Loading...
2008/01/10 Planning Commission Minutes^AL ROHNERT PARK PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES THURSDAY, January 10, 2008 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, 6750 Commerce Blvd., with Chairperson Adams presiding. Call To Order Chairperson Adams called the meeting of the regular session to order at approximately 7:00 p.m. with Senior Planner Bendorff leading the pledge. Roll Call Present (5) Commissioners: Chairperson Adams, Commissioner Ahanotu, Commissioner Callinan, Commissioner Kilat and Commissioner Armstrong were present. Senior Planner, Maureen Rich and Recording Clerk, Suzie Azevedo were present. Approval of Minutes Upon motion by Commissioner Callinan, seconded by Commissioner Kilat, the Minutes of December 13, 2008 were approved as presented by a 4-0 vote. Commissioner Armstrong abstained. Acknowledgement of Chairperson Adams 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 USE PERMIT Commissioner Armstrong recused himself from hearing this item. File No. PL2007-037UP Senior Planner, Maureen Rich gave the staff report. She stated that on December 13, 2007 the Planning Commission opened the public hearing to Brahn Brennan/Lynne consider a use permit for a free medical clinic, operated by the Jewish Conde Community Free Clinic to be located at 490 City Center Drive. The Planning Commission motioned to continue the item to this date with instructions to Planning Staff to make the findings necessary for the resolution approving the proposed use. Ms. Rich reviewed the operation of the free clinic and briefly summarized the findings and conditions of approval. She also called attention to the numerous letters that have been received since the last meeting opposing the clinic at this location. Chairperson Adams opened the public hearing. Deborah Roberts, the Jewish Free Clinic Director, was recognized. Commissioner Ahanotu called attention to the following items that appeared to be consistent complaints in the letters received; public safety, noise, and nuisance (garbage) etc. Ms Roberts explained that 90% of their clientele have a home Planning Commission Minutes January 10, 2008 address and home telephone which addresses the assumption that the majority of their clients are transients. Thirty percent (30%) of their clients use the services of the Free Clinic for acupuncture and 30% for hypertension/diabetes — non communicable diseases. Responding to comments made about excessive garbage at the clinics previous locations, Ms. Roberts presented the Commission with 2 bags. One bag contained garbage she collected at the previous location of the Free Clinic located in Cotati; the second bad appeared to be empty and was collected at their current location on Commerce Boulevard. She noted that there is a non-profit children's denistry clinic located in the shopping center at the previous location. Sergeant Art Sweeney, City of Rohnert Park Public Safety was recognized. The Commssion had general safety questions and asked if any unusual activity has occurred since the construction of the Arbors (location of the proposed free clinic) project). Mr. Sweeney informed the Commission that after reviewing the logs and files in the City of Rohnert Park and Cotati police departments, there is nothing notable that he can report with regard to the Jewish Free Clinic at either their present or past locations nor has there been any real increase of police response in and around the downtown area. The Commission asked if parking is an issue in this area. Mr. Sweeney responded that parking has always been an issue. It was noted that the Arbors project did receive a variance with regard to parking. Debra Amundson, 490 City Center Drive, spoke next. She presented a letter and petition opposing this location for the free clinic. Key issues of opposition were as follows: • Knowledge of the clinic's problems at previous locations • Well being of residents of the Arbors who have sensitive physical and emotional conditions that would be impacted • Communicable diseases • Health and Safety issues due to garbage and clients "hanging around" • Parking • Potential to drive away future businesses Ms. Amundson expressed the resident's concern, compassion and openness to others and the clinics needed service in the community, however, she said that the residents feel the clinic should be located in a neighborhood where it does not jeopardize the health and well-being of those residing nearby. Terri Gillis 490 City Center Dr. reiterated Ms. Amundson concerns and did not feel that this was an appropriate location for the clinic. Tim Smith, spoke in favor of the clinic at this location. Chairperson Adams closed the public hearing. Discussion was held by the Commission and staff. The consensus of the Commission was that while this might not be the preferred location, the clinic provides a well needed service in the community. A motion was made by Commissioner Kilat, seconded by Commissioner Callinan to adopt Resolution No. 2007-34 approving a Conditional Use Permit for the Jewish Community Free Clinic located at 490 City Center Drive. The motion 2 Planning Commission Minutes January 10, 2008 DESIGN REVIEW File No. PL2007-042UP True North/Freedom Graphics passed with a 4-0 vote. (Commissioner Armstrong recused himself from hearing this item. Ms. Rich gave the staff report. She said that this was a request for a multi -tenant Sign Program for a 65,477 square footage building located at 6085 State Farm Drive. The proposed sign program offer the following: 1 freestanding monument sign 56 square feet 3 wall signs - company A 36 square feet - company B 36 square feet - companies A -F 20 square feet Total 148 square feet Ms. Rich stated that staff has determined that the proposed Sign Program meets the purpose and the intent of the Sign Ordinance and is therefore recommending approval. The applicant, Tom Pforsich was recognized. A motion was made by Commissioner Kilat, seconded by Commissioner Ahanotu to approve the sign program for the building located at 6085 State Farm Drive. The motion passed with a 5-0 vote. TENTATIVE MAP Senior Planner, Maureen Rich reported that on December 13, 2007, the Planning Commission continued review of the Condominium Conversion for the above ile No. PL2007-028TM referenced file due to unresolved issues between the City and the Applicant. These issues remain unresolved at this time and are being reviewed by the GJ Harmina/Steven Assistant City Attorney. Staff is requesting that the item be continued to January LaFranchi and 24, 2008 in order to allow legal review of these issues. Associates A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner Armstrong to continue this item to the January 24, 2008 meeting. The motion passed with a 5-0 vote. USE PERMIT PL2007-041 UP Jim McCalligan/Calvary Community Church Suzie Azevedo gave the staff report. She stated that the applicant proposes to remodel two tenant spaces within a 22,000 square foot building located at 150 Professional Center Drive to allow a church facility with associated meeting rooms, office and reception areas. Given the site's 1 -UO zoning, a use permit would be required for a religious assembly to occupy those tenant spaces. Ms. Azevedo briefly summarized the hours of operation, parking and applicable findings to approve the use permit. Based on the findings of her report, Ms. Azevedo recommended that the Commission adopt Resolution No. 2008-04 as conditioned. Mr. Ben Cunningham, Pastor, was recognized. A motion was made by Commissioner Ahanotu, seconded by Commissioner Callinan to approve File No. PL2007-041 UP approving a conditional use permit to allow the operation of a church in an existing industrial space located at 150 Professional Center Drive. The motion passed with a 5-0 vote. Planning Commission Minutes January 10, 2008 Matters From ,Dmmissioners Commission Callinan inquired again about the "piles of dirt and concrete" on Golf Course. Ms. Rich responded that to her knowledge they were being used to rebuild a few of the greens at the Golf Course. She will check with the Assistant City Manager on the status of this. Matters from Planning Ms. Rich informed he Commission on upcoming items. She noted the following: Staff . Planners Institute coming up in Sacramento. • Next meeting: Vineyards Use Permit and Extension of Tentative Map AdjournmentI There being no further business, Chairperson Adams adjourned the meeting at 8:25 PM until Thursday, January 24, 2008. Chairperson AecordirQ Clerk 4