Planning Commission
TL;DR
The Long Beach Planning Commission approved several updates to city planning and zoning regulations, including new guidelines for park design and subdivision rules. The commission also approved a permanent parklet installation for a local restaurant after reviewing a third-party appeal.
Key Decisions
- Subdivision Regulations Amendment Passed
- Permanent Parklet Installation at 5215 East 2nd Street Passed with modifications
- Victory Park/Santa Cruz Park Design Guidelines Passed
- Local Coastal Program Amendment Passed
Agenda
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- CALL TO ORDER
- ROLL CALL
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- DIRECTOR'S REPORT
- REGULAR AGENDA
- 1. Recommendation to approve the minutes of the Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, October 5, 2023.PL-Agenda ItemAction: approve recommendation Passed
A motion was made by Vice Chair Templin, seconded by Commissioner Clemson, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote:
- 2. Recommendation to receive and file a presentation for National Community Planning Month.PL-Agenda ItemAction: approve recommendation Passed
A motion was made by Vice Chair Templin, seconded by Commissioner Castillo, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote:
- 3. Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the public hearing, and consider a third-party appeal filed by the “Parking Not Parklets” Organization represented by Melinda Cotton, Julie Dean, and Brian Cochrane representing (APL23-017); Accept Categorical Exemption CE-23-093; and, Uphold the Zoning Administrator’s approval of a Local Coastal Development Permit (LCDP23-012) and, adopt the proposed findings and conditions of approval thereto, for the installation of a permanent parklet (256 square feet) within a portion of the public right-of-way, currently designated for two on-street parking spaces, abutting a restaurant at 5215 East 2nd Street in the Neighborhood Pedestrian (CNP) Zoning District. (District 3)PL-Agenda ItemAction: approve recommendation Passed
A motion was made by Commissioner Clemson, seconded by Vice Chair Templin, to approve recommendation, as amended, to [1] modify condition of approval number seven to include the word “actively” before “discourage” and [2] to specify that the parklet entitlement runs with this particular business operation and not with the land. The motion carried by the following vote:
- 4. Recommendation to recommend that the City Council determine that the project is not subject to CEQA Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under 1) Article 5, Section 15061 of the State CEQA Guidelines, and 2) 15308 actions by regulatory agencies for protection of natural resources; and Recommend that the City Council approve a Code Amendment (ZCA19-005) and Local Coastal Program Amendment (LCPA 23-001) to repeal and replace the Subdivision Regulations of the City of Long Beach (Title 20 of the Long Beach Municipal Code). The amendment includes revisions to: 1) comply with the Subdivision Map Act; 2) streamline minor map approvals (lot mergers, lot line adjustments, and parcel maps); 3) improve procedural consistency and accuracy in processing subdivisions to include clear and unambiguous language and text; 4) update the design standards to align with the General Plan; 5) streamline the decision making process allowing the Zoning Administrator to approve maps with up to 50 residential lots or maps for projects that include 100 percent affordable residential units; 6) update notice requirements; and 7) introduce Chapter 20.18 related to Urban Lot Splits. (Citywide)PL-Agenda ItemAction: approve recommendation Passed
A motion was made by Vice Chair Templin, seconded by Commissioner Clemson, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote:
- 5. Recommendation to recommend that City Council Accept Categorical Exemption CE-23-113 and approve a Local Coastal Program Amendment (LCPA23-002) to repeal the 1989 Victory Park Design Guidelines and adopt Victory Park/Santa Cruz Park Design Guidelines and proposed findings thereto, to establish updated design guidelines for Victory Park and Santa Cruz Park in the Downtown Shoreline Planned Development (PD-6) District. (District 1)PL-Agenda ItemAction: approve recommendation Passed
A motion was made by Vice Chair Templin, seconded by Commissioner Clemson, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote:
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Members of the public are invited to address the Planning Commission on items of interest to the public within the Commission's jurisdiction. Each speaker will be limited to three minutes unless that time is extended by the Chair.
- COMMENTS FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION
- ADJOURNMENT
- I, Vanessa Hall, City Clerk Specialist, certify that the agenda was posted not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting.
- NOTE: The City of Long Beach provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If special accommodation is desired, or you need the agenda provided in an alternate format, please call the Office of the City Clerk at (562) 570-6101, 24 hours prior to the meeting. vh
- Also Present: Christopher Koontz, Director of Community Development; Alison Spindler-Ruiz, Planning Bureau Manager; Alexis Oropeza, Current Planning Officer; Erin Weesner-McKinley, Deputy City Attorney; Alex Medina, Bureau Secretary; Vanessa Hall, City Clerk Specialist.
- ADJOURNMENT
- COMMENTS FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION
- PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
- REGULAR AGENDA
- DIRECTOR'S REPORT
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- ROLL CALL
- CALL TO ORDER
- FINISHED AGENDA & MINUTES