2007/11/09 Planning Commission Minutes4e
ROHNERT PARK PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
THURSDAY, November 8, 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 (5) Commissioners: Commissioner Ahanotu, Commissioner Adams,
Commissioner Kilat, Commissioner Callinan and Commissioner Armstrong were
present.
Senior Planner, Maureen Rich and Recording Clerk, Suzie Azevedo were
present.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Commissioner Ahanotu, seconded by Commissioner
Callinan to approve the minutes of the October 25, 2007 meeting. The motion
passed with 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.
Public Appearances
Revisions to Municipal
Senior Planner, Maureen Rich, stated that on September 13, 2007, the Planning
Code
Commission opened a public hearing to consider amending Section 17.07.020N
of Chapter 17.07 Land Use Footnotes/Special Provisions. The proposed
File No. PL 2007-24GP
amendments would place the ordinance into a separate chapter for ease of
reference, would amend current definitions to track state law, and would clarify or
City of Rohnert Park
revise other provisions of the ordinance regarding the in -lieu inclusionary housing
fee and procedural matters. The item was continued to allow staff time to review
the draft ordinance with interested parties. Ms. Rich noted that the review is
continuing, so staff is recommending that the Commission hear any additional
testimony tonite and then continue the hearing to the December 13, 2007
meeting.
Chairperson Adams asked if there was anyone that wished to speak on this item.
There being none, a motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by
Commissioner Callinan to continue the hearing to the December 13, 2007
meeting. The motion passed with a 5-0 vote.
Site Plan and
Community Development Assistant, Suzie Azevedo, gave the staff report. She
Architectural Review
stated that on October 25, 2007, the Planning Commission reviewed a Site Plan
and Architectural Review application for an exterior remodel to the Chili's
Planning Commission Minutes
November 8, 2007
File No. PL2007-013SR
GHA Architects/Brinker
Restaurant Corporation
Use Permit
File No. 2007-030UP
Siamak Taromi/Aston
Asset Management
Group
Restaurant. The Commission had concerns regarding the color
palette/schematic that was proposed and requested that the applicant re -work
this portion of the project. The applicant submitted two alternate elevation
drawings depicting separate color schemes for the Commission's consideration.
Ms. Azevedo noted that the second elevation dated 11-07-07, in staff's opinion
would be the most preferable color schematic. Additionally, the signage will be
submitted as a separate proposal. Staff does not anticipate an increase in the
square footage, therefore, the application will be approved or not approved
administratively and does not need Commission review. However, concerns were
raised at the October 25, 2007 meeting regarding the positioning of the Chili's
brand "pepper' logo. Staff at this time is seeking guidance and comments from
the Commission as to their preference on this issue as well. Staff will continue to
work with the sign vendor to achieve desirable signage placement and size. Ms.
Azevedo recommended approval of the Site Plan and Architectural review
application as depicted on the 11-07-07 submittal by the architect, GHA
Architects.
Commissioner Ahanotu stated that the alternate color palette was much approved
from the original color concept submitted.
Sydnee Freeman, GHA Architects was recognized and presented an enhanced
version of the 11-07-07 proposed color schematic. Ms. Freeman also addressed
the Commission regarding the signage. She noted that the signage will be
submitted under separate application by the sign contractor.
The concensus of the Commission was that the alternate color schemes
submitted were much approved and the 11-07-07 submittal would be the most
preferable. Regarding the signage, most notably the positioning of the pepper,
three Commissioners were in agreement with the proposed placement and size
and two Commissioners recommended a slightly smaller version of the Chili's
pepper. Staff will continue to work with the sign vendor.
A motion was made by Commissioner Callinan, seconded by Commissioner Kilat
to approve File No. PL2007-013SR, Site Plan and Architectural Review for the
exterior remodel of the Chili's Restaurant as presented by GHA Architects
11-7-07. The motion passed with a 5-0 vote.
Maureen Rich gave the staff report. She stated that staff has received an
application from Siamak Taromi/Aston Asset Group 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. This
application was noticed for a public hearing at the November 13, 2007
Planning Commission meeting, however the review of the application is
still proceeding. Staff recommends that the Commission continue this item
to the December 13, 2007 meeting to allow Staff sufficient time to
complete the review and prepare a report on the application.
A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner
Kilat to continue this item to the December 13, 2007 Planning Commission
meeting. The motion passed with a 5-0 vote.
2
Planning Commission Minutes
November 8, 2007
Cancellation of Planning
Commission Meetings
Scheduled for
November 22, 2007 and
December 27, 2007
Use Permit
File No. PL2007-036UP
Aparecido Faria/Faria
Martial Arts Studio
The second regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting for the month of
November occurs on Thanksgiving Day and the second regularly scheduled
meeting for December occurs a few days after Christmas. Staff recommends
that these meetings be cancelled.
A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner
Armstrong to cancel both the November 22, 2007 and December 27, 2007
Planning Commission meetings: The motion passed with a 5-0 vote.
Community Development Assistant, Suzie Azevedo, reported that the project
involves the operation of a Martial Arts Studio to include instruction in traditional
Brazilian Jiu—Jitsu. The studio will also feature classes specifically designed for
women and self-defense and other disciplines of self protection geared towards
children. The proposed operation would occupy a tenant space in Building 1 of
the Padre Town Center. The adjacent businesses include a Vaccum Repair
Shop, 9 Islands Bakery and Cafe, Essence Hair Studio and Costless Outlet.
Given the site's Mixed Use zoning, a use permit would be required for a "studio"
to occupy this tenant space. Ms Azevedo briefly touched on the hours of
operation and anticipated enrollment as well as compliance with the zoning
ordinance concerning parking. She also noted that due to the close proximity of
the adjacent businesses, Staff has requested that the applicant contact the
neighboring tenant and advise them of the proposed martial arts studio operation.
