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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-27-2016_ZA_Minutes NEWPORT BEACH ZONING ADMINISTRATOR MINUTES 10/27/2016 NEWPORT BEACH ZONING ADMINISTRATOR MINUTES 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach Corona del Mar Conference Room (Bay E-1 st Floor) Thursday, October 27, 2016 REGULAR HEARING 3:30 p.m. A. CALL TO ORDER—The meeting was called to order at 3:33 p.m. Staff Present: Patrick J. Alford, Zoning Administrator David Lee, Planning Technician B. REQUEST FOR CONTINUANCES C. MINUTES of October 13, 2016 Action: Approved D. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS ITEM NO. 1 The Newport Workout Minor Use Permit NO. UP2016-028 (PA2016-108) Site Location: Address Council District 3 David Lee, Planning Technician, provided a brief project description stating that the applicant is requesting an amendment to Use Permit No. UP3585 to add an accessory massage service to an existing 5,700-square- foot fitness facility. The fitness facility was previously approved by the Planning Commission on June 20, 1996. The service will be limited to a 110 SF room in the rear of the tenant space and will have no exterior signage visible. Mr. Lee stated that existing services and operating hours will remain the same; parking requirements have been met; and staff believes the findings for approval could be made. The Zoning Administrator opened the public hearing. Seeing that no one from the public wished to comment the public hearing was closed. Action: Approved ITEM NO.2 Rodgers Lot Merger No. LM2016-009 (PA2016-158) Site Location: 320 and 322 Buena Vista Boulevard Council District 1 David Lee, Planning Technician, provided a brief project description stating that the applicant is requesting a lot merger between 320 and 322 Buena Vista Boulevard. Mr. Lee stated that the lot merger would combine two legal lots into a single parcel, and that the purpose of the lot merger is to allow an addition across the existing interior property line. The lot will not result in an excessively large lot, as there are many lots in the surrounding neighborhood that are similar to the area of the proposed lot merger. Mr. Lee stated that there are no waivers of the subdivision development standards proposed, recommended approval of LM2016-009, and provided resolutions with findings. The Zoning Administrator asked staff to address comments made by Mr. Jim Mosher. Mr. Lee explained that a Coastal Development Permit is not required before completion of a lot merger and that it is department policy to not send lot mergers to Coastal because it is a reduction in density. When the plan check for a new home is submitted to Coastal Commission, the applicant is required to submit documentation of the lot merger. Regarding the comment that the CEQA exemption should not be Class 15, but should use Class 5 Page 1 of 2 NEWPORT BEACH ZONING ADMINISTRATOR MINUTES 10/27/2016 instead, Mr. Lee stated that lot mergers are addressed by the Subdivision Code, and that a lot merger is essentially a re-subdivision of land into one parcel. The Class 15 exemption has been typically used for lot mergers in the past, as it is a standard class to use for this type of application. Mr. Lee stated that it is possible to add Class 5 because it is an adjustment to lot lines and does not result in a creation of new parcel. Regarding the comment that a lot merger is not allowed per General Plan Policy LU 4.2 and needs an amendment, Mr. Lee stated that Policy LU 4.2 prohibits new residential subdivisions that would result in additional dwelling units, and that the proposed lot merger does not create an additional dwelling unit. Regarding the comment that the lot merger affects the range of density required for the general area, Mr. Lee responded that a density range of 10.0— 19.9 dwelling units per acre is the typical density range for the area, and that a reduction of one dwelling unit in the area will not affect the density. Mr. Mosher inquired if the proposed lot merger affected the City's housing requirements, Mr. Lee answered stating that the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) requires five new dwelling units, two of which are "above moderate" in the time period between 2014-2021. The merged lot is categorized as an "above moderate" unit, and in 2015, there were 79 new above moderate housing units provided. Mr. Lee stated that the reduction of one lot is not going to impact the housing needs. Regarding the comment with adding language to waive the parcel map requirement in the resolution action, Mr. Lee stated that the language would be added to the final resolution. The Zoning Administrator opened the public hearing. Seeing that no one from the public wished to comment the public hearing was closed. Action: Approved E. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS A member of the public voiced opposition to high rise buildings, specifically in Fashion Island, due to traffic congestion caused by these developments. The Zoning Administrator stated that decisions concerning zoning changes do not fall within the Zoning Administrator's jurisdiction. F. ADJOURNMENT The hearing was adjourned at 3:45 p.m. The agenda for the Zoning Administrator Hearing was posted on October 21, 2016, at 11:15 a.m. in the Chambers binder and on the digital display board located inside the vestibule of the Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive and on the City's website on October 21, 2016, at 11:30 a.m. Patrick J.Alford, Zoning Administrator Page 2 of 2