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NEWPORT BEACH ZONING ADMINISTRATOR MINUTES
100 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, NEWPORT BEACH
ZOOM
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024
REGULAR MEETING – 10:00 A.M.
I. CALL TO ORDER – The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m.
Staff Present (Remote): Benjamin M. Zdeba, AICP, Zoning Administrator
Daniel Kopshever, Assistant Planner
Melinda Whelan, Assistant Planner
Jerry Arregui, Planning Technician
Laura Rodriguez, Planning Technician
II. REQUEST FOR CONTINUANCES
None.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
ITEM NO. 1 MINUTES OF APRIL 25, 2024
Action: Approved
IV. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
ITEM NO. 2 Balthasar Residence Coastal Development Permit (PA2024-0027)
Site Location: 239 Via Lido Soud Council District 1
Melinda Whelan, Assistant Planner, provided a brief project description stating that the request is for a coastal
development permit to demolish an existing single-unit residence and construct a new 3,684-square-foot,
single-unit residence including an attached 561-square-foot, two-car garage. The structure would reach a
height of approximately 24 feet and includes two stories. The existing bulkhead is generally in good
condition and will remain in place with minor alterations. The project also includes additional appurtenances
such as site walls, fences, patios, landscaping, and drainage devices. The design complies with all
development standards including height, setbacks, and floor area limit, and no deviations are requested.
Zoning Administrator Zdeba opened the public hearing. Seeing that no one from the public wished to comment,
the public hearing was closed.
Action: Approved
ITEM NO. 3 Doggie Daycare…And More, Inc. Minor Use Permit (PA2023-0248)
Site Location: 1555, 1557 & 1559 Placentia Avenue Council District 2
Jerry Arregui, Planning Technician, provided a brief project description stating that this item is an application
for a minor use permit to allow an animal daycare business with overnight boarding within an existing
commercial building.
The subject property is within the Industrial Zoning District and located on the southwestern corner of Placentia
Avenue and Production Place. It is currently developed with a 6,600-square-foot, single-story multi-tenant
commercial building with an on-site parking lot at the rear. The property is adjacent to light industrial uses along
Production Place and multi-unit residential developments such as the Ebb Tide Residences to the east across
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Placentia Avenue and the Newport Villa Apartments to the south, which is separated by an approximately 8’
tall wall as required by the Newport Beach Municipal Code (NBMC). The applicant is requesting to merge three
existing commercial tenant suites into one 6,600-square-foot animal daycare establishment with overnight
boarding of animals, where staff is onsite at all times. The proposed use would use an open floor plan style of
animal boarding where animals can play with staff. The establishment also provides ancillary animal grooming
services.
All animal boarding and grooming activities are proposed to remain within the interior of the building. This type
of use would be categorized as an Animal Boarding Use by the NBMC, which requires approval of a minor use
permit to allow operation within the Industrial Zoning District. The ancillary animal grooming services are
allowed by right in the Industrial zoning district.
The proposed improvements to the property include interior alterations of the building to accommodate the
animal daycare business, the striping of the parking lot into a one-way parking lot with 17 parking spaces in
compliance with the parking requirement for animal boarding and grooming uses. The existing building is of
concrete construction with an insulated roof which will aid in the attenuation of noise to the surrounding
neighborhood. The Applicant is proposing to construct an interior water-proofed soffit, enclose existing doors,
and install full height walls behind the roll up doors for additional soundproofing. The Project has been
conditioned to keep all doors and windows closed to reduce the potential of noise disturbances to the
surrounding community.
The proposed hours of operation for the pick-up and drop-off of animals are from 6:30 am to 7:00 pm on
Weekdays and 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on weekends with overnight boarding allowed daily with a limit of 59 animals
in the establishment at any given time as conditioned. The project has also been conditioned that once the use
is operational, the Community Development Director may require the applicant to provide an acoustical analysis
and implement any additional sound attenuation measures if necessary.
This project also includes minor modifications to the exterior of the building including, replacing the rooftop
equipment, signage, and repainting the building. The project as proposed complies with all applicable
development standards and no deviations from the NBMC are requested.
