M I N U T E S
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1999
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7:00 P.M.
ROOM 213, CITY HALL
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Zinner led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL:
Present:
Darrell Clarke
Matt Kanny, Acting Chairperson
Kelly Olsen [arrived at 7:15 p.m.]
Eric Charles Parlee
Susan M. White
John S. Zinner
Absent:
Kenneth Breisch, Chairperson
Also Present:
Laura Beck, AICP, Associate Planner
Kyle Ferstead, Commission Secretary
Suzanne Frick, Director of Planning/PCD
Susan Healy Keene, Acting Senior Planner
Roger Kiesel, Assistant Planner
Kevin McKeown, City Council Liaison
Jean M. Moore, AICP, Associate Planner
Barry Rosenbaum, Senior Land Use Attorney
Amanda Schachter, Acting Principal Planner
Jay M. Trevino, AICP, Planning Manager
4. PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Ms. Frick gave the Director's Report. She reported that the City Council will be hearing the proposed Auto Repair Standards on November 23, 1999. Up coming Commission meetings are scheduled for December 1, December 15, 1999 and January 5, 2000.
Acting Chair Kanny stated that he would be unavailable on January 5, 2000.
Commissioner Zinner asked when the draft Environmental Impact Report for the Target Store would be available. Mr. Trevino stated that it would be released in February 2000.
5. STATEMENTS OF OFFICIAL ACTION: Consent Calendar
5-A. Appeal of Variance 98-024, 1665 Appian Way
Commissioner Zinner made a motion to approve the Statement of Official Action for 1665 Appian Way. Commissioner Clarke seconded the motion, which was approved by voice vote with Commissioner Parlee abstaining. Chair Breisch and Commissioner Olsen were absent for this vote.
5-B. CUP 99-039, 401 Santa Monica Pier
Commissioner Parlee made a motion to approve the Statement of Official Action for 401 Santa Monica Pier. Commissioner Kanny seconded the motion, which was approved by voice vote. Chair Breisch and Commissioner Olsen were absent for this vote.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Consent Calendar
Commissioner Zinner made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar. Commissioner Parlee seconded the motion, which was approved by voice vote.
6-A. Vesting Tentative Tract Map #52232, 1133 15th Street, R2 (Low Density Multiple Family Residential) District; Request for a two year extension of Vesting Tentative Tract Map #52232 and Tenant Participating Conversion 327 (TPC). On November 6, 1996 the Planning Commission approved the conversion of six apartment units to condominiums. The tentative subdivision map was later extended for one year and is due to expire on November 16,1999. The applicant is requesting another one year extension of the map and conversion. (Planner: Laura Beck). Applicant: Paul DeSantis, representing the owners.
ACTION: APPROVED ON CONSENT.
6-B. Conditional Use Permit 99-015, 639 Pacific Street, OP2 (Ocean Park Los Multiple Residential) District; Application for a Conditional Use Permit and a Vesting Tentative Parcel Map to permit the construction of a 2 story, 3-unit condominium and 6 subterranean parking spaces accessed from Pacific Street. (Planner: Roger Kiesel) Applicant: Bernard Leger et al.
ACTION: APPROVED ON CONSENT.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
7-A. Appeal 99-015 of Architectural Review Board Approval 99-235, 1230 Montana Avenue. Appeal of Architectural Review Board approval of building design, colors and materials for a two-story mixed-use building.
Appellant: Kevin McKeown for the Wilshire/Montana Neighborhood Assoc. Applicant: Prats Coffee Architects Inc. Property Owner: Hollywood Arts Center, Ltd.
Following the staff report, the appellant, Councilmember Kevin McKeown, addressed the Commission regarding his appeal.
The applicant's team, which consisted of Mr. Coffee from Prats Coffee Architects, and Chris Harding of the Law Offices of Harding, Larmore, Kutcher and Kozal, addressed the Commission regard their application.
The following members of the public addressed the Commission:
Victor Fresco, -- Palisades Avenue, Santa Monica 90402
Evelyn --, 817 Euclid Street, Santa Monica 90403
Barbara -, waived her time to speak
The applicant's team waived their rebuttal time.
The appellant also waived his rebuttal time.
