HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Bill 6.A 03/03/200300 f
2003
F
. , CITY OF I'ETALUMA, CAL- IF:QRNIA
MEMORANDUM
Communt Develo
ty _ _ pmeizt,Department, 11 English Street „Petaluma, .CA 94952
(707) 7784314 Fax (7077) 778 -4498 E -mail. mmoore@dpetaluma.ca.us
DATE: March 3, 2003
TO: Michael B'errnan , City Manager
FROM: Mike Moore, Community Dovelppment Direct
Jaym Allsep, Contract Plannf°
SUBJECT: Redwood Technology Center
BACKGROUND:
Proposed Project
The Redwood Technology CenterprgJ t, proposed by Basin Street Properties, would entail the
development of an office/research and development 'center located. on a 14.4 -acre ,site near-the
corner of 'Old Redwood. 'Highway and North McDowell Boulevard. The proposal includes
262,500 gross square feet of professional office /research :and development space 'contained -in
four and B, and a 7,500 square' foot- freestanding restaurant
building pad S on Parcel a A. o A, reduced, set of plans, which includes a site plan, architectural,
preliminary grading and landscape plans, is attached.
The project would require, approval of a General Plan Amendment and aRezonng of property.
The General Plan Amendment would change the land use designation from the current "Special.
Commercial” designation to a "Special Industrial /Off ce'Park" designation, which is intended for
well- designed, master - planned, campus -type developments for employers who will contribute
significantly to the City's objective of increasing employment densities. The proposed rezoning
would replace ,the existing Highway Commercial (CH) District designation on Parcel A, and
Light Industrial (ML) District designation on Parcel B with a Planned Unit District (PUD)
designation.
Planning' Canmissi'on Re�iew andAecommendat on
The. Planning Commission conducted "three public hearings' on the project at. meetings held on
January 8, January 22, and May 14,. 2002. The first two meetings held in January focused on: the
Draft EIR, and the last meeting in May focused on the Final EIR and project merits. The
minutes of the January 8' January 22, and May 14, 2002 Planning Commission: meeting are
attached to this report and ate included in Volume II of the Final EIR.,
On, May 14 2002 the Planning Commission recommended that the City Council certify the
Final Environmental ,Impact, eport, adopt 'the General Plan Amendment;, and approve the
request to rezone the property. to TUD, including the adoption of. �a Planned Unit Development
Plan for the Redwood 'Technology Center project. As part of their recommendations on the
project, the Planning Commission' requested the following:
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■ The site plan generated for the "Pedestrian- Friendly" alternative identified in the Final
EIR (Alternative D) should be seriously•considered, along with any resulting hydrology
impacts;
• On -site daycare shall be a requirement of the project;
• A condition of. approval that°water going into the "Petaluma River i's filtered, and , that: it be
monitored;
• The maximum building height should be limited to 55 feet to be consistent. with buildings
nearby;
■ Eliminate jail facilities as one of the conditionally permitted uses identified in the
proposed PUD :regulations; and
Funding ,sources and bonding• capabilities to widen the Old Redwood'.Highway overpass
need to be considered.
City Council Action
The City Council considered the Final EIR And project on June lb,, 2002. After brief
presentations by both staff and the applicant's project team, and, after receiving.pub
the City Council voted to, continue the item. The project was scheduled to go. back before the
Council on September 9, 2062. However, due 'to-other pressing, matters before the Council, the
project was taken off the agenda. and postponed at the request of the applicant.
The City Council must first act on certification of the Final EIR. The Final EIR musi'be certified
before the project can be approved. Certification of the Final EIR. does riot require that. the City
Council approve the project as proposed. The City Council may ; approve the project *as
proposed, with conditions and/or revisions. Alternatively, the Council can choose`fo deny the
project and/or approve ,a proj ect alternative that; was analyzed in the Final EIR.
Given the length:oftime since this project was last reviewed by thei Council, and given that there
are riow three new council members information previously transmitted, to the' City Council is
once again being ,provided. The following is a list: of documents. attached to this report and a
brief description of some of. the important information contained in these documents:
■ Staff Report prepared for the .dune 10, 2002 City° Council , meeting (Attachment 1).
This report contains an overview of the proposed project, an analysis of the projects.
conformance. with General Plan and Zoning policies and an: overview of the topics
discussed iii the Final, ETR.
