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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC_Minutes_1983_01_18MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF HERMOSA BEACH HELD ON JANUARY 18, 1983, IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CH.AMBERS AT 7:30 P.M. Meeting called to order at 7:40 P.M. by Vice Chairman Izant ROLL CALL PRESENT: Comms Brown, Izant, Loosli, Shapiro, Smith, Strohecker ABSENT: Chrm. Peirce ALSO PRESENT: Pamela Sapetto, Planning Director; Ralph Casteneda, TDC Planning APPROVAL OF MINUTES Comm. Smith asked for a clarification on page 2 where it stated" ... 61 per­ cent"of the condominiums were owner occupied, adding that it didn't indicate what it was 61 percent of. Vice Chmn Izant said that figure was not available at this time. Comm. Shapiro stated that the comment concerning the definition of "Bed and Breakfast" was taken out of context and thought that this wa.s an incorrect summarization. Adding that it could be an indication of perhaps more serious errors in summarization. It was decided to let the minutes stand as submitted. Motion to approve by Vice Chmn Izant, seconded by Comm Shapiro. So ordered. RESOBUTIONS P.C. 83-1, 83-2, 83-3, 83-5. After a short discussion there was a motion by Comm Strohecker, seconded by Corrnn Shapiro, to pass the resolutions as a group and as reflecting the intent Qf what happened at the last meeting. AYES: Comms Brown, Tzant, Shapiro, Strohecker NOES: ABS: Comms Loosli, Smith REQUEST 'FOR 'lOO FOOT TOWER BY STORER CABLE T.V. AND CUP Ms. Sapetto gave the staff report. She stated that it was the staff's recommend­ ation that the Planning Commission consider the item and then continue it to the next meeting so that the necessary General Plan Land-Use Element may be acted upon first.· Further, that the project had undergone an environmental review and was issued a negative declaration. She continued by saying that the project as proposed will consist of a 100 foot tower with microwave antenna for receiving TV signals and will involve the construction 0f two earth-station dishes. It will be located where a portion of an existing building will be removed, with no Storer parking facilities being affected. She further stated that the tower will be constructed of a galvanized-steel framework, to be tri­ angular in shape with the base being 12' 8 11 and then tapering to a 4' diame.ter It is to be a needle-type steel structure so as to minimize obstruction of visibility. Safety will be provided by a 15' wall on the north and west sides of the structure, and the tower will be equipped with an aircraft warning light at its peak. Citing the above factors, staff felt that project approval is warranted. Ms. Sapetto further pointed out that at this time there is a con­ flict between the General Plan and the Zoning Ordinance as to permitted land use. Based on that conflict it was recommended that, with Commission approval, to change the land-use element of the General Plan from open space first, which would necessitate a public hearing and would postpone project approval at this time. In answer to CommLoosli's question, Ms. Sapetto stated that the legal building height in the city is 45', adding that the tower in question would not be con­ sidered a building or habitable structure as defined by the Zoning Code, and ( Page 2 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES -January 18~ 1983 thus is not limited by that code section. Public Hearing Opened. Ron Miller, Representative/Applicant, HCB Construction Management Company for Storer Cable. Mr. Miller stated that as to the discrepancy with respect to the conflict between the zoning and land use, he would address that at a future time. He generally agreed with the comments of staff, and noted that Storer is planning a major improvement of a recently purchased building on Valley, which improvements include a studio, new headend facility, and other general improvements to the cable system. He added that the light at the tower's peak is not required but can be done if Commission feels it necessary. Not- ing further, that the addition of the tower to the system is to upgrade the system itself and is a planned expenditure by Sto~er to improve reception. Comm Loosli pointed out that if the tower was not located at sealevel, as planned, then a 100' tower would not be necessary. Mr. Miller stated that this location was purchased because all of their facilities could be at one location, adding that proximity of the tower to the equipment is very impor­ tant. Carl Ossipoff, General Manager, Storer Cable, Hermosa Beach, stated in answer to Connn Loosli question that, according to their survey, a 100' tower was necessary because reception is affected dramatically under 90'. He added that channels 50 and 18 were must--carry stations by FCC regulations and that in order to receive them properly the tower must be at least 100', otherwise the picture would be substandard, Mr. Miller stated that the reason for tower's being located on the Valley Drive site was to eliminate amplifiers within the system. In answer to Vice Chmn Izant's question, Mr. Ossipoff stated