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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 1977_09_12( -INUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION HELD IN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, HERMOSA BEACH, ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1]77, AT 7:30 P.M. Meeting called to order at 7:32 p.m . by Chairman Fritz. ROLL CALL Present: Comm. Bishop, Isgreen, Loosli, Peirce, Rosenberger, Schubert , Chmn. Fritz Absent: None Also Present: Rod Merl, Director of Planning & Environmental Services APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Comm. Rosemberger, seconded by Comm. Isgreen, to approve with correction , Page 2, paragraph 3: "Charles Pinney ... 11 Ayes: Noes: Absent: Abstain: Comm. Bishop, Isgreen, Loosli, Peirce, Rosenberger, Chmn . Fritz None None Comm. Schubert APPROVAL OF RESOLUTIONS Motion by Comm. Rosenberger, seconded by Comm. Peirce, to approve Resolution P.C. 77-46 , as submitted. Ayes: Noes: Absent: Abstain: Comm. Bisho p, Isgreen, Loosli, Peirce, Rosenberger None None Comm. Schubert, Chmn. Fritz, as he was not involved in the original decision. COASTAL ISSUES IDENTIFICATION Mr. Merl provided the Huntington Beach Draft, Santa Barbara issues as abstracted from their draft; and Chapter 3, Coastal Resources Planning & Management Policies , as requested . He said staff sent out the same letter as before, to the previous recipients as well as to additional organizations; it was advertized in the papers and also included i n the paper as a news item. He explained the scope and significance of the local Coastal Plan to be developed. Chmn. Fritz explained the purpose of the public hearing to the audience present, and read the summaries of key issues available from the sources listed above . Public hearing opened 7:52 p.m. Mrs. Grant Isgree, 726 Prospect, on bahalf of the Hermosa Beach Women's Club , requested that air pollution, noise pollution, and parking problems be ·addressed . She also inquired as to the reason that telephone wires are not required to be undergrounded in conduit . Chmn . Fritz said he believes telephone wires are exempt because they are low voltage . Comm. Isgreen said the difference is that wire in conduit can be pulled out and repaired . Chmn. Fritz directed staff to send a letter to General Telephone inquiring as to the thinking behind this policy and what sort of problems they are experiencing with it . So ordered. Dennis Sowers , 204 Strand, said inherent in any plan for greater access should be a plan to limit vehicular traffic, to protect the environment, and minimize the impact on people who live in the eara . He requested that a noise control standard be developed and included in the plan; and suggested that bussing to the beach from an inland parking area might mitigate the problem. . • P,l anni ng Commission Minutes -September 12, 1977 page 2 Jim Fucile, Manhattan Beach, and businessman in Hermosa Beach, said he concurs with the views expressed in the Chamber of Commerce letter and would express some additional ideas that are shared by other Chamber members; since Hermosa Beach does not have an industrial base, nor a sufficient commercial tax base, he advocates orienting Hermosa Beach toward the tourist trade with first-class restaurants, motels and shops. He said tourist-oriented motels would provide transportation to and from the beach area. Mrs. Isgreen cited the Biltmore site as an excellent location for a hotel with underground parking. Public hearing closed 8:15 p.m. Ensuing discussion resulted in the following issues and concerns to be considered in addition to the materials provided: Noise and air pollution, traffic problems, tourist trade, railroad right-of-way, Biltmore site; accomplishments of the city in already providing access to the beach area; cost factors, feasibility, and degradation of environment. Chmn. Fritz requested that staff compile a list of suggestions to date, drawing the documents provided, the minutes of the two public hearings, the 14 points submitted by Comm. Loosli, and the list of issues to be compiled by the Chamber of Commerce; to be returned to the Development Subcommittee for their consideration, together with a cost effectiveness analysis. So ordered. PROPOSED ZONE CHANGE FROM C-1 TO R-3 To include the block bounded by 2nd Street, Palm Drive, First Street, and Hermosa Avenue. Mr. Merl pointed out the area on the map, surrounded by limited Commercial, multi-family, and R-P, and called attention to the statistics, map and additional data in the packets ~ Comm. Rosenberger suggested that