2024/01/25 Planning Commission Agenda PacketCity of Rohnert Park
Planning Commission
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A REGULAR MEETING
will be held on Thursday, January 25, 2024 6:00 P.M.
CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBER
130 Avram Avenue, Rohnert Park, California
To any member of the audience desiring to address the Planning Commission:
For public comment on items listed or not listed on the agenda, or on agenda items if unable to
speak at the scheduled time, you may do so upon recognition from the Chairperson.
Please fill out a speaker card prior to speaking.
1.CALL TO ORDER
2.ROLL CALL
(Austin-Dillon_____ Epstein____ Lam____ Orloff____ Striplen____)
3.READING OF THE LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The City of Rohnert Park acknowledges Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards
of the land. Let it be acknowledged that the City of Rohnert Park is located within the
traditional homeland of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, comprised of Coast
Miwok and Southern Pomo peoples.
4.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
5.SELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 2024
6.PUBLIC COMMENT – Persons who wish to speak to the Commission regarding an
item that is not on the agenda may do so at this time. Please see above for details on how
to submit public comments.
7.CONSENT CALENDAR - ADOPTION OF MINUTES
7.1 Approval of the Draft Minutes of the Planning Commission Meeting of
December 14, 2023.
Commissioner Motion/Roll Call Vote:
(Epstein _____ Austin-Dillion ____ Lam ____ Orloff _____ Striplen _____)
8.AGENDA ITEMS
8.1 PUBLIC HEARING – EXTENSION OF THE SITE PLAN AND
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW – File No. PLTX23-0001 – Roy Cabrera (El
Roy’s Express Mex, Inc.) – Consideration of Resolution No. 2024-01 approving
the extension of a Site Plan and Architectural Review for the exterior remodel of
an existing restaurant building to allow for the new El Roy’s Restaurant located at
6620 Commerce Boulevard (APN 143-061-064).
CEQA: The City of Rohnert Park (City) approved the Central Rohnert Park Priority
Development Area (PDA) Plan in March of 2016. The intent of the PDA Plan is
to support transit-oriented and infill development in existing communities
within the City, particularly adjacent to transit. In accordance with the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the City prepared an EIR to
analyze the impacts associated with implementation of the PDA Plan on a
program-level basis. The PDA EIR was also certified in March 2016.
Impacts associated with the project are consistent with those previously
identified and analyzed and the implementation of applicable mitigation
measures. To ensure the effective implementation and enforcement of
applicable PDA EIR mitigation measures, the proposal would be required to
adhere to the MMRP for the PDA EIR. A condition of approval has been
added to address and mitigate all applicable mitigation measures adopted by the
PDA EIR.
Commissioner Motion/Roll Call Vote:
(Epstein _____ Austin-Dillion ____ Lam ____ Orloff _____ Striplen _____)
9.ITEMS FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION
10.ITEMS FROM THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES STAFF
11.ADJOURNMENT
NOTE: If you challenge the nature of the proposed action in court, you may be limited to raising only
those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing(s) described in this agenda, or in written
correspondence delivered to the City of Rohnert Park at, or prior to the public hearing(s).
AMERICAN DISABILITY ACT ACCOMMODATIONS: Any member of the public who needs
accommodations should email the ADA Coordinator at jcannon@rpcity.org or by calling 707-588-2221.
The ADA Coordinator will use their best efforts to provide reasonable accommodations to provide as
much accessibility as possible while also maintaining public safety in accordance with the City procedure
for resolving reasonable accommodation requests. Information about reasonable accommodations is
available on the City website at:
https://www.rpcity.org/city_hall/departments/human_resources/a_d_a_and_accessibility_resources
Appeals of any decisions made tonight must be received by the Planning Division within 10
days and no later than 5:00 p.m. on February 5, 2024.
CERTIFICATION OF POSTING OF AGENDA
I, Clotile Blanks, Community Development Technician, for the City of Rohnert Park, declare that the
foregoing notice and agenda for the January 25, 2024, Planning Commission Meeting of the City of
Rohnert Park was posted and available for review on January 18, 2024, at Rohnert Park City Hall, 130
Avram Avenue, Rohnert Park, California 94928. The agenda is available on the City of Rohnert Park’s
website at www.rpcity.org.
Signed this 18th day of January, 2024 at Rohnert Park, California.
Clotile Blanks
Minutes of the Planning Commission Meeting
of the City of Rohnert Park
Thursday, December 14, 2023
6:00 P.M.
130 Avram Avenue, Rohnert Park
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Austin-Dillion called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Chairperson Austin-Dillion.
