Minutes 1977-02-03PIINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF
THE CYPRESS PLANNING COMMISSION
HELD
February 3 1977
The regular meeting of the Cypress Planning Commission was
called to order at b 00 p m on Thursday Fehruary 3 197' in
the Cypress City Council Chambers 5275 Orange Avenue Cypress
California Chairman Gerald Mullen presiding
PRESENT
ABSENT
Commissioners Friedmann Partin Van Allen
and Mullen
Commissioner Greenwood
Also present were Planning Director Brian Hawley Public Works
Director Art Schat eder Deputy City Attorney Eli abeth Strauss
and Assistant Planner Bob Ka tenbaum and Don Lamm
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
to the flag
Gummi sioner Van Allen led the pledge
At the Planning Director s request Chairman Mullen added two
items to the agenda under Administrative Matters (1) a request
for a temporary parking lot sale by Goodyear Tire & Rubber
Company at the northeast corner of Ball and Bloomfield and
( ) a request for a sign modification at Cypress Car Wash at
the northwest corner of Valley View and Ball Road
COMMISSIONER GREENWOOD ARRIVED AT 6 OS P M
At Commissioner Van Allen s reque t Chairman Mullen added an
item to the agenda regarding the starting time of Planning
Commission meeting
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Request for Temporary Parking Lot Sale - Goodyear Tire F.
Rubber Company,
The Planning Director transmitted a request from the Goodyear
Tire $ Rubber Company to hold a parking lot sale in a portion
of the lot at the northeast corner of Ball and Bloomfield on
February 10 through 13 from 8 00 a m to 9 00 p m Ile pre-
sented a map showing the area of the parking lot to be used
and stated the applicant proposed to erect a canopy for the
display of tires and also proposed to use A frame signs
Adjacent businessmen and concerned property owners indicated
their approval of the request
Mr Ed Miles representing Goodyear Tire G Rubber Company
stated the sale will probably be limited to daylight hours
He stated the merchandise will be left on the premises and
they will employ armed security guards on a 24 hour basis
He reported the display will be dismantled prior to 9 00 p m
on Sunday Mr Miles tated the company is interested in
continuing this type of promotional sale in the future and he
asked if Planning Commission approval is necessary for each
individual request
Chairman Mullen tated he did not wish to grant approval to
a semi annual sales program with automatic approval for future
sales and he felt approval should he for a one-time basis
Planning Commission Minutes February 3 1977
The Planning Director stated he would like to review requests
on an individual basis In regard to future requests he
noted that the Zoning Ordinance grants the Planning Director
authority to approve a temporary permit for such activities and
the applicant may approach the staff for approval of future
permits assuming there are no problems with this first sale
It was moved by Commissioner Van Allen seconded by Commis
sioner Friedmann and unanimously carried to approve the request
by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company for a temporary parking lot
sale to be held February 10 through 13 between 8 00 a m and
9 00 p m with the condition that the display he removed on
February 13
2 Progress Report on Walker Street Zoning Study
The Associate Planners presented a progress report on the
Walker Street oning study for the area bounded by Walker
Street Bishop Street Swain Elementary School and Karen Street
The study was requested by the City Council in light of the
problem facing the City in this area where development plans
have been submitted for multiple -family dwelling units on legal
non -conforming lot si es in a predominately single family
neighborhood Recent development requests to increase the
density on Karen and Newman Streets by constructing multiple -
family units on substandard si e lots have been opposed by
single-family residents who objected to the density of develop-
ment lack of open space traffic generation and encroachment
into required setbacks The staff s report divided the study
area into three sectors and provided the zoning and land use
for each sector as well as the socio-economic conditions in-
cluding number of housing unit structural condition of the
units ownership and number of multiple -family units Staff
felt that because of the difference in population composition
income housing type and ownership mix the planning program
should address the needs of several groups the low and moderate -
