HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 08/22/1972Ii
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A G E N D A
PETALUMA CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL,
AUGUST 22, 1972
7:30 P.M.
PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA
ROLL CALL: Comm.'Bal.shaw ✓Daly__ /Popp
S
_yqaters v"
STAFF: William C. McGivekn, Director of Community Deivelopment
Richard DiA. Anderson, Assittant Planner
Charlotte Teeples,, P'lanning.Te�chnician
PUBLIC HEARING FOR' THE - INTERIM OPEN-SPACE ELEMENT Aan ammendment
to the Petaluma
General Plan)
ADJOURNMENT:
M I N U T E S
PETALUMA CITY PLANNING COMMISSION AUGUST 22, 1972
SPECIAL MEETIN 7:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA
PRESENT: Comm. Balshaw, Daly, Hood, Popp, Schmelz, waters
ABSENT: None
STAFF: William C.. McG vern, Director of Planning
Charlotte Teeples, Planning Technician
INTERIM OPEN Chairman Waters opened the meeting.
SPACE ELEMENT
OF PETALUMA Mr. McGivern asked Miss Teeples to give
GENERAL PLAN a short synopsis on the Interim Open
Space Element. Miss Teeples stated
that the Interim Open Space Element
is a required manditory element to the
General Plan together with the Con -
servation and Housing Element.
• Originally the date set for the pres-
entation to the State for the adopted
Open Space Element was June 30, 1972.
However, AB 966 set the date forward'
to June 30, 1973 for the Open Space
and Conservation Elements. The State
did require in the Interim that we
present to them an Interim Open Space
Element with goals, policies and a
program for the development of our
full scale Open Space Element. Origi-
nally this element was due June 30,
1972. We submitted our Environmental
Design Plan as a partial fulfillment of
the requirement. They wanted more
specific goals and policies and a pro-
gram which is shown in the Interim
Open Space Element Text.
The Staff has reviewed the goals and
policies the County is presenting as
their Interim-Open Space Element and
saw how they could be adapted with our
plan. Material from the Citizen's
Committee for the Environmental Design
Plan and the Environmental Design Plan
• itself which delt with Open Space was
reviewed by the Staff and also incor-
porated into the text.
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Petaluma City Planning Commission Minutes
August 22, 1972:
The goals and policies set
are not permanent goals an
They can be changed in the
Open Space Element when it
by the Planning Commission
of 1973.
forth here
a policies .
final adopted
is reviewed
in the Spring
Our program,of implementation of the
Open Space Element simply states some
of the Planning functions now com-
pleted or under study.
One of the reasons why we should comply
with the State's requirement. for An
Open Space Element is building permits
and .subdivisions could,*be disallowed
if someone questioned the need or reason
for development in areas that could be
set aside for Open Space. The City
could have a suit filed against them
without an -Interim Open Space Element.
Also a very real push is going on by
the State and Federal Government to
take over from local governments their
perogative of Planning and Zoning
power of their municipalities.
Chairman Waterg that what we are
going over now is just the beginning
and from this we will build a final
Open Spac6Plan which will have to be
approved by this Commission and then
sent to the City Council for formal
adoption by n,ex,t April.
Mr. McGivern said the Interim Open Space
Element must be filed with the State
by August 31, 1972.
Chairman Waters started off the comments
on the Interim Open Space Element. On
page 3,, paragraph one, the second line,
leave out the word "occasionally".
This was in agreement Sy all the Comm-
issidners. Also on page 3, paragraph
B.2 4th line, add the word "destruc-
tive" to read "from pollution, -- d - estruc-
T'ive dredging, leveling or otheT - for'ms
®;�. This was also agreed upon.
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Petaluma City Planning Commission Minutes
August 22, 1972
Commissioner Schmelz brought up the
question of` the Flood Plain areas. Mr
McGivern said this would be defined
more in our Flood Plain Zoning District
which-will be part of our Zoning Ordi-
nance.
Mr. McGivern mentioned that the Board
of Supervisors approved a Wild Life
Preserve in the southerri-part of
Sonoma County. The County, State and
Federal governments will probably be
taking more steps in this direction
to preserve open spdde. The County
General Plan will help with the funding
and accomplishment of the open space
Plan.
