Planning Commission Meeting January 23, 2019

The Huntington Beach Planning Commission held its regular meeting on Wednesday, January 23, 2019, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers, 2000 Main Street. The meeting was called to order by Chair John Scandura, who later handed over the gavel to the newly elected Chair Pat Garcia. Commissioner Connie Mandic was absent, leaving a quorum of six commissioners. The agenda included election of officers, a presentation to the outgoing chair, a non-public hearing item on an easement vacation, and committee assignments. The meeting adjourned at 6:33 PM.

Election of Chair and Vice Chair

• Commissioner Grant moved to elect Pat Garcia as Chair, seconded by Commissioner Kalmick. The motion passed unanimously (6-0, Mandic absent).
• Commissioner Kalmick moved to elect Michael Grant as Vice Chair, seconded by Commissioner Scandura. The motion passed unanimously (6-0, Mandic absent).

Presentation of Resolution and Plaque to Outgoing Chair John Scandura

• Chair Garcia presented Resolution No. 1707 and a plaque to outgoing Chair John Scandura, recognizing his service from January 23, 2018, to January 23, 2019. Scandura thanked staff, fellow commissioners, and his appointing council member, Barbara Del Glaze, and noted the commission's collegiality and effectiveness.

Public Comments

• No members of the public spoke during the public comments period.

Non-Public Hearing Item: General Plan Conformance No. 18-002 (743 13th Street Vacation)

• Project Description: Senior Planner Hayden Beckman presented the request to vacate approximately 150.50 square feet of a one-foot-wide remnant easement along Crest Avenue and 13th Street, originally dedicated in 1905. The easement area is no longer needed for public utility or street purposes, and the vacation would align the legal property boundary with existing improvements. The property is located at the northwest corner (corrected from southwest corner in the agenda) of Crest Avenue and 13th Street.
• Commissioner Questions: Commissioner Scandura clarified that the city is surrendering an easement, not selling the land, as the property owner already owns the fee title. He also noted the location error in the agenda.
• Public Input: No public speakers were heard because the item was a non-public hearing item.
• Motion: Commissioner Kalmick moved, seconded by Commissioner Grant, to find the project categorically exempt from CEQA (Class 5) and to adopt Resolution No. 1706 approving the general plan conformance. The motion passed unanimously (6-0, Mandic absent).

Planning Commission Advisory Board and Committee Assignments

• Chair Garcia read the list of assignments for 2019:
  • Design Review Board: Michael Grant (member), Dan Kalmick (alternate)
  • Subdivision Committee: Pat Garcia, Michael Grant, Connie Mandic (members), Brendan Perkins (alternate)
  • Sunset Beach Area Committee: Brendan Perkins (member), Michael Grant (alternate)
  • Historic Resources Board: Alan Ray (member), Pat Garcia (alternate)
  • Environmental Board: John Scandura (member), Alan Ray (alternate)
  • Downtown Economic Development Committee: Pat Garcia (member), John Scandura (alternate)
  • Southeast Area Committee: Dan Kalmick (member), Connie Mandic (alternate)
• Commissioner Scandura raised procedural concerns, noting that the new chair ought to have two weeks to make appointments rather than being expected to produce a list immediately after election. He stated that the process involving emails and an agendized item could risk Brown Act violations and suggested a future protocol modification. Chair Garcia acknowledged the comments.

Commissioner Reports

• Commissioner Scandura reported on the SEAC (Southeast Area Council) meeting, which included updates on the Orange County Sanitation District plant, Ascon landfill, Magnolia Tank Farm, AES, Southern California Gas pipeline upgrades, and Huntington Beach City School District activities.
• Commissioner Kalmick thanked outgoing Chair Scandura and welcomed the new chair and Commissioner Perkins.
• Commissioner Ray reported on the Historic Resources Board meeting, noting a new plaque at the site of the former Golden Bear venue.
• Commissioner Grant reported on the Sunset Beach Committee meeting, covering the local coastal program, water repairs, and trash can issues. He also promoted "Wave Hog Day" on February 2, 2019, as a replacement for Surf City Splash, starting at 9:00 AM at the beach, and invited attendees to the Surf City Museum on Friday at 3:00 PM.

Key Outcomes

• Election of Chair: Pat Garcia was elected unanimously (6-0).
• Election of Vice Chair: Michael Grant was elected unanimously (6-0).
• Easement Vacation: Approved unanimously (6-0) with CEQA exemption and Resolution No. 1706. The decision is appealable to the City Council within 10 calendar days.
• Committee Assignments: Approved as presented by Chair Garcia, with a note that future assignments may be reconsidered with a two-week deliberation period after chair election.