Planning Commission Meeting – October 27, 2020: Seacliff Senior Living Project Approved
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Planning Commission Meeting – October 27, 2020
The Huntington Beach Planning Commission met on October 27, 2020, at 6:00 PM via teleconference due to COVID-19. The primary agenda item was the Seacliff Senior Living project, a proposed three-story convalescent facility at 2120 Main Street. The Commission also approved consent calendar items and took a minute action regarding historic silos on the site.
Consent Calendar
- Approved Planning Commission Minutes of May 28, 2019 – Motion carried 6-0-1 (Commissioner Crowe abstained as he was not on the Commission at that time).
- Approved Planning Commission Minutes of September 22, 2020 – Motion carried 7-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Public Comment (email read aloud): Amory Hanson, candidate for City Council and member of the Historic Resources Board, expressed opposition to the project, citing the potential displacement of Futures Academy (a private school on the site). He urged postponement until the school’s relocation plans were clear.
- Applicant Presentation: Patrick McGonigal (South Bay Partners) presented the project, noting over 25 years of senior living development, a focus on wellness, and feedback from office tenants and neighbors. He highlighted that the office park improvements (Phase 1 underway) and that Futures Academy would remain in the 2100 building.
Discussion Items
- Seacliff Senior Living (Item 20-1891) – Requests: Conditional Use Permit No. 19-025 for a 281,000 sq. ft., 226-room convalescent facility with subterranean parking and a Type 47 ABC alcohol license; Tentative Parcel Map No. 20-128 to subdivide the 11.29-acre site into four parcels; and Mitigated Negative Declaration No. 20-001 (MND).
- Staff Report (Hayden Beckman, Senior Planner): Detailed the site’s 12.5-foot grade differential, design review board (DRB) approval, and conditions including interpretive signage for the existing grain silos. The MND concluded no significant impacts with mitigation for cultural resources, geology, hazards, and tribal resources.
- Commissioner Questions: Addressed parking (238 underground stalls, surplus), reciprocal access agreement, alcohol license (Type 47 vs. Type 63), retaining walls, silo maintenance, and the DRB recommendation for interpretive signage.
- Public Hearing: One email from Amory Hanson read; applicant team responded. No other speakers.
- Commissioner Deliberations: Commissioner Scandura expressed strong support, noting the city’s aging population (26% over 60) and the need for such facilities. Commissioners discussed silo preservation (Commissioner Mandic proposed roof restoration, protection during construction, and use of Barbara Beil tiles for interpretive sign).
- Motion: Commissioner Scandura moved to adopt MND 20-001, approve CUP 19-025 and TPM 20-128 (with June 2020 date correction) with findings and conditions, including Commissioner Mandic’s modifications. Seconded by Commissioner Mandic. Passed 7-0.
Key Outcomes
- Vote on Seacliff Senior Living: Unanimous approval (7-0) of the Mitigated Negative Declaration, Conditional Use Permit, and Tentative Parcel Map with conditions.
- Minute Action on Historic Silos: Commissioner Mandic moved to request the City Council to add the silos at the former Northern Branch site to the city’s list of historical structures. Motion carried 7-0. The action is to be forwarded to City Council.
- Appeal Information: The decision on the project is appealable to the City Council within 10 calendar days.
- Next Meeting: November 10, 2020, at 6:00 PM (agenda includes Stumpy’s Hatchet House CUP).
- Staff Reports: Upcoming city council action on zoning code updates and housing element contract; Design Review Board report (AES screening mural, restaurant remodel at 602 PCH, four-plex on PCH).
Meeting Transcript
The West Fair Shopping Center by Warner and Speaker. Welcome to the October 27, 2020 Planning Commission meeting. On March 4th, 2020, Governor Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in California as a result of the threat of COVID-19. On March 17, 2020, Governor Newsom issued executive order N2920, which allows a local legislative body to hold public meetings via teleconferencing and to make public meetings accessible telephonically or otherwise electronically to all members of the public seeking to observe and to address the local legislative body. Pursuant to the executive order, please be advised that some members of the planning commission and city staff are participating in this meeting telephonically or electronically. While the city cannot provide an in-person location for the meeting at this time, property owners, residents, and any interested parties can view the meeting live on HBTV Channel 3 or via live stream on the city's website. Interested parties also had the opportunities to submit comments on any items prior to the meeting. Staff will identify any public public comments received at the appropriate time on the agenda. While the planning commission welcomes public involvement and free speech, it rejects comments from anyone that are discrimin uh 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 speaker. Such comments will not be consented to or otherwise adopted by the planning commission in its discussions or findings for any matter tonight. Thank you. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ready? Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. The Republic stands. One nation under God. Yeah. We're all thank you. May we have a roll call, please. I have a quick question here, real quick. Sorry, I don't I want to interrupt. Okay. Um is there no video for the council chambers? Oh, uh just a second. There's no video for the council chambers. There should be. Are any of the commissioners seeing it? Oh. No. No. Yes, just uh one minute. They're uh adding us in there. Thank you for letting us know. No problem. Yes. Are we it looks like we're good now? All right, awesome. Now may we have a roll call. Commissioner Scandura. Commissioner Perkins. Commissioner Garcia. Here. Commissioner Crow. Here. Vice Chair Kalmick. Here. Commissioner Mandick. Here? Chair Ray.
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