income residents the single family homeowners located in the
multiple family .one the single family homeowners located
in the single family zone which is adjacent to the multiple
family district and developers (including speculators and
absentee owners) The report evaluated the needs and concerns
of each group Staff recommended four planning alternatives
(1) down -one from multiple family residential to single-family
residential in conjunction with a rehabilitation program for
existing single family structures (2) re oning to lower den
sity multiple family residential (3) allow apartment (RM
20/A) development with limited parcel con.olidation and
(4) maintain status quo (Multiple family zoning at current
density) The associate planners presented slides of the
study area showing examples of deteriorating dwellings in
various stages of disrepair lack of full or partial street
improvements alley conditions mixture of uses such as single-
family residential immediately adjacent to commercial new
multiple -family development upgrading of existing dwellings
and new street improvements installed under the Housing and
Community Development Act program
The Planning Director tated that staff proposed to conduct a
survey of the area to receive feedback from the owners and
residents regarding the alternatives suggested by staff and
ultimately a public hearing will he held on the matter
Planning Commission Minutes February 3 1177
The Commission held general discussion regarding the alterna
tives
Mr Ken Hulse 5158 Cumberland Drive stated he supported the
survey and getting the property owners and residents involved
in the study He felt staff should expedite the study since
developers are holding off with their development plans He
stated he opposed the City coercing property owners to do some
thing with their property Regarding the suggestion that prop
erty owners may wish to construct another single-family unit
on their lot if the area is re oned to lower density he felt
if the owners had the funds available they would improve the
existing dwellings
Commissioner Van Allen suggested that the public hearing notices
be sent to the residents in the arca as well as the property
owners
The Planning Director reported that staff received indications
from three developers who wish to file conditional use permit
applications for multiple -family residential units on parcels
in this area One has expressed a willingness to reduce the
number of units of his proposed project He stated one condi
tional use permit for a four plex was approved and staff will
have to issue building permits when they file
The Commission was in agreement that staff should proceed
with the survey of property owners and residents in the area
and apprise them of the alternatives
Chairman Mullen announced that it was time to conduct the
public hearing regarding Conditional Use Permit #76 22
Tempo Foods He continued the hearing until later
3 Review of Modifications to Parcel Map No 76 6 -
William and Patsy Morgan.
The Public Works Director presented Parcel Map #76 6 for the
development of three single-family dwellings at the northwest
corner of Ball Road and Denni Street and outlined changes
in the plan agreed upon by the Public Works Department and
developer A driveway area to serve the three residences was
designed so that each dwelling would have a connection to the
sewer main in the interior driveway area The Traffic Engineer
recommended a 45 degree corner cut-off at the intersection of
the two arterial streets An original condition of the parcel
map called for a six-foot high block wall along Ball Road
tapering to three -feet in height on Denni Staff recommended
that the condition he changed to require the six-foothigh block
wall along Ball Road to be continued around and end at the
corner cut-off and that additional street trees and landscaping
of the corner cut-off area be installed and the three-foot
high wall deleted along Denni Street The three foot high
wall would create a parking ha and in the driveway area
Mr Cary (lilts 17301 BeaLh Boulevard Huntington Beach
the applicant stated he agreed with staff s recommendations
It was moved by Commissioner Greenwood seconded by Chairman
Mullen and unanimously carried to approve the modifications
to Parcel Map #76 6 as recommended by staff
MINUTES January 20 19'7
Chairman Mullen made a correction to the minutes Commis
sioner Van Allen referred to the last paragraph on page 8
3
Planning Commission Minutes February 3 1977
regarding the 7 -Eleven sign discussion and stated he wished
to emphasize that the Planning Commission should take a firmer
