Huntington Beach Planning Commission Regular Meeting – August 14, 2018

The Huntington Beach Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 14, 2018, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included three public hearing items: a proposed day care facility (The Learning Experience), a subdivision and variance request for two single-family homes on Huntington Street, and a request to continue a service station/retail project. The Commission also addressed corrected minutes from April 14, 2015, and received reports from staff and commissioners. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM.

Consent Calendar

• None.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Non-agenda public comments: No speakers.
• Item 18-218 (The Learning Experience): Multiple speakers from Common Ground, the current tenant, spoke in support of the nonprofit's youth programs and requested assistance relocating. Jair Vargas, a resident, testified about the program's positive impact. The applicant (Rosemary Medel) stated agreement with conditions. Joe Coleman of Decron Properties expressed support and announced a $2,500 donation to Common Ground. No opposition speakers.
• Item 18-221 (Huntington Street SFDs): Nine neighbors spoke in opposition, citing concerns about parking loss, five-foot driveway causing sidewalk obstruction, increased density, three-story height impacts (shadow, privacy, aesthetics), potential for sober living homes, and removal of public coastal parking without replacement. The applicant, Tom Jacobs, expressed support, describing the design as high-quality and necessary due to lot constraints.
• Item 18-268 (G & M Oil): No public comment; continuance requested by staff.

Discussion Items

• 18-218 – The Learning Experience (Tentative Parcel Map No. 17-173 and CUP No. 18-002): Staff presented a proposal to consolidate six parcels into one 76,340 sq. ft. lot, construct a 9,997 sq. ft. single-story day care facility, allow a fee in-lieu of undergrounding overhead utilities (approx. $200,000), and reduce the front yard setback on Cypress Drive to 4.33 ft. (minimum 10 ft.). Discussion focused on the undergrounding waiver—applicant stated SCE could not complete work for at least two years, making the project impractical. Commissioner Mandic expressed concern about visual impacts and the in-lieu fee fund. Commissioner Ray requested future information on the fund. Commissioner Kalmick noted the forced easement limited development. The Commission debated the stop sign condition for the exit. Two separate motions were made: one for the CEQA exemption (unanimous), one for the tentative parcel map (6-1, Mandic no), and one for the CUP with added stop sign condition (6-1, Ray no).
• 18-221 – Huntington Street SFDs (Tentative Parcel Map No. 18-006, Coastal Development Permit No. 18-010, Variance No. 18-004): Staff recommended approval of a subdivision of a 5,832 sq. ft. lot into two 2,916 sq. ft. lots, with variances for a five-foot front entry garage setback (required 20 ft.) and a 30-ft. building height encroaching 11.5 ft. into the rear 25-ft. setback (max allowed 25 ft.). The project is in the Coastal Zone. Commissioners raised questions about parking loss (especially due to the coastal parking replacement requirement), the five-foot driveway, potential for ADUs, and neighborhood compatibility. Commissioner Kalmick expressed readiness to vote for denial. Chair Scandura cited the coastal parking code (Section 23128) requiring replacement of removed on-street parking. City Attorney Gates noted unfamiliarity with that section and recommended a continuance. After public testimony, Commissioner Mandic motioned to continue to September 11, 2018, with public hearing open, directing staff to examine parking replacement, findings for variances, and the relationship between variances and subdivision. The motion carried 7-0.
• 18-268 – G & M Oil (CUP No. 17-026, Variance No. 18-005): Staff requested a continuance to September 11, 2018, to re-advertise the project and correct the project description (to remove variance, as requests can be covered under CUP). The Commission unanimously approved the continuance.
• Corrected Minutes from April 14, 2015: Ursula Luna-Reynosa announced that staff had corrected minutes to include two missed straw votes. Commissioner Kalmick thanked staff, noting the error was discovered after reviewing a DVD of the meeting.
• Director’s Report: Luna-Reynosa reported on upcoming City Council study sessions (public art master plan), advised three commissioners not to attend a community meeting on the C-Dance project due to Brown Act concerns, and outlined topics for the annual planning commission workshop (housing legislation, zoning code update, sober living homes, staff report format, Brown Act/due process).
• Commissioner Reports: Vice Chair Garcia attended Design Review Board; Commissioner Grant reported no Subdivision Committee meeting; Commissioner Kalmick attended Environmental Board; Chair Scandura attended Southeast Area Committee.

Key Outcomes

• The Learning Experience (18-218): CEQA exemption approved 7-0. Tentative Parcel Map approved 6-1 (Commissioner Mandic opposed due to undergrounding concerns). Conditional Use Permit approved 6-1 (Commissioner Ray opposed due to reduced setback). Added condition: stop sign at project exit. Decision appealable within 10 calendar days.
• Huntington Street SFDs (18-221): Continued to the September 11, 2018 Planning Commission meeting. Public hearing remains open. Staff directed to investigate coastal parking replacement requirements, prepare findings for both approval and denial, and review similar variances.
• G & M Oil (18-268): Continued to September 11, 2018, at staff's request.
• Corrected Minutes: Staff to post corrected minutes for April 14, 2015.