HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 12/12/1995City Of Petaluma
Planning Commission Minutes
REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 12, 1995
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 6:00 PM
CITY HALL PETALUMA, CA
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
ROLL CALL: Present: Barlas, Feibusch, Rahman*, Wick (arrived at 6:45PM);
vonRaesfeld; Absent: Thompson, Torliatt
STAFF: Pamela Tuft, Planning Director
Hans Grunt, Assistant Planner
* Chairman
APPROVAL OF MINUTES of November 21 and November 28, 1995 were approved
with corrections (November 28).
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT: None.
COMMISSIONER'S REPORT: Chairman Rahman - Gateway Center needs some red
striping at driveways to improve vision at exits - Allan Tilton (City Traffic Engineer) will
investigate this issue.
CORRESPONDENCE: One letter regarding Lafferty/Moon; Three letters regrading
First Street General Plan Amendment (Walter Haake, Patricia Brown and Jerico Products,
Inc.).
APPEAL STATEMENT: Was read.
LEGAL RECOURSE STATEMENT: Was noted on the agenda.
The meeting began at 7:20PM when a Quorum was reached.
OLD BUSINESS
COMMISSION BUSINESS
L CLARIFICATION OF MINUTES REGARDING WESTRIM VARIANCE
(November 14, 1995).
The Commission noted that ample parking will be provided for this proposed use
(17 spaces instead of the required 21 spaces). Any intensification in use or
addition of employees will require either providing additional parking or a variance
from the parking requirements.
OLD BUSINESS
CONTINUED PUBLIC REARING:
IL MAGNOLIA TERRACE SUBDIVISION PUD AMENDMENT; FRANK
RIORDAN; 431 MAGNOLIA AVENUE AND 860 CHERRY STREET; AP
NO'S 006 -012 -015, 020 AND 006 - 402 -008 (tp).
Continued consideration of a request to amend the PUD Development Plan and
Zoning Standards for the Magnolia Terrace Subdivision, to change the design
intent from custom home lot development to production housing.
Continued from the Planning Commission meeting of October 24, 1995. Staff
recommends denial without prejudice.
Planning Director Tuft - presented update on project (applicant is considering amending
the PUD to allow development of production units rather than custom homes).
The public hearing was opened.
SPEAKERS: None.
The public hearing was closed.
Commissioners Rahman Feibusch and vonRaesfeld - encouraged developer to retain
custom homes.
A motion was made by Commissioner Feibusch and seconded by Commissioner Barlas to
deny this project without prejudice to allow the applicant to resubmit.
Commissioner Barlas: Yes
Commissioner Feibusch: Yes
Commissioner Thompson: Absent
Commissioner Torhatt: Absent
Commissioner vonRaesfeld: Yes
Commissioner Wick: Absent
Chairman Rahman: Yes
NEW BUSINESS:
CONTINUED PUBLIC REARING:
M. FIRST STREET GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT; PETALUMA
PLANNING DEPARTMENT; FILE GPA95005(hg).
Consideration of a Negative Declaration and a proposal by the Planning
Department to amend the General Plan Land Use Map to redesignate several City
blocks generally described as those properties located along 1st and 2nd Streets
between "D" Street and "H" Street from Industrial to Mixed Use.
Planning Director Tuft presented the staff report.
(Commissioner Wick arrived at 6:45 PM, prior to discussion of this item.)
The public hearing was opened.
SPEAKERS:
Commissioner vonRaesfeld - Feels that many other properties will want to be included
into this zoning district; how can we avoid many other applications like this?
Planning Director Tuft - has contacted this neighborhood to make sure that this zone will
"fit" with existing uses; staff can, as time allows, expand into other areas with letters
asking for neighborhood interest level (area of discussion: Riverfront Warehouse Zoned
parcels with Highway Commercial General Plan land use designation between Petaluma
blvd. South and First Street).
Commissioner vonRaesfeld - Discussed area proposed for Mixed Use designation - very
supportative, this is up- zoning.
Commissioner Rahman - If this is accepted tonight, maybe we'll only have to do a
rezoning one more time, to amend all the Riverfront Warehouse District to Mixed Use.
Planning Director Tuft - Explained that the uniqueness of the Riverfront Warehouse
Zoning District allowed it to be consistent with a variety of General Plan land use
designations including commercial and industrial; however, Mixed Use affords the most
flexibility.
Patricia Brown - Clarified request for rezoning several years ago - wanted whole area to
be compatible; feels this rezoning will be beneficial.
Barbara Lind - (owns property with husband) across river (Jerico Products); business is
noisy, maybe not always attractive; requested a GP Amendment and was granted
amendment and acquired more acreage; area south of property will become an open space
district; concerns from this proposed land use designation due to residential probability -
asked for continuance to discuss this with her attorney and City of Petaluma attorney;
although feels this is a good idea, wants to make sure that her use pre- exists, and will not
be subject to abatement.
Commissioner Wick - Right to Industry Ordinance is a standard in other areas.
Plannink Director Tuft - Something along the lines of an avigation or right to
farm/industry easement can be required/encouraged in this area; very interested in keeping
industries that are there now; this -is seen as truly a mixed use; expect to provide
encouragement as projects come through planning process.
Chairman Rahman - Wants to make sure that Jerico, Bar Ale, etc. uses are not
jeopardized; how do we make sure that these uses are protected in the future?
Planning Director Tuft - Commission could indicate that clear intent is to protect river
dependent, existing uses; would like to make this responsive to the existing uses; can add a
fifth General Plan amendment finding. .
Patricia' Brown - Has had discussion with Jerico Products owners regarding existing
noises; an excessive amount of noise is unacceptable to residential uses.
