2017/11/01 Planning Commission MinutesROHNERT PARK PLANNING COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
November 1, 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: (4) Commissioners: Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Blanquie,
Commissioner Giudice and Commissioner Haydon were present. Commissioner
Borba was excused.
Planning Manager, Jeff Beiswenger, Planner II, Zachary Tusinger, Technical
Advisor Ali Giudice, Technical Advisor, Brett Bollinger 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
None.
Unscheduled Public
None.
Appearances
LOCAL HAZARD
Planner II, Zachary Tusinger, presented the staff report. Rohnert Park is nearing
MITIGATION PLAN
the completion of the process of developing a new Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
(LHMP) in accordance with relevant federal and state laws. Individual
File No. PLSC16-0001
components of the LHMP provide information and resources to assist citizens and
city staff in comprehending the potential hazard related issues facing the City of
City of Rohnert Park
Rohnert Park. The structure of the LHMP is intended to enable users to quickly
and easily access and understand each section as necessary. The structure also
allows the City of Rohnert Park to assess and update sections with new and
additional data as it becomes available. This is designed to increase the ease of
the updating process — resulting in a more practical and relevant plan.
Staff and the Commission discussed the plan in more detail. Comments from the
Planning Commission included the suggestion to further study hazardous
materials in future iterations of the LHMP, and to more comprehensively map the
locations of senior housing, assisted living centers, preschools, and other similar
facilities that may merit additional consideration in assessing hazard vulnerabilities
and mitigating risk accordingly. The Commission expressed a desire for the City to
better publicize and educate the public about the City's emergency plans and
procedures.
Planning Commission Minutes
November 1, 2017
STUDY SESSION
File No. PLSR17-0003
Chris GranNPacific West
Communities
Study Session
File No. PLSR17-0009
Robert Herbst/PB&J
Partners
No formal action is necessary at this time.
Technical Advisor, Ali Giudice presented the staff report. Planning staff is
conducting a study session on the Site Plan, proposed Parking, and proposed
Open Space for the University District Affordable Housing Project. The goal is to
provide the Commission with an overview of the project and to discuss any
potential issues with the proposed Site Plan, as it relates to parking and open
space. Consideration of the Development Area Plan application for Site Plan and
other components of the project will be brought back to the Planning Commission
at a future meeting.
Ms. Giudice outlined project specifics and details and asked for comments from
the Commission. She did note that the parking configuration proposed will require
a lot line adjustment along the easterly property boundary to accommodate 40
parking spaces. Without these parking space, the project will fall well short of the
required parking number, since only 403 spaces are located on the current parcel.
Since the necessary lot line adjustment would reduce the size of the park, this
proposal was considered by the Parks and Recreation Commission. The Parks
and Recreation Commission recommended approval of the proposed project on
January 18, 2018.
The Planning Commission expressed overall support of the proposed project
including the concept of modifying the easterly property boundary to
accommodate the required parking so long as the project included a concurrent
DAP for site amenities for the park.
No formal action is required at this time. The proposal will be brought back to
Commission at a future meeting.
Technical Advisor, Brett Bollinger, presented the staff report. Staff is conducting a
study session for a 69,431 square -foot industrial building located behind the Press
Democrat building. The goal is to provide the Commission with an overview of
the project and to discuss the potential issues related to the Site Plan and
Architectural Review. Mr. Bollinger noted that environmental studies are
underway for consideration at a future public hearing.
Mr. Bollinger outlined the project components and requested feedback from the
Commission. Discussion centered on the building elevations, particularly the west
and north elevations were viewed as plain and needed additional articulation.
Metal awnings were requested to be added over the main entries to the building.
The north elevation of the building is very visible from Business Park Drive, a
collector street with a fair amount of traffic that will increase in the future. This
elevation was identified as needing additional building articulation, building form
changes, additional windows, window and door details, awnings and other
features.
No formal action is required at this time. The proposal will be brought back to
Commission at a future meeting.
Site Plan and Technical Advisor, Brett Bollinger, presented the staff report. He stated that the
Architectural Review I Site Plan and Architectural Review proposal is for the addition of 16 new units to
Planning Commission Minutes
November 1, 2017
File No. PLSR17-0002
Joe Colonna/Rutherford
Investments
Municipal Code
Amendments
PLMC17-0003
City of Rohnert Park
the existing Park Ridge Apartment Homes complex located at 4949 Snyder Lane.
Mr. Bollinger noted that on September 14, 2017 the Planning Commission
considered this project as part of a study session with presentations from both
staff and the applicant. The feedback received from the Planning Commission
focused on the removal of active recreational space (tennis courts) and building
orientation in relation to existing buildings within the complex. Overall, the
Commissioners were supportive of the project, particularly the addition of
additional family housing in the community.
Mr. Bollinger also reported that the Planning Commission also had concerns
regarding access to the neighboring city park. Staff investigated this further and
determine that excellent access is already provided through the back of the
property to the adjacent open space trail system. Also a bridge is available which
provides direct access to the park.
A brief discussion was held by staff and the Commission. The project architect,
Richard Handlin, was recognized and briefly responded to Commission
questions/comments.
A motion was made by Commissioner Giudice, seconded by Commissioner
Blanquie to adopt Resolution 2017-27, approving Site Plan and Architectural
Review for a 16 unit addition to the Park Ridge Apartment complex located at
4949 Snyder Lane. The motion passed with a 4-0-0 vote. (AYES: Adams,
Blanquie, Giudice, Haydon; NOES: None; ABSENT: Borba
Planning Manager, Jeffrey Beiswenger, presented the staff report. Currently,
temporary signs are codified under exempt signs and include "special event signs"
which are defined as signs or banners that advertise and publicize special events
to be held within Rohnert Park, including, but not limited to, civic events and
special events, grand openings, religious services and athletic sign-ups, to name
just a few. In order to clarify and update provisions and language as well as
location of exempt sign placement for civic events and special events throughout
the city, staff is proposing amendments to this section of the sign code to allow for
a more enforceable sign code provision, to create additional flexibility for the more
seasonal events and to establish alternative key sites for sign placement of all
special event signage.
Mr. Beiswenger provided an overview of the new temporary sign locations due to
the elimination of two keys sites as a result of recent construction and asked for
any comments. A very brief discussion was held between staff and the
Commission, including the placement of signage for the holidays by the Chamber
of Commerce.
A motion was made by Commissioner Giudice, seconded by Commissioner
Blanquie to adopt Resolution 2017-27, recommending to the City Council approval
of amendments to Chapter 17.27 (Signs) of the Rohnert Park Municipal Code. The
motion passed with a 4-0-0 vote. (AYES: Adams, Blanquie, Giudice, Haydon;
NOES: None; ABSENT: Borba
Matters from Planning Commissioner Giudice noted that Key Site, formerly of Santa Rosa and victim of
Commissioners I the Santa Rosa fire has move to Sonoma Mountain Village in Rohnert Park.
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Planning Commission Minutes
November 1, 2017
Matters from Planning None.
Staff
AdjournmentI There being no further business, Chairperson Haydon adjourned the meeting at
9:30 pm.
Chairperson
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