2009/02/12 Planning Commission MinutesAAL
MINUTES
TWU
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 Council Conference Room, 130 Avram Avenue., with Chairperson Borba presiding.
Call To Order
Chairperson Borba called the meeting of the regular session to order at
approximately 7:00 p.m. with Chairperson Borba leading the pledge.
Roll Call
Present (5) Commissioners: Chairperson Borba, Vice Chairperson Nordin,
Commissioner Ahanotu, Commissioner Armstrong and Commissioner Nilson
were present.
Community Development Director, Ron Bendorff and Recording Clerk, Suzie
Azevedo were present.
Acknowledgement of
Chairperson Borba acknowledged the posting of the Agenda of this meeting in
Public Noticing
three (3) public places, per the requirements of the Brown Act.
Unscheduled
None.
Public Appearances
Approval of Minutes
Upon motion by Commissioner Nordin, seconded by Commissioner Ahanotu, the
minutes of January 22, 2009 were approved with corrections by a 5-0 vote.
Use Permit
Community Development Director, Ron Bendorff, presented the staff report. He
stated that the applicant, Casha Cory, possesses a license from the State of
File No. PL2009-001UP
California to provide day care for up to 6 children. She has since applied to
increase the capacity of her facility to serve up to fourteen (14) children. Mr.
Casha Cory/Casha's
Bendorff noted that State Law exempts small family day care operations (i.e.
Little Ones
those serving up to eight (8) children) from local zoning regulations; however, it
does allow cities to regulate large family operations providing care to up to
fourteen (14) children. Mr. Bendorff said that given the site's Low Density
Residential District (R -L) designation, a use permit is required to allow the
proposed increase to serve 9 or more children.
Mr. Bendorff reviewed the proposed day care operation and compliance with
provisions as mandated in Section 17.07.020 (G). Mr. Bendorff recommended
that based on the findings, the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. 2009-
08, approving File No. PL2009-001 UP, as conditioned.
A brief discuss was held by staff and the Commission
Chairperson Borba opened the public hearing.
The applicant, Casha Cory was recognized and gave a brief overview of her day
care operation and responded to Commission questions.
Susan Carone, 670 Holly Avenue, spoke to Ms. Cory's character and stated that
Planning Commission Minutes
she has observed Ms. Cory's operation and recommends approval of the
proposed use permit.
Rachael Meloche, 6662 Rafael Circle, stated that her son attends Casha's Little
Ones and is very pleased and thankful for the care that her child receives.
Ms. Tracy, 6098 Country Club Drive, also spoke highly of Ms. Cory's day care
facility and recommended approval.
Chairperson Borba closed the public hearing.
The Commission thanked Ms. Cory for her very complete and well put together
proposal and appreciated her due diligence in the processing of this application.
A motion was made by Commissioner Nordin, seconded by Commissioner Nilson
to adopt Resolution No. 2009-08, approving File No. PL2009-001 UP, as
conditioned. The motion passed a 5-0 vote.
Corridor Concept Plans Ron Bendorff gave a brief introduction and overview of action(s) taken to date
and Implementation with regard to the Corridor Concept Plan. He stated that in order to enhance the
Strategy appearances of corridors proposed (Commerce Boulevard, Southwest Boulevard
and State Farm Drive), the Council directed Staff to have studies prepared to
File No. PL2006-042 suggest ways of "re -imagining" these corridor areas so that they are visually
appealing, encourage pedestrian use while accommodating vehicular traffic and
City of Rohnert Park foster the redevelopment of underutilized properties. The studies were also
intended to provide an assessment of existing land uses along the corridors and
their interrelationships with one another and with adjacent areas, recommend
land use changes, where applicable, and offer a comprehensive vision for the
corridors, including designs for streetscape and site improvements. Mr. Bendorff
introduced Jason Jones and Jonathan Shuett of RBF Consulting who presented a
power point presentation outlining project specifics and responded to technical
and specific Commission questions. It was noted that the Corridor Plan is a
conceptual document, a planning tool that would function as a policy document
to influence the redesign of these corridors and would be referenced in the
general Plan Update now underway.
Discussion was held between staff, the Commission and RBF Consultants.
Comments and key points addressed included the following:
• (MN) Impressive plan — Financial impact on businesses, small and new?
Response: Intention is to create more business friendly environment with
little or no cost to business community. Cost would be absorbed through
grants, redevelopment project funds, voluntary funding throughout
business districts and project specific upgrades.