3. READING OF THE LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The City of Rohnert Park acknowledges Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards
of the land. Let it be acknowledged that the City of Rohnert Park is located within the
traditional homeland of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, comprised of Coast
Miwok and Southern Pomo peoples.
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
5. ROLL CALL
Present: Tramaine Austin-Dillion, Chairperson
Matt Epstein, Vice Chairperson
Fanny Lam, Commissioner
Marc Orloff, Commissioner
Absent: Charles Striplen, Commissioner
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR - ADOPTION OF MINUTES
7.1 Approval of the Draft Minutes of the Joint Special Meeting of the Bicycle and Pedestrian
Advisory Committee and Planning Commission and Planning Commission Regular
Meeting of October 12, 2023.
ACTION: Moved/Seconded (Orloff/Lam) to adopt the Minutes of the Planning Commission
Meeting of October 12, 2023.
Motion carried by the following (4-0-1) roll call vote: AYES: Austin-Dillion, Orloff, Lam
Epstein and; NOES: None; ABSENT: Striplen,
The new Director of Development Services, Alicia Giudice introduced herself to the Planning
Commissioners gave insight into her background, and extended her assistance to the Planning
Commission. Each Commissioner introduced themselves to her and gave some background on
their tenure on the Commission.
8. AGENDA ITEMS
8.1 PUBLIC HEARING – TEMPORARY CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT - SOMO MODEL
SALES COMPLEX – Ashley Munce/Century Communities of California, LLC - PLTU23-
00081 – Consideration of a Resolution approving a Temporary Conditional Use Permit for a
model home complex to allow four model homes, two sales offices, and associated signage,
parking, fencing, landscaping, hardscape, and restroom facilities on Lot Nos. 55, 56, 57, 66, 67,
and 68 at SOMO Village in the area south of Camino Colegio, west of Bodway Parkway, north
of Waterside Lane, and east of Wellness Way in the SOMO Village Phase 1N-A-Harmony and
Synergy subdivisions.
Associate Planner, Elliott Pickett provided a PowerPoint presentation on the Temporary
Conditional Use Permit – SOMO Village 1N-A Model Sales Complex as noted above. He
outlined the following: project description, vicinity, location map, and site plan for traditional
and compact homes titled Harmony and Synergy. He showed maps of the landscaped public
frontage and private alleyways. Model Home Complex signage was discussed as to how it
would be distributed throughout the site and on Camino Colegio, including behind public
sidewalks. He suggested to the Commissioners that they should consider approving Resolution
No. 2023-22, which pertains to a Temporary Conditional Use Permit for a Model Sales Complex
located in SOMO Village IN-A.
Planning Commissioners relayed their questions to Associate Planner, Elliott Pickett and Century
Communities representative Ashley Munce. Commissioner Lam inquired about the large
mountain of dirt opposite the University District known as the "green mountain." This mound of
soil was prepared for winter conditions and was a result of the construction work carried out in
the Vast Oak and UDSP detention basin areas. Commissioner Orloff had questions about the
access, location, and number of parking spaces available at the Model Sales Complex.
Commissioner Epstein expressed concerns regarding the issue of glare caused by the second-
story windows in the newly constructed homes at SOMO Village, school enrollment space for
new students, and the total number of homes being built at SOMO Village.
ACTION: Moved/Seconded (Orloff/Epstein) to adopt Resolution No. 2024-01 for a Model
Home Complex and Sales Office located at SOMO Village in the area south of Camino Colegio,
west of Bodway Parkway, north of Waterside Lane, and east of Wellness Way in the SOMO
Village Phase 1N-A-Harmony and synergy subdivisions.
Motion carried by the following (4-0-1) roll call vote: AYES: Austin-Dillion, Orloff, Lam
Epstein and; NOES: None; ABSENT: Striplen,
9. DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY UPDATE
Upcoming projects were discussed such as the Downtown, General Plan 2040, Housing Element
Implementation – zoning code updates, other zoning codes regarding Accessory Dwelling Units, sign
code, outdoor seating, and similar items. Director Alicia Giudice gave insight as to zoning code
updates, and future focus on compliance and regulations.
10. YEAR’S HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO SLIDE SHOW
The Planning Commission and staff had the opportunity to view the City of Rohner Park’s
Year-End Video.
11. ITEMS FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION
None
12. ITEMS FROM THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES STAFF
None
13. ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson Austin-Dillion adjourned the regular meeting at 7:17 p.m.
________________________________ ___________________________________
Chairperson Recording Secretary – Clotile Blanks