Liz Cortez

The meeting included the selection of a Vice Chair, which resulted in Commissioner Ramirez being nominated and approved. A public hearing was held for Conditional Use Permit No. CUP-164-2019, related to approving the operation of a contractor storage yard by Erickson-Hall Construction at 12600 Westminster Avenue, Units D and E, which was approved under Resolution No. 5961-19, determined to be categorically exempt from CEQA. Another public hearing addressed Site Plan No. SP-073-2019 for the demolition of existing structures and construction of four new two-story apartment units at 12931 Louise Street. Resolution No. 5963-19 was approved for this site plan, with an amendment to vary the architecture with a complementary color scheme, while one commissioner abstained from the vote. A third public hearing involved Amendment No. A-025-2019, a citywide request to amend the Municipal Code regarding definitions for the Flood Hazard Overlay Zone, which was approved under Resolution No. 5964-19. The Commission was informed that the September 19th meeting would be cancelled, with the next meeting scheduled for October 3rd.

The meeting included public hearings for two Conditional Use Permits (CUPs). The first hearing concerned CUP-157-2019 for Quan Gio Bar & Grill at 14241 Euclid Street, seeking approval for alcoholic beverage sales and live entertainment (karaoke and a solo instrumentalist); this resolution was approved. The second hearing involved CUP-162-2019 for a new 60-foot tall wireless telecommunication facility disguised as a palm tree at 13141 Harbor Boulevard for Verizon Wireless; this resolution was approved with amendments requiring relocation of a trash enclosure, removal of dead landscaping, and adjustment of the proposed palm tree height. Commissioners also discussed utilizing the Code Enforcement mobile application for service requests.

The Planning Commission conducted a regular meeting involving two primary public hearings. The first hearing concerned an amendment to the Harbor Corridor Specific Plan-District Commercial zone to increase the allowable percentage of Professional office (including medical) uses to a maximum of 25% of total building square footage in retail shopping developments. The commission recommended approval of this amendment with specific resolutions clarified regarding parking management and application scope. The second public hearing addressed a Zone Change Amendment to rezone a property from C-1 to C-2 to allow an existing restaurant to operate with extended hours and live entertainment, specifically karaoke. After significant discussion regarding noise and operational hours, the commission recommended approval with amendments limiting karaoke to Fridays and Saturdays, and setting specific closing times for weekdays and weekends. Commissioners also discussed local safety issues, including a poorly visible stop sign and parking concerns related to sports complexes and a nearby wedding chapel.

The Planning Commission meeting addressed two major public hearings concerning citywide zoning text amendments. The first involved repealing portions of Title 9 related to accessory dwelling units and establishing regulations for Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units consistent with State Law, which was approved via Resolution No. 5995-20. The second public hearing involved zoning text amendments to Title 9 pertaining to density bonuses and incentives for affordable housing to conform to the latest State Density Bonus Law amendments, approved via Resolution No. 5996-20. During Commissioners' matters, a request was made to add a discussion on 'design guidelines' for Main Street to the next agenda, and there was a brief discussion regarding outdoor dining 'parklets' and potential grant funding.

The meeting included the approval of the July 21, 2016 minutes. The primary discussion involved a Public Hearing for Site Plan No. SP-027-2016 and Variance No. V-013-2016 concerning the relocation and conversion of existing billboards to an electronic billboard near the Garden Grove Freeway, along with a variance request near residentially zoned property. Resolution No. 5867-16 was approved for this project. Commissioners also discussed observations regarding graffiti and trash at the Brookhurst Triangle property, provided an update on the sale and relocation efforts for Cottage properties, discussed the jurisdiction over temporary school buildings, and addressed concerns about fenced school fields. Further discussion included the relocation of homeless individuals from a flood channel, the use of a fenced parking lot on Main Street, and parking enforcement issues on Trask Avenue. Staff also addressed procedural questions regarding Commissioner notification for community meetings and the possibility of a joint meeting with the Main Street Commission regarding the Bicycle Master Plan study.