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Record of Proceedings

Huntington Beach Planning Commission Meeting - September 28, 2021: Geisler Residential Project Approval

Planning Commission — Tuesday, September 28, 2021
BodyHuntington Beach, California
SessionPlanning Commission
DateTuesday, September 28, 2021
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:00

It is my prayer that we will always see the opportunities to lift and love in the name of him who I worship in my faith tradition and who has taught me to love one another.

0:11

Jesus Christ.

0:12

Amen.

0:14

Thank you, Pabby.

0:31

Called the Planning Commission meeting to order.

0:37

Welcome to the September 28th, 2021 Planning Commission meeting.

0:42

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

0:52

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

1:00

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

1:09

Thank you.

1:37

Thank you.

1:40

Commissioner Acosta Galvan.

1:42

Here.

1:42

Commissioner Mandick.

1:44

Here.

1:44

Vice Chair Perkins.

1:45

Here.

1:46

Chair Ray.

1:47

Here.

1:47

Commissioner Scandura.

1:49

Commissioner Rodriguez.

1:50

Here.

1:50

We have a quorum.

1:51

Thank you.

1:52

Now is the time for public comments for items not on the agenda this evening.

1:57

Do we have any public comments?

2:00

No, we do not.

2:01

Okay.

2:02

Next on the agenda is the public hearing item.

2:06

Our public hearing item is uh number 21 644, which is uh for Geisler Residentials, uh General Plan Amendment 20 002, zoning map amendment number 20-002, tentative tract map number one nine one three six, uh conditional use permit number 20 024 and mitigated negative declaration number 2000 two.

2:36

Um, please state your disclosures regarding this item.

2:41

Start down here with uh Commissioner Rodriguez.

2:43

Yes, thank you, Commissioner Ray.

2:45

Um, Chairman Ray.

2:47

So I spoke with Councilmember Mosier, Councilmember Kalmick.

2:50

Uh I spoke to also a couple community members who live in the surrounding area.

2:54

Uh additionally, I spoke to the applicant, and uh I also visited the site.

3:00

Thank you.

3:01

Okay.

3:02

And I visited the site.

3:03

I was also involved in an entitlement request while it was Brethren Christian School back in 2007, 2008, I believe, I believe.

3:10

Um, talked to the staff.

3:12

Um also I attended the historic resources board meeting where this item came up during the discussions of that board.

3:18

And that's it.

3:20

Thank you.

3:20

And I visited this site.

3:31

I visited the site, I spoke to the applicant, and I talked to some residents in the area.

3:36

Okay.

3:37

Um I spoke with SAF and I spoke with a representative of the applicant.

3:41

Okay.

3:42

Uh staff, may we have a staff report presentation.

3:47

I'd like to ask Ricky Ramos, principal planner, to give the staff report.

3:51

Thanks, Jane.

3:55

The project site is located at 21141 Strathmore Lane.

3:59

It's the former Geese School site.

4:01

It's about 14 acres in size.

4:14

Excuse me.

4:16

Speaker remove his pass and we can hear you.

4:24

Sure.

4:25

So the applicant is requesting multiple applications.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Planning and Zoning████████████████████████████28%
Affordable Housing███████████████████████23%
Community Engagement███████████████15%
Parks and Recreation██████████10%
Public Safety███████7%
Procedural██████6%
Public Works██████6%
Education Policy███3%
Transportation Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Huntington Beach Planning Commission Meeting - September 28, 2021

The Planning Commission held a regular meeting on September 28, 2021, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The primary agenda item was a public hearing on the Geisler Residential project, a proposed 85-unit single-family home development on the former Geisler Middle School site at 21141 Strathmoor Lane. After extensive public testimony and deliberation, the commission voted 5-1 to approve the project, subject to conditions including a $250,000 contribution for soccer field lighting and a two-year timeline for its use.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Applicant representatives (Derek Spalding and Marlo of Brookfield Residential) presented the project, emphasizing community outreach, compatibility with existing neighborhood, and community benefits including Geisler Park improvements and $250,000 for lighting a soccer field. They noted over 70 supporters identified through outreach.
  • Jenny Delgado (Assistant Superintendent, Huntington Beach City School District) spoke in support, stating the sale proceeds are critical for modernizing Sowers Middle School.
  • Ann McCarthy (Regional Commissioner, AYSO Region 56) opposed the project due to loss of the only full-size lit soccer field serving 1,400-2,000 kids, requesting assurance of replacement fields and lights.
  • Alan Gandalf (Area Director, AYSO) urged preservation of open space and requested that the developer pay for lights to avoid cost to children.
  • Pano Frusiakis (City Council candidate) opposed the project, arguing it would eliminate green space and increase traffic, calling the $250,000 a "bribe."
  • Connor Medina (Orange County Business Council) supported the project, citing the need for housing and economic benefits.
  • Paul Slavik (neighbor) opposed, citing traffic concerns and inadequate ingress/egress.
  • Pam Birch (neighbor) supported, noting the site's blight and Brookfield's transparency.
  • Judy Reiner (neighbor) supported, preferring single-family homes over higher density.
  • Paul Birch (neighbor) supported, praising the developer's responsiveness.
  • Brian Clegg (youth sports coach and real estate professional) urged the commission to condition the developer to replace the sports fields, not just write a check.