Chairman waters called the attention of
the Commissioners to page 5, paragraph
2. The,first sentence was changed to
read "In accordance with the provisions
of the'E the Planning Department
is -in process of the setting of plan
Comm. BA said we should address
ourselves to the Redwood Empire Boards
of Supervisors and let them know we
are not trying to acquire as public
domain, property that is now County
Residences.
Comm. Hood asked, page 5, (l.c.) 4th line
to be changed to read "study the proper
future development and all related
environmental charactiir The
change was agreed to by the Commissioners.
Comm. Balshaw asked that a subparagraph
(b.) be added to page 6 under (2.a.)
This .paragraph should read:
11 b. Utilization of other State and
Federal funds as they become appro-
priate to acquire land for parks."
The Public Hearing was officially open
to the floor and Mrs. Boehlje, of the
staff commented on the Interim Open
Space. Since there were no others to
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• Petaluma City Planning Commission Minutes
August 22, 1972
speak, the Public Hearing was then
closed.
A motion was made by Comm. Balshaw to
include the Interim Open Space Element
as presented with the modifications as
suggested, seconded by Comm. Popp.
AYES 6 NOES 0
OTHER Comma Hood asked for a study session
BUSINESS on the PUD Ordinance some time in the
.near future. The Commission suggested
that Mt. Hood should go over the techni-
cal problems of the PUD Ordinance first
with the staff then a study session
can be arranged. Mr. McGiver°n.read a
letter dated August 22, 1972 from the
Sonoma.County Planning Department re-
questing a meeting of all Planning
Commissioners in Sonoma County.
The - Commissioners agreed to answer the
letter asking that the following topics
be suggested for discussion:
1. Open Space Element
2. Lott Splits
3. Planned Unit Development
4. Having control in the rate of
growth.
The meeting was adjourned by Chairman
Waters.
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City of:- Petaluma
INTERIM OPEN SPACE ELEMENT
INTRODUCTION
PURPOSE
The open space and conservation element of the Petaluma
General Plan will provide the City with guidelines for the
protection and development of lands necessary for:
1. Public Recreation
2. Scenic Beauty
3. Natural Resources
4. Agricultural Use
5. Public Health, Safety and Welfare
In addition the element will provide the City with information
to properly identify the needs for such lands and a program by
which these needs can be met.
The interim open space plan is intended to be a document
outlining officially adopted goals and policies meant to guide
the preparation and.implementation of the. permanent open space
element, and a program for the completion and adoption of the
element.
CONTENT
The City of Petaluma Environmental Design Plans have already
been submitted to the Secretary of the Resources Agency as a
partial fulfilment of the In.ter=im Open Space requirement and
have been accepted as such. This report is intended to complete
the requirement for an Interim Open Space Element.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The City of Petaluma has a tradition of concern with the
preservation of open space lands. The Petaluma Area General Plan,
adopted in 1962, stated as one of its eight major policies a
policy with regard to park development for the Petaluma area.
This policy is expanded with a description of existing and proposed
recreation areas. In the ensuing ten years many of these rec-
reational area's and parks have become a reality.
A Park Development Fund was established by Ordinance.No.
932 N.C.S. May 9, 1969. This ordinance provided that
pay fees in connection with, dwelling units into a park fund and /or
provide and maintain a major outdoor recreation facility.. This
fund has assisted in the purchase and improvement of a number of
neighborhood parks.
Additionally,, iii .1.97, 0,, the City of Petaluma, in coordi na-
ti;on w th`the.Chambe:r of Commerce and. the Sonoma County Economic
Development Board, prepared -the Petaluma River. Project Report.
This report sYt -tdied °the importance of the Petaluma River with a
special emphasis on the open =.sI pace!and.ecologi,cal value of the
marshes associated with the river.
Complementing the Petaluma River Project Report. is the
Flood Plain Re:por "t for- the Petaluma River.. This report estab-
lished the Flood Plain Areas for the River Basin and as a result
a Flood Plan,ordinance is a part of- the City of Pe.taluma's pro -
posed Zoning Ordinance,.
