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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024/04/25 Planning Commission MinutesMinutes of the Planning Commission Regular Meeting And Downtown Design Review Board Special Meeting of the City of Rohnert Park Thursday, April 25, 2024 6:00 P.M. 130 Avram Avenue, Rohnert Park 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Matthew Epstein called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Chairperson Matthew Epstein. 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. ROLL CALL Present: Matthew Epstein, Chairperson Charles Striplen, Vice Chairperson Marc Orloff, Commissioner Tramaine Austin -Dillon, Commissioner Absent: Fanny Lam, Commissioner 5. PUBLIC COMMENT None. 6. CONSENT CALENDAR - ADOPTION OF MINUTES 6.1 Approval of the Draft Minutes of the Planning Commission Regular Meeting of March 28, 2024. ACTION: Moved/Seconded (Orloff/Striplen) to adopt the Minutes of the Planning Commission Meeting of March 28, 2024. Motion carried by the following (3-0-1-1) roll call vote: AYES: Epstein, Striplen, Orloff, NOES: None; ABSTAIN: Austin Dillon ABSENT: Lam 7. AGENDA ITEMS 7.1 MASTER BANNER SIGN PROGRAM — PLS 124-0005 Sonoma State University (SSU) Commissioner Austin -Dillon recused himself from Item 7.1 due to a conflict of interest. Planning Manager, Mary Grace Pawson provided background information on the Sonoma State University master banner program and commented that the staff s presentation at the March 28, 2024 meeting perhaps lacked the clarity and detail to provide a proper review of the program which cumulated in the denial by the Commission of the application. Ms. Pawson noted in order to complete the record for the application and to preserve the applicant's appeal rights, staff has prepared a resolution of denial to document the Commission's reasoning and findings to explain why the application, as proposed, is inconsistent with the City's Zoning Code. The resolution also documents that the Planning Commission's denial is "without prejudice", which allows the applicant to bring forward a revised application without waiting the one-year waiting period that is required by code. Staff will recommend that SSU submit the revised application and will consider the comments from the Planning Commissioners to ensure a smooth review process without delay f'or the new application. Discussion was held by staff and the Commission. Commissioners expressed their desire to support the partnership with SSU and wanted to clarify their assessment of the application as being too broad in its current format. As discussions were held, a recommendation was brought to the Commission that refraining from approving the Resolution, "denying" the application without prejudice could be an option, with an alternate motion made to postpone the consideration of application PLSI24-0005 to a later date, allowing staff to work together with SSU to revise the application. Chairperson Epstein concurred with the recommendation and suggested to the Commissioners that the SSU matter be rescheduled to a later date. ACTION: Moved/Seconded (Epstein/Orloff) that Resolution 2024-10 will not be denied without prejudice by the Planning Commission, but Application PLSI24-0005 would be tabled for consideration at a later date. Motion carried by the following (3-0-1-1) roll call vote: AYES: Epstein, Striplen, Orloff, NOES: None; RECUSE: Austin -Dillon; ABSENT: Lam Commissioner Austin -Dillon returned to the dais. 8. DOWNTOWN DESIGN REVIEW BOARD SPECIAL MEETING Chairperson Epstein called the Downtown Design Review Board Special Meeting to order at 6:17 p.m. 8.1 DOWNTOWN DESIGN REVIEW - PLSR24-0001 - Orangetheory Fitness Center Exterior Modifications Planning Manager, Mary Grace Pawson presented a PowerPoint presentation for a proposal in the Downtown District Amenity Zone (DDAZ) of the Central Rohnert Park Priority Development Area Plan (PDA) located at 500 Raley's Towne Center. The proposal is for exterior modifications to an existing commercial building (previously Tonayan Mexican Restaurant) to allow for the relocation of Orangetheory Fitness Center to the 500 Raley's Towne Center location. Ms. Pawson stated that the DDAZ and its supporting Form Base Code (FBC) outline development standards as well as procedures for the preparation, filing and processing of applications within the DDAZ. Applications within the DDAZ are subject to review and approval by the Downtown Design Review Board (DDRB). The DDAZ FBC allows the City's Planning Commission to serve as the DDRB. Ms. Pawson outlined the exterior modifications to include new architectural elements, landscaping, lighting, signage, bicycle parking and an expanded outdoor seating area. The applicant, Brendan McNamara of Argonaut Investments was recognized, provided an update on the Raley's Towne Center and responded to questions and comments raised by the Commission. ACTION: Moved/Seconded (Orloff/Austin-Dillon) approving Resolution 2024-01 of the Downtown Design Review Board for the exterior modifications to the existing building located at 500 Raley's Towne Center for relocation of the Orangetheory Fitness Center. Motion carried by the following (4-0-1) roll call vote: AYES: Epstein, Orloff, Striplen, Austin -Dillon, NOES: None; ABSENT: Lam. 9. ITEMS FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION Commissioner Striplen kindly welcomed back to the meeting Planning Manager, Mary Grace Pawson Commissioner Orloff continued to have an interest in the clean-up of the Southwest Shopping Center and wants to have a study session with the owners of the property. Chairperson Epstein commented on the esthetics and economic development of each neighborhood and concern and importance of this to long-time residents. 10. ITEMS FROM THE DOWNTOWN DESIGN REVIEW BOARD None. 11. ITEMS FROM THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES STAFF Mary Grace Pawson, presented on behalf of the City of Rohnert Park, Certificates of Appreciation to Planning Commissioners Orloff, Epstein, and Striplen for their dedicated volunteer service. Commissioner Austin -Dillon received his Certificate at the April 141h ceremony and Commissioner Fanny Lam will receive hers at a future date. Ms. Pawson conveyed there were currently no pending items scheduled for the upcoming May 9th Planning Commission meeting, but to save the date in case something should arise. Ms. Pawson also informed the Commission there would be a crucial meeting regarding the Development Plan for the University District area located at the southeast corner of Keiser and Snyder, next to the middle school on May 23rd. The Parks and Recreation Commission will be discussing the item on May 6th. The proposed recommendation to the Parks and Recreation Commission is to suggest payment of an in - lieu fee for parks instead of putting a very small park on a 2.4-acre project parcel. 12. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairperson Matthew Epstein adjourned the Planning Commission Meeting and the D Mown Design Review Board Special Meeting at 6:44 p.m. rafthew Epstein, Chairperson Recording Secretary — Clotile Blanks