Loading...
2007/04/12 Planning Commission MinutesROHNERT PARK PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES THURSDAY, April 12, 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 Vice -Chairperson Kilat presiding. Call To Order Vice -Chairperson Kilat 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 (3) Commissioners: Commissioner Kilat, Commissioner Armstrong, and Commissioner Ahanotu were present. Commissioner Adams and Commissioner Callinan were excused Senior Planner, Maureen Rich, and Recording Clerk, Suzie Azevedo were present. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the March 22, 2007 Planning Commission meeting will be carried over the April 26, 2007 meeting. - Acknowledgement of Vice Chairperson Kilat acknowledged the posting of the Agenda of this meeting in lublic Noticing three (3) public places, per the requirements of the Brown Act. Unscheduled None. Public Appearances Design Review Senior Planner, Maureen Rich gave the staff report. She stated that the request is for a sign program for a 15,000 square foot building located at 5880 Commerce True North/Freedom Boulevard that can house up to 14 tenants. The site is located in the I-L/O zoning Graphics district. The Zoning Code permits three of any allowed sign type in this district. The maximum square footage of signage for individual businesses in the I -L File No. PL2007-004SR zoning district is based on either one square foot of signage per linear foot of building frontage or one-half square foot of signage per linear foot of property line, whichever is smaller. Ms. Rich noted that the code allows for exceptions when a building contains four or more tenants but should nevertheless generally comply with the signage requirements for individual uses. The applicant is proposing a total of 150.4 square feet for the entire building. Based on the district standards, the maximum square footage for the multi tenant building should be around 144 square feet. Ms. Rich stated that staff supports the request for 150 square feet for the 14 tenant building. Additionally, the applicant has proposed 1/2 inch flat, cut out acrylic letters for the wall signs and cut vinyl lettering on the monument sign. The Planning Commission recently supported staff on the requirement to use flat, cut out acrylic letters in place of cut vinyl lettering and staff at this time is again requesting the support of the Planning Commission to approve flat, cut-out acrylic lettering for all signage installed as a part of this project. Commissioner Ahanotu asked if staff could perhaps codify and include in the sign ordinance standards and guidelines that would outline the preferred materials to Planning Commission Minutes April 12, 2007 Site Plan and Architectural Review/Use Permit -Newt Kerney/Cross and gown Lutheran Church File No. PL2007- 003UP/SR be used for signage in the City of Rohnert Park. The applicant, Mr. Tom Pforsich was recognized. Mr. Pforsich summarized the sign program for this particular site. He touched briefly on the appearance, cost and design of vinyl lettering versus acrylic. While staff's preference is acrylic because it is in staff's opinion a more aesthetically appealing material, he noted that vinyl is in the long run durable and less costly to replace and provides a nice appearance. Mr. Pforsich indicated that Rohnert Park is the only city that has a preference in this regard. Commissioner Armstrong asked why acrylic was being used on the building and not the monument sign. Mr. Pforsich responded that there is a cost differential. A motion was made by Commissioner Kilat, seconded by Commissioner Armstrong to adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2007-11, approving a sign program for the Sommers and Oates Office Building, as presented in Resolution 2007-11. The motion passed with a 3-0 vote. The Commission asked if the applicant and staff could put together a short presentation of the different materials and their functionality. Staff will work with Mr. Pforsich to outline the various materials used in preparing signs and make presentation to the Commission at a future meeting. Maureen Rich gave the staff report. She reported that the proposal was for a conditional use permit and site plan and architectural review for a 2812 square foot expansion to the existing Cross and Crown Lutheran Church and Welcome Center. Ms. Rich discussed the General Plan designation and applicable standards for site's P-1 zoning district. She outlined the general principles of the city's design guidelines noting that the proposed addition is suitable for this location and blends well with the architecture of the existing church. Additionally, Ms. Rich briefly touched on the history of the property and the permits and applications approved to date. She continued by addressing the following issues: Trees: The project site and the site to the north contain mature Redwood, Eucalyptus, Raywood Ash, and Carob trees, many of which are proposed for removal. Staff is requiring, as a condition of approval, the preparation of an arboreal analysis to review the species, size, location, condition, and value of the trees which are proposed for removal. In addition, the same condition of approval requires that the applicant hire a qualified wildlife biologist to prepare an analysis to review the potential for bird nesting and habitat prior to removal. The combination of these conditions will ensure that only appropriate trees will be removed. • Signs: The plans show the relocation of the existing cross to the corner of Snyder Lane at Southwest Boulevard which is proposed to be integrated with the signage. For reference, the "P-1" zoning district permits a maximum of 32 square feet total for all signs. The review of signage