M I N U T E S
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND
RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1995 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
6:30 P.M ROOM 213, CITY HALL
6:30 P.M. SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND
RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION REGARDING THE OPEN SPACE
ELEMENT / PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN.
1. CALL TO ORDER: The Special Joint Meeting of the Planning
Commission and Recreation and Parks Commission was called
to order at 6:40 p.m. by Planning Commission Chairperson
Kenneth Breisch.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by
the Recreation and Parks Commission Chairperson, Frank
Schwengel.
3. ROLL CALL: Present: Kenneth Breisch, Chair, Planning
Commission
Frank Gruber, Planning Commission
Steven Mount, Recreation & Parks
Commission
Eric Parlee, Planning Commission
Frank Schwengel, Chair, Recreation &
Parks Comm.
Nick Steers, Recreation & Parks
Commission
Terri Walsh, Recreation & Parks
Commission
Susan Wilson, Recreation & Parks
Commission
John Zinner, Planning Commission
Absent: Berton R. Bradley, Planning
Commission
Arnulfo Diaz, Recreation & Parks
Commission
Lou Moench, Planning Commission
Doris Sosin, Recreation & Parks
Commission
Kathy Weremiuk, Planning Commission
Also Present: Suzanne Edwards, Commission
Secretary
Suzanne Frick, Director of Planning
& Community
Development
Karen Ginsberg, Planning Manager/PPA
Susan McCarthy, Director of
Community & Cultural
Services
David Martin, Associate Planner
Pamela O'Connor, City Council
Liaison
Barbara Stinchfield, Assistant
Director, Community &
Cultural Services
4. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF OPEN SPACE ELEMENT / PARKS
AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN.
Mayor Paul Rosenstein addressed the Commissions.
Ms. Ginsberg gave an introduction to the evening's
proceedings and introduced the consultant team. Ms.
Sheila Brady addressed the Commissions regarding the Open
Space Element and Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
Chair Breisch opened the public hearing.
The following members of the public addressed the joint
Commissions:
Maryanne Solomon, 1217 23rd Street, Santa Monica 90404
Geoff Stern, 2640 Glendon Avenue, Los Angeles 90064
Judy Silverman, 1148 Chelsea Avenue, Santa Monica
90403
Christopher Pelham, 1122 6th Street, Santa Monica
90403
Melissa Sweeney, 1535 Centinela Avenue, Santa Monica
90404
Chuck Ice, 1714 21st Street, Santa Monica 90404
Chris Harding, 1250 6th Street, Santa Monica 90401
Jose Lopez, 601 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica 90405
David Tillipman, 3201 17th Street, Santa Monica 90405
Mark Hardine, 1713 Pine Street, Santa Monica 90405
David Pettit, 1340 Pacific Street, Santa Monica 90405
Susan Henderson, 1222 Princeton Street #8, Santa
Monica 90404
Clay Evans, 820 Broadway #320A, Santa Monica 90401
Mary Wallace, 520 Broadway, Suite 3204, Santa Monica
90401
Mike Feinstein, 142 Hollister Avenue, Santa Monica
90405
Aida Diaz, 2640 31st Street, Santa Monica 90405
Irene Gonzalez, 2344 32nd Street, Santa Monica 90405
Ralph Mechur, 1121 Oak Street, Santa Monica 90405
Maureen Brodford, 3014 18th Street, Santa Monica 90405
Tom Francis, 1423 6th Street, Santa Monica 90401
Graham Wong, 409 21st Place, Santa Monica 90402
John Marias, 709 21st Street, Santa Monica 90402
Barbara Flammang, 1808 Hill Street, Santa Monica 90405
Don Harvey, 9589 West Olympic Boulevard, Beverly Hills
90212
Darrel Goode, 1820 Michigan Avenue, Santa Monica 90404
Chris McGee, 602 Manhattan Avenue, Hermosa Beach 90254
Larry Arreola, 2215 Navy Street, Santa Monica 90405
One member of the public, Laurie Lieberman, 3121 Federal,
Los Angeles 90066, was not present when her request to
speak was called.
