1 00:04:41,919 --> 00:04:48,639 Sorry about that. We're just waiting on some technical issues. Good evening. 2 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:53,120 Just wanted to do that one last time. My name is Rachel Diamond. This is the City 3 00:04:50,720 --> 00:04:56,479 of Ventura director's hearing. I'm uh again, Rachel Diamond. I'm the community 4 00:04:54,560 --> 00:05:02,000 development director. Um and I'm the hearing officer this evening. Um, 5 00:04:58,639 --> 00:05:09,520 tonight is a special meeting of the um, director's hearing. Um, and um, just 6 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:13,440 going through the agenda here. Um, I do want to acknowledge that we're gathered 7 00:05:10,880 --> 00:05:17,360 on unseated Chumash land. We do have a city council adopted Chumash land 8 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:22,400 acknowledgement. Um, and we have a link in our agenda if you'd like to see that 9 00:05:19,759 --> 00:05:27,120 full acknowledgement. Um, if anyone does have public comment, you can give a 10 00:05:23,759 --> 00:05:31,919 speaker slip to the clerk. Um, we have just called to order. Um, and next we'll 11 00:05:29,919 --> 00:05:35,919 go to public communications, which is a time set aside during the hearing for 12 00:05:33,440 --> 00:05:40,000 members of the public to address me on any planning related business, anything 13 00:05:37,919 --> 00:05:43,199 other than scheduled agenda items. Madame Clerk, do we have any members of 14 00:05:41,840 --> 00:05:45,759 the public who wish to speak during this item? 15 00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:49,199 » Thank you, Director Diamond. No public communications. 16 00:05:46,880 --> 00:05:55,199 » Okay, moving along, we have our consent items. Um there is one item on consent 17 00:05:53,120 --> 00:06:00,160 which is just the con um approval of the minutes from July 20th. I went through 18 00:05:57,120 --> 00:06:04,319 those and looked at the um video and I will go ahead and um approve those 19 00:06:02,720 --> 00:06:07,759 minutes unless do we have any speakers on the consent agenda? 20 00:06:06,560 --> 00:06:11,840 » No speakers. >> Thank you for that. So I'll go ahead and 21 00:06:09,280 --> 00:06:17,280 approve the minutes as provided in the draft. Um moving along to our public 22 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:22,639 hearing items. Um, our first item, we actually have two items on public 23 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:28,080 hearings. Um, let's go ahead and move forward with project 261 1150. Um, which 24 00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:34,080 is an off- streetet parking agreement at 1973 East Main Street. And we have Grant 25 00:06:31,199 --> 00:06:37,759 White with us. Oh, no. We have Ruby with us this evening, uh, with the 26 00:06:35,680 --> 00:06:41,039 presentation. >> Yes. Good afternoon. My name is Ruby 27 00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:44,160 Triggero, assistant planner in the community development department, 28 00:06:42,639 --> 00:06:47,919 presenting on behalf of my colleague, acting senior planner Grant White. And 29 00:06:46,240 --> 00:06:51,680 the agenda item before you is a request for a use permit to permit an off- 30 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:56,680 streetet agreement, parking agreement, and minor design review for a new 31 00:06:53,280 --> 00:06:56,680 commercial daycare. 32 00:06:58,240 --> 00:07:02,840 The project site is located 33 00:07:03,039 --> 00:07:10,960 at 1971 through 1975 East Main Street within the Midtown community. The 34 00:07:08,240 --> 00:07:15,039 approximately 7,750 foot project site is a mixeduse site 35 00:07:12,960 --> 00:07:20,080 developed with two structures. The property is zoned T4.5 Urban General and 36 00:07:18,160 --> 00:07:24,000 is regulated by the Midtown Quarters Development Code. Surrounding uses are 37 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:27,919 primarily commercial in character. To the west store a restaurant, a Pilates 38 00:07:25,840 --> 00:07:32,000 studio, and a corner market with various commercial businesses located east and 39 00:07:29,759 --> 00:07:37,440 south of the project site. A single family residence is located directly 40 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:41,120 north of the site. The proposed project includes the 41 00:07:39,440 --> 00:07:44,880 request for a use permit to authorize the majority of the required off- 42 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:49,199 streetet parking spaces to be to be provided at an off-site location. 