that the numbers contained in the report attributed to reception at Live Oak Park were read at the tower, without going through the seven amplifiers. Gomm Smith felt that that should have been stated in the report. In answer to Vice Chmn Izant's question, Mr. Ossipoff stated that Storer had a 15 year franchise from the city which expires in 1992. He added that the cost increas@were written into the franchise with a guaranteed increase of 75 percent of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Comm, Smith wanted to know if there is any stipulation in the franchise for special pass-on increases. Mr. Ossipoff stated that there was, but that it involved City Council approval. He added that there is a proposal before the City Council at this time based on the 75 percent CPI provision. Comm Shapiro asked if in the future the state-of-the-art witn respect to towers changed so that a smaller tower would do the same job, would Storer be willing to replace the 100' tower without passing the costs on to , the con­ sumer. Mr. Miller stated that they might. Comm Smith stated that he was concerned that 100' tower will be located next to a school and trailer park and wanted to know if the tower would be up to seismic standards. Mr. Miller stated that the towers are idesigned to the Uni­ form Building Code (UBC) with a safety factor of 2. The foundation is done with drilled piers going down 25 to 30 feet, with reinforcing steel held down by high-strength anchor bolts. Adding futher that it is designed by a California State licensed engineer,and it is designed to withstand the seismic forces des­ cribed by the UBC then doubled. Vice Chmn Izant asked what the City's lia­ bility would be if the tower did not withstand an e~rthquake. Ms. Sapetto Page 3 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES -January 18, 1983 stated that the structure has to conform with the UBC and if it passed in­ spection with respect to that code, the liability would fall on the owner and engineer and natl, the City. Adding however, that the City would probably be named in any resulting lawsuits. Vice Chmn Izant noted that the proposed cable would be of a 1/2' type and asked whether a larger cable would require less amplification and thus would eliminate the need for such a large tower. Mr, Ken Gromberg,Storer Repre­ sentative, 19401 Pruitt Drive, Torrance, sta~ed that that was correct, but that Storer would still have the problem of dual locations, There being not further testimony the Public Hearing was closed, In answer to Vice Chmn Izant's question Ms Sapetto informed the Commission that the hearing tonight was not advertised generally to the public, but was a mailed-notice hearing with those persons within a 100' radius of the proposed building site being notified, To the question of the conflict of land use and zoning, she stated that the open space zoning belongs where the public school site exists and not where there has been a continued use of the property by private persons, Adding that what is important at this time is to decide about the future land use of the site and whether the Commission wants the site to continue to be for a manufacturing use, After deciding that the Commission can decide if the structure is appropriate for that site and whethe~_.it . falls within the zoning regulations. Additional, an EIR might be of assistance to the Commission in its consideration of the issue in con­ flict. Motion by Comm Strohecker, seconded by Comm Smith, to continue the Public Hearing on the Storer request until after such time as a Public Hearing can be noticed on the change of the land use element of the General Plan in the area at issue, and the completion and submission by Storer of a focused EIR on the proposal before the Connnission. AYES: NOES: Comms Izant, Loosli, Shapiro, Smith, Strohecker Comm Brown Tilffi :EXTENSION -oF -TENTATIVE MAP 40578 AND CUP LOCATED AT 1833 PACIFIC COAST ·HIGHWAY Ms. Sapetto presented the staff report and stated that it was the staff's recommendation that the resolution be app~oved by the Commission, She added that,~o.n request of the Commission at their last meeting, the owner of the property was present to answer Commission's questions, She added that staff, after appropriate research, determined that the applicant had the legal authority to request the extension.In answer to Comm Smith's question, Ms, Sapetto said that this would be the one and only extension allowed; however, the applicant could reapply and present the project again as a new project. Comm Loosli asked for a definition of "substantial building". Ms, Sapetto stated that the City Attorney defined vesting of rights as being after the point of breaking ground "and that it would have to be at the point of the land having been graded. Public Hearing was opened. James Lynch, 4345 Mariota Avenue, North Hollywood 91602, applicant, stated that the reasons for his request were because of the current economic con­ ditions and how they adversely affect interest rates and short-term loans Page 4 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES -January 24, 1983 with respect to construction. He felt