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MIN 06 13 2016_Item 2_Elaine_emJUNE 13, 2016 PLANNING COMMISSION [DRAFT] MINUTES Page 1 of 3 PC 06-13-2016 ITEM NO. 2 ADDENDUM TO SUPPLEMENTAL EIR NO. 340 DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT NO. 2016-00002 CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 2016-05859 FINAL SITE PLAN NO. 2016-00002 (DEV2015-00132) Location: 1030 West Katella Avenue Request: To construct a 634-room, 8-story hotel with 42,000 square feet of meeting space and 31,179 square feet of restaurant and retail space; to establish a zero setback along the east side of the project, adjacent to the Anaheim Convention Center; and, a request to adopt a development agreement between the City of Anaheim and FJS, Inc. for the proposed hotel project. Environmental Determination: The Planning Commission will consider if an Addendum to the previously-certified Supplemental Environmental Impact Report No. 340 (SEIR 340) is the appropriate environmental document for this project and that none of the conditions set forth in Sections 15162 or 15163 of the State CEQA Guidelines calling for the preparation of a subsequent environmental impact report or a supplement to SEIR 340 have occurred. Resolution No. PC2016-045 Resolution No. PC2016-046 Resolution No. PC2016-047 (Seymour / Caldwell) Approved, recommended City Council approval of the Addendum to the previously- certified Supplemental EIR No. 340; and, approval of the Development Agreement, Conditional Use Permit, and Final Site Plan. VOTE: 6-0 Chair Lieberman and Commissioners Bostwick, Caldwell, Henninger, Ramirez and Seymour voted yes. Commissioner Dalati was absent. Project Planner: Elaine Thienprasiddhi ethien@anaheim.net Elaine Thienprasiddhi, Senior Planner, provided a summary of the staff report dated June 13, 2016, along with a visual presentation. Commissioner Ramiirez asked staff if there are any city requirements relating to design standards for hotels. Ms. Thienprasiddhi responded that there are city guidelines which are outlined in the Anaheim Resort Specific Plan but they are not code requirements. Commissioner Ramirez asked how judgement is made relating to the aesthetics of the project and how it may or may not fit in with the resort area. Ms. Thienprasiddhi responded that Community Economic Development has a consultant that produces an architectural peer review, which was completed for the subject project. The review ensures that the project meets the requirements of the AAA standards, but in regards to the resort, the City’s focus is on the consistent landscaping in the area. The Code requires relating specific trees and plants and minimum quantities. Staff reviews the architecture of the project for conformity with the specific plan guidelines, but again they are very general in their recommendations. JUNE 13, 2016 PLANNING COMMISSION [DRAFT] MINUTES Page 2 of 3 PC 06-13-2016 Commissioner Henninger asked why a conditional use permit is being requested, instead of changing the district for the currently city owned portion of the site. Ms. Thienprasiddhi responded that redoing the lines of the district was something that staff looked at initially, but since the proposed density of the overall project fell within the allowable density of the existing Anabella Hotel site, staff decided that it would be a better streamlined process to leave it as is because doing it in the specific plan amendment requires additional tribal notification and a lengthier process than the alternative of doing the conditional use permit for a hotel project. Susan Kim, Principal Planner, added that it was also a streamlining provision for the applicant as the specific plan amendment would be another item that would need to go before the City Council, and request for adoption of an ordinance, it is a much more time consuming process and staff tries to make the process as simple as possible for applicants. Commissioner Bostwick referred to the parking structure and the traffic turn-around, and asked staff how guests would access the hotel from the parking structure. Ms. Thienprasiddhi provided detailed information relating to guests’ arrivals and the options available to get to the hotel, including circulation as it relates to delivery and service vehicles. Chair Lieberman opened the public hearing. Paul Sanford, applicant, 1030 W. Katella Avenue, Anaheim, provided details related to their vision that they have with the subject project. He stated they have been a part of a lot of the development inside the resort with hotels and projects. They have been able to embrace the changes in Anaheim and the Anaheim Resort specifically. He indicated with the growth and the enlivening of Katella Avenue, and the Convention Center expansion and development, they see a fantastic opportunity and also a deficiency as they believe that the community needs a strong, four-diamond hotel that is within steps to the Convention Center in order to enliven and support the development of 200,000 square feet of meeting space which will bring the luxury and incentive groups. He stated that they believe with the amenities, size of the rooms, the views, and the sophistication the hotel, it will add the elegance and the availability that will take the Anaheim Convention Center and Katella Avenue into the next step. Commissioner Ramirez expressed her displeasure with the architecture of the project and doesn’t feel that it fits into the resort area at a very prominent site next to the Anaheim Convention Center. Commissioner Bostwick expressed his support of the proposed project and the architecture, but asked Mr. Sanford when they believe that they would be satisfied with the existing number of four-star hotels in the resort area. Mr. Sanford referred to a study done by PKF which indicated that they need about 2,500 additional four-diamond rooms in the resort area which they also concurred with. JUNE 13, 2016 PLANNING COMMISSION [DRAFT] MINUTES Page 3 of 3 PC 06-13-2016 Kevin Curtis, General Manager, Rain Forest Café, 1515 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, stated he is Co-Chair of the Anaheim Restaurant Council, and he expressed their support of the proposed project as it will allow more opportunity for high-end clientele, conventioneers, and visitors to remain in the city which would benefit the local restaurants and hotel businesses, resort district, tax revenue, and a benefit for the city overall. Ross McCune, Chairman of the Anaheim Chambers of Commerce, and a business owner of Caisteal Builders, Inc., 3920 E. Coronado Street, Anaheim, he expressed his support of the proposed project as it represents the highest, best use of the subject property and it allows it to be used to its full potential. The proposed Anabella Hotel will be a key part of the economic development, and he asked for Planning Commission’s approval of the proposed project. Chair Lieberman closed the public hearing. Chair Lieberman expressed her support of the proposed project, and stated that she concurs with Mr. Curtis and Mr. McCune. Commissioner Seymour offered a motion, seconded by Commissioner Caldwell and MOTION CARRIED (Commissioner Dalati was absent), recommending that the Planning Commission adopt the resolutions attached to the June 13, 2016 staff report, determining that an Addendum to the previously-certified Supplemental Environmental Impact Report No. 340 (SEIR 340) is the appropriate environmental document for this request, and recommending City Council approval of Development Agreement No. 2016-00002, Conditional Use Permit No. 2016-05859, including the request for a zero-foot wide interior setback, and Final Site Plan No. 2016-00002 (DEV2015-00132). Eleanor Morris, Secretary announced that the resolution passed with six yes votes. Chair Lieberman and Commissioners Bostwick, Caldwell, Henninger, Ramirez and Seymour voted yes. Commissioner Dalati was absent. OPPOSITION: None IN SUPPORT: Two persons spoke in favor of the subject project. DISCUSSION TIME: 24 minutes (6:01 to 6:25 p.m.)