The Huntington Beach Planning Commission met on Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered four public hearing items: a proposed 7-11 gas station and convenience store on Beach Boulevard, a restaurant alcohol service permit, an appeal of a coastal development permit for an AT&T small cell facility, and a campus remodel for the Hebrew Academy. The commission also approved consent calendar items and assigned advisory board roles.
19-1287 – 7-11 Gas Station & Convenience Store (Conditional Use Permit No. 19-014): Staff presented the project at 16171 Beach Boulevard: demolition of an existing auto repair building and construction of a 2,323 sq. ft. convenience store with an 8-pump fueling station, operating 24 hours, selling beer and wine (Type 20 license). The project complied with the Beach & Edinger Corridor Specific Plan (SP-14). Commissioner questions addressed public restrooms, underground storage tank location (10-foot setback from apartments), fuel delivery noise, lighting spillage, and the need for a public convenience and necessity letter due to alcohol license overconcentration in the census tract. The applicant agreed to conditions: alcohol sales limited to 6 AM–midnight, shut-off of air/water units (unless preempted by state law), all deliveries between 8 AM and 6 PM, no idling of delivery trucks, an 8-foot CMU wall on west and south property lines with landscaping, no trash removal between 10 PM and 8 AM, and standard alcohol signage restrictions. A motion to deny failed 4-3 (Commissioners Kalmick, Perkins, Scandura in favor; Chair Grant, Vice Chair Ray, Commissioners Garcia, Mandic against). A subsequent motion to approve with the conditions passed 4-3 (same voting split).
19-1295 – Thai Gulf Restaurant Alcohol Service (Conditional Use Permit No. 19-024): Staff reported that the restaurant at 19072 Beach Boulevard #A sought a Type 41 license for on-site beer and wine sales in a 1,935 sq. ft. interior and 400 sq. ft. outdoor patio, with hours: lunch 11 AM–3:30 PM (Mon–Fri), dinner 4:30–10 PM (Mon–Sat) and 4:30–9:30 PM (Sun). The use was consistent with the specific plan, 200 feet from residential uses, and conditions include employee training, limited happy hours, and video surveillance. No public speakers. Approved unanimously (7-0).
20-1303 – Appeal of AT&T Small Cell Coastal Development Permit (Coastal Development Permit No. 19-010): Staff explained the request to replace an existing 30 ft-6 in light pole with a 29 ft-3 in pole plus small cell equipment (total 34 ft-9 in) on Goldenwest Street, 110 feet north of PCH, within the coastal zone. The zoning administrator approved it in October 2019 after exploring alternatives (one site reserved for another carrier, relocation opposed by the adjacent property owner). The appellant (Jessica Robinson) argued the project did not co-locate within 1,000 feet and that the need was unproven. Staff determined the design was stealth, consistent with general plan and coastal policies. Federal law preempts health and property value considerations. Commissioner Kalmick supported the project as critical infrastructure; Commissioner Scandura reluctantly supported it due to federal preemption and risk of litigation; Commissioner Mandic opposed, citing insufficient due diligence by the applicant. Approved 6-1 (Commissioner Mandic dissenting).
20-1320 – Hebrew Academy Campus Remodel (Entitlement Plan Amendment No. 18-002): Staff reported the project at 14401 Willow Lane: install four modular buildings (9,990 sq. ft., 7 classrooms), repurpose two existing classrooms, add 1,550 sq. ft. to the multi-purpose room, expand north parking lot (27 spaces), and construct a new south faculty lot (34 spaces). No increase in student enrollment (max 400). The design matches existing architecture, includes an 8-foot wrought iron fence around the perimeter (for security), and improves fire access. The applicant worked with fire and police departments. Neighbor Connie Malin raised concerns about lighting spillage and noise. The head of school agreed to address the spotlight issue and staff offered to facilitate contact. Approved unanimously (7-0).
Good evening. I'd like to call the January 28th meeting of the Huntington Beach Planning Commission. The request to speak forms, late communications and agenda are located at the table at the entrance of these chambers. If you would like to speak during public comments or a public hearing item, please complete a request to speak form and give it to the Secretary at the front of the dais. For comments on a public hearing item, please ask or please speak when that item comes up on the agenda so that your comments can become part of the entitlement record. All other comments may be given during public comments at the beginning of this meeting. When the secretary calls your name, please come to the bottom of the stairs and wait for your turn to speak. When it is your turn, approach the 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 in 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 comments will not be consented to or otherwise adopted by the planning commission in its discussions and findings for any matter tonight. Finally, as a courtesy to others, please silence all cell phones and other electronic devices. And to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, an individual with liberty and justice for all. May we have roll call. Commissioner Perkins. Here. Commissioner Scandura. Vice Chair Ray. Here. Chair Grant. Here. Commissioner Kalmick. Here. Commissioner Mandick. Here. Commissioner Garcia. Here. We have a quorum. Okay. Agenda approval. Do I have a motion to approve the order of the agenda? So moved. Second. Second. Please vote. No. No. We raise our hands. There we go. Seven eyes. Motion carries. Okay. Public comments. Now is the time for public comments that are not items on this evening's agenda. Do we have any public comments? No, we do not. Okay then. Public hearing items.