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Record of Proceedings

Huntington Beach Planning Commission Meeting - June 25, 2019

Planning Commission — Tuesday, June 25, 2019
BodyHuntington Beach, California
SessionPlanning Commission
DateTuesday, June 25, 2019
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Another human once you told me I was mistaken that I'd awaken with the sun and order orange juice for one.

0:23

It never entered my mind.

0:30

You had a lay my so even have discrated my bag.

0:51

And wait for your turn to speak.

0:52

When it is your turn, approach the open podium and wait for the speaker at the other podium to finish.

0:58

At the beginning of your comments, please state your name for the record and then return to your seat after you finish speaking.

1:06

While the planning commission welcomes public involvement and free speech, it rejects comments from anyone that are discriminatory, defamatory, or otherwise not protected speech.

1:16

Those comments will not inform nor be considered by the planning commission and may be cause for the chair to interrupt the public speaker.

1:24

Such public comments will not be will not be consented to or otherwise adopted by the planning commission in its discussions and finding for any matter this evening.

1:36

Finally, as a courtesy to others, please silence cell phones and other electronic devices.

1:41

Thank you.

1:45

Commissioner Kalman or uh Commissioner Mandic, would you care to lead us in the uh pledge of allegiance?

1:51

Yes, thank you.

1:51

Please stand.

1:52

Place your hands over your heart.

1:55

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

2:00

And to the republic for which is one regard with liberty and justice for all the may we have roll call, please.

2:14

Commissioner Scandora.

2:15

Yeah.

2:15

Commissioner Ray?

2:16

Here.

2:17

Vice Chair Grant.

2:18

Here.

2:19

Commissioner Kalmick.

2:20

Here.

2:20

Commissioner Perkins.

2:21

Here.

2:21

Commissioner Mambeck.

2:22

Here.

2:23

Chair Garcia is absent.

2:24

We have a quorum.

2:26

Okay, may I have a motion for agenda approval?

2:29

So moved.

2:31

Second.

2:51

Commissioner Perkins.

2:53

Uh yes.

2:55

Is it not registering your vote?

2:57

Yeah, it's not.

2:58

Okay.

2:58

Do you vote yay?

2:59

Yes.

3:00

Okay.

3:02

We have all eyes.

3:03

Motion carries.

3:04

Join.

3:05

Okay.

3:06

Okay.

3:07

Do we have any public comments this evening?

3:10

We have no public comments.

3:12

Okay, then moving on.

3:15

Public hearing items.

3:17

We have presentation.

3:19

We'd like to call on Jessica Bowie, associate planner, to give the staff report and presentation.

3:24

Um good evening, Commissioners.

3:26

Uh the item before you tonight is entitlement plan amendment number 19-004 for the HQ gastrofeb expansion.

3:33

The applicant is requesting to amend conditional use permit number 16-045 to add approximately four 1,482 square feet to an existing restaurant with a type 47 ABC license.

3:46

Um, and also to maintain the previously approved hours of operation of Sunday through Wednesday from 7 a.m.

3:53

to 12 a.m.

3:53

and Thursday through Saturday from 7 a.m.

3:56

to 2 a.m.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Planning and Zoning█████████████████████████████████████37%
Public Safety█████████████████17%
Procedural███████████████15%
Public Health██████████████14%
Public Comments████████8%
Public Art█████5%
Signage Regulations██2%
Engineering And Infrastructure██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Huntington Beach Planning Commission Meeting - June 25, 2019

The Planning Commission met on June 25, 2019, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. Chair Garcia was absent. The main agenda item was an entitlement plan amendment for the HQ Gastropub expansion. After a public hearing and deliberation, the commission voted unanimously to approve the amendment, removing a condition regarding outdoor dining.

Meeting Opening

  • Call to order, pledge of allegiance, and roll call: Commissioners Scandura, Ray, Grant, Kalmick, Perkins, Mandic present (6); Chair Garcia absent. Agenda approved unanimously (motion by Scandura, second by Kalmick).

Public Comments

  • No public comments during the designated period.

Public Hearing: Entitlement Plan Amendment No. 19-004 (HQ Gastropub Expansion)

