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2007-03-08 PC MinutesMINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA March 8, 2007 Chairman Kretzmer called the meeting of the El Segundo Planning Commission CALL TO ORDER to order at 7:03 p.m. in the Council Chamber of the City of El Segundo City Hall, 350 Main Street, El Segundo, California. Commissioner Rotolo led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. PLEDGE TO FLAG PRESENT: KRETZMER, FRICK, WAGNER, FELLHAUER, ROTOLO ROLL CALL None. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS Chairman Kretzmer announced his retirement as Planning Commission ELECTION OF Chairman and that he was resigning from the Planning Commission so that CHAIRMAN AND VICE others could have the opportunity to serve. He nominated Vice -Chairman Frick CHAIRMAN as Chairman, Commissioner Fellhauer seconded. Motion carried 4-0 MOTION Commissioner Rotolo nominated Commissioner Wagner for Vice -Chairman, MOTION Commissioner Fellhauer seconded. Motion carried 4-0 Chairman Frick presented the Consent Calendar. CONSENT CALENDAR Chairman Frick moved, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, to approve the MOTION February 8, 2007, Minutes as submitted. Motion carried 5-0. None. CALL ITEMS FROM CONSENT None, WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS None. NEW BUSINESS - PUBLIC HEARING Chairman Frick presented Agenda Item J-2, Environmental Assessment No. CONTINUED BUSINESS 684, Subdivision No. 05-09, and Vesting Tentative Map No. 62919. Address: 412 - PUBLIC HEARING Richmond Street; Applicant: Srour and Associates; Property Owners: EA NO.684, and 412 Richmond Street, LLC. SUB. NO. 05-09, AND VTPM NO. 62919 Assistant Planner Baldenegro presented the staff report of record. A subdivision request to approve a vesting tentative map for condominium Chairman Frick opened public communications. purposes for a construction of a new four -unit, multi - Commissioner Rotolo requested clarification on Page 11 regarding the family condominium. requirements on Item No. 2 in the table, stating "minimum lot space requirement was 7,000 square feet and the project lot in question was 6,300 square feet." El Segundo Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March 8, 2007 Page 1 Assistant Planner Baldenegro stated that the subdivision code requirements for a new parcel, must contain a minimum of 7000 square feet of area and that that the project request before the Planning Commission is an existing lot which allows the maximum permitted density described in the R-3 zone which is one unit for every 1,613 square feet of land area. Jerry Compton, Applicant's Representative — He stated the project was going to be an attractive contemporary project, with plenty of open space, and will contain tower elements, and many different materials, and should be a good living arrangement. They had a bit of a problem with the new handicapped requirements but were able to make it work. Commissioner Rotolo inquired of the applicant on the type of exterior elevation finishes that were going to be used. Jerry Compton stated that the stucco exterior would have two -different colors to enhance its tower elements with glass above and that it was patterned after a house built in Manhattan Beach. Commissioner Wager inquired of Mr. Compton as to whether the unit in the front of Richmond Street was the only unit that had an elevator and if that was part of the handicapped requirement. Jerry Compton affirmed that it was, in fact, a handicapped requirement and it was very difficult to create that area for the elevator. Chairman Frick closed the Public Hearing. Commissioner Fellhauer stated it was a nice project. Commissioner Rotolo commended the Architect and Developer on achieving the code requirements for the parking and the elevator. Commissioner Fellhauer motioned, seconded by Commissioner Kretzmer, MOTION recommending the approval of Resolution No. 2620 approving Environmental Assessment No. 684, Subdivision No. 05-09, and Vesting Tentative Map No. 62919 at 412 Richmond Street regarding the request to develop a four -unit condominium development. Motion carried 5-0 Planning Manager Christensen stated that the City of El Segundo's General Plan was last adopted in 1992 with some minor revisions made to the land use element to the General Plan. The Housing Element which is a component of the General Plan has statutory timeframes in which it must be updated. In accordance with state law, and the requirements that we must adhere to, the Planning Department is embarking on updating the Housing Element. One of the first steps of the process is to go through the Regional Housing Needs Assessment process which is developed by the Southern California Association of Governments and take the total allocation of housing needs for the six counties that they represent which is Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside, San Diego, and Ventura. They represent a fairly large population and the expectation is that there will be 732,710 housing units that will be allocated between those six counties for the total regional construction needs REPORT FROM PLANNING AND BUILDING SAFETY DIRECTOR El Segundo Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March S, 2007 Page 2 for the next housing cycle and we must begin this process and complete it by July 2008. Staff regularly attended hearings by the Southern California Association of Governments regarding the