therefore, they didn't want to place the applicant with a Condition that he could not satisfy. They have asked that the applicant be subject to Conditions of Approval of the Fire Department, but not the water flow and sufficiency of water pressure. Chairman O'Neal clarified that what staff is deleting is any responsibility from the Fire Department in terms of water flow. Director of Community Development Preisendanz stated that they have approached the Fire Department to receive a written verification of water pressure and volume and the PAGE 3 -PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES -FEBRUARY 20, 2007 Chief has indicated to the City that they are not responsible for water volume or flow, their issues are related to access and hydrant location and they aze deferring that responsibility to the Water District. Chairman O'Neal stated that if they drive up to a fire hydrant and there isn't any water there, that is not their problem? Director of Community Development Preisendanz said no, it is a problem of both but the Fire Department has not, in the past, provided written verification for the water flow. Commissioner Zanelli stated that the Fire Deparhnent is not required to provide the water flow, they do have a standard that is acceptable to them, and if the standazd is not acceptable then it falls back on the Water Department to provide adequate service. Director of Community Development Preisendanz stated that the Fire Department is relying on the Water Department to provide volume and pressure according to their requirements. Commissioner Zanelli stated that they are requiring the letter that states this. Director of Community Development Preisendanz said they have had a circumstance where the applicant has gone to Fire and requested written verification from Fire and they haven't been able to accommodate that. Commissioner Zanelli said that one of the documents states that because there is a fire hydrant that is not within five hundred (500) feet of the residence that the applicant may be required to provide a hydrant. He doesn't feel it should be the applicant's responsibility to do so since there are multiple other residences beyond that five hundred (500') foot limit at this point. It would be unfair to penalize this applicant in that way. He realizes this is a problem throughout Country Club Heights and at some point come up with an adequate solution for this. Chairman O'Neal wanted to know if the Fire Department ever goes out and test water for pressure? Commissioner Zanelli said he can't respond to that because he is not familiar with their procedures. The Agency that he was with, conducted tests on every hydrant and every street valve on an annual basis throughout the City, which was a City controlled Water Department and Fire Departrnent but in the City of Lake Elsinore there are three (3) different Agencies that don't interact with each other. MOVED BY GONZALES, SECONDED BY ZANELLI, AND PASSED BY A VOTE OF 4-0 TO APPROVE A MINOR DESIGN REVIEW OF A TWO STORY SINGLE- FAMILY RESIDENCE LOCATED AT 17395 BROMLEY AVENUE (APN: 378-142-016). PAGE 4 -PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES -FEBRUARY 20, 2007 MOVED BY GONZALES, SECONDED BY ZANELLI AND PASSED BY A VOTE OF 4-0 TO APPROVE A MINOR DESIGN REVIEW OF A RESIDENTIAL DUPLEX LOCATED ON LANGSTAFF STREET (APN: 374-171-007). PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS 5. Tentative Tract Map No. 33140 Director of Community Development Preisendanz stated that the applicant has conceded to a continuance and staff is requesting the project be continued to the March 6, 2007, Planning Commission Meeting. Commissioner Zanelli stated to Deputy City Attorney Santana that he lives within five hundred (500) feet of this project and confirmed with her that he is not allowed to vote on this. Deputy City Attorney Santana stated to Commissioner Zanelli that since he lives within five hundred (500) feet of the project he will need to recuse himself but if he would like to speak to regarding the project as a property owner, he could sit in the audience. Commissioner Zanelli chose to recuse himself. MOVED BY MENDOZA, SECONDED BY GONZALES, AND PASSED BY A VOTE OF 3-0 TO CONTINUE TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO. 33140 TO MARCH 6, 2007. Chairman O'Neal requested a motion to reconsider Item No. 4. MOVED BY GONZALES, SECONDED BY ZANELLI, AND PASSED BY A VOTE OF 3-1, TO RECONSIDER ITEM NO. 4, A MINOR DESIGN REVIEW OF A RESIDENTIAL DUPLEX LOCATED ON LANGSTAFF STREET (APN: 374 -171- 007). Applicant, Hector Zubieta, said regarding Item Number 4, Residential Duplex on Langstaff (APN: 374-171-007), Condition Numbers 48 and 49 about preparing the street alley improvement plans, he stated the street, curb, gutter and sidewalk are done. Director of Community Development Preisendanz referred Condition Numbers 48 and 49 to Public Works Director Seumalo. PAGE 5 -PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES -FEBRUARY 20, 2007 Public Works Duector Seumalo stated that this is a standazd Condition of Approval and they were not making a comment on whether the improvements were in place or not, but that if something in the field is missing these two Conditions would cover it. Therefore, he recommends that the Conditions remain in place and staff has the ability to make interpretations that the improvement is in place or what's needed and issue the Building Permit as far as engineering goes. MOVED BY MENDOZA, SECONDED BY ZANELLI, AND PASSED BY A VOTE OF 4-0 THAT CONDITION NUMBERS 48 AND 49 OF A MINOR DESIGN REVIEW OF A RESIDENTIAL DUPLEX LOCATED ON LANGSTAFF STEET (APN: 374-171-007), REMAIN THE SAME. Chairman O'Neal opened the Public Hearing at 6:20 pm. 6. Conditional Use Permit No. 2005-19 Chairman O'Neal stated that staff is requesting a continuance, however, there is a request to speak. Abraham Mahgerefteh who resides at 3054 Country Club Drive, Costa Mesa, California, said he is in favor of the project, but had questions. He stated that they have redirected the drainage of this site to his property and there is debris coming through the wall. The City or somebody put sandbags there to make sure that the water turns into a gutter but the opening is not aligned to the gutter so if it rains, it doesn't go through land but possibly children put the sandbags on top of each other next to the wall so they have the ability to jump the wall which is very dangerous and asked that the City properly redirect the drainage to the gutter. Chairman O'Neal closed the Public Heazing at 6:25 pm. MOVED BY ZANELLI, SECONDED BY MENDOZA, AND PASSED BY A VOTE OF 4-0 TO CONTINUE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT N0.2005-19 TO MARCH 6, 2007. Chairman O'Neal opened the Public Hearing at 6:25 pm. Conditional Use Permit No. 2006-O1, Commercial Design Review No. 2006-O1 & Uniform SiLn Program No. 2007-O1 "Lakeshore Plaza Shoppine Center" Director of Community Development Preisendanz stated that staff would like to continue this project to March 6, 2007, in order to meet further with the Police Chief regarding the alcohol sales. PAGE 6 -PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES -FEBRUARY 20, 2007 Chairman O'Neal closed the Public Hearing at 6:25 pm. MOVED BY MENDOZA, SECONDED BY ZANELLI AND PASSED BY A VOTE OF 4-0 TO CONTINUE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2006-O1, COMMERCIAL DESIGN REVIEW NO. 2006-O1 & UNIFORM SIGN PROGRAM NO. 2007-O1 "LAKESHORE PLAZA SHOPPING CENTER" TO MARCH 6, 2007. 8. Commercial Desien Review No. 2006-09 & Uniform Si¢n Pro¢ram No. 2007- 02 "Mission Trail ShopAine Center Renovation". Chairman O'Neal opened the Public Hearing at 6:26 pm. Director of Community Development Preisendanz provided a brief overview of the proposed project and requested Project Planner Harris to review it with the Commission and go over any questions. Senior Planner Harris provided an overview of the project. The project complies with all codes and the project has been deemed categorically exempt from an environmental review and states that staff is recommending approval of this project. There are forty five (45) Conditions of Approval and Condition No. 2 has a typographical error and should only be $64.00. Applicant Peter Knoll who resides at 10675 Trina Street, San Diego, California, stated that he hasn't had a chance to formally respond to some of the Conditions and would like to make a few comments. Chairman O'Neal asked Mr. Knoll if he agreed with all of the Conditions of Approval. Mr. Knoll said he did not agree with all of the Conditions of Approval. He stated that regarding Condition Number 16, the trash enclosures are currently existing. Also regarding Condition Number 18, he stated that on two (2) of the buildings, the exterior ladders are the access. Roof access on the other remaining buildings do exist through the interior of the building through roof hatches and they do not plan to make any changes to that access. Condition Number 19, two (2) of the six (6) buildings, the roof drainage is through scuppers with downspouts, and they do not plan to make those changes as well. Condition Number 33, "prior to the erection of the first wall mounted sign, sign program should be revised to require halo lit letters for all the signs," a lot of the existing tenants have long leases and that they are changing the entire versa of the building and don't want to burden the tenants with having to go through the cost and expense of putting these signs on this particular site. PAGE 7 -PLANNING COMNIISSION MINUTES -FEBRUARY 20, 2007 Senior Planner Harris said the only Condition that staff would take issue with is Condition Number 33. Staff worked with the applicants on their sign program and had requested that they scale down their large monument sign out front along the street, and