M I N U T E S
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
| WEDNESDAY, March 15, 2000 | CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS |
| 7:00 P.M. | ROOM 213, CITY HALL |
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Parlee led the Pledge of Allegiance.
| 3. ROLL CALL: Present: Kenneth Breisch, Chairperson Barbara Brown Matt Kanny Eric Charles Parlee John Zinner Absent: Also Present: |
Ms. Frick gave the Director's Report. She reminded the Commission of the annual Boards and Commissions Dinner on March 21, 2000. She reported that the City Council will be having a Special Meeting to hear the Meritorious Sign appeals on Wednesday, March 22, 2000. Lastly, she informed the Commission of their forthcoming meetings as follows: April 5, April 26, and May 3, 2000.
Commissioner Kanny informed the Commission that he will not be present for the May 3, 2000 meeting.
Commissioner Zinner asked Ms. Frick about the status of the multi-family building moratorium. Ms. Frick stated that the direction from City Council has been to extend the moratorium so staff can do the following: draft an Interim Ordinance to extend the North of Wilshire R-2 and R-3 development standards citywide; create incentives to protect and save certain types of residential buildings (i.e. bungalows); and evaluate the in-lieu fee structures through a peer review. She stated that it will be recommended that the moratorium be extended for an additional 90 days.
Commissioner Zinner asked Ms. Frick for the status of the removal of non-conforming signs. Ms. Frick stated that the removal deadline is April 11, 2000, however staff will be first checking for compliance for approximately six months, then enforcement action will begin.
Commissioner Kanny asked for the number of meritorious signs. Ms. Frick stated that 93 were designated and there are 55 appeals pending. Commissioner Kanny asked for the total number of signs. Ms. Keene stated that there are 8,000 business signs in the City, 900 of them are non-conforming.
Commissioner Kanny asked for a copy of the Meritorious Sign list.
Commissioner Zinner thanked Chair Breisch for his participation on the Meritorious Sign Review Board.
Chair Breisch asked Ms. Frick if density bonuses were being considered under the moratorium review. Ms. Frick stated that a modification of the development standards was considered, however it was deemed unnecessary. Also, there will be a construction rate program which will restrict new construction for 18 months within a 500 foot radius between projects.
Commissioner Parlee asked what mechanism will trigger the construction rate program. Ms. Frick stated issuance of a building permit is the trigger. Mr. Trevino added that the construction rate program begins immediately and that the interim standards will be applied to all projects not deemed complete on the date specified in the ordinance. Commissioner Parlee expressed concern regarding keeping a permit "alive" when the Construction Rate Program is working. Ms. Frick stated that the usual process will be followed until issuance of building permits. She also stated that the Planning Commission will be part of the final review process for these issues.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
5-A. Commissioner Zinner made a motion to approve the Planning Commission minutes for February 16, 2000, as submitted. Commissioner Parlee seconded the motion, which was approved by voice vote.
6. STATEMENTS OF OFFICIAL ACTION: Consent Calendar
Commissioner Parlee made a motion to approve the Statements of Official Action as submitted. Commissioner Kanny seconded the motion, which was approved by voice vote.
6-A. APPEAL 99-017 of ARB 99-326 for 1117 Eighteenth Street
6-B. APPEAL 99-020 of VAR 99-027, 111 Winnett Place
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
7-A. Development Review Permit 99-006, Conditional Use Permit 99-024, and Tentative Tract Map 52906, 849 - 853 Fourteenth Street, Application for Development Review Permit 99-006, Conditional Use Permit 99-024 and Tentative Tract Map 52906 to allow the construction of a two-story, 16,312 square foot, eight-unit condominium building with eighteen subterranean parking spaces accessed from Fourteenth Court Alley. (Planner: Jean M. Moore) APPLICANT: Danny Rojany, owner. [Continued from February 2, 2000 and February 16, 2000.]
Following the staff report, the applicant's representative, Dave Marshall, was present to discuss the application.
Commissioners Parlee and Zinner expressed concern regarding an existing pine tree and whether it could be moved. Commissioner Brown recalled that the adjacent neighbors had stated in public testimony on February 16, 2000, that the tree provided some privacy for their property and would like it either retained or a suitable alternative tree be placed in the same position. Mr. Marshall explained to the Commission the reason for needing to remove the tree.
Commissioner Brown asked Mr. Marshall if it would be possible to have another tree in the specified position. Mr. Marshall stated that this could be recommended as part of the landscaping approval process. The property owner, Mr. Rojany, commented on the existing pine tree and the proposed for extensive landscaping for the new development.
Commissioner Parlee commented on the "sad situation" for the existing tree and suggested a condition be made to either keep the tree on the property or give it to the City for replanting elsewhere in the City. Mr. Rojany stated that the pine tree is not compatible with the proposed Mediterranean style architecture and landscaping nor does it work as a street tree for Fourteenth Street.