City Councilmember Pamela O'Connor addressed the
Commissions regarding the importance of recreational open
space.
Chair Breisch closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Gruber asked about a reference made to "lost
park land" and whether there are statistics available
regarding this issue. Chair Schwengel stated that actual
square footage has not been lost, however the percentage
of area used as open space has changed.
Commissioner Gruber asked if additional park sites are
contemplated. Ms. McCarthy stated that the corner of
Cloverfield and Pico Boulevard has been purchased by the
City and is intended to be an expansion of Virginia Avenue
Park. Ms. Frick pointed out that part of what the
Commissions need to discuss is the appropriate ratio of
people to open space for the City.
Commissioner Parlee requested a history of open space in
Santa Monica and a synopsis of the financing regarding
open space and a listing of shared responsibilities of
resources.
Commissioner Walsh asked about the community workshop
being held on Sunday, November 5th and if the number of
medians counted as open space could be revealed. Ms.
Ginsberg stated that an inventory of open space will be
available at the workshop.
Commissioner Steers commented that in the eight years he
has been on the Recreation and Parks Commission, people
always mention the lack of recreational open space at
public meetings. He stated the need for standards for
Santa Monica's unique space. He also stated that he is
looking forward to working with the Planning Commission on
this project.
Chair Schwengel asked staff if the same effort to
advertise this meeting will be done for the community
workshops. Ms. McCarthy stated that 7000 flyers were sent
out, people were telephoned and there was an advertisement
in the Outlook. She also stated that if groups want to
facilitate their own workshop, "workshop kits" will be
available at the open house on Sunday.
Chair Schwengel commented on defining active versus
passive park space and the use of park space by such
groups as AYSO and programs for at-risk youth.
Commissioner Wilson commented on the issues of girls and
team sports, the demand for space and activities, and the
importance of education and sports for young people.
Commissioner Gruber asked staff about the process and
whether it will lead to acquisitions or just ideas. Ms.
Ginsberg stated that there is a financial consultant
connected with the process, and that an implementation
plan will be developed as part of Open Space Element and
Recreation Master Plan.
Commissioner Zinner asked if the process will include more
joint meetings. Ms. Ginsberg stated that it would be
preferable to have the two Commissions continue to meet
jointly, however recommendations can be done either
separately or jointly.
Chair Breisch stated that it "is important to look at
parks as a series of nodes, not just green patches". He
continued that in the past, in eastern cities, green ways
connected the parks and can be traced to the ecology
movement of today and the Sustainable Cities Program. He
suggested that the railway corridor along Olympic
Boulevard can be looked at as a connector and that open
space can be connected to traffic calming plans as was
done on Second Street and California Avenue. He stated
that a priority list of open space that would include the
Airport residual land, and other City-owned parcels that
could become pocket parks should be developed. He also
stated that the status of community gardens should be
reviewed. Lastly, Chair Breisch commented on Palisades
Park, its history as a great resource.
Chair Schwengel asked if this process will put a hold on
the projects for Palisades Park and Douglas Park. Ms.
McCarthy stated that the City Council has already funded
these projects and they will proceed on schedule.
Chair Breisch thanked the public for their attendance and
input.
5. ADJOURNMENT: The Special Joint Meeting was adjourned at
8:15 p.m. by Chair Breisch.
NOTE: Prior to the beginning of the Regular Planning
Commission meeting, the Commission took a break.
M I N U T E S
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1995 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7:00 P.M. ROOM 213, CITY HALL
1. CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order
at 8:32 p.m. by Chair Breisch.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was omitted.
3. ROLL CALL: Present: Berton R. Bradley
Kenneth Breisch, Chair
Frank Gruber
Eric Parlee
John Zinner
Absent: Lou Moench
Kathy Weremiuk
Also Present: Kyle Ferstead, Commission Secretary
Suzanne Frick, Director of Planning/PCD
Mary Strobel, Deputy City Attorney
Kenyon Webster, Planning Manager
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were not submitted for review.
5. PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Ms. Frick gave the Director's Report.
6. STATEMENTS OF OFFICIAL ACTION: Consent Calendar
Commissioner Zinner made a motion to approve the Statements of Official Action as
submitted. Commissioner Parlee seconded the motion, which was approved by voice vote,
with Commissioner Parlee abstaining on item 6C.
A. CUP 95-007, 1043 11th Street.
B. CUP 95-014, 2730 Santa Monica Boulevard.
C. VAR 95-007, 2108 6th Street.
D. Variance 95-011, 643 Palisades Beach Road.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Consent Calendar
Commissioner Zinner made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted.
Commissioner Parlee seconded the motion, which was approved by voice vote.
Chair Breisch commended the Community Corporation for their fine new project and for
the newly opened Ashland project.
Commissioner Parlee commented that the Community Corporation projects are the best
example of everything in housing. He thanked them for an excellent job.
A. Tenant-Participating Conversion Case TPC-322, Vesting Tentative Tract No. 52077,
1138 15th Street, R2, A Public Hearing will be held by the Planning Commission on
an application for a TENANT-PARTICIPATING CONVERSION and Vesting
Tentative Map to convert a 6-unit apartment building into condominiums at 1138
15th Street.
B. Tenant-Participating Conversion Case TPC-323, Vesting Tentative Tract No. 52099,
837 2nd Street, R3NW, A Public Hearing will be held by the Planning Commission
on an application for a TENANT-PARTICIPATING CONVERSION and Vesting
Tentative Map to convert a 6-unit apartment building into condominiums at 837 2nd
Street.
C. Development Review 95-005, Variance 95-0031, 1128-1144 Fifth Street, NW-R2A
(North of Wilshire Overlay and Off-Street Parking Overlay- Low Density Multiple
Residential District) Applicant: Community Corporation of Santa Monica,
Application for the construction of a multi-family 100% affordable housing structure
located at 1128-1144 Fifth Street. The proposed project is a 32 unit, 34,551 square
foot, three-story structure with an additional 23,850 square feet of subterranean
parking. The Variance application is to permit the following three variances from the
requirements of the NW-R2 (North of Wilshire Overlay-Low Density Multiple Family
Residential) District: a 60% maximum lot coverage in-lieu of the maximum 50% lot
coverage required by Code; a 14 foot, 5.5 inch side yard in lieu of the 17 foot yard
required by Code; and, a 17 foot front yard in lieu of the 20 foot yard required by
Code. Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 9.04.20.10.030 allows projects which
conform to state density bonus guidelines to encroach into no more than 15% of one
side yard setback, and into 15% of either the front or rear yard setback, and allows
an increase in parcel coverage by no more than ten percent of parcel area. (Planner:
L. Beck )
D. Amendment to Article IX of the Santa Monica Municipal Code to modify density
standards for substandard parcels in the R2B District.
(Planner: D. K. Webster)
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Conditional Use Permit 95-010, Variance 95-032, 1429-1431 Third Street
Promenade, C3C, Applicant: Albert and Renee Mizrahi/Gotham Hall, Application
for a Conditional Use Permit to amend the following conditions of Conditional Use
Permit 94-022: Condition #18, to permit the alcohol service areas to have the sit-down and stand-up counter space accessible to patrons of the establishment;
Condition #20, to permit the roof top dining hours to extend to midnight, in lieu of
11:00 pm, Sunday through Thursday and 2:00 am, in lieu of midnight, Fridays and
Saturdays; and to add a 30 square foot service bar to the outdoor roof deck dining
area with stand-up counter space accessible to patrons of the establishment. The
proposal includes an application for a Noise Variance to eliminate Condition #24,
which requires the design of the entryway to provide for double doors to mitigate
possible noise impacts as required by the Noise Ordinance, Sec. 4.12 (SMCC). The
application also includes a request to permit expansion of the approved 381 seat
restaurant/bar with an approved Type-47 (On-Sale General for Public Eating Place)
alcohol license by adding outdoor dining on the ground floor in front of 1431 Third
Street Promenade. The proposal would add 34 seats along the Third Street
Promenade for a total of 415 seats. (Planner: Susan Healy Keene)
Mr. Webster informed the Commission that the applicant has requested this item be
continued to November 15, 1995. Commissioner Parlee moved to continue this item
to November 15, 1995. Commissioner Bradley seconded the motion, which was
approved by voice vote.
