2017/05/25 Planning Commission MinutesROHNERT PARK PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
May 25, 2017
The Planning Commission of the City of Rohnert Park met this date in a regular session commencing at 6:00
p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 130 Avram Avenue, with Chairperson Haydon presiding.
Call To Order
Chairperson Haydon called the meeting of the regular session to order at
approximately 6:00 p.m. with Chairperson Haydon leading the pledge.
Roll Call
Present: (3) Commissioners: Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Borba and
Commissioner Haydon were present. Commissioner Blanquie and Commissioner
Giudice were excused.
Development Services Director, Mary Grace Pawson, Planning Manager, Jeff
Beiswenger, Planner I, Zachary Tusinger and Recording Secretary, Suzie
Azevedo were present.
Declaration of
None.
Abstention
Acknowledgement of
Chairperson Haydon acknowledged the posting of the Agenda of this meeting in
Public Noticing
three (3) public places, per the requirements of the Brown Act.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Commissioner Borba, seconded by Commissioner Adams
to approve the minutes of the April 13, 2017 regular Planning Commission
meeting as presented. The motion passed with a 3-0 vote. (AYES: Adams,
Borba, Haydon; NOES: None; ABSENT: Blanquie, Giudice)
Unscheduled Public
None.
Appearances
Municipal Code
Chairperson Haydon switched the order of the agenda to hear Agenda Item 8.2
Amendments
first. Chairperson Haydon had concern that two Commissioners would not be
present for this important item initiated by the City Council regarding a municipal
File No. PLMC17-0002
code amendment relateded to Short Term Rentals (STRs). She expressed the
desire to open the hearing, hear testimony and continue the item so that all
City of Rohnert Park
members of the Commission would have an opportunity to deliberate and rule in.
Planner I, Zachary Tusinger, presented the staff report. The goal of addressing
the short term rental phenom is to get ahead of the issue; be proactive and to
have an opportunity to bring existing STRs out of the dark and for new STRs to
have a legal process to go through. It also will allow the City to initiate
enforcement options and tailor a policy approach that works for Rohnert Park. Mr.
Tusinger indicated that in May of 2015, 9 AirBnB listings were noted and in
September 2016 that number increased to 22.
Mr. Tusinger identified potential concerns as follows:
Planning Commission Minutes
May 25, 2017
Development Area Plan
File Nos. PLDP17-0001
and PLDP17-0002
Kevin
Pohlson/University
District LLC
• Reduces available housing.
• Nuisance impacts: parking, traffic, parties.
• Changes neighborhood character.
• Lack of health and safety regulation.
• Negative fiscal impacts (if unregulated).
Initial City Council feedback included:
• RP is a family friendly city.
• Preserve housing.
• Balance cost/benefits of regulation
• Want to stay ahead of the issue.
• Single room rentals or ADUs okay.
• Notice to neighbors is important.
• Require a business license and payment of TOT
Mr. Tusinger outlined the additions to the code the Commission would be
considering and opened the discussion for questions.
Discussion was held between staff and the Commission. Questions that arose
included:
• How is TOT collected?
• What is the City's cost potentially for public safety?
• What is the likelihood of the state enacting legislation?
• Insurance — will it be required as part of rental.
• Can rules be posted at each site?
Michael Knapman, resident, spoke briefly to the Commission. Mr. Knapman is in
support of the ordinance, especially with regard to "room" rental versus "whole
house" rental. His neighbor currently runs a whole house rental; issues and
concerns are smoking, profanity, noise late into the evening.
A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner Borba
to continue the item to a date certain of June 22, 2017. The motion passed with a
3-0 vote. (AYES: Adams, Borba, Haydon; NOES: None; ABSENT: Blanquie,
Giudice)
Planning Manager, Jeffrey Beiswenger, presented the staff report. The proposed
project consists of Development Area Plans (DAP) for the second phase of
development of Vast Oak East within the University District. DAP I includes
Parkways and Walls; DAP II includes the housing product for the Cypress,
Sycamore, Live Oak and Juniper neighborhoods. Mr. Beiswenger gave
backround/milestones to date of the University District and provided detailed
specifics in the the following areas:
DAP I — Landscape Master Plan; plans for acoustic walls; detail specification for
walls and fences; detail specifications for concrete paving, planter wall and pilaster
and typical mailbox enclosure:
2
Planning Commission Minutes
May 25, 2017
General Plan
Consistency Finding
File No. PLCF17-0001
of Rohnert Park
DAP II: 4 neighborhoods; 428 residential lots; neighborhood plans; setback
exhibits; parking plans; front yard landscapes; floor plans; exterior elevations; color
schemes.
