2008/01/24 Planning Commission MinutesAA&
ROHNERT PARK PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
THURSDAY, January 24, 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.
Community Development Director, Ron Bendorff, Senior Planner, Maureen Rich
and Recording Clerk, Suzie Azevedo were present.
Approval of Minutes
Upon motion by Commissioner Callinan, seconded by Commissioner Armstrong,
the Minutes of January 10, 2008 were approved with correction by a 5-0 vote.
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.
Plublic Appearances
Election of new Officers
Commissioner Ahanotu stated that he would like to nominate Commissioner Kilat
to the Planning
to become Chair. Commissioner Kilat advised the Commission that this would be
Commission
her last year on the Commission and declined the opportunity.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kilat, seconded by Commissioner Adams
nominating Commissioner Ahanotu as Chairperson. The motion passed with a
3-2 vote. (Ayes: Kilat, Ahanotu, Adams; Noes: Callinan, Armstrong)
A motion was made by Commissioner Callinan, seconded by Commissioner Kilat
nominating Commissioner Armstrong as Vice -Chairperson. The motion passed
with a 5-0 vote.
Tentative Map
Maureen Rich reported that on December 13, 2007 and January 10, 2008 the
Planning Commission continued review of the Condominium Conversion for the
File No. PL2007-028TM
above referenced file due to unresolved issues between the City and the
Applicant. These issues remain unresolved at this time and are being reviewed by
GJ Harmina c/o Steven
the Assistant City Attorney. As such, Staff is requesting that the item be
LaFranchi and
continued to February 14, 2008 in order to allow legal review of these issues.
Associates
A motion was made by Commissioner Kilat, seconded by Commissioner Adams,
to continue this item to the February 14, 2008 meeting. The motion passed with
a 5-0 vote.
Planning Commission Minutes
January 24, 2008
Use Permit
File No. PL2007-030UP
Siamak Taromi/Aston
Asset Management
Group
Ron Bendorff gave the staff report. He stated that the applicant is requesting a
use permit to allow an existing live/work project (The Vineyards) to be operated
as a mixed use project within the Neighborhood Commercial District. He noted
that on December 13, 2007, the Commission opened the public hearing on this
item and provided direction to Staff regarding the acceptability of the proposed
change to "mixed use." Mr. Bendorff stated that the proposed change from a
live/work to a mixed use does not affect compliance with the dimensional
requirements of the C -N District, however it does have implications regarding the
parking supply that would be needed to serve the change of use. A parking
study was commissioned by the City to help determine the true parking need for
the project, based on the proposed change in operation. Mr. Bendorff reviewed
the parking component and results of the parking study and outlined the
affordable housing changes that would need to be addressed because of the
owner's intention is to place the units for rent as apposed to for -sale. Mr.
Bendorff recommended approval of the application subject to the following
conditions:
1. Affordability— The applicant shall enter into an affordable housing
agreement with the City and sign a deed restriction that reserves at least
one (1) of the units for sale to a moderate -income household as defined in
the California Health and Safety Code or for rental to a low-income
household as defined in the California Health and Safety Code. At the time
of this approval, moderate income households are those with median
incomes equal to or less than 120 percent of the median area income and
low income households are those with median incomes equal to or less
than 80 percent of the median area income. This restriction shall be in
effect for a minimum period of 45 years beyond the initial occupancy of the
project for a for sale unit or for a minimum of 55 years beyond the initial
occupancy of the project for a rental unit. The affordable housing
agreement shall indicate the standards for maximum qualifying household
incomes and maximum sales price/rent for the affordable unit, the party
responsible for verifying incomes, how vacancies will be marketed and
filled, restrictions binding on the property upon sale or transfer,
maintenance provisions, and any other information required by the City to
comply with the conditions of approval for this project.
2. The four (4) commercial spaces to the rear of the site shall be converted to
residential spaces and combined with the residential units above as
additional living space. As an alternative, the four (4) rear commercial
spaces may remain vacant.
3. The four (4) commercial spaces to the rear shall be maintained in a manner
that ensures that they maintain a commercial storefront appearance and do
not negatively impact the overall appearance of the project.
4. Any future conversion of the four (4) commercial spaces to the rear back to
commercial use shall require Planning Commission approval.
Chairperson Ahanotu resumed the public hearing. There being no further
comment, Chairperson Ahanotu closed the public hearing.
A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner
Callinan to adopt Resolution No. 2008-02, approving File No. PL2007-030UP. as
4
Planning Commission Minutes
January 24, 2008
Chairperson
i
Rercording Cle
conditioned. The motion passed with a 5-0 vote.
TENTATIVE MAP
Ron Bendorff gave the staff report. He stated that the applicant requests the
extension of an existing tentative subdivision map to subdivide one lot into eight -
File No. PL2005-069TM
live/work spaces. He noted that the applicant is still in the process of satisfying
the conditions of the map approval and requires additional time to accomplish
Ron Bart/Tarom Group
this. The tentative map is scheduled to expire on February 9, 2008. Based on
the findings of his report, Mr. Bendorff recommended approving the extension of
File No. PL2005-069TM.
A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner
Armstrong to adopt Resolution No. 2008-03 approving the extension. The motion
passed with a 5-0 vote.
Design Review
Maureen Rich said the request if for a multi -tenant sign program for the Park
Plaza Shopping Center containing 142,980 square feet of commercial building.
PL2007-038SR
The proposed Sign Program will permit the two existing monuments signs, one
wall sign per non -anchor tenant, a second wall sign per non -anchor tenant on a
Bruce Wilson/Cal Tex
corner and retain the existing signage for the anchor tenants (Safeway and
Equities
Long's Drugs). Ms. Rich summarized the basics of the proposed sign program
and said the program is consistent with the signage that is currently installed.
Ms. Rich recommended approval of the proposed sign program.
A motion was made by Commissioner Armstrong, seconded by Commissioner
Callinan to approve File No. PL2007-038SR as proposed. The motion passed
with a 5-0 vote.
Matters From
None.
Commissioners
Matters from Planning
Mr. Bendorff informed he Commission on upcoming items. He noted the
Staff
following:
• Wilfred Dowdel) Draft EIR will be released around February 13th
• Next meeting: Condo Conversion Tentative Map (170 Professional Center
Drive, North Bay Centre pad building and remodel, E -waste recycling
facility
Ms. Rich reported that no appeal was filed for the Jewish Free Clinic.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Chairperson Ahanotu adjourned the meeting at
7:34 PM until Thursday, February 14, 2008.
Chairperson
i
Rercording Cle