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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 02/12/20071 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 February 12, 2007 Vol. 42, Page 267 a City of Petaluma, California MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL/ 185$ PETALUMA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION City Council/PCDC Minutes Monday, February 12, 2007 Special Meeting FEBRUARY 12, 2007 EVENING SESSION CALL TO ORDER - EVENING SESSION - 6:00 P.M. � llll7 [am Present: Barrett, Freitas, Rabbitt and Mayor Torliatt Absent: Harris, O'Brien, Vice Mayor Nau B. Pledge of Allegiance C. Moment of Silence PUBLIC COMMENT None. COUNCIL COMMENT CITY MANAGER COMMENT None. AGENDA CHANGES AND DELETIONS (Changes to current agenda only). None. 1. PUBLIC HEARING A. Public Hearing and Discussion of Draft General Plan 2025 and Draft Environmental Impact Report - Land Use & Topics. (Tuft) - Continued from February 5, 2007 meeting. Mayor Torliatt Pamela Tuft, Director of General Plan Administration 8C Lands of Robin, 1436 Western Avenue, APN 019-090-056 Mayor Torliatt Vol. 42, Page 268 February 12, 2007 Director Tuft Council Member Rabbitt Mayor Torliatt Council Member Rabbitt Director Tuft Public Comment on 8C John Saemann, resident on Sonoma Mountain Road, wants to keep a rural feeling in that part of town and would like it to be "very low density." A "rural" designation is regarded negatively by prospective owners. If parcel was ever annexed to City, "very low density" would be good designation. Dee Joseph, Petaluma, would like parcel to remain "rural residential" - does not want more cars and congestion. Ground water is a real issue and problems have increased since West Haven subdivision was begun. Mindy Toth, Petaluma, has been involved in keeping land use designation "rural residential." One of the concerns is water, and to keep the feel of feathering to the outer borders of the City. Edward Giordano, Petaluma, said development must be limited in this area for hydrological reasons, not to mention esthetic. He added that there are ground water issues already. Dennis Jones, Petaluma, has lived in area over 40 years and has watched surface water increase with development. He thinks a very thorough study needs to be done before any more development is allowed. Julie Marth, Petaluma, said the water issue has been a big issue for her, since the Victoria and West Haven subdivisions were built, she has had increasing flooding from the culvert in front of her house. She also believes the "feathering principle" is not being considered strongly enough. Kathleen "Katie" O'Connor, Petaluma, Paula Lane Action Network, in support of neighbors in the area, regarding a "so called letter of support" from Realtor Chelly, presented to the Planning Commission, which she says was signed by many people who did not live in the area and would not be affected by the change in density. Patrick Schafer, Petaluma, Paula Lane Action Network, made comments about the geographic relationship of the Western Avenue property to their neighborhood on Paula Lane. They support "rural residential" on this property. Susan Kirks, Petaluma, Paula Lane Action Network, in support of neighbors on Western Avenue. She spoke about density, noting what actually 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 February 12, 2007 Vol. 42, Page 269 surrounds this area, including Petaluma Jr. High School, various residential areas, and agricultural areas. Diane Reilly Torres, Petaluma, pointed out that tonight's agenda referred to "discussion" and the meeting should not include any "straw votes." Mayor Torliatt Director Tuft Mayor Torliatt Council Member Rabbift Director Tuft Mayor Torliatt Director Tuft Mayor Torliatt Council Member Barrett Council Member Rabbift Council Member Freitas 13A Lands of Livina Word Evanaelical Lutheran Church, 901 Eiv Boulevard South, APN 017-060-020 Director Tuft Council Member Rabbift Director Tuft Council Member Rabbitt Mayor Torliatt Director Tuft Public Comment on 13A Jeanine VanEften, Petaluma, Village East Neighborhood Alliance, spoke regarding the existing water system in the area. They have had repeated problems with water pipes bursting in the street because they were originally the end of the line for the water system, and each time a development has been added above them, their pipes blow. She said this has happened 14 times. Vol. 42, Page 270 February 12, 2007 Glen Illian, Petaluma, Village East Neighborhood Alliance, has met with the Living Word Church and supports the church going to "low density" with the City recommendation that the strip of land directly behind the houses, between the creek and the houses on Village East should be designated "open space." He