HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-12-07 PC AGENDAAGENDA
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1315 VALLEY DRIVE
HERMOSA BEACH, CA 90254
December 7, 2011
7:00 P.M.
Shawn Darcy, Chairman
Sam Perrotti, Vice Chairman
Ron Pizer
Peter Hoffman
Kent Allen
Note: No Smoking Is Allowed in The City Hall Council Chambers
THE PUBLIC COMMENT IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER SPEAKER
Planning Commission agendas and staff reports are available for review
on the City’s web site at www.hermosabch.org.
Written materials distributed to the Planning Commission within 72 hours
of the Planning Commission meeting are available for public inspection immediately
upon distribution in the Community Development Department during normal business hours
from Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and on the City’s website.
Final determinations of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the City Council within
10 days of the next regular City Council meeting date. If the 10th day falls on a Friday
or City holiday, the appeal deadline is extended to the next City business day.
Appeals shall be in written form and filed with the City Clerk's office, accompanied by
an appeal fee. The City Clerk will set the appeal for public hearing before
the City of Hermosa Beach City Council at the earliest date possible.
If you challenge any City of Hermosa Beach decision in court, you may be limited
to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing
described on this agenda, or in a written correspondence delivered to the
Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing.
To comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, Assistive Listening Devices
will be available for check out at the meeting. If you need special assistance to participate
in this meeting, please call or submit your request in writing to the Community Development
Department at (310) 318-0242 at least 48 hours (two working days) prior to the meeting time
to inform us of your needs and to determine if/how accommodation is feasible.
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1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Roll Call
3. Oral / Written Communications
Anyone wishing to address the Commission regarding a matter not related to a public hearing
on the agenda may do so at this time.
Section 1
Consent Calendar
4. Approval of the November 15, 2011 Action Minutes
5. Resolution(s) for Consideration - None
THE RECOMMENDATIONS NOTED BELOW ARE FROM THE PLANNING STAFF AND ARE RECOMMENDATIONS ONLY.
THE FINAL DECISION ON EACH ITEM RESTS WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION. PLEASE DO NOT ASSUME
THAT THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION WILL BE THE ACTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
Section II
Hearing
6. CUP 11-9 -- Conditional Use Permit interpretation of whether interior alterations to the floor
plan of an existing restaurant with general alcohol, live entertainment and dancing are minor,
at 58-68 Pier Avenue, Sangria.
Staff Recommended Action: To direct staff as deemed appropriate.
Section III
7. Staff Items
a. Discussion of regulations for outdoor dining, outdoor retail sales/displays, and sidewalk
signs on the public right-of-way.
b Overview of new City website.
c. Rotation of the Planning Commission chairmanship.
d. Tentative future Planning Commission agenda.
e. Community Development Department activity reports of October, 2011.
8. Commissioner Items
9. Adjournment
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ACTION MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH HELD ON
NOVEMBER 15, 2011, 7:00 P.M.,
AT THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
All public testimony and the deliberations of the Planning Commission can be viewed
on the City’s web site at www.hermosabch.org, On-Demand Video of City Meetings
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chairman Darcy.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Roll Call
Present: Commissioner Allen, Hoffman, Perrotti, Pizer, Chairman Darcy
Absent: None
Also Present: Community Development Director Ken Robertson
Senior Planner Pamela Townsend
Assistant City Attorney Lauren Langer
Assistant Planner Eva Choi
3. Oral / Written Communication - Anyone wishing to address the Commission regarding a
matter not related to a public hearing on the agenda may do so at this time.
Section I
CONSENT CALENDAR
4. Approval of the October 18, 2011 action minutes.
ACTION: The Planning Commission consensus was to approve the October 18, 2011
action minutes, noting the abstaining vote of Commissioner Allen.
5. Resolution(s) for approval - None
Section II
PUBLIC HEARINGS
6. CUP 11-3 / VAR 11-2 -- Conditional Use Permit and Variance to modify an existing
wireless telecommunications facility, AT&T Wireless, by replacing antennas on the
building roof with new antennas, remote radio units, and 10-foot high
equipment/screening cabinets, that will exceed the height allowances for such
equipment and antennas, on an existing commercial building at 2447 Pacific Coast
Highway (continued from the October 18, 2011 meeting).
Staff Recommended Action: To direct staff as deemed appropriate.
ACTION: To continue to the January 17, 2012 meeting for the applicant to redesign
the project without a Variance request.
