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CITY OF LA HABRA HEIGHTS
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE LA HABRA HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION
February 11, 2003
OPENING CEREMONIES:
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chairman Bruce Douglas called a meeting of the La Habra Heights Planning Commission to
order at 7:05 p.m. at the Community Center, 1245 N. Hacienda Road, La Habra Heights,
California.
2. ROLL CALL
Those present: Chairman Bruce Douglas, Vice-Chairman Skinner, Commissioners Brian
Bergman, and Stephen Blagden. Also present Director of Planning Sheryl Brady, Planning
Technician Barbara Doppieri, City Attorney Ken Rozell and General Plan Consultant Marc
Blodgett.
Commissioner Robert Wolfe was absent.
Chairman Douglas explained Vice-Chairman Skinner had an approved absence for February 6,
2003.
3. FLAG SALUTE
Nancy Acocks led the flag salute.
4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF POSTING OF AGENDA FOR MEETING OF
February 11, 2003
Mrs. Brady stated the agenda had been posted in accordance with state law.
PUBLIC HEARING
Mrs. Brady swore in those wishing to testify.
5. General Plan Amendment 2002-01 (City of La Habra Heights) Citywide
The Planning Commission started the review of the Implementation Report. Pages 1-49 were
reviewed and the following changes were made.
Introduction to the Implementation Program
Page 1 - should read Environmental Review Program.
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Page 2 - staff recommended including the Implementation Report in the General Plan.
Implementation Program
Page 3 - Brush Clearance and Fire Abatement Program should also be in Circulation.
Page 3 - Roadway Safety program should also be in Safety.
Adopt the ÒCity ParkÓ Program
Page 7 – Adopt the City Park Program should be expanded to include the Fire Department; this
program would be a supplement to the grants that are being pursued.
Brush Clearance and Fire Abatement Program
Page 9 – In the second bullet the first sentence should read; ÒThe City Fire Department will
require the Puente Hills Landfill Native Habitat Preservation Authority (PHLNHPA)....
Page 9 – in the 3rd paragraph should read ÒThe requirements outlined in Ordinance No. 95-202
or amended successor will serve as the foundation.....
Page 9 - Chairman Douglas stated the Brush Clearance and Fire Abatement Program should
reference the agreement with the City and PHLNHPA; database will be established.
Page 10 Timing of Implementation – should read ÒThe program will be ongoing over the life of
the General Plan. The basic regulations and ordinances required for implementation are in
place.
Building Code Review Program
Page 11 Commissioner Blagden asked to have added a requirement that the City incorporate all
Municipal Code revisions into the UBC.
Capital Improvement Program Page 13
Chairman Douglas felt this program also related to buildings and things.
Page 13 – Bullet 1 – staff to ensure proper asset protection.
Page 13 – Bullet 2 the Commission asked staff to look into new legislation.
Code Compliance
Page 15 – Program Purpose – first sentence should read ÒA significant cause of damage, injury,
and loss of life in a residential setting...Ó
Page 15 – Second Paragraph, line 9, Commissioner Blagden asked to have added after 9410.2).
ÒAnnual review of Conditional Use Permits to ensure compliance.
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Page 15 – Implementation Responsibility should read ÒPlanning Department and Building and
SafetyÓ
Community Safety Outreach Program
Page 17 – Second paragraph, staff to determine the updated address for the website.
Throughout document it makes reference to the City of La Habra. That needs to be changed to
the City of La Habra Heights.
Page 17 – Second and third bullet needs to be combined and an additional third bullet needs to
be added that talks about the database.
Comprehensive Development Review Program
Page 19, first bullet, 6 lines down after 45 dBA. The remainder of this paragraph should be
another bullet.
Page 19 – should include reference to the dark skys and all development must comply with the
General Plan.
Cultural/Historic Resource and Awareness Program
Page 21 - All references to Historical Society need to be changed to Historical Committee.
Dark Sky Ordinance Program
Page 23 – Program Purpose: Staff to fix the text.
Page 23 – Under Key elements, 3rd bullet should have reference to a street light analysis for
potential removal or screening.
Page 23 – Under Key elements, 4th bullet – change regulations to programs.
Emergency Preparedness Program
Page 25 – 3rd bullet should be removed.
Environmental Review Regulations
Page 27 – Title should read ÒEnvironmental Review ProgramÓ.
Page 27 – Program Purpose – should read ÒThe purpose of this program is to minimize adverse
environmental effects...Ó
Page 27 – Program Description – 2nd paragraph – the last sentence beginning The specific Plan
should be eliminated.
Page 27 – Related Programs – should read ÒCultural/Historic Resources Awareness Program
and Specific Plan Program.
