MIN 09 09 15_Item 7SEPTEMBER 9, 2015
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ITEM NO. 7 ADDENDUM NO. 4 TO FINAL SUBSEQUENT EIR NO. 339
AND MITIGATION MONITORING PLAN NO. 321
GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 2015-00490 MISCELLANEOUS CASE NO. 2015-00598 ZONING CODE AMENDMENT NO. 2013-00112
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT NO. 2005-00008C
TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO. 17703
FINAL SITE PLAN NO. 2014-00002 (DEV2013-00034A) (COLLECTIVELY, THE "PROJECT ACTIONS")
Location: The subject property is commonly known as
1404 East Katella Avenue (A-Town) and consists of approximately 43.1-acres generally located west of State
College Boulevard between Katella Avenue and Gene
Autry Way in an area of the City of Anaheim known as
"The Platinum Triangle".
Request: The following actions will be considered
relating to the A-Town project: 1) Amend the Land Use
Element, the Green Element and the Circulation Element
of the General Plan to reflect the relocation of the
proposed public park and proposed street realignment; 2) Amend the Platinum Triangle Master Land Use Plan to
reconfigure the circulation system street types and street-
section design based on a new Master Site Plan and to
reflect modified ground floor commercial/retail use
locations within Development Areas B and C, the deletion of the A-Town Public Realm Landscape and Identity
Program and adjustments to the District Boundaries for
the Katella and Gene Autry Districts; 3) Amend Chapter
18.20 (PTMU Overlay) of Title 18 (Zoning Code) of the
Anaheim Municipal Code to modify the requirement for ground floor commercial uses on Market Street and to
clarify that ground floor commercial uses are required on
Gene Autry Way east of Union Street and to allow
perpendicular parking on connector streets and tandem
parking for residential units; 4) Approve an Amended and Restated Development Agreement between the City of
Anaheim and PT Metro, LLC to provide for the
development of a Master Site Plan with between 1,400 to
1,746 residential dwelling units and a range of 38,000 to
50,000 square feet of commercial/retail uses. The plan
Resolution No. 065
Resolution No. 066 Resolution No. 067 Resolution No. 068
Resolution No. 069
Resolution No. 070
Resolution No. 071 (Dalati / Henninger)
Approved, recommending that
City Council approve Addendum
No. 4 to FSEIR No. 339 and MMP No. 321, together with other
previously-approved
environmental documents; and, approve the GPA, PTMLUP
Amendment, ZCA, DAG (modified
Condition No. 27), TTM, and FSP (modified Condition No. 16).
VOTE: 5-0
Commissioners Bostwick, Dalati,
Henninger, Ramirez and Seymour voted yes. Chairman Lieberman and Commissioner Caldwell were
absent.
Project Planner:
Scott Koehm skoehm@anaheim.net
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also includes public park space and the reconfiguration of
connector streets; 5) Approve Tentative Tract Map No.
17703 for condominium purposes to re-subdivide approximately 36.7 acres of the site into lots that
correspond with the proposed Master Site Plan. The
tentative tract map also establishes the new alignment
and configuration of internal public streets and public
recreation/park areas to be dedicated to the City of Anaheim with the implementation of the proposed Master
Site Plan design; and, 6) Approve a Final Site Plan in
conjunction with Development Agreement No. 2005-
00008C to construct a 400-unit apartment project with a 6-
story parking structure in Development Area A of the proposed Master Site Plan.
Environmental Determination: The Planning Commission
will determine whether an addendum to the previously certified Platinum Triangle Expansion Project Final
Subsequent Environmental Impact Report No. 339 for the
Revised Platinum Triangle Expansion Project, along with
Mitigation Monitoring Plan No. 321, together with other
previously-approved environmental documentation, serves as the appropriate environmental documentation
for the Project Actions.
Scott Koehm, Associate Planner, provided a summary of the staff report dated September 9, 2015, along with a visual presentation. He indicated that staff believes the proposed
project actions are consistent with the rules and policy of the general plan and meet the
required findings of the Zoning Code and that the proposed development would be an
appropriate addition to the Platinum Triangle, therefore staff recommends approval of the
request. He also noted that since the publishing of the staff report, the applicant and staff have agreed to modify a condition of approval for the final site plan and the development
agreement that pertains to trash pick-up. The revised condition would strike the
requirement for the bulky item trash storage area to be within 25 feet of the trash pick-up
area, and instead allow the trash storage area to be shown on the solid waste
management plan as approved by the Streets and Sanitation Division of the Public Works Department. The said condition is Condition No. 16 in the draft resolution for the final site
plan; and Condition No. 27 in the draft resolution for the development agreement.
