Huntington Beach Planning Commission Meeting - March 10, 2026

The Huntington Beach Planning Commission met on March 10, 2026, to consider an appeal of the Zoning Administrator's approval of Conditional Use Permit No. 23-014 for the Huntington Beach City School District's proposed maintenance and operations building at 8750 Dorset Drive. The meeting also included a consent calendar to approve minutes and closing comments from commissioners.

Consent Calendar

• The commission approved the minutes from the previous meeting with a vote of 6 ayes and 1 abstention (Commissioner Clifford, who was not in attendance at that meeting).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made for items not on the agenda.

Discussion Items

• The primary item was the public hearing on the appeal of Conditional Use Permit 23-014. The project proposes a 7,510 square foot, 17.5-foot-tall metal maintenance building on the former Kettler Elementary School site, now used as the school district office. The site is zoned Public/Semi-Public (PS) and is surrounded by single-family residential parcels. The zoning administrator approved the permit in June 2024, and the appeal was filed by then-Commissioner Butch Twining. The Planning Commission continued the item in July 2024 to allow for a noise study and soil contamination documentation, both of which were submitted.
• Staff reported that the building meets all zoning requirements (setback of 22.5 feet vs. required 10 feet, height of 17.5 feet vs. allowed 18 feet) and that the project is categorically exempt from CEQA under Section 15303 (new construction under 10,000 sq ft).
• Public speakers in opposition (7 of 9 speakers): Residents Robert Granger, Evan Sorensen, Linda Minko, Becky Granger, and John Gurgen argued that the district illegally changed the use from an administrative office to an industrial maintenance yard without permits, that the building is industrial in nature and inappropriate for a residential neighborhood, and that the district's claims of exemption from local zoning through the Division of the State Architect (DSA) are false. They expressed concerns about noise, visual impacts, property values, and safety. John Gurgen, while noting the district has been a good neighbor, asked for a larger setback and insulation.
• Public speakers in support (2 of 9 speakers): Mark Mansoff (Executive Director of Operations, Huntington Beach City School District) and James Torres (AYSO safety director) supported the project, stating that the maintenance work is currently done in outdoor connex boxes, which is less safe and more unsightly, and that the new building would improve operations and be less impactful. Mr. Mansoff noted that the district has considered alternative sites but none are available within the district. Jeremy Brust (attorney for the district) and Brian Whitmore (architect) also spoke, clarifying that the CEQA exemption was filed in 2023 and the time for challenge has passed, and that the building will be insulated.
• Commissioner deliberation: Several commissioners acknowledged the neighbors' concerns but noted that the project meets all code requirements and is an improvement over the current situation. Commissioner Goldberg expressed strong opposition, stating the building should be in an industrial area and that the district had circumvented proper processes. Commissioner McGee and others noted that the building will be better than the current connex boxes and meets code. Commissioner Palmer asked about alternative sites, and the district responded that no viable alternatives exist.

Key Outcomes

• The Planning Commission voted 6-1 to approve Conditional Use Permit 23-014, finding the project categorically exempt from CEQA and consistent with the zoning code. Commissioner Goldberg voted no. The decision is final unless an appeal is filed to the City Council within 10 calendar days.
• The consent calendar was also approved as noted above.
• The meeting was adjourned to the next scheduled meeting on March 24, 2026.