In the early 1,9`70's`, it became 'increasingly evident to
residents of the City of Petaluma, the City Council., the Planning
Commission and the , Plannn.g Department that development could
not continue in its ongoing rapid fashion without serious environ-
mental and aes,thet °ic con!sequences The Council and Planning.
Commission met in 'o -int :se .on to ,.review impact material prepared
by the Planning Staff. The result was a moratorium on residential
rezonings and annexations, the hiring of PlarinAng, Consultants
for further study, a growth policy and the Environmental Design
Plans.
Citizen Environmental Area Study Committees were established
to provide input 'into Pet'aluma's Environmental Design Plans.
Many of the rec;ommend`ations of -these committees have also been
incorporated into the following goals' and policies of the Interim
Open Space Element.
Finally,the Environmental.Design Plans, adopted by the City
of 'Petaluma and presented as a partial requirement for the
Interim Open Space Element contai a number of policies relating
to the preservation of open space lands .and agricultural lands
in the Petaluma General. Plan Area.
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It shall be the major environmental goal of the City of
Petaluma to' desi.gna'te,, preserve and improve as
much open land as necessary to best serve the social, recrea-
tional, ecological and aesthetic needs of the public.
Further, the following additional goals will guide the
City in the preparation of an Element for the permanent preser-
vation of open lands.
A. To hold lands open for the preservation of natural resources
and plant and animal life, it shall be the goal of the City
of Petaluma
1. To preserve tdelands,.marsh ands and water areas as.a
refuge for fish and wildlife and as a vital link in the
area's ecological ,chain
2, To preserve all plant and animal life and to encourage
the future growth of' vegetation and wildlife habitats.
3. To assist in conserving land for th;e production of food,
fiber, - and other natural or cultivated resource's.
4. To protect and conserve the natural sources of the public
water .sup.ply. .
B. To hold land's open for the -preservat-ion �of human - related
resources, it :shall be the goal of the City of Petaluma:
1. To preserve and beautify his'tor.i:c sites and other sites
of public interest for the enjoyment and enrichment of
all citizens-
2. To preserve and enhance those areas of special scenic
beauty particularly'r- -fiver and hillside areas—for the
enjoyment of all citizens, and to safeguard those areas
from pollution,hdredging, leveling or other forms of
destruction.
C. To hold lands open for the health,, safety and welfare of the
public, it shall.be the goal of, the City of Petaluma:
1. To protect the flood ,plain. area from development that
would increase the probabil of severity of flooding
or in Any-other way interfere with. public safety.
2. To work towards the development of more effective,means
of .preventing and solving public. sanitation and p'e.1lu-
�' tion problems, and tc find the most economical. and.
equitable method of f inanc -ing those solution's.
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INTERIM OPEN
SPACE, ELEMENT
GOALS AND
POLICIES
It shall be the major environmental goal of the City of
Petaluma to' desi.gna'te,, preserve and improve as
much open land as necessary to best serve the social, recrea-
tional, ecological and aesthetic needs of the public.
Further, the following additional goals will guide the
City in the preparation of an Element for the permanent preser-
vation of open lands.
A. To hold lands open for the preservation of natural resources
and plant and animal life, it shall be the goal of the City
of Petaluma
1. To preserve tdelands,.marsh ands and water areas as.a
refuge for fish and wildlife and as a vital link in the
area's ecological ,chain
2, To preserve all plant and animal life and to encourage
the future growth of' vegetation and wildlife habitats.
3. To assist in conserving land for th;e production of food,
fiber, - and other natural or cultivated resource's.
4. To protect and conserve the natural sources of the public
water .sup.ply. .
B. To hold land's open for the -preservat-ion �of human - related
resources, it :shall be the goal of the City of Petaluma:
1. To preserve and beautify his'tor.i:c sites and other sites
of public interest for the enjoyment and enrichment of
all citizens-
2. To preserve and enhance those areas of special scenic
beauty particularly'r- -fiver and hillside areas—for the
enjoyment of all citizens, and to safeguard those areas
from pollution,hdredging, leveling or other forms of
destruction.
