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CITY OF LA HABRA HEIGHTS
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE LA HABRA HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION
February 6, 2003
OPENING CEREMONIES:
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chairman Bruce Douglas called a meeting of the La Habra Heights Planning Commission to
order at 7:02 p.m. at the Community Center, 1245 N. Hacienda Road, La Habra Heights,
California.
2. ROLL CALL
Those present: Chairman Bruce Douglas, Commissioners Brian Bergman, Stephen Blagden
and Robert Wolfe. Also present Director of Planning Sheryl Brady, Planning Technician
Barbara Doppieri, City Attorney Ken Rozell and General Plan Consultant Marc Blodgett.
Vice-Chairman Skinner had an excused absence.
3. FLAG SALUTE
Margarita McCoy led the flag salute.
4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF POSTING OF AGENDA FOR MEETING OF
February 6, 2003
PUBLIC HEARING
Mrs. Brady swore in those wishing to testify.
5. General Plan Amendment 2002-01 (City of La Habra Heights) Citywide
Land Use Policy 16
Establish a gradual topographic transition between structures in all development. The
appearance of overlay large or stepped pads shall be prohibited. Contour grading with varying
radii in vertical and horizontal planes shall be required.
Establish a gradual topographic transition between structures in all development. Stepped
pads, that is pads that step a structure up or down a slope, melding it to the terrain, such as for
a multi-level home, are encouraged. The appearance of overly large, or bench type, pads shall
be prohibited. Step pads, that is multi-lot mass grading that creates stair-step pads shall be
prohibited. Minimal grading is encouraged. Additional grading will require a public hearing
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and may require landform or contour grading with varying radii in vertical and horizontal
planes.
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this policy as it was amended.
Land Use Element Text
The Planning Commission made the following changes to the Land Use Element Text.
Page 2-1 (right column) Issue – New Residential Development 1st paragraph, last sentence
should read Òand replacement of existing housing stockÓ...
2nd paragraph, 7th line should read Ò economically
feasible. The issue of inappropriately scaled structuresÓ...
Page 2-2 (right column) Issue – New Residential Development on Non-Conforming Lots,
the title should read ÒIssue – New Residential Development and replacement of existing
housing stock on Non-conforming LotsÓ
Page 2-3 (right column) Issue – Grading and Landform, 1st paragraph should read ÒAs
buildable land becomes scarce within La Habra Heights, steep terrain on remaining lots creates
a temptation to use excessive grading techniques including retaining walls in order to
provideÓ...
Page 2-5 (left column) in the box, 3rd line should read Ò Òspecific planÓ for any
development consisting of 10 or more acres.Ó...
(right column) Issue – Open Space for Resource Production, 11th line should
read Òsuch land may not be suitableÓ.
2nd paragraph last line should read Òthe Las Palomas Riding
ring.Ó...
Page 2-6 (right column) Issue – Open Space for Conservation, 2nd paragraph, 5th line
should read Òconsiderations. Recreational uses may not be permittedÓ...
Page 2-7 (right column) Issue – Public Facilities, 1st paragraph, last sentence, it was
decided to eliminate this sentence.
Page 2-8 (left column) 1st paragraph 3rd line should read Òcategory, State and Federal
authority has limited local control. Some communications devices areÓ...
1st paragraph after Policy 48 was eliminated.
Page 2-9 (right column) last paragraph, 4th line should read Òthe boundaries of the City.
Subsequent to incorporation, this segment of excluded residences has enjoyed the fire and
police services of the City, although it is not now a part of the incorporated area. To create a
more uniform boundary, it is recommended the City considerÓ...
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Page 2-10 (left column) 1st paragraph after Policy 59, 8th line should read Òstorms; these
areas may be subject to measures to improve drainage. For further detail, please refer to the
Safety Element and the Safety Plan (Exhibit 5-1).Ó...
Issue – The Region, 1st paragraph, 6th line should read Òthe
preservation of those areas. The mitigation of the impact of their development on the natural
environment and the ecology of the region and the lifestyles and values of the residents of La
Habra Heights is a concern of this General Plan.Ó...