Memorandum. dated July. 12, 2002 Response to Issues Raised at June 10, 2002 City
Council Meeting (Attachment 2). In response to a number of questions raised 'at the
June 10, 2002 meeting; staff prodded, written _responses to those questions in a
memorandum dated July 12, 2002::
Draft; Resolutions Certifying t>ie Final Environmental,Irnpact Report and adopting
findings a statement of overriding considerations` (Attachments 3 and 4);, The
Petaluma; Environmental Review Guidelines and the California '- oDmental Quality
Act (CEQA) Guidelines require,'that the decision - making body balance the economic,
legal, social, technological, or other benefits of `a proposed project against its :unavoidable
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environmental risks when determining; whether to approve a project: If these benefits
outweigh the unavoidable adverse environmentat effects, the adverse effects may be
considered" "acceptable." The :decision= making body must state in writing the specific
reasons . to support its action based on the 'Final EIR, and/or other 'information in the
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record. This; "Statement of Overriding Considerations" must be.`supported by substantial
evidence in the record:.
For the Redwood Technology Center project there is, one significant impact that cannot
be mitigated to ales- than- significant level. Hence; the following impact is considered
sign'ifi'cant and unavoidable: The Old Redwood Highway overpass across Highway 101
would deteriorate to unacceptable service levels (Impact Cir -3), This impact would occur
with or 'without the project because of capacity constraints on the existing two -lane
freeway, overpass. The Final EIR identifies' Mitigation Measure CIR -3, which provides
for a, fair -share contribution to widen the overpass. to provide .four lanes. However,
widening of the overpass prior to the completion of the project would not be
economically feasible, since complete funding for the widening project, estimated in
1996 to cost $ Million, is not secured.
In, response to questions raised at the June - 10; 2002, City Council meeting staff has
prepared a .draft resolution which includes language for a Statement of Overriding
Considerations (shown in, italics). In addition, the xeso'lution includes draft findings,
which address project alternatives that were. considered but were dismissed. from further
consideration. The City Council :may ,adopt any or ;all of 'the findings as drafted, or may
direct staff to modify the statement and, findings as specified by the City Council. The
findings must be "sup
ported'by substantial evidence in the record. If significant revisions
to the resolution are required, staff recommends that the 'City Council give direction to
staff as to how the statement and findings should b& modified. Staff will then modify the
resolution per the City Council" s direction, and the resolution will then return to the City
Council. at the next available meeting for adoption.
Resolutions and Ordinance -approving the GPA :and' Rezoning and Development
Plan (Attachments 5; 6 and 7). These resolutions and ordinance contain the findings
necessary to approve the proposed general plan ;amendment, rezoning and Unit
Development Plan for the project.
Draft Conditions (Attachment 8). The proposed draft conditions are based on
comments recommendations and requirements of :other City departments arid. oilier
agencies and include the - niifigation measures identified in the Final .EIR, amended as
necessary to :serve, as a condition of project approval. Note: if approved by the City„
Council, the prgj ect would be required °to receive final approval for site plan, architectural
and landscape plans by the Site Plan &,Architectural Review Committee'(SPARC).
The Fin
al Environmental Impact Report, Volumes I and II, dated May 3, 2002, were
previousiv provided to the Council, and are now being provided to the new councilmembers.
If any councilmember needs another copy of the Final EIR or would like a full -size set of
project plans; please contact: Anne Windsor at (707) 778=4316 or Jayni. Alisep at (415) 789 -
0736 Community Development Department staff and the, EIR traffic and hydrology
consultants will attend the meeting to respond to questions. Given the length of time that
has passed since this project was first reviewed' by the Council, please .feel free to contact
staff in advance of 'the March 3rd meeting with any questions so that we may be prepared to
,respond at or'before the meeting.