Planning Commission Action Minutes
November 15, 2011
1
MOTION by Commissioner Allen, seconded by Commissioner Pizer. The motion
carried by a unanimous vote,
7. CUP 11-7 / PARK 11-7 -- Conditional Use Permit Amendment to convert approximately
13,000 square feet of unused space within a 29,100 square foot building with youth
center to classrooms and play area ancillary to a church (Hope Chapel) at 2510 Pacific
Coast Highway (former Albertsons grocery store), and Parking Plan Amendment to
allow less than required parking using shared parking at 926 Artesia Boulevard and
2200 through 2510 Pacific Coast Highway.
Staff Recommended Action: To adopt the resolution approving subject Conditional Use
Permit and Parking Plan Amendments.
ACTION: To adopt the resolution approving subject Conditional Use Permit and
Parking Plan Amendments with modification to Condition No. 2 to specify that “…an
“educational institution” as defined in Municipal Code Section 17.04.040 is not
authorized.”
MOTION by Commissioner Hoffman, seconded by Commissioner Perrotti. The motion
carried as follows:
AYES: Comms. Allen, Hoffman, Perrotti, Chmn. Darcy
NOES: Comm. Pizer
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
8. CUP 11-8 / PARK 11-8 -- Conditional Use Permit and Parking Plan Amendments to
expand an approximately 1,500 square foot existing restaurant with on-sale beer and
wine by approximately 790 square feet at 1121 Aviation Boulevard (Gu Gu Sushi &
Roll) with less than required parking, using shared parking within the shopping center
at the northeast corner of the intersection of Prospect Avenue and Aviation Boulevard.
Staff Recommended Action: To adopt the resolution approving subject Conditional Use
Permit and Parking Plan Amendments.
Commissioners Allen and Perrotti recused themselves from this item as they live within
500’ radius area.
ACTION: To adopt a resolution approving subject Conditional Use Permit and Parking
Plan Amendments with modifications to Conditions 22 and 23 to change from “18
months from the date of approval of this parking plan” to “…within three months from
final inspection of Gu Gu Sushi & Roll, or the land...”, and make the same change to
findings for consistency.
MOTION by Commissioner Hoffman, seconded by Commissioner Pizer. The motion
carried as follows:
AYES: Comms. Hoffman, Pizer, Chmn. Darcy
NOES: None
ABSENT: Comms. Allen, Perrotti
ABSTAIN: None
Planning Commission Action Minutes
November 15, 2011
2
Section III
Hearings
9. S-4 #25 -- Request to deem sign displays covering 511± square feet of surface area on
the southeast and northeast sides of a building as murals for Beach Market at 1325
Hermosa Avenue,
Staff Recommended Action: To deny the request to deem the subject displays as
‘murals’ by minute order.
ACTION: To approve the request, by minute order, to deem the displays, as revised to
omit the “Coca-Cola” logos to be consistent with option No. 3 in staff report, as
“murals”.
MOTION by Commissioner Perrotti, seconded by Commissioner Hoffman. The motion
carried as follows:
AYES: Comms. Allen, Hoffman, Perrotti, Pizer, Chmn. Darcy
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
10. Discussion of placement and management of employee parking on Pier and Hermosa
Avenues (continued from the August 17 and September 20, 2011 meetings).
Staff Recommended Action: To provide recommendations to the City Council to
improve the placement and regulation of employee parking
ACTION: The Planning Commission consensus was to recommend to the City Council
the following changes to the employee parking program on Pier and Hermosa
Avenues: 1) employee permits to be issued for a period of six months, 2) only one
permit may be purchased per employee, 3) employee permit to be distinguishable from
other permits, and 4) the City will send employee permit renewal notices to businesses
and the business owner must verify the continuing employment of each employee prior
to permit renewal.
Section IV
11. Staff Items
a. Approval of parking management program for 338-400 Pier Avenue.
ACTION: To approve the parking management program by minute order.
MOTION by Commissioner Allen, seconded by Commissioner Hoffman. The
motion carried by a unanimous vote,
Planning Commission Action Minutes
November 15, 2011
3
b. Interpretation on whether a projecting video image on a wall is considered a
television or monitor.