Page 2-11 Table 2-1, staff to check the numbers.
Page 2-12 (left column) 1st paragraph, should end with the 5th line, which should read
Òsingle-family detached units.Ó The entire section regarding second units will be rewritten by
staff and placed in the right column above Institutional Land Use Designation.
Page 2-13 (left column) Public Facilities, 9th line should read, Òare those municipal
facilities in serviceÓ...
Open Space, 2nd paragraph, 2nd line should read Òincludes the golf
course at the Hacienda Golf Club, the City Park, and Las Palomas Riding Ring.
Paragraph 3, staff to get the correct number of acres owned by
the Puente Hills Native Habitat Preservation Authority.
(right column) last paragraph, 3rd line should read Òthe CityÕs zoning map. The
Land Use Plan provided in Exhibit 2-1 depicts the categories of land use described
previously.Ó... The rest of the paragraph should be eliminated.
Land Use Element
Commissioner Blagden submitted the following policies.
Policy A: Limit impervious coverage to preserve the rural character of the community
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this policy as it was written
and place it in Grading and Landform after Policy 25.
Policy B: No more than one story, that is 16 feet, may rise above the ridgeline. Where
conditions do not allow for a house to step down the hillside, a variance may be
applied for.
It was the consensus of the Commission not to accept this policy.
Policy C: Establish a procedure and self-supporting fee for annual review of non-
residential Conditional Use Permits to monitor and enforce compliance.
It was the consensus of the Commission not to accept this policy.
Policy D: New residential lots shall be at least one net acre (43,560 square feet)in size.
Steeper sites require larger lots.
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It was the consensus of the Commission not to accept this policy.
Policy E: A landscaped setback shall be required for driveways and parking areas.
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this policy as amended and
place it right after Policy 9.
Policy F: No more than 2 lots may be graded together. That is, while a multiple lot
subdivision may be graded at once, the grading from one lot can only extend
into one other. A common street or road is an exception.
It was the consensus of the Commission not to accept this policy.
Policy G: Open Space Resource lands under common ownership, though possibly
discontiguous, shall be developed under a Specific Plan to ensure proper
remediation of the sites, and to avoid a situation of lands being sold off, only to
leave a small, abandoned, contaminated site.
It was the consensus of the Commission not to accept this policy.
Policy H: The City will establish a sign ordinance. For non residential uses only one on-
site sign, identifying the use, will be permitted. No banner signs will be
permitted. The sign shall be non-internally illuminated, constructed of natural
materials, be of a Òmonument typeÓ and otherwise shall be accordance with any
City sign ordinance.
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept this policy as it was amended
and place it in City Wide Issues.
Policy I: Review existing street lights for removal, replacement with lower lumen bulbs,
replacement with low-level lighting such as bollard type or guardrail integral, or
replacement with cut-off shields or fixtures.
Policy J: No new street lights to be installed unless supported by a complete traffic,
engineering, and safety study.
Policy K: Review existing traffic signals for removal of unnecessary heads and reduction
of associated street lighting.
Policy L: Prohibit lighted street name signs and remove existing ones at East and West
Roads.
Policy M: A controversy has arisen with respect to the growing number of tennis and
sports courts in the city. It has been argued that these uses with their high fences,
expanses of concrete, and bright lights are not compatible with the rural lifestyle
of La Habra Heights. The lights are an especially sensitive issue in this
community where street lights are not allowed yet courts larger than typical
urban lots have been illuminated with high intensity lamps.
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It was the consensus of the Commission to place Policies I-M in the Implementation.
Policy N: The City shall contact Los Angeles County and surrounding communities to be
added to noticing lists, to receive early notification, to receive draft EIRs, and to
otherwise be allowed early participation in any projects adjacent to or near our
City borders. Such documents received shall be posted on the City website
and/or otherwise be visible to and available to the public.
It was the consensus of the Commission not to accept this policy.
