Meeting Summary
Present: Murphy, Hanson, Steward, Rice-Schmidt · Absent: Chesley
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Design Review Permit DRP 26-004 (312 West Aliso Street)
- Staff and the architect presented a request to reduce the footprint of three Phase 2 units to avoid encroaching on an existing storm drain channel.
- Public testimony raised concerns regarding historic paint color compliance, construction safety fencing, parking availability, and CEQA adherence.
- Staff confirmed that final project sign-off is contingent upon resolving any discrepancies with approved conditions, including paint colors.
- The commission voted to approve the proposed reduction in unit sizes as presented by the developer.
Future Agenda Items
- Staff outlined upcoming pre-reviews and appeals scheduled for the July 15 meeting, including a zone change request at 107 North Ventura Street.
- The August 5 meeting is set to feature an official public hearing on the 107 North Ventura Street project and a tenant protection appeal.
- Clarifications were provided regarding the status definitions of pending items currently in review or awaiting additional information.
Director's Report and Personnel Updates
- Senior Counsel Darren announced his departure due to relocation, introducing John Cardenas as the new Assistant City Attorney.
- Staff reported that a revised Tree Ordinance is being prepared following community workshops and will be sent for commission comment soon.
Closed Session
- No closed session report was included in this meeting summary.
Full summary
Call to Order and Roll Call
- The meeting was called to order with a roll call taken. Commissioners Hanson, Stewart, Rice-Schmidt, and Chair Murphy were present. Vice Chair Chesley was absent. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. No changes were requested to the agenda.
Agenda Approval
- A motion was made to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion was seconded. Upon a roll call vote, the motion passed.
Public Communications
- The public comment period was opened. Kim Mang addressed the commission on behalf of Andy Whitman, who is serving as the liaison to the Planning Commission for the next six months. Whitman expressed appreciation for the commission's service and looked forward to facilitating communication between the commission, city staff, and the City Council. No other speakers appeared in person or online. The public comment period was closed.
Approval of Minutes
- A motion was made to approve the Planning Commission minutes from June 17 as submitted. The motion was seconded. Upon a roll call vote, the motion passed.
Disclosure of Site Visits and Ex Parte Contacts
- Commissioners disclosed site visits and contacts. One commissioner noted riding a bicycle around the perimeter of a project site. Another commissioner stated they had visited the site but had no recent ex parte contacts. Commissioner Rice-Schmidt recused herself from Item 2, citing residence within 500 feet of the property.
Design Review Permit DRP 26-004 (312 West Aliso Street)
- Staff presented a request to modify an existing Design Review Permit for the "Cottages Among the Flowers" project at 312 West Aliso Street. The project, originally approved in 2007 and revised in 2016, involves four phases totaling 12 units. A 2023 settlement agreement added two affordable units to Phase 1.
- The current request concerns Phase 2, which includes three market-rate units (Units 312B, 312C, and 314B). During staking for construction, it was discovered that an addition to Unit 314B would encroach upon an existing storm drain channel. To avoid significant environmental work required to address the channel, the developer proposed reducing the footprint of all three Phase 2 units.
- Architect Jason Herber presented details on the modifications:
- Unit 312B: Reduced from 956 square feet to 700 square feet (2 bed/1 bath).
- Unit 312C: Reduced from 1,092 square feet to 722 square feet (2 bed/2 bath).
- Unit 314B: Reduced significantly to avoid the drainage channel; footprint is now similar to Unit 312C.
- The architect stated that bedroom and bathroom counts remain unchanged, exterior ridgelines and chimneys are preserved, and previously approved paint colors will be used. Staff confirmed that parking for the project is addressed on a site-wide basis rather than per phase, with access points off Aliso Street and Oak Avenue.
Public Hearing
- The public hearing was opened. One speaker, Anita Cram, testified regarding outstanding issues with the project's conditions of approval. She raised concerns about:
- Historic Resources: Alleged non-compliance with historic preservation conditions, specifically noting that completed units were painted green rather than the required white with green trim.
- Construction Safety: Concerns regarding an open section of the construction fence adjacent to residences, posing safety risks to pedestrians and pets.
- Parking: Claims that parking spaces for specific cottages have been lost due to construction activities.
- Process: Questions regarding a director's exemption and adherence to CEQA mitigated negative declaration conditions.
- Staff responded that a Conditions of Approval Compliance Officer has been hired to monitor the site and address violations, noting that many issues have been resolved through regular review. Regarding the paint color, staff acknowledged the 2019 approval documents may specify white with green trim and stated that final sign-off on the project would not occur until any discrepancies are corrected. The architect confirmed the siding is painted and noted his involvement began in 2022/2023, referencing a 2019 color palette approval.
Commission Discussion and Vote
- Commissioners discussed the presentation and public comments. One commissioner expressed support for the downsizing of market-rate units to reduce crowding and preserve landscape character, noting that Phase 1 construction appeared well-executed. Another commissioner acknowledged the developer's proactive approach in identifying the drainage issue before proceeding with non-compliant construction.
- A motion was made to approve the reduction in size as written. The motion was seconded. Upon a roll call vote, the motion passed.
Future Agenda Items
- Staff provided an overview of upcoming agenda items:
- July 15 Meeting: Includes a pre-review for 107 North Ventura Street (Zone Change, General Plan Amendment, Conditional Use Permit, and Design Review Permit) and two appeals regarding tree ordinances at 304 South Ventura Street and 201 North Ventura Avenue.
- August 5 Meeting: Scheduled for the official public hearing on 107 North Ventura Street and an appeal regarding tenant protections at 1620 San Gabriel Street.
- Status Updates: Staff clarified the status of pending items, distinguishing between "in review" (information submitted), "pending" (under review awaiting scheduling), and "incomplete" (awaiting additional information).
Director's Report and Personnel Updates
- Senior Counsel Darren announced his departure from the Planning Commission role due to relocation to the Seattle area. He introduced John Cardenas, who will assume the Assistant City Attorney role. Mr. Cardenas introduced himself, noting his background in federal law and infrastructure development.
- Staff also announced that a revised version of the Tree Ordinance is being prepared following community workshops and City Council review. The Planning Commission will be invited to provide comments on the draft before it is forwarded to the City Council, likely within the next month.
Commissioner Reports and Adjournment
- No reports were submitted by commission members. Mayor Andy Gilman was acknowledged but did not speak. The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 PM.