HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-12-05 PC Action Minutes Special MeetingCity Hall
1315 Valley Drive
Hermosa Beach, CA
90254
City of Hermosa Beach
Action Minutes - Final
Planning Commission
Chair
Stephen Izant
Vice Chair
Peter Hoffman
Commissioners
Marie Rice
David Pedersen
6:00 PMMonday, December 5, 2022
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Planning Commission special meeting was held in-person and virtually pursuant to Executive
Order AB 361 issued by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 16, 2021.The meeting was called to
order by Chair Stephen Izant at 6:01 PM.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by former Mayor/Councilman, Jim
Rosenberger.
III. ROLL CALL
Commissioner David Pedersen, Chair Stephen Izant, Commissioner Councilmember
Saemann, Vice Chair Peter Hoffman, and Commissioner Marie Rice
Present:5 -
Absent:0
Planning Commissioners present in-person in the Council Chambers:
Chair Stephen Izant
Vice Chair Peter Hoffman
Commissioner Marie Rice
Commissioner Rob Saemann
Planning Commissioners present virtually:
Commissioner David Pedersen
Staff present in-person in the Council Chambers:
Corrie Kates, Interim Community Development Director
Patrick Donegan, City Attorney
James Atkins, Senior Planner
Christy Teague, Senior Planner
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December 5, 2022Planning Commission Action Minutes - Final
Maricela Guillean, Associate Planner
IV. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION -- ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
There were no public comments.
a.REPORT
22-0790
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
(Administrative Assistant Melanie Bristow)
Motion by Commissioner Rice and seconded by Vice Chair Hoffman to receive
and file the written communications. Motion carried.
Aye:Commissioner Pedersen, Chair Izant, Commissioner Saemann, Vice Chair Hoffman,
and Commissioner Rice
5 -
Absent:0
V. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION
a.REPORT
22-0789
INFORMATION ONLY: PUBLIC NOTICE
(Administrative Assistant Melanie Bristow)
b.REPORT
22-0772
SPECIAL MEETING TO REVIEW HOUSING ELEMENT EFFORTS
(Associate Planner Maricela Guillean)
Senior Planner Christy Teague provided a staff report for this discussion item.
Consultant Veronica Tam shared a slide point presentation.
Vice Chair Peter Hoffman inquired where Hermosa Beach is regarding the
site-analysis survey. Consultant Veronica Tam responded that she is in the initial
stages since she has just come onboard with the City of Hermosa. She did find a
few sites that need to be removed from our sites inventory list but there also are
additional sites that are of interest that could potentially be added to our sites
inventory list.
Consultant Martha Miller shared a slide point presentation.
Chair Izant inquired on when this will come back to the Planning Commission.
Interim Community Development Director Corrie Kates estimated it would be
returning within the next six months, if not sooner.
Commissioner Saemann asked what a low barrier navigation center is. Veronica
Tam responded that it is housing for the homeless that is geared toward
transitioning them into regular housing, including one-stop service centers.
Commissioner Saemann asked what form of building the low barrier navigation
centers would be in. Veronica Tam responded that they come in more than one
form, but she has seen them most commonly in pallet-style housing or
project-style housing. She said there is not one definition to define a low barrier
navigation center. Commissioner Saemann asked if multiple cities could work
together to build these centers and Veronica responded that is not like an
emergency shelter overlay like we may have seen in the past. However, if our
zoning allowed it, you could pursue funding and collaborate neighboring cities
to work towards that.
The following people provided public comment:
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December 5, 2022Planning Commission Action Minutes - Final
1. Angie Silverman (in-person)
2. Allen Holman (in-person)
3. Ed Hart (in-person)
4. Rosaline Bender (in-person)
5. Jim Rosenberger (in-person)
6. David Grethen (in-person)
7. Laura Pena (in-person)
Commissioner Rice inquired if the Planning Commission will be able to view
comments from HCD after the upcoming informal meeting with them. Veronica
Tam responded that typically, if is conducted via verbal communications over the
phone and it is not a formal meeting, it will not be in writing. It is like a verbal
negotiation. City Attorney Patrick Donegan also noted that it is usually in
reference only to the language in the housing element and not substantive.
