Tough Meeting Ahead For Planning Commission Monday

AGENDA PACKED WITH TOUGH STUFF
The Costa Mesa Planning Commission meets again on Monday, April 10, 2017 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers at City Hall.  This brand new commission faces a very challenging agenda, which can be found HERE.

FIVE(5) PUBLIC HEARINGS
There are five (5) Public Hearings on that agenda and none of them appear to be easy.  We'll take them one-by-one.

MEASURE Z COMMITTEE AND FEES
Public Hearing #1, HERE,  looks to be the most complex issue the commission will face Monday night.  The issue is a product of Measure Z, the city-sponsored initiative on the ballot last November which competed in part with Measure Y, which passed soundly.  However, because Measure Z was also passed by the voters, certain portions - those which do not directly conflict with Measure Y - will become law, too.  And, if you're not already confused, when you attempt to read the staff report I guarantee you'll be scratching your collective heads.

YOUR HEAD WILL HURT!
Measure Z requires the establishment of an Open Space and Public Park Impact Fee AND an Open Space & Recreation Advisory Committee.  The configuration of the committee is quite specific as described in the staff report.  However, the City Council tinkered with it and has mandated a change - to fold together the new Youth Sports Advisory Committee AND the Open Space & Recreation Advisory Committee (OSRAC) and form the Youth Sports, Open Space & Recreation Advisory Committee (YSOSRAC).  The configuration of THAT committee is clearly defined in the staff report, too.  However, apparently there will be some issues that ONLY the OSRAC element of the committee can address!  AND, since the Youth Sports Advisory Committee appears to directly conflict with Costa Mesa United's Youth Sports Council, there is grumbling in the youth sports community that implies there will be few volunteers for that assignment, particularly since a major part of the scope of this combined committee deals with issues foreign to the Youth Sports community.  This is a flippin' mess!  Read the staff report and I think you'll agree that this commission is going to need a lot of aspirin Monday night.

SHEDS AND BANNERS
Public Hearing #2, HERE, involves changes to two (2) parts of the municipal code:

• An increase in building height that would allow a decrease in the setbacks for certain accessory structures (sheds); and
• To include a definition and related standards for non-commercial banners in addition to those banners used for advertising purposes.

It's hard to understand why these two issues were lumped together since they seem to have no common linkage.  However, that's what we've got, so that's what the commission will deal with Monday night.

SMALL LOT DEVELOPMENT AT 174 COSTA MESA STREET
Public Hearing #3, HERE, may be the quickest issue they deal with Monday night.   This is the latest in a ubiquitous group of Eastside developments that fall under the rules of the Small Lot Ordinance.  This will replace an existing single story home and detached garage with two, two-story single family residences.  The staff is recommending the approval of the Planning Application and Tentative Parcel Map.

BEER & WINE AT 99 CENTS ONLY STORE?
Public Hearing #4, HERE, is a review of the Public Convenience or Necessity (PCN) finding for a type 20 (off-sale beer & wine) Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) License for 99 Cents Only Stores at 2180 Harbor Blvd.  The Zoning Administrator previously approved the request, but Mayor Katrina Foley - in the face of significant public outcry - asked for this review by the Planning Commission.  This would be the 4th such permit in an area that is allowed to have 3.

CHICK-FIL-A STORE REPLACING GRANT BOYS?
Public Hearing #5, HERE, is a Planning Application to replace the now-closed Grant Boys at store at 1750 Newport Blvd with a Chick-Fil-A walk-up, drive-through store.  This has received significant opposition by Eastside residents and, despite adjustments in the traffic flow plan on the site,  the Planning Division recommends the rejection of this plan because it's not consistent with the new General Plan and will heavily impact Eastside neighborhoods.