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Attachments:
1. City Council Staff Report prepared for June 10, .2002 meeting (without attachments•
except for Planning Commission. Minutes). I
2 Meeting ated. Jul Y `12 , 2002 - Res p onses to Issues raised' at June 1`0, 20
Council 02 City
3. Resolution Certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report:
4. Resolution '(revised) adopting a Statement of 'Overriding Considerations and Approving
the Mitigation `Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP). j
5. Resolution Amending the 'General Plan hand.Use Map from "Special Commercial" to
"Special Industrial/Office Park".-
6. Introduction of Ordinance Rezoning Property from,.Highway.Comrnercial (CH) on Parcel
A and Light Industrial (ML) on Parcel B to Planned'Unit District'(P.UD),
7.. Resolution Adopting 'a Unit Development Plan for Redwood' Technology Center
8. Draft Conditions of Approval' (including mitigation measures adopted' as , conditions).
'9. Plans (City Council only)
o: George White, Assistant Community Developmerif'Director
Jayn*.AIsep, Project Planner, i
Vin Smith, Basin Street Properties
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S: \CC -City Counci]\Memo §\ Redwood_ Tech_ 030303\redwoodtechCCmemo030303 .doc
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ATTACHMENT: 1
CITY OFTETALUMA; CALIFORNIA
AGENDA BILL
Agenda Title
Meeting Date: June 10, 2002
Discussion and Possible. Action Regarding; a Recommendation from.
the Planning Commission to Approve;
A. 'Resolution Certifying the "Final Environmental Impact
:Report.
B. Resolution .Adopting a Statement of
Considerations and' Approving the Mitigation Monitoring
and Reporting:Program. (1VIl\!IRP).,
C. Resolution Amending the General.Plan Land. Use Map from
"Special Coiniriercial" to "Special Industrial/Office, Park ".
D. Introduction of Ordinance Rezoning, Property from.Highway
Commercial (CH) on:P,arcel A acid Light Industrial- (ML) on
Parcel B to Planned Unit District'(PUD).,
.E. Resolution Adopting a Uri't Development Plan for Redwood
Technology Center
Project is proposed for a 14.4 acre: site at the Southwest Corner of
Old Redwood Highway and North McDowell Boulevard : APN 007 --
411 -007; 9., 1 -1, 1.8, 19 (Moore /Allsep)
IL
apartment
Direetor
,Contact Pe s
Phone Number 778 -4301
Community
Michael C. e,
ay,n1 All ep,
Development
Project Planet .
Cost of Proposal N/A
Account Number N/A
Amount Budgeted N/A
Name of )Fund: N/A
Attachments to Agenda Packet Item
1. Location Map
2. Minutes Excerpt of May 14, 2002 Planning Commission `1VIeeting,
3. .Memorandum from Hydrologist Betty Andrews, PWA dated May 30
4. Staff Report frorn the May 14, 2002 Planning Commission Meeting (without Attachments)
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5. Staff Report from ahe January 5,, 2002 Planning Commission- Meeting (report dated December 11,
2001 — without Attachments)
6. Proposed,Redwood Technology Center Development Standards
7: Public: Notice
8. Draft Conditions of Approval
9. Draft Resolution Certifying: the' Final. Environmental Impact Report
1.0. Draft Resolution Adopting a Statement of Overriding Considerations and Approving the Mitigation
Monitoring and Reporting,Program,(MMRP)
11. Draft Resolution A nending:the General Plan land use designation from "Special Commercial" to
"_Special Indu-str. iaUOfRc:e Park"
11 Draft Ordinance to Rezone the,subject.property from.Highway'Conimercial (Parcel A) and Light
Industrial (Parcel B) to Planned Unit.District (PUD)
13. Draft Resolution adopting Umt.IDeuelopmeni Plan for the Redwood Technology Center
Summary Statement Consideration of recommendations from the Plannmg'Commission `and:approva'1 of
resolutions to certify the Final Environmental. Impact Report (EIR), adopt a General Plan Amendment from
"Special Commercial" to "Special Industrial /Office Park ', I and adopt, an Ordinance to Rezone the subject
parcel from Highway Coimercial (Parcel .A), and Light;�Industrial (Parcel -B)j District -to Planned Unit
Dlstrict.( which W ill. allow�the development of an office /research and development center located.on a
1.4.4-acre site near the corner, of Old Redwood Highway and North McDowell Boulevard, .APN 007 - 41.1 =7,
9, 11, IS: and 19. 'The proposal includes a total of 262;500 gross square feet of professional office /research.
and• development space contained 'in four, buildings to be located on 'Parcels A and B, and a 7,500 square
foot freestand'ing.restaurant building pad on Parcel A.
