HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/11/2012NEWPORT BEACH ZONING ADMINISTRATOR MINUTES 01/11/12
NEWPORT BEACH ZONING ADMINISTRATOR MINUTES
- Council Chambers — 3300 Newport Boulevard
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
REGULAR HEARING
3:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER —The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m.
Staff Present: Brenda Wisneski, Zoning Administrator
Melinda Whelan, Assistant Planner
Fern Nueno, Assistant Planner
Erin Steffen, Planning Technician
2. MINUTES of December 14, 2011
Action: Approved
3. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
ITEM NO. 1 B Candy— Minor Use Permit No. UP2011 -032 (PA2011 -200)
3100 East Coast Highway CD 5
Melinda Whelan, Assistant Planner gave a brief overview of the application for a Minor Use Permit to allow a
candy and ice cream shop within an existing commercial space in Corona Del Mar. The proposed hours of
operation are 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., daily, with a maximum of six seats at a front counter (ice cream bar).
The tenant space is approximately 1,513- square -feet. The project as proposed with no late hours is
compatible with existing and allowed uses within the area which include various retail and visitor commercial
uses such as restaurants and take -out services, general office, and residential.
The Zoning Administrator opened the public hearing. Robert Linnaus, applicant for the project, and Brandy
Valdez, owner of B Candy, stated that they understood and accepted all of the conditions of approval. There
were no other public comments.
Zoning Administrator Wisneski stated that she agreed with the facts in support of the findings in the draft
resolution including that on -site parking was sufficient to provide for the proposed project as well as future
commercial uses in the remaining vacant tenant space within the building. The Zoning Administrator
approved the application and adopted the resolution.
Action: Approved
ITEM NO.2 Chaba Thai Massage and Spa — Minor Use Permit No. UP2011 -033 (PA2011-
202)
1000 N. Bristol Street, Suite 19
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Fern Nueno, Assistant Planner gave a brief overview of the item, describing the project setting, proposed
project, and findings required. The application is for a Minor Use Permit for a massage establishment
located in the Plaza Newport shopping center. The proposed establishment will provide five (5) massage
rooms, a restroom, and waiting area. The proposed hours of operation are from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.,
daily. A maximum of seven (7) employees will be on duty at all times. The shopping center contains a
mix of uses that are compatible with the massage establishment including retail and service uses. The
site is developed with 222 parking spaces.
The Zoning Administrator opened the public hearing. Michael Guenther and Somporn Guenther,
applicants for the project, stated that they understood and accepted all of the conditions of approval.
There were no other public comments.
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NEWPORT BEACH ZONING ADMINISTRATOR MINUTES 01/11/12
Zoning Administrator Wisneski stated that she agreed with the facts in support of the findings in the draft
resolution. The Zoning Administrator approved the application and adopted the resolution.
Action: Approved
ITEM NO. 3 Corporate Plaza West Monument Sign - Modification Permit No. 2011 -019
(PA2011 -210)
1600 Newport Center Drive CD 5
Erin Steffen, Planning Technician, gave a brief overview of the item, describing the project setting,
proposed project, and findings required. The application is for a Modification Permit to allow the
construction of a freestanding monument sign located in the landscaped area along East Coast Highway.
The sign is a maximum 3 feet, 11 inches high by 8 feet wide, including the base, with a sign area of 16
square feet and identifies tenant names. Planning Technician Steffen explained that after the staff report
was made available to the public, it was recommended by the Public Works Department that the location
of the proposed monument sign be revised so that it does not encroach into the existing storm drain
easement. Therefore, the applicant provided a new plan relocating the sign approximately 100 feet north
of the previously proposed location, outside the easement, and 5 feet from the property line. Planning
Technician Steffen recommended that the applicant be allowed flexibility as to the final location of the
sign, so long as adequate site distance is provided, no trees are removed, and the sign be located at
least 2 feet from the back of side walk and not located within the easement. Additionally, since the grade
varies within the landscaped area along East Coast Highway, it was recommended that the maximum
average height limit of the monument sign be increased from 3 feet to 3 feet 6 inches to allow for flexibility
for any increase in slope. Staff also recommended that the sign be limited to a maximum of two tenant
names to guard against the excessive use and confusing proliferation of signs.
As a result of these changes and recommendations, Planning Technician Steffen indicated the facts to
support the findings are not affected and can still be made. However, revisions were suggested to
Conditions No. 2, 3, and 6 as follows:
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2. The final location of the monument sign shall not result in the removal of any trees, be located at
least 2 feet from the back of side walk, and conform to City Standard 110 -L to ensure that
adequate sight distance is provided.
Condition No. 3
heights shall net exceed eighteen 'nshes
3. Unless otherwise allowed by the Corporate Plaza West Planned Community Text, the monument
sign's dimensions shall not exceed an average height of 3 feet 6 inches by 8 feet wide; sign area
shall be limited to a maximum 16 square feet (per face), individual letter heights shall not exceed
eighteen inches; and sign content can list up to two tenants names.
Condition No. 6
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NEWPORT BEACH ZONING ADMINISTRATOR MINUTES 01/11/12
6. The monument sign shall not encroach into the existing storm drain easement located on the
property.
The Zoning Administrator opened the public hearing. Shawna Schaffner, applicant for the project on
behalf of the Irivine Company, stated that they understood and accepted all of the conditions of approval,
except requested that the applicant have the felixibility to remove one tree if necessary for better visibilty
of the monument sign. Zoning Administror Wisneski indicated that the trees in this area are equally
spaced along East Coast Highway and the removal of tree would create inconsistency. Furthermore, the
application provides sufficient flexibilty as to the final location of the sign and the removal of a tree should
not be necessary. There were no other public comments.
Zoning Administrator Wisneski stated that she agreed with the facts in support of the findings in the draft
resolution and accepted the revisions to Conditions No, 2, 3, and 6. The Zoning Administrator approved
the application and adopted the resolution.
Action: Approved
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None
ADJOURNMENT — The hearing was adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
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