Mr. Beiswenger recommended adoption of Resolution No. 2016-17 approving the
Development Area Plan I for the Vast Oak East Land Development Phase 1
Parkways and Walls and Development Area Plan II for the vast Oak East Land
Development Phasell; Cypress, Sycamore, Live Oak and Juniper neighborhoods.
Lengthy discussion was held between staff and the Commission. Jim Templeton,
representing Kevin Pohlson, was recognized and responded to Commission
questions. The Commission focused on two very significant issues as follows:
Solar panel requirements — The Commission again discussed the need for
policy relating to solar panel/energy performance requirements for
consideration in new and redesigned development. It was noted that the
city's building code requires that all new homes be designed to be solar
ready. The EIR for the University district includes mitigation measures to
support energy efficiency and emission reduction but does not include a
specific requirement for solar panel installation.
Desired elevation changes to Elevation B (Craftsman) and Elevation D
(Farmhouse) of the Live Oak home designs — The Commission felt that
these elevations were too uniform in appearance and lacking in
architectural interest. Discussions focused on the roof line and
suggestions to "peak" or "break up" the flat portion of the roof. It was
suggested that modifications and/or additional architectural elements be
added to create increased visual appeal.
A question also arose regarding the big box transformers that are depicted in DAP
I. Mr. Templeton overviewed the placement and design of these transformers and
noted that PG&E prefers them to be above ground as opposed to underground.
A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner Borba
to adopt Resolution No. 2016-17 recommending the City Council approval of the
Development Area Plan I for the Vast Oak East Land Development Phase 1
Parkways and Walls and Development Area Plan II for the Vast Oak East Land
Development Phase II; Cypress, Sycamore, Live Oak and Juniper neighborhoods
with the following actions: 1) The City Council add a condition of approval
requiring that ten percent of the homes within Vast Oak East have solar panels
installed prior to first occupancy and 2) the applicant shall work with staff and the
Planning Commissioner Chair to consider changes to Elevation B (Craftsman) and
Elevation D (Farmhouse) of the Live Oak home designs. The motion passed with
a 3-0 vote. (AYES: Adams, Borba, Haydon; NOES: None; ABSENT: Blanquie,
Giudice)
Planning Manager, Jeff Beiswenger presented the staff report. The Planning
Commission is charged with the responsibility for ensuring that adopted
plans/programs are consistent with goals and policies of the adopted General
Plan. The Planning Commission is being requested to review the attached draft
Five -Year Capital Improvements Program FY 2017-18 through 2021-22 (CIP) to
3
Planning Commission Minutes
Mav 25, 2017
Chairperson
determine consistency with the General Plan. Mr. Beiswenger briefly touched on
the various programs/projects proposed.
A brief discussion was held. A motion was made by Commissioner Borba,
seconded by Commissioner Adams finding the Draft Five -Year Capital
Improvement Program FY2017-18 through 2021-22 is consistent with the Rohnert
Park General Plan 2020. The motion passed with a 3-0 vote. (AYES: Adams,
Borba, Haydon; NOES: None; ABSENT: Blanquie, Giudice)
Matters from Planning
Commissioner Borba brought up for discussion the need for a Planning
Commissioners
Commission/City Council study session to discuss policy regarding solar
installation. It was recommended that a guest speaker in this field be agendized
for a future Planning Commission meeting
Commissioner Haydon noted that she was appointed the City representative to
serve on the Climate Adaptation Planning Committee that will implement the
Climate Adaptation Plan 2020.
Matters from Planning
Mr. Beiswenger Invited the Commission to the ground breaking of Crane Trail and
Staff
spoke to the up and coming General Plan Update.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Chairperson Haydon adjourned the meeting at
8:50 pm.
Chairperson