that within the near future, with the interest rates coming down, that the market would be good for this pro­ ject. In answer to Comm Loosli's question he stated that the project was the same as it was originally submitted but that there could be some changes. Ms. Sapetto added that, technically, any change would require Plann~~g Connnission approval with the approval being focused on the specific change. Motion by Comm Smith, seconded by Comm Brown, to approve the Resolution as presented; approving the time extension for Tentative Tract Map Number 40578, located at 1833 Pacific Coast Highway. AYES: NOES: ABS: Comms Brown, Shapiro, Smith Comms Izant, Loosli Comm Strohecker There being a tie vote, further discussion was held with the result being, that since the project itself had been previously approved and that tonight's vote went only to the extension of time, Comm Strohecker changed his vote, with the final vote being: AYES: NOES: Comms Brown, Shapiro, Smith, Strohecker Connns Izant, Loosli REVISED HOUSING -ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN Mr. Casteneda presented the staff report. He stated that staff has followed the format and framework approved by the Commission last year, and pursuant to that he submitted sections 4 and 5 in draft form. He noted that it is not ready for approval at this time, but is intended to prompt reaction and comment to give aid to staff in completing the final document. He stated that section 4 deals with the use and function of the housing ele­ mentand application of the element in the future. Section 5 deals with hous­ ing needs, including, existing housing supply, the amount of new housing that may be needed in the community, various p9pulation characteristics, as well as, the issue of affordability. Issue of illegal and bootleg housing are also focused on, along with statistics on deteriorating housing. Additional items deal with senior citizens and other population groups; and with re­ lationship of income to the amount of housing costs. He added that at the present time staff has no specific number or locations with respect to the illegal/bootleg housing. He continued by saying that the information dealiP.g with the quality of housing is based on a survey done 4-1/2 lfears ago, and they used those statistics and applied those figures to the city population as a whole to extract an estimate of what the conditions are citywide. Finding further that about 1,000 housing units might be in need of major repairs. Major repairs include work costing in excess of $2,000.00 With respect to the amount of new housing needed, he noted that the sta­ tistics and figures were supplied by the regional agency (SCAG) to the city, and they can be revised by the city in consultation with SCAG. He stated further that by state law the agency is to supply thse figures to the city. The figures used are based on the latest statistics supplied by SCAG; however, SCAG is, at this time, in the process of revising those £igures based on the 1980 census data. He added, that as soon as the new figures are available they will be brought to the Commission. Page 5 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES -January 18, 1983 Furthermore, the number of new housing that might be needed, based on these figures, is within the amount that could be built based on the existing land use element. Noting that, subsequent sections to this element will allow the Commission to indicate whether or not they feel that in the next 5 years that amount of housing can be built. He continued by saying that the Conrrnission is not bound to the total need figure, but they can select a figure they find is necessary in the next 5 years. In answer to Comm Loosli's question, Mr. Casteneda stated that the City is bound by law to use the SCAG figures in their plan, but there is a time period that the City can work with SCAG to come up with revised figures that the City can work with that they feel is more generally reflective of the situation in their particular city. Further, that in subsequent sections of the Plan, the City can indicate that this is the amount of needed housing that can be built based on consideration of environment, congestion, etc., and can limit the number currently allowed, so the City would not be required to up the density by zone changes, etc., in order to meet the SCAG figures. Additionally, the number of new housing stated in the plan would be the bottom line number that can be huilt, and need not be the same as the amount of housing that theoretically SCAG has indicated. Noting further, that this is a continuous issue in most communities. Comm Loosli noted that considering the way the SCAG figures are arrived at, that as housing needs grow, so will the SCAG figures and cities will continuously be required to provide new housing to acconnnodate the p~pu­ lation growth without regard to population density. Mr, Casteneda continued by saying that the element also must provide in­ formation on various populations groups with special needs, i.e., senior citizens and female heads of households, And the information supplied in this draft is based on the 