2016/06/23 Planning Commission MinutesROHNERT PARK PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
June 23, 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: (4) Commissioners: Commissioner Blanquie, Commissioner Borba,
Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Haydon were present. Commissioner
Giudice was excused.
Development Services Director, Mary Grace Pawson, Planner Manager, Jeffrey
Beiswenger, Technical Advisor, Norm Weisbrod and Recording Secretary, Suzie
Azevedo were present.
Declaration of
None.
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
A motion was made by Commissioner Blanquie, seconded by Commissioner
Adams to approve the minutes of the meeting of April 28, 2016 as presented.
The motion passed with a 4-0 vote. (AYES: Adams, Borba, Blanquie, Haydon;
NOES: 0; ABSENT: Giudice)
Unscheduled Public
None.
Appearances
Site Plan and
Technical Advisor, Norm Weisbrod presented the staff report. He stated that the
Architectural Review
applicant, Michael Knoff on behalf of Costco, is applying for Site Plan and
Architectural Review to eliminate the garden center and convert part of the area
File No. PLSR2016-0002
into a bakery freezer and produce cooler, and increasing the parking by
approximately 12 parking spaces. Mr. Weisbrod reviewed in detail the specifics of
Michael Knoff, MG2
the proposed addition, noting that it will be compatible architecturally with the
Corporation
existing Costco building and will blend in with the south facade. Additionally, a
condition of approval has been included to ensure that in the new parking area,
one (1) tree shall be provided for every four (4) parking spaces. Mr. Weisbrod
recommended that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. 2016-20,
approving Site Plan and Architectural subject to the findings and conditions of
approval as presented.
A brief discussion was held regarding the count of trees. The consensus of the
Commission was that the proposal looks great and makes sense.
Planning Commission Minutes
June 23, 2016
General Plan
Consistency Finding
File No. PLCF2016-0001
City of Rohnert
Park/Sportsman's
Warehourse
A motion was made by Commissioner Blanquie, seconded by Commissioner
Haydon to adopt Resolution No. 2016-20, approving Site Plan and Architectural
Review for an addition to Costco to accommodate a new bakery freezer and
produce cooler. The motion passed with a 4-0 vote. (AYES: Adams, Borba,
Blanquie, Haydon; NOES: 0; ABSENT: Giudice)
Development Services Director, Mary Grace Pawson, presented the staff report.
She stated that The Planning Commission is charged with the responsibility for
ensuring that City projects and actions are consistent with goals and policies of
the adopted General Plan. The Planning Commission is being asked to review a
proposal to abandon and vacate public right-of-way on Willis Avenue, (See
Attachment B). The City Council will consider vacating the right-of-way under
Streets & Highway Code section 8334, as a summary vacation procedure;
however, prior to Council action, the Planning Commission must find the vacation
of right-of-way to be consistent with the City's 2020 General Plan.
Ms. Pawson reported that "Old" Willis (also known as Bloom) Avenue is a "paper
street" running in a north —south direction within the Wilfred Dowdell Specific Plan
Area (see Attachment A). The Wilfred Dowdell Specific Plan includes abandoning
this right-of-way as part of creating an overall circulation pattern that relies on
Dowdell Avenue as the north -south street and "new" Willis Avenue as an east -
west street connecting Redwood and Dowdell Avenues (See Attachment B). A
portion of the "new" Willis Avenue has been constructed and currently serves as
the access for the In -and -Out Restaurant and a Shell Gas Station. Under its
Resolution 92-118, the City Council has abandoned a portion of this paper street,
leaving the remainder strip. This strip is not currently utilized for access purposes
nor is it ever planned to be used for access purposes.
The developer of the Sportsman's Warehouse (address 5195 Redwood Drive)
was conditioned to pursue the vacation of this remaining right-of-way in order to
allow for the provision of adequate parking on its site (a portion of the site's
parking is in the "paper' street). The vacation process also brings the right-of-way
configurations in the area into closer conformance with the Wilfred Dowdell
Specific Plan.
Ms. Pawson indicated staff has reviewed the request and has found the proposal
in compliance with City's 2020 General Plan and the California Streets and
Highways Code and recommended approval of the request.
A very brief discussion was held regarding the proposed vacation, "paper streets"
and the mapping thereof.
A motion was made by Commissioner Haydon, seconded by Commissioner
Blanquie to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2016-21 determining that
the abandonment and vacation of Willis Avenue, as shown in Attachment A, is
consistent with General Plan 2020. The motion passed with a 4-0 vote. (AYES:
Adams, Borba, Blanquie, Haydon; NOES: 0; ABSENT: Giudice)
Items from the PlanningI None.
Commission
Planning Commission Minutes
June 23, 2016
Matters from Planning None.
Staff
AdjournmentI There being no further business, Chairperson Borba adjourned the meeting at
6:20 pm.
Ch it erson Secreta
3