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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-22 PC Action Minutes Special MeetingCity Hall 1315 Valley Drive Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 City of Hermosa Beach Action Minutes - Final Planning Commission Chair David Pedersen Vice Chair Stephen Izant Commissioners Peter Hoffman Rob Saemann Marie Rice 6:00 PMThursday, September 22, 2022 I. CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission regular meeting was held virtually pursuant to Executive Order AB 361 issued by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 16, 2021.The meeting was called to order by Chair David Pedersen at 6:00 PM. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Vice Chair Izant. III. ROLL CALL Chair David Pedersen, Vice Chair Stephen Izant, Commissioner Rob Saemann, Commissioner Peter Hoffman, and Commissioner Marie Rice Present:5 - Absent:0 All Planning Commission members attended remotely. Also Present Remotely: Suja Lowenthal, City Manager Jeannie Naughton, Community Development Director Patrick Donegan, Assistant City Attorney Christy Teague, Senior Planner James Atkins, Senior Planner Maricela Guillean, Associate Planner Johnathon Masi, Assistant Planner Melanie Bristow, Administrative Assistant IV. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION -- ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Page 1City of Hermosa Beach September 22, 2022Planning Commission Action Minutes - Final The following people provided public comment virtually: 1. Jonathan Wicks 2. Jon David * Vice Chair Izant informed the Staff of possible Zoom issues at this time due to a message he received. The meeting paused until 6:11 pm while the Zoom issue was resolved. The meeting then returned to Jon David, and he completed his public comment. * 3. Laura Pena a.REPORT 22-0606 WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS (Administrative Assistant Melanie Bristow) Motion by Commissioner Rice and seconded by Commissioner Hoffman to receive and file the written communications. Motion carried as follows: Aye:Chair Pedersen, Vice Chair Izant, Commissioner Saemann, Commissioner Hoffman, and Commissioner Rice 5 - Absent:0 V. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION a.REPORT 22-0567 INFORMATION ONLY: PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE (Administrative Assistant Melanie Bristow) b.REPORT 22-0566 SPECIAL MEETING TO REVIEW AND DISCUSS THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING CODE UPDATE: CITYWIDE STANDARDS (Associate Planner Maricela Guillen) Chair Pedersen noted the technical challenges that led to this meeting being held virtually. Martha Miller from Miller Planning Associates provided a slide presentation. The following person provided public comment virtually: 1. Ed Hart Commissioner Rice inquired about the Performance Standards section (page 55, section 17.09.130), where it states, “No vibrations shall be permitted so as to cause a noticeable tremor measurable without instruments at lot line.” Martha responded that this means a vibration would need to be felt without the use of any instruments. Commissioner Hoffman feels that the amount of vibration that would trigger a code issue needs to be defined more clearly to make it more precise. Commissioner Rice inquired about the historic preservation resources nomination application requirements (page 25) in section 17.06.030; if it is a privately owned property, if only the property owner could nominate the property. Martha responded that the language in this section should be revised, Page 2City of Hermosa Beach September 22, 2022Planning Commission Action Minutes - Final and Commissioner Rice agreed that clearer language is needed. Commissioner Hoffman also agreed. Commissioner Saemann noted that on page 26 (section 17.06.50) it references ”potential landmark on a list of historic resources established by City Council.” He would like to know if that list exists. Commissioner Hoffman responded that the list referenced was never adopted or approved by City Council, but he believes there is a list of places that have been identified. Community Development Director Jeannie Naughton noted that the language was carried over from the current code and it does talk about landmarks contemplated for historic preservation. She says that resolution 98-65 can be posted on our website for reference. Vice Chair Izant referred to condominium conversions (on page 14) and asked if this language is mandated by the State or, if not, then where did it come from. Martha informed him it is the existing code language, and she can do more research to see where it originated. Commissioner Saemann referred to page 12 (section 17.05.020) under condominium conversions and asked if someone wanted to convert an apartment complex into a condominium, would it be their responsibility to rebalance the number of units. Martha replied that it does not mean that but it means the owner must take certain actions to reduce the impact on people who are currently living there. Vice Chair Izant noted (in regard to historic resources preservation) there is a comment stating that the City can hold that up demolition or work for up to five years. He asked what the rationale is behind that and if it was common in other Cities. Martha responded that not every jurisdiction has that, but it is meant to deter what might be attractive about illegally destroying a historic property. Chair Pedersen inquired if there was a nonconforming structure use that exceeded 50% of damage, what that would look like in terms of replacing the building and requiring parking. Martha responded that there is a threshold of what can be repaired and what is totaled. That would be a policy decision for the City to make and not all current requirements are more restrictive than the previous ones. Following up on Chair Pedersen’s comments, Vice Chair Izant asked if a building burned down or was more than 50% destroyed, if the new building