C. To hold lands open for the health,, safety and welfare of the
public, it shall.be the goal of, the City of Petaluma:
1. To protect the flood ,plain. area from development that
would increase the probabil of severity of flooding
or in Any-other way interfere with. public safety.
2. To work towards the development of more effective,means
of .preventing and solving public. sanitation and p'e.1lu-
�' tion problems, and tc find the most economical. and.
equitable method of f inanc -ing those solution's.
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3. To sharply curtail deve'lopment,in extremely sloping or _
unstable soil ar eas, to prevent erosion and slides, and
1 • to otherwise protecgt -the h llis,' and soils' vital roles
in' the area s ec ®lo 'i,cal process..
4. To work towards a high environmental quality generally,
so that no resident need feel that. he must escape to
other - areas for relief from unpleasant surroundings,
D. To hold lands open for th-e satisf:•action of the recreational
needs of the public, it,shall be the goal of the City of
Petaluma.:
1, To preserve and maintain existing park and recreation
facili.t:i.e's and to plan new development so that every
home and every resident will be within easy reach of
a place to relax or play.
2. To particul.arly, protect and. enhance the recreational
possibilities afforded by the spec - al natural amenities
-- notably the river, its islands and the hills- -with
which the City has been endowed..
E. To define and quantify the urban form, it shall be the goal
of the City of Petaluma
1, To,designate and preserve a Greenbelt around the city,
M containing development, separating urban uses from
-r
rual,.and guaranteeing that permanent open space will
always be :immediately adjacent.
2. To beautify all accesses to the City by protecting
scenery and by further_ landscaping gateway areas.
INTERIM OPEN SPACE ELEMENT
PROGRAM. FOR COMPhETI'ON
Concerned about the problems of r:apid development that is
creeping ever northward from the immediate•San Francisco Area,
the City of adopted in March,,,-1972, an Environmental
Design Plan, which dealt primari'l'y with the necessity of.saving
the land from intense developmental pressures.. This Plan, so
concerned with conservation has been accepted by the State as
the interim ope'_n space plan the major document guiding prepara-
tion of the permanent open space plan..
In accordance with t�erovisions of •the E.D.P.; the Planning
Department .nmpet -e- iri Z2 ;tYe` setting of plan lines
for a Greenbelt to be-established-around-the developable area
of,the City.
Furthermore; the City of. Petaluma has already adopted or is
currently formulating the following additional programs and
policies to guide - the staff.in the prepara of the final
conservation and open space element or to assist in its imple-
mentation.
1. Programs calling for future use of.zoning to preserve
open space:.
a.. The City is in the proces of` revising its entire
Zoning ordinance and included in the proposed
new version .regulations establishing agricultural,
floodway,, flood plain and 'historical districts and
stringently, regulating the uses within 'those dis-
t i ct s'.
b. The proposed Ordinance also establishes - definite
requirements 'for tree planting,,lands.capin,g, sign
control and other bea'utif'ication,procedures designed
to enhance the urban environment.
C.. F'urthermo're, the proposed Ordinance.includes
for establishing study districts, which pl-ace'certain
urban areas in a s ?rary ho..lding, state until the City can
stu,dyA u relate' envlro;nmental characteristics. This
procedure insures that there: will take place. in those
areas no develo:pment'tha:t has been determined as
haza -rdous to the environment.
d. PUD =and PC districts h'ave•been incorporated into the
proposed Ordinance to insure that development of
large tract's of land will be in all ways harmonious
with the environment and that maximum open space
will be systematically set aside as.development
proceeds.
2.. Programs calling for public acquisition of land to pre-
serve open space:.
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a.. In May, 1,969, a Park Deve opment, Fund was established
by Ordinance 9.3,2 N.0 S ; .requ. all subdividers
' •' to pay fees into a municipal park fund and /or to
dedicate land for and ma- intaain a major outdoor rec-
reationfacility.
