2015/09/24 Planning Commission MinutesROHNERT PARK PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
September 24, 2015
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 Chairperson Blanquie presiding.
Call To Order
Chairperson Blanquie called the meeting of the regular session to order at
approximately 6:00 p.m. with Chairperson Blanquie leading the pledge.
Roll Call
Present: (5) Commissioners: Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Blanquie,
Commissioner Borba, Commissioner Giudice and Commissioner Haydon were
present.
Planner III, Jeffrey Beiswenger, Technical Advisor, Norm Weisbrod and
Recording Secretary, Suzie Azevedo were present.
Declaration of
None
Abstention
Acknowledgement of
Chairperson Blanquie 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
The minutes of the Planning Commission meeting(s) of July 23, 2015 and August
13, 2015 will be forwarded to the next meeting
Unscheduled Public
None
Appearances
Conditional Use
Technical Advisor Norm Weisbrod presented the staff report. In March 2012, the
Permit/Site Plan and
Governor issued an executive order directing the state government to help
Architectural Review
accelerate the market for zero -emission vehicles in California. The plan was to
have 1.5 million zero -emission vehicles (ZEV's) in California by the year 2025.
File No. PLSU2015-0002
These include pure battery electrical vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and
hydrogen fuel cell Electric Vehicles. Mr. Weisbrod stated that after being closed
Richard Capua/Above
for several years, a Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan and Architectural
Environmental Systems
Review applications were approved in March of 2011 to reopen the station under
the Union 76 brand and a 7 Eleven mini -mart located at 5060 Redwood Drive.
The existing drive-thru car wash was removed to accommodate the mini -mart.
HyGen Industries proposes installing a hydrogen fueling facility at this location.
Mr. Weisbrod outlined the technical aspects of the HyGen installation as well as
design elements associated with the facility. Mr. Weisbrod recommended that the
Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. 2015-15 approving Conditional Use
Approval and Site Plan and Architectural Review to allow a Hydrogen Fueling
Facility at 5060 Redwood Drive, subject to the findings and conditions of
approval.
Planning Commission Minutes
September 24, 2015
Initial comments from the Commission included:
• Excited about the concept. (Giudice, Blanquie, Haydon, Borba, Adams)
• Amount of typical water useage and will they use reclaimed water?
(Haydon, Borba) — Staff responded the applicant will have about 200
gallon of water per day that will have to be disposed of. Applicant will
contact Santa Rosa waste water treatment plant for potential reclaimed
water use.
• Roof is partially capped, what is left exposed (Haydon) — Mr. Weisbrod
responded with in depth description of layout and design
• Any comment from the Fire Marshall? (Borba)
The applicant, James Provenzano, HyGen Industries was recognized and
responded to questions regarding safety, water, overall design, and functionality:
• Funded entity from California Energy Commission to implement the
infrastructure program for three stations in northern California (Mill Valley,
Rohnert Park, Truckee)
• Representatives from the State, the installation engineer, chief science
officer, representative from Toyota and the owner of the station are all in
attendance
• Safety: Only storing about 100 gallons of gasoline and energy content —
will be located under the canopy, not affecting any traffic pedestrian or
vehicle; Must comply with all Fire Codes, National Electric Code and the
ICC Code; must meet all requirements same as underground storage
tanks; safety plan must be approved and in place
• Water: Working with city on how to repurpose the water — the water has
to be somewhat good for the system to work otherwise tasking the system
and filter would need to be replaced.
Further discussion regarding technical aspects of the hygen system, safety/fire
concerns continued.
Additional comments/questions from the Commission included:
Status of Mill Valley Station? Tysen Eckerle, State of California Zero
Emission Infrastructure Project Manager, stated that Mill Valley has been
approved to build.
Are hydrogen vehicles eligible for HOV? Yes, they are.
How was Rohnert Park chosen? Energy Commission decides area/city,
based on certain criteria coupled with eager and willing property/station
owner
Also recognized were:
Judy Cunningham of Toyota Roseville — 1 of 4 dealerships offering FCVs
automobiles, future in automotive technology
Phil Cazel, California Energy Commission spoke to the program, funding
and goals of the State of California for hydrogen fueling stations
Bryce Pattison, Owner of the station — 500-600 cars per day
Commissioner Blanauie opened the public
Planning Commission Minutes
September 24, 2015
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Chairperson Secret
The following participants spoke in favor of the project:
• Woody Hastings, 7760 Dos Pallos Lane, Sebastopol
• June Brachere, unincorporated part of Sonoma County
Chairperson Blanquie closed the public hearing.
Further comment/discussion was held.
A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner
Haydon to adopt Resolution No. 2015-15 approving Conditional Use Approval
and Site Plan and Architectural Review to allow a Hydrogen Fueling Facility at
5060 Redwood Drive, subject to the findings and conditions of approval. The
motion passed with a 5-0 vote. (AYES: Adams, Borba, Blanquie, Giudice,
Haydon)
Items from the Planning
Commission
Matters from Planning
Staff
Adjournment
There being no further business, Chairperson Blanquie adjourned the meeting at
7:32 pm.
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Chairperson Secret