2014/03/13 Planning Commission Resolution (6)PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2014-08
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT
PARK, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF
AMENDMENTS TO THE LAND USE MAP AND TEXT OF THE GENERAL PLAN
FOR UNIVERSITY DISTRICT SPECIFIC PLAN PROJECT LOCATED SOUTH OF
KEISER AVENUE, WEST OF PETALUMA HILL ROAD, AND NORTH OF
COPELAND CREEK (APNS 045-253-007, 045-253-009 THROUGH -012, 045-253-018,
045-262-001 THROUGH -004,047-131-019, AND 047-131-024 THROUGH -027)
WHEREAS, the applicant, University District LLC, tiled Planning Applications
proposing a General Plan Amendment (PL2012-043), Specific Plan revision (PL2012-044),
Tentative Map (PL2013-009), Tentative Parcel Map (PL2012-047), Development Agreement
(PL2012-048), and related applications and approval of an Addendum to the Final
Environmental Impact Report ("EIR") (PL2012-045) in connection with the proposed University
District Specific Plan ("UDSP") Project located south of Keiser Avenue, west of Petaluma Hill
Road, and north of Copeland Creek (APNS 045-253-007, 045-253-009 through -012, 045-253-
018, 045-262-001 through -004, 047-131-019, and 047-131-024 through -027 (the "Project"), in
accordance with the City of Rohnert Park'Municipal Code ("RPMC"); and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendments to the land use element of the General Plan
("University District Specific Plan General Plan Amendments") would alter the mix, intensity,
and general location of development types and add Public/Institutional land use designation. The
project site is currently designated Rural Estate Residential, Low Density Residential, Medium
Density Residential, Mixed Use, Parks, and Open Space. The proposed University District
Specific Plan General Plan Amendments are attached as Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the University District Specific Plan General Plan Amendments would
amend the Land Use Map of the General Plan as provided on the amended General Plan Land
Use Diagram attached to this Resolution as Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed the Addendum to the Final EIR
prepared for the Project; recommended its approval by the City Council; and has otherwise
carried out all requirements for the Project pursuant to CEQA; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to California State Law and the RPMC, public hearing notices
were mailed to all property owners within an area exceeding a three hundred foot radius of the
subject property and a public hearing was published for a minimum of 10 days prior to the first
public hearing in the Community Voice; and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2014, the Planning Commission held a public hearing at
which time interested persons had an opportunity testify either in support or opposition to the
proposal: and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has reviewed and considered the information
contained in the General Plan Amendment application for the proposal.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission of the City
of Rohnert Park makes the following findings and determinations with respect to the proposed
General Plan Amendment and amendments to Land Use Map:
Section 1. The above recitations are true and correct and material to this Resolution.
Section 2. The Planning Commission recommends City Council approval of the
Addendum to the Final EIR for this Project, as described in Planning Commission Resolution
No. 2014-07 approved on March 13, 2014 concurrently with the Planning Commission's
approval of this Resolution.
Section 3. Findings related to the General Plan Amendments. The Planning
Commission makes the following findings concerning the General Plan amendments proposed
by Planning Application No. PL2012-043GP:
1. That the proposed site is appropriate for development under the General Plan's
Land Use Designations for the site.
Criteria Satisfied. The proposed General Plan amendments would be the same
as the current General Plan land use designations but slightly reconfigured. The
proposed amendments would also add Public/Institutional to allow for public uses
such as educational facilities, institutional, public infrastructure, and
transportation facilities, as well as creeks, creek buffers, private and public
detention and water quality basins / facilities, public streets, paved and unpaved
maintenance roads, fencing, Class 1 bicycle trails, pedestrian trails, lighting,
parking, signage, utilities, and roads. The amendments would also add
Public/Institutional/Medium Density Residential land use designation to the site
to allow for development of residential units as well as provide open space, trails,
permanent or temporary private and public storm water detention / water quality
basins and facilities, including fencing, and maintenance roads.
2. That the proposed General Plan amendments would be consistent with specific
policies in the Land Use Element of the General Plan relative to the proposed
development.
Criteria Satisfied. The proposed amendments are consistent with specific
policies, as amended, in the Land Use Element of the General Plan applicable to
the University District Specific Plan area. The policies establish a primarily
residential development with a mixed use land use designation for commercial
and multi -family uses. The proposed development implements the existing land
designations and proposes minor changes to the existing policies envisioned in the
General Plan and is therefore consistent with such specific policies.
