2014/03/13 Planning Commission Resolution (2)PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2014-09
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT
PARK RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF A REVISED
SPECIFIC PLAN FOR THE 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 filed 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, pursuant to California State Law and the Rohnert Park Municipal Code,
public hearing notices were mailed to all property owners within an area exceeding a 300 foot
radius of the subject property and a public hearing was published for a minimum of 10 days prior
to the public hearing in the Community Voice; and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2014 the Planning Commission held public hearings at which
time interested persons had an opportunity to testify either in support or opposition to the
proposal; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed the Addendum to the Environmental
Impact Report prepared for the Project; recommended its certification by the City Council; and
has otherwise carried out all requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has reviewed and considered the information
contained in Planning Application No. PL2012-044SP for the proposed revised University
District Specific Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Rohnert Park makes the following
findings:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission of the City
of Rohnert Park makes the following findings, determinations and recommendations with respect
to the proposed specific plan:
Section 1. That the above recitations are true and correct and material to this
Resolution.
Section 2. The Planning Commission has recommended 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. The Planning Commission hereby makes the following findings
concerning the University District Specific Plan proposed by Planning Application No. PL2012-
044SP pursuant to Rohnert Park Municipal Code section 17.06.390:
1. The specific plan or specific plan amendment is consistent with the city's general
plan.
Criteria Satisfied. The specific plan would implement the General Plan's goals
for the University District Specific Plan Area as described in the Community
Design Element. It would further implement the General Plan in that it would
increase the City's existing housing stock and a proportion of units that are
affordable. Under the proposed Development Agreement and specific plan, the
project will comply with the goals and policies of the City's Housing Element by
complying with the City's inclusionary housing ordinance. It would also develop
the property with a mixed use component that is consistent with the goals and
objectives of the General Plan for this area. The specific plan proposes to meet
the goals of General Plan by providing for a variety of housing types including
low density, medium density, rural estate and mixed use allowing attached
housing.
2. The specific plan or specific plan amendment will not adversely affect the public
health and safety or result in incompatible land uses.
Criteria Satisfied. The specific plan is not expected to have negative impacts on
the health or well being of project residents or occupants of the surrounding land
uses. The proposed plan is in character with surrounding neighborhoods. New
residential areas include buffers from existing City neighborhoods to reduce
impacts from the new development. Mixed use and commercial uses are planned
in the southeast area of the site in proximity to Sonoma State University. The
project has been designed so that rural estate lots will be adjacent to rural Sonoma
County lands to the west and it would be effectively buffered from the scenic
corridor along Petaluma Hill Road. The proposed commercial development and
recreational facilities would benefit existing residents in the area, as well as new
residents of the project.
3. The specific plan or specific plan amendment provides the framework to phase
and pace growth within the specific plan area so as to ensure completion of all
necessary public facilities concurrently with completion of the specific plan; or,
alternately, a statement of public policy consideration can be adopted and/or an
exception granted in accordance with general plan policies GM -10, GM -11, and
GM -12.
Criteria Satisfied. The project will be phased as shown in the proposed specific
plan. Each phase of the project is designed to provide for adequate infrastructure
and to be integrated with existing City public improvements, as described in the
specific plan. The timing of the construction of public facilities will be paced to
meet the needs of the development and is called out in the project's Development
Agreement, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference.
4. The specific plan or specific plan amendment identifies adequate financing
mechanisms for the infrastructure and public facilities required to support the
development.
Criteria Satisfied. The project will be subject to the payment of fees to provide
for and maintain public infrastructure such as Public Facilities Financing Plan
fees to help fund off-site improvements, City-wide and Regional Traffic fees,
Pavement Maintenance fees, Public Services Impact fees, and Maintenance of on-
site Infrastructure fees. These fees and funding mechanisms are also described in
the Development Agreement which is incorporated by this reference. On-site
improvements shall be the responsibility of the developer.
5. The proposed specific plan is consistent with the planning and prezoning
designation provided for the specific plan area, pursuant to Government Code
Sections 65300 and 65859, or alternatively functions as prezoning for the
unincorporated territory.
Criteria Satisfied. The site is zoned "Specific Plan District (SP)," which is
implemented through the land use designations on the City's General Plan Land
Use Diagram. The proposed Specific Plan is consistent with these designations.
Section 4. A duly noticed public hearing on the proposed University District Specific
Plan was held on March 13, 2014.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT the Planning
Commission does hereby recommend that the City Council adopt the Findings stated
hereinabove and approve Application No. PL2012-044SP for the University District Specific
Plan as provided at 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:
AYES: 5 NOES:
ADAMS B
Att)Susan
_
Azevedo,
ABSENT: ABSTAIN
�ORBA GIUDICE ✓ _ HAYDON�
Secretary
City of Rohnert Park Planning Commission
EXHIBIT A
UNIVERSITY DISTRICT SPECIFIC PLAN
SEE EXHIBIT 3 ATTACHED TO THE STAFF REPORT