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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