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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes 05/25/1971M "I N U T E S • Adjourned; meet ng of the Petaluma City Planning; Commission May 25, 1971,, at 7:30 o'clock p.m. in the Coiincil Chambers, Petaluma California. PRESENT: Comm. Brunner, Cerin., Hood, Waters, Stanley. ABSENT: None. STAFF: ; William C. McGi.vern,.Dreetor of Planning`. Richard D.A. Ande rs'on,., .As sistant Planner. was held on City Hall, `CONTINUATION OF BUBLIC'HEARING TO CONSI:DE.R PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT POLICY . STATEME -NT ` FOR THE CITY OF ; PETALUMA , RECOMMENDED BY THE PLANNING ADVI- SORY COMMITTEE.' ..Prior to. continuing the public hearing,carried over from the meeting of May 18, 1971, Chairman Stanley announced the; names of the people who had partjcipated'in formulating the policy statement. They are as follows:' City Council Re resen-tatives Robert A. Brunner, Jack Cavanagh, Jr., and Fred Mattei. Planning Commission Representatives Pau R. Stanley, Lyle D. 'Hood, Edward.J. Schmelz. (Comm. Waters served as an alternate member). •� County ;Representativ Rhilip J. Joerger, - Sipervisor and Walter Minogue, Member, "Sonoma County Planning Commission. Member `.At -Large From the: Community John Balshaw, Donald Carey, Mrs. Agnes McGillvar, and Mike Serpillo. City Staff: Robert H. Meyer,, City Manager,, William C. McGivern, Planning — Director, David A. Young_, City Engineer, and Edouard Robert,; City Attorney. Consulting Planning Firm Sidney H, Williams, Corwin R. Mocine, Margaret W. Rusche, and`Alison M. Massa. Chairman. ,Stanley :read the remaining policy statements not covered at the previous meeting; namely, Policies Related to Commercial and Industrial Development, Policies Related to Circulation, and Policies 'Related to Government, Ordinance Administration and Finance. ..Comm. Waters asked whether the Old Core. Area Plan prepared by Rimov & Associates in 1.968 would be used. Mr. Sid Williams, Planning Consultant, informed the Commission, some portions of the plan were good, however, it would be developed,in stages as it becomes economically feasible to do so. Mr. Tom Gaffey, 8'80 West.Street, inquired h`,ow the consultants envisioned development of the Central Business District coup d be accomplished economically. Mr. Williams referred t'o the, possibility of using State Laws for a redevelopment program (1) PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 2'5, 1971., 7:30, o'clock p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS,, CITY: HALL PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA Mr. Norman Rollins, 32 Branching Way, questioned as to the necessity of submitting detailed plans when applying for commercial zoning. The consultant answered that plans, along with a feasibility or market survey should be required for major rezoning applications. Mr.,Gerard Antheunisse, 620 St. Francis Drive,, asked about the. possibility of allowing bonuses, or- inducements, in order to encourage industry. Mr. Williams replied that bonuses are a very questionable practice. Many modern industries prefer a community that requires high performance standards. Since the City Council has not elected to use this practice in the past, this program does not : appear to be part of the "Petaluma industrial development policy. Mr.�Donald Waite, candidate for City Council, requested clarification of the statement, "All existing commercial zoning will be reviewed every f.i.ve.years and excessive zoning reduced." Mr. Williams explained that s „ome years ago there was a tendency to zone land along thoroughfares' for commercial uses (it was assumed people did notj�wish to live along said thoroughfares') This practice often resulted in. creating 20 times more commercial zoning than was necessary. The .consultant indicated it is not a good planning policy to zone far in excess of demand. • . Mr. Vright asked the consultants whether industrial development will require landscaping to make the developments attractive. Mr. Williams. said.this would be a requirement. Mr.�Manuel Amaral, 177 Canal San Rafael, (Property owner in - Petaluma). was of the opinion too much is zoned for industrial uses and stated Petaluma is a "bedroom "' for San Francisco. Mr Gaffey asked what could be done if overzoning occurs in a partiicular• area. 'Mr. Wi.11iams*answered the legislative body has the power..to .adopt. any changes they feel 'would result in a better balance of use for.the community. Chai,.rman Stanley interjected that 'the results of the Sonoma County Flood P1 -ain Study may reduce the amount of industrial zoned land since some land.may fall in the flood plain area. Commissioner Waters .rased the thought that some of the industrial zoned land may be in the wrong location. A provisions oul.d be made to rezone excess industrial land into some,other use. Mr. Jack. Garrison,, local realtor, asked what protection will be given to investors in present industrial, parks. Mr. Williams replied while the city should not be in, the position of, providing a monopoly t to investors in the industrial parks, neither should the development of outlying cheaper land be encouraged for industrial users which would be more .appropriately located in industrial parks,. (2) w PLANNING COMMI,SS'ION MI °NUTES MAY725, 197.1, 7 :30 p.m. o'clock . 'COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CI,TY HALL PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA Other questions were asked relative to, industrial zoning which were. answered by the consultants. At one.point Mr. Willi-ams said everything should be donee to protect the agricultural base of the community and to encourage the expansion of those types of agricultural industries (such as chicken processing plants, etc.) Referring to the policy relating to circulation the following was discussed: Mr..Charles Rosenbaum, local architect, and Mr. Robert Lagle of Novato, urged coordination between the Flood Plain Study and the .pedestrian walkways and equestrian trails proposed in the policy statement. Mr. Wright, Mr. Chuck Hunter, and Mr. Antheunisse stressed _the importance of having clear circulation so that emergency vehicles can be made available in a short time to all parts of the city. Mr. Garrison and Mr. Gaffey expressed the need for a different approach to the east -west movement. Commissi:oner-Cerini voiced the need and desirability for a truck route to keep heavy traffic vehicles out of the downtown area. The consultants.noted.the various changes and additions requested in the circulation policy statement. Commisioner Cerni inquired whether the policy statement was based on just the .committee's recommendations or if it also reflected thefconsultants opinion. Mr. Williams indicated there are no statements included in the policy which are professionally unsound. The.Consultants were involved in the formation of the policy statement. Mrs: Donna Cook, candidate for the City Council, inquired if the present council will act on the policy, and if so, would it not be wiser to wait until the new council is: elected before endorsing the policy. Mr.!Williams -indi.ca :ted these are general policy statements. Both the the.new council could change them. He further answered it wou'ld,be entirely appropriate for those members of the council who A nitisated the program to proceed with the adoption of the statement of ,dove;lopment policy. (3) PLANNING COMMISSION.-MINUTES MAY�",25, 19 -71, . 7:30 W Block p; m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 'CITY HALL PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA Chairman Stanley closed the public i heari The Commission will act.on the.proposed statement of development policy, incorporating the revisions proposed as a result of the public hearings, on June 1, 1971. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Commission the meeting was adjourned® Attes i (4)