CITY OF LA HABRA HEIGHTS
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE LA HABRA HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION
March 21, 2006
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chairman Black called a Special Meeting of the La Habra Heights Planning Commission to order at 7:12 p.m. at the Community Center, 1245 North Hacienda Road, La Habra Heights, California.
2. ROLL CALL
Those present: Chairman Larry Black, Vice Chairman Layne Baroldi, Commissioners Brent Grebbien, Margarita McCoy and Stephen Garcia. Also present Community Development Director Justin Powers, Planning Technician Barbara Doppieri, Assistant City Attorney Kathy Paspalis, Mayor Douglas and Consultant Blodgett.
3. FLAG SALUTE
Vice Chairman Baroldi led the flag salute.
4. ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC ON THE AGENDA
Stephen Blagden, Citron Road, noted minimums should be carried over to the new code, such as setbacks; burden of proof is on applicant; should have a maximum area of disturbed earth; allowable amounts should only be 2% over approved amounts on Standards approval and 0% on Planning Commission approval; all remodels and new construction should come to the Planning Commission for approval for six months after new personnel concerned with planning and approvals have come in, at the same cost as an Administrative approval; external lighting; some outside lighting should be prohibited; balanced grading; all plans related to site development and alteration should be retained permanently.
5. ZONING CODE AMENDMENT 2005-01 – ARTICLE 7 – ZONING ORDINANCE
Chairman Black stated that they would consider Article 12: Definitions. He opened the meeting to comments from each Commissioner.
Stephen Garcia asked on Page 12.7 under Fuel Modification Zone that they say this applies to a lot or parcel. Mr. Garcia asked that they add a definition for ÒSheet FlowÓ and add an Environmentally Significant Area definition. Mr. Garcia noted that he has a list of definitions concerning the engineering side of development of water flow that he will pass on to the Community Development Director.
0:42:20
Commissioner McCoy asked that acronyms should be explained when used.
Chairman Black asked that everyone be brief.
Vice Chairman Baroldi spoke on Hardscape on Page 12-8; asked that they note that pools are Hardscape; that on Page 12-12, Runoff lists only rain, and other things should be mentioned that are not absorbed; Page 12-13, Slope Density does not cover many of the things that cause discussion on this subject; that more of the problems should be mentioned.
Commissioner Grebbien asked that in calculating the Average Slope, you should first calculate the average slope of the whole parcel and if we need to use a different average slope for development, we should define that.
Vice Chairman Baroldi concurred that they should have both an Average Slope definition for the whole parcel and a definition for the development.
Chairman Black noted that Public Comment is still open.
Stephen Blagden, Citron Road, noted that Accessory Building or Structure should include all garages, detached or attached; on Bedroom, note that it Òmay be for sleepingÓ; should be a definition for Cumulative effect; Development Application should note that the applicant should be able to show they have a right to develop the land they are proposing; detached Living Quarters should define ÒTemporary Guest;Ó Hardscape should include decks, retaining walls and pools; Net Area should exclude restricted areas and easements, and include the area that the owner has exclusive use of; Natural Grade; Primary View has been made less protective; the decision should go to the Planning Commission; Privacy should include sounds and odors; Ridgeline Control usually covers both vertical and horizontal components; Storm Water Drainage Channel should not contain the phrase Òsuch that erosion or significant material transport can occur.Ó View Corridor should include distant view.
1:00:28
Chairman Black started their discussion of Article 7, Zoning Ordinance.
Community Development Director Powers noted that Consultant Blodgett was working with a different version of Word.
Chairman Black asked that they limit their comments to interpretive issues.
Vice Chairman Baroldi noted that Page 7-13 under R A Zone, should include small animals.
Vice Chairman Baroldi and Commissioner Grebbien noted that Chapter 6 has a lot of redundant language that needs to be simplified.
The Commission discussed Lighting Standards.
The Commission asked that ÒobjectionableÓ should be added to Òlight trespassÓ. Not every outside light has to be connected to a motion detector.
Commissioner Garcia asked that 7.6.50 B should have added in the first sentence, Òto prevent skyward lightingÓ.
Consultant Blodgett noted that they will define ÒskyglowÓ.
Vice Chairman Baroldi noted that on Sign Standards they had decided that a Garage Sale should be allowed two signs rather than just one.
Commissioner Garcia asked that the height of address numbers according to the Fire Marshal be added.
Vice Chairman Baroldi noted that Table 7-5 Space Requirements and Limits on Large and Small Animals, states that 15,000 square feet is needed for large animals and this is not correct.
Mayor Douglas noted that 15,000 square feet is the minimum required for a large animal and 50,000 would be needed for 10 animals.
1:39:15
CHAPTER 7.11 SETBACK AND YARD USE STANDARDS
The Commission discussed Table 7-6: Setback Requirements for Structures, Driveways and Parking Areas. The Commission also discussed Exhibit 7-5, Minimum Required First Floor Setbacks, noting the text boxes did not show the difference between the footprint for one-story and the second story.
