1995/02/27 City Council MinutesRohnert Park City Council Minutes
General Plan Update Work Session
February 27, 1995
The Council of the City of Rohnert Park met this date in special session commencing at
6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 6750 Commerce Blvd., Rohnert Park, with
Mayor Eck presiding.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Eck called the General Plan Update Work Session to order at approximately 6:02
p.m.
ROLL CALL Present: (5) Councilmembers Flores, Gallagher, Reilly, Spiro and Mayor Eck
Absent: (0) None
Staff present for all or part of the meeting: City Manager Netter and Assistant City
Manager Leivo.
Acknowledge
Posting of Agenda:
The City Manager /Clerk reported that the meeting agenda was properly posted.
Unscheduled Public Appearances:
Mayor Eck stated that in compliance with State Law (The Brown Act), citizens wishing to
make a comment may do so at this time. To ensure accurate recording, "Speaker Cards"
are provided at the entrance of the Chamber and persons speaking under unscheduled
public appearances are requested to submit completed cards to the recording clerk.
James Biers, an attorney representing Debra Investments, took issue with misinformation made at an
earlier meeting. Regarding the Williamson Act, a cancellation notice has been filed, the
designation does not impact annexation, and a property's designation can be terminated
early if it would be in the public interest. Under its present general plan study, the City
Council has discretion over the scope of the document. The Council should not invent
legal excuses. Councilman Reilly's proposals regarding an urban growth boundary would
foreclose home building on his clients property. His clients may apply for annexation
shortly.
Greg Nordin , 1502 Golf Course Dr., noted that he was a 17 resident of Rohnert Park. The State
Government Code includes a definition of open space which provides for recreation uses.
The community lacks adequate recreation facilities. He supports the proposal to
financially assist the School District. The City is dipping into reserves and we need to
look at the financial condition of the City. The sphere of influence boundaries should be
moved to Petaluma Hill Rd. and Stony Point Rd. Santa Rosa is proceeding with
substantial development.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes - February 27, 1995 (2)
Glen Foley, 1036 Hawthorne Cir., stated that the Council should amend its General Plan study to include
consideration of the Condiotti proposal. It will help fill the need for lo, _., cost housing.
Condiotti needs to run a profitable company and we need to provide: ;rvices for the
community. By putting the two together we can have a winner. Please . o not miss this
opportunity.
Council Discussion - Councilmembers discussed the Condiotti proposal, holding a N,)rmal general plan
public hearing, open space, community separators, urban growth boundaries, the proposed
foundation, the Williamson Act, wastewater treatment capacity, looking at all proposals,
annexation, school district finances, general plan principles and policies, considering
change, LAFCO, and an initiative.
PhH1 Trowbridge, Condiotti Enterprises, stated that the work done on the current general plan could be
used for their proposed project.
Council Discussion - Councilmembers discussed whether to include: :.rie Condiotti project, internal
consistency in the general plan, the scope of the current general plan process, spheres of
influence, whether taxpayers will build sports complex, the library, the recreation project
priority list, CEQA, specific plan areas, the Hallock lawsuit, the Grand Jury report, use of
School District bond proceeds, the fiscal impacts of a project over five years, hiring
consultants, and planning timetables.
Motion Councilman Reilly made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Gallagher, to continue
with the current general nlan imrf m and in r„nn 1001, 1__— i 1___
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economic analysis.
Discussion Councilmembers discussed whether the motion would predetermine the destiny of the
proposed project and whether the City will be strangled.
Vote The motion was approved by a vote of three in favor and two opposed (Flores and Spiro).
Open Space Element - Councilmembers discussed the definition of open space, the proposed sports
complex, and using the Pimentel property for a third golf course and community
separators.
Motion Councilman Flores made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Spiro, to leave in the
crossed through material in implementation measure 6, page 6:7.
Discussion Councilmembers discussed the motion.
Amended Motion - Councilman Reilly proposed an amended motion to leave in the crossed through
material until "sports complex" and to delete the remaining portion. The maker of the
motion and the second accepted the amended motion.
Unscheduled Appearances:
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(3)
Linda Branscomb, 21 Anne stated that the Council should consider an open space acquisition study.
Jake Mackenzie, 1536 Gladstone Way, cited the Williamson Act and stated that residents in the northeast
corner of the City discussed an agricultural preserve. The map is not correct. Property
owners northeast of the City are applying to Sonoma County for home construction.
Santa Rosa residents formed an urban growth boundary committee which would start at
Todd Road. There is a window of opportunity to consider urban growth boundaries. If
the 1990 General Plan was followed, we would not be presented with the current
dilemma.
Discussion Councilmembers discussed creating a community separator agreement with Santa Rosa.
