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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-02-26_GP-LCPIC_Minutes_Approved City of Newport Beach General Plan/LCP Implementation Committee Minutes Date: February 26, 2015 Location: Newport Beach Civic Center— 100 Civic Center Drive Newport Coast Meeting Room (Bay 2E, Room 2017) Members Edward Selich, Mayor (Chair); Diane Dixon, Mayor Pro Tem; Present: Tony Petros, Council Member; Bradley Hillgren, Planning Commissioner; Jay Myers, Planning Commission Secretary; and Michael Toerge, At-Large Member. Members Absent: Kory Kramer, Planning Commission Vice Chair Staff: Kimberly Brandt, Community Development Director; Brenda Wisneski, Deputy Community Development Director; Michael Torres, Assistant City Attorney; James Campbell, Principal Planner; Daniel Campagnolo, Systems and Administration Manager; and Patrick Alford, Planning Program Manager Public: James Mosher, Philip Bettencourt, Kathleen Crum, John Erskine, Gordon Craig, Dennis Baker, and Don Schmitz 1) CALL MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 4:30 pm. 2) ROLL CALL Chair Selich invited those present to introduce themselves. Commissioner Kramer was absent. 3) APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Mosher noted that there was no opportunity for public comments at the January 7, 2015, meeting. Chair Selich noted that the meeting ended abruptly due to the lack of a quorum. The January 7, 2015, meeting minutes were approved on a 6-0 vote. 4) CURRENT BUSINESS Chair Selich took Item 4d out of order. 4a. Coastal Commission Update Mr. Alford informed the Committee that during a conference call on the grant work program, California Coastal Commission (CCC) Deputy Director Sherilyn Sarb made it known that four months were not sufficient time for her staff to collaborate with City staff on the Draft Implementation Plan (IP). She proposed delaying the start of public hearings from May 2015 to October 2015. He added that staff met with her earlier today (01/26/15) and reached a General Plan/LCP Implementation Committee February 26, 2015, Minutes Page 2 compromise involving collaborative meetings from March through June, which would allow public hearings to begin in August 2015. Ms. Brandt added that CCC staff has assigned a project manager, Erin Prahler, for the Draft IP, which is something the City had been requesting for a long time. Council Member Petros questioned whether CCC staff would have all the necessary staff specialists at these meetings, such as their biologist. A discussion ensued on past experiences with CCC staff. Chair Selich expressed concern that if there is not sufficient progress at these meetings, CCC staff will press to push the public hearing back further. He suggested having the Planning Commission hearings while these meetings take place. After further discussion, there was consensus that the City needs to make a good faith public effort to collaborate with CCC staff and "agree to disagree" in order to meet the goal of submittal before the end of the year. Chair Selich proposed having one Planning Commission study session and one public hearing during this collaborative process, and then having a second hearing afterward to allow the Commission to incorporate any recommended changes from CCC staff. There were no objections to proceeding with this approach, with the understanding that if the CCC staff recommendations were too onerous, the hearings would proceed with the IP as drafted. At the invitation of Chair Selich, Mr. Mosher inquired about a planned CCC meeting in Newport Beach in June 2015. Chair Selich left at 5:00 p.m. and Mayor Pro Tem Dixon chaired the Committee for the remainder of the meeting. 4d. Draft Lower Cost Overnight Visitor Accommodation Program Mr. Campbell informed the Committee that this is the first draft of a program that was directed by the City Council with the approval of the Lido House Hotel Project. He then presented an overview of the draft program. Council Member Petros asked how the program determines impacts and mitigation. Mr. Campbell responded that the program only sets up the methodology for the analysis of the impact and mitigation. A discussion ensued on the nexus between a project and the impact and the proportionality of the mitigation. The discussion then shifted to how the program compares with CCC practices and other cities' LCPs. Mr. Toerge, Mayor Pro Tem Dixon, and Council Member Petros inquired about the attached map, the Newport Dunes, and the Western Entry Parcel, respectively. The Committee was asked to review the program further and return comments by the March meeting. Chair Selich invited comments from the public. Mr. Baker related his knowledge about hostels and camping at the Newport Dunes and Crystal Cove State Park. In response to a question from Acting-Chair Dixon, he identified the Channel Inn as an example of a lower-cost visitor-serving accommodation. General Plan/LCP Implementation Committee February 26, 2015, Minutes Page 3 A discussion ensued on ways the program could be implemented. Mr. Mosher inquired about the potential for a conflict of interest involving Commissioner Kramer. Mr. Torres replied by stating that a general business interest does not necessarily present a conflict of interest. 4b. Update on Community Outreach Program Mr. Alford briefed the Committee on the notification methods and community meetings that have been conducted to date. He then answered questions from Committee members about the attendance and conduct of the community meetings. Referring to the last community meeting, Mr. Toerge suggested that there could have been greater participation if canyon property owners were aware that their properties could become legally nonconforming if the CCC requires changes to the Zoning Code to pull back development off of the canyon face. Mr. Alford replied that staff informed those in attendance of the CCC staff's past comments. Staff commented on the need to keep the public informed of any recommended changes to the Draft IP that may come out of the collaboration with CCC staff. Acting-Chair Dixon invited public comments. Mr. Mosher suggested that most of the public had not had sufficient time to review the Draft IP. In response to a question from Acting-Chair Dixon, Mr. Alford stated that thus far, he had not received any comments that would warrant revisions to the Draft IP. Mr. Mosher also mentioned that some of the comments reflected support for CCC protection and oversight of City actions. In response to a question from Commissioner Hillgren, Mr. Alford stated that some form of direct notice will be used for public hearings on the Draft IP. Acting-Chair Dixon suggested regular updates to the City Council. Mr. Baker commented that staff needs to emphasize how the LCP will affect the quality of life in the City in order to engage the public. 4c. Draft Implementation Plan Maps Mr. Alford presented the Draft IP Maps. He stated that while there are many other maps in the Draft IP, the Permit and Appeal Jurisdiction Maps are the only ones that contain new information. Mr. Campagnolo then explained the methodology he employed to create the map. In response to a question from Council Member Petros, Mr. Campagnolo explained why an area near Bayview Park was identified as a coastal bluff. Mr. Alford provided a summary of staff's recent discussions regarding the maps with CCC staff and the CCC Mapping Unit. General Plan/LCP Implementation Committee February 26, 2015, Minutes Page 4 A discussion ensued about appeals and on how coastal development permits would be administered outside of the appeal area. Acting-Chair Dixon invited public comments. Mr. Mosher offered some suggestions on the format and content of the maps. Mr. Alford invited Mr. Mosher to submit comments on the maps. 5) COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS OR MATTERS WHICH MEMBER WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION OR REPORT None. 6) PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Craig requested that the Draft IP include a statement regarding the City's approval of the Back Bay Landing Project. Mr. Mosher informed the Committee that the City could approve a pre-certification program that would allow the City to approve coastal development permits for development outside of the appeal area. 7) NEXT MEETING Thursday, March 26, 2015, at 4:30 p.m. Future meetings will be on the Thursday following the second City Council meeting at 4:30 p.m. 8) ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 5:47 p.m. The agenda for the General Plan/LCP Implementation Committee meeting was posted on February 20, 2015, at 2:45 p.m. in the Chambers binder and 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 20, 2015, at 3:05 p.m.