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NEWPORT BEACH ZONING ADMINISTRATOR MINUTES
100 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, NEWPORT BEACH
CORONA DEL MAR CONFERENCE ROOM (BAY E-1ST FLOOR)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020
REGULAR MEETING – 3:00 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER – The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m.
Staff Present: Jaime Murillo, Zoning Administrator
David Lee, Associate Planner
Liz Westmoreland, Associate Planner
Patrick Achis, Planning Technician
Liane Schuller, Planning Consultant
II. REQUEST FOR CONTINUANCES
Patrick Achis, Planning Technician, requested that Item No. 2 be removed from the calendar for the Applicant
to conduct in-depth alternative site analysis.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
ITEM NO. 1 MINUTES OF JANUARY 30, 2020
Action: Approved
IV. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
ITEM NO. 2 AT&T Small Cell SLC2389 Minor Use Permit No. UP2019-007 (PA2019-042)
Site Location: Public Right-of-Way, City streetlight number SLC2389, near the
northeast corner of Bixia Street and Eastbluff Drive Council District 4
Action: Removed from calendar.
ITEM NO. 3 South Bayfront Waterpointe, LLC. Residence Coastal Development Permit No. CD2019-
075 (PA2019-265)
Site Location: 400 South Bay Front Council District 5
Liane Schuller, Planning Consultant, provided a brief project description stating that the project site is a vacant
bay front property on the corner of Pearl Street and the Balboa Island promenade, and the applicant is
requesting approval of a coastal development permit to construct a new single-family residence and
attached garage. The proposed development is consistent with the Zoning and General Plan designations
on the property. The proposed design complies with all applicable development standards, including the
standards and approval requirements of the City’s Local Coastal Program.
Ms. Schuller stated that staff received a letter of comment this afternoon from a member of the public, Jim
Mosher, regarding the proposed density and suggesting that window glass facing the bay be treated to
minimize bird strikes.
The Zoning Administrator opened the public hearing.
One member of the public, Rick Barrett asked for clarification on the overall square-footage of the residence
and garage. Mr. Murillo clarified that the maximum allowed square footage is 6,544 square feet and the
combined size of the residence and garage is less than that at 6,404 square feet.
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The Zoning Administrator closed the public hearing.
Action: Approved
ITEM NO. 4 BR Trust Lot Line Adjustment No. LA2020-001 (PA2020-001)
Site Location: 4700 Surrey Drive Council District 6
Liane Schuller, Planning Consultant, provided a brief project description stating that the applicant is requesting
approval of a lot line adjustment to facilitate construction of a driveway, which will provide access to a new,
subterranean three-car garage at the northwesterly end of the property. The property is located in a
Categorical Exclusion Area; therefore a coastal development permit is not required for the development.
The land area proposed to be added to the residential property is a 5-foot by 67-foot strip of land that
separates the property from the Surrey Drive right-of-way. A portion of the added land area will be improved
with a standard residential driveway; no other development is proposed within the 5-foot strip of land. The
driveway apron itself will be located within the existing Surrey Drive right-of-way.
Ms. Schuller stated that staff received a letter of comment this afternoon from a member of the public, Jim
Mosher, regarding density. In response, Ms. Schuller stated the property currently allows one single-family
dwelling and approval of the lot line adjustment will not increase or decrease the allowed density on the
site.
The Zoning Administrator asked staff to clarify the location of the property in relationship to the coastal zone.
Ms. Schuller clarified that the draft Resolution incorrectly stated that the property was not in the coastal zone.
After further discussion, the final resolution was revised to reflect the site’s location to be within the coastal
zone. Furthermore, it was determined that a coastal development permit is not required for lot line adjustment
application, as the approval would not result in further subdivision of land or no change in allowable density.
Applicant Craig Schultz, of Laidlaw Schultz Architects, on behalf of the property owner, stated that he had
reviewed the draft resolution and agrees with all of the required conditions.
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. 5 Fox Residential Duplex Coastal Development Permit No. CD2019-061 (PA2019-243)
Site Location: 494, 496, and 498 Seaward Road Council District 6
David Lee, Associate Planner, provided a brief project description stating that the applicant is proposing to
demolish an existing triplex and construct a new duplex. Mr. Lee provided zoning information and stated that
the project meets all development standards. Mr. Lee stated that the project results in the reduction of one
housing unit. However, since the project was deemed complete by the Planning Division on December 9, 2019,
it is not subject to Senate Bill 330. Mr. Lee proposed a revision to the resolution in order to fix a typographical
error.
Applicant Robert Coffee, on behalf of the owner, stated that he had reviewed the draft resolution and agrees
with all of the required conditions.
The Zoning Administrator opened the public hearing.
One member of the public, an unnamed gentleman, spoke and stated concerns that the project would not be
completed. The gentleman inquired how the City would enforce a dilapidated property. The Zoning
Administrator discussed the conditions of approval that addressed permit expirations and also directed the
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gentleman to Code Enforcement for any future issues. Greg Fox, representing the owner, responded and
assured the gentleman that the owner has intentions of completing the project in a timely manner.
The Zoning Administrator closed the public hearing.