they indicated that they had to have visibility back to the rear building, in addition, there were too many tenant panels on that sign. Staff stated that if they recommended approval of the large sign out front that they would in turn do the halo lit signs which have been requested of various centers in Lake Elsinore and feels that it would be appropriate for the center given the visibility from Mission Trail, in addition, there will be a lot of new residences there and the halo signs will create a better aesthetic. Director of Community Development Preisendanz asked the applicant if he is objecting to all of the signs being changed to a halo lit or that in transition they would need to be halo lit, and as they change their signage, they would need to comply. Mr. Knoll stated that when they do the facades all of the signs will be coming off and he doesn't want to burden the tenants with having the expense of the halo lit lights. They did reduce the size and scale of the monument sign from thirty (30) feet to twenty five (25) feet. Director of Community Development Preisendanz stated that the requirement for the halo lit lights is a new requirement of more recent developments that will enhance the commercial centers and compliment the architecture as well. The code does not require halo lit signs, this is a Planning concept recommendation that will improve the property. He proposed that the current signs be relocated or reinstalled and as new tenants come in, the signs be upgraded to the halo lit. Chairman O'Neal suggested a compromise with the signs. Chairman O'Neal asked if there were any requests to speak regarding this project. Donna Franson stated that this improvement has been needed for a long time. She said that it is a depressed looking area and that business has not been good because of this but work done is outstanding and hopes the project will be contagious. She says that she is very much in favor of the project. Speaker didn't state her name. She said she owns Kids in Action (pre-school), the building next door. She stated that they have improved their building and is very excited that they are coming to do a face lift, and is very much in favor of the project. Chairman O'Neal closed the Public Hearing at 6:42 pm. PLANNING COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS Commissioner Zanelli said he liked the design and thinks it will be a big improvement and is more than willing to be flexible in working out whatever is possible with the signage issue. PAGE 8 -PLANNING COMIVIISSION MINUTES -FEBRUARY 20, 2007 Commissioner Mendoza believes that any positive change is well needed and also agrees that they can be flexible as far as the signage is concerned because anything that will improve the City is positive and encourages the staff to work with the owner and the developer to come up with alternatives for this because he thinks it's going to look great. Vice Chair Gonzales is also in favor of the project and asks if anything has been done to the Washington Mutual building. Sean Pourtmeyor, property owner, stated that their hope is to possibly get a family restaurant or something of that nature. The applicant showed an example of the new sign they are proposing. Planning Commissioner Mendoza stated that if the owner is willing to make improvements to a building that is not being used at this time, there is nothing but good faith being established by the owner. Chairman O'Neal stated that staff needs to eliminate Condition Numbers 17, 18 and 19 and resolve the language on Condition Number 33. He said that staff and the Commission are trying to accommodate what the they need to do. The applicant proposed that when a new tenant comes they should be given the option as to whether or not they would like a halo sign. Senior Planner Harris stated that Sign Programs as it is written now proposes that since it is optional. The applicant stated that the Center doesn't justify the rents and they must acquire a certain caliber of tenant that is willing to put that kind of money into a sign like that. Senior Planner Harris said that staff is recommending that Condition be deleted and it be proposed as drafted now; if they optionally want to do it, they can. The applicant agreed. Commissioner Mendoza stated to Chairman O'Neal that on Condition Number 18, instead of no exterior roof ladder shall be permitted, can it be re-worded to say added so they know no additional ladders on there. Staff agreed that Condition Number 18 be re-worded so that `no exterior roof ladders shall be permitted' will be changed to `no exterior roof ladder shall be added', therefore, no additional ladders will be put on the building. Chairman O'Neal clarified that there will be repairs on the current ones and striking Condition Number 17. PAGE 9 -PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES -FEBRUARY 20, 2007 MOVED BY MENDOZA, SECONDED BY GONZALES, AND PASSED