Huntington Beach Planning Commission Meeting - September 25, 2018

The Huntington Beach Planning Commission met on Tuesday, September 25, 2018, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included a public comment period, two public hearings, and approval of minutes. The Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit for a new service station and beer/wine sales at 16990 Beach Boulevard (G&M Oil) with a 6-1 vote, and approved a Coastal Development Permit and Conditional Use Permit for the final remediation of the Ascon landfill site with a 6-0 vote (Chair Scandura recused). The meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mona Hansen, a resident at 207 Huntington Street, addressed the Commission regarding a new development at 209 Huntington Street. She stated that the developer is installing large picture windows that directly face her property, destroying her privacy and potentially reducing her property value by $100,000 to $150,000. She expressed frustration that the building department had told her nothing could be done. The Commission noted the information and said they would follow up.

Discussion Items

G&M Oil Service Station (Conditional Use Permit No. 17-026)

• Staff Presentation: Joanna Cortez, Associate Planner, presented the project to demolish the existing service station and construct a new 4,412-square-foot canopy and a 2,168-square-foot retail building with off-sale beer and wine (Type 20 license). The project also requests reduced building setbacks on Warner Avenue to accommodate a future right-turn lane. The site is at the northeast corner of Beach Boulevard and Warner Avenue. The existing general alcohol license (Type 21) will be surrendered. The project is found categorically exempt from CEQA (Class 3).
• Applicant Statement: Carl Hoy, project architect, expressed support for the staff recommendation and confirmed that the project will offer diesel and E85 fuel at select dispensers.
• Commission Discussion: Commissioner Grant asked about police conditions and tree replacements; Lieutenant Bo Spenzbaum confirmed issues were addressed. Commissioner Kalmick clarified that the reduced setback is not a variance but is allowed under the Specific Plan due to the required street dedication. Commissioner Ray expressed concern about the reduced setbacks and voted against the project. The Commission noted that the building will be set back 8 feet from the ultimate property line after a 14-foot dedication, with a landscape buffer.
• Vote: Motion by Commissioner Kalmick, seconded by Commissioner Mandic, to find the project categorically exempt from CEQA and approve the Conditional Use Permit with findings and conditions. The motion carried 6-1, with Commissioner Ray dissenting.

Ascon Final Remediation (Coastal Development Permit No. 16-016 / Conditional Use Permit No. 16-034)

• Staff Presentation: Ricky Ramos, Senior Planner, presented the final remedial action plan for the Ascon landfill site, including excavation and disposal of waste, grading, installation of a protective cap, perimeter fence, and stormwater detention. The project will require approximately 24,700 truck trips over 11 months (compared to an estimated 62,500 trips and 41-55 months for full removal). The fence along Hamilton Avenue and Magnolia Street requires a reduced setback to avoid destabilizing the cap. DTSC is the lead agency and certified the EIR in June 2015.
• Applicant Statement: Tamara Zeier, project manager for the responsible parties, expressed support and noted that the project is funded entirely by private companies, not public funds. She emphasized that the EIR and remedy were approved by DTSC.
• Commission Discussion: Commissioner Mandic raised concerns about the fence height (6 feet) being insufficient for security, suggesting 7 or 8 feet. The applicant stated that an 8-foot fence may not be feasible due to wind loading and footing requirements, but agreed to explore a 7-foot option. Commissioner Grant requested temporary no-parking signs along Hamilton and Magnolia during construction. The Commission also discussed the need for a landscaping and maintenance plan. Commissioner Kalmick noted that the cap gradient will be up to 32 feet high near the southwest corner.
• Vote: Motion by Commissioner Kalmick, seconded by Commissioner Grant, to approve the permits with conditions including a 7-foot fence if feasible (otherwise 6 feet), and temporary no-parking signs during work hours. The motion carried 6-0, with Chair Scandura recused (he works for DTSC and had signed the remedial action plan).

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of June 12, 2018: Motion by Commissioner Kalmick, seconded by Commissioner Ray, to approve the minutes as submitted. The motion carried 4-0-3, with Commissioners Scandura, Crowe, and Mandic abstaining (they were absent at the June 12 meeting).
• Minutes of July 10, 2018: Motion by Commissioner Kalmick, seconded by Commissioner Grant, to approve the minutes as amended (a correction to the motion language). The motion carried 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• G&M Oil Service Station: Conditional Use Permit No. 17-026 approved (6-1). The project will demolish the existing station and build a new service station with a convenience store and beer/wine sales, with reduced setbacks along Warner Avenue subject to a future street dedication. The decision is appealable to the City Council within 10 calendar days.
• Ascon Final Remediation: Coastal Development Permit No. 16-016 and Conditional Use Permit No. 16-034 approved (6-0) with additional conditions: (1) a 7-foot fence along Hamilton and Magnolia if feasible, otherwise 6 feet; (2) temporary no-parking signs during construction hours. The final remedy includes a 32-foot-high cap, drought-tolerant vegetation, and long-term monitoring. The decision is appealable to the City Council within 10 working days for the coastal permit and 10 calendar days for the CUP.
• Minutes: Both sets of minutes were approved, with the July 10 minutes amended.