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2019/01/10 Planning Commission MinutesROHNERT PARK PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES January 10, 2019 The Planning Commission of the City of Rohnert Park met this date in a regular session commencing at 6 :00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 130 Avram Avenue, with Vice-Chairperson Giudice presiding . Call To Order Roll Call Swearing in of Planning Commissioners Election of Officers Declaration of Abstention Acknowledgement of Public Noticing Approval of Minutes Vice Chairperson Giudice called the meeting of the special session to order at approximately 6:00p.m. with Vice-Chairperson Giudice leading the pledge . Present: (4) Commissioners: Commissioner Borba, Commissioner Giudice, Commissioner Haydon , and Commissioner Orloff were present. Commissioner Blanquie was excused. Director of Development Services, Mary Grace Pawson, Planning Manager, Jeff Beiswenger, Planning Consultant, Lori MacNab, Planner I, Suzie Azevedo, Planning Intern, Kevin Locke and Recording Secretary , Eileen Baughman , Community Development Assistant were present. Recording Secretary, Eileen Baughman, administered the Oath of Office to the newly appointed Commissioner (Orloff). Commissioner Haydon nominated Gerard Giudice to serve as Chairperson . The nomination was seconded by Commissioner Borba and approved with a 4-0-0-1 vote. Commissioner Giudice nominated Susan Haydon to serve as Vice-Chairperson . There was a short discussion on rotation of Commissioners and the nomination was seconded by Commiss ioner Borba and approved with a 4-0-0-1 vote. None . Chairperson Giudice acknowledged the posting of the Agenda of this meeting in three (3) public places, per the requirements of the Brown Act. ACTION: Moved/Seconded (Borba/Haydon) to approve the minutes of the August 15 , 2018 Special Planning Commission meeting as presented. Motioned carried by the following 4-0-0-1 vote: AYES: Borba, Giudice, Haydon, Orloff; NOES : None; ABSTAIN: None ; ABSENT: Blanquie ACTION: Moved/Seconded (Haydon/Orloff) to approve the minutes of the August 22 , 2018 Special Planning Commission meeting as presented. Motioned carried by the following 4-0-0-1 vote: AYES : Borba, Giudice, Haydon, O r lo ff; NOES: No ne; ABSTAIN: None ; ABSENT: Bl a nq u ie Planning Commission Minutes January 10 , 2019 Unscheduled Public Appearances Site Plan and Architectural Review File No. PLSR17-0006 Victoria Benham, Lend/ease Development Inc. ACTION: Moved/Seconded (Borba/Haydon) to approve the minutes of the September 13, 2018 regular Planning Commission meeting as presented. Motioned carried by the following 4-0-0-1 vote: AYES: Borba, Giudice, Haydon, Orloff; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Blanquie ACTION: Moved/Seconded (Haydon/Orloff) to approve the minutes of the September 27, 2018 regular Planning Commission meeting as presented. Motioned carried by the following 4-0-0-1 vote : AYES: Borba, Giudice, Haydon, Orloff; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Blanquie Caryl Sherman -Senior Citizens Advisory Commissioner, wanted to bring to the Commissioners attention that she feels there is a tremendous need for a cemetery within the City of Rohnert Park. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 2019-01, APPROVING SITE PLAN AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW FOR THE PROPOSED KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN/A&W FA<;ADE REMODEL PROJECT AT 6700 COMMERCE BOULEVARD(APN143~61~0~. Planning Consultant, Lori MacNab, presented the staff report and PowerPoint. Project Description: • Existing KFC Restaurant at 6700 Commerce Boulevard • Constructed in 1976 • Located in the recently approved Priority Development Area • Proposed interior renovation • Proposed exterior alterations, revised from the alterations brought before the Planning Commission July 2017 RECOMMENDED ACTION(S): Staff recommends approval of a Site Plan and Architectural Review (SPAR) for the proposed remodel to the Kentucky Fried Chicken/ KFC at 6700 Commerce Boulevard. Chairperson Giudice opened the floor for questions of staff, discussion items included: • Clarification of proposed colors. • What kind of lighting on the bike path. • What type of tree is to be planted? • Are there trash cans in the parking lot? Chairperson Giudice acknowledged and welcomed the applicant to the stand for questions and comments. Discussion items included: • Lighting on bike path -There currently is not any lighting but the applicant would be willing to install lighting on the southern part of the lot as part of their Conditions of Approval. • Applicant will work with staff on the type of tree reauired to be planted . 