2008/12/11 Planning Commission MinutesROHNERT PARK PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
THURSDAY, December 11, 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 Ahanotu presiding.
Call To Order
Chairperson Ahanotu called the meeting of the regular session to order at
approximately 7:00 p.m. with Chairperson Ahanotu leading the pledge.
Roll Call
Present (4) Commissioners: Chairperson Ahanotu, Vice Chairperson Armstrong,
Commissioner Adams and Commissioner Kilat 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 Adams, seconded by Commissioner Armstrong,
the minutes of November 13, 2008 were approved as presented by a 3-0 vote
with Commissioner Ahanotu abstaining.
Acknowledgement of
Chairperson Ahanotu 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
Corridor Concept Plans
Community Development Director, Ron Bendorff, presented the staff report. He
and Implementation
stated that staff had anticipated bringing this item to the Commission at the
Strategy
December 11, 2008 meeting. Due to a change in Council and impending change
of Planning Commission membership, Mr. Bendorff recommended postponement
File No. PL2006-042
of this item until such time that the new Planning Commission has been seated.
A public meeting notice was prepared and published in the Community Voice and
City of Rohnert Park
interested parties who had requested notice were also provided same. Mr.
Bendorff recommended that the Commission continue this item to the February
12, 2009 Commission meeting.
A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner Kilat
to continue this item to the February 12, 2009 Planning Commission meeting.
The motion was passed with a 4-0 vote.
Variance
Senior Planner, Maureen Rich, presented the staff report. She stated that the
request is for a variance from the maximum front yard coverage restriction for
File No. PL2008-028V
single family residential property located at 6582 Joyce Court. The owner(s) of
the property, Manual Moreno and Luz Gutierrez, wish to construct a second
Nancy Tryon/Manual
dwelling unit above the existing 2 -car garage. Zoning Code Section 17.07.020
Moreno and Luz
requires that prior to the approval of the building permit, the applicant must
Gutierrez
demonstrate that there is room for an additional 9 x 19 foot parking space in
Commission Minutes
addition to the two garage spaces that are required Tor the main residence. ms.
Rich noted that a tandem space i.e., a space located directly in line with one of
the garage parking spaces, does not satisfy this requirement. Additionally, Ms.
Rich reported that Section 17.16.080 E regulates residential front yard paving
coverage to 50 percent or less. With the addition of a parking space for the
second dwelling unit, the front yard coverage would exceed the maximum by
approximately 14 percent. The coverage in the front setback area is currently 57
percent. Ms. Rich outlined the basis and findings needed for approving a
variance and indicated that approving this variance would constitute a grant of
special privilege and the findings as noted previously cannot be made. Ms. Rich
presented a petition filed by surrounding property owners protesting the granting
of the variance. Based on the findings of her report, Ms. Rich recommended that
the Planning Commission adopt resolution denying the request for variance.
Chairperson Ahanotu asked if there were any questions of staff. There being
none, Chairperson Ahanotu opened the public hearing.
Nancy Tryon, representative of the applicant, was recognized. She addressed
the Commission on behalf of her clients, Manuel Moreno and Luz Gutierrez, and
stated that based on staff's recommendation and concerns of the neighbors, they
are amenable to staff's recommendation and will explore other avenues, possibly
an addition, to achieve the desired living space.
Robert Miller, 1427 Jasmine Circle, spoke of safety issues and diminishing appeal
of the neighborhood that would be imminent if a variance approval was granted.
Commissioner Ahanotu closed the public hearing.
Further discussion between staff and the Commission was held.
A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner Kilat
to adopt Resolution No. 2008-37 denying the Moreno variance application. The
motion passed with a 4-0 vote.
Matters from Commissioner Adams and Armstrong commented on the recent Manning
Commissioners Conference that they attended at Sonoma State University.
Commissioner Kilat spoke of her tenure and enjoyment serving on the Planning
Commission.
Matters from Planning Mr. Bendorff thanked Commissioner Kilat for her service and tenure on the
Staff Planning Commission and presented her with a small gift. Mr. Bendorff also
report on the following items:
• December 25, 2008 meeting cancelled
• January 8, 2009 meeting cancelled
Adjournment There being no further business, Chairperson Ahanotu adjourned the meeting at
7:28 pm until Thursday, January 22, 2009.
Planning Commission Minutes
December 11, 2008