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CITY OF LA HABRA HEIGHTS
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE LA HABRA HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION
January 23, 2003
OPENING CEREMONIES
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chairman Bruce Douglas called a meeting of the La Habra Heights Planning Commission to order at 7:06 p.m. at the Community Center, 1245 North Hacienda Road, La Habra Heights, California.
2. ROLL CALL
Those present: Chairman Bruce Douglas, Vice-Chairman Ginger Skinner, Commissioners
Brian Bergman, Stephen Blagden and Robert Wolfe. Also present Director of Planning Sheryl Brady, Planning Technician Barbara Doppieri, City Attorney Ken Rozell, Deputy City Engineer Patrick Lang and General Plan Consultant Marc Blodgett.
3. FLAG SALUTE
Commissioner Wolfe led the flag salute.
5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF POSTING OF AGENDA FOR MEETING OF
January 23, 2003
Ms. Brady stated the agenda had been posted in accordance with the state law.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Mrs. Brady swore in those wishing to testify.
6. General Plan Amendment 2002-01 (City of La Habra Heights) Citywide
The Commission then discussed Policies 34, 36, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, and 61.
Land Use Element
Policy 34 All Restrict the minimum lot size for recreational lots shall be facilities of any
kind to one acre in size.
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this condition as amended.
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Policy 35 Protect and preserve the three existing recreational resources within the City: the Hacienda Golf Club, the Las Palomas Riding Ring, and the City Park.
The Planning Commissioners did not raise any issues regarding policy 35.
Policy 36 New recreational facilities on undeveloped open space land shall be limited to
passive recreation.
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this policy as it was written.
Policy 37 All health and safety requirements noted in the Safety Element, the Noise
Element, and the Circulation Element of this General Plan and the ordinances
that Implement them shall be observed and implemented in recreational facilities
development.
The Planning Commissioners did not raise any issues regarding policy 37.
Policy 38 Preservation of the Puente Hills Landfill Native Habitat Preservation
AuthorityÕs conservation area and its plant and animal communities in their
natural state shall continue to be an important City objective.
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this policy as it was written.
Policy 39 The City shall support the designation of lands as open space for conservation,
(Open Space-Conservation) at such time as additional areas are acquired and
dedicated to that purpose.
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this policy as it was written.
Policy 40 Properties that adjoin the existing preserves shall be developed with
consideration for prevention of adverse impacts upon the preserved plant and
animal communities as shown on the Conservation Overlay. (Exhibit 2-2).
It was the consensus of the Commission to take this policy out.
Policy 41 The minimum lot size for an institutional use is five acres.
The Planning Commissioners did not raise any issues regarding policy 41.
Policy 42 For the safety of residents, institutional staff, and clients, all institutional uses
must be located in an overlay zone which is located beside parts of Harbor
Boulevard (refer to Exhibit 2-1).
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this policy as it was written.
Policy 43 Because of infrastructure constraints, only community-serving institutions will
be permitted in the City: regional or larger entitlesÕ operations are prohibited.
Because of infrastructure constraints, institutional uses in the City must be
limited in size and scope to the level supportable by the site, the roadways,
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which serve it, and by other available infrastructure. A conditional use or other
discretionary approval shall be required for any such use and proposed uses
larger than those existing in the City in 2002 may be approved only upon a
showing that they will not overtax available infrastructure or be incompatible
with adjacent and neighboring uses.
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this policy as it was amended.
Policy 44 All institutional structures developments must be visually compatible with their
neighborhood, approved after site plan review, and must meet, all applicable
performance standards and sometimes exceed, all the performance standards
required for residential structures in relation to floor area ratio, proportional
permeable land surfaces, screening, view preservation, on-site parking,
landscaping, cubic volume, and all other requirements appropriate to the
institutional use.
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this policy as it was amended.
Policy 45 Failure to meet any performance standard in development of All new, or in the
expansion of existing, institutional uses shall require a public-noticed hearing
for a variance or conditional use permit.
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this policy as it was amended.
Policy 46 Only on-site signs identifying institutional uses are permitted: such signs shall
be in accordance with the CityÕs sign ordinance.
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this policy as it was written.
Policy 47 All health and safety requirements noted in the Safety Element, the Noise
Element, and the Circulation Element of this General Plan, and the ordinances
that implement them, shall be observed and implemented in developing new, or
remodeling existing institutional structures.
The Planning Commissioners did not raise any issues regarding policy 47.
Policy 48 The City of La Habra Heights shall work with property owners and
communications companies in designing landscaping and locating
communications facilities, and shall regulate these facilities to the extent
provided by law.
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this policy as it was amended.
Policy 49 The La Habra Heights City Council, working with the La Habra Heights County
Water District, shall appoint a committee formed of knowledgeable citizens
charged with assessing the advantages and disadvantages of unification of the
two entities and report their findings to the City and to the Water District for
appropriate action.
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It was the consensus of the Commission to take this policy out, staff to merge
Policy 48 into Institutional Other and adjust introductory text so it includes both
sets..