43 00:07:47,199 --> 00:07:52,960 Additionally, the project includes the request for a minor design review to 44 00:07:50,880 --> 00:07:57,199 construct an outdoor playground area at the rear to support the licensed daycare 45 00:07:55,120 --> 00:08:00,800 use. And in conjunction with these entitlements, tenant improvements would 46 00:07:58,960 --> 00:08:05,520 convert the interior commercial space to a daycare use, including a co-working 47 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:09,680 room and preschool. Not included in the project scope of work is the existing 48 00:08:07,199 --> 00:08:15,520 residence located on the second floor. This unit would be maintained as is with 49 00:08:11,919 --> 00:08:19,680 no changes proposed. As seen in the depicted site plan, 50 00:08:17,360 --> 00:08:23,360 building A fronts East Main Street as a two-story structure with commercial on 51 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:27,599 the ground floor and one residential unit on the second floor. Building B 52 00:08:25,599 --> 00:08:32,719 sits at the rear of the property at approximately 1,000 square feet. And the 53 00:08:30,560 --> 00:08:37,279 proposed project will utilize the ground floor space of both building A and B. 54 00:08:35,519 --> 00:08:41,760 Between the two structures, the existing paved area would be converted to 55 00:08:39,039 --> 00:08:45,839 construct an outdoor play area and two sparking parking spaces would be 56 00:08:43,440 --> 00:08:50,720 provided on site. One ADA parking space and one space reserved for the upstairs 57 00:08:47,920 --> 00:08:55,360 residential unit. At the street frontage off Main Street, the applicant has 58 00:08:52,160 --> 00:09:00,160 requested a 46 46 foot wide loading zone to be striped to accommodate multiple 59 00:08:58,160 --> 00:09:05,959 daily drop off and pickup windows which the transportation division mentioned 60 00:09:01,680 --> 00:09:05,959 they are amendable to that request. 61 00:09:07,519 --> 00:09:12,399 And due to the maximization of the project site for proposed childcare 62 00:09:10,480 --> 00:09:15,279 operations, a use permit has been submitted for allowance of an off- 63 00:09:13,839 --> 00:09:19,839 streetet parking agreement between the project applicant, Blue Crush, and a 64 00:09:17,519 --> 00:09:27,279 neighboring church property, Community Presbyterian Church, located about half 65 00:09:22,160 --> 00:09:30,080 mile away at 1555 Poli Street. Consistent with the requirements of the 66 00:09:28,720 --> 00:09:33,360 zoning ordinance, the applicant has submitted a use permit and signed lease 67 00:09:31,839 --> 00:09:38,240 agreement between Blue Crush and Community Presbyterian Church to allow 68 00:09:35,600 --> 00:09:42,800 for the 15 parking spaces to be provided off-site at the church to allow parking 69 00:09:40,399 --> 00:09:46,080 of its employees. Blue Crush off-site parking spaces will be clearly labeled 70 00:09:44,480 --> 00:09:51,720 and reserved within the church's parking lot that currently provides up to 150 71 00:09:48,399 --> 00:09:51,720 parking spaces. 72 00:09:52,640 --> 00:09:57,760 And to accommodate the spaces at the church site, the applicant will provide 73 00:09:55,760 --> 00:10:02,720 a shuttle service to its employees. Two morning shuttles at 6:45 and 8:15 a.m. 74 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:06,399 will drop off teachers at the child care center, and two shuttles will return the 75 00:10:04,640 --> 00:10:12,399 employees to the off-site parking lot at 3:45 and 5:15 p.m. For daily childare 76 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:16,640 operations, the applicant has proposed utilizing the front curb as a designated 77 00:10:14,320 --> 00:10:21,839 loading zone for parent drop off and pickup and to avoid reliance on the 78 00:10:18,560 --> 00:10:24,880 alley um in the rear for child access. And those drop off and pickup windows 79 00:10:23,519 --> 00:10:31,880 happen three times during the day for classes at 7:15, 8:15 a.m., and 12:30 80 00:10:28,880 --> 00:10:31,880 p.m. 81 00:10:32,720 --> 00:10:39,120 The proposed minor design review proposes the construction of a 2,000 82 00:10:36,959 --> 00:10:43,600 square foot nature playscape outdoor area utilizing a portion of the existing 83 00:10:41,519 --> 00:10:47,519 parking lot area. Consistent with the daycare state licency requirement, the 84 00:10:45,680 --> 00:10:50,959 new outdoor area will be provided for use of child care at the day for 85 00:10:49,360 --> 00:10:54,680 children at the daycare emphasizing an outdoor play environment. 86 00:10:55,200 --> 00:11:00,959 And the proposed project is category categorically exempt from the California 87 00:10:59,040 --> 00:11:06,640 Environmental Quality Act as provided under section 15303 of the sequelines 88 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:10,279 and therefore no further environmental review is required. 89 00:11:11,920 --> 00:11:17,279 Staff is recommending that the community development director approve the project 90 00:11:15,040 --> 00:11:22,160 as condition and please note that an updated resolution has been prepared for 91 00:11:19,839 --> 00:11:24,720 this item and this concludes staff's presentation and I'm available for any 92 00:11:23,920 --> 00:11:29,440 questions. >> Thank you. Excellent presentation. No 93 00:11:26,800 --> 00:11:32,800 notes, no questions. Applicants, do you have anything you'd like to add? You 94 00:11:30,880 --> 00:11:38,760 have how many minutes? >> Three minutes if or you're welcome to 95 00:11:34,640 --> 00:11:38,760 come up. Are they present? 96 00:11:38,800 --> 00:11:44,320 » Available for questions if you want to come up 97 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:46,079 if you don't mind. >> Did you call me? 98 00:11:45,440 --> 00:11:48,640 » No, I didn't. >> Oh, I'm sorry. 99 00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:52,519 » First, just the applicant, then we'll get to members of the public. 100 00:11:55,440 --> 00:12:03,279 » Hi, I'm the I'm the director at the Midtown location. and I'm here on behalf 101 00:12:00,160 --> 00:12:07,360 of Melissa who is the um owner and applicant for this project. Um I just 102 00:12:05,680 --> 00:12:12,399 wanted to say that we really appreciate you guys reviewing this. We are um we 103 00:12:10,240 --> 00:12:16,959 have our first location over downtown just a couple blocks from here. We've 104 00:12:14,480 --> 00:12:20,800 built this location um with a similar structure, small amount of parking, 105 00:12:19,200 --> 00:12:26,320 large amount of outdoor play space for young children. Most of our staff walk 106 00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:31,120 to school or carpool to school. Um, we do utilize like farther away parking 107 00:12:28,320 --> 00:12:34,800 spots and walk into the space. Our, uh, parents do loading and unloading, 108 00:12:33,040 --> 00:12:38,720 10-minute drop off, and it works really, really effectively. Um, and so we're 109 00:12:36,959 --> 00:12:42,560 grateful for your consideration of this proposal. I'm happy to answer any 110 00:12:40,399 --> 00:12:46,480 questions as well. >> Great. Thank you. Um, I'll come back to 111 00:12:44,480 --> 00:12:48,880 you if I have questions. Um, but it's more comments, so I don't want to make 112 00:12:47,519 --> 00:12:52,399 you stand there. Do we have any members of the public who wish to speak? 113 00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:53,600 » Uh, yes, director. We have two public comments. 114 00:12:53,120 --> 00:12:57,920 » Great. >> First will be Ray Hennessy. followed by 115 00:12:55,839 --> 00:13:00,920 William Groden. You'll each have three minutes. 116 00:13:01,360 --> 00:13:09,120 » Good afternoon. >> Could you bring the graphic up that you 117 00:13:06,240 --> 00:13:14,160 just had as far as showing the new uh playground, 118 00:13:11,120 --> 00:13:17,360 proposed playground? There you go. Um 119 00:13:15,680 --> 00:13:22,880 again, my name is Ray Hennessy. I've been a resident here in Ventura for 120 00:13:20,240 --> 00:13:27,839 since 1977. um moved to this location which is that 121 00:13:25,920 --> 00:13:33,120 house right there on the right hand side of the playground 122 00:13:29,760 --> 00:13:38,800 uh where my two living room windows are. Uh lived there for six years and just 123 00:13:36,320 --> 00:13:42,480 let me say that I would be the last person in the world that would move in 124 00:13:40,639 --> 00:13:49,120 next to an airport and then complain about the noise. Um, but this because 125 00:13:46,240 --> 00:13:54,560 I'm pretty much semi-retired and serve the community and half a dozen 126 00:13:52,639 --> 00:13:59,920 different organizations, I am at my house frequently and uh 127 00:13:57,760 --> 00:14:07,360 having a playground right outside my living room windows uh would be less 128 00:14:03,839 --> 00:14:10,360 than ideal for me. So, thank you for the consideration. 129 00:14:10,720 --> 00:14:13,959 » Thank you. 130 00:14:14,720 --> 00:14:17,720 William. 131 00:14:23,040 --> 00:14:32,639 » Hi, Rachel. Um, William Grouden. I'm the uh I'm the business owner at 1963. He's 132 00:14:29,760 --> 00:14:37,920 uh on Main Street and my wife has a plotty studio that you mentioned and my 133 00:14:34,240 --> 00:14:44,720 architect's office is there. Um I will be directly impacted by the project and 134 00:14:41,360 --> 00:14:50,399 I support it. 100%. Um, I look forward to the kids noise. I I used to live next 135 00:14:48,399 --> 00:14:55,279 to the school, which I miss the kids actually being loud. I don't I don't 136 00:14:53,120 --> 00:15:00,160 worry about the drop off. Um, I don't have really any objections and I support 137 00:14:57,600 --> 00:15:06,399 staff for uh for you to recommend approval. Um, 138 00:15:03,360 --> 00:15:09,680 I do and I I've talked to a lot of the neighbors of the other businesses, which 139 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:14,399 I know I'm not really supposed to talk uh speak for them, but everybody I've 140 00:15:11,839 --> 00:15:17,920 spoke to has been in support of it. So, thank you. 141 00:15:15,760 --> 00:15:19,920 » Thank you for that. Um, I do have a question. Oh, do we have another 142 00:15:19,120 --> 00:15:24,399 speaker? >> That concludes public comments. 