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PC Minutes-2008-01-2232400 PASEO ADELANTO SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675 (949) 493-1171 (949) 493-1053 FAX www.sanjuancapistrano.org 3 MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL SAM ALLEVATO D THOMAS W. HRIBAR MARK NIELSEN JOE SOTO • DR. LONDRES USO MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2008 CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman Cardoza at 7:04 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Robert Cardoza, Chairman Sheldon Cohen, Vice Chairman Ginny Kerr Tim Neely Gene Ratcliffe Commissioners Absent: None Staff members in attendance: Steven A. Apple, Planning Director; Grant Taylor, Assistant Planning Director; Omar Sandoval., Deputy City Attorney; William Ramsey, Principal Planner; Justin Kirk, Assistant Planner; Douglas Dumhart, Economic Development Manager; Sue McCullough, Recording Secretary. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None CONSENT CALENDAR Items listed on the Consent Calendar are considered routine and may be enacted by one motion and one vote. There may be no separate discussion of these items. If discussion is desired, that item may be removed from the Consent Calendar and will be considered separately. San Juan Capistrano: Preserving the Past to Enhance the Future 0 w Printed on 100% recycled paper PC Meeting 2 January 22, 2008 1. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF DECEMBER 11, 2007. Vice Chairman Cohen moved approval of Planning Commission Minutes of December 11, 2007 as submitted, seconded by Commissioner Kerr. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0-1, with Commissioner Ratcliffe abstaining due to her absence at the meeting. NEW BUSINESS 1. PRESENTATION: SCAG (SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS) REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN: POWER POINT PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION BY SCAG REGARDING THE 2008 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN (RTP). THE RTP PROVIDES A VISION FOR TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENTS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA OVER THE NEXT TWO DECADES TO ENHANCE THE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE, GOODS AND INFORMATION. (APPLICANT: SCAG — SARAH CATZ). THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECEIVED AND FILED THE PRESENTATION FROM SCAG. Written Communications January 16, 2008 Staff presentation & recommendation Mr. Taylor introduced SCAG representative Sarah Catz who gave a PowerPoint presentation of a 30 -year RTP, and recommended that the Planning Commission accept a presentation from SCAG, provide comments and/or inquiries, and receive and file. Commissioner Questions and Comments Vice Chairman Cohen asked why San Diego is not part of SCAG. Ms. Catz said that San Diego is an entity of itself. Chairman Cardoza asked if the RTP is being developed in conjunction with San Juan Planning and Engineering Departments. Ms. Catz said the City of San Juan should be working with OCTA. Ms. Catz said the website is www.scag.ca.gov and the RTP hotline is 213-236- 1960. Vice Chairman Cohen asked SCAG's position on double tracking along the corridor from Orange County to San Diego. Ms. Catz said that SCAG is relying on the OCTA Transportation Commissions, Metrolink, and the Los Angeles/San Diego Corridor Agency Board to come up with that policy. PC Meeting 3 January 22, 2008 Chairman Cardoza asked if the City Council is involved. Mr. Apple said SCAG will present the RTP to the City Council on February 5, 2008. Commissioner Neely said that the process SCAG has gone through with the compass maps is off base throughout Orange County, and the compass system was provided to SCAG unilaterally by consultants without any input from local jurisdictions. Mr. Apple said that we want to stay involved in regional planning and appreciates SCAG providing this information. Commissioner Ratcliffe asked if economic development employment centers will be taken into consideration. Ms. Catz said the Western Riverside Council of Governments is working hard to build more employment centers at the La Sierra station, Corona station, and in Riverside and San Bernardino. Public Hearings Lennie DeCaro, Steeplechase Drive, said the majority of San Juan is not in favor of high density housing and that the many issues brought up by the EIR showed that Ortega should not be widened. Motion The Planning Commission received and filed the item. OLD BUSINESS None PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP) 07-07, COAST BIBLE, ROYAL STREET COMMUNICATIONS; AN APPLICATION TO INSTALL, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN AN UNMANNED WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY. THE PROJECT IS LOCATED AT 26300 VIA ESCOLAR, GENERALLY LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 530 FEET NORTH OF WILD WOOD LANE, 160 FEET SOUTH OF VIA ESCOLAR, AND 315 FEET WEST OF RANCHO VIEJO. (APN 