1990/03/26 City Council MinutesRohnert Park City Council Minutes
March 26, 1990
GENERAL PLAN
Adj. Regular Mtg.
The Council of the City of Rohnert Park met this date in
adjourned regular session commencing at 6:00 p.m. in the
City Offices, 6750 Commerce Boulevard, Rohnert Park,
with Mayor Hollingsworth presiding.
Call to Order Mayor Hollingsworth called the adjourned regular session
to order at approximately C:00 p.m. and led the pledge
of allegiance.
Roll Call \ Present: (4) Council members Eck, Hopkins, Spiro and
Hollingsworth
Absent: (0) None
Late: (1) Councilman Cochran (Time of arrival is
noted in these minutes)
Staff present for all or part of the meeting: City
Manager Callinan, City Attorney Flitner, Planning
Director Skanchy, Director of Public Works /City Engineer
Brust, Assistant to the City Manager Leivo, and Director
of Public Safety Dennett.
Housing Mayor Hollingsworth welcomed those in the audience to
element tonight's meeting. He advised that the Council had
received copies of the Chapter 4, Housing Element of the
General Plan which included the Council's amendments.
Discussion followed regarding the amended Housing
Element.
Upon motion of Mayor Hollingsworth, seconded by Council
member Spiro, and unanimously approved, the amendments
to Chapter 4, Housing Element in the Draft General Plan
were accepted and approved.
Mayor Hollingsworth informed the Council that Director
of Public Safety Dennett was available to comment on the
Safety Element of the Plan tonight but that he is
feeling ill. The Mayor asked if any member of the
Council had any objections to discussing the Safety
Element first. There were no objections.
Public Mayor Hollingsworth opened the public meeting and asked
comment if anyone wished to speak regarding Chapter 8, Safety.
Linda Branscomb, 21 Anne, addressed the Council stating
that this evening she is representing herself and not
any specific groups. She distributed copies of her
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letter dated March 25, 1990, a copy of which is attached
to the original set of these minutes. She emphasized
that steps must be taken to insure the long term quality
of life as opposed to the short term.
Jake MacKenzie, 1536 Gladstone Way, was recognized and
thanked the Council for allowing the public to speak so
freely during the General Plan meetings and expressed
appreciation for the Council's patience. Mr. MacKenzie
commented on the idea of creating a new city and stated
he realizes the scorn such an idea has recently
received, but that he now feels a lot of people realize
there is a lot of sense to the proposed idea. There are
a few still harboring the "not in my backyard" syndrome.
Mr. MacKenzie suggested that the Council would be wise
to carry the new city idea forward in future meetings.
He then offered suggestions regarding making provisions
in the General Plan for the Canon Manor area insofar as
facts concerning nitrate infiltration. Mr. MacKenzie
referred to an annual water quality report and noted a
maximum reading where we were at a maximum level of
trihalomethanes and suggested that data be included in
the General Plan about the citizens drinking water
supply.
Councilman Councilman Cochran arrived at the meeting at
Cochran arrives approximately 6:16 p.m.
Mr. MacKenzie continued to comment regarding wastewater
matters and queried about doubling the wastewater
capacity. He also expressed his opinion that a negative
declaration should be included in the Plan in relation
to air quality matters. He further stated he is
concerned regarding pollution that may be caused by
pesticide use and suggested that an annual staff report
be prepared and presented to the Council regarding the
use of pesticides in the city and what practices are
being used to control the pesticides so as to protect
the groundwater supply. Mr. MacKenzie also added that
in regards to preserving open space it is not going to
be easy and stated he feels a county -wide initiative
should be passed to protect open space and community
separators. He added that since the new section of the
Rohnert Park Expressway is open it has made a big
difference in the esthetic affect on those entering the
city from the northwest area. Mr. MacKenzie again
thanked the Council for their courtesies.
Mayor Hollingsworth queried if there was anyone else
present who wished to comment on the Public Safety
Element. There being no one else wishing to address the
Public Safety element, Mayor Hollingsworth discontinued
the public comments and queried if any Council members
had comments.
2
Councilman Eck stated that language should be added into
the Safety Element regarding development of a system
and/or action plan for senior citizens during an
earthquake. Some seniors have critical needs and there
should be an outline or program to follow during a
disaster.
Mayor Hollingsworth commented on making provisions for
a hazardous waste program.
Council member Spiro opined that the City should be more
specific regarding earthquake preparedness and not just
say that booklets are available concerning same. She
said she feels programs should be organized in all
neighborhoods which would provide more detailed
information as to what should be done in the event of a
disaster.
