2011/03/10 Planning Commission MinutesROHNERT PARK PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The Planning Commission of the City of Rohnert Park met this date in a regular session commencing at 7:00
p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 130 Avram Avenue, with Chairperson Armstrong presiding.
Call To Order
Roll Call
Declaration of
Abstention
Acknowledgement of
Public Noticing
Unscheduled
Public Appearances
Approval of Minutes
Use Permit
PL2010-052UP
Clark B. Heist, N2
Holdings,lnc.
Chairperson Armstrong called the meeting of the regular session to order at
approximately 7:00 p.m. with Commissioner Borba leading the pledge.
Present : (4) Commissioners: Chairperson Armstrong, Commissioner Borba,
Commissioner Guidice and Commissioner Haydon were present. Commissioner
Adams was excused.
Planning and Building Manager, Marilyn Ponton and Secretary Suzie Azevedo
were present.
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 Giudice, seconded by Commissioner Borba, the
minutes of the February 10,2011 regular meeting were approved as presented
with a 4-0 vote. (Commissioner Adams was excused).
Planning and Building Manager, Marilyn Ponton presented the staff report. The
applicant, N2 Holdings, is proposing to replace the existing Spreckels freeway
sign with a new LED reader board sign. The new sign would consist of a single
pole structure with a height of 50 feet. The sign cabinet would measure 19 feet
high by 28%feetwide (542 square feet). The LED portion of the sign would
measure 14 feet 8 inches high by 26 feet wide (381 square feet). A narrow band
of interior illuminated letters across the top of the sign would read "City of Rohnert
Park". The sign panels would consist of an electronic (LED) reader board with
product and business advertising. A split screen concept may also be used
resulting in the north face and south face of the sign having different messages at
the same time.
Ms. Ponton also reviewed the following operational and technical details of the
proposed sign:
Planning Commission Minutes
March 10,2011 . Sign locationo Sign copyo Public Service Useo Sign Access and Maintenanceo Caltrans Standards. Sign lntensity and Brightnesso Negative Declaration
Based on the analysis and findings of the report, Ms. Ponton recommended that
the Planning Commission, by motion, adopt Resolution No.2011-05 approving
the Negative Declaration, Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan and Architectural
Review to allow the installation of an electronic reader board, as conditioned.
A brief discussion was held. Chairperson Armstrong opened the public hearing.
The applicant, Clark Heist and Christopher Miller of N2 Holdings were recognized
and gave a power point presentation that included and illustrated the following
key points:
. U.S. Hwy 101 Competitive Billboard Site Survey;o Spreckels Message Center Site Plan;. Currentsignconditions/operations;o Proposed Architectural Design;. Scale Comparison Study;o Proposed Design Advantages;. Roadway simulation of sign in both northbound and southbound
directions;o Proposed Screen Technology Solution;
Discussion items between the Commission, staff and the applicant included the
following:
. Sign height and font;o Discretion and control on sign content (i.e. advertising for alcohol,
massage, tobacco etc.);o Branding - include "The Friendly City" and "Home of the Cougars and
Seawolves";o Public Service Announcements (i.e. Amber/Emergency alerts)-Caltrans
policy related to same;o Life expectancy of the proposed sign;
Chairperson Armstrong closed the public hearing.
After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Borba, seconded
by Commissioner Giudice to adopt Resolution No. 2011-05 approving a Negative
Declaration, Site Plan and Architectural Review and Conditional Use Permit to
allow an electronic LED message center sign located on the west side of
Commerce Boulevard at State Farm Drive in the Commerce Boulevard right-of-
way and adjacent to Highway 101 and to include additional conditions as follows:
Planning Commission Minutes
March 10,2011
Use Permit
PL2011-08UP
Tareq AirehanilFair
Haven Tobacco Súore
Matters from
Commissioners
æ. fné sign design/copy shall read "Rohnert Park - The Friendly City' at the
highest point of the sign cabinet. Additional language shall include "Home of
the Rancho Cotate Cougars and Sonoma State Seawolves or similar at the
lowest point of the sign cabinet.
24. Recommend to the City Council that within the sign contract with N2 Holdings
that the City Council shall have discretion/control as to sign content as
appropriate.
25. Recommend that the City Councilwithin their contract with N2 Holdings,
reserves the right at the discretion of the mayor/police chief the ability to post
city/regional emergency alerts as necessary. Not to be included in the (ten
percent) 10% set aside for PSA's.
The motion passed with a 4-0 vote. (Commissioner Adams was excused).
]r¡5. Þonton reviewed the contents of the staff report. She stated that the
applicant proposes to lease a 1200 square foot space in the Raley's Towne
Centre for a tobacco store. The store would sell a variety of items as indicated on
the product list submitted which would consist mainly of tobacco, pipe tobacco,
tobacco pipes, grinders for grinding tobacco leaves, rolling papers and wraps,
pipes, lighters and fuel, scales for weighing tobacco and cigars. There would also
be a number of unrelated items including clothing, soft drinks and pain relief
medications such as Excedrin and Tylenol. Ms. Ponton reviewed the tobacco
store operation and recommended that based on the findings and analysis of her
report that the Planning Commission adopt the resolution approving a conditional
use permit for a tobacco store at 540 Raley's Towne Centre.
Chairperson Armstrong opened the public hearing. The applicant, Tareq Airehani
was recognized and spoke briefly to the Commission.
Chairperson Armstrong closed the public hearing.
Key points of discussion between staff and the Commission included:
o Concern regarding location; close proximity to downtown area and multi-
family residential/senior housingo Product line; products/paraphernalia being sold that are not intended for
smoking tobacco is undesireableo Family oriented shopping center;tobacco store may not be most
appropriate use
A motion was made by Commissioner Haydon, seconded by Commissioner
Borba to adopt Resolution denying a Conditional Use Permit for a tobacco store
at 540 Raley's Towne Centre. The motion passed with a 4-0 vote.
(Commissioner Adams was excused)
Chairþerson Armstrong spoke about upgrades to signage within the City and
efforts in this area that he is involved with.
Commissioner Haydon informed the Commission of the upcoming Local
Governments seminar that she will be attending. Commissioner
Planning Commission Minutes
from Planning
on the February 1 SSU Planning presentation.
There being no further business, Chairperson Armstrong adjourned the meetingAdjoumment