Loading...
2007-12-06 PC MinutesMINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA December 6, 2007 Chair Frick called the El Segundo Planning Commission meeting to order at 7:00 CALL TO ORDER p.m. in the El Segundo City Hall's Council Chambers, 350 Main Street, El Segundo, California. Chair Frick led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. PRESENT: WAGNER, FRICK, FUENTES, FELLHAUER ABSENT: ROTOLO None Chair Frick presented the Consent Calendar. None. PLEDGE TO FLAG ROLL CALL PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS CONSENT CALENDAR CALL ITEMS FROM CONSENT Planning Manager Kim Christensen addressed the Commission regarding the WRITTEN letter that was submitted by The El Segundo Chamber for Item H-1 for tonight's COMMUNICATIONS hearing. Chair Frick presented Agenda Item H-1, Environmental Assessment No. 759 and NEW BUSINESS - Subdivision No. 07-05 (Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 67471) 31-unit new PUBLIC HEARING commercial condominium project. Applicant: Elizabeth Srour, Srour and Associates, LLC. Address: 141 Main Street. Planning Manager Kim Christensen introduced Contract Senior Planner Cathy Johnson to Commissioners. Contract Senior Planner Cathy Johnson presented the staff report (of record.) Patrick Killen: project architect Mr. Killen commented how he worked with staff diligently over the last nine to ten months to design the building to comply with the City's ordinances and the newly adopted setback on the third level by setting the building back 25 feet in order to relieve the front elevation so that the building is not vertical right at the sidewalk. Mr. Killen stated that he is comfortable with staff's recommendation. However he believes that one of the things that has recently occured after meeting with the Public Works staff and looking more carefully at the encroachment on Franklin, that it is only a two -foot projection over a ten -foot wide sidewalk on that side of the street. He stated that Public Works staff felt comfortable allowing the encroachment. He stated that it is a one-way driveway situation off the alley so you are entering in the south driveway and exiting out the north driveway. He El Segundo Planning Commission Meeting Minutes December 6, 2007 Page 1 asked if Condition 21 could be to the satisfaction to the Public Works Department. Mr. Killen isn't requesting that Condition 21 be eliminated but has assured the Commission that he has an arrangement with Public Works to make it work and has provided additional information to be able to keep the encroachment. He believed that the Commission has been provided a rendering that shows the building has articulation. Mr. Killen's main focus of the design is to keep it as an open garden style project with a large planter area center court space with greenery in the center. He stated it is a very large space that is 27 feet wide and 35 feet in length. Directly located off that space, a conference room and other common spaces are provided and can be used by all owners. He stated that the top level does step back and has a series of balconies that look over Main Street. Vice Chair Wagner commented that he spent a lot of time going over the plans and believes it's going to be a nice addition to the downtown area. Commissioner Fellhauer questioned staff whether 3% of the project site that was proposed to be landscaped is in planters or is part on the deck. Planning Manager Christensen answered that it is just in the planters. Commissioner Fuentes questioned if the project is going to be marketed to the residents of El Segundo and how will that apply to nonresidents. Mr. Killen answered to Commissioner Fuentes indicating that Bill Ruane is representing his client in the marketing of the project and the goal is to offer units to the residents of El Segundo first. John Clark of Looking is putting together a marketing program and the goal is to get out a series of flyers to the community. Planning Director Gary Chicots addressed Chair Frick regarding the applicant's request for reconsideration on Condition 22 to leave the condition as written which would eliminate the encroachment on Franklin Avenue and allow an encroachment on Main Street subject to the City Council approval of the encroachment and license agreement or allow the encroachment on Franklin Avenue by altering Condition 22 and require a license agreement on Franklin Avenue and require City Council approval as well. Chair Frick questioned Mr. Chicots if Public Works agreed with the conditions. Planning Director Gary Chicots response is that he's not sure what Public Works response to the conditions is as of yet. Planning Manager Christensen clarified anytime you have a structure that is a permanent structure then that it requires more that just an encroachment permits. She stated that it requires a license agreement which only can be authorized by City Council. Ms. Christensen clarified the locations of the encroachment. Vice -Chair Wagner questioned if the projections on Franklin Street are above ground level in both cases and if this is correct. Planning Manager Christensen answered that is correct and even for this type of encroachment that are more commonly allowed there are certain minimum clearance requirements in terms of the height from the pavement surface for clearance for pedestrians to pass underneath which is a minimum of eight feet. El Segundo Planning Commission Meeting Minutes December 6, 2007 Page 2 Vice -Chair Wagner asked staff what the alternate wording for Condition 22 would be if were tied into the approval with Public Works. Planning Director Gary Chicots suggested wording that Condition 22 will be similar to Condition 21 but the applicant will be allowed an encroachment on Franklin provided that an encroachment permit and license agreement is issued by the City and is approved by City Council. Attorney Gregg Kovacevich clarified that the motion is to approve staff's recommendation with a modification to Condition 22 and that Condition 22 will read a license agreement is required for the encroachment into the public right of way along Franklin Avenue. Commissioner Fellhauer moved, seconded by Vice -Chair Wagner to approve MOTION Environmental Assessment No. 759 and Subdivision No. 07-05, Resolution No. 2627 Motion carried as amended (4-0). None. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED BUSINESS Planning Director Gary Chicots notified the Commission that there will be a REPORT FROM Special Meeting on December 13, 2007. Mr. Chicots wished everyone a Merry PLANNING AND Christmas. BUILDING SAFETY DIRECTOR Vice -Chair Wagner commented that Sunday December 9, 2007 that the El PLANNING Segundo 44th Annual Christmas Parade will be held at 1:00 o'clock. On, COMMISSIONERS December 10, 2007 the Santa Sleigh will be held by El Segundo Kiwanis Club COMMENTS and the El Segundo Police Department. On December 17th Kiwanis will make a special trip to the Automobile Driving Museum to collect toys donations for the Spark of Love Toy Drive sponsored by the El Segundo Fire Department. Chair Frick adjourned the meeting. Motion carried (4-0). MOTION The meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m. ADJOURNMENT PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 6th DAY OF DECEMBER 2007 of Gary Chicots, Sec �etaiy Cheryl Frick, Madame Chair the Planning Commission Planning Commission and Director of The City of El Segundo, California Planning and Building Safety Department P:\PBS\PLAN-COM\PLAN-COM\MINUTES\2007\2007 12-6 Minutes.doc El Segundo Planning Commission Meeting Minutes December 6, 2007 Page 3