is happy to hear that Aurora Park would be extended over to creek. He thinks the land north of creek should be designated for expansion of the park. Barbara Creamer, Petaluma, Village East Neighborhood Alliance, was told by the Pastor Smith at the Living Word Lutheran Church that the church had received an anonymous letter in the mail, and she thought it was unfortunate that whoever wrote the letter did so in a moment of anger, because it was not helpful or productive toward coming to a satisfactory conclusion. She wanted to emphasize that the letter does not reflect the views of their neighborhood group. Mayor Torliatt Ms. Creamer continued that the Village East Neighborhood Alliance submitted a petition to the City in support of changing the designation of the land from the edge of Arroyo Park to the creek from "school use" to "park" and would like the City to designate the land from the creek to the fence line of the existing town homes for "park" use as well, rather than for "medium density" as is currently proposed. Catherine Staller, Petaluma, in support of what the church proposes. She is opposed to the space behind the seven homes becoming any part of a trail because of the access to the creek. The City should consider fencing that area off because of the potential of someone falling in the creek. She said that the homeowners were told that the land behind the church to the park would become park land, unless a church was built there. Council Member Freitas City Manager Bierman Council Member Rabbitt Director Tuft Mayor Torliatt Council Member Rabbitt 8A Lands of Davidon (Scott Ranch) APN 019-120-041 Director Tuft m Director Tuft 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 February 12, 2007 Vol. 42, Page 271 Council Member Freitas Director Tuft Council Member Freitas Public Comment on 8A Jeff Thayer, Vice President, Davidon Homes, Walnut Creek, requested that Council support the Planning Commission recommendations. Greg Colvin, Petaluma, Petalumans for Responsible Planning, suggested the park acreage be increased from 3 to at least 6; the park be labeled "active" rather than "passive"; and the site be moved from the "Neighborhood" list to the "Community" list. David Glass, Petaluma, said when the Victoria subdivision was approved it came with the agreement that in the corridor from 'D' Street to Western there should be no more than 100 additional houses. He called it "disingenuous" to come back later and want "high density." He said Victoria has had three major, expensive hillside slides. This property is also susceptible to landslides. He feels the City should not take risks with slides, and that this would not be "smart growth." Chey Moore, Petaluma, Petalumans for Responsible Planning, spoke regarding a footnote to be included in General Plan saying that the amount of parkland may increase. They are not happy with that 3 -acre designation, and hope that footnote will leave the door open. Sherri Fabre Marcia, Petaluma, spoke in support of adding an "active park" to this area. John Mills, Petaluma, representing Sonoma County Parks and Recreation Commission, said the County allows bathrooms, etc., even in passive parks. Pam Granger, Petaluma, said that Petaluma needs a "definitive hillside ordinance. " Council Member Rabbitt Mayor Torliatt 7B Lands of Voaensen, 1755 Petaluma Boulevard North Director Tuft Public Comment on 7B Nancy Arata, Petaluma, would like to see that property be single-family homes to conform with development by Cobblestone Homes, wants to see it remain low density Vol. 42, Page 272 February 12, 2007 Victor Pizarro, Petaluma, resident of this area for three weeks, said that if the property behind his house were developed, those houses would look down right into his backyard. The idea of "medium density" scares him. Bryant Moynihan, Petaluma, Nexus Realty Group, Inc., representing the Vogensens, would like to be treated consistently with the neighboring properties. Randy Raabe, Petaluma, retired land surveyor, has lived in the area 29 years, and said he understands progress and growth and is not opposed to a well-planned project. He sees no reason for special interest groups to be able to come in and change the plan simply for their own gain. He believes the neighborhood needs Council to protect their best interests. He commended Cobblestone for meeting with the neighbors and changing their proposed development to meet the desires of the neighbors. He would like to see a development of single-family homes on large lots. Ione Vogensen, Petaluma, said she is widowed, and would like to move to Arizona to be near family. Thinks her realtor is a good person. She thought "medium density" was a fair designation. Council Member Freitas Director Tuft Council Member Freitas