CONTINUED TO NOVEMBER 15, 1995.
B. Conditional Use Permit 95-019, 1301-11 Third Street, C3-C, Applicant: Cinamerica
Theaters, L.P., Application for a Conditional Use Permit to allow the 242 seat
expansion of an existing cinema complex into a 904 square foot building addition and
a portion of the 7,210 square foot space formerly used as a restaurant, within the
historically significant residential/commercial Criterion Building. Per Section
9.04.08.20.040 (SMCC), a Conditional Use Permit is required to permit cinemas.
(Planner: Laura Beck)
Mr. Webster informed the Commission that the applicant has requested this item be
continued to November 15, 1995. Commissioner Zinner moved to continue this item
to November 15, 1995. Commissioner Parlee seconded the motion, which was
approved by voice vote.
CONTINUED TO NOVEMBER 15, 1995.
C. Appeal of Zoning Administrator Denial of Variance 95-005, 1619 Montana Avenue,
C2, Applicant/Appellant: Frank Moody, to allow the conversion of a residential unit
into a commercial use with no parking provided on-site in-lieu of the minimum nine
parking spaces required by code. (Planner: S.H. Keene)
The applicant's representative, Rosario Perry, 1333 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica,
spoke on behalf of the applicant./appellant.
Chair Breisch closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Parlee asked about the specifics on the residential unit being discussed.
Mr. Perry explained that the unit has not been rented while Mr. Moody has been the
owner of the property. Mr. Perry also explained that this unit is not in an ideal
location because of street and adjacent business noise.
Commissioner Gruber asked about the parking requirements. Deputy City Attorney
Strobel stated that this is a non-conforming structure as regarding parking and that
the Zoning Ordinance provides triggers for requiring a building comply with current
parking requirements. She also stated that the law is clear in this matter when a
residential unit is converted to commercial use, then the property must comply with
current parking standards unless findings can be made to grant the variance.
Commissioner Gruber stated that it is his opinion that since the intent of the Zoning
Ordinance is to keep residential units, he believes the unit would be rentable, that it
is in a desirable area, and that the financial hardship evidence is not persuasive. He
also stated that the property is worth more now than in 1980 when Mr. Moody
purchased it. He stated he would support the staff report.
Commissioner Bradley commented that there are many transitional lots on Montana
Avenue and asked if action by the Commission would set a precedent. Ms. Frick
stated that approval of the variance would set a precedent and other such properties
could follow suit. Mr. Webster stated that he does not recall any such approvals in
the past.
Commissioner Parlee commented on the findings in the staff report.
Commissioner Zinner agreed that to approve the variance would set a precedent and
expressed support for the staff report.
Chair Breisch concurred.
Commissioner Zinner made a motion to deny the appeal per staff's recommendations
and findings.
Commissioner Gruber seconded the motion.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Bradley, Breisch, Gruber, Parlee, Zinner;
ABSENT: Moench, Weremiuk.
9. OLD BUSINESS: None.
10. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Main Street Streetscape Improvement Plan Conceptual Design.
(Planner: P. Foley)
11. COMMUNICATIONS:
A. Planning Commission Caselist
B. Zoning Administrator Caselist
C. Cumulative Projects List
D. Appeal of Planning Commission Decision to City Council
1. None
12. COMMISSION AGENDA
A. R2B Zoning Administrator Interpretation. (Planner: D. K. Webster)
Ms. Frick stated that this is an information item and Commission may comment if
they wish.
13. PUBLIC INPUT: None.
14. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
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