650-011-25) (APPLICANT: TOM FLYNN, ROYAL STREET COMMUNICATIONS) Written Communications January 22, 2008 Staff presentation & recommendation Mr. Kirk presented the staff report and recommended that the Planning Commission adopt a resolution conditionally approving a CUP to allow six (6) panel wireless antennas to be installed inside a proposed faux tree and a 220 square foot 7'-0" tall, slump stone wall equipment enclosure to house four Base Transceiver Station (BTS) equipment cabinets, and finding the project exempt from CEQA. PC Meeting 4 January 22, 2008 Commissioner Questions and Comments Commissioner Ratcliffe asked if consideration Eucalyptus trees. Mr. Kirk said that the direction trees with the same type of tree. was given to pine rather than was to replace the Eucalyptus Tom Flynn, representing Royal Street Communication, said there are not a lot of options in this hard -to -cover area, and said that the applicant would take direction on the type of tree. Vice Chairman Cohen asked what other cell sites the applicant has in the area and asked about the future need for additional sites. Mr. Kirk said about a year ago the Planning Commission approved a site in the Weseloh Hummer building further down on Camino Capistrano. Mr. Flynn said the future need for cell sites depends on the topography, buildings, and trees. Public Hearinq Yvonne Tschaikowsky, 27367 Paseo Placentia, spoke in opposition to the faux trees. Sanford Coggins, 29231 Country Hills Road, spoke in opposition to the project due to possible health risks. Mr. Sandoval said that the FCC has pre-empted cities from regulating on radio-frequency and radiation, and that radiation studies can be found on the FCC website www.FCC.gov. Commissioner Questions and Comments Commissioner Ratcliffe voiced concern regarding aesthetics and said that an existing mono -pine is fake looking. Vice Chairman Cohen asked if antennas are included in the 35' height limitation. Mr. Kirk said that when there is a gap in coverage, the height of the structure can exceed 35' in height. Vice Chairman Cohen asked if taller buildings and high school football field lights could be utilized as wireless telecommunications structures to extend coverage with a higher structure. Mr. Flynn said the applicant would be amenable to a continuation. Commissioner Neely said in some cases the mono -pine might be acceptable. Commissioner Kerr asked to see a sample of the mono -pine needles. Mr. Kirk showed the sample. Commissioner Kerr said she would support looking into other location possibilities. Chairman Cardoza said the options are to 1) approve subject to additional conditions to limit the use of faux trees, 2) deny, 3) continue the item and explore other locations or 4) pursue additional design alternatives. PC Meeting 5 January 22, 2008 Commissioner Neely asked that different shades of darker pine needles be explored. Commissioner Kerr asked the applicant to bring an exhibit that shows where an antenna needs to be located to get the desired coverage. Motion Vice Chairman Cohen moved, seconded by Commissioner Ratcliffe, to continue the item to the March 11, 2008 Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0. Chairman Cardoza called for a recess at 8:30 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 8:47 p.m. 2. WORK SESSION — VENTANAS BUSINESS CENTER: ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL 07-001 TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 07-002 GRADING PLAN MODIFICATION 07-008 TREE REMOVAL PERMIT PARKING EXCEPTION FLOODPLAIN LAND USE PERMIT LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT OR EASEMENT PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY VACATION SHARED/JOINT USE PARKING AGREEMENT COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT AND DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT, CENTRA REALTY CORPORATION REQUESTS APPROVAL OF THE SUBJECT APPLICATIONS TO ALLOW THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE VENTANAS BUSINESS CENTER INDUSTRIAL PARK PROJECT. THE PROPERTY SITE TOTALS 20.33 GROSS ACRE AND 13.83 NET ACRES LOCATED AT THE WEST TERMINUS OF CALLE ARROYO AND BORDERING INTERSTATE 5 TO THE WEST AND SAN JUAN CREEK TO THE SOUTH. THE PROJECT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT ELEVEN MULTI -TENANT INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS TOTALING 236,329 SQUARE FEET OF BUILDING AREA, THREE ENTRANCE DRIVES ALONG CALLE ARROYO, 669 PARKING SPACES AND STABILIZATION OF THE SAN JUAN CREEK BANK EDGE UTILIZING A STEEL SHEET PILING SYSTEM. (APPLICANT: CENTRA REALTY CORPORATION — STEPHEN SANDLAND) Commissioner Neely recused himself from consideration of this item due to an appearance of potential conflict because of his position as Director of Planning and Development Services for the County of Orange. Written Communications January 22, 2008 Staff presentation & recommendation Mr. Taylor presented the staff report and recommended that the Planning Commission review the proposed project and applicable zoning