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Record of Proceedings

Huntington Beach Planning Commission Meeting - February 25, 2020

Planning Commission — Tuesday, February 25, 2020
BodyHuntington Beach, California
SessionPlanning Commission
DateTuesday, February 25, 2020
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:14

I'd like to call the February 25th meeting of the Huntington Beach Planning Commission to order.

0:20

The request to speak forms, late communications, and agenda are located at the table at the entrance to these chambers.

0:26

If you wish to speak during public comments or have a public comment 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.

0:38

Please speak when that item comes up on the agenda so that your comments can become part of the entitlement record.

0:44

All other comments may be given during public comments at the beginning of this meeting.

0:48

When the secretary calls your name, please come to the bottom of the stairs.

0:52

Wait for your turn to speak.

0:54

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

0:59

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

1:05

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

1:15

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

1:22

Such comments will not be consented to or otherwise adopted by the planning commission in its discussions and findings for any matter tonight.

1:30

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

1:36

Thank you.

1:39

Mr.

1:39

Ray, would you care to lead us on the pledge?

1:42

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:47

Ready, begin.

1:56

One nation under God with liberty and justice for all.

2:08

May we have roll call, please.

2:10

Commissioner Scandura.

2:11

Here.

2:12

Vice Chair Ray.

2:13

Here.

2:14

Chair Grant.

2:14

Here.

2:15

Commissioner Kalmick.

2:16

Here.

2:16

Commissioner Mandiker.

2:18

Commissioner Garcia.

2:19

Here.

2:19

Commissioner Perkins is absent.

2:21

We have a quorum.

2:23

Okay.

2:24

May I uh move for agenda approval?

2:26

If I may have a motion.

2:28

So moved.

2:29

I'll second that.

2:31

Please vote.

2:46

Six ayes.

2:47

Commissioner Perkins absent.

2:48

Motion carries.

2:53

Okay.

2:56

Do we have any public comments this evening?

3:00

No, no one signed up under public comments.

3:03

Okay.

3:05

So first this evening we have item 201402.

3:11

Appeal of the zoning administrators approval of tentative parcel map 19-129 conditional use permit number 19-021 Roth Condos.

3:25

Do we have a staff report?

3:27

Michael, I need to speak.

3:29

I need to speak first.

3:30

Oh, absolutely.

3:31

Okay.

3:32

Yes, on the advice of our city attorney, I will be recusing myself from voting on this item as the appellant is a client of our business over the aggregate amount allowed.

3:43

Thank you.

3:48

Okay.

3:49

Do we have a and then could we please do disclosures for the rest of the commission?

3:54

Absolutely.

3:55

Thanks.

3:56

Disclosures, please.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Planning and Zoning█████████████████████████████████████████████56%
Public Safety███████████14%
Affordable Housing██████7%
Procedural█████6%
Environmental Protection████5%
Public Health███4%
Public Works██3%
Technology and Innovation█1%
Transportation Safety█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Huntington Beach Planning Commission Meeting - February 25, 2020

The Huntington Beach Planning Commission met on Tuesday, February 25, 2020, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included two public hearings: an appeal of the zoning administrator's approval of a tentative parcel map and conditional use permit for a three-unit condominium project at 7852 Ronald Drive (Roth Condos), and a conditional use permit and coastal development permit for a vehicle storage facility at the former Magnolia Tank Farm site (21845 Magnolia Street). The commission also approved consent calendar items and conducted an annual review of the Code of Ethics.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes from September 10, 2019; October 8, 2019 (as amended to correct Commissioner Perkins's attendance); October 22, 2019; and January 14, 2020.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No general public comments were submitted for the public comment portion of the meeting.
  • For the Roth Condos appeal, three speakers addressed the commission: Jasmine Roth (applicant/owner), Keith Palmer (architect), and Richard Harlow (representing the appellant, Jerry Baim). Ms. Roth expressed full support for the project, stating it would provide attainable housing for young families and improve the neighborhood. Mr. Palmer explained the design choices, including the small third story (less than 20% of the mass) to meet open space requirements. Mr. Harlow opposed the project, citing concerns about noise, shadows, incompatibility with the neighborhood, loss of affordable housing, and construction disruption. He requested a one-month continuance because Mr. Baim was hospitalized; the commission did not grant the continuance.
  • For the Magnolia Tank Farm vehicle storage item, the applicant Mike Adams supported the project, requesting hours of operation of Monday–Saturday 7 AM–7 PM (no truck transport after 6 PM) and Sunday 9 AM–5 PM for individual vehicle pickups only. Staff noted five letters of opposition from residents, primarily concerned with dust, noise, and traffic. No members of the public spoke in person beyond the applicant.