it be considered as an R-2 change, as well . Dennis Sowers, 204 Strand, said he has a vested interest in the area; two concerns are 1) density that can be developed on the property, and 2) since about half of the lots are multiple dwellings of four or more units, a large percentage of the properties would be non-conforming if designated R-2. He said he would like to see the zoning consistent with the General Plan and favors the proposed zone change. Chmn. Fritz said many would be con-conforming anyway because they do not have the required parking. Public hearing closed 8:59 p.m. Chmn. Fritz said that changing this one block to R-2 would result in spot zoning. Conm. Schubert concurred. Comm. Rosenberger said there is traffic problems; he feels that appearance, and add to traffic. parking spaces on a lot, with a dense development in the area generally, with parking R-3 would further enlarge theproblems of lot coverage He felt that R-2 would encourage one unit with two difference of one story. Chmn. Fritz entered into the record a letter from William W. Woodbury protesting the zone change proposal. Motion by Comm. Loosli , seconded by Comm. Peirce, to rezone one b 1 ock, bounded by 2nd Street, Palm Drive, First Street, and Hermosa Avenue, from C-1 to R-3 . and and .. •• • P~anning Commission Minutes -September 12, 1977 page 3 Ayes: Noes: Absent: Comm. Schubert, Chmn. Fritz Comm. Bishop, Isgreen, Loosli, Peirce, Rosenberger None The motion failed. Chmn. Fritz referred the item to the Zoning Subcommittee to formulate a plan which presumes that the R-3 zoning changes will pass, in which case the area could encompass surrounding blocks .in which the change is feasible. He asked that staff prepare a feasibility study, and plan to advertise the zone change following resolution of the R-3 zone changes. PROPOSED NEW ARTICLE 11.5, OFF-STREET PARKING Mr. Merl said the proposed Article 11.5 is a consolidation into one ordinance of all requirements for parking, in logical sequence. Public hearing opened 10:14 p.m. No one wished to be heard. Closed 10:14 p.m. Motion by Comm. Schubert, seconded by Comm. Rosenberger, to approve Proposed Article 11.5, as modified: Section 1150. Major City Street: to read 11 arterial or collector street ... 11 Section 1152.2 Add (c) cleaners, and (d) laundromats Section 1153. (last sentence) Tendem parking spaces access may be from an alley or private driveway, or any street not designated as a major street. Section 1154. (B) 11 Parking requirements for buildings or structures used for conmercial or i ndus trial purposes ... 11 Sec ti on 1157 (A) 1 i ne 4 --de 1 ete the word 11 bus i ness 11 Ayes: Noes: Absent: Comm. Bishop, Isgreen, Loosli, Peirce, Rosenberger, Schubert, Chmn. Fritz None None Motion by Comm. Schubert, seconded by Comm. Bishop, to adopt Resolution 77-47 approving proposed Article 11.5, Parking Ordinance, in order to update and clarify city code and to achieve greater consistency with the General Plan. Public hearing was held and appropriate advertising was done. The proposed changes were reviewed by subcommittee and by the Commission as a whole, were modified at this meeting and are now recommended to the City Council. Ayes: Noes: Absent: Corm,. Bishop, Isgreen, Loosli, Peirce, Rosenberger, Schubert, Chmn. Frtiz None None Comm. Rosenberger requested that a copy be supplied to the Chamber of Commerce. SOCIAL ELEMENT Mr. Merl recommended continuation as the subcommittee did not convene . Comm. Schubert said he had available a body of materials on proposed uses for Pier Avenue School which he will deliver to Mr. Merl. Public hearing opened 10:18 p.m. No one wished to be heard. Closed 10:18 p.m. .~lanning Corrmission Minutes -September 12, 1977 page 4 Chmn. Fritz continued the item on recommendation of staff. So ordered . PROPOSED ZONING AMENDMENT Mr. Merl said the proposed rev1s1on to the zoning ordinance would change the processing procedure for items for City Council agenda by changing the processing agent from City Clerk to City Manager, and was submitted by the City Council . Chmn. Fritz said he believes the most efficient work is done by Planning staff and City Clerk; items going through the City Manager's office are handled less efficiently . Comm. Rosenberger cited examples of specific items delayed by the City Manager's office ; and objected to giving additional powers to an appointed official rather than the elected official. Comm. Peirce suggested requesting background material from the City Council as to why this change is considered necessary. Corrms. Bishop and Schubert concurred . Comm. Peirce