entitlement PC Meeting 6 . January 22, 2008 applications, provide direction and inquiries, and continue the public hearing to the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting on February 26, 2008. Stephen Sandland, Vice President of Development, Centra Realty Corporation, said the project has been approved by the Transportation Commission, Cultural Heritage Commission, and Parks and Recreation Commission. The draft EIR states that the project is consistent with the City's design guideline objectives. After four DRC sessions, the DRC recommended that the project be brought to the Planning Commission. Commissioner Questions and Comments Vice Chairman Cohen asked for clarification of the tenant sign program. Mr. Sandland said they will develop a plan that meets the new sign ordinance. Mr. Taylor said that Sector B allows all permitted uses within the Industrial Park zone. Vice Chairman Cohen asked if the Calle Perfecto business park at Aeropuerto has the same type of permitted uses. Mr. Taylor said that Calle Perfecto is a Commercial Manufacturing (CM) zone, as opposed to an Industrial Park (IP Zone). Commissioner Kerr referred to the Parks, Recreation and Equestrian Commission, and asked about the trail connections from the project to the Freddy Love property. Mr. Dumhart said that neither the tack and feed store on Ortega properties nor the former Love livestock stables off of LaPata makes sense. Commissioner Kerr asked the vacancy rate for office spaces in San Juan. Mr. Salem said the project to the north for lease is 98 percent occupied. Commissioner Ratcliffe asked if efforts are being made to be environmentally green. Bill Harris of Hunsaker & Associates said there are several filter units on the project as well as a vegetative swail at the south end. Chairman Cardoza said the DRC would like the entry monumentation, lighting fixture plan, building colors, trash enclosures, retaining walls, and planting plan to come back to the DRC. Chairman Cardoza said some of the Crepe Myrtles were too low for a 2 -story structure, so something like Trystania was recommended. Commissioner Ratcliffe said that the project looks too similar to other Centra developments along the 1-5 freeway. Vice Chairman Cohen said he would defer his comments until after he has had an opportunity to read the traffic report and the EIR. PC Meeting 7 January 22, 2008 Commissioner Kerr voiced concern regarding the impact of increased traffic along Calle Arroyo. Public Hearing Yvonne Tschaikowsky, 27367 Paseo Placentia, spoke in opposition to the project and said it is too large and dense for the area. Kim Lefner, 31182 Harmony Hall, spoke in opposition to the project and said 85 percent is selling for office space and 15 percent for industrial space. Lennie DeCaro, Steeplechase Drive, spoke in opposition to the project and said she was troubled by the potential traffic problems and the easement given to St. Margaret's. Chairman Cardoza asked how the habitat would be impacted by the project. Keeton Kreitzer, Draft EIR developer, said that there is no habitat on the site, but mitigation measures have been identified to avoid significant impact to sensitive species in the San Juan Creek bed. Motion Vice Chairman Cohen moved, seconded by Commissioner Kerr, to continue the item to the February 26, 2008 Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed 3-0-1, with Commissioner Neely recused. COMMISSION/STAFF COMMENTS Mr. Taylor said that the minutes confirmed that the backing for the Conoco 76 Station price signs shall be blue or grey, and said that a letter has been sent to the applicant to change the color. Mr. Taylor referred to a schematic of a sidewalk improvement along the front of Centra Pointe and said a public hearing is scheduled on February 12. Mr. Taylor, handed out a line-up of items scheduled at Planning Commission, DRC, and Development Advisory Board meetings. The City Council reviewed a potential amendment to equestrian stables, an equestrian sub -committee was appointed by the Mayor, a couple minor adjustments to previously approved projects to be on the Consent Calendar were handed out, to include adjustments to the landscaping plan for Habitat for Humanity and Cellular equipment cabinet at Marbella Plaza. Mr. Sandoval said that he, would check if the Planning Commission reorganization would take place the first meeting of February or April. Commissioner Ratcliffe said that T -Mobil has a sign on sticks at the corner of Rancho Viejo and Ortega. Mr. Taylor said that code enforcement would address the banner. PC Meeting 8 January 22, 2008 Vice Chairman Cohen said that the Verizon banner is back in the Marshall's center. Mr. Taylor said that code enforcement would address the situation. Chairman Cardoza said he would not be available for the February 7, 2008 DRC meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m. The next regularly scheduled Planning Commission Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Approved: Steven A. Ap e, AICP Planning Director