  • Staff Presentation: Jessica Bui, Associate Planner, presented the request to amend Conditional Use Permit No. 16-045 to add approximately 1,482 sq. ft. to an existing 5,431 sq. ft. eating and drinking establishment with a Type 47 ABC license. Hours of operation remain: Sunday–Wednesday 7:00 am–12:00 am; Thursday–Saturday 7:00 am–2:00 am. Location: 155 5th Street, Suite 183 (north side of Pacific Coast Highway). Staff recommended approval, finding the project categorically exempt from CEQA (Class 1 - Existing Facilities).
  • Commissioner Questions:
    • Perkins noted discrepancies in square footage between findings and staff report; staff to correct before notice.
    • Scandura asked about outdoor dining and alcohol service; staff indicated a separate amendment would be needed if alcohol were served outdoors.
    • Kalmick inquired about a public comment letter received late; staff noted it raised concerns about the service drive.
    • Mandic questioned building signage and emergency exits; staff clarified that the PCH door is an emergency exit and signage restrictions apply.
    • Ray asked about parking validation; applicant confirms validation in the structure.
  • Police Report: Captain Tim Martin reported one call for service (assault/battery in 2018, employee defending himself, suspect arrested), one DUI arrest traced to the location, and no alcohol-related arrests.
  • Applicant Testimony: Mike Obogeanu (Apex LA, representing HQ Gastropub) spoke in support, noting the restaurant’s success since January 2018 and the need for expansion to accommodate overflow.
  • Resident Testimony: Susan Worthy (resident of nearby Strand project) spoke in opposition, citing ongoing noise from the service drive (trash, employee smoking, deliveries), late hours (2:00 am closing), and opposing the CEQA exemption. She requested that conditions of the original EIR be enforced.
  • Commission Discussion:
    • Kalmick expressed support for the expansion, noting the applicant’s good record. He stated that resident concerns about the service drive are beyond the scope of this item and should be addressed by staff with property management and code enforcement.
    • Mandic inquired about trash and smoking areas; applicant agreed to reinforce considerate behavior and explore alternative smoking areas.
    • Scandura proposed removing Condition Q (which pertained to outdoor dining and alcohol service) because no outdoor dining is feasible and the condition could be misleading. He also emphasized that service drive issues apply to all businesses and should be handled by code enforcement.
    • Perkins confirmed that square footage numbers in the findings need correction.
  • Motion: Kalmick moved to approve the project as categorically exempt from CEQA and approve Entitlement Plan Amendment No. 19-004 with findings and conditions, removing Condition Q. Seconded by Ray. Vote: Ayes – Kalmick, Grant, Perkins, Mandic, Ray, Scandura (6); Noes – None; Absent – Garcia. Motion carried.

Key Outcomes

  • Approval: The commission approved the entitlement plan amendment with conditions (Attachment No. 1), removing Condition Q. The project is categorically exempt from CEQA.
  • Staff Direction: Staff will reconcile square footage numbers in the findings before issuing the notice of action.
  • Service Drive Issues: Staff will coordinate with property management (Fifth & PCH), code enforcement, and public works to address resident concerns about noise, trash, delivery truck compliance, and signage in the service drive area.
  • Next Steps: The decision is final unless appealed to the City Clerk within 10 calendar days with a filing fee.

Other Business

  • Planning Items: Upcoming hearings on July 9, 2019: Research and Technology zoning text amendment and County/Gothard site. City Council on July 1 will consider final maps for Holly and Gothard townhomes.
  • Commission Comments:
    • Vice Chair Grant reported on Design Review Board actions: approval of public art for Windborne project, Bellatera public art replacement, and a sign code exception for the new Sealer Subaru dealership.
    • Commissioner Kalmick noted that the Beach Ellis CUP denial was appealed to City Council by the applicant; hearing tentatively scheduled for August.
  • Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 6:39 PM. Next regular meeting: Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at 6:00 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Another human once you told me I was mistaken that I'd awaken with the sun and order orange juice for one. It never entered my mind. You had a lay my so even have discrated my bag. And wait for your turn to speak. When it is your turn, approach the open podium and wait for the speaker at the other podium to finish. At the beginning of your comments, please state your name for the record and then return to your seat after you finish speaking. While the planning commission welcomes public involvement and free speech, it rejects comments from anyone that are discriminatory, defamatory, or otherwise not protected speech. Those comments will not inform nor be considered by the planning commission and may be cause for the chair to interrupt the public speaker. Such public comments will not be will not be consented to or otherwise adopted by the planning commission in its discussions and finding for any matter this evening. Finally, as a courtesy to others, please silence cell phones and other electronic devices. Thank you. Commissioner Kalman or uh Commissioner Mandic, would you care to lead us in the uh pledge of allegiance? Yes, thank you. Please stand. Place your hands over your heart. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the republic for which is one regard with liberty and justice for all the may we have roll call, please. Commissioner Scandora. Yeah. Commissioner Ray? Here. Vice Chair Grant. Here. Commissioner Kalmick. Here. Commissioner Perkins. Here. Commissioner Mambeck. Here. Chair Garcia is absent. We have a quorum. Okay, may I have a motion for agenda approval? So moved. Second. Commissioner Perkins. Uh yes. Is it not registering your vote? Yeah, it's not. Okay. Do you vote yay? Yes. Okay. We have all eyes. Motion carries. Join. Okay. Okay. Do we have any public comments this evening? We have no public comments. Okay, then moving on.

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