2 Planning Commission Minutes Janua r 10 ,2019 Site Plan and Architectural Review File No. PLSR18-0007 Phillip Moss, VMI Architecture • Landscape lighting to mark ingress/egress -Applicant had no issue with adding more lighting. • Clarification on the colors proposed. • Parking lot trash cans -Applicant is willing to install a trash can near the southern portion of the parking lot. Chairperson Giudice thanked the applicant and opened the floor for final comments from the Commissioners. All Commissioners agreed that they would be willing to approve the project with the following conditions of approval added: 1. A trash receptacle to be placed at the southern end of the property. 2. Install 2 LED lights that are equally spaced apart at the southern end of the property to help light the creek pathway. 3. Match the existing paint that covers the body of the building. ACTION: Moved/Seconded (Haydon/Orloff) to adopt Resolution No. 2019-01 approving a Site Plan and Architectural Review for the proposed remodel to the Kentucky Fried Chicken and A&W at 6700 Commerce Boulevard with the aforementioned Conditions of Approval being added to the Resolution. Motion carried by the following 4-0-0-1 vote: AYES: Borba, Giudice, Haydon, Orloff; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Blanquie CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 2019-02, APPROVING A SITE PLAN AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW FOR THE PROPOSED TACO BELL FACADE REMODEL PROJECT AT 1700 E. COTATI AVENUE (APN 047-500-009). Planning Consultant, Lori MacNab, presented the staff report and PowerPoint. Project Description: • Existing Taco Bell • Constructed in 1991 • Proposed exterior alterations consistent with an updated national branding RECOMMENDED ACTION(S): Staff recommends approval of a Site Plan and Architectural Review (SPAR) for the proposed remodel to the Taco Bell at 1700 East Cotati Avenue. Chairperson Giudice opened the floor for questions of staff, discussion items included the following topics: • Does this site use recycled water? Chairperson Giudice recognized Director of Development Services, Mary Grace Pawson, to answer this question. She confirmed that no, this location is not on recycled water. 3 Planning Commission Minutes Janua r 10 , 2019 Municipal Code Amendments File No. PLMC18-0003 City of Rohnert Park Chairperson Giudice welcomed and acknowledged the applicant, Phillip Moss, to the stand for questions and comments from the Commissioners. The conversation include : • What kind of drought resistant plants are being proposed? • Are there any trash cans outside of the building -the applicant said there was not but that they would be willing to install one . • Commissioner Orloff mentioned his concerns about the configuration of the parking lot and the entrance for the drive-thru and what could be done to stop traffic from cutting through the parking spaces to access the drive- thru . The Commissioners, staff and the applicant continued on the topic about how to solve the cross-traffic to the drive-thru and the applicant stated that they would be willing to work with staff to come up with some sort of solution (i.e. installing planters in between the parking spaces) to prevent the traffic from cutting through while still maintaining the parking space standard size . Chairperson Giudice thank the applicant and opened the floor for final comment from the Commissioners. All Commissioners agreed that they would be willing to approve the project with the following conditions : 1. A trash receptacle to be placed near the southeast parking area. 2 . A planter divider or something similar to be installed in between the parking spaces in the southeast lot to prevent the cross-flow of traffic. ACTION: Moved/Seconded (Borba/Orloff) to adopt Resolution No. 2019-02 approving a Site Plan and Architectural Review for the proposed remodel to the Taco Bell located at 1700 E. Cotati Avenue, with the aforementioned Conditions of Approval being added to the Resolution. Motion carried by the following 4-0-0-1 vote: AYES : Borba , Giudice, Haydon, Orloff; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Blanquie CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 2019-03, RECOMMENDING APPROVAL TO THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS FOR THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT AMENITY ZONE (DDAZ) OVERLAY DISTRICT (CHAPTER 17.06, ARTICLE XIII) Planning Manager, Jeff Beiswenger, presented the staff report and PowerPoint. Purpose of tonight's meeting : • Council direction to consider minor change to Form-Based Code (FBC) • Recent action on FBC: o October 25: PC recommendation o November 13: CC first reading November 27: CC adoption o December 27: Effective date City Council Action (Nov. 27): 4 Planning Commission Minutes Janua r 10 , 2019 • Adopted code