Council Priority THIS AGENDA ITEM IS CONSIDERED TO BE P ART OF, OR NECESSARY `To; ONE OR
MORE' OF THE 2001 PRIORITIES EsTABLISHED'BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON J,ULY.Z1;, 2001:
Pnority(s):
Recommended City Council Action /Suggested Motion Cbrisideration of kecommendations from the
Planning`,Commission and, approval. of resolutions' to .certify the'F-inal Environmental Impact' Report (EIR),
adopt a General Plan, Amendment from "Special Commercial "„ to "Special Industrial /Office Park " ; and
adopt an Ordinance io Rezone the mibject parcel from Highway Commercial (Parcel A) and Light`
Industrial (Parcel B), :District to Planned Unit ;Distri ct_ (PUD) which will allow the development. of an
office/researchl and development center located on a 14.4- acre, site, near .the corner of Old Redwood"
Highway'and No rth McDowell Boulevard; APN 007411-7,9,11, 18' and, 19., The proposal includes a total
of 262,500 gross square feet of professional office /research and' develop'ineiif space contained in four
buildings to be; located on Parcels A and B, acid a 7;5:00 square foot •freestanding 'restaurant building pad' on.
Parcel,A.
R eviewed by Mnanfce� Director :
Reviewed'by ":City Attorney
Date:
A rov d; v 'City lawmen
Dater
te:
Today's ,Date
Revision .# and Date'Redised:
le . ode:
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CITY OF PETALUMA . C ALIFORNIA
June, 10, 2002'
AGENDA SPORT
FOR
T E`REDWOOD TECHNOLOGY CENTER.
GENERAL,.PLAN.AMENDAINT, RE ZONINGAND
NIT ..
U- DEVELOPMENT PLAN:
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposed project entails the, development: of an, office /research and development :center
located :on a 14..4 -acre site near the corner of Old Redwood .Highway - and North McDowell
Boulevard. The proposal includes 262;500 ,gross square feet of professional office /research and
development space contained in ;four buildings. to 'be located on. Parcels .A and B and a 7;500
square foot freestanding restaurant 'building ,pad on, Parcel A. On May 14 2002; the Planning
C6mmiss'ion recommended, that the. Cray Council certify the Final Environmental Impact Report,
10, . Adopt General Plan Amendment; and approve the request to rezone the' property to PUD,
including the' adoption of. a Planned Unit Development Plan.
2. BACKGROUND.
Project-Description
Basin Street Properties proposes. to construct an 'office/ research and development center that
would provide a total of '262,500 gross: square feet of professional office /research and
development space contained in'-four buildings to 'be located on two parcels located near the
corner of Old. Redwood Highway and North McDowell Boulevard. A 7,500 square foot
free restaurant building ,pad' is also proposed.
Primary access to the project' would. he from a westerly extension of 'Redwood Way at: North
McDowell Boulevard. This road would be constructed on the.' adj acent parcel (Parcel C) owned-
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,by California ,Drive -ln 'Theatres. The applicant has entered into an access° agreement with the
owners of Parcel, C to provide .for, this primary access. In addition a driveway, is proposed near
the restaurant pad on Parcel._A, and Stubb Road serves as a secondary access for Parcel B.
Development - proposed for each ,parcel is described below:
Pareel'A Development on this parcel would consist of two office buildings and a 7,500 - square
.foot restaurant; Building Al _ would contain 58,000 gross square feet and Building A2 would
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contain 5'4;500 gross square feet of office%12 &D space. Each of :the office: buildings would be
2
threel stories and have a maximum `height of 50 feet. The office buildings would be; constructed
on p p y p plaza. The. restaurant
the west side of the parcel separated from each other b a landsca ed
would be situated at the northeastern corner of the property; at the corner formed by the
intersection of North McDowell and Old Redwood.;Highway., Automobile: parking would be
provided south:. and east of each office, building witlimost.of the, parking to the east and ,smaller
parking,areas to the south. A total of 432',spaces would be provided on Parcel A, of which 2,0 are
proposed' to '.be shared spaces :between the restaurar t.and .the office/R &D uses.
