HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 11/02/1993W e
Planning Commiss`on Minutes
SPECIAL MEETING November 2, 1993
CLUB. ROOM, COMMUNITY CENTER. 5:30 P.M.
320 N. MCDOWELL BLVD. PETALUMA, CA
ROLL CALL: Bennett* (arrived 6:00 PM), Parkerson, Rahman, Shea, Thompson, Torliatt,
vonRaesfeld
Chairman .
STAFF: Pamela Tuft, Planning Director
Kurt. Yeiter, Principal Planner
Jim McCann, Principal Planner
OTHER STAFF MEMBERS IN AUDIENCE:
Al Tilton,. Traffic Engineer
James Ryan, Transit Program Coordinator
Bonne Gaebler, Housing Coordinator
David Spilman, Finance: Director
Terry Krout, Fire Chief
Michael.Evert, Supervising Civil Engineer
Warren Salmons, Assistant City Manager
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT: None.
COMMISSION;ER'S REPORT: Commissioner Parkerson thanked staff for preparing the
detailed responses to comments presented during the three workshops.
CORRESPONDENCE: Director Tuft acknowledged a suggested strategy for this evening's
discussion and sample listing of topics that may be of concern, both of which were prepared
by staff and distributed to the Commission and public -audience just prior to the meeting.
CONTINUED COMMISSION BUSINESS
I. : GENERAL: PLAN REVIEW, FILE NO. GPA92003(ky).
"Is -the General Plan Still in Step With'Community Values and Conditions ?"
Planning Commission discussion on information received and considered during
workshops.
Kurt Yeiter = Reminded Commission that primary goal was to answer question: "Is
General Plan still in step with community values and conditions ?" Suggested they proceed
o�pp -
bylisting those tics the Commissioners feel are worthy of discussion, then deciding which.
of these .topics, if any, must be addressed or amendments made to the Plan in order that.
the Plan be in step with community values and conditions.
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Planning Commission Minutes November 2, 1993
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2 DISCUSSION OF TOPICS OF CONCERN
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4 Commissioner Rahman Transit coordination between different bus services (e.g., local
5 and.- regional commute), design and location of bus stops; Gateways addressing need for
6 more parks particularly on the westside; future of fairgrounds property /can it be moved ?;
7 alternatives to soundwalls ; . solid waste disposal programs at local level to supplement
8 state /regional efforts (e.g., easier ways to dispose of motor oil); Proud of General Plan and
9 efforts to implement it.
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11 Commissioner Parkerson although good suggestions made, no specific topic(s) stand out
as needing immediate or significant amendment.
Commissioner Torliatt agrees with Commissioner Parkerson. Would like to discuss
wastewater re -use options that include in -town applications; more active bicycle , or
alternate transportation committee methods of measuring traffic flow levels of service
(LOS); methods of reinforcing or avoiding premature studies outside the Urban Limit
Line alternatives to soundwalls
20 Commissioner von Raesfeld (submitted letter expressing concerns) thinks General Plan is
21 basically in =step, but questions adequacy of CEQA review, design. review, and other
22 processes that regulate d of development Topics worthy of General Plan discussion
23 include improvin& non- automobile transportation opportunities; and high quality
24 architectural and site plan design.
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6 Commi
2 ssioner r Shea re -use of treated wastewater in town; encourage mixed -use
7 development; expand . role of bicycle committee to include other alternate modes of
8 transportation; better encourage child care at the schools, perhaps through the City Child
29 Care Committee; create soundwall policy /explore alternatives to walls; wants more
30 information of how big of a problem water pressure is to development at higher elevations
31 (ref: Water Department memo). Should be a specific zoning for Gateways Feels City is
32 doing a. good job and is headed in the right direction.
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34 Commissioner Thompson uses survey to reflect community values, survey reinforces that
35 major concerns are still maintaining open space around the City and traffic congestion in
36 -the City; has concern that cars will take over /be too intrusive.
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38 Commissioners Bennett, von Raesfeld and Shea discussed the need to be reasonable with
39 regard.to encouraging "pedestrian- oriented" neighborhoods. All agreed that cars must be
40 accommodated, but other options need to be given to residents.
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42 Chairman Bennett Do not need extremes (such as prohibiting car access), but rather a
43 mix of development types; City needs to be more proactive and not just react to individual
44 applications; need to do what is right /best for community in long term, not just what is
45 popular; wants economic element (or related documents) to provide more detailed
46 marketing strategy (i.e., more detailed analysis of the number and types of jobs needed,
47 types and amount of new retail, etc.); economic vision is needed. This is important if City
48 is to be come a self- sufficient community inside its Urban Limit Line as currently
49 recommended by the General Plan. General Plan economic strategy needs to be reflected
0 in zoning and other. regulatory documents so that all are headed in same direction
1 (referenced zonin& ambiguity about warehouses vs. offices, tourism vs._ prohibition against
2 freeway signs, etc. More directive tourism policy to specify how to best spend TOT and
3 other funds to achieve goals.
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68 Planning Commission Minutes
November 2, 1993
Upon questioning by Chairman Bennett, there was consensus that the General Plan is still
in step with community values and conditions. Possible amendments to Elan need not be
done immediately, but these items must be discussed in a timely manner.
The Commission requested staff to prepare a summary of the topics discussed this evening,
attempt to prioritize them, and prepare a draft schedule of when the Commission would
address these 'topics. It was also requested that the list of discussion topics include a
discussion of possible tactics the Commission` may use. to address each. of them (e.g.,
General Plan or zoning amendment; revised design review guidelines, direction to staff,
discussion to Council, etc.). Then a plan will tie developed to adequately address each
topic. '
ADJOURNMENT 8':15 PM
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