Policy O: Due to the built out nature of the City and infrastructure constraints, heliports,
helistops, libraries, museums, regional sports facilities, monasteries, convents,
and seminaries are not appropriate uses and will not be allowed.
It was the consensus of the Commission not to accept this policy.
Policy P: As home sizes increase the architecture of the structure becomes more apparent.
It is important for these structures to blend with the setting and not be a
detriment to the neighborhood. Ordinances and guidelines need to be established
so that box-like structures, large flat walls, and large unbroken roof areas are not
allowed.
It was the consensus of the Commission not to accept this policy.
Policy Q: Enact an Ordinance establishing requirements for grading to create driveways to
minimize retaining walls, size and extent of cuts and/or fills, and to landscape
and screen such grading and walls as needed.
It was the consensus of the Commission not to accept this policy.
Policy R: Grading for the creation of large flat yard areas is prohibited. Maybe for
implementation
It was the consensus of the Commission not to accept this policy.
Policy S: Prior to the creation of new land subdivisions or lot splits, non-conforming
structures shall be brought into compliance.
It was the consensus of the Commission not to accept this policy.
Policy T: Required setbacks are minimums and may be increased to mitigate impact of
development on neighboring properties view, privacy, etc.
It was the consensus of the Commission not to accept this policy.
Policy U: Prior to administrative approval of new construction or substantial remodels, the
planning director shall confer with and get agreement from the chair or acting
chair of the planning commission.
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It was the consensus of the Commission not to accept this policy.
Policy V: The area disturbed during a grading project shall not exceed the allowable
graded area by more than ten percent.
It was the consensus of the Commission not to accept this policy.
Policy W: Mass grading is prohibited.
It was the consensus of the Commission not to accept this policy.
Policy X: New structures shall not loom over or impact the privacy of neighboring
properties.
It was the consensus of the Commission not to accept this policy.
Policy Y: An ordinance shall be enacted to require planning commission approval of
grading over 1000 yards, whether balanced or not.
It was the consensus of the Commission not to accept this policy.
Policy Z: The fiscal impacts of new construction shall be determined and impact fees shall
be assessed to equitably support fire service, parks & recreation, and other
services.
It was the consensus of the Commission not to accept this policy.
Policy AA: Encourage below grade rooms to reduce effective bulk.
It was the consensus of the Commission not to accept this policy.
Policy AB: Start perimeter landscaping as soon as practical after building permit is issued.
It was the consensus of the Commission not to accept this policy.
Policy AC: Establish a landscaping ordinance to preserve the highly vegetated appearance
of the City, to screen new development from streets and adjoining properties, to
protect existing trees,
It was the consensus of the Commission not to accept this policy.
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC ON THE AGENDA
Katie Martin, 557 Reposado – spoke regarding Page 2-1, 2-2. 2-5. 2-6. 2-8, and 2-9.
Chairman Douglas asked staff to look into combining New Residential and Significant Remodel.
John Beau, 2778 Casalero – spoke regarding Page 2-6, Table 2-11 and Page 2-13.
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Norman Zezula, 2272 Canonita – spoke regarding La HabraÕs General Plan and the reference
it makes to our hills; talked about scenic views.
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC NOT ON THE AGENDA
Bob Karmen, 1000 Encanada – praised the Commission for their efforts.
ITEMS FROM STAFF
Mrs. Brady explained she was giving the Commission the Draft Implementation Report. Felt Marc Blodgett should be present when it is discussed.
Mr. Blodgett explained he had a conflict for Monday and could not attend.
It was the consensus of the Commission to cancel the meeting of Monday February 10, 2003 and continue this meeting to Tuesday, February 11, 2003.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Blagden moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:00 p.m. to the special meeting of
February 11, 2003. Seconded by Commissioner Wolfe and approved as follows:
AYES: Douglas, Bergman, Blagden and Wolfe
NOES: None
ABSENT: Skinner
ABSTAIN: None
Bruce Douglas, Chairperson
ATTEST:
Sheryl Brady, Director of Planning