Parcel,B Development on this •parcel: would consist of adjacent office, buildings: Building
gross square feet and _Buildin B2 would contain B l would contain 90000 q g in 50 gross. square.
feet of off.ce%R &D space. Each ofthe buildings would be three storiesandswould have a similar
curvilinear design, separated'by a lndscaped,plaza/meefirig area. The'rnaxirnum building; height'
would be, 50 feet. The two buildings would be sited on the'northwest corner H of the parcel, near
the northbound Highway Ml off- raftip..A tOtal.of 52_$ spaces is proposed on Parcel B, of which
39.6 spaces would be contained .in .a parking sfructure 'locat'ed to the east of the buildings. The
parkin& structure, would have one :at grade level and one elevated level`:
Building materials are proposed to be a combination, .of 'lightly reflective vision glass with
spandrelite panels set in painted,aluminum'window mullions and textured concrete panels.
The Redwood Technology Ceriterplan -includes _several, design amenities; including' 1'aridscapiig,
outdoor meeting areas, pedestrian paths acid a water feature between the,two buildings onParcel
act .of the noise :from ad acent Hi wa 101: Pro osed
B ;designed to minimize the. imp j _ gh y p,
development standards including permitted 'uses, :conditional uses, maximum, building leghf,,
-minimum building °setbacks. and:ppr'king requirements are specified in Attachment 6)'. "
An ,existing ditch that follows the el" aturbi of the Highway 101 off -ramp would 'be "improved as
part of the proposal to mitigate for wetlands loss. The ditch would lead to ;a larger weflnd are
south of ;the parking rot.
The RedwoodT�e�c Develop t :Plan proposes an alternate, luniversal, stall size ;of'
8.5'X 18 feet (1 STALL ) to be used throughout. the development,
The 'project ;sponsor-' has -submitted, applicafions requesting°, approval - � of _a General,; Plan
Amendment and a. Rezoning of property. The General Plan, Amendment; would change' the land
use: designation from the current Sec "
gn " p ial C'ommercial" designation to a "Special
Industrial /Offiee Park designation, which is intended'fot well - designed, master. - planned, campus -
type developments `for, employers who will contribute significantly to the City's objective of
increasing employm" ent' densities.
designation s s Parcel A and Light e
Li h Industrial ML) n Distri I t C e
desi ato on (Cell) District
g _ (, gn Parcel B with a
Plarmed, Unit District' (PUU) designation: The Planned Unit District is designed to allow
inclusion within its, boundaries, a mixture of uses; or unusual, density, building intensity; or design
-characteristics that would not normally be perrnittedin a. single use! district. Development in this
zone is allowable only after the approval' by the. City Council of a complete UnitDevelopment Plan:
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showing the internal, design of the'Distfict, the interrelatioriship of uses,, and their relation I ` the
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surrounding area.:
Both parcels are "within 'the F"C, Floo ai - Combining overlay Oistrict. The provisions of
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dpl i n is-
Article 16, Floodway and Flood Plain Districts, ' wi th specific building
gnating wi
, criteria, will apply.
Following City Council 4p
proval the proposal will be required to receive final zpprovad for site
plan, architectural and landscape; plans by the Site Plan & Architectural Review Committee,
(SPARC).
Site History:
,In 1994, the City Council certified a Final Environmental Im pact Report (EIR) for the Pacific,
....Theatres Expansion (on Site C) and:-pursuod the ptbparation-of f6r the 30 acres of
land, known as the Redwood Crossroads site, -made u p: of Parcels A,, B :and C,. under
separate: ownership In ON., a ept known as the Redwood Shopping Cdnterwds
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proposed on, the -, 0.2-,acre parcel at the intersection. of McDowell Boulevard North and Old
Redwood y h(pprd q a , due to pp cn! offi ce�s�uppl store 'identified as an anchor tenant. When, it becam6 tail aarent thath z Staples
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number of'jssues an&cancerns,, the two other property , Parcels B. and owners (6 - were not
interested in -ffov]*L'n'g - forward With a master plan for I I he l arger argpr 30-acrp the City Council
made thedetermination that the sit e need not."be, maste
b r plann6d, Instead,, the scope of the EIR
g re for the Redwood Crossroads :Shopping, Center Was expanded to °include a; policy _.
analysis ;sectionand an a9ses9thent of potential land use d1te matives for the larger
'30-acre
In 1999',_ G&W Manage fit (how Basij - Stree
.gemb n t Propgrtie submitted plans Tbi.the Corporate
Campus project for -8.2-acre parcel; now -referred to.'as, ParUel'B. 'This project proposed a
150",660 , sq. fLprofession4l office/research and,devdlo' - 1 on
ent complex ? At arceI`B4 thatAime;
.ph I -_ , .- 1. 1-1- 1 I
the applicants, for both, t ime;
Crossroads retail` cen and the Corporate Campus agreed
to. expand' the scope of the original, EIR, to include, analysis of both pr6j'eds'. Jh addition,, it was
decided that, a , or the "theater ,property e� development scenario
y P arcel Q would also be,
addressed ill the EIR, analysis., The,scope of the EM was later modified - ified. to reflect the pro ject
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currently'prop6s6d, Parcels Aand B, Redwood Technolo Center.
