Minutes 1975-04-17MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF
THE CYPRESS PLANNING COMMISSION
HELD
April 17, 1975
The regular meeting of the Cypress Planning Commission was
called to order at 7:35 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, 1975
in the Cypress City Council Chambers, 5275 Orange Avenue,
Cypress, California, Chairman Dennis Hart presiding.
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Commissioners Greenwood, Mullen, Van Allen,
Walsh and Hart
None
Also present were Brian Hawley, Planning Director, Ray Warren,
Building Superintendent, Frank Dalesandro, Civil Engineering
Assistant, and Roger Grable, Deputy City Attorney.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Greenwood led the pledge
of allegiance.
MINUTES: April 3, 1975
It was moved by Commissioner Greenwood, seconded by Commis-
sioner Walsh and unanimously carried to approve the April 3
minutes as corrected.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Chairman Hart asked if anyone wished to
speak in regard to any matter not on the agenda. There was
no one wishing to speak.
PUBLIC HEARING RE: AMENDMENT TO THE GENERAL PLAN - SAFETY
ELEMENT: Chairman Hart announced that this was the time and
place for the public hearing to consider a proposed amendment
to the General Plan of the City of Cypress by the adoption
of a Safety Element. This Element will consist of a Seismic
Safety Element and a Safety Element as required and defined
in the State Planning Act. Chairman Hart asked for the
staff's report.
The Planning Director introduced Mr. Bob Drennan of the
Orange County Planning Commission, one of the authors of
the County's Seismic and Safety Element which the
City had the option of adopting to satisfy State - mandated
requirements. The Planning Director outlined amendments
to the County's Element which were recommended by the staff.
Mr. Drennan discussed the preparation of the Element which
was adopted by the County on March 19. He stated the
Element received input from a task force composed of several
County departments and from other technical and community
representatives throughout the County. Mr. Drennan reported
that the Element included a technical report which was
being prepared and would be released in final form in about
two months. He stated the technical report is not required
to be adopted so updated information may be incorporated
which will not require an amendment to the General Plan.
Mr. Drennan stated the technical report contained four
hazard categories which were: seismic, flood, fire, and
crime. He reported that the fire category referred to
wild land fire hazards and the flood hazard information
was directed toward a 100 year flood. Regarding the crime
category, Mr. Drennan stated this was a complex item in
the report and that technical studies were being undertaken
and further material would be included in the report at
a later date.
Planning Commission Minutes April 17, 1975
Mr. Drennan presented slides which showed the effects of
earthquake, fire and flood damages and maps showing the
relationship of Cypress to earthquake faults in southern
California, the occurrences of earthquakes, different
soil compaction areas and shaking hazard areas.
The Planning Director stated an important aspect of the
Element was coordination between the County and various
agencies for emergency services and he stated the updating
of the Element would be a continuing process as cities
respond to the conditions resulting from problems addressed
in the report.
Chairman Hart opened the hearing and asked if anyone wished
to speak in regard to adoption of the Safety Element. There
was no one who wished to speak.
In regard to the degree of liquifaction caused by earthquakes
as it applies to Cypress, the Planning Director stated the
City's approach would be that as further documentation and
evidence is refined this data would be added to the tech-
nical report and that when development proposals come in
to the City, the environmental impact report would have
to analyze the liquifaction problem.
Commissioner Greenwood asked for an explanation of the
100 year flood and the effect on the City of Cypress.
The Planning Director reported that the Army Corps of
Engineers had undertaken a study of the 100 year storm
and had determined that substantial portions or all of
Cypress was within the flood basin area and would be
subject to some flooding in the event of a 100 year flood.
As a result of that determination, he reported that the
City Council had authorized the City to join the National
Flood Insurance Program which makes flood insurance available
to City residents at low rates. He stated that owners of
new Federally financed housing would be required to take
out flood insurance. The Planning Director reported that
Councilman Harvey had visited the Army Corps of Engineers
in Washington for an update on their study and subsequent
information determined that the flooding severity was not
to the extent that was first implied for Cypress. He
stated that the completion of the Carbon Creek, Bolsa Chica
and Stanton Channels should put Cypress in a better position
and perhaps remove substantial areas of the City from the
flooding area.
Chairman Hart closed the public hearing.
It was moved by Commissioner Walsh and seconded by Commis-
sioner Mullen to adopt a resolution recommending approval
by the City Council of the Safety Element. The motion was
unanimously carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
5 COMMISSIONERS:
0 COMMISSIONERS:
0 COMMISSIONERS:
Greenwood, Mullen, Van
Allen, Walsh and Hart
None
None
At the request of the Planning Director, Chairman Hart added
Item 4 to the agenda regarding the acquisition by the City
of a parcel on Walker Street in the Civic Center Zone.
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Planning Commission Minutes April 17, 1975
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS:
1. Tentative Tract #8472 - William Lyon Company - Northerly
of Katella Avenue, westerly of Knott Street.
The Planning Director reported that the applicant requested
a continuance of this matter to the May 1 meeting in order
to submit further information to the staff.
The Commission agreed to continue consideration of Tract
#8472 to the May 1 Commission meeting.
2. Consideration of a request by Mr. Ron Kotloff for the
construction of a temporary free - standing sign at 5303
Lincoln Avenue. An existing free - standing sign is
located on the property.
The Planning Director transmitted a memorandum dated April 11
and a sketch and plot plan of the proposed sign. He reported
that the applicant intended the sign to be temporary and
felt it was necessary to improve sight visibility to motorists.
He stated the Commission has the authority to approve an
additional free - standing sign in the CH Zone subject to
whatever conditions they feel are necessary.
