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2016/09/29 Planning Commission MinutesROHNERT PARK PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING September 29, 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 Giudice, Commissioner Borba, Commissioner Haydon, and Commissioner Adams were present. Commissioner Blanquie was excused. Development Services Director, Mary Grace Pawson, Planning Manager, Jeffrey Beiswenger, Technical Advisor, Norm Weisbrod and Recording Secretary, Sonia Espino 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 Giudice, seconded by Commissioner Haydon to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 9, 2016 as presented. The motion passed with a 4-0 vote. (AYES: Adams, Borba, Giudice, Haydon; NOES: 0; ABSENT: Blanquie) A motion was made by Commissioner Haydon, seconded by Commissioner Giudice to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 23, 2016 as presented. The motion passed with a 4-0 vote. (AYES: Adams, Borba, Giudice, Haydon; NOES: 0; ABSENT: Blanquie) A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner Haydon to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 28, 2016 as presented. The motion passed with a 4-0 vote. (AYES: Adams, Borba, Giudice, Haydon; NOES: 0; ABSENT: Blanquie) Unscheduled Public None. Appearances Development Agreement Development Services Director, Mary Grace Pawson, presented the staff report. Amendment She stated that The DA executed between the City, Vast Oak Properties, and University District LLC for development of the Vast Oak and UD LLC properties File No. PLDA16-0001 establishes the benefits and commitments connected with the entitlement to and build out of the UDSP Project. The original DA was entered into on July 11, 2006 Planning Commission Minutes September 29, 2016 Kevin Pohlson/University District LLC and the amended and restated DA was entered into on April 22, 2014. The amended and restated DA provides for the requirements of the law and includes special conditions providing for the timely funding of infrastructure as well as on- going maintenance and operation of public facilities in the Project area. The DA has been amended once to modify requirements around the construction of affordable housing. Ms. Pawson continued noting that the DA includes specific commitments related to the timing for commencing and completing Twin Creeks Park, the dedication of a site for a water tank, and the timing for commencing and completing construction of the water tank. City staff and Developer have reviewed progress on the Project and are proposing changes to the requirements for completing Twin Creeks Park, dedicating a site for the water tank and commencing and constructing the water tank. These changes are intended to allow for ongoing, efficient development of the Project and to enhance the long-term benefits provided by the Project. Ms. Pawson provided additional details on the changes and amended timeframes as noted above and commented that the 53- acre water tank site described in the Development Agreement is part of a larger 128 -acre site that connects Petaluma Hill Road to Crane Creek Regional Park. The proposed amendment would result in the Developer selling all of the site, rather than just a portion to City. The trail to Crane Creek Regional Park is the subject of an approximately $700,000 grant commitment from Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (Open Space District) to the City, County Regional Parks and Sonoma State University. The acquisition of the larger site allows for construction of a more useable trail between Petaluma Hill Road and Crane Creek Regional Park. Commissioner Haydon asked if the 128 acres was included in the original CEQA document. Ms. Pawson responded in the affirmative and stated that the trail project; however, would require additional CEQA review. Chairperson Borba asked if there were any questions of staff? Seeing none, Chairperson Borba recognized the applicant, Kevin Pohlson, who spoke briefly thanking staff for their creativity and due diligence on the amendments proposed. Chairperson Borba opened the public hearing. There being no further discussion, Chairperson Borba closed the public hearing. Commissioner comments included: • Commissioner Adams — Happy to see so many lots sold, congratulated Mr. Pohlson on progress. • Commissioner Haydon — Thanked staff for the excellent report. • Commissioner Borba — Big win for the city and happy about the 128 acres with trail extension. A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner Giudice to adopt Resolution No. 2016-27 recommending City Council adoption of an ordinance approving an amendment to the Development Agreement between the City of Rohnert Park and University District LLC and Vast Oak Properties L.P. for development of the property located south of Keiser Avenue, west of 2 Planning Commission Minutes September 29, 2016 Specific Plan Amendment— Northwest Specific Plan File No. PLSP16-0001 City of Rohnert Park Petaluma Hill Road, and north of Rohnert Park Expressway and the property located south of Rohnert Park Expressway, east of J Section, and north of Copeland Creek. The motion passed with a 4-0 vote. AYES: Adams, Borba Giudice, Haydon; NOES: 0: ABSENT: Blanquie) Planning Manager, Jeff Beiswenger gave a brief introduction to this item. The City recently imposed a moratorium removing the following uses from the list of permitted and conditionally permitted land uses in the I -L Industrial Zoning District: Boat, RV and Outdoor Storage Facilities Self -Storage Facilities Vehicle Storage Yard In reviewing the Specific Plans, Mr. Beiswenger noted that staff became aware that the Northwest Specific Plan (NWSP) also permitted self -storage facilities, vehicle storage yards, and boat, RV and outdoor storage facilities with a conditional use permit in the Industrial designated areas of the Specific Plan. As a specific plan the land use designation in the Northwest area function independently from the zoning ordinance. Therefore, it is possible to have different land use regulations in the Northwest Specific Plan than the remainder of the city. Mr. Beiswenger commented that the item before the Commission would be to follow through and remove those uses from NWSP to maintain consistency throughout the City. Technical Advisor, Norm Weisbrod, provided the Commission with an analysis and discussion of prohibiting these types of uses citing the high number of storage facilities already existing in the city, excessive police calls and negative visual impacts. Mr. Weisbrod recommended adoption of Resolution 2016-26 recommending to the City Council amendment to the NWSP eliminating "Self - Storage Facility", "Vehicle Storage Yard", and "Boat, RV and Outdoor Storage Facility" from the list of permitted or conditionally permitted uses in the industrial designated area. A brief discussion was held by staff and the Commission. It was noted that when property is annexed to the City of Rohnert Park a prezoning is established for a period of two (2) years. The annexation was approved on July 1, 2015. No changes can be made to the zoning requirements placed on the property until July 1, 2017. The moratorium on self -storage expires on May 12, 2017 before the proposed land use changes in the Northwest Specific Plan would become effective. However, the short period of time between the expiration of the moratorium and the amendments to the NWSP would not allow a developer time to submit a conditional use permit application and go before the Planning Commission at a public hearing to approve a self -storage proposal. Questions and comments of staff included: • Commissioner Adams — requested clarification of the area in question. 3 Planning Commission Minutes September 29, 2016 Chair rsoh necretaVry4:! Is there a heavy interest in self storage facilities? Mr. Weisbrod noted that inquiries have been made and the response has been that there is a proposed moratorium. • Commissioner Haydon — Total acreage? 50-60 acres Chairperson Borba opened the public hearing. There being no further discussion, Chairperson Borba closed the public hearing. A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner Haydon to adopt Resolution 2016-26 recommending to the City Council amendment to the NWSP eliminating "Self -Storage Facility", "Vehicle Storage Yard', and "Boat, RV and Outdoor Storage Facility" from the list of permitted or conditionally permitted uses in the industrial designated area. Items from the Planning Commissioner Giudice commented that he attended a speaking engagement at Commission Sonoma State University; very student driven and very impressed with the new President. Commissioner Haydon commended the city on the beautiful landscape on Snyder Lane in the vicinity of Eleanor. Also, mentioned the upcoming Planning Commissioner Conference hosted by SSU on December 3, 2016; very beneficial, speaks to latest planning trends and state level activity. Ms. Pawson noted that the City has added this conference in the budget so the city will fund the event for any Commissioner wishing to attend. Matters from Planning None. Staff Adjournment There being no further business, Chairperson Borba adjourned the meeting at 6:45 pm. Chair rsoh necretaVry4:!