2014/10/23 Planning Commission Resolution (2)PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2014-42
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT
PARK RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF A SPECIFIC
PLAN AMENDMENT FOR THE SOUTHEAST SPECIFIC PLAN PROJECT LOCATED
SOUTH OF THE CANON MANOR SPECIFIC PLAN AREA, WEST OF PETALUMA
HILL ROAD, AND NORTH OF VALLEY HOUSE DRIVE (APN 047-111-030)
WHEREAS, the applicant, Redwood Equities LLC filed Planning Applications
proposing a Specific Plan Amendment (PLSP2014-0003), revised Final Development Plan
(PLFD2014-0001), revised Development Area Plan (PLDP2014-0001), Tentative Map
(PLSD2014-0008), and amended Development Agreement (PLDA2014-0005), for the Southeast
Specific Plan ("SESP") located south of the Canon Manor Specific Plan Area, west of Petaluma
Hill Road, and north of Valley House Drive (APN 047-111-030), in accordance with the City of
Rohnert Park Municipal Code ("RPMC"); and
WHEREAS, in conjunction with Planning Application No. PLSP2014-0003, the Project
proposes approval of an amended Specific Plan and Design Guidelines, as provided in the
proposed Southeast Specific Plan attached to this Resolution as Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Rohnert Park has certified the Final EIR
prepared for the Project and the City has otherwise carried out all requirements for the Project
pursuant to CEQA; 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 encompassing 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 October 23, 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 has reviewed and considered the information
contained in Planning Application No. PLSP2014-0003 for the proposed revised Southeast
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.
Section 2. Environmental Review:
A. On December 7, 2010, the City Council of the City of Rohnert Park certified the
Final EIR for this Project, including adoption of associated CEQA Findings, Statement of
Overriding Considerations, and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, as described
in City Council Resolution No. 2010-134, approved.
B. Further, CEQA Guidelines section 15162 provides that "no subsequent EIR shall
be prepared" for a project unless the lead agency determines that (1) "substantial changes are
proposed in the project which will require major revisions of the previous EIR"; or (2)
"substantial changes occur with respect to the circumstances under which the project is
undertaken"; or (3) `'new information of substantial importance ... shows" one or more
significant effects not discussed in the original EIR, greater severity to previously -identified
substantial effects, or newly -found feasible mitigation measures that would substantially reduce
significant effects.
C. The proposed changes (removal of private alleys, removal of duplexes in favor of
duets, minor changes to development plan for lot width, setbacks, etc. and minor changes to
specifications for the water tank), are minor and will not result in any substantial changes to the
proposed project and no new information of substantial importance shows one or more
significant effects or newly found feasible mitigation measures that would substantially reduce
significant effects. Accordingly, no subsequent EIR need be prepared.
Section 3. Findings. The Planning Commission hereby makes the following findings
concerning the amended Southeast Specific Plan proposed by Planning Application No.
PLSP2014-0003 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 amendment would implement the General
Plan's goals for the Southeast Specific Plan Area as described in the Land Use
and Community Design Element. 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 the 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. 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 amended Southeast
Specific Plan was held on October 23, 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. PLSP2014-0003 for the amended Southeast Specific
Plan as provided at Exhibit A, in its entirety.
DULY AND REGULARLY ADOPTED on this 23rd day of October, 2014 by the City
of Rohnert Park Planning Commission by the following vote:
5.
AYES: NOES: 0 ABSENT: 0 ABSTAIN:
ADAMS ` BL. 1E_ BOR -BA GIUDICE HAY'DON
Chairperson, City of Rohnert Park Planning Commission
Attest-
usan Azevedo, Re ding Secretary
EXHIBIT A
SOUTHEAST SPECIFIC PLAN
SEE EXHIBIT 1 ATTACHED TO THE STAFF REPORT