Council Member Rabbitt Director Tuft Mayor Torliatt Director Tuft Mayor Torliatt 11A Lands of DSL APNs 007-380-005, 027 Director Tuft Public Comment on 11 A Janice Cader-Thompson, Petaluma, noted that this property is very close to Petaluma Valley Hospital, and she would like to see this property remain designated as "mixed use." She would like Council to work with the Petaluma Health Care District and have a public meeting to discuss the long-term health care needs of community. She also spoke regarding water issues on property, and lack of funding for widening 101 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 February 12, 2007 Vol. 42, Page 273 through Petaluma. She believes a designation of "Community Commercial" would compound the problem. 1 A Copeland Street Extension to Petaluma Boulevard in vicinitv of Oak Street, potential impact on APNs 006-163-040 & 006-163-041. Director Tuft Council Member Barrett Director Tuft Council Member Barrett Director Tuft Council Member Barrett Public Comment on 1 A Chris McCarthy, Petaluma, representing the Silva Trust, said he is in charge of developing these properties. In the spirit of compromise, they are asking City to transfer some density for the loss of the three roads running through properties. 11 C Lands of Aanese, Hummel, and Benson, APNs 007-431-003, 007-431- 004, 007-432-003 Director Tuft Public Comment on 11 C Patricia Hummel, Petaluma, property owner, Lands of Hummel, in support of the original designation of "Business Park." The Hummels have owned the property since the mid -1970's and have already made substantial investments in hydrology and geology studies. She told Council that if they were approving a plan for the City for the next 25 years, they should think about how to use zoning to accomplish what will be needed for people who are going to be here in 20 years. Mayor Torliatt Ms. Hummel Mayor Torliatt Ms. Hummel Mayor Torliatt Bryant Moynihan, Nexus Realty Group, working with Lucy Webb, in support of the Hummels, said Council was here to talk about land use designation, Vol. 42, Page 274 February 12, 2007 not flooding, and said he believes that "Business Park" is the appropriate designation for this land. Geoff Cartwright, Petaluma, said, "Flood mitigation IS land use. This is the area that we know, historically, floods on both sides of the freeway. It has held water during winters continually." This property is the last of the natural holding ponds that still exists. Council should not change the designation on this property to allow another business park that will flood. Council Member Barrett Director Tuft Council Member Barrett Council Member Rabbitt Director Tuft General Public Comment on the General Plan Geoff Cartwright, Petaluma, wrote a letter to General Plan Administration about hydrology and bridges in Petaluma. He would like this to be addressed in the hydrology portion of the EIR. Walter Kieser, Economic and Planning Systems, Berkeley, told Council his company prepared a market study in 2004 for property outside UGB on Lakeville Highway. The study concluded that shortage of industrial development sites throughout Sonoma County will mean that jobs won't be able to locate here. He added the site is ideal from a variety of perspectives, except it's outside the UGB. Mayor Torliatt Mr. Kieser Mayor Torliatt Council Member Barrett Mayor Torliatt 8B Lands of Asbell, Irwin/ Nieubower, Mills, APNs 019-130-011, 041, 043, 046, and 047 Director Tuft Mayor Torliatt Director Tuft Mayor Torliatt 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 February 12, 2007 Director Tuft Vol. 42, Page 275 Public Comment on 8B Steven LaFranchi, Steven J. LaFranchi and Associates, Petaluma, said that the potential development mimics the rest of the neighborhood. Council Member Barrett Mr. LaFranchi Council Member Barrett Mr. LaFranchi Council Member Barrett Director Tuft Council Member Barrett Director Tuft Mayor Torliatt Council Member Barrett Director Tuft Mayor Torliatt Skip Sommer, Petaluma, clarified that there are approximately 3 acres in the middle of this that are undeveloped, and proposal is a maximum of 8 homes with minimum of 7,500 square foot lots. At a Planning Commission Meeting, someone suggested they were going to be in 32 homes, which is not the case. Harry Newbore, Petaluma, stated that Kelly Creek does not flow through these properties. Mayor Torliatt Mr. Newbore Mr. Sommer Mayor Torliatt Mr. Sommer Vol. 42, Page 276 February 12, 2007 10A Lands of Petaluma Preservation Group Director Tuft Mayor Torliatt announced that the Public Hearing was continued to the February 20, 2007 Special Council Meeting. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. /S/ Pamela Torliatt, Mayor ATTEST: /S/ Claire Cooper, CMC, City Clerk