Vice Chairman Baroldi asked that they change the multiplier for the setback to 0.125.
Assistant City Attorney Paspalis commented that they could present this to the Council as ÒundecidedÓ for review in six months.
After discussion the consensus of the Commission was to change the multiplier to 0.125.
CHAPTER 7.12 LANDSCAPING STANDARDS
Vice Chairman Baroldi noted that the introduction to 7.12.30: Performance Standards for Landscaping, notes that this is for ÒAll new development and remodelingÓ. Mr. Baroldi noted that it should say ÒAll new development and qualifying remodelingÓ as not all of the rules would apply to remodeling.
Commissioner Garcia agreed. Regarding Item G. Invasive Plants Prohibited, it should be inserted where a list will be found, such as the California Native Plant Society.
Vice Chairman Baroldi noted that 7.12.40 A: Landscaping and Irrigation Plan Required, should be more explicit when items required are triggered. He noted that on Item J: Landscaping for Erosion Control, states that landscaping must be done immediately after grading. This may not be practical. There are other ways to control erosion.
The Commission and Staff discussed this item.
Mayor Douglas noted that something, even temporary, needs to be done.
The consensus of the Commission was that there be information on temporary landscaping for erosion control which needs to be done before winter.
2.14.49
CHAPTER 7.13 PARKING AND ACCESS STANDARDS
Chairman Black asked that on 7.13.40 A-6 the words Òaccess pointÓ be added.
Vice Chairman Baroldi asked if 7.13.40 H: Special Parking Permit, if this pertained to just new development or any parking on the street?
Consultant Blodgett noted that this would apply to everyone.
The Commission and Staff discussed 7.13.40 E: Parking of Large Vehicles, concerning screening.
Vice Chairman Baroldi noted that in 7.14.30 F: Environmental Protection, the statement Òshall not result in loss of significant treesÓ is too strong.
Consultant Blodgett commented that it could be changed to Òdevelopment shall minimize the loss of significant treesÓ.
The Commission discussed 7.14.40 C.
Commissioner Garcia noted that on 7.14.40 D: Grading Requirements, it should be added that areas that are not to be graded should be staked.
It was noted that a decision is needed on Exhibit 7-11: Slope Density Subdivision Standard.
The consensus of the Commission was to accept the three-segment line.
Consultant Blodgett noted that they will incorporate a table into this.
Commissioner Garcia noted that he felt more information should be added to 7.14.40 F.
After discussion Vice Chairman Baroldi suggested that they go through Chapter 7.17 and then come back to this with a decision on whether more information is needed.
Chairman Black suggested that once they have completed going through 7.17 they can go back to 7.14 to see if it meets the requirements. Mr. Black noted that they will break for tape change.
3:06:00
Chairman Black noted that they were back from intermission and Commissioner McCoy had to leave.
CHAPTER 7.17 GRADING, RETAINING WALLS, AND HARDSCAPE STANDARDS
Vice Chairman Baroldi noted that 7.17.30 G: Landscaping states that immediate re-vegetation after grading should happen and it should be made to agree with what we already talked about. He noted that Exhibit 7-13 we discussed that we make the line for lots under one acre lower than the allowance of graded area that would be allowed for a one acre lot and we were to get some recommendations from Staff for what would be allowed for different sizes and types of lots and some consideration of slopes.
Mayor Douglas noted that they never found anything that particularly worked as far as varying slope dependency.
Vice Chairman Baroldi discussed the seeming burden that exists on what a flat acre lot is able to do. There should be some sort of slope formula included to accommodate the discrepancy between flat and sloping lots.
The Commission and Staff discussed the upcoming Article 9 on Subdivisions.
Assistant Attorney Paspalis noted that there will be very little that can be changed due to the legalities of the Article.
Ms. Paspalis commented that 7.17.50 1, might be clearer if you say ÒThe full development plan that requires the grading ÉÉ.Ó
Vice Chairman Baroldi asked that the language in 7.18.30 E: Siting of Accessory Structures, agree with what we used elsewhere.
The Commission discussed 7.18.40 A: Limits on Individual and Cumulative Footprint of Covered Structures.
Mayor Douglas explained that an open deck is not considered a structure, but when the deck is covered, it is considered a structure. The footprint of something that is not covered does not count.
Vice Chairman Baroldi noted that in his opinion, 7.18.40 B: Expansion of Nonconforming Structures, needs a little more nexus information.
CHAPTER 7.19 ZONING ADMINISTRATION
There were no comments on this Chapter 7.19.
Vice Chairman Baroldi continued the Public Hearing and moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:00 p.m. to the regular Planning Commission Meeting on April 25, 2006.
ADJOURNMENT
__________________________
Larry Black, Chairman
ATTEST:
_______________________________________
Justin Powers, Community Development Director