The project has also been conditioned to apply for a kennel operator’s license with the Newport Beach Police
Department. Staff is recommending changes to Conditions of Approval Nos. 6, 24, and 28 for clarification. Staff
is also recommending adding a condition related to mechanical equipment. Consequently, Conditions of
Approval Nos. 6, 24, and 28 would now become 5, 25, and 29 respectively.
The project has been reviewed by the Planning Division, Building Division, Public Works Department and Police
Department. Staff has included Conditions of Approval to ensure that potential conflicts with the surrounding
land uses are minimized to the greatest extent possible.
Staff did not receive any written correspondence regarding this application.
Applicant, Rosanne Faul, of Doggie Daycare…And More, Inc., stated that the business is currently operating
in Costa Mesa where they have been operating for over 10 years without any noise or other complaints. Ms.
Faul emphasized that Doggie Daycare... And More, Inc. has been a good neighbor and an added benefit to
the community. She stated that she had reviewed the draft resolution and agrees with all the required
conditions.
Zoning Administrator Zdeba asked Planning Technician Arregui if he contacted the City of Costa Mesa to
confirm if there had been any complaints of this establishment.
Planning Technician Arregui mentioned that he contacted City of Costa Mesa Code Enforcement and
confirmed there were no noise related complaints for this establishment at their current location.
Zoning Administrator Zdeba opened the public hearing.
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One member of the public, Tonya Hoogendyk HOA President and resident of the Ebb Tide Residences, voiced
concerns regarding potential noise, traffic, and parking for the proposed animal boarding establishment. She
also mentioned that the Ebb Tide Residents currently make odor nuisance complaints to a neighboring
industrial establishment.
In response to the comment, the applicant stated that all operations are indoors, and no animals will be walked
outside. All odors will be inside. The daycare has been in existence for 10 years in Costa Mesa on Newport
Boulevard and all noise has been contained. She welcomed neighbors to speak to her regarding any issues
and believes that her business will be a fit in the neighborhood and does not believe that there will be any
issues with the surrounding neighbors. The parking lot will be striped with 17 parking spaces which will be used
by customers and the typical three to five staff members so there will be plenty of parking and the operation
will not be taking any parking spots in the neighborhood.
Zoning Administrator Zdeba closed the public hearing.
Zoning Administrator acknowledged that the project has been conditioned as to ensure the establishment
adheres to limiting operation to the interior of the building and that the location of the drop-off and pick-up area
for this establishment is screened by the building from the Ebb Tide Residences.
Zoning Administrator Zdeba added a condition to the project to require that employees of this establishment
park on-site.
Zoning Administrator Zdeba reiterated that if the project were to receive noise complaints, the project has been
conditioned to provide a noise study which would recommend sound attenuation measures to be implemented
which is a safeguard for the project to be compatible with the neighborhood.
Action: Approved as amended
ITEM NO. 4 Whitaker Residence Coastal Development Permit (PA2024-0043)
Site Location: 55 Saratoga Council District 4
Daniel Kopshever, Assistant Planner, provided a brief project description stating that the project is for a coastal
development permit to allow the removal of an existing single-story manufactured home and the installation
of a new single-story manufactured home in compliance with state law. A permit from the Department of
Housing and Community Development (HCD), has been obtained by the applicant. The proposed
development includes improvements to the existing entry stairs, concrete driveway, and patio. The home
will be approximately 1,049 square feet and total structures including steps, landings, and awning would be
approximately 1,327 square feet. The proposed height of the home is 16 feet from existing grade.
The approved site plan provides a typical lot configuration with a single parking space and outdoor living
areas, all in substantial conformance with the Use Permit for the overall site. The project site is
approximately 175 feet from Coast Highway, which is a public coastal view road, and is about 150 feet from
the Newport Bay. The project will replace an existing single-family manufactured home with a new single-
family manufactured home which maintains a building envelope consistent with the existing pattern of
development in Bayside Village. Therefore, the project does not have the potential to degrade the visual
quality of the Coastal Zone or result in significant adverse impacts to public views, nor is there an increase
in density or change in use.
The project includes standard Conditions of Approval to ensure best management practices are
implemented throughout construction. The applicant was not present to provide comment; however,
Assistant Planner Kopshever indicated he had received no objections to the Conditions of Approval from
the applicant.
Zoning Administrator Zdeba opened the public hearing. Seeing that no one from the public wished to comment,
the public hearing was closed.