3. That a duly noticed public hearing has been held to receive and consider public
testimony regarding the proposed amendments to the General Plan Land Use
Map.
Criteria Satisfied. A duly noticed public hearing on the proposed General Plan
Amendments was held on March 13, 2014.
4. That the proposed Project with the proposed General Plan amendments is
consistent with the General Plan.
Criteria Satisfied. The General Plan Amendment, and consistency of the Project
with the General Plan, are discussed in the application materials, the Final F,IR
and Addendum, the Specific Plan, staff reports, and submittals by the Project
applicant. The City adopts the conclusions and analysis of those documents
regarding General Plan consistency. The Project, including the General Plan
Amendment, is consistent with the General Plan and will result in an internally
consistent General Plan.
S. The General Plan Amendment approved for this Project will not cause the
General Plan to become internally inconsistent.
Criteria Satisfied. The General Plan Amendment proposed by the Project
applicant better implements the General Plan policies and goals than does the land
use plan depicted in the General Plan, as explained in the Specific Plan and staff
reports. The General Plan Amendment and the remainder of the General Plan
comprise an integrated, internally consistent and compatible statement of polices
for the City. The various land uses authorized for the Project are compatible with
the objectives, policies, general land uses, and programs specified in the General
Plan, as amended. The Project is compatible with and conforms to the objectives,
policies, general land uses and programs specified in the General Plan. The
Project furthers the objectives and policies of the General Plan and does not
obstruct their attaimnent. The Project is compatible with and in harmony with the
General Plan goals and policies. The Project is in harmony with surrounding
neighborhoods, and the site is physically suitable for the development proposed.
6. That the City has considered and evaluated the goals, objectives and policies of
the General Plan and finds that the proposed General Plan amendments are in
compliance with the General Plan.
The General Plan comprises many objectives, policies, principles, programs,
standards, proposals and action plans (collectively, "policies"), as well as
performance standards. The City recognizes that the policies necessarily compete
with each other. The City has considered all applicable General Plan policies and
the extent to which the project conforms to and potentially competes with each of
those policies.
The City has fully evaluated the extent to which the Project achieves each policy,
including those pertaining to compatibility of land use, protection of open space,
standards regarding geology, soils and earthquake risks, hazardous materials,
flood hazards and drainage, protection of water quality, protection of biological
resources, transportation standards and goals, regional and local housing needs,
jobs/housing balance, noise, protection air quality, protection of visual resources,
standards for public services and utilities, protection of architectural and historic
resources, the provision of housing for all sectors of the economic community,
and the provision of employment opportunities for residents of the City. The City
has also fully considered the Project's compliance with all goals, policies and
objectives in the General Plan, and finds the Project in compliance with the
General Plan.
7. The City finds that the balance achieved by the Project among competing General
Plan policies is acceptable.
Criteria Satisfied. The Project achieves each applicable policy, to some extent,
and represents a reasonable accommodation of all applicable competing policies
in the General Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Planning Commission
that it does hereby recommend that the City Council adopt the Findings hereinabove; adopt and
amend the General Plan Land Use Diagram and approve Application No. PL20t2-043GP,
General Plan Amendments for a proposed specific plan for property located south of Keiser
Avenue, west of Petaluma Hill Road, and north of Copeland Creek (APNs 045-253-007, 045-
253-009 through -012, 045-253-018, 045-262-001 through -004, 047-131-019, and 047-131-024
through -027, as described in the University District Specific Plan General Plan Amendments
attached to this Resolution as Exhibit A, in its entirety.
DULY AND REGULARLY ADOPTED on this 13th day of March, 2014 by the City of
Rohnert Park Planning Commission by the following vote:
r
AYES: NOES: U ABSENT: (-)ABSTAIN:()
ADAMS 4BLA1F-'JN ` ORBA GIUDICE ,/ HAYDON
ce, i' erson,City of Rohnert Park Planning Commission
Susan Azevedo, Rc o ing Secretary
EXHIBIT A
UNIVERSITY DISTRICT SPECIFIC PLAN GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS
SEE EXHIBIT 2 ATTACHED TO THE STAFF REPORT