Acting Chair Kanny closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Zinner asked staff for the policy regarding rear entries. Ms. Frick stated that staff discourages rear entries from parking lots because they are not pedestrian friendly and there is the desire for people to utilize the street.
Commissioner White commented on the large amount of window glass used on the proposed building design. She suggested the introduction of a wainscoting for the bottom of the windows and the use of more wood and landscaping. Additionally, she suggested there be an increase in the amount of sidewalk seating.
Acting Chair Kanny asked staff for the Commission's options. Ms. Frick stated that the Commission can recommend a modification to the building design, rather than adding to the proposed design. She also stated that the Commission can either have the modified design return to the Commission for approval or remand it back to the Architectural Review Board (ARB) for review.
Commissioner Olsen stated that he supports Commissioner White's recommendations.
Commissioner Clarke commented on his disappointment with the design as it is not compatible with the neighborhood. He described the character of the buildings along Montana Avenue, citing specifically "Twigs" and the bungalows on the north side of the street. He commented that the proposed design is a "mishmash of material" and he would like to see the design modified. He also commented on the proposed number of stores and the potential for multiple incidental food uses.
Commissioner Zinner commented that this appeal is full of irony because most cities would jump to have such a successful pedestrian oriented street. He lamented that the City chose not to purchase this site for a City park. He expressed the opinion that the architecture does not pose a problem for him and noted that no one has raised issue with the scale of the building or the mixed use aspect.
Commissioner Parlee stated that the appeal requires the Commission to look at the aesthetics of the project. He commented that the architect did a fine job within the parameters. He then made the following suggestions: that the massing could be improved on the street facade by carrying it down to the street level by reducing the amount of glass on the store fronts. He stated that the use awnings should not be an option for this project. He also suggested that this appeal return with modified massing, smooth stucco finish and a material and colors board. Commissioner Parlee then made a motion to continue the appeal for redesign of the project.
Acting Chair Kanny expressed agreement with Commissioner Zinner regarding the "frivolous" nature of the appeal. He stated that he has been on the Architectural Review Board (ARB). He also stated that he could make the appropriate findings and the appeal should not have come to the Commission. He then stated his willingness to vote per the staff recommendation and so moved.
Commissioner Parlee seconded the motion. He stated that this project had appropriate ARB review.
The Commission discussed the motion.
The motion to deny the appeal was denied by the following vote:
AYES: Kanny, Parlee; NOES: Clarke, Olsen, White, Zinner; ABSENT: Breisch.
Commissioner Parlee commented on the aesthetics of the project and proposed continuing the appeal so that the following changes could be done:
Commissioner White seconded the motion.
Commissioner Zinner asked if landscaping could be discussed. Ms. Moore stated that landscaping is already under review by the ARB and is not a part of Th appeal.
Commissioner Olsen asked staff about the outdoor area to the southwest of the property and if additional landscaping could be added. Ms. Moore stated that the landscaping plans will be returning to the ARB, but have not yet been reviewed by the Board.
Commissioner Parlee asked if the site plan is correct with only one street tree. Ms. Moore stated that the City's arborist has confirmed the street tree, but it has not been reviewed by the ARB.
Ms. Frick stated that this item should be continued to a date certain and recommended December 15, 1999. The applicant's representative, Chris Harding, was agreeable.
The motion to continue was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Clarke, Kanny, Olsen, Parlee; White, Zinner; ABSENT: Breisch.
7-B. Conditional Use Permit 99-032, 3020 Santa Monica Boulevard, C4 (Highway Commercial) District; Application for a Conditional Use Permit to permit the expansion of an existing automobile dealership by more than 5,000 square feet. Proposed is the construction of a two-story, 9,445 square foot addition for offices and a showroom and a one-story, 551 square foot parts building. The project will include 24 at grade parking spaces and a 41 space subterranean parking garage accessed from 30th Court Alley. (Planner: Jean M. Moore). Applicant: Herb Katz, RTK Architects.
CONTINUED.
8. FUTURE COMMISSION AGENDA ITEMS: None.
9. PUBLIC INPUT: None.
10. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:40 p.m.
APPROVED: January 19, 2000