Commissioner Kanny asked about the cost of moving the pine tree. Mr. Rojany stated that it would cost approximately $3000 to move the pine tree.
Commissioner Parlee asked staff if anyone knew what species of street tree is designated for Fourteenth Street. Ms. Moore stated that there is no designated street tree for Fourteenth Street at this time. Ms. Frick stated that it is unlikely that the City could use the tree on public property at this time.
Chair Breisch closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Parlee commented that the pine tree is apparently incompatible with the current building design. He suggested that the Architectural Review Board (ARB) handle this issue. He then made a motion for approval of the project.Commissioner Kanny seconded the motion. He made the following friendly amendments: that there be a condition that offers the tree to the City and/or the general public for 120 days, with moving of the tree to be at the property owner's expense; and that ARB be directed to carefully review landscaping as regarding providing privacy to adjacent properties.
Commissioner Zinner suggested a condition that the ARB examine the relocation of the pine tree on-site. Commissioner Parlee was agreeable to this conditions, "as a last resort." Ms. Frick pointed out that the ARB will not be aware of the relocation issue.
Commissioner Parlee offered an alternative as follows: that the pine tree be offered to the City for relocation for 120 days; that it be offered to a private entity for relocations for 120 days; and/or it be relocated on-site. Ms. Frick stated that this could delay the ARB approval process. Commissioner Zinner stated that he just wants the issue reviewed, not dictate a specific solution. Ms. Frick suggested alternative wording.
Commissioner Brown expressed her respect for the designers choice of design, however she also expressed her concern for the impact on the neighbors if the tree is removed. She asked that the ARB be directed to take a hard look at the replacement of the void created by the pine tree's removal.
Chair Breisch expressed his agreement that ARB should review the tree issue. He stated that if the pine tree is so incompatible with the proposed design then an incentive should be given to find the pine tree a good home.
Commissioner Kanny asked what finding can be made to place such a condition on the pine tree. Ms. Frick stated that as part of the tract map approval process, the Commission reviews the landscaping plans for the site. She stated that a condition can be attached regarding the landscaping and that the Commission can require that the pine tree remain.
Commissioner Parlee stated that it needs to be made clear that if ARB determines the pine tree should remain, it may be relocated on-site to the sideyards. He also stated that the privacy issue for adjacent neighbors still needs to be resolved by the ARB. He then accepted Commissioner Zinner's amendment to the motion. Ms. Frick restated that amendment as follows: that the ARB shall review and determine whether the pine tree is compatible with the building and landscape design, and whether it is to be retained on-site or removed.
Commissioner Kanny agreed to the amendment.
A motion was made to reopen the public hearing. Chair Breisch reopened the public hearing. Mr. Marshall stated that he will find someone to adopt the pine tree and will present to the ARB two landscaping plans, with and without the pine tree. Chair Breisch closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Zinner commented that he wants to save the pine tree for the birds, as well as the neighbors' privacy. Commissioner Kanny stated that he is comfortable with Mr. Marshall's proposal as it gives the pine tree another chance to live. Ms. Frick stated that the ARB has the authority to require either the relocation of the pine tree or the incorporation of it into the proposed landscape design.
Chair Breisch stated that the motion is for approval of the project with a condition that the ARB review the neighbors' privacy issues as they review the pine tree issue.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Breisch, Brown, Kanny, Parlee, Zinner; ABSENT: Clarke, Olsen.
8. DISCUSSION:
8-A. City Planning Budget Priorities. [Requested by Commissioner Zinner, January 5, 2000, and continued from February 16 and March 1, 2000.]
Commissioner Zinner outlined his priorities based on the list provided by staff. Topping his list were items of citywide impact such as policy documents and enforcement issues. He would also like added (as lesser priorities) the following: a hotel definition, Montana Avenue and Main Street Streetscape Plans, and the expansion of the North of Wilshire Development/Design Standards.
The Commission was in basic agreement with the priority list stated by Commissioner Zinner. Commissioner Parlee commented that a high priority for him would be to provide staff with a proper work environment. Commissioner Kanny stated that he would rank the Open Space Element and Circulation Elements as top priorities. Commissioner Brown stated that traffic management is a high priority for her.
Chair Breisch stated he would like to see as top priorities the Circulation Element, the Sustainable Development Guidelines, the Conservation Element, Housing Element Update; then as second priorities the Airport projects, Open Space Element, Historic Preservation Element, and the Regional Comprehensive Plan.
Ms. Frick thanked the Commission for their insight and efforts in this matter. She stated a revised list will be provided to the City Council for their Budget hearings.
9. FUTURE COMMISSION AGENDA ITEMS: None.
10. PUBLIC INPUT: None.
11. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
APPROVED: April 26, 2000