would have to be built to current standards and would they have to provide new parking or parking in lieu fees. Martha answered that it is situational and according to current code, they would be required to provide new parking spaces or in-lieu parking but there are provisions in the code to request a parking reduction. Commissioner Saemann asked if there is a way to grandfather in that if it is an existing business experiencing a natural disaster, we can grant the same parking arrangement that the business had in place beforehand. Martha said there are elements that can be added that are tailored to provide relief for businesses in that situation. Commissioner Hoffman asked (regarding page 36) how abandoned versus vacated is defined. Martha reminded Staff that this section is for nonconforming spaces. If the site is vacated, if the business license lapses, the utilities are terminated, or if the lease terminated, any one of those events can be used to measure the ninety-day period. Ninety days is the current allowance but if that is enough time would be the City’s decision. Page 3City of Hermosa Beach September 22, 2022Planning Commission Action Minutes - Final Commissioner Rice asked if someone could provide a refresher on the lot size required for 3500 square feet or larger and how many of those lots exist in Hermosa versus those that could handle the less than 3500 square feet. Martha responded that it is based on the square footage of the house living area and in some ways the change would not even be noticeable. Some developers now put two parking spaces in the garage and a guest parking space in the driveway. Commissioner Hoffman said he is comfortable with everything proposed in Signage except the idea that you couldn’t advertise when a business is closed. He feels that the new business should be able to decide whether they’d like to keep an old business’ sign on display or not. Commissioner Saemann and Vice Chair agreed. Commissioner Rice supports Commissioner Hoffman’s suggestion but thinks some provisions may need to be added. Assistant Attorney Donegan said it must be a past use or business on that particular property. Chair Pedersen requested that Martha draft some provisions on that section. Commissioner Saemann asked if parking reductions were State based because he cannot fathom lower parking in the residential zones for any reason. He feels the result will make the City denser. Vice Chair Pedersen supports Commissioner Saemann’s statements. He said he would not reduce the parking requirements in residential zone. Commissioner Hoffman asked Martha to explain what the goal is by reducing parking. Martha responded that specifically to the RH district, you do need to make sure that development standards do not preclude the achievement of allowed density per State law. Overall, it is about the collective of the City goals. The way the parking standards are now, the streetscapes are overrun with parking. Martha also pointed out that these are the minimum requirements. It is not limiting the number of spaces that can be provided. Commissioner Rice stated that she is hesitant to move forward with any reduction in residential parking minimum requirements. Chair Pedersen also concurred with his colleagues. Commissioner Saemann agreed with Vice Chair Izant in supporting the proposed commercial parking revisions. Commissioner Hoffman asked if the distinction between medical offices and other offices has disappeared in the new standard. Martha said the intent is to allow those changes to happen without it being difficult. Commissioner Hoffman noted that these standards would apply to new establishments. Vice Chair Izant commented that there are certain districts in the City where there are fair amounts of redevelopments on R2 lots. Commissioner Hoffman inquired if bicycle parking should be mandated. Martha noted that covered parking could include a bicycle parking room and the intention is to allow some flexibility on how that requirement is met. Commissioner Rice asked if these are common ratio requirements in other jurisdictions, where one bicycle space is required for every twenty-five car parking spaces. Martha said these are typical requirements and standards. Commissioner Saemann feels that in the event of a fire or building being damaged, replacing a nonconforming building and not requiring additional parking should be grandfathered. Commissioner Hoffman brought the subject of abandonment up and stated that the time needs to be extended due to the rate at which people can get the insurance claim and permits issued, etc. Chair Pedersen stated he would feel comfortable with 120 days and if two or more of the criteria occurred. Martha Page 4City of Hermosa Beach September 22, 2022Planning Commission Action Minutes - Final said she will work with Staff to address making those changes. Vice Chair Izant referred to page fourteen (number three) to the signed affidavit from the applicant of deed restriction waiving right to protest the formation of underground utility district. Vice Chair Izant asked why an owner would have to give up his right to protest. Martha stated that this is an existing provision, and she will go back to research as to why it exists. Assistant Attorney Donegan said he is also unsure of why this exists, but it is not uncommon. Vice Chair Izant concurred that there should be an investigation on why this is necessary. Chair Pedersen asked Martha to work on the section regarding vibration and Martha stated she will work with Staff to revise this section. VI. ADJOURNMENT TO THE OCTOBER 3, 2022 PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING Motion by Commissioner Saemann and seconded by Vice Chair Izant to adjourn the meeting until the next Special Meeting on October 3, 2022. Motion carried as follows: Aye:Chair Pedersen, Vice Chair Izant, Commissioner Saemann, Commissioner Hoffman, and Commissioner Rice 5 - Absent:0 The meeting was adjourned by Chair Pedersen at 8:42 PM. Page 5City of Hermosa Beach