Huntington Beach Planning Commission Meeting – June 9, 2020
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Huntington Beach Planning Commission Meeting – June 9, 2020
The Planning Commission met on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers, 2000 Main Street. Chair Michael Grant was absent; Vice Chair Alan Ray served as Chair. The commission approved two conditional use permits (CUP) and forwarded a zoning text amendment (ZTA) to the City Council. Staff also reported on a new temporary emergency use permit for outdoor dining and an upcoming pilot program for Main Street.
Consent Calendar
- None.
Public Comments & Testimony
- On ZTA 19-005 (Group Homes): Two written comments were read aloud. Jamie Marseille expressed concern that a sober living home with 12 men across from her home threatened her family-friendly neighborhood, questioned proximity to an elementary school, and asked for passage of the ZTA. A comment from "no recovery on Ashworth.com" echoed concerns about 12 men living in a home near an elementary school, cited parking issues, and urged enforcement. Both commenters questioned the presence of registered sex offenders and stated the need to preserve family neighborhoods.
Discussion Items
- CUP 19-029 (Rocco Alternative Alley Access): Request to construct a 467 sq ft two‑car garage with vehicular access from B Lane instead of the abutting alley at 17041 B Lane. The property currently has a 950 sq ft single‑family home, an existing garage and two carports with alley access, and an 872 sq ft accessory dwelling unit. The new garage would be part of a new 1,368 sq ft two‑story home. Total on‑site parking would increase to eight spaces (four existing alley‑access, two new garage spaces, and two new driveway spaces). Public Works confirmed low traffic on B Lane can support the curb cut, which would remove roughly one on‑street space but add four off‑street spaces (net gain of three). The property already has a 10‑foot half‑alley, so no additional alley dedication is required. The design complies with urban design guidelines. The commission approved the CUP, finding it categorically exempt under CEQA Section 15303.
- CUP 20-001 (G&M Oil Office Building): Request to construct a 1,490 sq ft single‑story office and storage building at 16942 A Lane (east of Warner Avenue), with vehicular access from A Lane instead of the abutting alley. The site is 0.14 acres, zoned Commercial General, and has been vacant since 1999. The proposed building will be 28 feet tall with stone accents, varied paint colors, and a metal eyebrow feature. The city requires a 5‑foot dedication along A Lane and a 2.5‑foot alley dedication. The narrow property limits alley access, making A Lane access safer. The existing alley is in poor condition; the applicant will underground a telephone line. Commissioner Kalmick raised concern about a 28‑foot blank wall on the alley and requested a light be added. The applicant agreed. The commission approved the CUP with an additional condition for alley lighting, finding it categorically exempt under CEQA Section 15303.
- ZTA 19-005 (Group Homes Ordinance): A citywide zoning text amendment to regulate group homes, sober living homes, and residential care facilities in residential districts. Key provisions include: new definitions; requiring a special use permit from the Community Development Director for group homes/sober living homes with six or fewer residents; requiring a conditional use permit from the Planning Commission and an operator’s permit for those with seven or more residents; a 1,000‑foot separation buffer between group homes/sober living homes; prohibited in the RL (Residential Low) zone for seven or more residents; referral facilities not permitted in RL and must be 500 feet from RL‑zoned property, schools, parks, places of worship, or daycare centers; residential care facilities (state‑licensed) with six or fewer residents allowed by right; operators must apply for a special use permit within 90 days and comply with all provisions within one year. The ordinance is designed to balance reasonable accommodation for disabled persons (including those in recovery) with preservation of residential neighborhood character. Staff noted that state and federal law prohibit discrimination against disabled persons. The ordinance follows a study session on May 26, 2020, where six items were raised and addressed in the staff report. Commissioner Scandura asked about registered sex offender restrictions; the city attorney explained that state law limits such restrictions and that the ordinance allows no more than one registered sex offender per group home, consistent with Penal Code provisions. Commissioner Kalmick expressed concern about legal exposure but supported the ordinance as a step forward. The commission forwarded ZTA 19-005 to the City Council with a recommendation of approval, finding it categorically exempt under CEQA Section 15061(b)(3).
Key Outcomes
- Approved CUP 19-029 (Rocco) – Motion by Commissioner Kalmick, seconded by Commissioner ____. Vote: 6‑0 (Grant absent). Appealable to City Council within 10 calendar days.
- Approved CUP 20-001 (G&M Oil) – Motion by Commissioner Scandura, seconded by Commissioner Kalmick, with additional condition for alley lighting. Vote: 6‑0. Appealable within 10 days.
- Forwarded ZTA 19-005 to City Council – Motion by Commissioner Kalmick, seconded by Commissioner ____. Vote: 6‑0. Scheduled for City Council consideration on July 6, 2020.
- Staff Report: The temporary emergency use permit for outdoor dining (retail/restaurants to use expanded outdoor space for social distancing) became effective June 2, 2020. A pilot program for closing Main Street’s second block for communal outdoor space will be presented to City Council on June 15, 2020.
The next regular Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at 6:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
On HBTV Channel 3 or via live stream on the city's website. Interested parties also had the opportunity to submit comments on any items prior to the meeting. Staff will identify any public comments received at the appropriate time on the agenda. While the planning commission welcomes public involvement and free speech, it rejects cut comments from anyone that are discriminatory, defamatory, or otherwise not uh protected speech. Those comments will not inform nor be considered by the planning commission and may be cause for the chair to interrupt the speaker. Such comments will not be consented to or otherwise adopted by the planning commission in its discussions and findings for any matter tonight. Thank you. Thank you. Please join me in stand for the salute to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag. And to the report for which it stands. Liberty and justice. Thank you. May we have roll call, please. Commissioner Scandura. Here. Commissioner Perkins. Here. Commissioner Kalmick. Here. Commissioner Garcia. Here. Commissioner Mandick. Here. Commissioner Vice Chair Ray. Here. And Chair Grant is absent, and Vice Chair Ray will be serving as chair this evening. We have a quorum. Thank you. As far as agenda approval, do we have a motion to approve the order of the agenda? Hello. Second. Second. Did you get that okay? The who made the motion. Well, all those in favor, please raise your hand. Opposed? Six. Six eyes. Commissioner Grant. Oh. Is absent. Motion carries. Now is the time for public comments for items that are not on the agenda this evening. Do we have any public comments? No, we do not. Okay, thank you. Next on the agenda are the public hearing items. So we'll pause one moment as uh staff invites the applicants into the Zoom meeting. And while they're doing that, the first public hearing is item number uh two zero-one five nine five for conditional use permit number one nine-zero two nine, a request to construct a four six four hundred sixty-seven square foot two-car garage with vehicular access from the local street, uh, B Lane, instead of the abutting alley.
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