• (DA) For businesses owner along these corridors these are welcome
changes — creates walking corridor and would provide a more pedestrian
friendly feel; improvements beneficial, specifically north of the
Expressway considering upcoming transit oriented development (Smart
Train).
• (AA) — Signage — Important to community; Rohnert Park currently lacks
signage; need consistency and sense of place; encouraged by signage
outline; prefers Sign option 3.
• (GN) — Concerns regarding financial impacts to the city. What are our
priorities and is this how we want to expend redevelopment monies.
Planning Commission Minutes
Given economy and state of city appears
Roy Gugliotta, President of Chamber of Commerce was recognized. He
expressed concern regarding lack of "downtown" signage in Rohnert Park and
was encouraged by the plan's overall signage layout. Mr. Gugliotta spoke to
importance of creating business friendly environment to attract new business and
offered suggestions with regard to potential funding sources to achieve fruition of
improvements.
Bert Bangsberg, representing owner of Yardbirds, commented on the Corridor
Study Plan and utilization of former Yardbirds property. Mr. Bangsberg
expressed disappointment that the final Corridor Study does not address the
potential of the SMART Train/Gateway Area and encourage the Commission to
not pass up opportunity to formulate plans for the SMART Train/Gateway Area
A motion was made by Commissioner Nordin, seconded by Commissioner Nilson
denying recommendation to the City Council of File No. 2006-042.
Further discussion was held.
Commissioner Armstrong felt strongly that denying recommendation to city
council of the Corridor Concept Plan would not be in best interest of city. A lot of
thought and energy has been expended to allow opportunity for Rohnert Park to
transition these corridors into visually appealing and pedestrian oriented
gateways that would attract and retain businesses in the community; a chance for
Rohnert Park to polish fagade.
Commissioner Ahanotu concurred. Rohnert Park has become a yester-year city
that needs to transition into the 21 s` century. Mr. Ahanotu reiterated that the plan
is only conceptual and can be transitioned into several projects.
Commissioner Borba applauded many aspects of proposal and feels that Rohnert
Park needs to be at forefront of modernizing its look and viability, however, feels
the plan too aggressive at this time. Mr. Borba was concerned that the Yardbirds
site and north thereof were not factored into the plan and agreed that the
Southwest Corridor needed to be looked at.
Chairperson Borba asked for a vote on the motion. The motion passed with a 3-2
vote. (AYES: Borba, Nilson, Nordin; NOES: Armstrong Ahanotu)
Report on Housing Ron Bendorff reported that on January 27, 2009 Planning staff presented an
Element Law and informational report to the City Council on Housing Element law and the city's
Requirements housing production requirements for the net Housing Element cycle (2007-2014).
Mr. Bendorff presented the report that accompanied Staff's presentation to the
City Council and responded to Commission comments and questions.
Selection of Planning
Commissioners to Serve
on Creeks Master Plan
and Subdivision
Committees
Mr. Bendorff provided background information on the Creeks Master Plan and
Subdivision Committees and stated that given the changes to Planning
Commission appointees, the Commission is being asked to select representatives
to serve on these committees respectively.
COMMISSION ACTION: Chairperson Borba nominated Commissioner
Armstrong to the Creeks Master Plan Committee. The nomination was seconded
by Commissioner Nordin. All Commissioners voted in favor of the nomination.
Commissioner Ahanotu volunteered to serve on the Subdivision Review
Committee. All commissioners voted in favor of Commissioner Ahanotu serving
on the Subdivision Review Committee.
Planning Commission Minutes
February 12, 2009 _
Matters from
Commissioners
Chairperson Borba indicated that he would not be able to attend the February 26,
2009 Commission meeting. Mr. Bendorff noted that the February 26, 2009
meeting is proposed to be cancelled.
A request has been received for update and presentation of current
project/development status of Sonoma Mountain Village. Richard Pope, Sonoma
Mountain Village was present and asked the Commission to provide specific
points, if any, the Commission wished to be addressed. Chairperson Borba
suggested presentation on Rezoning of industrial lands; Commissioner Nordin —
traffic and water.
Matters from Planning Mr. Bendorff reported on the following items:
Staff • February 26, 2009 meeting cancelled
Next meeting (3112109) — Industrial Condominium Conversion; SMV
update; denial of corridor studies; Religious Assembly Use Permit.
Adjournment There being no further business, Chairperson Borba adjourned the meeting at
9:15 pm until Thursday, March 12, 2009.
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