CITY OF LA HABRA HEIGHTS

 

MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE LA HABRA HEIGHTS

 

PLANNING COMMISSION

 

June 16, 2004

 

OPENING CEREMONIES

 

1.              CALL MEETING TO ORDER

 

            Chairman Wolfe called a meeting of the La Habra Heights Planning Commission to order at 7:33 p.m. at the Community Center, 1245 North Hacienda Road, La Habra Heights, California.

 

2.              ROLL CALL

 

            Those present: Chairman Robert Wolfe, Vice-Chairman Brian Bergman, Commissioners Larry Black, Robert Karman, Margarita McCoy and Alternate Commissioner Steve Garcia. Also present Community Development Director Matthew Alexander, Planning Technician Barbara Doppieri and City Attorney Sandra Levin.

           

3.         FLAG SALUTE

 

Vice-Chairman Bergman led the flag salute.

 

4.              ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF POSTING OF AGENDA FOR MEETING OF

June 16, 2004

 

            Mr. Alexander stated the agenda had been posted.

 

5.              ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC NOT ON THE AGENDA 3-minute time limit per speaker

 

Norm Zezula, Canonita – spoke regarding the General Plan and the Zoning Code.

 

STUDY SESSION

 

Chairman Wolfe asked the consensus of the Commission to conclude this meeting about 9:00 p.m. The Commission agreed.

 

Story Poles

 

It was the consensus of the Commission to revise the language of the Story Pole procedures.

 

Ms. Levin volunteered to rewrite the policy including language regarding silhouette, licensed professional and removal of story poles and signs.

 

It was the consensus that this item will be brought back to the Planning Commission at their July meeting.

 

Checklist for Commissioners

 

The Commission then discussed a checklist for the Commissioners.

Grading

 

The Commission then discussed grading.

 

Ms. Doppieri explained that a Conditional Use Permit is required at the point someone imports/exports more than 1,000 cubic yards of dirt; a Grading Modification is required is the grading is altering the natural terrain; Grading Modifications are not approved at staff level.

 

Vice-Chairman Bergman stated he wanted to free up the Commission, if a project is not altering the natural terrain he asked why it should be brought to the Planning Commission; he didn’t know what that threshhold was.

 

Ms. Levin stated the code does give some discretion to staff on whether administratively approve a project or bring it forth to the Commission.

 

Chairman Wolfe asked the Commission to come up with a definition of “altering the natural terrain”.

 

Ms. Levin suggested using those cases where the grading is visible from the public right of way.

 

Wish List

 

Commissioner McCoy asked the Commission to prepare their wish lists of items the Municipal Code Revision Committee should be looking at for upgrading.

 

Public Noticing

 

The Commission discussed the required public noticing and the use of the City’s Web Site.

 

View Preservation

 

            The Commission discussed View Preservation.

           

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

 

                                                                                   

Robert Wolfe, Chairman

 

 

ATTEST:

 

                                                                                   

Matthew Alexander, Community Development Director