HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 04/22/2014Planning Commission Meeting of April 22, 2014 Page 1
City of Petaluma, CA
City Council Chambers
City Hall, 11 English Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
Telephone 707/778-4301 / Fax 707/778-4498
E -Mail cdd@ci.petaluma.ca.us
Web Page http://www.ci.petaluma.ca.us
Planning Commission Minutes
Tuesday, April 22, 2014 — 07:00 PM
Regular Meeting
FINAL MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER (07:00 PM)
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Diana Gomez, Gina Benedetti-Petnic, Bill Wolpert, Jennifer Pierre, Jocelyn Yeh
Lin, Richard Marzo, and Kathy Miller.
ABSENT: None.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
The Committee will hear public comments only on matters over which it has jurisdiction. There
will be no Committee/Commission discussion or action. The Chair will allot no more than three
minutes to any individual. If more than three persons wish to speak, their time will be allotted
so that the total amount of time allocated to this agenda item will be 15 minutes.
4. PRESENTATION
A. None
S. COMMISSION COMMENT
A. Council Liaison
City Council Representative Miller reported that they recently approved a JPA for the Library.
She announced that the Butter and Eggs Parade will be on Saturday April 26 and Antique Fair
will be on Sunday April 27 and is hoping that everyone will join in on the events.
Planning Commission Meeting of April 22, 2014 Page 2
B. Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee
Commissioner Marzo reported that the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee has not
met.
C. Tree Advisory Committee
Commissioner Benedetti-Petnic reported that the tree committee met recently to discuss the
Center Park tree opportunities and utilizing funds from Rotary. There was also discussion on
how to handle protecting trees during the Butter and Eggs event. Petaluma Good Neighbor
Association has proposed to do planting around Petaluma High School and a subgroup of the
Tree Committee will be coordinating with the neighborhood group to discuss details. There was
also an initial discussion about a Petaluma Arbor Day event. In the near future, the birches at
Yarberry Lane will be coming to the TAC for recommendations on street tree species.
D. Other Commission Comment
Chair Wolpert will be meeting with the Sonoma County Climate Action 2020 Stakeholders
Advisory Group about their review of feedback and priorities pertaining to specific strategies
and a presentation of the Climate Adaptation Strategies. He will also be attending the Joint
meeting of the Advisory Council's for Cordell Bank and Gulf of the Farallons National Marine
Sanctuary to discuss significant expansion. They will be reviewing the draft EIR, proposed rule
changes and revisions to the Management Plan. It will be an all day public meeting on May 1st.
8. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Approval of Minutes of Joint Planning Commission and Historic and Cultural Preservation
Committee Meeting of Tuesday, April 08, 2014.
Commissioner Pierre
Ms. Hines
Commissioner Benedetti-Petnic
Ms. Hines
Chair Wolpert
Motion: Approve minutes with changes made by Kathy Miller, seconded by Diana Gomez.
Vote: Motion carried 7 - 0.
Yes: Diana Gomez, Gina Benedetti-Petnic, Bill Wolpert, Jennifer Pierre, Jocelyn
Yeh Lin, Richard Marzo, and Kathy Miller.
6. STAFF COMMENT
A. Planning Manager's Report
Ms. Hines
Planning Commission Meeting of April 22, 2014 Page 3
7. COMMUNICATIONS
A. None.
9. OLD BUSINESS
A. General Plan Amendment, Zoning Map Amendment, Abandonment of Public Utility
Easement, and Site Plan & Architectural Review for Lynch Creek Plaza located at North
McDowell and Lynch Creek Way.
