2020/01/23 Planning Commission MinutesMinutes of the Planning Commission
Of the City of Rohnert Park
Thursday, January 23, 2020
6:00 P.M.
130 Avram Avenue, Rohnert Park
1.CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chairperson Haydon called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Vice Chairperson Haydon.
3.ROLL CALL
Present: Daniel A. Blanquie, Commissioner
John E. Borba, Commissioner
Susan Haydon, Vice Chair
Marc Orloff, Commissioner
Absent: Gerard Giudice, Chairperson
Staff Present: Planning Manager, Jeff Beiswenger, Consultant, Kevin Locke, and
Recording Secretary, Jennifer Sedna, were present.
4. SELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 2020
ACTION: Moved/Seconded (Borba/Orloff) to select Daniel A. Blanquie as
Chairperson.
Motion carried by the following unanimous 4-0-1 vote: AYES: Blanquie,
Borba, Haydon and Orloff; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Giudice.
ACTION: Moved/Seconded (Orloff/Borba) select Susan Haydon as Vice
Chairperson.
Motion carried by the following unanimous 4-0-1 vote: AYES: Blanquie,
Borba, Haydon and Orloff; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Giudice.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mark Robinson stated that Project 2017-22 Sidewalk Replacement Project was not done
to project specifications which has caused an out of code bike path and were not made
ADA compliant.
6.CONSENT CALENDAR - ADOPTION OF MINUTES
6.1 Approval of the Draft Minutes of the Planning Commission Meeting January 9,
2020.
ACTION: Moved/seconded (Borba/Orloff) to approve the Draft Minutes of the
Planning Commission Meeting January 9, 2020.
Motion carried by the following unanimous 4-0-1 vote: AYES: Blanquie,
Borba, Haydon and Orloff; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Giudice.
7.AGENDA ITEMS
7.1 STUDY SESSION – File No. PLSR19-0007 – Pisoni Vineyards – Site Plan &
Architectural Review for 611 Martin Avenue (APN 143-930-061)
Consultant, Kevin Locke, presented the item. Recommended Action(s): Receive a study
session on Site Plan & Architectural Review for 611 Martin Avenue.
Applicant Merle Avila of Avila Bunch Architects Inc., answered questions from the
Commissioners.
ACTION: By Consensus (none opposed), Planning Commission received the
informational presentation and participated by offering input on various topics
such as a reduction on 25% of the parking stalls allowed per code, barrel
locations, truck traffic and loading docks, ingress and egress, aesthetics of the
new building, noise due to proximity of a mobile home park, solar additions,
safety-related issues with lighting, fencing, exits and cameras, locations of exits,
and that there are no plans for a tasting room.
7.2 PUBLIC HEARING: MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT – File No.
PLMC20-0003 – Consideration of Resolution 2020-01 Recommending to the City
Council Amendments to Municipal Code Title 17 Zoning to Modify
Telecommunications Regulations
Planning Manager, Jeff Beiswenger presented the item: Recommended Action(s):
Recommend to the City Council Amendments to Municipal Code Title 17 Zoning to
Modify Telecommunications Regulations. Staffperson Beiswenger stated that the City is
exposed without adoption of a new telecommunications ordinance and requested that the
Commission extend the item by one meeting maximum.
Commissioner Orloff stated the importance of understanding the letter from Verizon, that
there should be uniformity in the design of the light poles with sufficient line of sight,
and to understand the timeline of the 5G rollout and what the required structures are for
this. Commissioner Borba stated that he is reluctant to approve or disapprove a document
with some items that the City Attorney has said might be or could be illegal.
Commissioner Borba also stated that the frequency of “routine inspections” listed on
page 22, item 19 J, needs to be added for safety reasons. Commissioner Haydon stated
that item 19 J on page 22 also needs to have the language “each site and all facilities” be
added for inspections and reporting. Commissioner Haydon stated the importance of
maintaining consistency with light pole design and that this burden shall be on the
applicant, and that the new 5G technology will be launched relatively soon and the
importance of more information before considering it. Commissioner Blanquie stated his
concern about the safety issues of 5G technology and the framework being established
for this, as well as the frequency and the methods of RF monitoring, and who is reporting
and reviewing this information. Commissioner Borba stated that the operations should
include the RF monitoring. Commissioner Blanquie stated the importance of knowing the
facts since the resolution to be approved has to be beneficial to the health, safety and
welfare of Rohnert Park residents.
Safety Consultant, Raj Mathur with Hammett and Anderson, answered questions from
the Planning Commission including the OET Bulletin 65 which documents how to
measure exposure to radio frequencies (RF) to ensure compliance within the limits,
explanation of 5G technology, human absorption of RF, Wi-Fi RF, safest locations for
installation, how the FCC sets the limit for RF exposure, and medical studies that have
looked at RF exposure.
Hearing opened.
Public Comment: Cris Villegas from Verizon requested that the Commission hold on
passing the resolution to set up a meeting with other carriers and staff due to
inconsistencies in the conditions of approval. Danna Diamond from Verizon stated that:
she has been working with City staff for a year and a half for installations to provide the
same service through all sections of the City, that there are inconsistencies in the
conditions of approval with the master license agreement, and that there are no
deployment plans for 5G, that they are filling in where there are gaps in the 4G network.
Hearing closed.
Recessed: 8:15 p.m.
Reconvened: 8:21 p.m.
ACTION: Moved/Seconded (Borba/Haydon) to continue the public hearing of
the Planning Commission Resolution 2020-01 to a date certain on February 13,
2020 to address the concerns raised by the Commissioners as well as the public.
Motion carried by the following unanimous 4-0-1 vote: AYES: Blanquie,
Borba, Haydon and Orloff; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Giudice.
7.ITEMS FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION
Commissioner Orloff requested follow up from the public commenter regarding the
project in G section. Commissioner Borba requested that the two articles the Safety
Consultant referred to be forwarded to the Commission.
8.ITEMS FROM THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICE STAFF
Staffperson Beiswenger noted the date is approaching for SSU Planning Conference.