Huntington Beach Planning Commission Regular Meeting – January 12, 2021

The Huntington Beach Planning Commission met on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at 6:00 PM via teleconference due to the COVID-19 state of emergency. The meeting included administrative elections, resolutions for outgoing commissioners, and a public hearing on an appeal of a mixed-use project. The commission denied the project after a motion to continue to a study session and a motion to approve both failed.

Administrative Items

• Election of Chair and Vice Chair: The commission elected Alan Ray as Chair by acclamation for a full one-year term and Brendon Perkins as Vice Chair, also by acclamation.
• Resolutions for Outgoing Commissioners: Resolutions 1714, 1715, and 1716 were presented to outgoing commissioners Dan Kalmick (served 2013-2020, elected to City Council), Pat Garcia (served 2017-2021), and Bill Crowe (served 2015-2018 and again Sept-Dec 2020). Each commissioner made brief remarks thanking staff and fellow commissioners.

Public Hearing Item: Appeal of CUP 20-012, CDP 20-013, SP 20-001 (714 Pacific Coast Highway Mixed-Use Project)

The proposed project: a three-story, 12,713 sq. ft. mixed-use building with a 766 sq. ft. ground-floor coffee shop, three two-bedroom residential units, a 300 sq. ft. rooftop deck (revised from 149 sq. ft. during the meeting), an enclosed parking garage with seven spaces (including three vertical tandem spaces), and two open commercial spaces, for a total of nine on-site parking spaces. A special permit sought an 18-foot-wide driveway instead of the required 20 feet.

• Appellant (Sam Hanna, owner of adjacent property at 716 PCH): Expressed concerns about inconsistent setback requirements (his project was required to have 5-foot front and 3-foot side setbacks; the proposed project has a zero-to-five-foot front build-to zone and zero side-yard setback on upper floors), safety and privacy issues from the proximity, parking functionality, roof deck location, and a lack of meetings with staff. He requested a continuance to allow further discussion.
• Appellant’s representative (Mike Adams): Supported a continuance, noting that compatibility with existing developments could be achieved with minor design modifications.
• Applicant’s architect (Darien Radic): Defended the project as compliant with all applicable codes and stated that changes would render the project infeasible.
• Staff Recommendation: Approval, finding the project met all development standards and was consistent with the Downtown Specific Plan, subject to conditions.
• Commission Discussion: A motion by Commissioner Scandura (seconded by Commissioner Mandic) to continue the item to a study session on January 26, 2021, failed 3–4. The commission then debated the project, noting inconsistencies in how the same development standards had been applied over time. A motion by Vice Chair Perkins (seconded by Commissioner Rodriguez) to approve the project with two conditions (enlarge the third-floor opening to avoid it being a bedroom and shift the roof deck to the southeast corner) also failed 3–4.
• Outcome: The appeal was denied, meaning the project was not approved. The decision is appealable to the City Council within 10 calendar days.

Consent Calendar

• The commission approved the November 10, 2020 Planning Commission minutes. The vote was 4-0 with three abstentions (Commissioners Vandermark, Rodriguez, Acosta-Galvan).

Planning Items

• Staff reported on upcoming meetings: The Magnolia Tank Farm Project will be before the City Council on January 19, 2021; on January 26, the commission is scheduled to hear a public hearing for an 18-unit townhome project at Georgia and Indianapolis, a coastal development permit and variance for a single-family home on Bayview, and a street vacation.

Commission Comments & Adjournment

• Commissioners welcomed new members (Rodriguez, Acosta-Galvan, Vandermark) and outgoing commissioners. The meeting was adjourned to the next regular meeting on January 26, 2021, at 6:00 PM.