File Number: 12 -GPA -0236
Staff: Alicia Giudice
Planning Commission Staff Report 4-22-14
Attachment A- Draft Resolution: General Plan Amendment
Attachment B - Draft Resolution: Zoning Map Amendment
Attachment C - Applicant's Submittal Narrative
Attachment D - Letter from City of Livermore
Attachment E - PC Staff Report 5-28-13
Attachment F - PC Staff Report 7-9-13
Attachment G - PC Resolution 2013-13
Attachment H - PC Resolution 2013-14
Attachment I - CC Staff Report 9-9-13
Attachment J - Initial Study
Attachment K - Public Comment
Attachment L- Revised Project Plans
Chair Wolpert
Senior Planner, Alicia Giudice
Chair Wolpert
Ramona Faith, CEO, Petaluma Healthcare District
Jim Stevens, Director of Development, Bromand Company
Chair Wolpert
Commissioner Benedetti-Petnic
Mr. Stevens
Commissioner Benedetti-Petnic
Planning Commission Meeting of April 22, 2014 Page 4
Mr. Stevens
Commissioner Gomez
Mr. Stevens
Commissioner Gomez
Mr. Stevens
Commissioner Gomez
Chair Wolpert
Vice Chair Pierre
Ms. Giudice
Vice Chair Pierre
Ms. Giudice
Vice Chair Pierre
Ms. Giudice
Mr. Stevens
Vice Chair Pierre
Mr. Stevens
Ms. Hines
Commissioner Lin
Mr. Stevens
Commissioner Lin
Commissioner Marzo
Ms. Giudice
Commissioner Marzo
Ms. Giudice
Commissioner Marzo
Ms. Giudice
Commissioner Marzo
Ms. Giudice
City Engineer, Curt Bates
Commissioner Marzo
Mr. Bates
Planning Commission Meeting of April 22, 2014 Page s
Commissioner Marzo
Mr. Bates
Commissioner M@rZD
Mr. Bates
Ms. Hines
Chair Wolpert
Ms. Hines
Council Member Miller
Chair Wolpert
Vice Chair Pierre
Eric Danly, City Attorney
Ms. Hines
Vice Chair Pierre
Ms. Hines
Vice Chair Pierre
Ms. Hines
Mr. Danly
Vice Chair Pierre
Mr. Danly
Ms. Hines
Mr. Danly
Ms. Hines
Vice Chair Pierre
Mr. Danly
Vice Chair Pierre
Mr. Danly
Vice Chair Pierre
Mr. Danly
Vice Chair Pierre
Mr. Danly
Chair Wolpert
Planning Commission Meeting of April 22, 2014 Page 6
Public Member, Bob Koenitzer believes that changing the zoning for this project doesn't make
sense and that there are existing traffic problems with the current zoning. To add additional
traffic would make the area unmanageable and dangerous. He stated that there are limited
areas left with the Medical Office zoning designation and it is stated in the General Plan that
this zoning can only change if it is a public necessity. A medical corridor is more appropriate for
this last property with this type of zoning. He stated that there are already four pharmacies in
the area and some of them offer same day delivery. The Developer is saying that their proposal
is different from the other pharmacies because of their drive-thru and the partnering with
Petaluma Valley Hospital. He felt that many businesses located their offices in this medical
corridor and that retail does not belong on Lynch Creek Way. The community deserves a
medical corridor and does not like the idea of changing the zoning for the benefit of one
property owner at the expense of everyone else in the community. Dr. Koenitzer presented a
signed survey from businesses in the area opposing the Walgreens project and stated that to
address the health care needs of our growing and aging community, medical offices are
necessary. He believes that this is the ideal place for more medical office space and it would be
a shame to change the zoning to an unnecessary retail center. This area should be preserved for
its intended use and General Plan changes should not be taken lightly.
Judy Hillary, member of Senior Advisory Committee, stated that she understands the need for a
pick up window. She believes that other pharmacies don't function as well as Walgreens is
promising to do. She stated that seniors need extra help, but it's not just seniors or moms with
sick children that would benefit. Many members of the community need a pick up window. Ms.
Hillary does not believe that there will always be long lines of cars. She stated that 13% of
Petaluma's population is over 65 years of age and suggested to take care of tomorrow and
include a pick up window in this project.