as proposed by PC • Concerns from Raley's Towne Center • Council agreed existing building should be exempt from "frontage requirement • Directed staff to draft change to "applicability" Applicability : • Frontage Requirements, as written Some tenant improvements are exempt o FBC applies when renovations include more than 50% of existing floor area of building • Issues: o Most significant remodels would exceed 50% o Difficult to "turn-around" floor plan Most Raley's tenants want to face internal parking areas Staff Recommendation : • Frontage Requirements, as written Some tenant improvements are exempt o FBC applies when renovations include more than 50% of existing floor area of building • Issues: o Most significant remodels would exceed 50% o Difficult to "turn-around" floor plan o Most Raley's tenants want to face internal parking areas RECOMMENDED ACTION(S): Recommending to the City Council an amendment to Chapter 17.06, Article XIII: Downtown District Amenity Zone (DDAZ) Overlay Districts, Section 17.06. 700.A.2 (Applicability) to Exempt Building Renovations from Certain Provisions of Article XIII. Chairperson Giudice opened the floor up for questions of staff, topics included : • Clarification of the code as written (i.e. definition of expansion, what exact type of remodel would trigger the change, etc.) • Is there any other landowners concerned other than Argonaut? • Faux design possibilities to match the Downtown look. • Why is this amendment being heard now and not back in October when the FBC was approved? Chairperson Giudice welcomed Argonauts Senior Asset Manager, Natalie Kearney, to the stand to speak to the Commission on the reason why the ordinance as written would be a hardship to the Raley's Towne Center. Discussion items included: • Plans to build new buildings on the property. • What it would take to turn the buildings around to be street facing (i.e . moving the utilities, etc.) • Can the ex istin buildin s be built u i.e. 2nd or 3rd floors 5 Planning Commission Minutes Jan uar 10 , 2019 Chairperson Giudice thanked Ms . Kearney and opened the floor for the Commissioners to ask questions of staff, topics included : • Frontage requirement triggers, as written and what is proposed . • Different types of remodels that might trigger the frontage requirement. • How does the amendment impact the long term look of the new Downtown? • Would the amendments apply to the Padre Center? • Faux design options. • The existing tree scape on that street and how attractive they are . • Public right-of-way design for this area, this topic included clarification from Director of Development Services, Mary Grace Pawson. • If the Commission denies the recommendation, what would be the next steps? Chairperson Giudice welcomed Ms. Kearney back to the stand . She wanted to clarify that at this time, Argonaut is not looking into adding a new building to the site and that they are open to building up the buildings one day and at the time making the design match the downtown look . Further discussion items included : • Lease terms of the tenants on the street frontage. • Who is responsible for the tenant improvement cost? • Why was Argonaut not involved when the FBC went to Commission a few months ago? Chairperson Giudice thanked Ms. Kearney and opened the floor for final questions and comments from the Commissioners. • Can there be a sunset clause? Chairperson Giudice recognized Director of Development Services for explanation why these amendments were not taken into consideration at the time of the City Council meeting. Ms . Pawson stated that the triggers in a Form-Based Code are always the trickiest to write and that there is an understanding that we will need to grow into our Form-Based Code . Ms. Pawson also stated that this amendment does not impact the new growth in the Downtown area, that all of the new buildings will be required to meet the design requirements and that a trigger based on existing building interior remodels might have been too aggressive on the City's end . A full audio transcript of the proceedings can be located here: http://rpcity.gra nicu s.com/MediaPiayer.php?view id =4&clip id=951 ACTION: Moved/Seconded (Orloff/Borba) to adopt Resolution No . 