Action: Approved
ITEM NO. 6 Richard Barrett Trust Seawall Coastal Development Permit No. CD2019-071 (PA2019-
251)
Site Location: 930 Via Lido Nord Council District1
David Lee, Associate Planner, provided a brief project description stating that the applicant is proposing to raise
an existing concrete seawall and construct an elevated deck in the front setback abutting the Newport Bay. Mr.
Lee stated that a previous grade determination was approved, allowing the height of accessory structures to
be measured from 9.5 feet (North American Vertical Datum of 1988). Mr. Lee stated that the project does not
affect any public views of the bay, nor will it affect any public access. Mr. Lee requested multiple revisions to
the draft resolution to clarify that the proposed lower seawall complies with the City Standard for height, and
that the combination of seawalls are adequate to protect the existing residence from sea level rise using the
low-risk aversion scenario. Finally, Mr. Lee requested to revise the resolution to clarify that the existing structure
will remain above high-tide sea level until approximately 2085 and that the seawall can be raised to a higher
elevation if needed.
Applicant Richard Barrett stated that he had reviewed the draft resolution and agrees with all of the required
conditions.
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. 7 Hwang Residence Modification Permit No. MD2019-006 (PA2019-175)
Site Location: 107 32nd Street Council District 1
Liz Westmoreland, Associate Planner, provided a brief project description stating that the applicant proposed
to construct a new single-family residence that complied with all development standards except the required
garage depth. The applicant is proposing an 18-foot garage depth instead of the Zoning Code required depth
of 19 feet. Staff stated that the orientation and narrow width of the lot made a 19-foot garage depth infeasible,
since alley access was located along the side yard. Staff recommended approval of the project.
Applicant Phil Nielsen, on behalf of the owner, stated that he had reviewed the draft resolution and agrees with
all of the required conditions.
The Zoning Administrator opened the public hearing. Seeing that no one from the public wished to comment,
the public hearing was closed.
The Zoning Administrator confirmed with staff that the third open parking space was not required, but would
help offset the smaller garage size proposed by the applicant. He asked staff as to why it was not included as
a condition of approval to maintain this parking space free and clear of any obstructions for the purpose of
parking a vehicle.
Ms. Westmoreland responded that there was not a particular reason why it was not included as a condition,
but that it was shown on the site plan. She stated that it could be added as a condition if appropriate.
The Applicant, Mr. Nielsen accepted the additional condition of approval to maintain the third car parking space
in the rear of the lot, free and clear of any encroachments for the purpose of parking a vehicle.
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Action: Approved
ITEM NO. 8 Wells Residence Coastal Development Permit No. CD2019-047 (PA2019-174)
Site Location: 1140 West Bay Avenue Council District 1
Patrick Achis, Planning Technician, provided a brief project description stating that the project site is a bay
front property at the northeast corner of West Bay Avenue and 12th Street on the Balboa Peninsula. The
Applicant requests approval of a coastal development permit to demolish an existing single-family residence
and construct a new single-family residence and attached garage. The proposed development is consistent
with the Zoning and General Plan designations on the property. The proposed design complies with all
applicable development standards, including the standards and approval requirements of the City’s Local
Coastal Program.
Mr. Achis stated a public comment letter was received from Jim Mosher about treating the tempered glass
railing on the third floor to minimize bird strikes. Staff explained that this could be a consideration for the
Applicant; however, it is not required by the City’s adopted Implementation Plan.
The Zoning Administrator asked staff to clarify agency permit jurisdiction for the bulkhead proposal.
Staff replied the requested bulkhead modifications require a coastal development permit from the California
Coastal Commission due to permit jurisdiction.
Applicant Brad Smith, Architect, on behalf of the Owner, stated that he had reviewed the draft resolution and
agrees with all of the required conditions.
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. 9 SoCal Cycleboats Boat Rental Limited Term Permit No. XP2019-010 and Coastal
Development Permit No. CD2019-059 (PA2019-236)
Site Location: 2406 Newport Boulevard and 2000 West Balboa Boulevard
Council District 1
Patrick Achis, Planning Technician, provided a brief project description stating that the request is for a limited
term permit and associated coastal development permit to allow the temporary operation of a cycleboat
business to utilize off-site parking for one year. The proposal complies with all Mixed-Use Water (MU-W2)
related designations. No construction or physical alterations to the site are proposed. The off-site parking
location at 2000 West Balboa Boulevard will maintain a surplus of five parking spaces designated for the
cycleboat operation for the entirety of the limited duration. Public parking availability for coastal access will not
be affected by project implementation. Included conditions of approval ensure the proposed use and the
existing restaurant at 2406 Newport Boulevard will be compatible and remain separate operations.
Applicant Michael Kapusta, of SoCal Cycleboats, stated that he had reviewed the draft resolution and agrees
with all of the required conditions.
The Zoning Administrator opened the public hearing.
One member of the public, representing a boat storage business directly across the Harbor, stated concerns
regarding the maneuverability of the boat in this narrower channel area.
Mr. Kapusta replied that an experienced captain would drive the Cycleboat at all times and as such, traffic
conflict is not anticipated.
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The Zoning Administrator closed the public hearing.
Action: Approved
V. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
None.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
The hearing was adjourned at 3:49 p.m.
The agenda for the Zoning Administrator Hearing was posted on February 7, 2020, at 4:30 p.m. 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 February 7, 2020, at 4:20 p.m.