Huntington Beach Planning Commission Meeting - July 25, 2023
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Huntington Beach Planning Commission Meeting - July 25, 2023
The Huntington Beach Planning Commission met on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. Vice-Chair Butch Twining presided in the absence of Chair Tracy Pellman. The Commission considered two items: a conditional use permit for live entertainment at The Brant restaurant and a general plan conformance for a minor right-of-way vacation. Both items were approved unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (July 11, 2023): The Commission approved the minutes of the July 11, 2023 meeting as submitted. Commissioner Kayla Acosta-Galvan abstained as she was absent on that date. Motion carried 5-0-1 (with Chair Pellman absent).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made on items not on the agenda or on the agendized items. No speakers signed up for either the public hearing or the non-public hearing items.
Discussion Items
Conditional Use Permit No. 23-015 (The Brant Live Entertainment)
- Request: To permit live entertainment (disc jockey and a live band up to five members) within the interior of an existing 3,000 sq. ft. restaurant located at 21058 Pacific Coast Highway #250, within the Pacific City Commercial Center.
- Staff Presentation: Senior Planner Joanna Cortez presented. The restaurant is visitor-serving, located in the Downtown Specific Plan, and more than 500 feet from the nearest residential use. Police department reviewed and had no issues. Staff recommended a modification to Condition 2A: instead of prescribing specific hours, the condition would require compliance with the annually reviewed entertainment permit issued by the police department. The originally proposed hours were 5-10 PM Monday-Thursday, 5-11:30 PM Friday-Saturday, and 12 PM-9 PM Sunday.
- Commissioner Questions: Commissioner Kennedy asked about the hour modification; staff clarified it allows police to adjust conditions annually. Commissioner Adam inquired about timing after approval. Commissioner Kennedy emphasized that the permit should allow up to five musicians, as the applicant indicated they intend only an acoustic singer but want flexibility.
- Commissioner Deliberation: All commissioners expressed support. Commissioner Kennedy noted the permit should remain at five members maximum. Commissioner Rodriguez and others highlighted the benefit of live music for business.
- Vote: Motion to approve CUP No. 23-015 with the staff-recommended modification. All present commissioners voted aye (Chair Pellman absent). Motion carried. The decision is appealable to the City Council within 10 calendar days.
General Plan Conformance No. 23-002 (302 3rd Street Vacation)
- Request: To determine if the vacation of an approximately 46-square-foot portion of public right-of-way (sidewalk) at the northeast corner of 3rd Street and Olive Avenue is in conformance with the General Plan.
- Staff Presentation: The vacation would allow the property owner to construct landscaping improvements in that area. Staff determined it would not impair public use, coastal access, circulation, or density. Public Works had no objections.
- Commissioner Questions: Commissioner Kennedy asked about the leftover concrete; staff said it will remain as landscape planter. Commissioner Adam asked about tax implications; staff confirmed the vacated area reverts to the property owner.
- Commissioner Deliberation: Commissioners noted the straightforward nature of the item. Commissioner Kennedy commented it was a "no-brainer." Commissioner Wood praised the design.
- Vote: Motion to approve General Plan Conformance No. 23-002. All present commissioners voted aye (Chair Pellman absent). Motion carried.
Key Outcomes
- Conditional Use Permit No. 23-015 was approved, allowing live entertainment (up to 5 musicians) at The Brant restaurant, subject to conditions including annual police department review of the entertainment permit.
- General Plan Conformance No. 23-002 was approved, recommending the vacation of 46 sq. ft. of right-of-way at 302 3rd Street to the City Council.
- Next Meeting: Staff noted that the regular meeting scheduled for August 8, 2023, will likely be canceled, but a meeting will be held on the second meeting date in August (August 22, 2023).
- Commissioner Comments: Commissioners congratulated Senior Planner Joanna Cortez on her interim role.
Meeting Transcript
The changing wind and the way water through short is the fall. And all the means you know. I'd like to call the planning commission meeting to order. Um welcome to the July 25th, 2023 Huntington Beach Planning Commission meeting. While the Planning Commission welcomes public involvement in 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 maybe 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. At this point, I would like to call on Commissioner Rodriguez. I was gonna say Oscar. Commissioner Ross lead us in the pledge. Please stand if you may. Begin. Thank you. All right, can we have the roll call? Yes, Commissioner Adam. Present. Commissioner Costa Galvan. Oh, here. Uh Vice Chair Twinman. Here. Chair Pellman. Commissioner Kennedy. Present. Commissioner Rodriguez. Here. Commissioner Wood. Here. We have a quorum. Thank you. Thank you. Now is the time for public comments for items that are not on the agenda this evening. Do we have any public comments? We have no one signed up to speak on any items that are not on the agenda. All right. That's great. Um next we have a public hearing item. It's a conditional use permit number 23-015, the Brandt Live Entertainment. Planning Commissioners, please state your disclosures regarding this item. We'll start with Commissioner Ian. Thank you. I have no disclosures. No disclosures. No disclosures. No disclosures. No disclosures. No disclosures. Staff may have staff may we have the presentation, please. Yes. Presentation for this item.
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