CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS
CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
GENERAL BUSINESS - CONVENING AT 7:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Mayor Heft.
INVOCATION: Council Member Sweeney
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council Member Pezold
ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Janine Heft Mayor Present
Dave Wheeler Mayor Pro Tempore Present
Don Caskey Council Member Present
Erica Pezold Council Member Present
Joshua Sweeney Council Member Present
1. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
1.1 Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Report
The City Council received a PowerPoint presentation from Laguna Hills High School 2022 Fall Student Liaison Ella Carnahan.
1.2 Certificate of Recognition - Richard Fiore, 45 Years of Public Service Mayor Heft presented a Certificate of Recognition to Richard Fiore for 45 Years of Public Service on the Moulton Niguel Water District Board of Directors.
2. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
2.1 Schedule of Future Events
City Clerk Lee announce the upcoming meetings and events.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, January 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
2 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individuals addressed the City Council on non-agendized items:
Andrew O’Connor, a resident of Foothill Ranch, requested the City Council censure Mayor Heft.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Dave Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore
SECONDER: Don Caskey, Council Member
AYES: Janine Heft, Mayor; Dave Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore; Don Caskey, Council Member; Erica Pezold, Council Member; Joshua Sweeney, Council Member
4.1 Waive Reading in Full of all Ordinances and Resolutions on the Agenda Recommendation: That the City Council waive reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions on the agenda and declare that said titles which appear on the public agenda shall be determined to have been read by title and further reading waived.
4.2 Approval of Minutes for January 10, 2023, Regular Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the January 10, 2023, Regular Meeting.
4.3 Ratification of January 24, 2023, Warrant Register
Recommendation: That the City Council ratify the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from December 30, 2022, to January 12, 2023, in the amount of $1,288,724.35.
4.4 Treasurer's Investment Report for November 2022
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the Treasurer's Investment Report for the month of November 2022.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
There were no items removed from the Consent Calendar.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, January 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
3 5. PLANNING AGENCY
Mayor Heft recessed the City Council Meeting, and acting in capacity as Chair, called the Regular Meeting of the Planning Agency of the City of Laguna Hills, California, to order at 7:21 p.m.
5.1. ROLL CALL OF PLANNING AGENCY MEMBERS
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Janine Heft Chair Present
Dave Wheeler Vice Chair Present
Don Caskey Agency Member Present
Erica Pezold Agency Member Present
Joshua Sweeney Agency Member Present
5.2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no Planning Agency public comments on non-agendized items.
5.3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
There were no Planning Agency Minutes to approve.
5.4. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
There were no Planning Agency Administrative Reports.
5.5. PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARINGS
5.5.1 Site Development Permit/Tentative Parcel Map/Parking Use Permit (SDP/TPM/PUP) No. USE-0105-2022, a Request by Laguna Hills Plaza, LLC for Approval of a Site Development Permit, Tentative Parcel Map, and Joint Use of Parking Facilities to Redevelop the- Existing Shopping Center Known as the Laguna Hills Plaza Located at 24791-24881 Alicia Parkway
Agency Member Sweeney recused himself from participating in the item due to a potential conflict of interest caused by his residence being located within 1,000 feet of the subject parcel and left the dais.
Senior Planner Wuu reviewed the information provided in the staff report, provided a PowerPoint presentation, and responded to Agency Member requests for additional information.
Community Development Director Longenecker responded to Agency Member requests for additional information.
City Attorney Simonian responded to Agency Member requests for additional information.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, January 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
4 Chair Heft opened the public hearing.
The following individuals addressed the Planning Agency on the public hearing item:
Project Applicant, Bret Bernard, AICP, Director of Planning & Development, Milan Capital Management, spoke in favor of the project, responded to Agency Member requests for additional information, and agreed to abide by the project’s conditions of approval.
Mark Lausier, Senior Associate, AO Architects, responded to Agency Member requests for additional information.
Kari M. Brooner, Landscape Architect, KMB Design Studio, responded to Agency Member requests for additional information.
Dawn Ford, a resident of Laguna Hills, inquired about an existing ATM on the project site.
Cindy Sutherland, a resident of Laguna Hills, expressed concerns regarding delivery times and noise levels.
Robert Schley, a resident of Laguna Hills, inquired about findings of the noise study on the project and the potential sound wall proposed for the project.
Trissa Allen, P.E., Senior Transportation Engineer, Linscott, Law & Greenspan, responded to Agency Member requests for additional information.
Greg Tonkovich, Senior Analyst, Vista Environmental, Inc, responded to Agency Member requests for additional information.
Matthew Phillips, owner of neighboring commercial property, inquired about the proposed project parameters and potential future uses.
Chair Heft closed the public hearing.
Chair Heft reopened the public hearing.
The following individuals addressed the Planning Agency on the public hearing item:
Project Applicant, Bret Bernard, AICP, Director of Planning & Development, Milan Capital Management, responded to Agency Member requests for additional information and agreed to abide by the project’s conditions of approval as revised by the City Council.
Robert Schley, a resident of Laguna Hills, provided comments on the public notice he received for the project.