143 00:15:23,040 --> 00:15:31,199 » Did you want to speak? >> Yes. Hi, I'm Linda Callas. I am the 144 00:15:27,600 --> 00:15:36,480 property owner of 1974 to 1998 East Main Street across the street, directly 145 00:15:33,199 --> 00:15:41,360 across the street. So, um I'm wondering how this is going to impact with this 146 00:15:39,120 --> 00:15:49,360 lane, how it's going to impact the traffic there. uh there is not a lot of 147 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:54,160 parking and um I didn't see any sort of adjustment to 148 00:15:51,600 --> 00:16:00,000 uh the flow of traffic through there with the drop off directly across from 149 00:15:57,680 --> 00:16:06,240 my businesses. Um and as far as the gentleman saying he 150 00:16:02,320 --> 00:16:10,639 talked to everybody um the my tenants are not supportive of this because of 151 00:16:08,240 --> 00:16:16,639 the traffic issue. Thank you. Thank you. Um any other 152 00:16:14,240 --> 00:16:20,399 speakers, Madam Clerk? >> Um no other speakers. 153 00:16:18,399 --> 00:16:24,399 » Um to the woman who just spoke, if you could fill out a speaker card. Um 154 00:16:22,560 --> 00:16:28,000 typically you fill out a card first. You were up there. It's great. Um but this 155 00:16:26,240 --> 00:16:32,720 way we have in the record all your info. If you um can provide that. Um can I 156 00:16:30,480 --> 00:16:37,680 have the applicant up here again? I just have some questions. So obviously you've 157 00:16:34,880 --> 00:16:42,560 heard some concerns. Um for any of us who have dropped off our own children at 158 00:16:40,079 --> 00:16:49,199 um child care, it I mean drop off is always a challenging time. Um how do you 159 00:16:45,839 --> 00:16:53,519 plan to deal with pickup drop off? How do you make it work? Do you phase pickup 160 00:16:52,000 --> 00:16:56,720 drop off people? I know there's some conditions as well that get into this. 161 00:16:55,519 --> 00:17:00,880 So I'm going to ask you about your process and then I'm going to ask staff 162 00:16:58,639 --> 00:17:04,400 how we're conditioning this to kind of keep these things in in check. So that's 163 00:17:02,880 --> 00:17:08,400 where we'll go from there. >> Yeah, absolutely. So we have a few 164 00:17:06,400 --> 00:17:13,360 different pickup and drop off times slated. So it's not our first location 165 00:17:11,360 --> 00:17:16,959 here. We're 9 to5. So pretty much all families drop off at 9:00 and most of 166 00:17:15,199 --> 00:17:20,959 the families pick up at 5. But here we're going to be phasing it. So I think 167 00:17:19,120 --> 00:17:25,839 you heard part of that will be a 7:30 option, an 8:15 option, a 9:00 a.m. 168 00:17:23,839 --> 00:17:30,400 option. And so that helps spread it out throughout the morning so that it's not 169 00:17:27,679 --> 00:17:35,200 all congested all at one time. Similarly for pickup, we max the children out at 8 170 00:17:32,720 --> 00:17:40,320 hours a day. So then, right, the 7:15 becomes a 3:15, the 8:15 becomes a 415, 171 00:17:38,080 --> 00:17:46,960 etc. So that's how we plan on staggering it. Also, we do plan on having 75 172 00:17:43,520 --> 00:17:51,280 families on site, but my apologies, 75 children on site, but a lot of those are 173 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:55,360 multiple children families, right? The most common age gap between children is 174 00:17:53,120 --> 00:17:59,280 two to three years. And so typically we expect that there will be a lot of 175 00:17:56,960 --> 00:18:02,799 duplicates coming into the site. Um, and that being said, if we carve out that 176 00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:06,400 space, that loading zone that we discussed, um, it shouldn't impede the 177 00:18:04,640 --> 00:18:10,559 flow of traffic if parents are just pulling over, they're dropping off their 178 00:18:08,320 --> 00:18:14,640 children, um, and then they're able to walk out, return to their cars after 179 00:18:12,400 --> 00:18:19,679 less than 10 minutes and head out. >> So, is there do you anticipate having 180 00:18:16,799 --> 00:18:23,600 staff greet the parents outside? >> Yeah, that's absolutely something that 181 00:18:21,039 --> 00:18:26,799 we can work on is having staff that are able to support with the drop off 182 00:18:25,280 --> 00:18:29,280 because it can be challenging if your child's all the way in the back. you 183 00:18:28,160 --> 00:18:32,880 know, we want to make sure that we're creating space so that parents can stay 184 00:18:31,280 --> 00:18:35,520 within that 10-minute window. >> Okay. 185 00:18:33,679 --> 00:18:39,200 » Um I'm sorry to to interrupt. I did want to let you know that the business owner 186 00:18:37,120 --> 00:18:42,880 is on Zoom if you'd like to ask questions directly to her. 187 00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:47,360 » Okay. I mean, I I'm happy for anyone to answer. So, if the business owner, while 188 00:18:45,120 --> 00:18:51,440 you're on Zoom, if you want to jump in, perhaps um she can raise her hand and 189 00:18:50,080 --> 00:18:53,919 then if you could just let me know. She's raising her hand. 190 00:18:52,480 --> 00:18:57,760 » Can you can you hear me? >> Yes, absolutely. Feel free to jump in 191 00:18:55,440 --> 00:19:02,080 anytime. Sorry, I had I had hands raised to try and um also answer the question 192 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:07,520 from the neighbor that's living right beside us if that's helpful. 