1980 census. With respect to the afford­ ability item, he explained that it was measured in terms of the amount housing costs in relation to income. He added that the information supplied in that regard was also from the 1980 census. Comm Loosli stated that he was concerned about the conflict between the housing element in the section on new housing and the land use ele­ ment. He added that he thought the General Plan should specifically state which has superseding authority. Vice Chmn Izant agreed. Mr. Casteneda said that as a general rule the land use element drives the housing element unless otherwise stated. Vice Chmn Izant stated that in section 5, first paragraph, he didn't feel that "needs" and "conditions" were one in the same. He suggested that staff specifically list both the needs and the conditions that affect those needs, He suggested further that in regard to the SCAG recommendations on the bottom of page 4, last paragraph, that the word "should" should not be used. Also on page 6, he asked if "household growth" meant what the City wants to happen over the next 5 years or if that was someone's opinion as to what is going to happen. Mr. Casteneda said it was an opinion. Vice Chmn thought that it should be stated as such. Page 6 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES -January 18, 1983 Comm Strohecker suggested that on page 2 of the draft the wording should be changed from deteriorating housing which could be brought up to standard to ·. "should" be brought up to standard. Also as to bootlegs, there should be some dialogue as to what the City proposes to do about it. Comm Brown stated that he thought there should be more imput from the community as to what the actual needs of the city are. Conuns Smith and Loosli suggest the issue of down-zoning be addressed in the element. Mr. Casteneda explained that the replacement of lost inventory number d.s on a one-to-one replacement. Comm Smith thought that that nmnber should reflect actual past experience, i.e., when a building is torn down, is it usually replaced with a single-family dwelling or a multiple-family dwell­ ing. Vice Chmn Izant suggest that the title of section 5 be changed from "needs" to "goals." Mr. Casteneda explained that as this plan gets into the Public Hearing phase it would reflect more public imput. Also he pointed out that upon completion the growth issue will be consistant with the land use element. CONSIDERATION OF REPLACING ALL STREET SIGNS WITH NEW ONES COLORED BLUE 'AND WHITE The staff report was given by Ms. Sapetto. She stated that at the Commission's suggestion it has been put on the agenda for discussion, adding that only a minimal amount of research has been done on the issue at this time. However, staff did find out that repainting the signs is not a possibility because of the reflective nature of the signs. Additionally, the cost factor for re­ painting would not be economically feasible, in that it outweighs replacement cost. Replacement cost is approximately $40,000.00. She added that if it is the consensus of the Commission to investigate further, staff will in­ vestigate further into costs and repercussions. Gomm Shapiro stated that he belives at this time the signs are replaced on a rotating basis, and suggested that the next time an area is replaced they be of the new blue and white, thereby it would not require expenditure of any new funds. He added that it should not be done on a sporadic basis. Public hearing was opened, there being no testimony, hearing was closed. Vice Chmn Izant suggested that the Commission make a determination if they want the staff to pursue this issue further. Comm Brown was in favor of replacement if it is done on a rotational basis and it doesn't require extra funds. He suggested that the Traffic Division of the Public Works Depart­ ment provide commission with some statistics on what would be a more appropriate color and perhaps give the Commission some choice as to colors. Comm Loosli stated that the color should not be chosen solely on its visi­ bility factor, but that esthetics should be considered. Comm Smith stated that because of the numbers of tourists who visit the City, image enhance­ ment should be co~sidered. However, a special expenditure shouldn't be used. .J Page 7 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES -January 18, 1983 At Comm Strohecker's suggestion, Ms. Sapetto stated that she would find out if replacement is done on a rotating basis and what the time period will be for total replacement. STAFF REPORTS Ms. Sapetto stated that there is a seminar scheduled by the League of California Cities in Monterey, and inquired whether any of the commission­ ers would be interested in attending. Comms Brown and Loosli said that they might be able to attend. She also noted there was an upcoming meeting of the Southwest Area Planrr ning Council on Friday, January 28. 1983. Motion to adjourn at 10:55 CERT! FI CATI ON I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes were approved at a regular meeting of the Planning Commission held on the ____ day of ____,, __ _ 1983. SPEIRCE, CHAIRMAN JOEL SHAPIRO, SECRETARY DATE