2014/01/01 Planning Commission MinutesROHNERT PARK PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
Thursday, April 10, 2014
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 Giudice presiding.
Call To Order
Chairperson Giudice called the meeting of the regular session to order at
approximately 6:00 p.m. with Chairperson Giudice leading the pledge.
Roll Call
Present: (4) Commissioners: Chairperson Giudice, Commissioner Adams,
Commissioner Blanquie, and Commissioner Haydon were present.
Commissioner Borba was absent.
Interim Development Services Director, Marilyn Ponton, Planner III, Jeff
Beiswenger, Technical Advisor, Norm Weisbrod and Recording Secretary, Suzie
Azevedo were present.
Declaration of
None.
Abstention
Acknowledgement of
Chairperson Giudice 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
Haydon to approve the March 13, 2014 minutes as presented. The motion
passed with a 4-0 vote. (AYES: Adams, Blanquie, Haydon, Giudice; NOES: 0;
ABSENT: Borba).
Unscheduled Public
Appearances
Public Hearing
Norm Weisbrod presented the staff report. Mr. Weisbrod reported that in
September 2008, the City Council adopted the Wilfred/Dowdell Specific Plan.
File No. PL2013-019UP
The Specific Plan covers a 24.77 acre site divided into Village North and Village
South. Village South is 20.19 acre site southerly of Golf Course Drive West and
Mark Rudolph/Amy's
westerly of Redwood Drive. The proposed development would occur on a 2.35
Kitchen
acre site at the intersection of Redwood Drive and Golf Course Drive West. Mr.
Weisbrod stated that the the project as proposed will require the following actions
by the Planning Commission:
1. Resolution No. 2014-18 - Recommendation to the City Council Adoption of a
Mitigated Negative Declaration for modifications to the Wilfred Dowdell
Specific Plan, and approval of a Development Area Plan and Conditional Use
Permit for Amy's Kitchen Restaurant in Village South of the Wilfred Dowdell
Specific Plan;
2. Resolution No. 2014-19 - Recommendation to the City Council approval of
modifications to the Wilfred Dowdell Specific Plan and approval of a
Conditional Use Permit for Amy's Kitchen Restaurant in Village South of the
Planning Commission Minutes
April 10, 2014
Wilfred Dowdell Specific Plan;
3. Resolution No. 2014-20 - Recommendation to the City Council approval of a
Development Area Plan for Amy's Kitchen Restaurant in the Northerly
Portion of Village South of the Wilfred Dowdell Specific Plan.
Mr. Weisbrod discussed in more detail the specifics of the project and
recommended approval as noted.
A brief discussion was held
Chairperson Giudice opened the public hearing
The applicant's representative Vin Smith, the owner, Andy Berliner, and the
Trachtenberg Architects were all recognized and briefly spoke to the Commission.
Commissioner Adams excused herself at 6:45 as she was not feeling well.
Rachel Berliner, mother of Amy was recognized and spoke to the Commission.
Commissioner Giudice closed the public hearing.
A motion was made by Commissioner Blanquie, seconded by Commissioner
Haydon to adopt Resolution No. 2014-18 recommending to the City Council
adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration for modifications to the Wilfred
Dowdell Specific Plan, and approval of a Development Area Plan and Conditional
Use Permit for Amy's Kitchen Restaurant in Village South of the Wilfred Dowdell
Specific Plan. The motion was passed with a 3-0 vote (AYES: Blanquie, Giudice,
Haydon; NOES: 0; ABSENT: Adams, Borba)
A motion was made by Commissioner Haydon, seconded by Commission
Blanquie to adopt Resolution No. 2014-19 recommending to the City Council
approval of modifications to the Wilfred Dowdell Specific Plan and approval of a
Conditional Use Permit for Amy's Kitchen Restaurant in Village South of the
Wilfred Dowdell Specific Plan. The motion passed with a 3-0 vote (AYES:
Blanquie, Giudice, Haydon; NOES: 0; ABSENT: Adams, Borba)
A motion was made by Commissioner Blanquie, seconded by Commissioner
Haydon to adopt Resolution No. 2014-20 recommending to the City Council
approval of a Development Area Plan for Amy's Kitchen Restaurant in the
Northerly Portion of Village South of the Wilfred Dowdell Specific Plan. The
motion passed with a 3-0 vote (AYES: Blanquie, Giudice, Haydon; NOES: 0;
ABSENT: Adams, Borba)
A brief recess was called for at 6:48 am.
The meeting reconvened at 7:00 pm.
Municipal Code Planner III, Jeff Beiswenger, presented the staff report. The City of Rohnert Park
Amendment is researching ways to address impacts from the new Graton Resort and Casino.
One concern is that due to the large workforce from the casino, development
pressure to construct apartment buildings could increase, resulting in the
conversion of commercial land for residential develooment ourooses alone with
Planning Commission Minutes
April 10, 2014
File Nos. PLGP2014-
0003 and PLZO2014-
0001
City of Rohnert Park
Items from the Planning
Commission
other impacts. The use of City's limited supply of commercial land for residential
purposes could reduce the City's ability to provide land area for new jobs and
shopping opportunities for residents, as well as depriving the City of critical sales
tax dollars. Development Services staff has been investigating ways to help
prevent the conversion of commercial property to residential development.
Mr. Beiswenger stated that the purpose of the public hearing item is for the
Planning Commission to consider:
• New General Plan Policies. To help protect the commercial land supply
policies should be added to the General Plan. The General Plan contains some
policies related to commercial development, but is silent on the importance of
commercial land for job creation and retail purposes.
• Amendment to Zoning Ordinance. In commercial zoning district (C-R, C -N
and C -O) residential development is permitted on the second floor (or above) of a
mixed use building with the issuance of a use permit. The code amendment would
prohibit this type of mixed use building in all commercial zones.
Chairperson Giudice opened the public hearing.
Chairperson Giudice closed the public hearing
A brief discussion was held by staff and the Commission.
A motion was made by Commissioner Haydon, seconded by Commissioner
Blanquie to adopt Resolution No. 2014-14 recommending to the City Council
adoption of a Negative Declaration and Approval of a Resolution Amending
Section 2.4 of the Rohnert Park General Plan to add policies related to the
protection of the commercial land supply. The motion passed with a 3-0 vote
(AYES: Blanquie, Giudice, Haydon; NOES: 0; ABSENT: Adams, Borba)
A motion was made by Commissioner Blanquie, seconded by Commissioner
Haydon to adopt Resolution No. 2014-15 recommending to the City Council
approval of an Ordinance Amending Section 17.06.060 of the Rohnert Park
Municipal Code to Prohibit the Development of Residential Mixed Use Buildings in
Commercial Zoning Districts. The motion passed with a 3-0 vote (AYES:
Blanquie, Giudice, Haydon; NOES: 0; ABSENT: Adams, Borba)
Commissioner Haydon spoke about the Town Hall Meeting organized by
Supervisor Shirley Zane regarding drought issues on Wednesday, April 23, 2014.
Matters from Planning None.
Staff
Adjournmentf There being no further business, Chairperson Giudice adjourned the meeting at
i� 17:15 p.m.
Siperetary
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