Commissioner Bostwick asked if each of the development areas would come back to the
Planning Commission for a design review.
Mr. Koehm responded yes, and stated each of the development areas as they are
submitted by the applicant for their proposed buildings, will included more detailed plans
relating to the elevations, landscaping, floor, and parking analysis, and they will come
back before the Planning Commission as public hearing items.
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Commissioner Bostwick referred to the proposed large park and asked when it’s
anticipated to be built.
Mr. Koehm responded that the public park is to be completed within five years, in order to
receive the first 5-year extension, which is at the first milestone for the development
agreement.
Commissioner Bostwick asked if the park would be built along with Development Area A.
Mr. Koehm responded yes, and stated that Development Area A has 400 units which is
part of the final site plan that is being presented this evening which has already been
submitted for plan check; and he stated that the public park would be completed, in addition with the 150 units to also be completed within the first 5-year period.
Commissioner Henninger asked for further clarification on the maximum number of units
to be built prior to the 5-year period in relation to the park being built within that same time period.
Mr. Koehm responded that the conditions of approval require that the public park be
completed and dedicated before the 550 units are completed, and he provided further
clarification in regards to the subject matter.
Acting Chairman Seymour opened the public hearing.
Donna Kelly, Lennar Corporation, 25 Enterprise, 3rd Floor, Aliso Viejo, California, she
provided a presentation, and stated the project provides a variety of housing types, recreation areas, ground floor retail, and suitable street network. She stated that they did
some consumer research, as they went to the existing residents living in the Platinum
Triangle and asked for their opinions on what they would want to see in the Platinum
Triangle, and asked for their input on the design of A-Town. And, what they found were
that the residents wanted walkability, with pleasant places to walk, a place to jog and be away from busy streets, along with green spaces, and a neighborhood grocery store.
She included that the resource demand analysis proved that the retail needed in the area
would be for residential serving retail, which complemented and reinforced the residents’
input and opinions. Also, the market report for the residential indicated mid-rise properties, properties for sale, properties for rent, and a variety of other proposed
products. She further stated that the existing residents also wanted more of a residential
character for the Platinum Triangle.
She stated with that they developed their project goals in creating A-Town as the most desirable place in the Platinum Triangle. She stated that they needed to have a master
plan that is flexible, as the market changes very quickly; and since they have eight
proposed development parcels, they wanted development parcels which can be suitable
and workable for a variety of product types. She referred to the project plans and pointed
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out that the public park is to be the centerpiece as most of the residential parcels align
with it and most of the roads lead to the park.
She indicated that they were very sensitive to the ground floor uses in order to be
confident that there are elements that create a good sense of place for A-Town. She
referred to a diagram and stated it does a very good job in showing a variety of products,
different colors on the development parcels, and the red highlights where architectural
features are needed; and these elements give direction and signage, and is a gateway to the project.
She stated that the linear park serves a lot of the needs that were expressed by existing
residents for alternatives for walking and jogging. There are three separate programmed
areas and with units fronting the park, so residents have views of the park from their units which will make it a very engaging area.
She referred to the PowerPoint presentation and stated that the illustrated slide shows the
gateway to the community and the vitality with the ground floor retail on Katella Avenue and entering into the project. She provided further details of the project relating to the
walkability of Market Street and the availability of retail along the street to the park and to
the potential community center that the city may acquire. She also pointed out that the
park area is a meaningful open space within the community.
She referred to the architectural features of the proposed apartment, and stated they
wanted to make a statement for the apartments because typically apartments would have
more frontage along a major street such as Katella Avenue, but with the proposed
architectural features it does a good job of drawing people in and marking a separation
between the existing industrial areas and a transition to the developing areas of the Platinum Triangle.
She further pointed out that the amenities for the residents are critical because they are
pioneers in many ways and they are on the side of the property, and will be moving into
an area that will be under construction in one way or another for at least a couple of years. She illustrated where the leasing center would be located, along with the offices
for residents to utilize, and the wellness center, and indicated there are other amenities
included. She provided additional descriptions of the proposed outdoor courtyards.