Policy 50 Specific plans shall adhere strictly to or exceed the performance standards, view
preservation, and other development requirements set forth in this General Plan
and the ordinances that implement it.
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this policy as it was amended.
Policy 51 Any specific plan under consideration by the City shall be prepared, adopted and
amended in the same manner as the General Plan, with the requisite public
notices, hearings and procedures that are required for the adoption of the
General Plan.
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this policy as it was written.
Policy 52 Current City requirements for specific plan designation on large areas of
undeveloped land shall continue to be enforced. For this purpose, a Specific
Plan overlay zone shall be established which shall include, but not be limited to
parcels, now known to require Specific Plans.
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this policy as it was amended.
Policy 53 All institutional structures non residential structures and developments must be
visually compatible with their neighborhood, approved after site plan review,
and must meet, all applicable performance standards and sometimes exceed, all
the performance standards required for residential structures in relation to floor
area ratio, proportional permeable land surfaces, screening, view preservation,
on-site parking, landscaping and all other requirements appropriate to the
institutional use.
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this policy as it was amended.
Police 54 Artificial lighting illuminating sports courts, household perimeters, residences,
driveways, or other residential or institutional facilities must be extinguished by
10:00 P.M.
Policy 55 Allow an ordinance, when a nuisance is detected, to require the residents
committing the nuisance to extinguish exterior lighting after 10:00 p.m.
Policy 56 Review site plans for lot development to require automatic timer shut-off
switches for exterior lighting.
It was the consensus of the Commission to delete Policies 54, 55 and 56 and for
staff to write 2 new policies regarding light trespassing and dark skies.
Policy 57 No new structure shall be permitted that significantly obstructs an existing view
from a residence or a roadside. Similarly, landscape plans submitted as required
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in other provisions of the element shall be reviewed to prevent of significant
view obstruction to neighbors.
Significant primary views enjoyed by residents shall be protected from
obstruction by any new developmentÕs structures or landscape elements to the
fullest extent consistent with the property rights of the owner of the site on which
the new development is to be located.
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this policy as amended.
Policy 58 The City shall attempt to mitigate and establish a procedure at the applicants
expense to mediate between property owners of obtrusive landscaping and those
who claim a loss of views due to the growth of landscaping materials. If the
conflicts of landscaping materials and view preservation cannot be resolved by
the City and the parties at issue, resolution must may be remanded to the courts
of justice in the State of California, with the City of La Habra Heights taking no
further part in the dispute, other than provision of the specific ordinance
establishing the cause of action.
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this policy as it was amended.
Policy 59 The City of La Habra Heights should consider petitioning the Local Area
Formation Commission to approve the annexation of the excluded street, Pine
Edge Drive, and the properties abutting it and properties to the east as shown in
Exhibit 2-1, to the City of La Habra Heights.
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this policy as it was written.
Policy 60 Protect the ecology of wildlife habitat and natural conservation areas within
open space areas adjacent to La Habra Heights.
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this policy as it was written.
Policy 61 When large tracts are to be developed adjacent to La Habra Heights the City
should attempt to, require that the least intensive, lowest density development
occur in those areas adjacent to, and visible from, La Habra Heights so that the
CityÕs community and neighborhood character is preserved.
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this policy as it was amended.
Policy 62 The City shall file reports with the City Council, the State of California Office
of Planning and Research and any other appropriate governing bodies
identifying the status of our General Plan and its implementation as required by
law.
The Planning Commissioners did not raise any issues regarding policy 62.
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC ON THE AGENDA
Katie Martin, 557 Reposado – spoke regarding Policies 34, 42, 49, 58, 59, 60 and 61.
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Jill Kowalik, 2181 El Cajonita – spoke regarding Policies 38, 39 and 61.
John Beau, 2278 Casalero – spoke regarding Policies 36, 38, 48, 50, 60 and 61.
Norman Zezula, 2272 Canonita – spoke regarding view applying to those in the bottom of the
valleys too.
Commissioner Blagden asked the Commission to discuss Policy 34 again.
The consensus of the Commission was that staff would research Policy 34 and bring it back to the Commission.
4. ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC NOT ON THE AGENDA
Rick Martin, 557 Reposado – felt the Commission was not giving the public the opportunity to speak; stated Appendix A was poorly written; this is invasive on remodels.
Katie Martin, 557 Reposado – felt the Commission was in violation of the Brown Act by using a matrix; felt Chairman Douglas had violated the Brown Act; felt he should step down.
John Beau, 2278 Casalero – asked why this document has to be done by March 15, 2003.
ITEMS FROM STAFF
Mrs. Brady explained to the Commission that she had provided them another schedule and change dates.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Blagden moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:10 p.m. to the regular meeting of January
28, 2003. Seconded by Vice-Chairman Skinner and approved as follows:
AYES: Douglas, Bergman, Blagden, Skinner, Wolfe
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Bruce Douglas, Chairperson
ATTEST:
Sheryl Brady, Director of Planning