3. Programs involving cooperation with other governmental
units,. both to'obtain further data for the element and
to assist in implementation of open space and conserva-
tion,policies:
a. The City of Petaluma h;as taken its Environmental Design
Plan to Sonoma County for approval, and it will seek
County cooperation in other open space matters as
we11.. Such,matters include the establishment of open
space preserves and �ag'ricultural zones around the
City. `Most.encouraging i,s the intergovernmental
cooperation achieved In developing a joint City -
County recreational facility on the Petaluma River
currently in the planning, stages.
b., The City is also working closely with the various
regional and state agencies concerned with preventing
or relieving air and water pollution problems. Most
notable is the cooperation achieved between the City
and the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quali
Control Board, the San Francisco Bay - Regional Air
M Pollution Control District an_d..the State Water
Resources. Control Board:
C. The City of Petaluma has" entered. into a Joint Use
Agreement with the two; public school districts
operating within the City limits. The agreement.
is a first step in City- +Rchool`Board cooperation that
ensures improvement and use of playgrounds to their
fullest capacity.
d. The Planning Department is, working with Heritage Homes,
the.loca,l historical preservation group, to begin
designating sites of special historical interest
around October 1972. ° In addition,.the group-will
make_suggestions concerning preservation and improve -
ment o- special:histor.ical or scenic areas and their
surrounding open lands.
4. Completed and ongoing studies that will provide further
data to guide the staff in preparing the open space and
conservation element:
a. In 1970, in. conjun with - the Sonoma County
Economi Development Board and the Petaluma. Chamber
of" Commerce, the City of Pe'taluma conducted the Petaluma
River Project Study', which looked closely at ecological
and recreational aspects of the River and made
specific recommendations for preservation. The
recommendations. now serve as policy guidelines for
current action and will be of definite importance in
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the development of the - permanent Open Space
Element.
b. Also finishing up the State- required Housing Element
of the General Plan, the City of- Petaluma has included
in the Element and in its supporting material several
provisions dealing with preserving of open space.
The provisions include:
1) A commitment to study the .special environmental
characteristics of the Petaluma Hills by fall,
1973, and to formulate recommendations for
sensible development and preservation.
2,) Specifications that subdividers may not build
.homes in any area unless adequate sewer, water
and park recreation facilities either exist
or can be readily provided in that area.
3) Specifications that representative of the four
school districts in the planning ,area must be
included in residential development regulation
proceedings. This wi l.encourage cooperation
in playground and recreation decisions that are
curr-ent-ly split between the City and the various
boards.
so C. A bicycle route questionnaire is currently being
circulated by the Public Works Department to measure
public use:of and desire for bicycle routes. Results
ar to be tabulated starting in September,
1972.
d. The Public Works Department has applied for a State
Office of Tra'f:f Safety Grant to conduct a "Safest
Route to- Sleh_o:ol'" study, which is expected to focus
on means of developing bike routes and pathways to
schools, playgrounds, and,other centers of community
activity.
e. A Housing and Transportation ,Survey is , being conducted
by the Planning Department in conjunction with Sonoma
County. Among other things, it.obtains. residents
'
opinions of existing parks and suggestions for im-
provements. Results are expected by early 1973.
5. The City has just recently completed a program of locat-
ing and closing all illegal storm drain.connections to
the municipal sewerage sysItem, to prevent the swamping
of treatment facilities during heavy rains. In addi-
tion, the City is awaiting Federal approval of its planned
new water pollution contr.o,l facility, consisting of a
pump station, pipeline and oxidation ponds, which will
more than double the City's capacity to handle sewage,.
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INTERIM.OPEN SPACE ELEMENT
TIMETABLE FOR COMPLETION
The City has - formulated the following timetable for develop-
ment.-and consideration of the completed Open Space Element:
August 1972 - March 1973
Planning Department to continue and pre-
paring Open Space Element. Preparation to be guided
by program outlined in previous pages. Major surveys,
studies and liaison work with other local agencies
completed.
March, 1973
Planning Commission and City Council to begin joint
study of the permanent Open Space Element.
April, 1973
Planning Commission to formally review element and
make final recommendations to :City Council.
May, 1973
40 . City Council formally reviews element and makes all
necessary amendments. Permanent Open Space Element
formally adopted.'
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