subsequently suggested rewriting the proposed change of process. Public hearing opened 10:29 p.m. Mrs. Grant Isgreen, 726 Prospect, said Barbara Fleming is an elected official and she sees no reason why her duties should be changed; the City Manager's office is so busy he cannot take on more work; and she feels this proposed change is completely unfair to the citizens of Hermosa Beach. Public hearing closed 10:31 p.m., and continued until a response is received to a letter from the Planning Commission to the City Council asking how this proposed change has come about. So ordered by Chmn. Fritz. FINAL TRACT MAP #32969 --447 HERONDO STREET Final Tract Map 32969 for a 3O-unit condominium project at 447 Herondo Street . Motion by Comm. Schubert, seconded by Comm. Peirce, to approve final tract map 32969 for subject project. The consistency of the final map with the tentative map has been attested to by the City Engineer and by the County Engineer . Ayes: Noes: Absent: Corrm. Bishop, Isgreen, Loosli, Peirce, Rosenberger, Schubert, Chmn. Fritz None None NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS Mr. Merl presented materials concerning neighborhood councils as established in the City of Simi Valley for the purpose of increasing citizen participation in city functions. Commission members expressed concern as to whether this would operate as effectively in a city as small as Hermosa Beach, and whether it would cause a duplication of effort for staff, although they are concerned with encouraging citizen participation . Cornn. Fritz requested that staff consider the possibility of establishing a pilot program, or of drafting a program under the existing Neighborhood Watch, with a study of cost and effectiveness. So ordered. -,, . .P.-~ anni ng Cammi ss ion Minutes -September 12, 1977 page 5 Report on joint Planning Commission and Improvement Commission subcommittee meeting in memo of September 6, 1977. In regard to the memo of 8-25-77 to the City Prosecutor, Comm. Rosenberger strongly protested the lack of response to complaints made on numerous violations, citing in particular the complaints made on Hermosa Car Wash and Cal Auto. He said the response just received, after 21 months, regarding 1000 Pacific Coast Highway, states that the City Prosecutor needs additional information and would like the item to be reheard. He said the Planning is getting no backup .1whatsoever ,from the City Council indirectly or from the City Prosecutor directly; that of a list of 30 cases entered by the Building Department in one year, none have been resolved. He said he does not intend to hear any further matters coming before this commission until the Commissions receive some kind of support, and he feels citizens are not being fairly treated when some go through city procedures with considerable expenditure of time and money, while others do as they please without meeting the requirements of city ordiancnes. Chmn. Fritz said unless the city pursues a course of putting the force of law behind decisions made then the Commissions are accomplishing nothing. Comm. Loosli noted that ticketing for trash and sign violations has been authorized but the tickets have not been provided. Comm. Rosenberger said he would attend the City Council meeting Tuesday, September 13, and requested that the other Commissioners attend. COMMISSIONERS' ITEMS Chmn. Fritz asked about the disposition of conditional use permit reviews. Mr . Merl said Juicy Lucy has applied for sign approval to the Improvement Commission . Chmn. Fritz and Comm. Isgreen said they had visited Carwell's and saw no evidence of signing for customer parking. Mr. Merl said that staff would work with the business to get it corrected. Mr. Merl said he ahs requested the meeting with the City Council, and also that they be held periodically. Comms. Bishop and Fritz will be in San Francisco for the League of California Cities meeting on September 26th. Mr. Merl stressed the importance of all other commissioners being present at the next meeting. Mr. Merl said the City Attorney authorized the sign on city property to the Improvement Commission (Casablanca). Comm. Isgreen said he has requested that the Building Code regarding setbacks be placed on the next agenda, for possible change. Mr. Merl suggested that reasonable time limits be set for meetings, and for testimony in public hearings to the City Attorney. Meeting adjourned 11:30 p.m. I hereby certify a public meetin CERT! FI CATION that the foregoing minutes were approved by n September 26, 1977. ~~-JMPEIRCC SECRET ARY the Planning Commission at / 'f'A OV7-:) DATE