CITY OF LA HABRA HEIGHTS

 

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE

 

LA HABRA HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION

 

SEPTEMBER 26, 2006

 

 

OPENING CEREMONIES

 

1.              CALL MEETING TO ORDER

 

Chairman Black called the Regular Meeting of the La Habra Heights Planning Commission to order at 7:36 P.M. at the Community Center, 1245 North Hacienda Road, La Habra Heights, California.

 

2.              ROLL CALL

 

Commissioner: Larry Black (Chairman), Layne Baroldi (Vice Chairman), Brent Grebbien, Margarita McCoy and Steven Garcia.

 

Also present: Kathy Paspalis (Assistant City Attorney), Justin Powers (Community Development Director) (CDD)

 

3.              FLAG SALUTE

 

Chairman Black led the flag salute.

 

4.              PUBLIC COMMENT NOT ON THE AGENDA

 

Stephen Blagden, suggested the Commission Agendize “Policy for Reviewing Current Projects”. He stated that a house that is almost 13,000 square feet in size should definitely come before the Commission; we need a policy for the threshold of items that would bring a project before the Commission; he suggested 5,000 square feet and larger in size; and check all other standards.

 

Kathy Paspalis, Assistant City Attorney, explained that they can recommend such a policy to the City Council.

 

CDD Powers stated that he would like some guidance but this could increase the workload of the Commission considerably.

 

Commissioner McCoy asked that this be placed on the Agenda for discussion.

 

CONSENT CALENDAR

 

5.              APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR AUGUST 22, 2006

 

Vice Chair Baroldi moved to approve the Planning Commission Minutes for August 22, 2006 as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner McCoy and approved as follows:

 

AYES: Baroldi, Black, Garcia, Grebbien and McCoy

NOES: None

ABSENT: None

PUBLIC HEARING

 

6.              STANDARDS MODIFICATION 2006-19 (Danzinger/Leighton) 1730 West Road

 

CDD Powers reported that the applicant, Dee Danzinger & John Leighton, are requesting Standards Modification 2006-19 for a setback encroachment for a garage to encroach a maximum of 17.32 feet within the 25-foot side yard setback area and the garage is planned to exceed 500 square feet and will need view preservation for construction. Mr. Powers presented a Power Point presentation of the project. this would reduce the encroachment to 13 feet and would be a standard size garage. Staff recommends reducing the garage from 25 feet wide to 20 feet wide. He stated the neighbor most impacted liked staff’s recommendations and would like to see more landscaping. CDD Powers noted that the neighbor’s pool was approximately 40 feet from the property line. The neighbor thinks the oleanders are on his property.

 

Commissioner McCoy asked if the oleanders screening the garage area might have a blight.

 

Chairman Black returned the meeting to the Commission for discussion and opened the meeting to public comment.

 

John Leighton, applicant, stated that the oleanders are healthy and not likely to die. He stated that this is an older neighborhood and a garage is badly needed and it is a small lot; no other space on the lot that a garage could be placed. Mr. Leighton noted that he paid to have the lot surveyed and the oleanders are on his property, not on the neighbor’s.

 

Chris Laurich, two doors from Mr. Leighton, stated that she can see his story poles from her house, and she would like to see the project move forward. There is no problem with the oleanders in this neighborhood.

 

The Commission discussed the project and any concerns they might have.

 

Commissioner Garcia moved to approve Standards Modification 2006-19, 1730 West Road as proposed by the applicant. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Baroldi.

 

The Commission discussed the motion.

 

The motion was approved as follows:

 

AYES: Baroldi, Black, Garcia and Grebbien

NOES: McCoy

ABSENT: None

 

ITEMS FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION

 

ITEMS FROM STAFF

 

7.              REPORT ON PLANNING/BUILDING CASELOAD

 

CDD Powers stated that there will be three or four items on the next Agenda and alternatives and options will not be able to be addressed at length and get through them.

 

Commissioner McCoy and Vice Chairman Baroldi will not be able to be here on October 24, 2006. The Commission rescheduled the regular meeting a Special Planning Commission Meeting for October 26, 2006.

 

Chairman Black encouraged residents to volunteer.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

            Chairman Black adjourned the Planning Commission Meeting at 8:53 P.M. to the next meeting on Thursday, October 26, 2006 at 7:30 P.M.

 

                                                                                   

            Larry Black, Chairman

 

            ATTEST:

 

            _____________________________________________________

            JUSTIN POWERS, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR