2006-08-24 PC MinutesMINUTES OF THE MEETING
OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA
AUGUST 24, 2006
Chairman Kretzmer called the meeting of the El Segundo Planning CALL TO ORDER
Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of the City of
El Segundo City Hall, 350 Main Street, El Segundo, California.
Chairman Kretzmer led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
PRESENT: FRICK, KRETZMER, ROTOLO, WAGNER
ABSENT: FELLHAUER
None.
None.
None.
Chairman Kretzmer presented Agenda Item No. H-1, Environmental
Assessment No. EA-712, Conditional Use Permit No. 06-05, and Smoky
Hollow Site Plan Review No. 06-02. Applicant: Zukie Enterprise. Address:
200 Nevada Street. Property Owner: David Beroukhim/Charles Keywanfar.
Interim Senior Planner Woolard presented staff report; and noted that
the page distributed to the Planning Commission this evening is related
to Condition No. 12 and adds an additional sentence for clarification.
Interim Senior Planner Woolard noted for Commissioner Wagner that
the car washing activities on site are only for their clients, that it is not a
commercial car wash.
Chairman Kretzmer opened the public hearing.
Michael Bates, representing the applicant
Mr. Bates advised that this property is currently in the process of being
sold to the applicant; and both the applicant and the current owners, are
in agreement with the conditions of approval. He did, however, request
rewording Condition No. 11, which limits the number of vehicles that can
PLEDGE TO FLAG
ROLL CALL
PUBLIC
COMMUNICATIONS
CONSENT
CALENDAR
WRITTEN
COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC
HEARINGS,
NEW BUSINESS,
EA NO. 712, CUP
NO. 06-05,
AND SMOKY
HOLLOW SITE
PLAN REVIEW NO.
06-02
A conditional use permit
request to use the
existing industrial
building for an auto
service use and a SHSP
approval to modify the
parking area, land-
scaping, and the facade
of the building.
El Segundo Planning Commission Minutes
August 24, 2006
Page 1
be inside the building at any one time. He noted that the exhibit shows a
36' x 68' area for vehicles awaiting repair; and requested that because
vehicles vary in size, could they be allowed more flexibility to store
additional cars within this area as opposed to limiting the number to 16
vehicles. Mr. Bates stated they can park a higher number of cars
depending on their size, noting that cars would be parked by employees
not customers.
Chairman Kretzmer asked staff if additional vehicle storage would create
any fire and/or safety issues inside the building.
Mr. Bates explained that this 36' x 68' area has adequate aisle space
around the entire area for moving the vehicles and employee movement;
and that this block of space filled with cars wouldn't cause any less
emergency movement because the space around this area has
adequate clearance completely around this particular area.
Chairman Kretzmer questioned how staff arrived at the 23-vehicle
limitation.
Director Chicots explained that staff attempted to establish a baseline
number of vehicles stored inside based on the size of the building; noted
that some of those cars would be in the repair stalls for work; and added
it is only staff's best estimate. He mentioned they do not want to see an
outside storage problem.
Commissioner Rotolo questioned if there are any requirements from the
Fire Department on the maximum amount/number of flammable liquids
in a building.
Planning Manager Christensen advised that the Fire Department is
requiring the applicant to provide a chemical inventory and that the Fire
Department will also need to know the storage location; she added that
staff came up with the number of 23 vehicles based on asking the
applicant to provide a floor plan to show how the circulation is going to
work, how many work stations there would be; and that staff provided a
best estimate. She stated that staff would not be overly concerned with
adding a few more vehicles to give them the flexibility they are seeking;
advised that the applicant will have to get various permits and review by
the Fire Department regardless of increasing this number; and that if the
Fire Department has any concern with extra vehicles, they could restrict
the occupancy even further through the plan check and inspection
process. She stated staff would have no objection to adding more
vehicles as long as there is a reasonable circulation area inside the
building to move the vehicles around, noting the applicant is providing a
very generous 24-foot wide drive aisle on the north and adequate space
El Segundo Planning Commission Minutes
August 24, 2006
Page 2
on the south.
Addressing Chairman Kretzmer's concern with safety, Planning
Manager Christensen suggested adding language to the conditions,
such that the additional vehicles could be subject to Fire Department
review and approval for the maximum number of vehicles.
Responding to Planning Manager Christensen's suggestion, Vice -
Chairman Frick noted her support for adding the additional language.
Mr. Bates indicated his support for the additional language, and
suggested staff also add "but not to exceed the area of 36' x 68' area,"
which is shown on the floor plan.
Director Chicots suggested adding the following wording: "The number
of vehicles on this site for auto repair and painting must be limited within
the 36' x 68' area that can reasonably hold a number of vehicles, subject
to safe circulation and Fire Department approval."
Commissioner Wagner clarified the language should also include the
seven bays plus the designated area for vehicle storage within the
structure.
There being no further input, Chairman Kretzmer closed the hearing.
Commissioner Wagner stated this corner could use some aesthetic
improvement and that he is in favor of this proposal.