Barbara Lind - Jerico - did have discussion with Ms. Brown regarding noise last summer -
only complaint in history to her knowledge.
Chairman Rahman - Complaints from neighborhood (residential) is a legitimate concern.
Commissioner Feibusch - Critical that Army Corps continues to dredge as laws change;
attempting to find more information on this aspect; these types of businesses that support
the funding justification for dredging must be allowed to continue.
Commissioner Barlas - Was Army Corps dredging contingent upon tonnage ?; concerns
that allowing intensification of industrial use as well as more residential uses may cause
problems with mixed use concept.
Planning Director Tuft - Residential uses right next to heavy industrial uses are typically
precluded through the planning/public hearing process; there are many industrial uses that
can be very successful in mixed use areas.
Commissioner Wick - Development pattern of existing neighborhood bears out staffs
recommendation.
Commissioner vonRaesfeld - Very much in support of this concept; many people enjoy
this type of industrial interaction; very strongly supportive of this to City Council.
Commissioner Rahman - Issue of dredging is being debated now; discussed this issue with
Asst. City Manager Salmons regarding dredging several months ago; businesses like Jerico
are part of character of Petaluma, doesn't want this town to look hke every other.
A motion was made by Commissioner vonRaesfeld and seconded by Commissioner Wick
to recommend to the City Council adoption of a Negative Declaration, and approval of the
General Plan Land Use Map Amendment from Industrial to Mixed Use for those parcels
fisted on Exhibit A with the inclusion of the Foundry Wharf parcel, based on the following
revised findings:
Commissioner Barlas: Yes
Commissioner Feibusch: Yes
Commissioner Thompson: Absent
Commissioner Torliatt: Absent
Commissioner vonRaesfeld: Yes
Commissioner Wick: Yes
Chairman Rahman: Yes
Negative Declaration Findings
An Initial Study has been prepared and proper notice provided in accordance with
CEQA and local guidelines.
2• Based upon the Initial Study and any comments received, there is not substantial
evidence that the project would have a significant effect on the environment.
General Plan Amendment .Findin c
Because the proposed amendment will facilitate more compatible uses and/or
development of affected properties, the proposed amendment is deemed to be in
the public interest.
2. The proposed General Plan Amendment is consistent and compatible with the
General Plan and any implementation programs that may be affected including
applicable land use programs for river oriented uses and/or development.
3. The potential impacts of the proposed land use amendment have been assesses and
have been determined not to be detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare.
4. The proposed amendment has been processed in accordance with the applicable
provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
5. This amendment to the land use designation of 25 properties shall in no way
diminish the entitlements or status of existing uses nor shall it limit the potential
for existing uses to improve or expand Further, this amendment shall in no way
preclude or adversely influence the consideration given to similar and/or other
appropriate Industrial uses which may propose to locate in the subject area
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COMMISSION DISCUSSION
IV. MAXWELL ESTATES; A 19.6 ACRE SITE LOCATED EAST OF "D"
STREET AT WINDSOR DRIVE; AP NO'S. 019 -120 -045 AND 046; FILE
NO'S. REZ, PUD, TSM0086(hg).
Consideration and input on a revised conceptual subdivision layout to create 14
single - family lots for the proposed Maxwell Subdivision.
i
Assistant Planner Hans Grunt presented the staff report.
DISCUSSION:
Commissioner vonRaesfeld - What is buildable portion of Lot 14; what is difference
between non - development easement and open space easement?
Commissioner Wick - Commends staff and applicant.
Bonnie Diefendorf - Project Engineer - Described open space easement and non -
development easement and differences thereof, largest lot is nearly 10 acres - anticipates
agricultural uses; many lots definitely oriented toward creek; trying to keep utilities in
private road; can work with guidelines regarding orienting homes downhill toward views.
Commissioner Feibusch - commends engineer on redesign - how would lots 7,8,9 be
oriented?
Bonnie Diefendorf - Described orientations from private road.
Commissioner vonRaesfeld - Is there an advantage to hammerhead at end of road?
Bonnie Diefendorf - hammerhead takes much less space.
Commissioner vonRaesfeld - questions regarding private street/public street.
Bonnie Diefendorf - public street shown has sidewalks on both sides of road.
Commissioner vonRaesfeld - Lots 5 and 6 - common driveway? could entry from uphill
side of Martha be allowed ?; concerns with garages facing streets.
Commissioner vonRaesfeld - 5 key items - this plan is a significant improvement;
supportive of allowing barns and outbuildings in open space easements; since lot 14 is so
large - might not be a bad idea to allow access from below (lot 8); CC &R's will go to
SPARC? - Lots 1,2,3,4,7,8 should have predominant orientation to D Street (also 5,6 and
9); encourages lots 4,7,6,9 maybe 5, that garages enter on side (away from D Street);
public versus private roads - very important that transition from public to private be a
smooth transition; lots 1,2,3 should look like they are fronting on a street; important
pedestrian component, encourages sidewalks, not an abrupt transition from public street.
Commissioner Wick - commends engineer on greatly redesigned project; identification of
building envelopes; protection of sensitive areas (knoll); building envelopes and accessory
building envelopes need to be identified on formal submittal.
Commissioner Feibusch - commends applicant - lots 7,8,9 already voiced concerns.
Planning Director Tuft - introduced new employee Leslie Kerr (Secretary,
Planning/Housing).
Commissioners thanked staff for the extra meetings scheduled recently! Planning Director
Tuft stated that effective January 9th, the meetings will return to the normal 7PM start
time.
ADJOURNMENT: 8:00 PM.
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