RHNA allocation process and on February 15, they adopted a draft allocation. As part of the process, cities must review the numbers that have been allocated to them and make a decision as to whether they wish to protest those numbers and then go through an appeal process, or if they accept those numbers, then it moves on to final adoption in July 2007. Staff was originally allocated 219 units, reviewed the numbers, and decided to file a letter of protest under AB2158 and received a revised allocation of 168 housing units that are forecasted for the City that must be incorporated into the Housing Element process. Of the 168 units, they are broken-down into four categories. The breakdown is 44 very low income, 27 low income, 28 moderate income, and 69 above -moderate income households. The terminology is based on County median averages. Staff took this information to the City Council on February 201'. and the City Council decided that they did not wish to appeal those numbers. At this point, we are accepting the number that was given; however, there could be further adjustments depending on other cities appeal requests, hearings in late April, and SCAG anticipated completing the complete process and final adoption of those numbers by July 5, 2007. Subsequent to the adoption of the housing allocation plan, for review and final acceptance of the housing allocation plan in September 2007, all the cities will have to complete their housing elements by July 2008. Planning staff is now moving forward on preparing a request for proposal for consultants to prepare the Housing Element and corresponding environmental documents that are required and at a future point will bring to the Commission for consideration in a public hearing and subsequently to the City Council to provide opportunity for input from the community. As milestones are met, and SCAG drafts the final allocation, Planning staff will continue to brief the Commission; in addition, there's legislation that is paralleling this process. SCAG introduced a pilot program and helped to sponsor legislation that was introduced (Senate Bill 12), hoping to streamline the process, eliminate multiple appeal processes, and also to allow communities to have the opportunity to get credits for a gap that occurs between the previous housing cycle and the planning period for the next housing cycle. The City would actually benefit by getting credit for units that are currently being built that would be in the gap between 2005-2008 because the planning period runs 2008-2014. It looks very favorable, it's been through the Senate, and it was referred back to the local government committee but it looks like they intend to pass it and anticipate the legislation to be on Governor Schwarzenegger's desk in April. If that were not to occur, it would create tremendous difficulties in the timeline because revisions for those counties in the SCAG region would have to be made to their processes in a short time period. Chairman Frick inquired as to what the consequence would be if the housing unit goal is not met. Planning and Building Director Gary Chicots stated that there might be two areas that might be on consequence. If you don't have a certified housing element and you apply for grant funding sometimes you get credit for having a housing element - - if you do not have one, then it is points against you; El Segundo Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March S, 2007 Page 3 secondly, litigation if your Housing Element calls for low income housing and it does not get city approval, it opens up the possibility for litigation. Assistant City Attorney Berger stated if one does not have an approved Housing Element technically you cannot issue a building permit. You have to have a Housing Element that is up to date and all your zoning has to flow from your General Plan. Chairman Frick inquired what if you have a Housing Element and the RHNA numbers are not met. Assistant City Attorney Berger stated that, it is difficult for the cities to force developers to build housing that they may not want to build and that is an ongoing issue. Housing development varies with the market changes. Commissioner Kretzmer inquired about who approves the Housing Element Planning Manager Christensen stated that the Commission makes a recommendation to the City Council who then approves it. Then is sent to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for review, and to certify it and approve it by July 2008. Chairman Frick commented to Commissioner Kretzmer that he would be PLANNING missed by everyone on the Planning Commission. Commissioner Kretzmer COMMISSIONERS thanked the Commission, Interim Planning and Building Safety Director Chicots, COMMENTS Planning Manager Christensen and Assistant City Attorney Berger for their work. Commissioner Fellhauer commented it was a pleasure working with Commissioner Kretzmer. Chairman Frick closed the public hearing. Chairman Frick motioned to adjourn, Commissioner Fellhauer seconded. The meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m. PASSED A D APPROVED ON THIS 8th DAY OF MARCH 2O07. LAM Gary Chicots, ecretary of Cheryl rrick, Chairman the Planning Commission Planning Commission And Interim Director of City of El Segundo, California Planning and Building Safety Department P:\PBS\PLAN-COM\PLAN-COM\MINUTES\2007\2007 2-8 Minutes.doc ADJOURNMENT El Segundo Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March 8, 2007 Page 4