2016/02/11 Planning Commission MinutesAg&Ass�*
ROHNERT PARK PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
February 11, 2016
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 Commissioner Borba presiding.
Call To Order
Chairperson Borba called the meeting of the regular session to order at
approximately 6:00 p.m. with Chairperson Borba leading the pledge.
Roll Call
Present: (3) Commissioners: Commissioner Blanquie, Commissioner Adams
and Commissioner Borba were present. Commissioner Giudice and
Commissioner Haydon were excused.
Planning Manager, Jeffrey Beiswenger and Recording Secretary, Suzie Azevedo
were present.
Declaration of
Abstention
Acknowledgement of
Chairperson Borba 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
Deferred to the next Planning Commission meeting.
Unscheduled Public
None.
Appearances
Study Session/Centra/
Planning Manager, Jeff Beiswenger presented the staff report. The study session
Rohnert Park, Priority
this evening will focus on the Central Rohnert Park, Priority Development Area
Develpmemt Area Plan
(PDA) plan, related environmental impact report, proposed general plan and
(PDA)
zoning ordinance amendments. A second public hearing is scheduled for
February 25, 2016 for additional consideration of the PDA plan documents.
Mr. Beiswenger provided an outline and overview of the PDA as follows:
■ 330 acre planning area; funded by regional FOCUS PDS grant to support
infill growth near transit; SMART rail service should be leveraged to
support creation of the Downtown
• PDA process and project schedule
■ Vision/Placemaking Priorities — creation of a downtown for RP; distinct
community and subareas; community connections; community greening
• What makes a downtown: unique character; pedestrian scale; mix of
uses; development intensity; downtown streets; public amenities
• PDA project entitlements: PDAplan; Environmental Impact Report draft
Planning Commission Minutes
February 11, 2016
• PDA project entitlements: PDA plan; Environmental Impact Report (draft
and final) General Plan Amendments; Zoning Ordinance Amendments
• PDA Plan: organized as fine subareas, plus a new Downtown District
Amenity zone; new mix of retail, jobs and housing downtown next to the
SMART station
• Triangle Business District: better connect to mixed use area to the south;
Commercial Overlay -increase diversity of uses; opportunity sites
• Land use features: plan assumes high development potential, based on
vision for downtown; mixed use subareas; more compact development
focused downtown
• Circulation feautures: extension of bus service; new bus stops
coordinated with SMART rail service; multimodal streets; more refined
internal streed grid Downtown; continuous bike -ped system, integrated
with regional trails; improved east -west, north -south connections, safe
bike and pedestrian crossings
• Parking strategies: enhancement of on -street parking (downtown); share
parking provisions; parking structures
• Circulation enhancements: State Farm redesign; roundabouts; protected
bicycle lanes; pedestrian crossings
• Park and Open Space features: Parks, plazas strategically located;
continuous bike/ped. Trail connections; continuous bike/ped trail
connections; continuous landscaped roadway corridors; recommended
tree list/street furniture
• General Plan amendments: replace "office" on State Farm with "mixed
use"; change roadway designation of Statre Farm (allow for on -street
parking); add PDA policies to General Plan; add a new section on Central
Rohnert Park; add a section on Downtown District
® Zoning Ordinance amendments: Rezone State Farm to "Station Center
PD"; create a Commercial Overlay (triangle business subarea); Create
downtown district overlay; amend some existing zoning districts to allow
for more development intensity
• Next steps: Planning Commission public hearing on February 26, 2016;
City Council hearing on March 8; PDA grant required to be closed out by
the end of March.
Discussion was held between staff and the Commission. Discussion topics
included the following:
Susan Adams — Housing densities - Thought would be a little higher? Jeff
Beiswenger reviewed densities in the mixed use and high density districts,
Dan Blanquie - RPX crossing - Perplexed about what to do; such an
opportunity there, going to be a challenge; would love some sort of
signature/unique feature. Roundabouts — study safety, could be in
support.
John Borba — Roundabouts - coming around to the idea. Multi story
"downtown" and the Barlow Center (Sebastopol) shown in presentation;
does not believe anything similar will work in Rohnert Park; prefers
concept of 3-4 story building that has business/restaurant on ground floor
and residence above. Commercial overlay district - concerned especially
in northern area of plan as it relates to take away of industrial component;
need to review list of "uses" for that area. Bicycle lane - will that be
decided down the road? Jeff Beiswenqer noted that there is a proposed
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Planning Commission Minutes
February 11, 2016
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protective bike lane on State Farm Drive. A lengthy discussion was held
regarding diagonal parking scenarios and bicycle lanes -circulation
connectivity options.
• Letters submitted by Caltrans and PMRD will be part of the final EIR.
Main concerns are traffic and pumping of groundwater.
Commission consensus: Focus on bicycle/parking options; evaluate commercial
overlay district related to elimination of industrial uses, State Farm (RPX)
configuration; safety enhancements Copeland Creek.
Stadium Lands
Senior Analyst, Bryce Atkins spoke before the Commission on the status of the
Presentation
Stadium Lands property. He noted that the City of Rohnert Park ("City") owns
approximately 15.25 acres of land at 5870 Labath Avenue on the west side. The
City placed the property on the market to be sold for economic development
purposes. The amount of property to be sold is approximately 12.25 acres. The
City entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement and Development Term Sheet
("PSA") with 356 Advisors and MJW Investments, LLC (collectively, the
"Developers"). The Developers have put together a proposal on the use of the
land, and are initiating the Preliminary Development Plan process.
Mr. Atkins reported that the PSA includes a minimum of a 125 room hotel of
upscale quality or higher, as well as retail space, high density residential for up to
135 units, and a park. The park component was a requirement based on the high
density residential development. The PSA outlines that an amount of park area
and cash value are to be dedicated to the City. The developer will be coming
before the Parks and Recreation Planning Commissions in the very near future.
Mr. Atkins responded to questions and comments as follows:
• Upscale high end hotel is slated, what hotel? — Marriott Courtyard,
Radisson, Hilton style
• Ownership of various parcels surround the area? — School district, radio
station. Has there been any communication from school district to
construct new school given increase in housing. The City has not heard
anything.
• Comment: concern about hotel tucked away from street — long term
viability.
Items from the Planning
None.
Commission
Matters from Planning
None.
Staff
Adjournment
There being no further business, Chairperson Borba adjourned the meeting at
7:00 pm.
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