HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Resolution 2018-16 06/12/2018RESOLUTION 2018-16
CITY OF PETALUMA PLANNING COMMISSION
RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT A
PUBLIC OUTREACH AND ON-SITE POSTING POLICY FOR MAJOR PROJECTS
WHEREAS, public participation has been a critical component in the growth and evolution of the
City of Petaluma, including the adoption of General Plan 2025; and
WHEREAS, the Implementing Zoning Ordinance includes minimum legal noticing requirements
based on the type of entitlement being sought; and
WHEREAS, the City strives to increase transparency and encourage public participation in the
planning process; and
WHEREAS, broader public outreach would improve and supplement existing legal noticing
requirements and enhance public participation in the development process; and
WHEREAS, this policy has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental
Quality Act and is considered categorically exempt pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act
Guideline Section 15601(b) (3) (General Rule) in that the proposed policy does to have the potential to
have an adverse impact on the environment; and,
WHEREAS, on May 22, 2018 the Planning Commission considered a public outreach policy to
include requirements for on-site signs for public hearings and early neighborhood involvement for major
projects (those projects requiring public hearings).
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Petaluma Planning Commission recommends
that the City Council adopt a public outreach policy for major projects as follows:
1. Neighborhood Outreach
When a major project is within, immediately adjacent to, or in close proximity to a residential
neighborhood the applicant shall conduct neighborhood outreach to inform and solicit
feedback from the neighbors before being scheduled for a public hearing.
A. Approach. The applicant is encouraged to utilize various methods for soliciting
neighborhood input and to offer multiple opportunities for input during the review
process. At a minimum, the applicant shall hold at least one neighborhood meeting
prior to public hearing for all major projects. The meeting shall be open to the public and
the applicant's representatives available for comment.
B. Location. The applicant shall arrange a suitable location to host the meeting, whether
on site or in close proximity to the project site. If it is anticipated that there will be heavy
community feedback regarding the project, the applicant may not be able to
accommodate the meeting in the immediate project vicinity due to the size of available
space. In this case the applicant shall select a convenient location to the maximum
extent possible.
Planning Commission Resolution No. 2018-16 Page 1
C. Written Notice. Written notice of the neighborhood meeting shall be provided to all
property owners and occupants within the City's standard noticing radius at least ten
days prior to the neighborhood meeting.
D. Timing. The neighborhood meeting shall be held before the project is scheduled for
public hearing. The applicant is encouraged to solicit neighborhood input early in the
process to ensure meaningful engagement and the opportunity to respond to input in
the project design. Additionally, for larger projects the applicant is encouraged to
conduct neighborhood outreach multiple times during the design process.
E. Summary. A copy of the public notice sent to neighbors shall also be sent to the
Planning Division to the attention of the project planner. Prior to the public hearing on
the project, the applicant shall provide staff a written summary of all neighborhood
outreach efforts, including date, time, place, attendance, and primary interest topics.
2. On -Site Posting
When a major project requires a public meeting or hearing, the applicant shall install a sign
on the subject property in a place conspicuous to the public, at least 10 days before the
scheduled public hearing, as follows:
A. Size. The size of the sign shall comply with the following requirements:
Parcel Size
Minimum Sign Area
Under 6,000 square feet or store front
6 square
feet
6,000 to 20,000 square feet
12 square
feet
20,001 to 1 acre
24 square
feet
Over 1 acre
32 square
feet
Height. The sign height shall not exceed six feet.
C. Number of Signs. One sign shall be displayed on each public street frontage of the
subject site.
D. Placement. The sign shall be placed in a position most visible to the public. On a corner
parcel the sign(s) shall not be located in the vision triangle.
Signs shall be setback at least five feet inside the property for those properties within
residential zoning districts and at least one foot inside the property line for commercial,
mixed use, business park, and industrial zoning districts. For properties located in other
zones, including Planned Unit Development or Planned Community District, the sign
placement shall assume the minimum setback for a similar type zone. For properties with
a zero front setback or full lot coverage (MU2) the required sign may be posted in the
front storefront window or be affixed to the front of the building.
E. Content. Content for the sign(s) shall be consistent with a format established by the city
and approved by staff prior to installation. Sign content shall contain the following:
a. Date, time, and place of the hearing and the name of the reviewing authority.
b. Name of the applicant, the City's file number assigned to the application, requested
entitlements, general project description.
Planning Commission Resolution No. 2018-16 Page 2
c. Statement regarding compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) and level of environmental review, including statement if the reviewing
authority will also consider an environmental document (Negative Declaration,
Mitigated Negative Declaration, or Environmental Impact Report).
d. Project planner and contact information where an interested person could call or
visit to obtain additional information.
F. Verification. On or before the required date of on-site posting, the applicant shall submit
a signed affidavit verifying the installation of the sign.
G. Removal. The sign(s) shall be removed within 15 days of final decision on the
applications) or withdrawal of the application.
H. Other Noticing. These on-site sign provisions do not eliminate or modify existing noticing
requirements as outlined in the Implementing Zoning Code.
ADOPTED this 22nd day of May, 2018, by the following vote:
Commission Member
Aye
No
Absent
Abstain
Councilmember Healy
X
Chair Benedetti-Petnic
X
Alonso
X
Bauer
X
Gomez
X
Marzo
X
Vice Chair Wolpert
X
ATTEST:
a
V4afher Hines, Co ission Secretary
Gina Benedetti - Petnic, Chair
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Lisa Tennen
Assistant City Attorney
Planning Commission Resolution No. 2018-16 Page 3