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Minutes 1975-01-02MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CYPRESS PLANNING COMMISSION HELD January 2, 1975 The regular meeting of the Cypress Planning Commission was called to order at 7:35 p.m. on Thursday, January 2, 1975 in the Cypress City Council Chambers, 5275 Orange Avenue, Cypress, California, Vice Chairman Gerald Mullen presiding. PRESENT: ABSENT: Commissioners Greenwood, Mullen, Van Allen and Walsh Chairman Hart Also present were Planning Director Brian Hawley and Associate Planner Ron Hovland. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Van Allen led the pledge to the flag. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Vice Chairman Mullen inquired if anyone in the audience wished to speak in regard to any matter not on the agenda. There was no one who wished to speak. PUBLIC HEARING RE: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT #74 -20 - ERNST WELLHOEFER: Vice Chairman Mullen announced that this was the time and place for the public hearing to consider a proposed conditional use permit for the conversion of an existing gasoline service station to an automotive repair facility on property located at 4502 Lincoln Avenue on the southeasterly corner of Lincoln Avenue and Denni Street in the CH- Commercial Highway Zone. He declared the hearing open and asked the staff to present its report The Associate Planner presented Staff Report PC #74 -51 dated December 27, 1974 regarding the proposal and he presented slides showing the location of the subject property, present use, and adjacent land uses. Vice Chairman Mullen inquired if anyone wished to speak in favor of the application. Mr. Ernst Wellhoefer, 8981 Pebble Beach Circle, Westminster, California, the applicant, stated the chain link fence which he proposed for security purposes was a significant investment and he could not afford any changes to improve the building's appearance. He requested clarification of certain conditions and inquired about the costs involved in satisfying the requirements of Condition #7 regarding removal of existing light standards, Condition #11 regarding installation of street lights, Condition #16 regarding installation of a fire hydrant, and Condition #10 regarding the undergrounding of utilities. The applicant agreed with the remaining conditions with the exception of Condition #3 requiring a wall or fence other than chain link. The Planning Director pointed out that these were the same conditions originally placed on a previous application to develop the property as a 7- Eleven store and that conditions #9 through 24 were standard conditions appli- cable to any development within the City. He also indicated that, should the applicant seek a waiver of any conditions, he felt it was the responsibility of the City Council to waive the conditions regarding the installation of street lights and undergrounding of utilities. Planning Commission Minutes January 2, 1975 Vice Chairman Mullen inquired if anyone else wished to speak in favor or in opposition to the application. There was no one who wished to speak either in favor or against the application. Commissioner Walsh felt the Commission would probably not be favorable to granting the variance from the front setback requirement and she suggested that the hearing be continued and that the applicant determine what conditions he can afford to meet and whether another alternative to the chain link fence, such as a guard dog service or security guard, might be acceptable. Commissioner Greenwood felt the chain link fence would be aesthetically offensive to the neighborhood and he recommended its deletion and that the applicant attempt to improve the appearance of the outdated service station building. In further discussion with the Commission, the applicant indicated his intention to request a waiver of the conditions requiring underground utilities and a wall around the property. Vice Chairman Mullen closed the public hearing. Commissioner Walsh felt the application was unacceptable since certain conditions were mandatory and too many waivers were being requested. Commissioner Greenwood indicated that he did not object to the use but he felt the chain link fence should be eliminated and the building upgraded to conform with the intent of the Lincoln Avenue Study. He felt there was sufficient room at the rear of the building for the storage of cars which would offer some security. Commissioner Mullen spoke in favor of maintaining the 25 feet of grassy setback which was characteristic of other developments in this area. He felt the chain link fence would be unacceptable and felt the develop- ment should enhance the appearance of Lincoln Avenue. He spoke in favor of continuing the hearing until the next meeting to enable the applicant and staff to prepare an acceptable plan. Commissioner Van Allen felt the applicant's desire to utilize the area in front of the building for additional parking was reason for him not to support any type of use of the property. Vice Chairman Mullen inquired if any Commissioner was in favor of granting the front setback variance and the Commission unanimously determined that there was no justification for such a waiver. Vice Chairman Mullen inquired if any Commissioner was in favor of approving the installation of a chain link fence as opposed to construction of a wall and the Commission unanimously determined that a chain link fence was unacceptable. Planning Commission Minutes January 2, 1975 Vice Chairman Mullen asked if any Commissioner was in favor of waiving the condition requiring the under - grounding of utilities and the Commission unanimously determined that utilities should be undergrounded in conformance with standard City policies. It was moved by Commissioner Van Allen and seconded by Commissioner Walsh to deny Conditional Use Permit #74 -20. The motion was unanimously carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: 4 COMMISSIONERS: NOES: ABSENT: RECESS: 0 COMMISSIONERS: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Greenwood, Mullen, Van Allen and Walsh None Hart Vice Chairman Mullen called for a recess at 8:50 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at 8:55 p.m. with all Commissioners present with the exception of Chairman Hart. MINUTES: November 21 and December 5, 1974 It was moved by Commissioner. Van Allen, seconded by Commissioner Walsh and unanimously carried to approve the November 21, 1974 minutes. It was moved by Commissioner Van Allen, seconded by Commissioner Greenwood and unanimously carried to approve the December 5, 1974 minutes. Discussion was held regarding the policy of limiting a Commissioner's term to four years and the Commission directed the Planning Director to communicate with the City Council and request clarification of the policy and place this matter on the next agenda. ADJOURNMENT: Vice Chairman Mullen declared the meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m. ATTEST: CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION SE THE PLANN ETAR OF [NG COMMISSION -3-