Mr. Ron Kotloff, 5136 Edgemont Circle, Cypress, stated
the sign would be temporary since he was leasing the building
on a temporary basis and he felt this would give him an
indication of whether street exposure would be more bene-
ficial to his business than a location in an industrial
park. He stated the adjacent Simmons furniture store had
indicated a desire to vacate the building at this time
but would complete the term of their lease which is for
one or one and a half years. He stated the owner was
thinking of changing the use of the building at that time.
Mr. Kotloff stated the adjacent motel blocked the view
of his business and he felt the sign would do justice to
the area and would not interfere with the existing free-
standing sign.
The Planning Director recommended that if the Commission is
concerned about the length of time of the sign construction
that it approve the request for a 12 month period at which
time it could be reviewed. The applicant could request an
extension and could determine the success of the trial
location.
It was moved by Commissioner Mullen, seconded by Commis-
sioner Van Allen and unanimously carried to approve the
request for a free - standing sign at 5303 Lincoln Avenue
subject to the following conditions:
1. Approval for the sign is granted for a 12 -month period
at the end of which time the sign shall be removed.
Prior to the expiration of this time period, the
applicant may apply for an extension not to exceed
an additional 12 months.
2. The sign shall be constructed in accordance with the
plot plans and elevations as submitted and as reviewed
and approved by the Planning Commission.
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Planning Commission Minutes April 17, 1975
3. The applicant shall obtain all appropriate permits
from the City of Cypress Building Department and
shall pay all necessary fees.
4. Construction of the sign shall be in accordance with
the Cypress City, Code.
3. Discussion of Planning Commission recognition award.
The Commissioners discussed the four candidates for the
recognition award which were: Hyatt Die Cast, Systems
Reefer Service, Dr. Marvin Stern's office on Lincoln,
and the Exxon Service Station at the northwest corner of
Valley View and Ball Road.
Commissioner Mullen stated he visited all four locations
and felt the recipient should be Hyatt Die Cast. He felt
the Hyatt property had been run down and the businessman
came into the City with the attitude of being an asset
to the City and had improved the property. Commissioner
Mullen did not feel the chain -link with wood slats fence on
the Systems Reefer property was attractive, he felt the signing
at the doctor's office was unattractive and redundant and
the landscaping at the Enco station was not continued into
the parkway.
Commissioner Greenwood stated he recommended Dr. Stern's
office because Hyatt Die Cast and Systems Reefer were pre-
sented with awards in the past by the Chamber of Commerce.
He agreed that the sign at the doctor's office did not fit
in with the landscaping program.
Commissioner Walsh stated her objection to the doctor's
office was that it had only recently been improved and had
been in its previous dilapidated condition for about seven
years until the office had to be expanded. She felt it was
being maintained now because it is new and did not feel the
owner had previously shown real community interest. She
felt the pleasing environment of Hyatt Die Cast was superior
and did not feel their getting previous awards should eliminate
them from consideration of an award by the Commission.
Chairman Hart stated his intent in giving the award was to
recognize the small businessman who improves his business
on his own initiative and out of personal pride and not
because he has ample money to spend on improvements. He
stated Hyatt Die Cast had received other civic awards and
he had wished to single out the smaller businessmen.
Commissioner Van Allen did not feel that recognition by
other organizations was relevant and he felt that the
Commission should be able to give the award without qualifi-
cations to a business based on its overall appearance and
that it should represent a standard which the Commission
approves. He did not feel it should be granted if there are
visible deficiencies.
Chairman Hart stated it appeared to be the consensus of
the Commission to give the award to Hyatt Die Cast.
Commissioner Greenwood felt the Chamber of Commerce should
be more involved and cooperate with the Commission by sub-
mitting recommendations. Commissioner Mullen- - suggested
that the Commission solicit recommendations from civic
organizations. Commissioner Van Allen felt it would be
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Planning Commission Minutes April 17, 1975
a good idea to have input from the residents as to who
they feel are candidates for recognition and suggested that
this program be publicized in the City newsletter.
The Commission also discussed setting up a schedule to
make the awards and Commissioner Van Allen opposed setting
a specific schedule so that the Commission would not feel
obligated to make awards within a certain time period and
because there may not be businesses deserving recognition.
Chairman Hart suggested a quarterly basis so that, even if
an award is not merited, the Commission can be considering
candidates during that time.
The Commission agreed on the quarterly schedule and directed
the Planning Director to prepare a letter to the Chamber,
community organizations and an article for the newsletter
stating the Commission would appreciate nominations for
the recognition award.
4. Consideration of acquisition of Parcel AP #244- 451 -07
on Walker Street.
The Planning Director reported that the County Tax
Collector had advised the City that the above parcel is
available for acquisition because of non - payment of taxes
since 1968 -69. The parcel has an 80 foot frontage on
Walker Street with a 100 foot depth and is located in the
area proposed for Civic Center expansion. He reported that
the City had acquired four other parcels in this area in
conjunction with the expansion program. The Planning Director
stated the Commission must make a determination as to
whether acquisition of the parcel is consistent with the
City's General Plan and Civic Center development program
and in accordance with Government Code Section 65402.
It was moved by Commissioner Van Allen, seconded by Commis-
sioner Walsh and unanimously carried to approve acquisition
of Parcel AP #244- 451 -07 subject to the findings that the
acquisition complies with Government Code Section 65402 and
is consistent with the Cypress General Plan and Cypress Civic
Center development program.
The Planning Director stated the joint Planning Commission/
City Council meeting was scheduled for Monday, April 28 at
4:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT:
Chairman Hart adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m. to Monday,
April 28, 1975 at 4:00 p.m.
/.,J1
5 �, I Ci. ��i
CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
ATTEST:
SECRETARY OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
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