Councilman Eck advised that some very good materials are
distributed by ABAG regarding earthquake preparedness
and that those materials would be good examples.
Council concurred that Section 8.2 should be expanded to
include suggestions made tonight.
Councilman Eck informed that Rohnert Park has one of the
largest hazardous waste reduction facilities in the
county due to recycling and enlightened the Council
about Rohnert Park's position in a Tanner Commission
report and spoke briefly about the "Safety Kleen"
company operations in Rohnert Park and suggested that
fact ought to be contained in the Conservation Element.
Continue Public Upon conclusion of the Council's discussion on the
comments Safety Element, Mayor Hollingsworth opened the meeting
for public comment on the Conservation, Open Space, and
Noise elements.
George Horwedel, 7669 Camino Colegio, was recognized and
handed out to the Council a booklet prepared by the City
entitled "Threat Summary," "Earthquake" dated August
1987. He advised that he had two goals he would like
accomplished in the Open Space Element, those being (1)
to establish a policy of open space by requiring one
acre of open space for each annexed acre; (2) to
establish green belt areas to include a golf course and
cemetery and to eliminate parking lots from the open
space definition.
Mr. Horwedel then referred to the earthquake booklet and
stated he feels Section 8.2 of the Safety Element should
contain a requirement that all mobile homes are required
to have tie -downs by the year 1991. He suggested that
the garbage company include with their bills,
information regarding how to dispose of toxic materials.
3
David Van Nuys, 6189 San Bruno Ct., spoke regarding
bicycling and offered the idea that more people should
bicycle since he has learned that half of the auto trips
by Ro11-1nert Park residents are less than 5 miles in
length. He suggested that the City have a Bicycle
Coordination Committee to promote and plan cycling
routes.
Close of There being no one else desiring to speak, Mayor
Public Comments Hollingsworth closed the public comments at
approximately 6:45 p.m.
Mayor Hollingsworth queried if the Council had any
comments at this time.
Council member Spiro queried about sewer capacity of the
City versus the College and asked who takes precedent,
the City or College, when it comes to allotting any
additional capacity. City Manager Callinan explained
that the College cannot pre-empt allowable capacity and
assured that City Engineer Brust is currently in
communication with Sonoma State University regarding
their use of capacity. City Engineer Brust commented
that Rohnert Park and Santa Rosa face the same issues
and advised that the Regional Water Quality Control
Board sets guidelines for both our cities and that
penalties are applied should we exceed our capacities.
Public Comments Mayor Hollingsworth noted that Mr. Harvey Bell had
Re- opened recently arrived at the meeting and although the public
comment portion of the meeting had been closed, if the
Council had no objection he would re -open that portion
of the meeting to afford Mr. Bell the opportunity to
speak. Council concurred.
Harvey Bell, 700 Lindsay Ave., said he had several
recommendations and distributed documents containing
same, a copy of which documents is attached to the
original set of these minutes. He then commenced to
read the recommendations.
Mr. Bell advised that the Open Space Element contained
in the Draft General Plan is the most disappointing one
to him and that he feels we don't really understand what
open space is. He stated that, to him, open space is
strictly undeveloped land in a natural state. He
pointed out sections contained in the current Open Space
Element should be contained in the Land Use Element.
Mr. Bell continued to read from his document all changes
he feels should be placed in Elements other than where
they now appear in the Draft General Plan as well as
several other suggested changes.
Upon conclusion of Mr. Bell's presentation, he thanked
4
the Council for allowing him to speak.
Teresa Bowden, 1701 E. Cotati Ave., was recognized and
approached the Council with the suggestion that in
addition to the types of people mentioned in the Housing
Element Goals section addressing housing opportunities
that "handicapped" and "people with different sexual
preferences" be included.
Public Comments There being no one else desiring to speak, Mayor
closed - Recess Hollingsworth closed the public comments portion of the
meeting at approximately 7:30 p.m. and declared a
recess.
Reconvene Mayor Hollingsworth reconvened the meeting at
approximately 7:38 p.m. with all members of the Council
present.
Mayor Hollingsworth led the Council in an extensive,
wide ranging discussion on the Conservation, Open Space,
and Noise Elements of the Draft General Plan covering
each Goal, Objective, Principle, Standard and Proposal
for each Element.
During the discussion it was suggested by Councilman Eck
and agreed to by the entire City Council that Rohnert
Park become a "Tree City U.S.A."
