2016/07/28 Planning Commission MinutesROHNERT PARK PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
July 28, 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 Giudice, Commissioner Borba,
Commissioner Haydon were present. Commissioner Adams and Commissioner
Blanquie were excused.
Planning Manager, Jeffrey Beiswenger, Technical Advisor, Norm Weisbrod 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
A motion was made by Commissioner Giudice, seconded by Commissioner
Haydon to approve the minutes of the meeting of May 12, 2016 as presented.
The motion passed with a 3-0 vote. (AYES: Borba, Giudice, Haydon; NOES: 0;
ABSENT: Adams, Blanquie)
Unscheduled Public
None.
Appearances
Negative
Technical Advisor, Norm Weisbrod presented the staff report. He stated Skandia
Declaration/Conditional
Amusement center is a five (5) acre site consisting of two (2) miniature golf
Use Permit/Site Plan and
courses, an Arcade building with electronic games, concessions and party rooms,
Architectural Review
batting cages, mini Indy race track and boat ride. Skandia Amusement Center
was originally approved in 1987 as a conditional use permit in the C-R Regional
File No. PLU2015-0004
Commercial District.
Rulon Cotrell/Skandia
The proposal before the Commission is to add a "tower ride" to the facility. This
Funland, Inc.
consists of a 65 foot high structure that has seating for up to twelve (12) people.
The seating platform ascends to the top of the tower and is then dropped back to
ground level. The ride is hydraulically operated and in case of a power failure will
descend slowly to grade level. The ride will be located near the main entrance
from the parking lot adjacent to the existing boat ride. The ride consists of the
tower element and a small building containing the mechanical equipment and
electrical panel operating the facility. The area occupied by the tower is
approximately 10 feet by 10 feet and the technical building is approximately 8 feet
by 11 Y2 feet. The tower will be surrounded by a low security fence and there will
also be a fenced queuing area for customers waiting to enter the ride. The ride
Planning Commission Minutes
July 28, 2016
will be handicap accessible and a wheel chair parking area will be provided.
Compared to other rides in the amusement center the tower ride will take up very
little space in the facility.
Mr. Weisbrod reviewed the project in more specifics as it related to parking
standards, design, visual, traffic and environmental impacts. Given that the ride
is manufactured in Italy and the height is shown in metric, the original submittal
exceeded the height restriction of 65' by approximately 7 inches. A decorative ball
element shown at the very top of the ride has been eliminated to address this
issue. Mr. Weisbrod recommended adoption of Resolution No. 2016-22 and
Resolution No. 2016-23 recommending to the Planning Commission adoption of
the Negative Declaration and approval of the Conditional Use Permit and Site
Plan and Architectural Review for the new ride at the Skandia Funland, as
conditioned.
Commissioner Borba opened the public hearing. Doug Hilberman and with
Skandia Funland was recognized and responded to Commission's questions.
Key discussion points included the following.-
Commissioner
ollowing:
Commissioner Giudice - ADA Compliance — will the upgrades have to be
ADA compliant? Mr. Weisbrod responded in the affirmative.
• Commissioner Giuide - Lighting — Will there be issues with air traffic if the
lights are turned off as conditioned? Mr. Weisbrod responded that the
height of the structure is the same as the Oxford Suites Hotel and meets
the maximum 65' requirement outlined in the Zoning Ordinance.
• Commissioner Haydon - Land Uses - Asked for clarification of surrounding
uses and possible impacts. Mr. Weisbrod responded the adjacent land
use is open field and Sportman's Warehouse. No foreseeable impacts
are anticipated.
• Commissioner Borba — asked for clarification of the heights for existing
structures at the Skandia location. Mr. Weisbrod provided those numbers.
Commissioner Borba questioned if there were any Fire Code
requirements regardingsafety lighting as it relates to air traffic. Mr.
Weisbrod answered that the proposal was reviewed by the Fire Marshall
and he had no comment in that regard.
Commissioner Borba opened the public hearing.
Doug Hilberman, Architect was recognized and responded to Commission's
questions. He noted that the proposed ride is not on scale as rides you would
find at Six Flags or Disneyland. This ride is proportionately scaled to fit with the
current activities at Skandia Funland.
Staff members of Skandia were introduced and responded to comments and
questions.
Discussion points included the following:
Are there any other attractions anticipated. None at this time.
Planning Commission Minutes
July 28, 2016
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Secretary
• Operation — how is it staffed; how does the ride work? The ride is
manned; riders are checked for security (safety belts) and it is just a
manner of pressing a button to activate.
• Colors — Same as color scheme currently in place within the amusement
center.
■ Ball element — Consensus of the Commission is to allow the ball element
provided staff can apply the appropriate zoning regarding mechanical
appurtenances and roof area percentage regulations.
A motion was made by Commissioner Haydon, seconded by Commissioner
Giudice adopting Resolution No. 2016-22 approving the Negative Declaration for
adding a 65 foot high tower ride to the Skandia Amusement Center located at
5301 Redwood Drive. The motion passed with a 3-0 vote. (AYES: Borba,
Giudice, Haydon; NOES: 0; ABSENT: Adams, Blanquie)
A motion was made by Commissioner Giudice, seconded by Commissioner
Haydon to adopt Resolution 2016-23 approving a Conditional Use Permit and
Site Plan and Architectural Review for a 65 foot high drop tower ride at Skandia
Amusement Center located at 5301 Redwood Drive, allowing the decorative ball
element provided it meets the zoning ordinance as noted above. The motion
passed with a 3-0 vote. (AYES: Borba, Giudice, Haydon; NOES: 0; ABSENT:
Adams, Blanquie)
Items from the Planning
None.
Commission
Matters from Planning
None.
Staff
Adjournment
There being no further business, Chairperson Borba adjourned the meeting at
6:50 pm.
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Secretary