Planning Commission Meeting - October 12, 2021: Cameron Lane Townhomes and Sidewalk Action
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Huntington Beach Planning Commission Meeting - October 12, 2021
The Planning Commission met on October 12, 2021, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The main agenda item was a public hearing on the Cameron Lane Townhomes project, an 18-unit townhome development with a density bonus request. The Commission also approved the consent calendar and took a minute action regarding sidewalk improvements.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the September 14, 2021, Planning Commission minutes (5-0, Vice Chair Perkins abstained as he was not present for that meeting).
Public Comments & Testimony
- One resident, Cheryl Gatch, spoke during the public hearing for the Cameron Lane project. She expressed concerns about wind flow and building design, suggesting cross-ventilation to reduce energy use. She also asked about activity rooms, community gardens, and composting. No other public comments were made.
Discussion Items
- Cameron Lane Townhomes (TTM No. 19154 / CUP No. 21-006): Project at 17532 Cameron Lane proposes an 18-unit two-story townhome development on a 39,640 sq. ft. lot. The project includes four buildings with 8 two-bedroom units (1,272 sq. ft.) and 10 three-bedroom units (1,432 sq. ft.), each with attached two-car garages. The applicant requested a density bonus to reduce parking from 50 to 36 spaces, but proposed 46 spaces (36 garages + 10 guest). The project is exempt from CEQA under Section 15195 (residential infill). Staff recommended approval.
- Commissioners discussed several issues: condition of existing walls (chain link to be replaced with block, existing block walls to remain unless structurally unsound), undergrounding of power lines (required on the frontage, but not on adjacent properties), and the discontinuous sidewalk on Cameron Lane. A police department letter had raised concerns about a conflict between children and dogs in the designated open space; the applicant indicated the open space is a common area not specifically designated as a dog park. The Commission discussed modifying conditions to require the applicant to work with staff to find a separate dog area if feasible, and to strengthen garage use restrictions to ensure parking of two vehicles.
- A minute action was proposed to request City Council to explore the feasibility of completing the sidewalk on the east side of Cameron Lane.
Key Outcomes
- Approval of Cameron Lane Townhomes: The Commission voted unanimously (6-0) to approve the Tentative Tract Map and Conditional Use Permit with modified conditions: (1) The applicant shall work with staff to identify a separate dog area from the common open space if feasible; (2) Conditions to restrict garage conversion to uses that preclude parking of two vehicles. The decision is appealable within 10 calendar days.
- Minute Action: The Commission voted unanimously (6-0) to send a minute action to the City Council directing staff to explore the feasibility of completing the sidewalk on the east side of Cameron Lane. This is not an appealable action.
- Next Meeting: The next regular meeting is scheduled for October 26, 2021.
Meeting Transcript
Was a champion in the birth and growth of the Central Library. Mildred advised first Honey Beach Librarian Walter Johnson on topical acquisitions. Mildred remained a chief supporter of her heritage and of our library until her death in 1987. Mildred Yorba MacArthur Serrano and Francis Melendez Andre. Two pivotal leaders of example in Huntington Beach. Hi, we're here at the Honey to Beach High School where I went to high school here in the 60s. Great place. Great place to go to high school, the only high school at that time. His name is actually on the plaque inside in the auditorium in the lobby. And um, and there's great pictures here. Uh the architecture is so interesting because here in Huntington Beach, you know, it was all farmland. And so when we would have company, family members or whoever that would come visiting from Mexico City, we would bring them here. My grandparents would bring them here to visit to look at the beautiful architecture of the Huntington Beach High School. You had a lot of different types of Mexican families growing up here in Huntington Beach. Uh, but we all came, they all came, all my grandparents and great-grandmother, they all came from the same state of Michucad and came here to answer the call of farming. Uh and even though they were farmers on Sunday, everyone still got dressed up. You'd get dressed up on Sunday either to welcome company or to go visit company on Sunday. And that was one of the examples here coming to the high school. The planning commission meeting to order. Welcome to the October 12th, 2021 uh Huntington Beach Planning Commission meeting. 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. Please put your right hand over your heart. Begin. I pledge the United States of America and to the Republic for which it's one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice. May we have roll call, please. Commissioner Acosta Galvant. Here. Commissioner Mandick. Here. Vice Chair Perkins. Here. Chair Ray. Here. Commissioner Scandura. Here. Commissioner Rodriguez. Here. We have a quorum. Okay now it's 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. The next on the agenda is the public hearing item. Our public hearing item is number two one-six nine eight. Uh tentative track track map number one nine one five four and conditional use permit number two one zero six for the Cameron Lane Town Homes. Planning Commissioners, please state your disclosures regarding this item. Start down here with Commissioner Acosta Galvan. Um I spoke to staff and I also spoke to a representative of the applicant. Commissioner Mandick.
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