HomeMy WebLinkAbout20200220_PC_MinutesNEWPORT BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS -100 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020
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 -Commissioner Ellmore
Ill. ROLL CALL
IV.
V.
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Chair Peter Koetting, Vice Chair Erik Weigand, Secretary Lee Lowrey, Commissioner Curtis
Ellmore, Commissioner Sarah Klaustermeier, Commissioner Mark Rosene
Commissioner Lauren Kleiman (excused)
Staff Present: Deputy Community Development Director Jim Campbell, Assistant City Attorney Yolanda
Summerhill, Principal Planner Jaime Murillo, Senior Planner Benjamin Zdeba, Assistant Planner Joselyn Perez,
Planning Consultant David Blumenthal, Administrative Support Specialist Clarivel Rodriguez, Administrative
Support Technician Amanda Lee
Deputy Community Development Director Campbell reported the item regarding residential design standards
should have been removed from the calendar at the January meeting. A community meeting about potential code
amendments related to residential design standards will be held on March 9, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. in the Civic Center
Community Room.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
REQUEST FOR CONTINUANCES
None
VI. CONSENT ITEMS
ITEM NO. 1 MINUTES OF JANUARY 23, 2020
Recommended Action: Approve and file
Motion made by Vice Chair Weigand and seconded by Commissioner Klaustermeier to approve the minutes
of the January 23, 2020 meeting as presented.
AYES: Koetting, Weigand, Lowrey, Ellmore, Klaustermeier, Rosene
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: Kleiman
VII. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
ITEM NO. 2 AMENDMENT TO SETBACK MAP NO. S-1A (PA2019-216)
Site Location: 6501 and 6503 Seashore Drive
Summary:
Amendments to Title 20 (Zoning Code) and Title 21 (Local Coastal Program Implementation Plan) revising
Setback Map No. S-1A to adjust the required setbacks for property located at 6501 and 6503 Seashore
Drive. In conjunction with the amendments, the request includes revocation of Variance No. VA0012 and
Modification Permit No. MD2343, which previously authorized setback encroachments on the site for the
existing dwelling.
1 of 7
Planning Commission Minutes
February 20, 2020
Recommended Action:
1. Conduct a public hearing;
2. Find this project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section
15305 under Class 5 (Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations) of the CEQA Guidelines, because it
has no potential to have a significant effect on the environment;
3. Adopt Resolution No. PC2020-002 recommending the City Council approve Code Amendment
No. CA2019-008;
4. Adopt Resolution No. PC2020-003 recommending the City Council authorize staff to submit Local
Coastal Program Amendment No. LC2019-007 to the California Coastal Commission; and
5. Adopt Resolution No. PC2020-004 recommending the City Council revoke Variance No. VA0012
and Modification No. MD2343.
Planning Consultant David Blumenthal reported the intent of the amendment is to make the property consistent
with surrounding properties. The duplex, built in 1951, is located at the corner of Walnut Street and Seashore
Drive. The property is zoned R-2. Under the 1950 Zoning Code, the City in 1951 granted a variance to deviate
from the westerly side setback conditioned upon the applicant providing a 10-foot setback along the alley. In 1978,
a modification to allow an encroachment of a second-story addition to the property was approved. The modification
allowed the second story a zero setback from Seashore Drive and a 5-foot setback from the alley. In 2010, the
Districting Map was replaced with Setback Map S-1 A The applicant proposes to amend Setback Map S-1 A in
Titles 20 and 21 such that the property's setbacks match other properties in the area.
In response to Chair Koetting's inquiries, Planning Consultant Blumenthal explained that the applicant intends to
sell the property. The change will provide slightly more buildable area on the property; however, the City has not
been notified of any type of proposed addition or remodel of the existing duplex. Deputy Community Development
Director Campbell indicated the Modifications Committee was composed of staff members from the Planning
Department, Public Works Department, and Building Division who reviewed modification permits.
Commissioners Rosene, Klaustermeier, Ellmore, and Lowrey disclosed no ex parte communications. Chair
Koetting disclosed a site visit. Vice Chair Weigand disclosed a meeting with the applicant's consultant to discuss
the merits of the project.
Chair Koetting opened the public hearing.
Devin Lucas, applicant's representative and legal counsel, advised that the Feldman family purchased the property
in 1974. With Mr. and Mrs. Feldman's deaths, the trust calls for the sale of the property. In preparing the property
for sale, the variance was discovered. The applicant requests the variance be rescinded.
In response to Commissioners' queries, Mr. Lucas indicated the wall within the alley setback would have to be
removed in any proposal to redevelop the property. Access to the ocean is located via a public sidewalk adjacent
to the property.
Chair Koetting closed the public hearing.
In answer to Chair Koetting's question, Deputy Community Development Director Campbell related that the
Coastal Commission may handle the proposed amendment as a de minim is amendment, a minor amendment, or
a major amendment.
Motion made by Vice Chair Weigand and seconded by Commissioner Rosene to adopt Resolution No.
PC2020-002 recommending the City Council approve Code Amendment No. CA2019-008; adopt Resolution
No. PC2020-003 recommending the City Council authorize staff to submit Local Coastal Program Amendment
No. LC2019-007 to the California Coastal Commission; and adopt Resolution No. PC2020-004 recommending
the City Council revoke Variance No. VA0012 and Modification No. MD2343.
AYES: Koetting, Weigand, Lowrey, Ellmore, Klaustermeier, Rosene
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: Kleiman
2 of 7