Staff Writer
At its regular monthly meeting on April 18, the Signal Hill Planning Commission reviewed the City’s 2016 general plan progress report and approved continuation of a public workshop to discuss a residential building plan. The commission also asked questions of City staff about concerning issues.
Progress report
Community Development Director Scott Charney and staff presented the commission with the City’s 2016 general plan progress report, which had been shared with the city council on March 28.
“We’re obligated to submit an annual progress report to Sacramento,” Charney explained. “Staff thinks it’s an important opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments of the past year.”
In terms of land use, Charney listed developments in each of Signal Hill’s seven neighborhoods, such as residential and industrial renovation and construction, beautification and sustainability awards, car dealership developments, two mayor’s clean-up events and new energy fuel cells at both Home Depots.
In the civic center neighborhood in particular, Charney noted that in 2016, the library was temporarily relocated and the old building demolished to make way for construction of a new library. Construction was also underway for the Gundry Hill development of 72 affordable-housing rental units at 1500 E. Hill Street. Charney also reported that negotiations with Signal Hill Petroleum were finalized for a potential mixed-use development project adjacent to the former Fresh & Easy market.
Regarding the Atlantic Avenue-Spring Street neighborhood, Charney noted that the Kaiser facility on Willow Street was finished and the Auto Center freeway sign renovation was completed in 2016.
On the housing element, senior planner Colleen Doan reported that of Signal Hill’s needs-assessment for 169 units for the period 2013 to 2021, permits were issued in 2016 for 74 of 98 required market-rate units and all 71 affordable housing units.
“We’re not required to build the units during that time frame, however [!] we’re proud that we actually do get our many of our units built,” she said.
Assistant planner Ryan Agbayani reported on the finalized California Avenue widening project between Willow and Spring streets in collaboration with the City of Long beach, following a $1-million grant approved by Caltrans from Federal Highway Administration.
In terms of environmental resources, Doan noted that the average water reduction in 2016 was 23 percent compared to 2013 usage.
“Water resiliency is important,” she emphasized, adding that work continued in 2016 on a new water well. “The City was awarded a multi-agency grant from Caltrans for a storm-water retention facility at the Long Beach Airport and construction has begun.”
On parks, Doan reported that work on updating the parks and recreation master plan began in 2016 and a consulting firm was selected to conduct a community needs assessment of programs, services and facilities.
“In addition, the City received grant funds for the View Park to expand the sides [!] and incorporate a recycled water connection,” she said. “Design of the dog park continued.”
Agbayani listed notable safety achievements in 2016, including: continuation of the neighborhood watch program; CERT [Community Emergency Response Team] training for 21 residents; completion of the Citizens Police Academy by 16 residents; and promotion of the Red Cross 21 Weeks to Prepare program.
On behalf of staff, Agbayani wished to thank other City departments.
“We just want to emphasize that the preparation for this report requires the participation of each City department.
This was a collaborative effort,” he said, adding that the report was sent to Sacramento before the April 1 deadline.
The commission moved to receive and file the report.
Public workshop
The commission considered an application by resident Phala Chhean to continue a public workshop on a custom single-family dwelling at 1900 Temple Ave. He requested postponement to the next planning commission meeting on May 16 to allow time to update plans and incorporate recent design refinements on the new two-story residence.
Doan reported that planning of the home is going smoothly.
“The timeframe ended for [public] comments,” she said. “We received no requests for view analysis reports.”
The commission voted 4-0 to continue the public workshop at its next regular meeting on May 16. (Commissioner Rose Richárd recused herself from the vote since she lives on the same street.)
Commission concerns
Richárd asked Charney about a possible relocation of the Wells Fargo ATM on Willow Street at Cherry Avenue due to safety concerns because of vehicle congestion at the adjacent Costco gas station.
“We have off-and-on discussions [with Wells Fargo],” he replied. “And until the recent mini-spike in the price of gas and longer lines, it really hasn’t been a priority. But it is something on our radar.”
Charney further explained that relocating the stand-alone ATM would be costly and that Wells Fargo is concerned that moving it would also make it less visible. Reviewing previous measures to ease the situation, Charney noted some limitations.
“The easy fix was the installation of the curbs so that people can’t [!] drive quickly through [the Costco gas station], but the cost of that is that Wells Fargo [customers] are sometimes trapped,” Charney said.
Charney said that the City does have some leverage with Costco on this issue because their gas station hours are not as long as allowed in their conditional use permit (CUP).
“So they have an incentive [!] to give people an opportunity to get gas at off-peak hours but until we have resolution on this issue, we’re not going to be extending the hours,” he said.
Commissioner Tom Benson raised a separate concern to staff that some story poles (which define the scope of a building project) in the city seem to remain up even if no construction is apparent on those sites. Doan explained that while there have been delays in specific projects, none are considered dead. Charney emphasized the importance of story poles to the community.
“Story poles are a good way to engage [people] to ask questions and show up at City Hall to find out what those are related to,” he said.
Pressed by Benson, Charney further stated that once a project is approved, applicants are advised to keep story poles up during the 30-day appeal period and then take them down on the 31st day.
Benson also inquired about the problem of trash dumping, to which Doan replied that if someone is seen dumping, the police department should be called, not city administration.
Benson finally made note that April 18 was the night of Paul Revere’s ride 240 years ago, warning American colonists that the British were coming.
“We probably wouldn’t be sitting here tonight if it wasn’t for Paul Revere,” he said.
Beautification awards
The commission presented two beautification awards, given quarterly, for properties featuring significant improvements.
Ron Compton accepted an award on behalf of 2H Construction to recognize its commercial building at 2653 Walnut Ave., built in 2016. In presenting the award, chair Devon Austin described the property’s attractive design.
“It has 7,573 square feet of office space, a contemporary architectural design, an open ceiling, glass rails, [!] staff kitchen and break room space, spacious offices and even a basketball free-throw court,” she noted.
Gary Severns was given a beautification award for restoration of his historic 1919 Craftsman-style home at 1790 E. Burnett St.
Reading from the award certificate, Austin described Severn’s extensive reworking.
“[He restored the interior] with period-appropriate custom-crafted doors, windows, fixtures and tile,” she read. “[He] restored the original interior stairs and fireplace, added two additional Craftsman-period fireplaces, solid oak floors, a new electrical system, copper plumbing, 1575 square feet of deck with a panoramic view, a new four-car garage [and] a workroom.”
Austin further described how Severns completely re-landscaped the grounds, adding river-rock planters, a pathway with decorative pavers, a circular drive with a central planter and wrought-iron fencing.
In accepting the award, Severns acknowledged the support of city departments.
“I had a really good relationship with the building department and found them easy to work with,” he said. “It was especially nice to have the same inspector every time.”
The next meeting of the Signal Hill Planning Commission will take place Tuesday, May 16 at 7pm in the council chamber at 2175 Cherry Ave.