General:-P.Ian Consistenc
The pr9pQsa1, includes z_xeiquest for a General Plan. Amendment that would change the current
"Special �Cbmnfercial` des4tnation - to a, "Special. Industrial /Office I . Park-" designation., Accordin '
gn- .
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to the General, Plan, this -di2signdtibh is 'intended for well - designed; master-plamied in
�ca, pus-ty
y pe
deVel'opmerits:for employers, who will contribute significantly to :the City's object of -increas ing
employme Sil � T �o
,pt, den � ties : proposes of an cl..
office /research and development campus With square feet . ,of office/R &D i space could'
provide': as man a 1,000 Aill"time jobs,, and would be consistent with the y _s objectives of the
S.peciaf4tidustrial/Office Park designatibn.
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General Plan policies related. health and saf6ty, water quality,, noise 'dild uiiliiy
,,service are
implemented through the project entitlement and building permit re . ew I process ,
vi proce9s.., General Plan
Ele coritaii policies - that, apply spetificalty -to, r
site e
the's and/or ' quire more, detailed
the I- -
analysis , Wdetermine , compliance are addressed below:
Community Character Chapter
;Policy —Low file, horii6ntal,dev
y p ro f vlqpmenfshaltbe encouraged Loe atim and!:&1teria
to - al l ow fortd1ler bifildings"Will be studied.
Policy 6 — Well designed development that will be 'harmonious with .their Getting andl6r
en hance
theciV" S
image shallheencouraged:
Policy 10 —, The , City shall encourage public and private Ian
dscap
ing,'along, or in, alt major
streets,
Policy 14.2 — New develqPMdht,,Yha1l` Midapedestrian and ,bicycle circulation wi thin and
in I
through; the •site -,t6 connect existi and /or planned City=Wide: pedestrian and/or bic ycle
networks. i
Policy `2-01--! The ,clu§tering-.
pr&esshall'be,endouraged p
Additional,,Vr�
doih"Mercia I Vs . hall,be discourogie�a, al'str' including eets Ld ke . Bo East
_ 4ekg
Washington, Petaluma Boulevard; -afid Old 'Redwood Highway.
The•prbposed proj ectinco design features that are consistent , with and achieveAhe'
intent of most of 'the policies sd4ofthin, this Ch apter. The buildings prqposdd,o
p
A and B would below profile, protecting surrounding views g view , ofthe hill§, and the project
site would be well with in th p landscaped v e� ar
v ` - ki ing
areas and in front of the hu'ildings�
and
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d along the - North McDowell, frontage. The," ect would also preserve some wetlands
pr
on-site within, a weiland inifigation area Which addresses ihe Gefidtal, P�lan, objectiv bj 6 IV b, to
preserve mea and usable urban open space in development.! Although "plans for
the project do mot demonstrate compliance the Bicycle cle Plan, mitigation measures
id6iitifie& in ' the 'Traffic - and Circulation ulation,section of the EIR would require _and empl
pedestrian zonnections and. f ti6S" as Well -as bicycle lockers ers ac i k �racks. d
- - 1 - __ - : . I - and d ' - '_ ' o - empl 0 ye,e
howqTs - �J an
n accordance with, recominendations - contained in A ed :;: A f 'the I Bicycle,
Plan. , As conditioned,, the pfoj ect I w ould , conform .to the policies of this Chapter.