Discussion Items

  • Appeal of Zoning Administrator’s Approval of Tentative Parcel Map No. 19-129/Conditional Use Permit No. 19-021 (Roth Condos)

    • Staff (Associate Planner Joanna Cortez) recommended approval, stating the project complies with the RM zoning district, is compatible with the neighborhood, and is CEQA-exempt. The three proposed condominium homes would replace an existing single-story triplex with three attached three-story units (maximum height 34 ft. 9 in.), each with two-car garages and one guest spot. The project would pay affordable housing in-lieu fees. Staff noted that shadow and noise impacts are not anticipated and that the project is not a condo conversion.
    • The appellant's representative argued the project is incompatible due to its height (34 ft. 9 in. vs. surrounding one-story buildings), would create shadow and noise, and should be subject to condo conversion rules.
    • Commissioner Kalmick questioned parking enforcement and suggested conditions requiring garages be available for parking and prohibiting short-term vacation rentals. Commissioner Scandura expressed concerns about the shared walkway and the loss of affordable rental units but did not support denial. Commissioner Ray argued the project does not meet General Plan goal LU4 (preserving neighborhood character) and voted to deny. The commission discussed the project's compatibility and the need for attainable housing.

  • Conditional Use Permit No. 19-023/Coastal Development Permit No. 19-012 (Magnolia Tank Farm Vehicle Storage)

    • Staff recommended approval with conditions, including hours of Monday–Saturday 9 AM–6 PM, no Sunday or federal holiday operations, and no on-site lighting. The applicant requested extended hours (M–Sa 7 AM–7 PM, no truck transport after 6 PM; Su 9 AM–5 PM, no truck transport). The site is 29 acres, formerly used for fuel storage and AES construction laydown. Up to 2,000 new vehicles would be stored, with access via Banning Avenue and a secondary emergency gate. The facility would be unmanned with 24-hour security cameras and a dust mitigation plan (binding agent or gravel on fire lanes). Five letters of opposition cited dust, air quality, and traffic.
    • Commissioners discussed dust control, security cameras, standing water, and the need for a two-year review. Commissioner Scandura proposed conditions: gravel in the loading/unloading area, a two-year review with a 30-day air monitoring study, and removal of standing water before operations. After debate, the two-year review and standing water removal were withdrawn; the commission instead adopted the applicant's compromise hours (M–Sa 7 AM–7 PM with no truck transport before 9 AM or after 6 PM; Su 9 AM–5 PM for pickups only, no truck transport; closed federal holidays). A straw vote on requiring 24-hour live security monitoring failed.

  • Code of Ethics Annual Review and Acknowledgement

    • Assistant City Attorney Mike Vigliotta reviewed the annual requirement; commissioners acknowledged they had received and reviewed the Code of Ethics.

Key Outcomes

  • Roth Condos (Appeal 20-1402): The commission denied the appeal and approved Tentative Parcel Map No. 19-129 and Conditional Use Permit No. 19-021, with added conditions requiring HOA CCRs to mandate garage parking and prohibit vacation rentals (no rentals less than 30 days). The vote was 4–0–1 (Commissioner Perkins absent, Commissioner Mandic abstained). The decision is appealable to the City Council within 10 calendar days.
  • Magnolia Tank Farm Vehicle Storage (20-1414): Approved Conditional Use Permit No. 19-023 and Coastal Development Permit No. 19-012 with conditions including: gravel applied to loading/unloading and driveway areas; hours of operation Monday–Saturday 7 AM–7 PM (no truck transport before 9 AM or after 6 PM), Sunday 9 AM–5 PM (pickups only, no truck transport), closed federal holidays; and maintenance of existing landscaping and fencing. A two-year review requirement was not adopted. The vote was 6–0 (Commissioner Perkins absent). The decision on the CUP is appealable within 10 calendar days; the CDP is appealable within 10 working days.
  • Consent Calendar: All four sets of minutes were approved.
  • Code of Ethics: Annual acknowledgement completed.

The next regular Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for March 10, 2020, at 6:00 PM.

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to call the February 25th meeting of the Huntington Beach Planning Commission to order. The request to speak forms, late communications, and agenda are located at the table at the entrance to these chambers. If you wish to speak during public comments or have a public comment 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 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. 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 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 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 cell phones and other electronic devices. Thank you. Mr. Ray, would you care to lead us on the pledge? Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Ready, begin. One nation under God with liberty and justice for all. May we have roll call, please. Commissioner Scandura. Here. Vice Chair Ray. Here. Chair Grant. Here. Commissioner Kalmick. Here. Commissioner Mandiker. Commissioner Garcia. Here. Commissioner Perkins is absent. We have a quorum. Okay. May I uh move for agenda approval? If I may have a motion. So moved. I'll second that. Please vote. Six ayes. Commissioner Perkins absent. Motion carries. Okay. Do we have any public comments this evening? No, no one signed up under public comments. Okay. So first this evening we have item 201402. Appeal of the zoning administrators approval of tentative parcel map 19-129 conditional use permit number 19-021 Roth Condos. Do we have a staff report? Michael, I need to speak.

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