She addressed Commissioner Henninger’s question; and stated that the first commitment is to the first phase of infrastructure and the park is within that phase. She indicated
because the apartment residents are their pioneers, they want the park completed for
them to bring them hope and promise of the community that’s going to be building on the
project site for the coming six to seven years. The park does intend to be completed
when the apartments are available and ready for opening.
She concluded by thanking the Planning Commission and she asked for their support of
the subject project.
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Acting Chairman Seymour asked the applicant if she had reviewed the conditions of
approval and were in agreement with the staff report.
Ms. Kelley responded yes.
Larry Brose, 2 Park Plaza, Suite #100, Irvine, Vice President with the Orange County
Business Council (OCBC). He provided a brief description of OCBC business operations
and stated they are present today to support the A-Town Project as it fits perfectly with their workforce housing initiative, being a creation of a broad range and broad spectrum
of housing products to meet the needs of the region’s diverse population while bolstering
economic development. He further provided information relative to their workforce
housing score card for all the cities in the county and the unincorporated county areas, in
order to see how many jobs they have versus the number of housing units (all types of homes, for rent and for sale). And, as it pertains to creating jobs, things are looking good;
but as it pertains to the number of housing units, things are not looking good. He
indicated that their research indicates that they are currently about 50,000-62,000
housing units short using the gold standard of one-and-a-half jobs per each house. Therefore, looking at the proposed project, they feel it is a great way to add to the housing
stock and help reduce the current housing shortfall. He expressed his support of the
project and asked that the Planning Commission approve the request.
Steven LaMotte, 24 Executive Park, Irvine, Director of Government Affairs for the Building Industry Association of Orange County. He stated he is present today to support the
project. He indicated that recently the California Legislative Analysis Office released a
report stating that Orange County needs approximately 7,000 more homes per year, just
to keep housing affordable; and that number increases approximately 100,000 at the
state level. The subject project will offer the city about 1,700 new units. He expressed his support of the request.
Sarah Ellis, she read into the record a letter of support from Carolyn Cavecche for Orange
County Taxpayers, P.O. Box 5881, Orange.
Dan Finley, 241 S. Anaheim Boulevard, Anaheim, Executive Director of Muzeo Museum
and Cultural Center; also serves as a member of the board of directors of the Anaheim
Arts Council. He expressed his support of the A-Town project.
Chris Fix, 1801 E. Katella Avenue, Anaheim, he stated he resides at the Stadium Lofts since 2013, and has been waiting for the A-Town project; the project will give the subject
area a renewed sense of vitality and is a place where they could frequent to do their day-
to-day necessities. He expressed his support of the A-Town project and he submitted a
petition in support of the project.
Jennifer Cox, Senior Account Executive for Anaheim Days Outdoor Dimensions, she read
into the record a letter of support from Valerie Hardman who is the company’s Vice
President, 5325 E. Hunter, Anaheim.
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Wendy Bucknum, 26686 Avenida Deseo, Mission Viejo, CA, Vice President of
Professional Community Management; and a member of the board of directors for the
Building Industry Association of Orange County; Pastor of the South Orange County Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Coalition; and is a member of the Mission Viejo City
Council. She indicated she is present today as an Orange County business woman and
expressed her support of the A-Town project.
Acting Chairman Seymour closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Dalati offered a motion, seconded by Commissioner Henninger and
MOTION CARRIED (Chairman Lieberman and Commissioner Caldwell were absent),
recommending that the Planning Commission adopt the resolutions attached to the
September 9, 2015 staff report, recommending that the City Council approve Addendum No. 4 to FSEIR No. 339 and MMP No. 321, together with other previously-approved
environmental documents, that serve as the environmental documentation for the A-Town
Project; and, approve General Plan Amendment No. 2015-00490, Miscellaneous Case No.
2015-00598, Zoning Code Amendment No. 2013-00112, Development Agreement No. 2005-00008C, Tentative Tract Map No. 17703, and Final Site Plan No. 2014-00002
(DEV2013-00034A).
Eleanor Morris, Secretary announced that the resolution passed with five yes votes.
Commissioners Bostwick, Dalati, Henninger, Ramirez and Seymour voted yes. Chairman Lieberman and Commissioner Caldwell were absent.
OPPOSITION: None
IN SUPPORT: Seven persons spoke expressing their support of the request.
Three pieces of written correspondence were received in support of the request.
DISCUSSION TIME: 1 hour (5:36 to 6:36)