Upon conclusion of the discussion, Assistant to the City
Manager Leivo explained the next step in the process to
update the General Plan.
Planning Director Skanchy further clarified the process
by stating that the Planning Commission will be
conducting public hearings in April and suggested that
the City Council submit their package of changes to the
Planning Commission following their final review of same
so that the Commission can combine those changes with
their recommendations to resubmit to the Council.
It was the consensus of the Council that it will discuss
and give final approval of the Advance Draft of the
General Plan at its meeting of April 10, 1990.
Mayor Hollingsworth thanked the public for attending
tonight's meeting and further explained the process that
will take place next.
Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Hollingsworth
adjourned the meeting at approximately 9:07 p.m.
'Mayor'
Deputy City Cler --
5
Honorable Arthur Hollingsworth
Mayor of the City of Ronert Park
City Hall
Rohnert Park CA 94928
March 25, 1990
Dear Mr. Hollingsworth,
�d
Please preserve the diversity of life in and around Rohnert
Park by implementing concrete measures to insure that Goal no.
two of the open space section of the draft General Plan is
carried out. This Goal states, "discourage conversion of open
space and agricultural lands to urban uses outside city limits."
The plan mentions that "as one leaves the city to the east or
west one gets a sense of a rural setting and that this will
continue to be the case for many years as long as the City
continues to grow and develop in an orderly manner ".
This Goal can be implemented by combining objectives #1 and
#2 on p. E5 of the draft general plan handout so that it reads as
follows: "Begin efforts to preserve open space by establishing a
plan in 1990 for acquisition of large parcels of land and /or
development rights within the City and its sphere of influence so
as to create a permanent open space border around the City."
"Open space land, once lost is generally lost forever" ( P.
6.1 open space introduction of the Draft). This plan must take
measures to insure that long term quality of life for all
citizens of Rohnert Park takes precedence over the short term
development interests of the few.
Thank you for your consideration of this important issue.
Sincerely,
A A tl
CONSERVATION ELEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
On pages 3.7 -5 through 3.7 -6 of the Draft Environmental Impact Report for
the General Plan, Our current water use from both wells and the Sonoma County
Water Agency was 5.5 million gallons per day (in 1988, the last data available)
Rohnert Park has requested 15 million gallons per day from the SCWA, based
upon growth projected within the sphere of influence sometime after year
2000.
Why are we requesting this huge capacity of water supply for a city of 40,000
at this time.
I urge us to handle the water needs of our foreseeable future, based on
the desires of our residents, the majority of whom appear not to want high
volume growth in the city's population.
This is a third page to be added to two pages submitted at the last hearing.
Harvey Bell 3/26/90
OPEN SPACE ELEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
The Open Space Element is one of the most disappointing sections of the
Draft General Plan. That is so because nearly half of the content demonstrates
a lack of understanding as to what "open space" is. Much of the content,
although good content as part of our General Plan, is placed improperly
in this section and belongs more appropriately in the Land Use, Circulation
and Conservation Elements.
Essential to the preparation of an accurate "Open Space" Element is adherence
to the definition of "open space" itself, as it appears on page 6.1, which
defines "open space" as "... essentially unimproved... ".
Please see the attached sheets titled LAND USE ELEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS and
RELOCATION SUGGESTED for recommended relocation of some of the text from
the Open Space Element.
In addition, the following comments apply to the Open Space Element:
Page Item Comment
6.1 Introduction: After the first paragraph which defines "open space ",
add a second paragraph:
Rohnert Park will actively persue the acquisition and permanent
protection of open space to create the desired buffer to neighbor-
ing development. Significant Open Space is desired as community
separators to permanently assure the maintenance of our semi -rural
area and our fairly small town feel. Adequate open space is
desired and required in order to maintain the desired quality
of life in Rohnert Park. (71.8% of the over 4,000 residents
surveyed agree that a greenbelt should be established around
Rohnert Park.)
6.1 Second column: (end of the first paragraph) . .. sense of a rural
setting. This will continue to be the case for many years ...
Change the dialogue to state the commitment of our residents
and city to permanently preserve a greenbelt around our city
so that the sense of a rural setting can be experienced as one
leaves the city in most any direction.
6.1 Second column: (second paragraph) Has our sphere of influence been
changed to that discussed at previous General Plan hearings?
Has the City Council considered, calendared or passed a resolution
rolling back the sphere of influence to the current city limits
(with one small exception)?
6.2 First paragraph: NO! NO! NO! Open Space Land CANNOT BE developed
public parks,golf courses, school sites,civic building plazas,
parking lots, cemeteries or business /industrial setbacks.
