HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Bill 9.A-Attch02 06/21/2004I,
+. Excerpt from Petaluma City Council Meeting Minutes of May 17; 2004
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B. Paula Lane. Subdivision: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding a
Recommenddtion from the Planning Commission. to Deny a Request for General
Plan :Amendment, Prezoning, Tentative Subdivision Map, and (Mitigated Negative
Declaration for a 2:1- 'Unit' Residential Subdivision 'Located at 431 Paula Lane, at
the .Comer.of Paula !Lane and'Sunset Drive;; APN 019 -080 -009 & 010, Project Files
ANXOI002, GPA0.1002 PRZO1003`, SPC01 TSMOI003 (Moore /Borba)
Vice Mayor Moynihan recused himself from this matter as the party related to the
applicant_ has been a source of income to his firm, Nexus Realty Group and
indicated he be stepping down 'on this matter.
Council Member Torliatt reported that she did trade phone calls with the
developer but was never able to contact him. So she has not met with the
developer, but she did meet with the neighborhood group.
Mayor Glass noted he had meat with the - neighborhood and added he did have
a lengthy conversation with the applicant.
Council Members Harris .and Healy indicatedtheyhad done the same.
Council Member Thompson indicated he had spoken briefly with the developer.
Chris Hawke
and Marti. Buxton Mission Valley Properties, gave an overall
presentation of thel proposed development, They read' into the record a letter
from Alice Vesterfelt, property owner,, urging the., Council: to give. favorable review
and approval to their proposed development...
Mayor Glass. opened the Public Hearing.
Public Input
Bill Edwards, Petaluma, addressed the City Council - in support of the applicant. He
read'his letter, dated May 17,.2004 into the "record: He, noted he and his wife own
245 Paul Lane, six acres contiguous to and on the southern line of Alice
Vesterfelt's "1 1.22 -acne parcel. He indicated they purchased the property 30 years
ago and it 'is currently`rented to Susan Kirks. He urged Council to approve the
proposed development.
Dr: Stephen Carle Petaluma, addressed the City Council urging the Council to
oppose the project and stated concerns with groundwater that he believes is
inadequate for municipal supplies.
Bill. Bennett, Petaluma, addressed the City; Council in opposition to the proposed
development citing °water 'drainage' issues, traffic' concerns, and ;indicating the
impact from Rockpointe Ridge is yet to be felt in their neighborhood.
Norma ,Billing, Petaluma, addressed 'the City Council in opposition to the
r proposed development; urging the Council to leave this beautiful, pristine land
alone.
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Council took a recess from 8:38 p.m. to 8:43 p.m.
Julian Podbereski and Susan Kirks, PLAN, Petaluma, :addressed the City Council
and gave a presentation in opposition to the development.. Th °ey supported the
.,property owner's right to sell the property; -but cited , concerns with bird habitat,
traffic, , badger'habitaf, deer habitat, and sewage disposal, They commented on
the opportunity fora mcitching 'grants application for open space and noted that
would generate. revenue for Petaluma. They stressed the need of the owner and
developer to work with the City and County on the best use for this property.. .
Sherby Sanborn, Consulting Arborist for PLAN, addressed. the City Council in
opposition to the development and reported that the 'trees; as they exist on the
site at this time, offer a better wildlife habitat as they exist rather than trying to
replace them with newer trees.
Carrissa Bishop -Sage, Petaluma, addressed' the City Council in opposition to the
proposed development and stressed Petaluma is cherished for its heritage.
Kim ;Fitts, 'Mammal Biologist for PLAN, addressed the City'Council `in opposition to
the proposed development and provided a report on the badger 'habitat that
exists on the property.
Rollin ,Bruce, 'Petaluma, addressed' the City Council indicating,,he is not opposed
to .developing the sight at fhe current AR -2 zoning, He further cited negative
impacts regarding the current proposal, which included additional Water runoff,
and sewer pumping station, issues. He added..he is opposed to this development
because his property is most affected by the proposed water runoff.
Charles Carle, Petaluma, addressed the City Council in opposition to the
proposed developmenf and urged the - Council to deny-the application.
Paige 'Schwartley, Braudt- Hawley Law Group, addressed the City Council urging
them to accept the 'Planning Commission's recommendation to deny the
project. She went on to cite the significant environmental: impacts and stressed' if
the Council did not deny the project, they must require an EIR.
Art Melling, Petaluma,, addressed the City Council in opposition to.the proposed
development and indicating with the way things are going people will just build
and build until they get to the ocean.
Betsy Ginkel, Petaluma, :addressed the City Council' in opposition to the proposed
development and cited concerns with the effect on habitat,
Steve Rubardt, Petaluma, addressed the City Council in opposition to- the
proposed development. He cited negative traffic conditions on Paul lane, water
runoff issues, as well as water pressure concerns. He concluded by stating the
zoning.change is not in the best interests of the City.
