Huntington Beach Planning Commission Meeting - February 11, 2025

The Huntington Beach Planning Commission met on February 11, 2025, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included presentations to outgoing commissioners, election of 2025 officers, advisory board assignments, a public hearing on zoning text amendments for smoke/tobacco shops, continuance of an appeal, and approval of minutes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• One speaker addressed the commission during public comments. The speaker, a self-described homeless senior citizen, expressed frustration with the city's housing policies, alleging corruption and stating that he had worked and paid taxes for 40 years. He urged the city manager, mayor, and council to address his housing needs. The speaker did not address any agendized item.
• During the public hearing on Zoning Text Amendment 25-001, one speaker (Amory Hanson) expressed support for the tobacco regulation amendment, stating it would reduce cigarette accessibility to younger audiences and deter a new generation of smokers.

Presentations to Outgoing Commissioners

• The commission adopted Resolution No. 1734 expressing appreciation to former Commissioners Kennedy, Adam, Twining, and Acosta Galvin for their service from January 10, 2023, to December 3, 2024. Each received a plaque.

Election of Chair and Vice Chair

• The commission voted 7-0 to set aside the bylaws (Option B) and proceed with nominations from the floor.
• Commissioner Brian Thienes was elected Chair by a vote of 6-1 (Commissioner Wood dissenting).
• Commissioner Brett Bush was elected Vice Chair by a vote of 6-1 (Commissioner Wood dissenting).

Advisory Board and Committee Assignments

• The chair accepted assignments as follows: Brian Thienes (primary, Design Review Committee); Rick Wood (primary, Sunset Beach Area Committee) with Benjamin Goldberg as alternate; Tracy Pellman (primary, Historic Resource Board) with Domnic McGee as alternate; Benjamin Goldberg (primary, Economic Development Committee) with Ken Babineau as alternate; Brett Bush (primary, Southeast Area Committee) with Ken Babineau as alternate. No formal vote was taken.

Code of Ethics (Annual Review)

• Staff requested commissioners to review the code of ethics independently. New commissioners received acknowledgement forms to be returned to staff.

Discussion Items

• Zoning Text Amendment No. 25-001 (Smoke/Tobacco Shop Regulations): Staff presented a proposed amendment to four chapters of the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance to define and regulate smoke/tobacco shops. Key provisions included: requiring 500-foot separation from other smoke/tobacco shops and from youth-populated areas (schools, child care, libraries, parks, hospitals); prohibiting unaccompanied minors; limiting window coverage to 20%; and allowing non-conforming shops to remain unless abandoned for more than six months. Commissioner Wood noted that parcel line measurements might not prevent shops from locating near schools due to large parking lots, and suggested increasing the distance to 1,000 feet. Commissioner McGee queried the definition of youth-populated area, preferring more specificity. After public comment, the commission deliberated. A motion to approve with modifications (increase separation distances to 1,000 feet for both youth areas and between retailers, and correct a typographical reference letter in the land use table) was made by Commissioner Wood and seconded. The motion passed unanimously (7-0). The commission's recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council.
• Appeal of Conditional Use Permit No. 24-026 (Tiempo Security Fence): The applicant requested a continuance to March 25, 2025. Commissioner Wood recused himself. A motion to continue was made by Commissioner Goldberg and seconded by Commissioner Bush. The vote was 6-0 (Wood abstaining). The continuance is not subject to appeal.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Planning Commission Minutes of September 24, 2024: Commissioners Wood and Pellman, the only commissioners present at that meeting, voted to approve the minutes. The other commissioners abstained. Motion carried.

Key Outcomes

• Presented appreciation plaques to four outgoing commissioners.
• Elected Brian Thienes as Chair and Brett Bush as Vice Chair for 2025.
• Assigned commissioners to advisory boards and committees.
• Recommended approval of ZTA 25-001 to the City Council with modifications: increase separation distances from 500 feet to 1,000 feet for youth-populated areas and between smoke/tobacco shops, and correct a typographical error in the land use table.
• Continued the appeal of CUP 24-026 to the March 25, 2025 meeting.
• Approved the September 24, 2024 meeting minutes.
• The next regular meeting is scheduled for February 25, 2025, but may be cancelled due to lack of agenda items.