OPEN SPACE is OPEN SPACE! See page 6.1
6.2 Objective 2. Add that the remainder of the area should be left or
restored as a riparian corridor and kept as a natural habitat
for wildlife.
6.3 Standard 7. In order to preserve vistas, no building should be higher
than 3 stories. In addition to being unsafe in our earthquake
vulnerable area, five story buildings block the view in flat
areas like Rohnert Park.
D 1 of 4 Harvev Bell 3/26/90
OPEN SPACE ELEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS (continued)
Page Item Comment
6.3 #2 64.6% of the over 4,000 residents surveyed disagreed that the
community should have a third golf course, and 14% more were
not interested in golf enough to answer. Who are all these
golfers we are building for? Drop this proposal in the interest
of serving the majority of residents here.
6.3 Proposal 7 Add that we shall leave and /or restore the riparian corrido r
as a natural habitat for wildlife.
6.3 #9 Change to "Acquire the land for a large community park site.
(The area bordering SSU might better serve the University (and
help avoid more unnecessary traffic through our city) be zoning
it for Student Housing) .
6.4 End of Proposal 12 from page 6.3 If we have or will reduce our sphere
of influence to our current city limits, then change the sentence
to "...within and beyond the current city limits.
Nearly three- fourths of all people surveyed (almost 720) want a permanent
greenbelt around our city. This item was the fourth highest landslide in
the survey and demands specific and major effort toward its accomplishment.
For that reason, the following additional items should be added as Proposals
6.4 - Create a Department of Open Space to administer over the creation
of the desired greenbelt and open space and to prepare for,
provide and monitor the development and maintenance of the open
space region. (This will avoid Open Space continually getting
lost, confused or overridden by Parks and Recreations, golf
courses and other "developed" recreational land uses.
6.4 - Add an "open space" category for land use to allow permanent
designation of land within the city limits as 'Open Space ".
6.4 - Form an Open Space Committee to identify desirable open space
for permanent protection and to develope plans and actions
(proposals) to create the desired buffer zones within a prescribed
time period.
6.4 - The first priority of the Department of Open Space and the Open
Space Committee will be to determine the need for open space,
that is, the size of an adequate greenbelt that will meet the
desires of the residents of the community to balance the existing
current size of our city.
6.4 - Any future annexation must first take into account and provide
for the pent up need for open space as defined by the Department
of Open Space and Open Space Committee and in agreement with
the desires of the residents of the community. Any additional
annexation after the pent -up need is satisfied shall be required to provide
a desired ratio of "open space" to "developed" land.
P.2 Harvey Bell 3/26/90
LAND USE ELEMENT RECOMMENDATION
The following sections appeared in the Planning Commission Draft of the
General Plan. These pieces of text, although in a general sense may contribute
to a feeling of openness, actually have no relationship to the Open Space
Element in which they appeared, given the true definition of "open space ". This
can all be added to the Land Use Element with a heading such as "Neighborhood
Parks ". (The numbers below refer to numbering in the Draft General Plan.)
NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS
P 4,1
Rohnert Park should continue to acquire
park sites with the maximum possible street
frontage such as the case with Paul and
Gloria Golis Park, which has street frontage
on three sides plus pedestrian and visual
access to cul -de -sacs on the remaining sites.
Such maximum street frontage creates a
visual open space to people living and trav-
eling along these streets.
Objectives: p 6. Z
1. To provide adequate and easily acces-
sible areas for active and passive rec-
reation for residents, the parks and
schools should be associated spatially
to serve each neighborhood.
3. Continue to require dedication of ade-
quate park sites with ample street front-
age as a condition of development.
4. Require larger than normal set backs
for development at major intersections
and along major roadways and reverse
frontage such as the Expressway,
Redwood Drive, Commerce Boulevard,
Snyder Lane, and Golf Course Drive so
as to create as much visual open space
as possible.
5. Require maximum street frontage for
public facilities, parks, school grounds,
and civic buildings for visual exposure.
p. 3
Standards: p G.3
1. Neighborhood park sites of at least five
acres shall be provided in each new
neighborhood. The park site shall be
adjacent to an elementary school site.
If the park sites are not adjacent to
elementary school sites, they should be
at least ten acres in size.
2. Neighborhood park sites shall have
street frontage on at least three sides.
4. Professional /commercial /industrial
buildings shall be set back as far as
possible on the lots in order to provide
wide visual open space and pleasing
landscaping.