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Action: Approved
ITEM NO. 5 506 Capital Group Residential Condominiums Coastal Development Permit and
Tentative Parcel Map (PA2023-0201)
Site Location: 506 & 506 ½ Avocado Avenue Council District 6
Daniel Kopshever, Assistant Planner, provided a brief project description stating that the project is for a coastal
development permit and tentative parcel map for two-unit condominium purposes. The property owner has
demolished an existing residential duplex and proposes to construct a new two-unit residential condominium
building. A coastal development permit is required for the tentative parcel map for condominium purposes.
A building permit has been obtained, as the property is within the Categorical Exclusion Order area which
allows for the demolition of residential structures and the reconstruction of a new two-unit residential structure
without obtaining a coastal development permit. The new duplex is 3,131 square feet with an attached 386-
square-foot garage. The property is located on Avocado Avenue between Second Avenue and Third Avenue
and is zoned Two-Unit Residential (R-2). The property is over 1,000 feet from the bay and the approval of the
map will not affect public recreation, access, or views. The project includes Conditions of Approval requiring
public improvements, including the reconstruction of damaged sidewalks, curbs and gutters along Avocado
Avenue, and the adjacent alley as needed. Conditions of Approval from the Public Works Department also
state that existing private improvements (namely brick pavers) within the Avocado Avenue parkway shall be
removed and replaced with new turf or other drought tolerant landscaping and a new 36-inch box street tree
shall be planted within the parkway along the Avocado Avenue frontage. The proposed subdivision and its
associated improvements are consistent with the R-2 Coastal Zoning District. There is no proposed change in
density, and the development is consistent with the existing neighborhood’s pattern of development.
Applicant Alain Gulezyan of IDL Home Inc., on behalf of the 506 Capital Group, stated that he had reviewed
the draft resolution and agrees with all the required conditions.
Zoning Administrator Zdeba opened the public hearing.
One member of the public, Stephen Zwick, spoke and stated that there is an inconsistency with the report as
the structure has not been fully demolished and the land is not vacant. Mr. Zwick strongly objected to the project
citing concerns of density and building bulk.
Zoning Administrator Zdeba closed the public hearing.
Zoning Administrator Zdeba confirmed with Assistant Planner Kopshever that a permit was issued for
demolition, and that the existing conditions at the property are a small front unit and a rear unit. Zoning
Administrator Zdeba then reiterated that the demolition and reconstruction is permitted by right, only the
tentative parcel map requires the coastal development permit and that there are conditions associated with the
project to make public improvements and allow for separate ownership of the units. Mr. Zwick was then
encouraged to work with Assistant Planner Kopshever to coordinate communication with the building inspector
and Code Enforcement as needed if an issue arises during construction.
Action: Approved
ITEM NO. 6 Porteous Residential Condominiums Tentative Parcel Map and Coastal Development
Permit (PA2024-0012)
Site Location: 516 & 516 ½ Acacia Avenue Council District 6
Laura Rodriguez, Planning Technician, provided a brief project description stating the request for the approval
of a tentative parcel map and coastal development permit for two-unit condominium purposes. The property is
in the R-2 (Two-Unit Residential) Zoning District and R-2 (Two-Unit Residential) Coastal Zoning District. Due
to the property being in the coastal zone, a coastal development permit is required for a tentative parcel map.
The Tentative Parcel Map will allow each unit to be sold individually. An existing residential duplex has been
demolished and a new two-unit condominium building is under construction.
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Planning Technician Rodriguez stated that additional language will be included in Conditions of Approval Nos.
3, 8, 13, and 21. Such language is to clarify as to when each of those Conditions of Approvals are to be
completed by. Lastly, Ms. Rodriguez noted that the property is not located in a coastal appeal area.
Blair Porteous, Owner, stated that he had reviewed the draft resolution and agrees with all the required
conditions.
Zoning Administrator Zdeba opened the public hearing. Seeing that no one from the public wished to comment,
the public hearing was closed.
Action: Approved as amended
V. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
None.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
The hearing was adjourned at 10:40 a.m.
The agenda for the Zoning Administrator Hearing was posted on May 9, 2024, at 12:20 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 May 9, 2024, at 12:15 p.m.