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1972/07/05 City Council MinutesCall to Order R o11 .Call Executive Session File No, 0223 Sonoma State College Environs Plan' ROHNERT PARK CITY ,COUNCIL MINUTES July 5, 1972 The Council of the City of Rohnert Park met this date in adjourned, regular session commencing at 7 :30 p.m. in the City Offices, 435 Southwest Boulevard, Rohnert Park, with Mayor .Roberts presiding. The regular session was preceded by an executive session, which commenced at 6:45 p.m. and at ..,which all Councilmen were present and which was held to discuss an appointment.to. the Planning Commission. Mayor Roberts called the meeting of the regular session to order at approximately 7 :30 p.m. and led the pledge of allegiance. Present: (5) Councilmen Beary, Flores, Hopkins, Smith and Roberts Absent: (0) None Staff Present for all or part of the meeting: City Manager Callinan, Deputy City Attorney David S. Cook, and County Planners George Kovatch, Mel Pedersen, and John Scudero. Mayor :Roberts announced that an executive session had been held prior to the regular meeting to interview Mrs. Judith Fernan and Mr. Sil Cincera, applicants for the Planning Commission vacancy. .Upon motion of Councilman Hopkins, seconded by Councilman Beary, and unanimously approved, Mr. Sil Cincera was appointed to fill the vacancy on the Planning Commission, It was noted that he would be sworn in at the July 13th Planning Commission meeting. Mayor Roberts declared the public hearing open on the ,.Sonoma State College.Environs..Plan, City Manager Callinan advised that this was a duly noticed public hearing to decide whether -:or not to adopt the �1101— .vt ,c +..V.i..t.cgc L11V J..L'V ll� Plait cui an amendment to the General,Plan of Rohnert Park.. He reported that notice of the public hearing had been published in The Clarion and mailed to civic organizations and individuals who had expressed -ari interest in same. Mr. Callinan read Planning Commission Resolution No. 6 transmitting the Sonoma State College Environs Plan to the City Council.' Mr. Callinan read a letter from Mel Pedersen of the Sonoma County Planning Department dated July 3, 1972 which sug- gested several optionsavailable to the city. Mr. George Kovatch, Sonoma, County Planning Director was Page -2- July 5, 1972 introduced. He reviewed the background of the Environs Plan and the preliminary stages of same, advising that the committee had met for approximately 1 -1/2 years attempt - ing to develop a plan that could be implemented and not merely shelved. Mr. Mel Pedersen, Sonoma County Planning Department, was introduced. He explained the maps and drawings displayed relating to the Environs Plan. Mr. Kovatch explained the proposed densities and how they could be applied in relation.to open space; e.g: if 501 . open space then._remaining 50% of land could have density doubled. Mr. Pedersen explained the County Planning Department's alternate plan and the Sonoma State college proposed plan, both on display. Mr. Pedersen reminded that the original Sonoma State College Environs Plan map represented the recommendations of the study committee. He commented that there were things included in the plan he did not agree with but would not talk about them since the.plan does represent the e committe's recommendation. Mr. Thomas McGrath, President of Sonoma State College, was recognized and commented that the County Planning Department representatives had come to the college planning staff and much enthusiasm was generated concerning the densities proposed in the plan; that wide college community interest in the plan had been created and a full day's convocation was held at the college on the plan with many sub- committees being formed and the college position paper on the plan was the outgrowth.. Mr. McGrath commented generally about being pleased with the City Council resolution re limiting enrollment at the college to 10,000; that the college was the first state . college to close admissions for the 1972 Fall term; that there would be approximately 5,000 students this year and. next; the new residence halls will be open this Fall, but construction of many residence halls is not anticipated since it is preferred.to have the students move into the community so they will not be isolated into one college residence area. Mr. McGrath,.commenting,on the Environs Plan, advised he would like to ,see the density formulas adopted; and some of the environment preserved for Labs. Mr. Charles DeMeo was recognized. He advised he lives in Santa .Rosa but.has an interest in 70 acres of land on Petaluma.Hill Road. He commented that he appreciates the fact that the college wants to preserve the environment but does not feel at,is right or. fair to dictate to the property owners that their land cannot be developed for Nit number of years. In response to a question, Mr. DeMeo Page -3- July 5, 1972 stated he had had an interest in the Petaluma Hill Road _property for 13 -14 years which was several years before the college existed. Mr. Richard Day, 7605 Beth Ct., was recognized. He advised that his wife works at the college and that he practices law in Rohnert Park. He stated he had come to speak in opposition to the plan as put together by the County Planning Department and was in favor of.the: college position paper ` and plan until seeing the County,.Planning Department alter- native plan for the first time this evening. He commented he felt the City Council,had an obligation to consider its legal obligations to the property owners where the land is already zoned or other commitments made, but does not feel they must consider the land speculator's position and referred to Mr. DeMeo. Mr. DeMeo stated he was not a land speculator and resented that reference very much. Mr: Phil