Loading...
2011/12/08 Planning Commission MinutesROHNERT PARK PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Thursday, December 8, 2011 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 Armstrong presiding. Call To Order Chairperson Armstrong called the meeting of the regular session to order at approximately 6:00 p.m. with Commissioner Armstrong leading the pledge. Roll Call Pre¡ent : (4) Commissioners: Chairperson Armstrong, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Giudice and Commissioner Haydon were present. Commissioner Borba was excused. Planning and Building Manager, Marilyn Ponton and Secretary Suzie Azevedo were present. Declaration of AbstentÍon None. Acknowledgement of Public Noticing Unscheduled Public Appearances Approval of Mínutes Conditional Use Permit File No. PL2010-067UP Jon Sundheim/Merrill Gardens Chairperson Armstrong acknowledged the posting of the Agenda of this meeting in three (3) public places, per the requirements of the Brown Act. Upon motion by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner Giudice, the minutes of the November 10,2011 regular meeting were approved as presented with a 4-0 vote. (Commissioner Borba was absent) Planning and Building Manager, Marilyn Ponton presented the staff report. She stated that Merrill Gardens is a 174 unit residential community for residents 60 years of age whose current residents are ambulatory meaning they can provide basíc care and needs for themselves. Currently, when they become non- ambulatory, they can longer reside in the Merrill Gardens facility and must move to a facility that provides care for non-ambulatory residents, usually an assisted living facility. ln order to accommodate current residents thru to the non- ambulatory transition, Merrill Gardens is proposing to convert 29 of the existing units to assisted living. Ms. Ponton discussed the operational details of the proposed change and touched on the conditions that would be appropriate for approval of the assisted living facility. Ms. Ponton recommended that the Planning Commission by motion adopt Resolution No. 201 1-12, approving the conversion of 29 units at Merrill Gardens to assisted living, subject to the findings and conditions of approval. Commissioner Armstrong opened the public hearing. Condítional Use PermÍt Fìle No. PL2004-021UP Howard YeelSprint- Black & Veatch Jon Sundheim and Colleen M. of Merrill Gardens were recognized and responded to questions from the Commission. Key issues and discussion points included: o Fire Alarm upgrades; necessary for conversiono Public Safety response calls; conversion will alleviate some of those calls e Resident paid in home care service; will still be allowed o Contract with separate seruice to assist with 'fall downs'; is possible o Current vacancy; occupancy is down, no residents will be asked to leave as a result of conversion; average loss of 2-3 residents per month because assisted living care is not provided Dan Adam was recognized and responded to Commission questions' Chairperson Armstrong closed the public hearing. Discussion continued between staff and the Commission. A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner Haydon, to adopt Resolution No. 2011-12, conditionally approving File No. 2010- O67UP, Use Permit for Merrill Gardens assisted living facility at 4855 Snyder Lane. The motion passed with a 4-0 vote. (Commissioner Borba was absent) Ms. Ponton gave the staff report. She reported that in 2004 a use permit was granted to install a Sprint cellular antenna on a pole which also contains a portion of the baseball field lights located at7471 Bernice Avenue, a city owned park known as Benicia Park. The antenna pole is located among a stand of redwood trees that extend along the south side of the ball fìeld. Presently there are 3 Sprint panel antennas located at the top of the pole. These would be removed and replaced with a total of 6 new antennas with filter units. Ms. Ponton provided additional site and operational details and recommended that the Planning Commission by motion adopt Resolution No.2011-26 approving modification to Conditional Use Permit for alterations to an existing cellular antenna tower at 7471 Bernice Avenue, subject to the findings and conditions of approval' A brief discussion was held. Chairperson Armstrong opened the public. The applicant, Howard Yee was recognized. Chairperson Armstrong closed the public hearing. Discussion between staff and the Commission continued. A motion was made by Commission Giudice, seconded by Commissioner Haydon to adopt Resolution No. 2011-26 approving modification to Conditional Use Permit for alterations to an existing cellular antenna tower at7471 Bernice Avenue, subject to the findings and conditions of approval. The motion passed with a 4-0 vote. (Commissioner Borba absent) Planning Commission Minutes December 8.2012 Municipal Code Amendments PL2011-032MC City of Rohnert Park Matters from Commíssioners Matters from Planning Staff Adjournment Consultant, Cathy Spence-Wells, North Fork & Associates, presented the staff report. Matters relating to the amendment of Title 17 Zoning of the City of Municipal Code to conform to programs included in the City of Rohnert Park General Plan Housing Element were discussed at the October 27,2Q11 Planning Commission meeting. Ms. Spence-Wells reported that the item was continued from the 10127 meeting to allow staff time to research areas of concern raised by Commissioners. The Commission questioned whether the Zoning Ordinance would include certain restrictions or permitting requirements for transitional and supportive housing in residential zones. Ms. Spence-Wells discussed State Law pertaining to transitional housing and reviewed other changes proposed. Discussion was held between staff, the Commission and Assistant City Attorney, Alexandra Barnhill. A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner Haydon, to adopt Resolution No. 2011-23 recommending approval to the City Council amendments to the text of the Zoning Ordinance to conform to programs included in the City of Rohnert Park General Plan Housing Element. The motion passed with a 4-0 vote. (Commissioner Borba was absent) Next meeting: Scheduled for January 12,2012. The December 22,2011 meeting has been cancelled. There being no further business, Chairperson Armstrong adjourned the meeting at 7:18 p.m.