HomeMy WebLinkAbout20190307_PC Minutes NEWPORT BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS—100 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE
THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019
REGULAR MEETING—6:30 P.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER—The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—Secretary Lowrey
III. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Vice Chair Erik Weigand, Secretary Lee Lowrey, Commissioner Lauren Kleiman, Commissioner
Peter Koetting
ABSENT: Chair Peter Zak, Commissioner Curtis Ellmore, Commissioner Kory Kramer
Staff Present: Community Development Director Seimone Jurjis, Deputy Community Development Director Jim
Campbell, Assistant City Attorney Yolanda Summerhill, Senior Engineer David Keely, Assistant Planner Melinda
Whelan,Administrative Support Specialist Tiffany Lippman
IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
V. REQUEST FOR CONTINUANCES
None
VI. CONSENT ITEMS
Commissioner Koetting requested Item Number 3 be removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
ITEM NO. 1 MINUTES OF JANUARY 17,2019
Recommended Action: Approve and file
ITEM NO. 2 MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 21,2019
Recommended Action: Approve and file
A Motion was made by Secretary Lowrey and seconded by Commissioner Koetting to approve the minutes of
the January 17, 2019, and February 21, 2019, meetings with the revisions suggested by Mr. Mosher.
AYES: Weigand, Lowrey, Koetting
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Kleiman
ABSENT: Zak, Ellmore, Kramer
ITEM NO. 3 Policy L-6 Waiver for Encroachment Permit(PA2019-013)
Site Location: 3100 Breakers Drive
Summary:
A request to waive City Council Policy L-6 to install private improvements within the Ocean
Boulevard/CdM Main Beach Ramp public right-of-way consisting of nine (9) sets of permanent
structural tie-backs in the slope below existing grade.
Recommended Action:
1. Conduct a public hearing;
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NEWPORT BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION 3/7/2019
2. Find this project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to
Section 15303 under Class 3 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), because it
has no potential to have a significant effect on the environment;
3. Waive City Council Policy L-6, Encroachments in Public Rights-of-Way, to allow the
construction of nine sets of permanent below-grade structural tie-backs that encroach into the
Ocean Boulevard/CdM Main Beach Ramp public right-of-way, contingent upon all conditions
of the Encroachment Permit process being met; and
4. Adopt Resolution No. PC2019-007 waiving City Council Policy L-6 and approving
Encroachment Permit No. N2017-0642.
Senior Engineer David Keely from the Public Works Department reported the applicant requests a waiver of
Council Policy L-6 to install nine sets of tie-backs with each set consisting of four tie-backs. The tie-backs will be
entirely below grade, will not project past the curb face, and will encroach between 12 and 33 feet into the public
right-of-way. At street grade, the minimum depth of the tie-backs will be 52 feet. The tie-backs will not impact
existing or future utilities in the area. Staff received a comment letter regarding the project designer not holding
an architect's license issued by the State of California. The design firm has a licensed architect on staff, and he is
working on the project. Therefore, staff believes the comment is not an issue.
Vice Chair Weigand noted the item before the Commission was not the project but the tie-backs encroaching into
the right-of-way.
In response to Commissioner Koetting's queries, applicant Geoff Sumich explained that holes will be drilled
diagonally into the hillside, and rods and concrete will be inserted into the holes to form the tie-back. Tie-backs
are the most efficient and strongest method to support a retaining wall structure.
Vice Chair Weigand opened the public hearing.
Mr. Mosher inquired whether the hillside needs stabilizing or whether construction of the project creates the need
to stabilize the hillside. He inquired whether the tie-backs will encroach 33 feet or 50 feet into the right-of-way. He
inquired about the consequences of removing the tie-backs from the right-of-way in the future.
Senior Engineer Keely advised that 33 feet is based on the structural engineer's diagrams included in the packet.
The tie-backs will reinforce the hillside and roadway above the project.
Vice Chair Weigand closed the public hearing.
In reply to Commissioners' questions, Senior Engineer Keely indicated the project will require shoring to protect
the adjacent properties and the hillside during construction. The roadway will be open during construction. The
drilling process will not destabilize the roadway.
A Motion was made by Commissioner Koetting and seconded by Secretary Lowrey to take the recommended
actions.
AYES: Weigand, Lowrey, Kleiman, Koetting
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Zak, Ellmore, Kramer
VII. NEW BUSINESS
ITEM NO.4 Annual General Plan/Housing Element Progress Report for 2018(PA2007-195)
Summary:
Annual progress report on the status and implementation of the General Plan and Housing Element as
required by State law and General Plan Implementation Program 1.3.
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