1. Since the School District has indicated
an interest in acquiring a portion (10
acres) of the City's public facility site in
Neighborhood "M ", the City should take
measures to acquire additional land in
the area so that the opportunity for
maximizing recreational open space and
the opportunityto provide an open space
feeling in the neighborhood is not lost.
Harvey Bell 3/26/90
RELOCATION SUGGESTED
The following sections appeared in the Planning Commission Draft of the
General Plan in the Open Space Element. It appears that they would more
logically be placed as shown below.
CONSERVATION ELEMENT
S f "a yr c(a r- of S per. 3
6. Require, where economically feasible,
the use of treated wastewater for irriga-
tion of golf courses, parks, large
landscaped areas, and agricultural
lands.
CIRCULATION ELEMENT
3. Bike paths and pedestrian walks shall
be developed along the top of the banks
on all drainage channels where fea-
sible. The width of the right of way for
the pathway shall be a minimum of 15
feet. The paths shall be paved and shall
be 8 feet in width with the remainder of
the right of way devoted to landscaping.
Prf�s�cg� 5 p
8. Consider acquisition of the Northwest-
ern Pacific Railroad right -of -way if it is
ever ceased to be used for a rail transit
and develop it as a pedestrian /bike path
that could extend through the middle of
the City, connecting many neighbor-
hoods and areas.
11. The City shall encourage the develop-
ment of a bicycle /pedestrian path de-
veloped from the City to Crane Canyon
Regional Park.
p.4 of 4
Harvey Bell 3/26/90
NOISE ELEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Page Item Comment
7.7 Policies: Add one stating that the setbacks for new housing subdivision s
should be increased, especially where two -story homes, apartments
or condominiums are included near the circumference of the
development.
7.8 #4. Mitigation measures may or may not make up for the added noise.
Why not eliminate any projects that would cause 3 dB or more
increases in L dn, period, and not allow any project to cause
the L do to raise above 60 dB
7.8 Add a new item calling for a study to find out what increase in traffic
flow along each major artery and street would be necessary to
cause an increase above the allowable 45 dB Ldn Interior noise
standard. This data could be useful in planning for the proper
location of housing, businesses and open space to best serve the residents
7.10 #2 Add a program to publicize the law regarding nuisance noisy
vehicles and the "non- emergency" phone number people should
call if they have one in their neighborhood.
7.10 Add: There is no mitigation for local helicopter traffic noise.
Therefore, no Heliport or Helipad shall be constructed or assigned
within, or supported near the city limits.
7.8 Add a new item: No Heliport or Helipad shall be constructed
or assigned within the city limits and no support shall be given
for such near the city limits.
P. 1 of 1 Harvey Bell 3/26/90
SAFETY ELEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Page Item Comment
8.7 Left Column, 4th paragraph. It has been disputed whether it is true
that there is no real risk of an epicenter along a fault near
Rohnert Park. There have been news reports regarding the
Healdsburg /Rogers Creek Fault noting the probability of a quake
of 7.1 magnitude there. Have we over - minimalized the real risk
here?
Should the local earthquake fault information be updated?
8.14 #27 Delete the Heliport - by popular demand.
8.14 #28 Add a time line, such as within 1 year.
Add the following items:
8.14 - Declare Rohnert Park to be a Nuclear Free zone. Nuclear materials
in this area can only lead to waste disposal and potential
accidental exposure hazards. As a large part of our current
water supply comes from wells, allowing any industrial use of
nuclear fuels could be harmful to all of us through the cooling
water discharge. Let's avoid any potential major hazards that
are unnecessary. Nuclear fuels and materials are not needed
here.
8.14 - Limit the maximum height of buildings to a 3 story limit to
assure better safety in the event of fires or earthquakes. (In
addition to preserving the open scenic vistas for all residents).
8.14 - Propose a "Pooper Scooper!' ordinance. Dogs are great. So are
kids who play in the schoolyards and parks after the dogs have
left their little "surprizes" in the grass. For health safety
of the very young who still don't know which things are O.K.
to eat, and for general cleanliness, let's require pet owners
to clean up after their pets in all public places.
8.14 - Publish the levels of toxins emitted by local industries and
discarded as solid waste to our landfill or dumped into our
sewage system. Also publish the major toxins discarded by house-
holds. Create a plan to easily allow the collection of most
easily handle -able toxic products, such as a fourth box with
the recyclables for left over weed killers, ant sprays, flashlight
batteries, etc.
p 1 of 1 Harvey Bell 3/26/90