193 00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:11,280 » Sure. Yeah, I'm open to really I don't know if we can if we need this in the 194 00:19:09,440 --> 00:19:16,640 use permit, but I'm open to building block wall and we were going to make 195 00:19:13,440 --> 00:19:21,039 that wall next to his house an orchard anyway, so it has trees along it, which 196 00:19:18,640 --> 00:19:24,480 is known as a green buffer. But I'm really open to putting a block wall 197 00:19:22,799 --> 00:19:28,880 behind that if that's helpful with the sound barrier. 198 00:19:25,600 --> 00:19:34,160 » Can you put up the um the picture of the the playground, the rendering? Is it 199 00:19:32,720 --> 00:19:40,080 possible to get that up there while we look? Oh, perfect. So, it looks like a 200 00:19:37,120 --> 00:19:43,600 wall. Now, is that not going to be a wall along that side? 201 00:19:41,120 --> 00:19:46,799 » It was a It was a wooden fence, which is what's required by state licensing. 202 00:19:46,080 --> 00:19:50,480 » Okay. >> And so, you have to have a six foot high 203 00:19:48,559 --> 00:19:54,000 fence all the way around. So, that's required. So, that way children can't 204 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:57,760 jump over it, that sort of thing. But, I'm open to making that side block, 205 00:19:56,080 --> 00:20:01,600 which would help with the sound buffer because we already have plants and trees 206 00:19:59,440 --> 00:20:05,280 going along it as well. I mean, if you want to volunteer that, 207 00:20:03,280 --> 00:20:09,798 that sounds great. So, are you okay if I condition you to and require you to do 208 00:20:07,280 --> 00:20:12,240 that? This is like the moment. [laughter] 209 00:20:10,559 --> 00:20:16,160 » Well, I don't want to be required to do it because I haven't quoted it yet, but 210 00:20:13,760 --> 00:20:20,080 I do want to have good neighbors, right? So, we we're doing this for the 211 00:20:18,080 --> 00:20:25,039 community. Just so everyone knows, 30% of Californians don't have daycare for 212 00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:29,520 ages 0 to three, and 56% of Venturans don't have it. 67% of families with zero 213 00:20:27,919 --> 00:20:35,360 to three children in Ventura are trying to work. So we we're fitting a a target 214 00:20:33,280 --> 00:20:40,080 in the in the daycare industry right here in Ventura. We have 142 children on 215 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:45,360 our weight list. From our fir first location, we have 48 spots. So this one 216 00:20:42,720 --> 00:20:48,080 we're trying to do 72. And but we want to work with the community. And the 217 00:20:46,640 --> 00:20:51,679 reason why we chose Midtown is because there's so many young families that live 218 00:20:49,679 --> 00:20:55,200 in Midtown. There's so many that walk their strollers to places. And we 219 00:20:53,200 --> 00:20:59,520 thought, how cool would it be to bring more industry into Midtown? We just won 220 00:20:57,840 --> 00:21:03,440 the new economy award for the central coast because we've created a new 221 00:21:01,280 --> 00:21:07,360 economy for mothers and fathers. Uh they get to work near their children. So, but 222 00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:11,039 we do want to have good neighbors. We believe in community. We believe in 223 00:21:09,039 --> 00:21:14,400 getting along with people. And I would like to get this quoted out, but I don't 224 00:21:12,480 --> 00:21:19,360 have a quote yet. But I I'm I'm willing to make it work. 225 00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:24,799 » Okay. Um I I appreciate that. And I mean to your 226 00:21:21,440 --> 00:21:30,720 point, obviously, you know, we have an extreme shortage of child care in this 227 00:21:28,080 --> 00:21:35,600 community um and throughout the region. And I think just from a a use 228 00:21:32,559 --> 00:21:39,600 perspective, you know, this is clearly um not oversaturated in any way. 229 00:21:38,080 --> 00:21:46,320 Sometimes it feels like it in certain specific areas, but we clearly have kind 230 00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:50,799 of an over um a massive need for child care. And I think figuring out ways to 231 00:21:48,880 --> 00:21:57,200 fit it into spaces within the our existing community and um you know 232 00:21:53,440 --> 00:22:01,600 mitigating the um potential um you know consequences of this land 233 00:21:59,600 --> 00:22:05,760 use going in next door to neighbors as much as possible I think is is great. So 234 00:22:03,600 --> 00:22:10,720 I appreciate hearing you want to to work with the neighbors. Um, and certainly, 235 00:22:08,799 --> 00:22:14,480 you know, while you didn't move in next door with the this type of use, this is 236 00:22:12,799 --> 00:22:18,400 certainly something that can go in this area and frankly at this point in the 237 00:22:16,400 --> 00:22:22,400 state of California can go into, you know, regular single family homes as 238 00:22:20,240 --> 00:22:27,679 well and not come to a a public hearing. So, this is more commercial in nature. 239 00:22:25,520 --> 00:22:33,760 » Yeah, we're permitted by right to be in that space. So, daycare is permitted by 240 00:22:29,679 --> 00:22:37,600 right for that location 1971 and 1973. What wasn't permitted and why we're 241 00:22:35,360 --> 00:22:39,520 having to bring it to you is having the parking offsite. 