ACTION: By minute order, the Planning Commission consensus was to determine
that projecting video images are considered within the meaning of televisions/
monitors; the Commission additionally recommended clean-up language in Section
17.26.060.A.2 of the Zoning Code.
c. Status report on Text Amendments regarding outdoor dining and other
encroachments on the public right-of-way in commercial districts, and Pier Plaza
merchandise display
ACTION: No action taken as staff reported that work is proceeding and the matter
will be noticed for hearing at a date to be determined.
d. Tentative future Planning Commission agenda.
e. Community Development Department activity reports of September, 2011.
12. Commissioner Items
13. Adjournment
The meeting was formally adjourned at 9:49 P.M.
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing Minutes are a true and complete record of the action
taken by the Planning Commission of Hermosa Beach at the regularly scheduled meeting of
November 15, 2011.
______________________________ ____________________________
Shawn Darcy, Chairman Ken Robertson, Secretary
______________________
Date
Planning Commission Action Minutes
November 15, 2011
4
Attachment 8
Pier Plaza Merchandise/Displays
Four racks of clothing, umbrella, sunglasses and hat stand all with “Reduced Prices” signs
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Five total racks of clothes and umbrellas (See above Photo for different angle)
Pop-up Tent, Clothing racks and boogie boards (with “Rental” sign)
Sidewalk sign, Bikes, Boogie Boards, Rental Signs and Clothing Racks
46
Bikes, Racks of Clothing and Surfboards
Racks of clothing (See Above photo for different angle)
47
Surfboards (two racks) and “Rental” Signs
48
Plastic tables (with displays on top), Sunglasses Racks and Display cases
PIER AND HERMOSA AVENUE: 11/14/2011
Furniture within private property entryway and on public ROW
49
Table and clothing rack on public ROW
Merchandise racks on private property
Clothing rack within private property entryway
50
Rack and stand in private entryway, Hermosa Ave
Sidewalk sign – part on private, part on public ROW
51
Attachment 9
Examples of Sidewalk Signs
52
CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
Date: December 7, 2011
To: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Planning Commission
From: Pamela Townsend, Senior Planner
Subject: Supplemental – Summary of Meeting - Regulations for outdoor dining,
retail sales/displays, and sidewalk signs on the public right-of-way
On December 7, 2011 Planning staff met with president, executive director and other members
of the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce (10 total) to informally discuss the preliminary
proposal to regulate outdoor dining, retail sales/displays, and signs on the public right-of-way.
Public Works staff was also present.
Comments and observations included the following:
1. Purpose: The primary purpose of placing signs, a few tables or merchandise on the
sidewalk is to draw business in. A set of regulations equitably applied and enforced can provide
a level playing field for all businesses and enhance the aesthetics of the street.
2. Encroachments generally: There should be allowance for outdoor signs, dining or
merchandise in all commercial zones, including Pier Plaza, Upper Pier and other C districts.
The limitation to one (either merchandise, outdoor dining or a portable sign) seems reasonable.
3. Pacific Coast highway: The ability to place objects on the sidewalk along Pacific Coast
Highway should be clarified.
In talking to Public Works staff after the meeting, they advise the right-of-way is owned by
Caltrans, but the City and Caltrans share responsibilities in some areas. The City may adopt its
own regulations and require businesses to comply with them within the Caltrans right-of-way.
However, the business must also obtain an encroachment permit from and comply with Caltrans
requirements. Regardless of the exact mechanism, the applicant would need to comply with
both City and Caltrans requirements. Sidewalk width and numerous obstructions will
significantly limit areas in which encroachment permits could be considered.
4. Upper Pier Avenue: Upper Pier should be subject to regulations similar to Hermosa Avenue.
For outdoor dining, consider allowing a single row of tables and chairs that are brought in by
10:00 p.m.
5. Retail on Pier Plaza:
Due to the large areas in which merchants currently have merchandise, and lack of
regulation, some of these displays could be better organized and more aesthetic.
Controls to be considered include not allowing canopies (pop-up tents) or only allowing
them when it is raining, limit the encroachment depth to 6.5 feet (50% of that allowed for
outdoor dining on the Plaza), limit height of racks to 5 feet.
There should be some controls to deal with displays that are junky.
These types of regulations could be considered in other areas as well.
The city should also look at regulations adopted by other cities.
6. Portable signs:
Consider specifying the sign frame type, such as a single metal frame. Handwritten
signs should not be allowed.
Consider standard size signs – 24” wide is more standard than 18” wide.
If feather signs are allowed the size should be controlled- or consider whether these and
similar moving signs should be allowed.
Limit the number of portable or feather signs to one per business, or to one per ‘x’
square feet where multiple businesses are in one shopping center or building to avoid a
row of signs on the sidewalk.