Byron Fauss, public member believes that seniors, handicapped, young mothers, and sick
people have a difficult time getting a prescription at many pharmacies. He suggested that the
distance from the parking lot to the pharmacy located in the back of store is to encourage
impulse purchases. Walgreens is willing to give up those profits in order to offer a drive thru
pharmacy.
Elece Hempel, member of Petaluma People Services and Petaluma Healthcare District Board,
stated that she was involved with writing the General Plan update. During that time they didn't
know how health care was going to change. Health care is being mandated by the Affordable
Care Act and will continue to evolve. She believes that "Medical Homes" will be a necessity so
that patients can receive medical care to stay healthy. She suggested that the General Plan be
looked at, to realize the dramatic changes to health care, and to make sure that the "Medical
Home" is available for everyone.
Chair Wolpert
Commissioner Benedetti-Petnic
Ms. Faith
Commissioner Benedetti-Petnic
Planning Commission Meeting of April 22, 2014 Page 7
Ms. Giudice
Ms. Hines
Ms. Faith
Commissioner Benedetti-Petnic
Ms. Faith
Commissioner Benedetti-Petnic
Chair Wolpert
Council Member Miller
Commissioner Marzo
Ms. Faith
Commissioner Marzo
Commissioner Lin
Vice Chair Pierre
Chair Wolpert
Commissioner Benedetti-Petnic
Ms. Hines
Commissioner Benedetti-Petnic
Ms. Faith
Commissioner Benedetti-Petnic
Commissioner Gomez
Chair Wolpert
Ms. Hines
Chair Wolpert
Vice Chair Pierre
Chair Wolpert
Vice Chair Pierre
Chair Wolpert
Vice Chair Pierre
Commissioner Gomez
Chair Wolpert
Ms. Hines
Planning Commission Meeting of April 22, 2014 Page 8
Vice Chair Pierre
Chair Wolpert
Vice Chair Pierre
Chair Wolpert
Vice Chair Pierre
Chair Wolpert
Vice Chair Pierre
Commissioner Lin
Vice Chair Pierre
Chair Wolpert
Vice Chair Pierre
Commissioner Benedetti-Petnic
Vice Chair Pierre
Chair Wolpert
Commissioner Benedetti-Petnic
Mr. Danly
Chair Wolpert
Commissioner Gomez
Chair Wolpert
Mr. Danly
Chair Wolpert
Vice Chair Pierre
Ms. Hines
Vice Chair Pierre
Commissioner Lin
Ms. Hines
Chair Wolpert
Council Member Miller
Chair Wolpert
Planning Commission Meeting of April 22, 2014 Page 9
Motion: Approve Resolution recommending the City Council deny the General Plan
Amendment as stated in Attachment A for Lynch Creek Plaza located at North
McDowell and Lynch Creek Way made by Kathy Miller, seconded by Jocelyn Yeh
Li n.
Vote: Motion carried 7 - 0.
Yes: Diana Gomez, Gina Benedetti-Petnic, Bill Wolpert, Jennifer Pierre, Jocelyn
Yeh Lin, Richard Marzo, and Kathy Miller.
Chair Wolpert
Council Member Miller
Motion: Approve Resolution denying the Zoning Map Amendment as stated in
Attachment B for the Lynch Creek Plaza located at North McDowell and Lynch
Creek Way made by Richard Marzo, seconded by Jocelyn Yeh Lin.
Vote: Motion carried 7 - 0.
Yes: Diana Gomez, Gina Benedetti-Petnic, Bill Wolpert, Jennifer Pierre, Jocelyn
Yeh Lin, Richard Marzo, and Kathy Miller.
Ms. Hines
Chair Wolpert
Ms. Hines
Mr. Danly
Chair Wolpert
Commissioner Benedetti-Petnic
Chair Wolpert
10, NEW BUSINESS
A. None
11. ADJOURN (09:04 PM)
Next Meeting of the Planning Commission scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2014.