Northern was recognized.and advised he was an Assistant Professor of Biology at `Sonoma State College and lives on Wright Road just outside.of Rohnert Park. He commented generally about the plan and questioned a five acre minimum lot size.for agricultural zoning as being too small. Mrs. Hayes, 5154 Snyder Lane, was recognized. She described the location of her property.comprising 12 acres just north of,Nimebaugh Creek.: She asked if it would be possible to construct 'cluster type apartments on her property if the Environs Plan were adopted. Mr. Kovatch responded in the affirmative indicating that 3.6 units would be allowed with 60. open space. A brief discussion followed with Mrs. Hayes indicating that the situation would not be economically feasible for her property. Mr. Lee Anderson, 459 Pheasant Lane, advised he represented Wickiup Properties which owns land in the Environs Plan area. He commented that the college and its students have worth- while goals in preserving open space, etc. but felt that most or. x tie 5,000 students will not stay in the area for more Ilan four years and it does not seem fair for them to leave such an economic impact on the area for years to come. Mr. Henry Murphy, 5459 Lichau Road, was recognized and ad- vised that his family had lived in Sonoma County since 1852 and he basically does not.like the zoning because it-puts restrictions on the property owners. He also advised he had been'aImember of the Sonoma State College Environs Study Committee. He commented that he was friendly with all the families who have lived in this valley for the last 50- 100 years and these people are being squeezed out and that it seems we have to try and strike a happy medium. Page -4- July 5, 1972 Mr. Barry Godolphin, 332 Burton Avenue, was recognized. He advised he was a member of the faculty at Sonoma State College. He commented generally about commitments already made to property owners and suggested that some way be found to purchase these lands, possibly through a non- profit corporation. Mrs. Sylvia Godolphin, 328 Burton Avenue, was recognized. She commented that she had moved here approximately eight months ago from Pasadena and.had seen that area grow from a rural area to high density buildings and does not want Rohnert Park to do likewise; that taxes, the crime rate, and similar problems all increase with high density build- ing. Mr. David Eck, 7075 Adele Avenue, was recognized. He stated he was a chemistry teacher at Sonoma State College and mem- ber of the Citizens for a Planned Community. He commented that increased population and all the problems that usually go with it would be disastrous for the area. He stated he personally had not come in contact with anyone who supported the original Sonoma State College Environs Plan. Mr. Colin Hermans, 7387 Barbi Lane, was recognized. He stated he was a faculty.member in the Biology Department at the college and was in favor of the college's amendment to the Environs Plan. He commented t1lat he had grown up in Seattle near the University of Washington and that Seattle had experienced explosive, uncontrolled growth and feels we have to preserve this area so it does not become a high density and tense area such as Berkeley and similar places, Mr. Steve Moore, Sonoma State College alumnus, ex- Rohnert Park resident, member of the Environs Study Committee, and now resident of Sebastopol, was recognized. He commented generally that some limited growth may be desirable and some urbanization might be necessary. Mr. George Orr of Sonoma Mountain Road was recognized. He commented that the college is made up of students who will be here from 1 -4 years, most of the faculty does not live in the area, and that the property owners should be consider- ed. He pointed out that there were six dairies in the area of the Environs Plan and now only one remains. New Petaluma Councilman Smith introduced Mr. Bill Morrissey, newest School Board MQmber member of the Petaluma School District Board. Recess Mayor Roberts declared a recess at this point in the meeting the time being approximately 9 :37 p.m. Reconvene Mayor Roberts reconvened the meeting at approximately 9.45 p.m. City Manager Callinan advised that the City does have a definite commitment on the Stone property; the lands between Wage -5- July 5, 1972 the city and college have been assessed to build sewer lines so the city has an obligation to those property owners; the Benson property just south of the high school has no commitment from the city; and the city has no formal commitment on the lands north of the college. He stated that owners of property just outside the city have no right to expect annexation simply because they are near the city boundaries. He further stated that properties within the city must be given first consideration because their owners have borne the burden of sewer; water; and drainage improvements. Councilman Smith quoted from an article in the gall Street Journal which dealt with land use concept changes and state wide controls. A lengthy question and answer period followed with the Councilmen asking questions of speakers in the order in which they appeared. During the question and answer priod Mr. McGrath commented that he felt private development will be needed to accom- modate the college, but that it can be done within the present boundaries of Rohnert Park. He also commented that local students have priority for admission to the college service area. Adjournment At approximately 11:15 p.m. Councilman Hopkins made a motion, seconded by Councilman Beary and unanimously approv- ed to adjourn the meeting to July 11 at 7:00 p.m. for a budget work session and continue the public hearing on the Sonoma State College Environs Plan to July 17 at 7:00 p.m. aD uty C` y Cler t APPROVED: Mayor