Vote The motion was approved by a vote of five in favor, none opposed.
Definitions It was a consensus of the Council to add definitions of "urban growth boundary" and
"greenways. "
Community Separator - It was a consensus of the Council to add an implementation measure to
"negotiate with Sonoma County, Santa Rosa, and the Open Space District regarding
preservation of the community separator between Rohnert Park and Santa Rosa.
Discussion Councilmembers discussed the sphere of influence to the west and golf course
development.
Motion Councilwoman Gallagher made a motion, seconded by Councilman Reilly, to retain the
crossed through objective 1, p. 6:6 and to not increase the sphere of influence on the west
side, and to rewrite the first line to indicate that the City would work with the open space
district to assist in the acquisition of land.
Discussion Councilmembers discussed the motion.
Vote The motion was approved by a vote of four in favor and one opposed (Spiro).
Valley House Councilmembers discussed the status of the Valley House.
Gallagher Leaves - Councilwoman Gallagher left the Chambers at 8:42 p.m.
It was a consensus of the Council to delete the last paragraph, column one, p. 6:6 and
replace it with the following sentence: "No structures on the nation or state register of
historic sites are located within Rohnert Park."
Gallagher Returns - Councilwoman Gallagher returned at 8:47 p.m.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes - February 27, 1995
(4)
Implementation Measure 3 - It was a consensus of the Council to retain the crossed through words "lands
located in" in implementation measure 3, p. 6:7.
Implementation Measure 8 - It was a consensus of the Council to amend Implementation Measure 8, p.
6:8 as follows: "Work with Sonoma County and the Open Space District to maintain..."
Implementation Measure 10 - It was a consensus of the Council to add an Implementation Measure t 0 n
6:8 to "Work with Sonoma County, Santa Rosa, and the Open Space District to prepared
a community separator agreement for the separator between Rohnert Park and Santa
Rosa."
Noise Element - It was a consensus of the Council to add a discussion of air traffic noise under 7.3 -
Noise Sources in Rohnert Park, p. 7:5, and to include a map of flight paths.
Safety Element - It was a consensus of the Council to add definitions for Public Safety Officer (PSO),
Community Services Officer (CSO), and volunteer fire fighter.
Self- Sufficiency - It was a consensus of the Council that the rule of thumb regarding self - sufficiency for
72 hours after a disaster, p. 8:2, should be boxed and highlighted.
Emergency Preparedness - It was a consensus of the Council to rephrase the first two paragraphs in
section 8.2, Emergency Preparedness to be more generic and to add the Senior Center as a
possible shelter.
Discussion Councilmembers discussed maintenance of flood channels and the possible construction of
homes in drainage swales.
Sprinkler Ord. - It was a consensus of the Council to add a paragraph in 8.5, Police and Fire Services, p.
8:11 regarding the City's ordinance requiring installation of sprinklers.
Public Safety It was a consensus of the Council to amend the third paragraph, middle column, p. 8:11 so
as to reflect current staff levels in the Department of Public Safety.
Incidents It was a consensus of the Council to update the chart on p. 8:12 regarding the number of
incidents and property losses.
Response Times - It was a consensus of the Council to update Figure 8.6, First Response Times in
Minutes and the discussion of response times, pp. 8:13 -8:14.
Training It was a consensus of the Council to add a paragraph in 8.5, Police and Fire Services, p.
8:11 regarding the fire fighting training that officers receive.
Hazardous Waste - It was a consensus of the Council to add a discussion of household hazardous waste
disposal and to update 8.7 Hazardous Waste.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes - February 27, 1995 (5)
Policy 6 It was a consensus of the Council to print Policy 6, p. 8:17 in bold print.
Environmental Review - Councilmembers discussed preparation of a environmental impact review of the
general plan. It was a consensus of the Council that the City should procure a consultant
to prepare the review using a "request for proposals" process.
Overlay Zone Councilmembers discussed the overlay zone proposed in the Housing Element. It was a
consensus of the Council that the use permit language should replace the overlay zone
language.
Mixed Use It was a consensus of the Council to include a definition of mixed use.
Discussion Councilmembers discussed hiring a general plan consultant in the future and adding the
fiscal impact of projects to the general principal.
Unscheduled Public Appearances:
Mayor Eck asked if any members of the public wanted to make comments.
Jake Mackenzie, 1536 Gladestone Way asked for the Council's timetable for completion of the general
plan update.
Linda Branscomb, 21 Anne, asked if the $25,000 for the general plan formulation was still available.
Adjournment Mayor Eck adjourned the meeting at 8:43 p.m.
Z&;z . I -
Secretary
Mayor