242 00:22:38,720 --> 00:22:43,120 » Right. Yeah. So, >> and the reason why we're doing that is 243 00:22:41,120 --> 00:22:47,039 to try and help with parking in Midtown. So, we're actually spending an extra 244 00:22:44,400 --> 00:22:51,520 $1,000 a month. Our rent is going to be $9,000. And so, it's a $10,000, you 245 00:22:49,760 --> 00:22:56,080 know, incre it's an extra increase for us of $1,000 onetenth of our budget is 246 00:22:54,000 --> 00:23:00,240 going to parking teachers somewhere that doesn't cause congestion in Midtown. And 247 00:22:58,640 --> 00:23:04,400 that's really important to us, right? One for children's safety. And then 248 00:23:02,159 --> 00:23:07,919 doing this staggered drop off is we're hoping that it helps with the traffic 249 00:23:05,840 --> 00:23:12,640 because we have 12 students coming at a time, right? Which is really great. No 250 00:23:10,240 --> 00:23:16,480 school I know of does that. Every school I know is like all hundred kids pop in 251 00:23:14,799 --> 00:23:19,679 at the same time. So we're we're trying to help with both those things. And it 252 00:23:18,080 --> 00:23:22,640 does help. The reason why we didn't want to use the alley is we don't want 253 00:23:20,960 --> 00:23:27,200 children walking down the alley because it's tight. So, we wanted them on the 254 00:23:24,880 --> 00:23:31,840 front road where you have a bike lane which we parents could bike and walk 255 00:23:28,799 --> 00:23:37,840 their kids from the local community and also it has two lanes plus a a turn left 256 00:23:35,760 --> 00:23:41,200 lane. So, it's much wider, right, for cars to pull in and then you have 257 00:23:39,039 --> 00:23:45,360 parking on either side as well of the road. So, you've got a nice wide birth 258 00:23:43,280 --> 00:23:49,960 and you have a sidewalk. So, that's the reason for drop off and pickup in the 259 00:23:46,960 --> 00:23:49,960 front. 260 00:23:51,280 --> 00:23:58,000 » Okay. Okay. Um, all right. Well, 261 00:23:56,320 --> 00:24:02,320 again, I appreciate you trying to figure this out in terms of parking. Um, you 262 00:24:00,480 --> 00:24:08,159 know, I think this is a great example of how you can use this type of situation 263 00:24:04,880 --> 00:24:14,799 to make these sites work. Um, you know, certainly I think the um the operational 264 00:24:12,720 --> 00:24:19,120 aspects of the business seem to help address some of these issues. Do we have 265 00:24:17,200 --> 00:24:25,440 any of the operational stuff in our conditions that you can go over in terms 266 00:24:21,279 --> 00:24:30,400 of um particularly the staggered drop off and staff being available to help 267 00:24:28,640 --> 00:24:34,799 people in? >> Yes. So, the project has been 268 00:24:31,919 --> 00:24:39,919 conditioned um according to what the applicant has provided in terms of the 269 00:24:36,400 --> 00:24:44,080 staggered drop off um and shall traffic on Main Street be severely impacted, the 270 00:24:42,559 --> 00:24:48,000 project has been conditioned to further review and perhaps an amendment and 271 00:24:46,240 --> 00:24:51,440 looked into further by our public works department. 272 00:24:49,120 --> 00:24:56,400 » If traffic is impacted, >> do we quantify that at all or is it just 273 00:24:54,000 --> 00:24:59,960 left open-ended? Sorry, I'll pull up the language as well. 274 00:25:01,520 --> 00:25:08,640 I believe if you look at condition 19, it notes these spaces shall not be 275 00:25:06,240 --> 00:25:12,159 removed, reduced, um, obstructed or reassigned to other uses without prior 276 00:25:10,480 --> 00:25:16,320 written approval without an amendment. So that is condition 19 and that 277 00:25:14,480 --> 00:25:21,919 requires that they maintain the spaces on site. If you go to condition 17 and 278 00:25:19,520 --> 00:25:27,320 18, they further describe the 15 off- streetet parking spaces that have to be 279 00:25:23,520 --> 00:25:27,320 provided at the church. 280 00:25:30,240 --> 00:25:37,679 And further condition number 20 and 21 further state that any substantive 281 00:25:35,440 --> 00:25:40,880 modification to the local location, length or hours of operation of the 282 00:25:39,200 --> 00:25:44,400 loading zone shall be subject to review and approval by the community 283 00:25:42,080 --> 00:25:48,279 development director and is applicable by the public works department. 284 00:25:48,480 --> 00:25:57,120 Okay, great. Um, I appreciate the thoroughess of the conditions. I think 285 00:25:52,480 --> 00:26:03,360 that these um address all of the issues that I have as far as like kid noise. 286 00:26:00,159 --> 00:26:08,880 It's it is a permitted use. So, we can't really push any more conditions in terms 287 00:26:05,679 --> 00:26:13,360 of um limiting that. That's just part of the reality of being next to a use like 288 00:26:10,960 --> 00:26:18,159 this. And I think um you know, more broadly, you know, staggering the kids, 289 00:26:15,360 --> 00:26:21,919 staggering the hours of play obviously all you know, help with that. I'm not 290 00:26:20,240 --> 00:26:25,200 going to require the block wall, particularly since it sounds like you 291 00:26:23,520 --> 00:26:29,600 can't quite commit to it yet. But certainly, if you want to use a block 292 00:26:27,840 --> 00:26:34,320 wall instead of a wood fence, that would be fantastic and is highly encouraged. 