Huntington Beach Planning Commission Meeting - November 13, 2018

The Huntington Beach Planning Commission held a study session at 5:15 PM and a regular meeting at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, in Council Chambers. Chair John Scandura was absent; Vice Chair Pat Garcia presided. The commission reviewed a major zoning code update, approved a conditional use permit for a restaurant's beer/wine and karaoke, and approved meeting minutes.

Study Session

Zoning Text Amendment No. 18-003 (Huntington Beach Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance Update)

• Staff introduced a multi-phase, comprehensive update to the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance (ZSO), the first comprehensive update since 1994 (with a minor update in 2014). The current phase focuses on "low-hanging fruit" and routine clarifications, with more complex items to come in future phases over the next couple of years.
• Proposed changes include: clarifying definitions (site coverage, setback line), deleting the guest house definition, adding a definition for assisted living facilities, adding convalescent facilities to public/semi-public districts, modifying affordable housing provisions (adding in-lieu fee eligibility for for-sale projects, adding emergency shelters/navigation centers, and tenant-based rental assistance), and adding parking requirements for convalescent facilities.
• Staff explained that the update would shift some entitlements from the Planning Commission to lower hearing bodies (e.g., zoning administrator) to streamline processes, reduce costs, and focus commission time on more complex matters.
• Affordable housing changes are driven by housing element goals: the city has met its moderate-income goals but lacks low-income housing. In-lieu fees could be used for homeless housing and tenant-based rental assistance (TBRA), partly because the city lacks a certified housing element and thus does not qualify for state funds.
• Commissioners asked about policy origins, the ability to suggest changes, appeal rights for downgraded permits, and specific definitions (guest house, ultimate right-of-way, microblading, equestrian centers). Staff clarified that suggestions can be made and may be incorporated now or later.
• This item was for information only; no formal action was taken.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Planning Commission Minutes – The commission approved the minutes from August 14, 2018, and August 28, 2018, in one motion. Motion carried 6-0 (Chair Scandura absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the study session or the regular meeting public comment period.
• For the public hearing item, Nora Nieto, applicant, spoke in support of the conditional use permit, noting the noise survey was pending approval and that coordination with the Police Department was underway.

Discussion Items

Conditional Use Permit No. 18-011 (Taquerias Don Victor Beer and Wine/Live Entertainment)

• Staff presented the request for the sale, service, and consumption of beer and wine (ABC License Type 41) and a live entertainment permit for a karaoke booth within an expanded portion of a 2,123 sq. ft. eating and drinking establishment at 17552 Beach Boulevard, Ste. D-E.
• The restaurant has operated since 2005; it expanded into Suite E in 2017. The proposed live entertainment is limited to the interior, with hours of operation 7 a.m. to midnight daily, and live entertainment from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., ending at least 30 minutes before closing.
• The closest residential dwelling is more than 200 feet away, separated by a parking lot and street. Staff recommended approval with conditions, including a sound survey by a licensed engineer to be coordinated with the Police Department.
• Commissioners discussed the timing of the sound survey and the condition prohibiting happy hours; the noise survey would be done after approval, potentially leading to mitigation measures if needed.
• The commission approved the project with a finding of CEQA exemption (Class 1, Section 15301) and the conditional use permit with conditions. Motion carried 6-0 (Chair Scandura absent).

Key Outcomes

• ZTA 18-003 – Reviewed; no action taken; staff will incorporate feedback and prepare a staff report for a future public hearing.
• CUP 18-011 – Approved 6-0 (Chair absent); the decision is appealable to the City Council within 10 calendar days.
• Minutes – Approved 6-0 (Chair absent) for August 14 and August 28, 2018.

Announcements

• Commissioner Bill Crowe was commended for his service on the Planning Commission; this was noted as his last meeting.
• The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for November 27, 2018, but was canceled. There will be no meeting that evening.