2007/10/25 Planning Commission MinutesROHNERT PARK PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
THURSDAY, October 25, 2007
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 staff leading the pledge of allegiance.
Roll Call
Present (4) Commissioners: Commissioner Ahanotu, Commissioner Adams,
Commissioner Kilat and Commissioner Callinan were present. Commissioner
Armstrong was excused
Community Development Director, Ron Bendorff and Recording Clerk, Suzie
Azevedo were present.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Commissioner Callinan, seconded by Commissioner
Ahanotu to approve the minutes of the October 11, 2007 meeting. The motion
passed with a 4-0 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.
Public Appearances
General Plan Conformity
Community Development Director, Ron Bendorff gave the staff report. He stated
that the three subject properties (6230 State Farm Drive, 415 City Center Drive
File No. PL 2007-33GP
and the lot at the southwest corner of City Center Drive and Lynne Conde Way)
are situated in the developing City Center area and total approximately 2.96
City of Rohnert Park
acres. The properties at 6230 State Farm Drive and 415 City Center Drive are
currently for sale and the City's Community Development Commission (CDC)
intends to purchase them for redevelopment with a mixed-use project that would
be in keeping with the intent of the City Center Concept Plan, which is to
transform the area into the City's recognizable "downtown". The property
immediately east of these sites at the southwest corner of the City Center Drive
and Lynne Conde Way is owned by the City and functions as the parking lot for
the Rohnert Park-Cotati Regional Library. The land use diagram shows all of the
sites as appropriate for "Mixed use" development and the zoning map similarly
shows the sites as designated "Mixed Use." Mr. Bendorff reported that
Government Code Section 65402(a) states that "[i]f a general plan or part
thereof... has been adopted, no real property shall be acquired by dedication or
otherwise... until the location, purpose, and extent of such acquisition... have been
submitted to and reported upon by the planning agency as to conformity with said
adopted general plan or part thereof." At this time Planning Commission is
being asked to make the conformity finding so as to allow the future purchase of
these properties Mr. Bendorff stated that no inconsistencies between the
Planning Commission Minutes
October 25, 2007
Selection of General
Plan Update Steering
Committee Members
Site Plan and
Architectural Review
File No. 2007-013SR
proposed purchase and the General Plan document have been found, therefore,
the required finding of conformity with the General Plan may be made. As such,
staff is recommending that the Planning Commission by motion adopt Resolution
No. 2007-27, making a finding of General Plan Conformity for the purchase of
properties located at 6230 State Farm Drive, 415 City Center Drive and the
conveyance of City -owned property located at the southwest corner of City
Center Drive and Lynne Conde Way by/to the CDC.
The Commission agreed that acquisition and conveyance of these properties was
essential and beneficial to the concept plan formulated and alleviates possible
hurdles for the downtown area because of multiple ownership.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kilat, seconded by Commissioner Callinan
to adopt Planning Commission Resolution No. 2007-27 making a finding of
General Plan Conformity for the purchase of properties located at 6230 State
Farm Drive, 415 City Center Drive and the conveyance of City -owned property
located at the southwest corner of City Center Drive and Lynne Conde Way by/to
the CDC. The motion passed with a 4-0 vote.
Mr. Bendorff reported that the General Plan Update has commenced and is
scheduled to be completed in Spring 2009. The Scope of Work provided to the
Commission gives an overview of the tasks that will be involved in the process as
well as a tentative timeline for the project. As listed in Task 1.0 of the Scope, a
"General Plan Steering Committee" will be formed to guide the process along.
The Committee shall include two (2) Councilmembers and two (2) Planning
Commissioners. At this time, staff is requesting that the Commission appoint two
members to serve on the General Plan Update Steering Committee.
Commissioners Adams, Kilat and Ahanotu all expressed interest in serving on the
committee.
A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner
Callinan to appoint Commissioners Kilat and Ahanotu to the General Plan Update
Steering Committee. The motion passed with a 4-0 vote.
Ron Bendorff gave the staff report. He stated that the subject site is located on
the southwest corner of Redwood Drive and the main driveway serving the Arby's
and Home Depot facilities. The applicant, Chili's, is proposing enhancements to
the exterior appearance of the building to update the image so as to reflect the
current Chili's brand style. Changes will be made to the main and "To -Go"
entries, exterior walls, landscaping and signage as well as minor improvements to
the interior. Mr. Bendorff noted that for years, the Planning Commission has
been directing the architectural style along the 101 Corridor toward a neo -
Mediterranean theme (e.g., arches, towers, stucco, tile roof tops etc.) The
style that is shown on the proposed plan combines the existing neo -
Mediterranean theme with some proposed modern elements (i.e. metal
pipe columns connected to exposed cedar beams). The original concept
drawings submitted by the applicant depicted a more severe combination
of neo -Mediterranean and modern elements that did not follow a single
style format and that would not comply with the established Design
Guideline policy to "avoid excessive variety." At staff's request, the
applicant was directed to undergo design changes that would achieve not
only a more consistent and compatible look in keeping with City policv, but
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Planning Commission Minutes
October 25, 2007
Matters From
Commissioners
that would accomplish the applicant's desire to update the image to the
current Chili's brand. The revised proposal submitted, in staff's opinion,
accomplishes that goal. Nonetheless, staff feels that the color scheme
should be reworked to further improve the appearance of the building as
follows:
There is a consistent "cream" trim color currently used
throughout the building, and the submitted color scheme
proposes to paint these trim elements the same color as the
wall on which they sit. Staff recommends that all trim areas be
colored the same brown tone as that proposed for the building
cornice, as this would allow the trim areas to "pop out" and
better define the elements of the structure. This would also
apply to the trim "boxes" on the four sides of the tower element;
The proposed color scheme would result in an awkward color
transition from the red proposed for the tower area and the
green/cream color planned for the remainder of the main
building. Staff recommends that the red areas shown beneath
the tower on the front and rear elevations be replaced with the
green/cream scheme;
The central portion of the building is proposed to be given a
"Pewter Tanker" gray color. Staff prefers that the red color
used for the tower be used for this central area; and
The existing backflow preventer screen to the rear of the
building is painted to reflect the current color scheme and
should be updated to the new scheme.
The Commission expressed concern regarding the color scheme proposed
and felt that this portion of the project needed to be reworked. The
concern was that the variation of colors appeared "busy" and not
complimentary to the surrounding area. Alternate color designs were
suggested and discussed and staff was directed to notify the applicant to
submit revised elevations with the recommended color design changes.
This item was continued to the next meeting.
Commissioner Adams asked about the construction going on next to
Scandia. Mr. Bendorff responded that the Commission had reviewed and
approved this project (Jiffy Lube) a couple of years ago and the construction has
finally begun.
Commissioner Kilat asked about activity at the University District site. Mr.
Bendorff responded that the project shows a 500 -foot buffer area along Petaluma
Hill Road that will be modified to create wetlands in this area. The wetlands are
eventually to compensate for wetlands that are on the portion of the site that they
want to ultimately develop, so they wanted to get a head start on the work. They
are also remediating a portion of the Hinebaugh Creek streambed to address
downstream flooding at this time. The developer has gotten necessary approvals
from the resource agencies to begin this work and the required grading permit
from the City.
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Planning Zommission Minutes
October 25, 2007
Matters from Planning
staff
Mr. Bendorff reported on the following:
• Next meeting: Southeast Specific Plan update/study session; Faria's
Martial Art Studio; Gourmade Cookery
Adjournment There being no further business, Chairperson Adams adjourned the meeting at
7:45 PM until Thursday, November 8, 2007.
Ch irperson
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Recording Clerk