will be conducted by staff in the future. Parking: Cross and Crown owns the church/school property (APN 143- 340-016). In addition, the church owns the property to the north which contains additional classrooms for the school and a medical office building (APN 158-320-001 to 015). Zoning Code section 17.16.040 Parking exemptions contains a provision for reducing the parking requirements up to 25% when a combination of uses share a common Darkina area and 2 Planning Commission Minutes April 12, 2007 Consent Calendar Authorization to close out Files PL2006-021 and PL2006-022 due to inactivity the demand for parking occurs over different time periods thereby making the full requirement unnecessary. If all uses operated simultaneously, the parking requirement would be 185 spaces. However, the uses operate at different times during the week. For example, the primary operating hours for the school and medical office trigger the need for 74 spaces. During the primary operating hours for the church 111 spaces are required. The requested 25% reduction from 185 to 138 spaces is justifiable given the complementary hours of operation for each use. One condition of approval requires the recordation of a shared parking agreement to ensure that the parking needs for the combined uses are accommodated for as long as the uses are operating. Another condition requires the construction of a driveway that connects the two properties. Ms. Rich concluded by recommending that the Planning Commission approve the Conditional Use Permit for the expansion of the church use in the P-1 zoning district and Site Plan and Architectural Review for the church expansion, as conditioned. Vice -Chairperson Kilat opened the public hearing. The applicant was present and recognized. There being no further comments, Vice -Chairperson Kilat closed the public hearing. . Discussion was held between the Commission and staff. Most notably the status of the Snyder Lane expansion and the mitigation of trees that would need to be removed. Ms. Rich explained that there are plans being designed for the widening of Snyder Lane, which will construct a raised landscaped median island in the center of Snyder Lane thereby restricting left turns in and out of this property. Regarding trees, Ms. Rich noted that the applicant will need to hire an arborist and qualified wildlife biologist and staff will consider and approve tree removal based on each analysis. Replacement or in -lieu fees will be required to mitigate tree removal. A motion was made by Commission Armstrong, seconded by Commissioner Kilat to approve File No. PL2007-003SR/UP, as conditioned. The motion passes with a 3-0 vote. Ms. Rich stated that the purpose of this memo is to request authorization from the Planning Commission to close out files PL2006-021 and PL2006-022 due to inactivity. Holly Manor and The Commons are existing apartment complexes located at 400 Santa Alicia Drive and 333 Enterprise Drive, respectively. Both applications to condominiumize the apartment complexes were submitted on April 25, 2006 by the original applicant, Construction Rehabilitation Services (CRS), Inc. The applications were deemed complete on July 20, 2006 and the subsequent "issues" letters were mailed to the applicant on August 31, 2006. Because of the extensive list of issues, the associated costs to correct the issues, and the downturn in the housing market, CRS, Inc determined to withdraw their applications. They withdrew the applications for condominium conversion on September 7, 2007. Unknown to the Planning Department, the owners of the properties (Green River, Ltd.) had an agreement with CRS, Inc. to assume the application process should 3 Planning Commission Minutes April 12, 2007 r Chairperson OJI_� ecording derk CRS, Inc decide to back out of the deal. Green River, Ltd. requested that the City reopen the two applications. On November 16, 2006 the two applications were reopened. The new applicant stated that the information that was specified in the issues letter would be forthcoming. To date, none of the requested information has been submitted and a significant amount of staff time has been accrued. The new applicant, Green River Ltd., has not paid the balance owed for processing the application and has not responded to various letters and voice mail messages to that effect. The bill is due to go to a collection agency. Because of the unpaid balance and application inactivity Staff is requesting that the Planning Commission authorize closing the applications. The Zoning Code has no provision for handling inactive projects, therefore, there are two potential courses to take in order to handle this issue: 1) the applications may be denied; or 2) the Planning Commission can authorize staff to close the files due to inactivity. Staff recommends that the Planning Commission authorize closure of both files by motion. A motion was made by Commissioner Ahanotu, seconded by Commissioner Armstrong authorizing the close out of Files PL2006-021 and PL2006-022 due to inactivity. Matters From Commissioner Armstrong reported on his first meeting of the Creeks Master Plan Commissioners Committee. The Southern Laguna/Copeland Creeks were discussed. Commissioner Ahanotu commented on the League of California Cities Conference he attended in San Diego. It was very informative and he was extremely pleased with the classes he attended. He said that most cities had all or most representatives of their respective Commissions present and thought that would be beneficial in the future for this Commission. Matters from Planning None. Staff Adjournment There being no further business, Vice -Chairperson Kilat adjourned the meeting at 8:05 PM until Thursday, April 26, 2007. r Chairperson OJI_� ecording derk