2016/12/08 Planning Commission MinutesROHNERT PARK PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
December 8, 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 Borba, Commissioner Blanquie,
Commissioner Giudice and Commissioner Haydson were present.
Commissioner Adams was excused.
Development Services Director, Mary Grace Pawson, Planning 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
Giudice to approve the minutes of the October 27, 2016 regular Planning
Commission meeting as presented. The motion passed with a 4-0 vote. (AYES:
Borba, Blanquie, Giudice, Haydon; NOES: None; ABSENT: Adams)
Unscheduled Public
None.
Appearances
Mitigated Negative
Planning Manager, Jeff Beiswenger, presented the staff report. He stated that
Declaration/General
the proposed Residences at Five Creek (Five Creek) project is located on a 15.25
Plan
acre site within the 32.8 acres covered by the Stadium Area Master Plan (SAMP).
Amendment/Planned
The Five Creek project will develop 12.32 acres with:
Development
Amendments/Final
9 a 132 room hotel
Development
0 a 34,300 square foot retail center
Plan/Conditional Use
9 a 135 unit apartment complex
Permit/Development
0 a 0.65 acre public park.
Agreement/Tentative
Map
Mr Beiswenger noted that SAMP was adopted by the City of Rohnert Park in
February 2008 and amended in 2013 and is the guiding document for this
File No. PROJ2016-0001
development. A portion of the SAMP has been developed with the Fiori Estates
and The Reserve at Dowdell apartment complexes. The remaining undeveloped
Mathew J. Waken/MJW
15.25 acres within the SAMP are owned by the city. A Purchase and Sale
Investments LLC
Agreement PSA has been entered into between the city and MJW Investments
Planning Commission Minutes
December 8, 2016
LLC which describes the conditions under which the city will sell 12.32 acres to
the applicant. The agreement, among other things, requires that the site be
developed with a hotel, a separate retail -commercial center, a residential or office
component and a public park. Completing the property transfer and development
envisioned by the PSA is an important economic development initiative for the
City.
Mr. Beiswenger reported that the applicant has requested that the land use
approvals for the proposed Residences at Five Creek (Five Creek) project be
continued as negotiations regarding the project's Development Agreement (DA)
are on-going. Mr. Beiswenger entered into the record a letter received by Costco
and Caltrans regarding parking and traffic circulation. A brief discussion was held
between staff and the Commission.
At this time, staff is recommending that the Planning Commission open the public
hearing on the proposed Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Five
Creek project, which also includes the environmental review of the City Public
Safety/Public Works Facilities project located on an adjacent parcel, take all
public comments, close the public hearing. Staff is further recommending to open
the public hearing on the project entitlements, continue action on the General
Plan Amendment, Stadium Area Master Plan (SAMP) amendments, Final
Development Plan, Development Agreement and Tentative Map to a date certain
of December 22, 2016.
Chairperson Borba opened the public hearing for the Mitigated Negative
Declaration. There being no comment, Chairperson Borba closed the public
hearing.
Chairperson Borba opened the public hearing for the Five Creek Project
entitlements. There being no comment, Chairperson Borba closed the public
hearing.
A motion was made by Commissioner Giudice, seconded by Commissioner
Haydon to continue the Five Creek Project entitlements to a date certain of
December 22, 2016. The motion passed with a 4-0 vote. (AYES: Borba,
Blanquie, Giudice, Haydon; NOES: None; ABSENT: Adams)
Genera/ Plan Planning Manager, Jeff Beiswenger and Development Services Director, Mary
Consistency Finding Grace Pawson presented the staff report. He stated that the Planning
Commission is charged with the responsibility for ensuring that City projects and
File No. PLCF16-0001 actions are consistent with goals and policies of the adopted General Plan. The
Planning Commission is being requested to review the proposal by the City to
City of Rohnert Park complete improvements along city streets with the use of CDBG and other
funding resources.
The City of Rohnert Park is preparing a grant application for funding through the
FY 2017-18 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
administered by the Sonoma County Community Development Commission
(Sonoma County CDC). The Redwood Drive and Commerce Boulevard Sidewalk
Ramps ADA Upgrade project is proposed to be submitted for consideration for
2
Planning Commission Minutes
December 8, 2016
Chairperson if ,ecreta
CDBG funding. The funding application requires a certification of projects
consistency with the Rohnert Park General Plan.
A brief discussion was held between staff and the Commission.
A motion was made by Commissioner Giudice, seconded by Commissioner
Haydon to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2016-35 reporting to the
City Council that proposed street improvements are consistent with General Plan
2020 and eligible for CDBG and other funding. The motion passed with a 4-0
vote. (AYES: Barba, Blanquie, Giudice, Haydon; NOES: None; ABSENT:
Adams)
Items from the Planning
Commissioner Giudice brought up for discussion the possibility of initiating a
Commission
process whereby the Commission could communicate ideas/processes along to
the City Council, not only for focus, but for approval and recommendation for
further action, i.e. requirements for solar on buildings, parking requirement
amendments. Commissioners Borba, Haydon, and Blanquie were all in
agreeance to creating a process for which Planning Commission ideas, thoughts
and concerns can be communicated to the City Council. Staff recommended
agendizing this item at a future meeting to discuss options of incorporating a
report/communication mechanism/protocol to the City Council.
Commissioner Haydon favorably commented on the recent SSU Planning
Conference. Commissioner Haydon also questioned the window signs and the
black out of the windows at the Walmart grocery store located in the Mt. Shadows
Shopping Center.
Matters from Planning
Staff
Adjournment
There being no further business, Chairperson Borba adjourned the meeting at
6:45 pm.
Chairperson if ,ecreta