2019-03, recommending approval to the City Council an amendment to Chapter 17 .06, Article XIII: Downtown District Amenity Zone (DDAZ) Overlay Districts, Section 17.06.700.A.2 (Applicability) to Exempt Building Renovations from Certain Provisions of Article XIII. Motion carried by the following 4-0-0-1 vote: AYES : Borba, Giudice , Haydon, Orloff; NOES: None ; ABSTAIN : Non e; ABSENT: Bl an uie 6 Planning Commission Minutes Jan ua[y~ 10, 2019 General Plan Consistency Finding File No. PLCF19-0001 City of Rohnert Park Discussion Item City of Rohnert Park CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 2019-04, FINDING THE PROPOSED STREET IMPROVEMENTS ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN 2020 AND ELIGIBLE FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) AND OTHER FUNDING. Planning Manager, Jeff Beiswenger, presented the staff report. The City of Rohnert Park is preparing a grant application for funding through the FY 2019-20 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program administered by the Sonoma County Community Development Commission (Sonoma County CDC). The Bicycle/Pedestrian Paths Improvements project is proposed to be submitted for consideration for CDBG funding. The funding application requires a certification of the projects consistency with the Rohnert Park General Plan. The Bicycle/Pedestrian Path Improvement project is part of an ongoing effort to rehabilitate deteriorated bicycle/pedestrian paths in Rohnert Park. The proposed project will also upgrade lighting and landscape on the paths and provide wayfinding signage . The project locations include two connector paths between Enterprise Drive and Copeland Creek Path (north side), two connector paths between Copeland Creek Path (south side) and Santa Alicia Drive, and Hinebaugh Creek Path between Hinebaugh Creek and Commerce Boulevard. RECOMMENDED ACTION(S): Staff recommends that the Planning Commission, by motion, adopt Planning Commission Resolution No . 2019-04 reporting to the City Council that proposed improvements are consistent with General Plan 2020 and eligible for CDBG and other funding. Chairperson Giudice asked if there were any questions or comments from the Commissioners, there were none . ACTION: Moved/Seconded (Haydon/Borba) to adopt Resolution No. 2019-04 , reporting to the City Council that the proposed improvements are consistent with the General Plan 2020 and are eligible for CDBG and other funding. Motion carried by the following 4-0-0-1 vote: AYES: Borba, Giudice, Haydon, Orloff; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Blanquie DISCUSSION ITEM-PLANNING COMMISSION PROTOCOLS AND WORKSHOP SPECIAL TOPICS Planner I, Suzie Azevedo, presented the PowerPoint. Ms . Azevedo recognized Planning intern, Kevin Locke , who has been assisting in putting together a Planning Commission Protocol handout. Purpose and Goals: • Establish and adopt, by resolution , procedural rules (Protocols) • Identify topics for future workshops and educational trainings . 7 Planning Commission Minutes Jan uary 10 , 2019 Matters from Planning Commissioners Matters from Planning Staff Protocols: • Outline current parliamentary rules and procedures for conducting a legislative meeting. • Identify the role and responsibility of a commissioner in the decision making process. • Provide and serve as a valuable resource to guide staff in the support of the Planning Commission. Workshops/Educational Training: • California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) • Sustainable Cities • Planning Fundamentals • Findings, Findings, & More Findings • Planning Commission topics of interest? Ms. Azevedo asked the Commissioners what their input is on workshops they would like to see throughout the next year. Topics included : • CEQA • Upcoming state solar changes for 2020 • Fire Preparedness Planning • A side committee to focus on the city's creeks • General plan 2040 update • Upcoming Design Review Process for the Downtown Project Chairperson Giudice closed the discussion item . Chairperson Giudice wanted to commend the City Staff and Commissioners for all of their hard work over the last year. Chairperson Giudice wanted to mention an item that was brought up at the City Council January 81h meeting; Agenda Item 11, Casa Compact, urging the Commission to learn more about the discussion that took place at the January 81h meeting . Commissioner Orloff wanted to thank Council member Adams for the nomination and the City Council for the unanimous vote as the new Planning Commissioner and is excited to be a part of it. Commissioner Haydon made mention of Tom Jacobson, SSU, has prepared a Planning Commissioner handbook and thought it might be a good resource for staff when creating the protocol handout. Planning Manager, Jeff Beiswenger, let the Commissioners know that staff can bring down their large zoning maps down for every meeting for a visual reference. Mr. Beiswenger also wanted to inform the Commissioners that the staff was reminded that all absences need to be reported to the City Manager after every meeting moving forward. Ms . Pawson added that 3 consecutive, unexcused absences are grounds for the removal of a Commissioner. 8 Planning Commission Minutes Januar 10 ,2019 Adjournment Chairpers There being no further business, Chairperson Giudice adjourned the meeting at 8:31pm . 9