Vice -Chairperson Frick moved, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, to MOTION
approve the applicant's request; to accept the modifications to Condition
Nos. 11 and 12; and to adopt Resolution No. 2606. Motion carried 4-0.
Chairman Kretzmer wished the applicants success with this business.
Commissioner Wagner welcomed the applicants to El Segundo.
Chairman Kretzmer presented Agenda Item No. H-2, Environmental PUBLIC
Assessment No. EA-720 and Variance No. 06-6. Applicant: City of El HEARINGS,
Segundo. Address: 2338 Alaska Avenue/601 Hawaii Street. Property Owner: NEW BUSINESS,
GN Burbank, LLC. EA NO. 720 AND
VAR NO. 06-6
Planning Technician Schopp presented staff report. A variance request to
allow parking spaces to
With regard to Page 52, No. 3, "Background," Director Chicots clarified encroach into the
that staff report should indicate at this time there is no settlement, but setback; property
that it is in the process of being settled, noting it should reflect perimeter landscaping
El Segundo Planning Commission Minutes
August 24, 2006
Page 3
"stipulated judgment" rather than "settlement" at this time.
Assistant City Attorney Greg Kovacevich stated that this sentence
should read as follows: "The City and the property owner, if agreed in
principle to the terms of this stipulated judgment, that stipulated
judgment contemplates the processing of this variance request before it
can be finalized."
Director Chicots explained that the City is taking care of a
nonconforming situation because of the street widening project, and by
the realignment of the parking spaces, those spaces are made whole.
Planning Manager Christensen added that by reconfiguring the parking
lot, they are able to maintain the parking spaces, not only in terms of the
number, but also in terms of dimension. She further clarified there will
be no loss of full-sized parking stalls.
Chairman Kretzmer expressed his preference for the City to be proactive
in creating more facilities for bicycle racks, encouraging people to use
other forms of transportation besides their cars.
Steven Finton. Public Works Director
With the aid of displays, Director Finton explained that the City added an
additional 14 feet of the city property on the east side of the transit
center, to the 2338 Alaska Avenue/601 Hawaii Street property in order
to reconfigure the parking lot and thereby bring this property into
conformance with the parking standards. He provided a status report on
this project; noted they have started building the bridges, the railroad
bridge in particular; and that he anticipates completion of the project in
July 2007, noting it is currently 40 percent through the process. He
noted for Chairman Kretzmer that this was an eminent domain action,
taking property from four different commercial property owners.
Director Finton noted for Commissioner Rotolo that virtually all of the
utilities were placed underground; and stated that the Shell oil lines
adjacent to this area are creating more challenging utility work.
Director Finton advised that the overall project cost $32.5 million; that
they received approximately $16 million in Federal grants and obtained
a $10 million infrastructure bank loan to help finance the project.
In response to Chairman Kretzmer's inquiry regarding the overall project
benefit, Director Finton explained that the project will give motorists
some relief to get through the Rosecrans Corridor without having to go
in the setback areas;
and a reduction of the
Vehicle Use Area
landscaping
through the other nearby congested areas.
El Segundo Planning Commission Minutes
August 24, 2006
Page 4
Chairman Kretzmer expressed his concern that these type of projects be
kept in mind when approving other projects in the area, making sure the
City does not allow uses in this area that are inconsistent or inhibit the
traffic flow; and he reiterated his preference to allow more opportunities
for environmentally friendly transportation.
Planning Manager Christensen informed the Commission that this
project is also consistent with the City's Circulation Element adopted in
2004.
Chairman Kretzmer closed the public hearing.
Highlighting the use of eminent domain, Vice -Chairman Frick noted her
relief that no residential buildings were involved; and stated that this
project is a great public benefit. She added that this reconfiguration did
not negatively impact the property owners and that this is a win -win
situation for all parties.
Commissioner Rotolo stated this is a good project that will benefit the
public, decreasing gridlock in certain areas.
Chairman Kretzmer noted the great public benefit of this project and
expressed his appreciation for the efforts of everyone involved.
Commissioner Rotolo moved, seconded by Vice -Chairman Frick, to MOTION
approve staff recommendation; moved to amend Condition of Approval
No. 9, "This variance will become effective upon the effective date of the
stipulated judgment entered into with regard to GN Burbank, LLC, City of
El Segundo versus CTFW2 Alaska, et. Al., L.A. Superior Court Case No.
BC319033;" and to adopt Resolution No. 2607. Motion carried 4-0.
None. CONTINUED
BUSINESS
None. REPORT FROM
DIRECTOR
None. PUBLIC
COMMUNICATIONS
None. PLANNING
COMMISSIONERS'
COMMENTS
None. OTHER BUSINESS
El Segundo Planning Commission Minutes
August 24, 2006
Page 5
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 14th DAY OF SEPTEMBER�006.
Ga Chicots, ecretary of
the Plannin ommission
and Interim Director of
Planning and Building Safety
Mich el Kre Ter, C
the tannin ommil
_
City of El Segundo, C
irman of
ifornia
ADJOURNMENT
El Segundo Planning Commission Minutes
August 24, 2006
Page 6