Businesses without street frontage or set back from the street especially benefit from
portable signs.
Also enforce restrictions that currently apply to temporary banners.
7. What provision would be made to allow seats on the sidewalk for people waiting? Dog bowls
should be allowed without a permit.
8. Fees: Merchandise displays- $1 per square foot on Pier Plaza would be cheap. Consider a
lower encroachment permit fee for portable signs.
December 7, 2011
To: Pamela Townsend, Senior Planner
Honorable Chairman and Members of the Planning Commission
From: Maureen Hunt, Executive Director
Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Subject: Proposal of regulations for outdoor dining, retail sales/displays, and
sidewalk signs.
Thank you for giving the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce and some of
our members an opportunity to meet with you this morning to discuss the future
regulations for outdoor dining, retail sales/displays, and sidewalk signs.
The Chamber is in agreement with your attached memorandum summarizing the
meeting that was held this morning.
In these poor economic times where retailers and restaurants are trying hard to
keep their business successful, we need to do everything possible to help them
succeed. There seems to be a growing trend for outdoor dining in all Southern
California communities and with our great California weather, we should take
advantage of it.
As far as displays, signs and racks, etc., retailers feel there is a need for these to
attract customers, especially for businesses without a big store front. Businesses
are concerned with the aesthetic appearance and are in agreement that there
should be some type of regulations.
The Chamber would like to note however, that special exceptions should be
made available upon request for special events such as the Fiesta, Sidewalk
Sales and First Thursdays as long as safety issues are met.
Thank you for your consideration and please feel free to contact me if you need
any further information.
1 Summary of Proposal Regarding Placement of Objects in Public Right-of-Way by Location Encroachment Pier Plaza SPA-11 (Upper Pier Ave.) Other C districts Outdoor dining Currently allowed EP – standards adopted by resolution No CUP Proposed EP – standards adopted by resolution No EP – adopt standards by ordinance* Retail sales/displays Currently allowed No (standards have been adopted by resolution) No No Proposed EP – standards adopted by resolution or place in ordinance* EP – adopt standards by ordinance* EP – adopt standards by ordinance* Portable signs Currently allowed No No No Proposed EP – adopt standards by ordinance* EP – adopt standards by ordinance* EP – adopt standards by ordinance* * Proposals that do not comply with the regulations could be considered pursuant to a CUP or be directly heard by the City Council. EP- Encroachment Permit CUP- Conditional Use Permit Prepared by Community Development Dept. 12-7-2011
2 Encroachment Pier Plaza SPA-11 (Upper Pier Ave.) Other C districts Outdoor dining Currently allowed EP – standards adopted by resolution Depth: 13’ Awnings: 6.5’ depth Furnishings: tables, chairs, heaters, podiums, etc. Monthly rent/sf: $1 per square foot for snack shops $2 per square foot for restaurants that close before midnight $5 per square foot for restaurants closing after midnight No CUP Monthly rent/sf: $1 per square foot
3 Encroachment Pier Plaza SPA-11 (Upper Pier Ave.) Other C districts Outdoor Dining Proposed EP – standards adopted by resolution Consider minor changes that might be proposed No Alternative: Allow with EP Chamber discussion: Allow one row of tables, remove by 10 p.m. Otherwise similar to other C areas. EP – adopt standards by ordinance* Applies to all food establishments Locate adjacent to building Locate away from R zones 200 sf max + 1 person/15 sf Not exceed 30% of sidewalk width 5’ pedestrian path Hours: 7 am – 10 pm No alcohol No wait-staff service No barriers or bolting unless required Furnishings: tables, chairs, umbrellas over tables, heaters (no other items) No media of any type Building awnings 50% sidewalk width Cannot also have merchandise or portable signs May exceed standards with CUP or City Council review (TBD) Alternatives: Restaurants and snack shops only Allow separation from building (not in curb zone) Require buffer from R zones Max. 1 seat/15 sf (no maximum sf) Limit hours or days of week Silent on wait-staff service Chamber discussion: No special issues
4 Retail sales/displays: The City Council addressed this issue in 2005, adopting a set of guidelines (Resolution 05-6418, Attachment 3) allowing merchandise displays on Pier Plaza under an encroachment permit. These guidelines were adopted under the assumption the zoning and encroachment codes would be amended to explicitly allow these displays. While an ordinance was recommended by the Planning Commission and the matter was considered by the Council, an amendment was ultimately not adopted by the Council. Encroachment Pier Plaza Other C districts Retail sales/displays: Currently allowed No (standards have been adopted by resolution) No SPA-11 (Upper Pier Ave.): No