Chair Heft closed the public hearing.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, January 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
5 Recommendation: That the Planning Agency:
1) Conduct a public hearing;
2) Find and determine that the proposed Project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15301 and 15302 of Title 14, Chapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations (Class 1, Existing Facilities; Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction);
3) Adopt Resolution No. PA2023 -01-24-1: “A Resolution of the Planning Agency of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Approving Site Development Permit (SDP)/Tentative Parcel Map (TPM)/Parking Use Permit (PUP) No. USE-0105-2022, a Request by Bret Bernard, Director of Planning and Development, Milan Capital Management, on Behalf of Laguna Hills Plaza, LLC for Approval of a Site Development Permit, Tentative Parcel Map, and Joint Use of Parking Facilities in Order to Redevelop the Existing Shopping Center Known as the Laguna Hills Plaza Located at 24791-24881 Alicia Parkway, Including an Exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 and 15302 of Title 14, Chapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations (Class 1, Existing Facilities; Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction).”
A motion to move staff’s recommendation with discussed changes to condition of approval no. 12 on Resolution No. PA2023-01-24-1 was moved by Agency Member Pezold, seconded by Agency Member Caskey.
RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 0]
MOVER: Erica Pezold, Agency Member
SECONDER: Don Caskey, Agency Member
AYES: Janine Heft, Chair; Dave Wheeler, Vice Chair; Don Caskey, Agency Member; Erica Pezold, Agency Member
RECUSED: Joshua Sweeney, Agency Member
Agency Member Sweeney return to the dais and rejoined the meeting.
PLANNING AGENCY ADJOURNMENT
Chair Heft adjourned the Planning Agency Meeting at 9:49 p.m. and reconvened the City Council Meeting. All Council Members were present in Chamber.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, January 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
6 6. CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no City Council Public Hearings.
7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
7.1. City Manager
7.1.1 Discussion on Laguna Hills Civic Center Suite 255 for Use by the Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce
City Manager Hildenbrand reviewed the information provided in the staff report and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Sheri Feinberg, Government Affairs Director, Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce, responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
City Attorney Simonian responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Recommendation: That the City Council discuss and provide direction to staff.
A motion to direct staff to agendize a license agreement for City Council approval to allow the Chamber of Commerce to occupy Suite 255 was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Mayor Heft.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Erica Pezold, Council Member
SECONDER: Janine Heft, Mayor
AYES: Janine Heft, Mayor; Dave Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore; Don Caskey, Council Member; Erica Pezold, Council
Member; Joshua Sweeney, Council Member
7.1.2 Discussion of City Council Policy No. 120 Regarding Procedures for Council Members to Place Items on Future City Council Agendas Recommendation: That the City Council discuss and provide input to staff.
Mayor Heft received consensus from the City Council to continue Item No. 7.1.2 to a City Council Workshop on February 28, 2023.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, January 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
7 7.2. Deputy City Manager/Community Services Director
7.2.1 2022 Post Holiday Events Report
Deputy City Manager/ Community Services Director Reynolds reviewed the information provided in the staff report, provided a video presentation, and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the report.
8. MATTERS AGENDIZED AND PRESENTED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
9. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS
9.1. Committee Assignment Reports
Recommendation: That the City Council receive oral reports on the following City Council Committee Assignments:
1. San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency Board of Directors (Mayor Heft)
November 17, 2022 Annual Workshop.
Mayor Heft provided a video presentation.
2. OC Mosquito and Vector Control District Board of Trustees (Council Member Pezold)
January 12, 2023, Special Meeting and January 19, 2023, Regular Meeting.
Council Member Pezold provided an oral report.
3. Association of California Cities - Orange County
(Mayor Heft)
January 12, 2023, Newly Elected Officials Orientation and Training.
Mayor Heft provided an oral report.
4. Orange County Transportation Authority Citizens Advisory Committee (Mayor Pro Tempore Wheeler)
January 17, 2023, Meeting.
Mayor Pro Tempore Wheeler provided an oral report.
Mayor Pro Tempore Wheeler provided an oral report on the January 13, 2023, monthly general meeting and January 18, 2023, Wellbeing Reimagined committee meeting of the Orange County Citizens Advisory Council.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, January 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
8 10. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Mayor Pro Tempore Wheeler
Mayor Pro Tempore Wheeler listed several items approved by the City Council that he would like to see addressed by staff and directed staff to look into recent increases residents have seen on their gas bills.
Council Member Pezold
Council Member Pezold requested a discussion on car exhaust noise level regulations be agendized for a future meeting and received second from Mayor Heft.
Council Member Sweeney
Council Member Sweeney requested a discussion on the formation of a committee on public safety be agendized for a future meeting and received a second from Mayor Wheeler.
Mayor Heft
Mayor Heft requested a discussion on leaf blower regulations be agendized for a future meeting and received a second form Mayor Pro Tempore Wheeler.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council at this session, Mayor Heft declared the meeting adjourned at 10:46 p.m.
Jennifer Lee, City Clerk
ATTEST:
Janine Heft, Mayor
Approved at meeting of February 28, 2023