Discussion Items

  • Staff Presentation: Principal Planner Ricky Ramos presented the project details: 85 single-family homes on 13.9 gross acres, with reduced lot sizes (average 4,952 sq ft) in exchange for community benefits (Geisler Park improvements, $250,000 for field lighting). The project is consistent with the General Plan and zoning, with a Mitigated Negative Declaration.
  • Commissioner Questions: Commissioners asked about retaining walls, affordable housing in-lieu fees, street naming, park in-lieu fees, and the process for the school district's offer to the city. Staff clarified that the city declined to purchase the property.
  • Deliberation:
    • Chair Ray and Vice Chair Perkins initially favored a continuance until a resolution on soccer field replacement was found.
    • Commissioner Scandura argued against a continuance, noting the city cannot force a landowner to maintain recreational uses, and the $250,000 condition with a two-year deadline provides pressure.
    • Commissioner Mandic viewed it as a property rights issue and supported approval.
    • Commissioner Rodriguez supported approval, citing the school district's decision to sell and the need for housing.
    • Commissioner Acosta-Galvan supported approval, emphasizing housing supply and compatibility.
  • Conditions Modifications: The commission discussed and straw-voted on several condition modifications:
    • Two-year timeframe for the $250,000 lighting contribution (supported by majority).
    • Street naming "Geisler" if feasible (supported).
    • If the $250,000 is not used within two years, it reverts to the city for a park and recreation benefit, prioritized in the southeast area (supported).

Key Outcomes

  • Motion: Commissioner Scandura moved to approve the Mitigated Negative Declaration No. 20-002, General Plan Amendment No. 20-002, Zoning Map Amendment No. 20-002, Tentative Tract Map No. 19136, and Conditional Use Permit No. 20-024 with the modified conditions (including the two-year timeframe, park/recreation use, and street naming). Commissioner Mandic seconded.
  • Vote: 5-1 in favor (Chair Ray dissenting). The General Plan Amendment, Zoning Map Amendment, and Mitigated Negative Declaration will be forwarded to the City Council for legislative review. The Conditional Use Permit and Tentative Tract Map are appealable to the City Council within 10 calendar days.
  • Next Steps: The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for October 12, 2021, with no study session planned.

Meeting Transcript

It is my prayer that we will always see the opportunities to lift and love in the name of him who I worship in my faith tradition and who has taught me to love one another. Jesus Christ. Amen. Thank you, Pabby. Called the Planning Commission meeting to order. Welcome to the September 28th, 2021 Planning Commission meeting. 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 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. Commissioner Acosta Galvan. Here. Commissioner Mandick. Here. Vice Chair Perkins. Here. Chair Ray. Here. Commissioner Scandura. Commissioner Rodriguez. Here. We have a quorum. Thank you. Now is the time for public comments for items not on the agenda this evening. Do we have any public comments? No, we do not. Okay. Next on the agenda is the public hearing item. Our public hearing item is uh number 21 644, which is uh for Geisler Residentials, uh General Plan Amendment 20 002, zoning map amendment number 20-002, tentative tract map number one nine one three six, uh conditional use permit number 20 024 and mitigated negative declaration number 2000 two. Um, please state your disclosures regarding this item. Start down here with uh Commissioner Rodriguez. Yes, thank you, Commissioner Ray. Um, Chairman Ray. So I spoke with Councilmember Mosier, Councilmember Kalmick. Uh I spoke to also a couple community members who live in the surrounding area. Uh additionally, I spoke to the applicant, and uh I also visited the site. Thank you. Okay. And I visited the site. I was also involved in an entitlement request while it was Brethren Christian School back in 2007, 2008, I believe, I believe. Um, talked to the staff. Um also I attended the historic resources board meeting where this item came up during the discussions of that board. And that's it. Thank you. And I visited this site. I visited the site, I spoke to the applicant, and I talked to some residents in the area. Okay. Um I spoke with SAF and I spoke with a representative of the applicant. Okay.

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