293 00:26:31,760 --> 00:26:38,880 Um, but again, I can't condition you to that. Um, so with that, I'm going to go 294 00:26:36,640 --> 00:26:43,760 ahead and approve this item with all of the required conditions noted by staff 295 00:26:41,600 --> 00:26:46,799 in the report and the resolution as written. So, thank you and good luck. 296 00:26:46,000 --> 00:26:51,279 » Thank you. >> And thanks to everyone else who came 297 00:26:48,400 --> 00:26:58,960 out. Um the next item this evening before you um we'll give it a second to 298 00:26:56,159 --> 00:27:05,279 get switched over here and thank you Ruby. 299 00:27:01,120 --> 00:27:09,440 Um is GG's Parklet located at 2493 Grand Avenue 300 00:27:06,960 --> 00:27:13,919 for Gigi's Cocktail Lounge. Um and we have AJ Burnernhard, senior planner here 301 00:27:11,600 --> 00:27:19,120 with a presentation and then it looks like Ben Turner um is the applicant's 302 00:27:16,559 --> 00:27:23,320 representative. AJ whenever you are ready. 303 00:27:24,880 --> 00:27:31,279 » Yeah. Good afternoon members of the public. Director Diamond last meeting. 304 00:27:29,200 --> 00:27:34,880 Excited to have you on the dis one last time. 305 00:27:33,238 --> 00:27:38,480 [laughter] Uh my name is AJ Burnernhard for the record and I'll be presenting 306 00:27:36,480 --> 00:27:43,279 agenda item number three, the GG's Parklet. 307 00:27:40,480 --> 00:27:47,360 Uh the project site is located at 2493 Grand Avenue. The site is zoned 308 00:27:45,679 --> 00:27:51,919 commercial plan development and has a land use designation of mixeduse 3. On 309 00:27:50,240 --> 00:27:56,320 the vicinity map to the right, you'll note the project site outlined with a 310 00:27:53,919 --> 00:28:00,640 blue square. To the east is a residential neighborhood. To the north, 311 00:27:58,320 --> 00:28:04,960 south, and west is commercial and industrial uses, and further to the 312 00:28:02,799 --> 00:28:09,120 south is Ventura Boulevard and the 101 freeway. 313 00:28:07,520 --> 00:28:14,080 The site is currently improved with a multi-tenant commercial shopping center 314 00:28:11,039 --> 00:28:19,360 that was constructed in the 1960s. During CO 19, one of the tenants, the 315 00:28:17,120 --> 00:28:25,440 GG's Cocktail Lounge, erected a temporary parklet in response to CO 19 316 00:28:22,080 --> 00:28:31,120 restrictions. In September of 2024, the city issued a violation for the 317 00:28:26,960 --> 00:28:34,960 unpermitted use of the parklet. The project today would remove that 318 00:28:33,120 --> 00:28:39,120 temporary parklet installation and replace it with a permanent parklet 319 00:28:36,640 --> 00:28:43,760 installation. That parklet is comprised of a 1,270 320 00:28:41,279 --> 00:28:48,880 ft parklet that would occupy six existing parking spaces, provide an 321 00:28:46,159 --> 00:28:53,440 outdoor seating area, be surrounded with six foot tall perimeter fencing, 322 00:28:51,360 --> 00:28:58,399 incorporates landscape screening in front of the fencing, incorporates a 323 00:28:55,840 --> 00:29:02,320 trellised roof structure, and accessible entrances to the north and south. 324 00:29:00,960 --> 00:29:06,240 On the site plan to the right, you'll note the existing shopping center and 325 00:29:04,080 --> 00:29:10,840 related building footprint in blue and the proposed parklet area in green. 326 00:29:11,200 --> 00:29:16,960 This project requires three separate permits. First is a minor design review 327 00:29:15,520 --> 00:29:21,679 which authorizes the look of the parklet. Second are minor variances 328 00:29:20,000 --> 00:29:26,399 which enable deviations from our citywide parklet design guidelines and 329 00:29:23,520 --> 00:29:32,000 standards. The third is an alcohol use permit which allows alcohol service and 330 00:29:28,159 --> 00:29:36,320 consumption in the Parklet area. We'll start with the aesthetics and the 331 00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:41,679 look of the Parklet and we'll uh and we'll share the east elevation or the 332 00:29:38,559 --> 00:29:45,440 primary elevation facing Grand Avenue. I want to highlight that the proposed 333 00:29:43,520 --> 00:29:48,960 structure is predominantly constructed of wood painted gray and white which 334 00:29:47,520 --> 00:29:54,000 complements the existing building facade. That wood fencing is topped with 335 00:29:51,840 --> 00:29:58,880 a white lattice fence topping providing some design articulation and is screened 336 00:29:56,640 --> 00:30:03,399 with landscaping including ital Italian cypress and Chinese juniper trees. 