Staff has informed the applicant of Chapter 17.12.030, Noise Standards, of the
Rohnert Park Municipal Code. Should a problem related to offensive and
unacceptable levels of noise arise, staff would work with the applicant to resolve
same, including a request to provide adequate shielding and baffling measures to
reduce any unusual or uncharacteristic noise levels (i.e. installation of sound
deafening material on the adjoining demising wall and/or restricted hours for the
more aggressive and heightened forms of instruction). Staff has added a
condition that the use permit may be revisited by the Planning Commission
should a problem exist and a satisfactory resolution not be reached. Ms.
Azevedo recommended that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No.
2007-30 approving a conditional use permit for a martial arts sudio at 1 Padre
Parkway.
Commissioner Ahanotu excused himself from the dias and this item. He stated
his place of employment is in close proximity to the proposed martial arts studio.
Chairperson Adams opened the public hearing.
The applicant's representative, Mr. Rich Henderson was present and available for
any questions.
Chairperson Adams closed the public hearing.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kilat, seconded by Commissioner Callinan
to approve File No. 2007-036UP, Conditional Use Permit for a martial arts studio
at 1 Padre Parkway. The motion passed with a 4-0 vote (Commissioner Ahanotu
abstained).
3
Planning Commission Minutes
November 8, 2007
Use Permit
File No. PL2007-035UP
Annette
Barker/GourMade
Cookery
Study Session —
Southeast Specific Plan
File No. 2003-031A
Ken Blackman/Redwood
Equities, LLC
Suzie Azevedo gave the staff report. She stated that the application involves the
operation of a meal assembly business which assists customers in creating
quality and nutritious meals that are ready -to -cook and serve at home.
Customers select meals from a changing menu through an established website
and then schedule a session to assemble the meals themselves or have them
ready to pick up when they arrive. The proposed operation would occupy a
tenant space in the "Sleep City" retail building located at 6101 Redwood Drive.
The adjacent businesses include Sleep City and CPS AudioNisual. The
proposal is closely related to that of a "studio" in that it offers activities that are
conducted during scheduled "sessions". Given the site's Regional Commercial
zoning, a use permit would be required for a "studio" type operation to occupy this
tenant space. Ms. Azevedo noted the hours of operation, enrollment and zoning
ordinance requirements for parking, setbacks and lot coverage. Based on the
findings of her report, Ms. Azevedo recommended approval of File No. PL 2007-
035.
Chairperson Adams opened the public hearing.
The applicant Annette Barker was recognized. Ms. Barker presented the
Commission with a menu and spoke a little bit about the GourMade Cookery
Franchise.
Chairperson Adams closed the public hearing.
The Commission thanked Ms. Barker for the information and expressed their
interest in this type of business coming to Rohnert Park.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kilat, seconded by Commissioner Callinan,
to adopt Resolution No. 2007-3, approving a Conditional use Permit for a ready to
cook meal assembly business located at 6101 Redwood Drive. The motion
passed with a 5-0 vote.
Ms. Rich reported that the purpose of tonites study session it to provide an
update to the Planning Commission including a chronological summary of past
events prior to the actual entitlement public hearings on the Southeast Specific
Plan. The study session will present an opportunity to outline General Plan goals
and policies, zoning and design standards that will apply to this project. Ms. Rich
touched on the history to date of the project, outlining important dates and events.
She discussed the General Plan policies affecting the Southeast Plan and
identified the gross acreages, housing units, and non residential square footages
as proposed and designed by the SESP proponents. Ms. Rich concluded her
report by stating that Planning Staff and the developer would appreciate opinions
for each Planning Commissioner on the following topics and reminded the
Commission that this is a study session so no formal action or decision may be
made by the Commission:
• Land Use
• Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP) 07 vs. Economic & Planning
Systems (EPS) 06
• Design
• Zoning
• Design Guidelines
4
Planning Commission Minutes
November 8, 2007
Chairperson Recording Clerk
Ms. Rich presented each Commissioner with an outline and series of fifteen
questions relating to the topics as mentioned and asked the Commission to
comment and state their preference for each of the questions listed. (The list of
questions and responses to each can be found in File No. 2007-031 and attached
to these minutes as Exhibit `A').
Mr. Ken Blackman, Gordan Linden, William Hezmalhalch, Johanna Tuite and
assembled team were recognized and were asked to participate in the discussion
and be available for questions. Also in attendance and available for questions
was City Engineer, Darrin Jenkins.
Key areas of ongoing discussion were:
• Density — Applicant will need to show calculation and location of low
density blend
• Zipper lots/shared driveways — Who maintains? HOA?
• Traffic circles — beneficial or hinderenace
• Mixed Use Component — Consider compromise for different
configuration/Closer to public right of way/parking concerns
For complete discussion items, key points and summary of Commissioner's
responses please see attached Exhibit "A".
Matters from Planning
Joe Callinan expressed concern regarding his vote on an item presented at the
Commissioners
October Planning Commission meeting. The item was a General Plan
Conformity Finding related to the acquisition of property for possible use in the
City Center downtown plan. Commissioner Callinan wanted to state for the
record that he preferred to see City Hall built in to the scheme of the downtown
area and believed the location (Avram Dr.) for the new city hall to be a mistake.
Commissioner Ahanotu also felt the location of the new city hall to be a poor
choice.
Matters from Planning
Ms. Rich reported on the following:
Staff
. Next Meeting
Adjournment
There being no further business, Chairperson Adams adjourned the meeting at
9:35 PM until Thursday, December 13, 2007.
Chairperson Recording Clerk
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