stand in enforcing the City's development standards rather
than accept at face value an applicant s statement that
he cannot deviate from company policy He did not correct
the minutes on this issue
It was moved by Commissioner Friedmann seconded by Commis-
sioner Van Allen and unanimously carried to approve the minutes
of January 20 1977 as corrected
RECESS Chairman Mullen called a recess at 7 45 p m The
meeting was called back to order at 7 57 p m with all Com-
missioner present
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chairman Mullen asked if anyone wished
to speak in regard to any matter not on the agenda
Mr Ken Hulse 5158 Cumberland Drive stated he hopes that
the takeover of Los Alamitos Naval Air Station by the Army
National Guard will result in joint military/commercial use
of the air station Mr Hulse also stated he feels the citi
ens of Cypress have better government than they deserve
He reported he attended the last Council meeting and there was
standing room only during the two hour discussion on the Juanita
Street cul de sac proposal He stated the Council urged the
audience to remain for other important matters specifically
a public hearing on a General Plan amendment and the majority
of people left after the Juanita Street hearing
PUBLIC HEARING RE. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 76 _2 TEMPO
FOODS Chairman Mullen announced that this was the time and
place to conduct the public hearing regarding a proposed
conditional use permit to engage in the off-site sale of beer
in conjunction with an existing drive-in dairy located at 6297
Ball Road Cypress California Said property is situated on
the north side of Ball Road east of Valley View Street and
is located in the CG Commercial General none He opened the
hearing and asked for staff s report
Mr Lamm presented Staff Report #77-3 dated January 27 The
off-site sale of beer would be an accessory use to the drive-
in dairy which has been in operation at this location since
1966 Surrounding land uses are Park Playa Shopping Center
to the west Cypress Grove Apartments to the north Scotty's
Market to the east and Elizabeth Dickerson School (in the City
of Buena Park) to the south Staff recommended approval sub-
ject to five conditions
Chairman Mullen asked if anyone wished to speak in favor
Mr Ken Hulse 5158 Cumberland Drive stated he felt it was
inappropriate to place Conditions #3 through #5 on the permit
application and that the approval should he based solely on
whether the sale of beer would be detrimental or beneficial
to the City Conditions #3 - 5 required that exterior lighting
standards and lamp fixtures be repainted that illegal sandwhich
board signing be removed and that the dama ed block wall be
repaired
Mr Lamm stated that the dairy is presently a legal non-
conforming use which may not be expanded The C U P would
have a dual-purpose of making the dairy a conforming use and
allowing expansion and staff felt the conditions were normal
conditions He stated the applicant has not communicated with
staff
Planning Commission Minutes February 3 1977
Commissioner Greenwood felt the applicant should be present
for the hearing particularly for discussion of the conditions
of approval
Chairman Mullen asked if anyone wished to speak in opposition
No one wished to speak in opposition
Chairman Mullen stated the conditions appeared reasonable and
in line with the scope of the C U P request Commissioner
Van Allen felt it would be inconsistent not to require some
type of standards for this use since development conditions
were imposed for the new adjacent shopping center Commissioner
Partin felt the applicant may object to the elimination of the
sandwhich-board signs since they are common and necessary for
this type of use The staff stated that the „oning Ordinance
would permit one sandwhich board sign and since the dairy has
two only one would have to be eliminated Commissioner Van
Allen suggested that the hearing be continued and that staff
contact the applicant and request that he appear
It was moved by Commissioner Van Allen and seconded by Commis
sioner Greenwood to continue the hearing regarding Conditional
Use Permit 176- 2 to the February 17 meeting and direct staff
to request that the applicant be present The motion unani-
mously carried by the following roll call vote
AYES 5 COMMISSIONERS Friedmann Greenwood Partin
Van Allen & Mullen
NOES 0 COMMISSIONERS None
ABSENT 0 COMMISSIONERS None
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS. (Continued)
4 General Discus ion of Conversion of Apartments to Condo-
miniums.