337 00:30:03,600 --> 00:30:09,679 Next, I'll transition to the minor variances. This project includes four 338 00:30:07,760 --> 00:30:13,600 deviations from our citywide parklet design guidelines and standards. The 339 00:30:11,919 --> 00:30:18,000 first of which is related to perimeter fence height. Under our current 340 00:30:15,520 --> 00:30:23,039 standards, a 3 and 1/2 ft fence is permitted. The applicant is proposing a 341 00:30:20,399 --> 00:30:26,480 six- foot tall perimeter fence. Staff supports this request as it buffers the 342 00:30:25,039 --> 00:30:29,840 additional homes through additional screening and some modest sound 343 00:30:27,840 --> 00:30:34,159 attenuation. Second relates to the shade canopy or 344 00:30:31,840 --> 00:30:38,640 the roof structure which our standards require uh that the structures 345 00:30:36,159 --> 00:30:43,440 constructed of soft fabric. This proposed project proposes a wood lattice 346 00:30:41,039 --> 00:30:47,679 structure and in staff's review we felt it better integrated with the design of 347 00:30:45,039 --> 00:30:52,000 the existing shopping center. Third is a deviation related to the 348 00:30:49,600 --> 00:30:56,799 emergency access gap requirement which requires a three-foot gap for every 40 349 00:30:54,080 --> 00:31:02,159 feet of parklet length. The proposed parklet is 54t 4 in in length and 350 00:30:59,440 --> 00:31:05,919 there's no emergency access gaps. We reviewed the deviation with the Ventura 351 00:31:04,159 --> 00:31:10,960 fire and police departments who supported the deviation. 352 00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:14,880 Relatedly, it supports ABC's licensing requirements uh pertaining to controlled 353 00:31:13,279 --> 00:31:18,799 entry. Finally, our design guidelines and 354 00:31:16,559 --> 00:31:24,000 standard require that the post material of the fence is painted black or 355 00:31:20,960 --> 00:31:28,480 constructed of C10 steel. This project proposes gray. 356 00:31:26,320 --> 00:31:32,520 This is supported as it matches the shopping center's color palette. 357 00:31:32,640 --> 00:31:39,120 Finally is a request for the alcohol use permit. In reviewing the crest, in 358 00:31:37,519 --> 00:31:42,880 reviewing the request with the Ventura Police Department, staff felt it was 359 00:31:40,880 --> 00:31:47,440 compatible with nearby uses. Specifically, the use of screening, 360 00:31:44,640 --> 00:31:52,399 fencing, landscaping, and controlled access minimize impacts to the 361 00:31:49,200 --> 00:31:56,399 neighborhood. Secondly, the conditions of approval for the project are intended 362 00:31:54,480 --> 00:32:00,000 to ensure responsible management and security, ultimately protecting public 363 00:31:58,559 --> 00:32:04,880 safety. Third, we don't anticipate any 364 00:32:02,240 --> 00:32:10,880 significant crime impacts and Ventura Police was in support of the expansion. 365 00:32:09,039 --> 00:32:14,240 Staff reviewed the request in the context of the California Environmental 366 00:32:12,559 --> 00:32:17,840 Quality Act and found that the project was exempt pursuant to the new 367 00:32:16,080 --> 00:32:23,360 construction or conversion of small structures exemption under SQUA. 368 00:32:21,440 --> 00:32:27,880 In conclusion, staff recommends that the director approves the project as 369 00:32:24,880 --> 00:32:27,880 conditioned. 370 00:32:28,480 --> 00:32:35,159 Thank you for the presentation. Do we have the applicant here as well? Would 371 00:32:31,600 --> 00:32:35,159 you like to come up? 372 00:32:35,760 --> 00:32:41,200 » Thank you, director. My name is Ben Turner. Just a quick round of thank yous 373 00:32:39,120 --> 00:32:45,760 and introductions here. I have the owner, uh, Julie here, as well as the 374 00:32:43,519 --> 00:32:49,039 project architect, Nicole Harding. I'm the project manager who work at Nicole 375 00:32:47,440 --> 00:32:52,799 Harding Architect. I'm going to say thank you to AJ. I'm not going to repeat 376 00:32:50,880 --> 00:32:56,720 uh his very thorough review and all the work that he did. uh as well as a quick 377 00:32:54,799 --> 00:32:59,760 thank you to the police, fire and building departments because we had to 378 00:32:58,080 --> 00:33:04,000 coordinate with them. We think this replaces the co era park lit and makes 379 00:33:02,080 --> 00:33:07,760 improvements for the screening uh compatibility with the neighborhood and 380 00:33:05,760 --> 00:33:10,399 visuals. So that's it. Thank you for your consideration. 381 00:33:08,720 --> 00:33:13,279 » Great. Thank you for that. Uh do we have any members of the public who are here 382 00:33:11,760 --> 00:33:15,760 to speak on this item? >> Thank you, Director Diamond. No public 383 00:33:14,960 --> 00:33:19,279 comments. >> Okay, with that very thorough 384 00:33:17,279 --> 00:33:23,679 presentation. Thank you for yours as well. No notes, no comments. Julie, good 385 00:33:21,760 --> 00:33:27,440 luck to you. Approved. Thank you so much. 386 00:33:24,320 --> 00:33:31,360 » Thank you. Um this is my last meeting of um as a director here um and for the 387 00:33:30,080 --> 00:33:34,480 director's hearing. I really want to thank the staff. You're the best. Thank 388 00:33:32,799 --> 00:33:38,880 you to the clerk's office. Thank you to the legal team. Um it's been such an 389 00:33:36,559 --> 00:33:43,399 honor working here. Um and so with that, I will adjourn this meeting. Have a good 390 00:33:40,399 --> 00:33:43,399 evening. 391 00:33:45,760 --> 00:33:48,840 The last