MEETING MINUTES OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA PLANNING COMMISSION  May 28, 2024  CALL TO ORDER  Chair Ereth called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Chair Ereth led the Pledge of Allegiance.  ROLL CALL  Present: Chair Adam Ereth, Vice Chair Russell Toler, Commissioner Angely  Andrade, Commissioner Karen Klepack, Commissioner David Martinez,  Commissioner Jonny Rojas, Commissioner Jon Zich  Absent: None  Officials Present: Assistant Director of Development Services Scott Drapkin, Planning and  Sustainable Development Manager Bill Rodrigues, Assistant City Attorney Tarquin Preziosi, Associate Planner Chris Yeager, City Engineer Seung  Yang and Recording Secretary Anna Partida  ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS:  None.  PUBLIC COMMENTS - MATTERS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA:  Speaker one voiced his concerns about a general lack of parking in development projects concern for and about how the 19th Street bike enhancements have made that  street more challenging for vehicles.  PLANNING COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS: Commissioner Martinez informed the public that May is Bike Month and stated he has been an active participant. He encouraged the public to go on a bike ride. Commissioner Rojas thanked those in attendance and encouraged the public to voice  their opinions on all matters.  Commissioner Zich thanked those in attendance.  Minutes - Costa Mesa Planning Commission Meeting = May 28, 2024-F Page 1    Commissioner Andrade thanked those in attendance. She continued her comments by thanking the Public Works Department for their recent work on city park updates and the Parks and Recreation Department for their work on the community events. Vice Chair Toler presented a slideshow titled "Principles to Guide the Future of Costa Mesa" which expressed his concerns for car dependence and asked the City to prioritize people and the public realm. Vice Chair Toler also noted that May is Bike Month and Chair Ereth thanked Vice Chair Toler for his presentation. He continued his comments by updating the public on his recent public engagements. He stated he spoke to Leadership Tomorrow; he announced his participation on a thesis panel for the City of Costa Mesa's Assistant Planner Caitlyn Curley; and, that he moderated a session at the U. S. Green Building Council's conference about bringing together the entertainment industry to find  encouraged the public to go for a ride.  the best environmental practices for the entertainment industry.  CONSENT CALENDAR:  No member of the public or Commissioner requested to pull a Consent Calendar  item. 1.  APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: MAY 13, 2024  MOVED/SECOND: Toler/Ereth  MOTION: Approve recommended action for Consent Calendar Item No. 1. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Ereth, Toler, Andrade, Klepack, Martinez, Rojas, Zich  Nays: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion carried: 7-0 the May 13, 2024. PUBLIC HEARINGS:  ACTION: Planning Commission approved the minutes of the regular meeting of  1.  PLANNING APPLICATION PA-22-39 FOR A VARIANCE TO EXCEED THE MAXIMUM PERMITTED HEIGHT AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW PDVR-23- 0004 TO CONSTRUCT NEW CHURCH AND NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL Project Description: Development Review PDVR-23-0004 is a request to establish the development program associated with the phased removal ofe existing site improvements and construction of a new three-story, 35,154-square-foot church; a new three-story 10,514-square-foot Sunday school building; and a new Minutes - Costa Mesa Planning Commission Meeting - May 28, 2024 Page 2  BUILDINGS AT 234 FISCHER AVENUE    ,285-square-foot children's play deck, which is elevated one-story above the proposed surface parking lot, and the addition of new landscaping, parking and other site features. Planning Application 22-39 is a variance request to allow architectural elements, including a steeple and two domes with crosses, up to 77 Environmental Determination: The project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per CEQA  feet in height where the allowable height is 45 feet.  Guidelines Section 15332 (Class 32), In-Fill Development.  One ex-parte communication reported.  Commissioner Zich met with the applicant and thé applicant's team on-site. Chris Yeager, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.  The Commission asked questions of staff including discussion about the Arts Commission'sroler will bei int the approval oft the proposed mural/mosaic; the criteria the Arts Commission follows to approve murals/mosaics; confirmation that the project adds 20 parking stalls to the site; whether the Arts Commission would review the stained glass windows; how staff determines if the mural/mosaic is visible from the right-of-way, bike rack location; sidewalk standards; pedestrian access to the site; whether the Planning Commission would review future changes tocafé operations; ifmore trees could be added tot the site; proposed water feature;  and whether the City Arborist reviewed the landscape plans.  The Chair opened the Public Hearing.  Tony Torres, representing the applicant, stated that he has read and agrees to the Commission questions of the applicant included church operating hours; gate hours; café operations; number of parking spaces provided and whether the site design would change if less parking was needed to which the applicant indicated that the design would not change and that the provided parking will meet the Church's needs; outreach and engagement efforts; whether the multipurpose rooms where open to the public; and if the youth Sunday school building is open  conditions of approval.  to the public for other education opportunities. The Chair opened public comments. Speaker one spoke in support of the item. Speaker two spoke in support of the item. Speaker three spoke in support of the item.  Minutes - Costa Mesa Planning Commission Meeting - May 28, 2024 - Page 3    Father Paul Mikhail spoke in support of the item. Speaker five spoke in support of the item. Cindy Fergus spoke in support of the item. Speaker seven spoke in support of the item. The Chair closed public comments. The Chair closed the Public Hearing.  Chair Ereth made a motion. Seconded by Commissioner Rojas.  The Commission discussed the motion including the project's conformity to the findings; was complementary to the project's overall design including the requested height deviation that is ornamental only as there is no usable square footage therein; commented on the congregation's positive community involvement; and expressed preference to improve review process and timeline.  MOVED/SECOND: Ereth/Rojas MOTION: Approve staffs recommendation. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Ereth, Toler, Andrade, Klepack, Rojas, Martinez, Zich  Nays: None Absent: None Recused: None Motion carried: 7-0  ACTION: The Planning Commission adopted a resolution to:  1.F Find that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per CEQA Guidelines Section 15332 (Class 32) In-Fill 2. Approve Planning Application PA-22-39 to grant a variance for allowing an exception to the required maximum building height, and Development Review PDVR-23-0004 to allow a new church building, Sunday school building, and site improvements based on findings of fact and subject to conditions of approval. RESOLUTION PC-2024-14 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA APPROVING PLANNING APPLICATION PA-22-39 FOR A VARIANCE TO EXCEED THE MAXIMUM PERMITTED HEIGHT AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW PDVR-23-0004  Development, and  Minutes - Costa Mesa Planning Commission Meeting = May 28, 2024 - Page 4    TO CONSTRUCT NEW CHURCH AND NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL BUILDINGS  FOR THE PROPERTY AT 234 FISCHER AVENUE Chair Ereth explained the appeal process.  OLD BUSINESS: None.  NEW BUSINESS: None.  DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:  1. Public Works Report-Mr. Yang reported the Public Works Department is continuing with the Adams Avenue Street construction project between Royal Palm Drive and the Santa Ana River Trail. He thanked the public for their patience and asked the  community to follow safe driving practices. 2. Development Services Report - None. CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE REPORT: 1. City Attorney - None. ADJOURNMENT AT 7:21 PM W  SCOTT DRAPKIN, SECRETARY COSTAMESADLANNING COMMISSION  Minutes - Costa Mesa Planning Commission Meeting = May 28, 2024 - Page 5