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Hazardous Materials Safety Program
Page 29 – 3rd bullet should include Òincrease inspections of oil sites by the Fire Department.
Fire Department Needs Assessment Program
Page 31 – Funding Source should read General Fund and Fire Department funds.
Green City Program
Page 33 – 1st bullet should read Ònatural gas for fuel if practicalÓ.
Page 33 – 4th bullet – remove the last sentence.
Page 33 – add a 6th bullet that reads ÒReduce lighting and energy use on City Property.Ó
Law Enforcement Safety Program
Page 35 – 1st bullet should be eliminated.
Page 35 – Related Programs – should read ÒFire Department Needs Assessment ProgramÓ.
Page 35 – The Commission asked to have the letter from the General Plan Advisory Committee
sent to the Council when the final packet is sent.
Local Clean Air Program
No changes were made.
Noise Control Program
Page 39 – Program Purpose – should read Ò... implementation of the City of La Habra Heights
Noise Control Ordinance 95.Ó
Page 39 – Key Provisions – 2nd bullet – staff to check the code.
Page 39 – staff to check into enforcement of motor vehicle code and monitoring aircraft noise.
Specific Plan Program
Page 41 - Program Purpose – 4th sentence beginning This designation should be eliminated and
replaced with ÒIn La Habra Heights, specific plans are required when large parcels of land are
to be developed, or when the property contains environmentally sensitive resources. Parcels in
excess of ten acres in area are mandated or specific plan review and are identified in Exhibit 2-
1.
Page 42 – Program Implementation – should read ÒThe City will continue to implement its
Specific Plan ordinance.Ó. The implementation should read ÒSpecific Plan ImplementationÓ
not Noise Control Program Implementation.
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Trails Program/Trails Feasibility Study
Page 43 – Program Description – should read ÒThe City is eligible to obtain Article II (TDA)
funds that may be used for equestrian, pedestrian and bicycle paths.Ó
Page 43 – 1st bullet – should read ÒThe City will inventory the existing trails and easements and
right-of-ways for trails.Ó
Page 43 – 2nd bullet – should read ÒCity will evaluate the feasibility of establishing safe,
equestrian, pedestrian and bicycle linkages throughout La Habra Heights, specifically along
Hacienda Road....Ó
Page 43 – Program Implementation – should read ÒThis program is a new program that will
provide for the creation of a new task force that will evaluate the feasibility of developing new
trails.Ó
Page 43 – Funding Source – should read General Fund, TDA and Grants.
Page 43 – Related Programs – should include Environmental Management.
Public Transit Review Program
Page 45 – Program Purpose – should read Òthe City is predominantly residential and exhibits
relatively low densities of development. Nevertheless, the CityÕs General Plan acknowledges
the role transportation alternatives will have on clean air, noise reduction, and overall traffic
congestion.Ó
Page 45 – Program Description – should read ÒThe City currently operates a Dial-A-Ride
service and Airport Shuttle in conjunction with the City of Whittier....Ó
Page 45 – 2nd, 3rd, and 4th bullet should be removed.
Page 45 – Funding Source should include Prop A & C funds.
Resource Protection Program
Page 47 – Program Purpose – should read Ò...wildlife in the conservation areas administered by
the Landfill Authority or Puente Hills Landfill Native Habitat Preservation Authority.Ó...
Page 47 – 2nd bullet – staff to clean up the language of the first sentence.
Page 47 – add bullet – Oppose outside development that affects the wildlife corridor.
Risk Reduction and Mitigation Program
Page 49 – title of program – staff to rename program
Page 49 – Program Description – eliminate the first sentence, staff to beef up the rest of the
paragraph.
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Page 49 – 2nd bullet – should read ÒThe City will strongly request the water district...Ó
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC ON THE AGENDA
Elizabeth Karman, 1000 Encanada – stated noisy animals are controlled by animal control;
spoke regarding code enforcement.
John Beau, 2278 Casalero – recommended an ordinance regarding the care of animals; didnÕt
see a need for cultural historic; green city program; law enforcement; noise control; resource
protection.
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC NOT ON THE AGENDA
John Beau, 2278 Casalero – spoke regarding the intimidation of residents during the
campaign; asked the parties to keep it civilized.
ITEMS FROM STAFF
Mrs. Brady stated the next special meeting of the Planning Commission was February 24, 2003.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Blagden moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 p.m. to the special meeting of February 11, 2003. Seconded by Commissioner Bergman and approved as follows:
AYES: Douglas, Bergman, Blagden, and Skinner
NOES: None
ABSENT: Wolfe
ABSTAIN: None
Bruce Douglas, Chairperson
ATTEST:
Sheryl Brady, Director of Planning