Ken Miller, Petaluma,,, addressed the City Council stating his. opposition to the
proposed project and stressed there is no way to quantify the importance of the
beauty of the area. 0
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Hannah Jern Miller, Petaluma, addressed the City Council in' opposition to the
proposed development citing traffic, noise, sewage, and wildlife as concerns.
She` °cautioned tf ;e City Council that if' 'they approve this there would be
irreparable damage to the spirit of the neighborhood.
Tom Pfaff Petaluma addressed the City Council noting the urban growth
boundary should be adhered to. He indicated he lives in the .County and does
not have a say, ihl this vote, but urged the Council to denythe'project.
Dirk Atkinson, Petaluma, addressed the City Council in opposition to the
proposed development.
Caroline McCall, Petaluma, addressed the City Council in opposition to the
proposed development. ' f
Joyce 'Williams; Petaluma, addressed the- Cify Council in opposition to the
proposed development, citing quality of life issues.
Patrick Schdfer,. Petaluma, addressed th_e City C_ ouncil in opposition to the
,proposed development,.
Katie O'Connor, Petaluma, addressed the ,City Council in opposition to the
.proposed development stating annexation, rezoning,, density, open space, water
runoff, and water pressure as concern's. She indicated this development would
be out-of-character with the ,surrounding neighborhood and perhaps the open
space coud be used as an - educational tool for teaching about habitat and
ecology for students. .
Steve 'Kay, Petaluma, addressed the City Council in opposition to the proposed
development and "noted the number of people who had signed petitions in
opposition that have come to the meeting this evening -.
Melissa Wilson, Petaluma, addressed the ,City Council in opposition to the
proposed development and in support of open space and preserving the wildlife
habitat.
Geoff Petaluma, etaluma, addressed the''City Council regarding concerns with
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water runoff, water re- charge concerns and in opposition to the proposed
development.
.,Dru est Petaluma, addressed the City ,Council and 'noted, although not a
residents of Petaluma, she is familiar'with Paula Lane. He noted PLAN had done a
great job in researching the issues and stated concerns with traffic on the west
side of -t'own. She 'indicated development here: would only increase the traffic
and congestion. She urged denial of the. project.
Hearing °'no further requests to speak; the Mayor Glass closed the Public Hearing.
Council recessed' at' 10.-15,p.m:.fo 10:20 p.m.
Marti Buxton Developer, attempted to address some of the issues expressed.
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Ellie: Robbins, Stuber- Stroh, responded to the issues and concerns raised relating s
to water°and indicated there is adequate flow for fire pressure and cited a report
using th'e ,City's water'model that, says the water pressure is fine. She further noted
that is enough water supply for the projec and cited the Zone 2 Water System,
which `would be 'used. She indicated` there are no supply or capacity problems
existing.
Al Cornwell, .addressed concerns raised regarding the recharge: area, peak ,flows
- which would be less than what exists today, and the location of the sewer
pump station which would be similar to the one on Sunset Lane.
Meda Bunzie, addressed the issues stated with the historic resources of the
property, She noted the property has been referred to as an historic rural
landscape, but the integrity has not been maintained.
Marti. Buxton, readdressed the County zoning of the property, commented 'on
feathering, indicated the sight was not suitable for a park, and indicated the
proposed homes were preliminarily reviewed by SPARC.
Margo Bradish, Attorney,. commented on the CEQA issue and indicated a
,negative declaration will be prepared, She noted there are is no substantial
evidence "that the development impacts would have a, significant impact on the
area and concluded by stating the disputing opinions are unsubstantiated lay
opinions.
It, was noted, lastly, that the Planning Commission recommends denial of the
General Plan. Amendment.
Council Member Harris noted he would like more information on 'the traffic
concerns, badger habitat and would like to know the exact development fees to
be gained by this project.
Council Member Healy commented he would. like more clarifiCation on whether
an EIR would be required or not, questioned' what the implications would be or
what.would' happen if the project were denied, and requested staff' to get a
clear answer from the County regarding the potential of purchase of this site for
openspace.
Council Member 'Thompson indicated he is satisfied with the: response given
regarding the water pressure, acknowledged there may be badgers on the site
and indicated the proposed project is too dense.
Council. Member Torliatt noted a General Plan Policy discussion needed to take
place before she would be able to make a decision regarding the proposal.
'Council,MemberO'Brien indicated his questions had been answered.
Given the lateness of the hour, the City Council indicated no action would be
taken this evening and the item would be continued to their June 21, 2004
Regular City Council Meeting for Council discussion and action.
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