Nothing substantiative will be changed without the Planning Commission’s
knowledge.
Vice Chair Peter Hoffman asked hypothetically if Hermosa zoned everything
South of Pier for high density, multifamily with the potential to build 500, but then
nothing ever gets built, what happens in eight years. Veronica Tam responded
that there is no obligation to build the housing. The City is only obligated to
make sure to create an environment that could facilitate potential housing.
Commissioner Pedersen commented that he appreciates the public comments
and concerns being voices during this meeting. He said that being a small, dense
City, he is a big supporter of mass transit and in some parts of our town it is
convenient but in some parts it is not. He said we seem to not have enough water
in California, but we are trying to bring millions more people into the State.
Reading all the pre-meeting materials, the push-back from State seemed to
indicate a lack of specificity. He said he appreciates this opportunity to meet our
new Consultant, Veronica Tam, and to give the public information.
VI. STAFF ITEMS
Chair Izant asked for an update on Council action on 911 1st Street. Interim
Community Development Director Corrie Kates stated that it went before Council
November 29th and Council had a lengthy discussion on this project, which
included concerns around affordable housing. At the end of deliberations,
Council turned down the general plan and zone change for 911 1st Street by a
vote of 3 – 2. This project will not move forward.
Chair Izant inquired when a discussion on the Floor Area Ratio, or FAR, would be
taking place. He noted that the City Council directed the Planning Commission
during a previous Council meeting to look at the FAR as it is enshrined in the
general plan. Director Corrie Kates stated that Staff is studying the FAR internally
and they will be bringing it to the Planning Commission for discussion as soon as
they are done analyzing it and have more information prepared.
a.REPORT
22-0788
PLANNING COMMISSION TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
(Administrative Assistant Melanie Bristow)
Motion by Commissioner Rice and seconded by Vice Chair Hoffman to
receive and file the Planning Commission tentative future agenda. The motion
carried as follows:
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December 5, 2022Planning Commission Action Minutes - Final
Aye:Commissioner Pedersen, Chair Izant, Commissioner Saemann, Vice Chair Hoffman,
and Commissioner Rice
5 -
Absent:0
Chair Izant took this time to recognize the service that Commissioner Rob
Saemann has provided to the Planning Commission, and he noted that
Commissioner Saemann has been promoted to City Council. Vice Chair Hoffman
complimented Commissioner Saemann on his commitment to City service and
how he has served on the Public Works Commission, Planning Commission and
now is moving on to the City Council. He commends him for putting himself out
there for the City. Commissioner Rice congratulated Commissioner Saemann and
thanked him for all his service to the City and for his future service with the City
Council. Commissioner Pedersen also congratulated Commissioner Saemann on
his election to Council. He said one of the things he enjoys about Commissioner
Saemann is his insight in building and planning from his work as a general
contractor. He added a wealth of knowledge to the Planning Commission.
Former Public Works Commissioner and former Planning Commissioner, Michael
Flaherty, provided a public comment to honor Commissioner Rob Saemann on
his promotion to City Council. Commissioner Rob Saemann closed the meeting
by sharing some words and thanking his fellow Planning Commissioners for
serving alongside him for the past 7.5 years.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Vice Chair Hoffman and seconded by Commissioner Rice to adjourn
the meeting until the regular meeting of the Planning Commission on Tuesday,
January 17, 2023 at 6:00 PM. Motion carried as follows:
Aye:Commissioner Pedersen, Chair Izant, Commissioner Saemann, Vice Chair Hoffman,
and Commissioner Rice
5 -
Absent:0
The meeting was adjourned by Chair Izant at 7:21 PM.
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