BY A VOTE OF 4-0 TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2007-34, A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, APPROVAL OF COMMERCIAL DESIGN REVIEW NO. 2006-09, FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE MISSION TRAIL SHOPPING CENTER COMPLEX INCLUDING THE REVISIONS TO CONDITIONS 17 WHICH HAS BEEN DELETED, 18 WHICH HAS BEEN MODIFIED, 19 WHICH HAS BEEN DELETED AND 33 WHICH IS DELETED. MOVED BY GONZALES, SECONDED BY MENDOZA, AND PASSED BY A VOTE OF 4-0, TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2007-35, A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING UNIFORM SIGN PROGRAM NO. 2007-02, FOR THE COMMERCIAL SHOPPING PLAZA KNOWN AS MISSION TRAILS CENTER WITH THE DELETION OF CONDITION NUMBER 33, PERTAINING TO THE UNIFORM SIGN PROGRAM. STAFF COMMENTS Director of Public Works Seumalo, said he had four (4) items to update for the Capital Improvement Program. The Railroad Canyon Road, I-15 striping has been delayed and the City is working with Cal-Trans to resolve some reconfiguration issues, however, the hope is that the striping will be completed by the end of this week and the project will be completed. The Railroad Canyon Road Slope Repair Project will be completed at the end of this week with only one more fence to complete. The annual CIP Budget Study Session will be held mid April and he would like the Commission to start thinking about new projects they would like to see go onto the Capital Improvement Program for funding. He stated that if it is not funded, that is okay too, as long as it's on the radar, it will be beneficial. Chairman O'Neal asked Director of Public Works Seumalo, if they can put a traffic light at Gunnerson and Riverside Drive. Director of Public Works, Seumalo said yes. He also said regarding the I-15/74 Ultimate Interchange Project, they were hoping that the performance numbers for a single point interchange would justify its construction. Also, the traffic numbers came back and Cal- Trans is now leaning towards a partial clover which will detrimentally impact the Burger King and property to the southwest of that area. Those right-of--way impacts are PAGE 10 -PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES -FEBRUARY 20, 2007 unavoidable because the performance of the interchange needs to be justified. The single point interchange which has limited right-of--way needs doesn't perform as well as the partial clover which has more right-of--way needs. Director of Community Development Preisendanz let the Commission know that there is a City Council Study Session pertaining to the Civic Center on Thursday, February 22, 2007, at 5:00 pm at the Cultural Center. Deputy City Attorney Santana had no comments PLANNING COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS Commissioner Zanelli had no comments. Commissioner Mendoza asked when the Bowling Alley was going to be going to the Planning Commission. Planning Manager Weiner stated that the Bowling Alley would be scheduled for March 6~' Planning Commission meeting. Commissioner Mendoza asked when Tom's was going to be opening. Planning Manager Weiner stated that there are building issues that are being taken care of as far as occupancy, and he was not sure if the outside improvements were done yet, but they are almost finished. Commissioner Mendoza stated to Chairman O'Neal the reason why he disapproved of Mr. Zubieta's project was going back to the Consent Calendar, Mr. Zubieta knows the Planning Commission's procedures yet he sat in the audience and let the Planning Commission bypass it, then went back to it and in the past, he did not attend the meeting, and had a proxy come to the meeting who agreed to all of the Conditions. When Mr. Zubieta came to the next meeting, he did not agree with four (4) of the Conditions. If he knows the procedure then he should follow them, he shouldn't have proxies come to the meeting and complain about it. Chairman O'Neal stated that Mr. Zubieta does know the procedures. Commissioner Mendoza stated that he does think that is it great that the Chief of Police get involved in any new establishments that will be selling and serving any alcohol. Chairman O'Neal stated that the Rite-Aid Drug Store got continued to the March 6a' Planning Commission meeting so that the Chief of Police could weigh in on alcohol sales. Commissioner Mendoza asked Public Works Director Seumalo about Capitol Improvements on Franklin. PAGE 11 -PLANNING COMNIISSION MINUTES -FEBRUARY 20, 2007 Public Works Director Seumalo said that the design is completed and staff is looking to bid later this month or early next month. Vice Chair Gonzales had no comments. ADJOURNMENT THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, CHAIRMAN O'NEAL ADJOURNED THE MEETING AT 7:05 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Kris Herrington Office Specialist III ATTEST: Rolfe Preisendanz, Director of Community Development