5 Encroachment Pier Plaza Other C districts Retail sales/displays: Proposed EP – standards adopted by resolution or place in ordinance* Modify standards: One single-pole umbrellas No portable shade canopies (pop-ups) Retractable awnings designed so that they cannot exceed 6’-6” or 50% of encroachment No advertising Controls on merchandise displays to prevent cluttered or swap meet appearance Alternatives: Do not allow/enforce prohibition Umbrellas and one canopy (max 100 sf) No umbrellas or canopies Chamber discussion: Limit depth to 6.5’ Max. height of racks 5’ No canopies, or possibly one if raining Controls on merchandise displays to prevent cluttered or swap meet appearance EP – adopt standards by ordinance* Applies to all retail and service establishments (no mobile vendors) Locate adjacent to building Max. 200 sf, max. 30% of sidewalk (widest sidewalks are 20 feet/30% = < 7‘) 5’ pedestrian path Hours: 7 am – 10 pm Goods/services not available to minors cannot be displayed Do not allow product demonstrations Furnishings: Tables or racks to display goods offered for sale or information about a product or service Single pole umbrellas or building awning allowed Controls on merchandise displays to prevent cluttered or swap meet appearance Cannot also have outdoor dining and/or portable sign Alternatives: Do not allow, or do not allow in SPA-11 Limit to ‘retail’ establishments that sell merchandise Distance from R zones No umbrellas Limit furnishings to two total of racks and tables Allow in curb/furniture zones Allow product demonstrations Chamber discussion: Max. height of racks 5’ No canopies Controls on merchandise displays to prevent cluttered or swap meet appearance Consider allowances on PCH also
6Portable signs: In 2002 the City Council considered modifications to Chapters 17.50 (signs) and 17.16 (encroachments) to allow sidewalk signs, but ultimately rejected a text amendment to allow them. At that time, the Planning Commission provided the suggested modifications in Attachment 5, with the intention that these would be reviewed by the Public Works Commission before review by the Council. However, the Council directly reviewed the Commission’s draft and at that time terminated the process. Encroachment Pier Plaza, All C zones, Upper Pier Avenue Potable signs: Currently allowed No Potable signs: Proposed EP – adopt standards by ordinance* Sidewalk, A-frame and similar signs No moving signs (feather/sail signs) Place adjacent to business/2nd floor businesses-as determined by PW Max. one sign per business, max. one per address Max. 18” x 42” Sturdy material, no cardboard Remove by 10 pm 5’ pedestrian path Cannot also have outdoor dining or merchandise Alternatives: Continue to prohibit portable signs Only allow 2nd floor business to have them Place adjacent to business/2nd floor businesses-as determined by PW Specify type of sign frame Allow businesses with outdoor dining and/or retail sales to have sidewalk signs Chamber discussion: Consider specifying the sign frame type, such as a single metal frame. Handwritten signs should not be allowed. Consider standard size signs – 24” wide is more standard than 18” wide. If feather/sail signs are allowed, the size should be controlled, or consider whether these and similar moving signs should be allowed Limit the number of portable or feathe/sail signs to one per business, or to one per ‘x’ square feet where multiple businesses are in one shopping center or building to avoid a row of signs on the sidewalk. Consider that businesses without street frontage or set back from the street especially benefit from portable signs. Consider allowance on PCH also
CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
Date: November 29, 2011
To: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Planning
Commission
From: Ken Robertson, Director,
Community Development Department
Subject: Rotation of Chair and Vice Chair
Pursuant to Commission direction, the Chair and Vice Chair of the Planning Commission
rotate every 9 months. The new Chair and Vice Chair positions will run from January, 2012
through September, 2012.
F:\B95\CD\memochairman
Tentative Future Agenda
PLANNING COMMISSION
City of Hermosa Beach
January 17, 2012
Project Title Staff Public
Notice
Meeting
Date
Date
Rec’d Remarks
⇒ 2447 PCH -- CUP amendment and Variance for a
wireless telecommunications facility (cont’d from 10/18
& 11/15/11 P.C.)
1/5/12 1/17/12
⇒ Activity reports of Oct. and Nov. 2011. 1/17/12
f:b95\cd\wpc - future agenda 11/29/11
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