Staff stated they will present a progress report on this matter
at the next meeting Chairman Mullen stated he did not receive
a copy of the transcript of the Council s discussion on this
subject
It was moved by Chairman Mullen seconded by Commissioner
Friedmann and unanimously carried to continue this item to the
February 17 meeting
5 Discussion of Coyote Creek Bicycle Path
The Planning Director reported that the City was contacted by
the Los Angeles County Road Department which is proposing a
nine and a quarter mile bike trail project to be constructed
on the west levy of the Coyote Creek Channel and was requesting
participation from citie and unincorporated areas which would
be served by the trail At the .January 24 meeting the City
Council approved the accumulation of the City s next two years
allocation of SB 8 1 funds estimated to total about $21 000
for the project The City s contribution towards the project
would he about $46 000 to provide crossings where the trail
intersects Lincoln Avenue and the Southern Pacific Railroad in
the northwest part of the City The Council requested that the
Planning Commission and Recreation and Park Commission evaluate
the project on the basis of the City s bike trail priorities
The City Council further requested that the Orange County Board
of Supervisors designate the project on its Master Plan of Trails
in order that the County may share in the project cost
The Planning Director suggested that the matter be continued
until the Planning Commission can review the City's Master Plan
of Trails to determine the City's bike trail priorities and
whether the gas tax funds should he allocated towards the Coyote
Creek Channel bike trail
Planning Commission Minutes February 3 1977
It was moved by Commissioner Greenwood seconded by Commis
sioner Partin and unanimously carried to continue this matter
to the March 3 meeting
6 Consideration of Request for Sign Modification Cypress
Car Wash.
The Planning Director reported that the owners of Cypress Car
Wash at the northwest corner of Valley View and Ball Road sub-
mitted a request for modification of the sign plans On the
original sign plans the applicant failed to include the standard
round Union '76 logo The applicant requested that a double-
faced round logo sign approximately 20 square feet in area
be attached to the freestanding pole just below the 72 square
foot sign The Planning Director stated that with the addition
of the logo sign the signing program would still be in confor-
mance with the total sign area permitted in the CG Zone
It was moved by Commissioner Greenwood seconded by Commis
sioner Friedmann and unanimously carried to approve the request
to modify the signing program for Cypress Car Wash as outlined
by staff
7 Consideration of Meeting Starting Time
Commissioner Van Allen suggested that a 6 30 p m starting
time for the Commission meeting may be more convenient for the
Commissioners since often there is a traffic problem in getting
to the meeting and usually not enough time to have dinner
The remainder of the Commission agreed
It was moved by Commissioner Van Allen seconded by Commis-
sioner Friedmann and unanimously carried to adopt a resolution
to change the starting time of Planning Commission meetings to
6 30 p m and to set the time for public hearings at 7 30 p m
Following a report by the Planning Director it was moved by
Commissioner Greenwood seconded by Commissioner Partin and
unanimously carried that the Planning Commission approve a
$10 00 per month budget allocation for the provision of coffee
and soft drinks for Planning Commission meetings subject to
City Council approval
Mr Ken Hulse 5158 Cumberland Drive stated it was his under-
standing that the coffee was provided out of City funds
The staff advised him that City funds are used to provide coffee
at City Council meetings but coffee for the Commission meetings
has been paid for by the Cypress Employees' Association since
there has been no budget provision
The Planning Director reported that at the January 24 meeting
the City Council discussed the problem relating to the trash
enclosure area at the office building complex on the south side
of Orange Avenue opposite the Civic Center The Council
expressed concern that development standards were not enforced
to ensure the privacy of the adjacent homeowners The Council
directed the Planning Director to contact the developer and
request that the trash enclosure area he set back five -feet
from the rear property line and that the landscaping strip
be extended between the wall and trash area Mr Hawley reported
that the developer agreed with this condition He stated he
would provide the Commission with a transcript of the City
Council's discussion on this matter
The Commission held discussion regarding their action
The Deputy City Attorney responded to que tions from the Com-
missioners regarding the financial disclosure forms which they
are required to complete
Planning Commission Minutes February 3 197
ADJOURNMENT Chairman Mullen adjourned the meeting at 9 45 p m
CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
ATTEST
G COMMISSION