HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03/28/2000Planning Commission Minutes - March 28, 2000
p,, Z- City of Petaluma, California
C� �? City Council Chambers
City Hall, 11 English Street
G Petaluma, CA 94952
Telephone 707/7784301 /Fax 707/778 -4498
I8 5 E -Mail planningraci.netalumaxamus
Web Page http: / /Ar 'Nvw.ci.petaluma.ca.us
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2 Planning Commission Minutes
3 March 28, 2000 7 :00 PM
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5 Commissioners: Present: Barrett, Bennett *, Broad, Cader- Thompson, Feibusch, Glass,
6 Vieler
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8 * Chairperson
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10 Staff: Michael Moore, Community Development Director
11 Hans Grunt, Interim Senior Planner
12 Jane Thomson, Senior Planning Technician
13 Irene Borba, Associate Planner
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16 Roll Call
17 Pledge of Allegiance
18 Approval Of Minutes: Minutes of March 14, 2000 were approved as printed.
19 Public Comment: None.
20 Director's Report: None.
21 Commissioners' Report: None.
22 Legal Recourse Statement: Was noted on the agenda.
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25 COMMISSION BUSINESS:
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27 I. Continued discussion of Planning Commission procedures:
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29 ® Discussion of application submittal requirements.
30 ® Discussion of format and content of staff reports (attached
31 find examples of a staff report for a Conditional Use Permit
32 and a Rezone /Subdivision).
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34 In attendance: Mike Moore, Irene Borba, Hans Grunt, Jane Thomson
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Planning Commission Minutes - March 28, 2000
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Commission discussion followed a brief presentation by Mike Moore.
Application Forms —
Commissioner Barrett — Clarify Prezone on application, questions regarding sign
permits.
Staff clarified — sign permits are required and done typically at a staff level with a
building permit. Typically signs inside a window do not require a sign permit.
Commissioner Bennett — Has sign permit application been simplified?
Jane Thomson — Yes.
Commissioner Broad — Story poles and /or ribbons should be erected for some projects
(this should be noted on application form).
Staff Report. Format —
Commissioner Bennett — Satisfactory arrangement for the most part. I'm looking for a
clear indication of analysis /recommendation and the sense that it has been studied and
reviewed. Clearly state City's policies toward each type of application such as with a
Variance.
Commissioner Cader- Thompson — Include small map of bike plan with
applications /staff reports. _ Look at a wider prospective for traffic /road improvements.
Look into the future for existing and proposed construction.
Commissioner Barrett — Is the Traffic Department involved with reports? Someone
from Traffic should attend Planning Commission meetings.
Hans Grunt — Craig Spaulding is here on a somewhat regular basis.
Commissioner Bennett — Traffic Engineer should be at meetings.
Mike Moore — Discussed the referral process as well as the inter - departmental meeting
process.
Hans Grunt — Explained that before an application is deemed complete /incomplete, it is
routed for comments.
Commissioner Broad — Quality of staff reports has improved over the years. Likes the
public input section that has been added to the staff report. Attachment sheets add
additional paperwork (eliminate). Could some SPARC reports be done in a briefer
format?
Commissioner Vieler — For myself, it would be helpful if the report was restructured.
Would like to see conditions of approval and staff recommendation at front. Always
finds himself at the back of the document for Commission discussions.
Mike Moore — That's something we can take a look at. Maybe we can put
conditions /recommendations in color.
Commissioner Bennett — Regarding items that are controversial — would like to know
about controversial issues so Commission can be prepared. Expand the public comment
section of report.
Jane Thomson — Explained that sometimes letters /phone calls may not be available at
time of report. Suggested phone calls /late letters received by staff prior to meetings be
relayed to Commissioners.
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Planning Commission Minutes - March 28, 2000
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Commissioner Bennett — Suggested E -mail.
Commissioner Vieler — Restrict late mail/public comments to no closer than 24 hours
before public meeting. Applicant /neighbors are not getting the treatment they deserve if
it is in late.
Commissioner Cader- Thompson — We should be able to tell if the comments are
pertinent when they come in.
Commissioner Broad — Incorporate in the notice that letters should be received prior to
packets going out.
Commissioner Bennett — If applicant brings in revised plan the night of the meeting that
hasn't gone through staff, it should not be considered.
Commissioner Barrett — Is information in packet public information and available to the
public?
Mike Moore — Yes, public gets the same information Commission gets.
Commissioner Barrett — Photos are very helpful, computer simulations would be
helpful.
Commissioner Broad — Questions regarding timing of Commission packets and when
they go out.
Commissioner Vieler — We had agreed on 7 days out. Regarding application forms — as
an applicant, I would appreciate a response about what's involved in the process and have
the codes explained when application is submitted. Present a clear picture of our
application and how it stands.
Mike Moore — Explained that a lot of that takes place prior to an application being
submitted. Staff is also in the process of updating handouts. The information we use
now is outdated. Processing of applications is another item we are trying to look at and
trying to make more consistent.
Commissioner Vieler — Consistency. Written short forms /fill -in the blanks and while
planner is there, planner can fill out form providing the applicant with basic information,
zoning, issues, concerns. Applicants feel like they are swimming if they are not used to
the process.
Jane Thomson — Counter planners do the same thing every time someone comes in. We
try to make it easy for the applicant by providing them information to hopefully make
things easier. They may be overwhelmed, but they have information that they can digest.
When they come in with a submittal, we explain what will happen, timing, processing,
etc.
Mike Moore — We have been spending a lot of time discussing processing. We are
trying to formalize a project log sheet which will be available for your review.
Commissioner Bennett — This is the first time this type of discussion has taken place,
thanks to staff.
Mike Moore — Would like to do things more electronically and come back with more
information.
Planning Commission Minutes - March 28, 2000
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2 II. LIAISON REPORTS:
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4 - City Council — Janice Cader- Thompson — A group went to
5 Washington DC to discuss flood fix money — it appears that the trip was
6 successful/productive, but it will be a long process.
7 . - SPARC — David Glass — A single - family home was proposed with a
8 height exceeding allowable limits — applicant was required to return with
9 redesign.
10 - Petaluma Bicycle Advisory Committee — Wayne Vieler — Bike
11 Plan was adopted by Council.
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