Huntington Beach Planning Commission Meeting – August 23, 2022

The Huntington Beach Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting featured two public hearing items continued from previous meetings: a conditional use permit/variance for a diesel auto repair facility and a coastal development permit/variance for a residential remodel. The commission also heard one public comment on jet noise. Key votes included approval of both projects with added conditions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Robert McMahon (Huntington Beach resident) spoke during public comments about increased jet noise in the evening, noting flights after 10:00 PM and asking for enforcement of noise regulations. The chair directed him to the city’s jet noise commission.

Discussion Items

Conditional Use Permit No. 22-006 / Variance No. 22-002 – Diesel Auto Repair Facility (Continued from June 28, 2022)

• Location: 7422 Warner Avenue (southeast corner of Warner Avenue and Palmdale Lane). The site is a vacant 7,692 sq. ft. lot in the Research & Technology zone (minimum lot size 15,000 sq. ft.).
• Request: Establish a 2,000 sq. ft. industrial building for automobile repair; variances for a 10-ft. front yard setback (vs. 20 ft.), a 2-ft. interior landscape planter (vs. 3 ft.), two parking spaces 9 ft. and 9.5 ft. wide (vs. 12 ft.), and elimination of a step-off area near planters.
• Staff Presentation: Alyssa Mathis reviewed the project and design modifications suggested by a city-hired architect. Staff recommended approval with conditions requiring on-site vehicle storage and design changes (stucco finish, stone veneer, trellises, gabled windows).
• Applicant Presentation: David C., representing owners Adam and Elizabeth Wictor, presented a revised design: a stucco building with stone veneer (instead of metal), 14 palm trees, and 10 parking spaces. The applicant stated the business is low-volume (owner-operated, two employees), serves light-duty trucks only, and would not store oversized vehicles. They agreed to post signs not to park in the adjacent Best Towing lot.
• Public Testimony:
  • Kelly Moses (owner of Best Towing) opposed, citing photos of the applicant’s current lot showing oversized vehicles and parking overflow. She argued the lot is too small and parking would spill over.
  • Tina Marie Banks (Huntington Beach resident) supported, praising the owners as honest and community-focused.
  • Mario Otaga (Huntington Beach resident) supported, citing positive personal experience with the mechanic and the benefit of a small business.
  • Danny Cahali (property owner) supported, noting the lot has been vacant for 20 years and that the Best Towing owner had an opportunity to purchase but declined.
• Deliberation: Commissioners debated parking concerns, design feasibility, and the need for a continuance. Commissioner Scandura wanted staff review of the stucco-over-metal construction and vehicle size limitations. Commissioner Rodriguez and Vice Chair Acosta-Galvan favored immediate approval with conditions. Commissioner Adam recused himself as he had not reviewed prior materials.
• Key Outcomes: The commission approved the project with conditions, including:
  • Approval of Conditional Use Permit No. 22-006 and Variance No. 22-002.
  • Condition requiring the applicant to work with staff on the stucco/stone veneer design (concept as presented in the applicant’s PowerPoint).
  • No additional vehicle size limit condition was adopted; staff’s existing code definition (vehicles exceeding 25 ft. length, 7 ft. width, 7 ft. height, or 10,000 lbs.) applies.
  • Vote: 3-2-1 (Commissioners Rodriguez, Acosta-Galvan, Ray voted yes; Chair Perkins and Commissioner Scandura voted no; Commissioner Adam abstained; Commissioner Mandic absent).

Coastal Development Permit No. 2021-019 / Variance No. 2021-002 – Skylar Residence (Continued from April 26, 2022)

• Location: 16850 Bayview Drive (east side of Bayview Drive, south of Broadway). The site is a 2,282.85 sq. ft. parcel in the Residential Low Density zone (minimum 6,000 sq. ft.) and in the Coastal Zone.
• Request: Remodel an existing 500 sq. ft. home into a 2,000 sq. ft., two-story residence with a two-car garage. Variances for an 11-ft. front-entry garage setback (vs. 20 ft.), an 11-ft. habitable setback (vs. 15 ft.), 52.7% lot coverage (vs. 50%), and a 22-ft. backup distance (vs. 25 ft.).
• Staff Presentation: Alyssa Mathis noted the applicant eliminated five previous variances by reducing the building height to under 30 ft., removing the third story, and providing four parking spaces (two in garage, two in front). The backup distance variance is required due to the narrow 14-ft. street with 8-ft. parking lanes.
• Applicant Presentation: Gary Maxwell (architect) and Ashley Schuyler (owner) described the revised design, which reduced the house size, added landscaping, and met all code requirements except the four variances. The owner stated the current home is inadequate for five residents.
• Public Testimony: No opposition; both speakers (applicant representatives) supported.
• Deliberation: All commissioners praised the applicant’s responsiveness. Commissioner Scandura noted the significant reduction in lot coverage (from 64.7% to 52.7%) and increased parking.
• Key Outcomes:
  • Approved Coastal Development Permit No. 2021-019 and Variance No. 2021-002 with findings and conditions in Attachment No. 1.
  • Vote: 5-0 (Chair Perkins recused; Commissioner Mandic absent).

Key Outcomes

• Diesel Auto Repair Facility (Item 22-584): Approved with conditions, including design modifications (stucco/stone veneer) and on-site vehicle storage. The decision is appealable to the City Council within 10 calendar days.
• Skylar Residence (Item 22-656): Approved as recommended by staff. The decision is appealable to the City Council within 10 calendar days for the coastal permit.
• Next Meeting: The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at 6:00 PM, with a study session beginning at 4:30 PM to discuss the Housing Element and the Bella Terra Mixed-Use Project.