Land Use and Growth Management Chapter
The goals and policies, of the 'Land. Use and 'Growth Management Chapter reflect the
city',s overall philosophy on publi pro ic andp .private development. The is
,located within, the Urban Limit Line, and . is consistent with ,Cit , City - policy to, limit - ,growth
y Q
within - w - these boun
_daries. Similar the pfoi.ebt:is consistent with I � - ty, A6e� Land. Use
that support- and ;reinforce ;city centered development., The project' i . s, consistent with the
.intent of the Special Industridl/Offi - Park designation, which. its to. support well- designed, m4stery pe dev dopmerits for loyers
iannedcampus-ty e - i
emp , w, 11 contribute
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significantly to obi ective.of increasing . employment densities'. In addition, the
• Redwood Te6hhigh- lo y Center wo 0
uldcofitributet the tax base of, the- City by providing an
op portunity,for Wage resiQAts to work in the City. Furthermore,. the Project does
not precludethe development - of the adj abentpropetty, -ret '*
,PatbeIC',:as�ata-x; ai I
center.
Local Eeononiv Chapter
Policy 0 o
Cit acti number f persons who both
,y shall ach ly attempf to increase the nu
work and in Petaluma.
Policy 7' - The Cit''ihdll, new s industrie that will employ Petalumans,
y industries - . - employ
The project could provid as many as 1,000 full jobs; many of wlii6h would be
higher Paying position's for Which ketalurn-ans are currently out- commuting to ,
communities in the Bay Area. 'Therefore, in gerjerdl,, the Redwood Technology. Center
'would' 'help lo achieve; the� Local Economy Chapter's oa19, objectives and policies related,
to creating sources of local employment; attracting Jo-offi . ce projects to ffi e and
g ., 4j x - -_ - , , y
.increasing the number of who - live . and work. Petaluma,
Transportation Chapter
at "C"
Policy 1 On! streets where Level of Service s, currently or bette LOS'
Y : -, I- - 1 1. ) i
,- n
shalt not deteriorate ,below "C". Where 1985 LOS was: '.D,:"'or "E", LOS' shall not
deteriorate to the next lower level. ,
Policy 2s TYaff c improweinents shall be made to. ,arterials and collectors to provide LOS
C or befter, where feasible:,
Folipy, 9: Land use decisio take into consideration I a
pqte n ti I traffic impacts.
P fic 10: New develODMOnt shall'be required to p d y- pro-rata shar of needed traffic 0 Y e
wrovements.
y
31::, Land use decis ions shall'be based on Potential traffic traffic impacts.
i
Traffic improvements identifiO m the Tinal,EIR would maffitaift a Level. of S i
ervice
(LOS) 1) On the roadways ' I .1 n the ar ea. However mitigation, measures require only 4 pro-
rata contribution for these 'road i s, many of which, are not 'included 'in. the
improvement
City's;, Capital lnipt6vernent Plan Therefore, complete i funding 'for , the needed,
improvements is not guarant ar . - e.ed, and the City Council fm& that the mitigation measures
cannot 'be feasibly 'lemenbod and further finds: that
IMP impacts are considered acceptable
because ,overriding considerations indicate that the project's', b.ehefits outweigh the
impacts in question, In addition, the, project would result in one traffic impact (CIRr3 that is
de'eined,significant unavoidable. Traffic on 'the Old Redwood Highway overpass across
I
HighWdy 101 Would. deteniorate'to uftacceptableservibd levels.,
Thi§ impact would result,
whether or not the prod j ect - woul'd occur,, and is discussed further Below.;
Similar to the policies containedin. the Coffimunity-Character Chapter, Prograni 13..1 call
,for major employment and commercial 'centers to incorporate into their d'evelopm en
p l ans,, lang,, to the extent: possible. pedestrian, transit fatid'bicycfe access and related facilities
such as bicycle racks/lockers, street li ght ng and furniture,, and transit ,stops.
-.i
The project site is 'currently served by two local bus -routes and 'is accessible by local
bicycle routes. MitigatioWmeasure identif.fed in, the Traffic and ,Circulation section of
the EIR, would require improved
pedestrian connections and facilities,-as wellias bicycle
lockers, and racks, and employees showers in accordance with recommendations; - contained
a
in Appendix A the Bicycle Plan. In addition, , Appendix - - -- --Qn, & rneasurei*8 recommended
that, Would require that the proposed project include; a statement of intent that the
developers will- encourage the! of vehicle it pzeductfori progr
Community Health and Safety Chapter
P000; 7 The Eit
shall regy.late--ldnd uses in flood d-prone areas 'and shou allow
develo i n those areas only prc
*4b,op ?pr ate Mitigation.
Policy I h . .0: T C ity shall continue to require, fees;
standards, and other measure to
mii associated. with new development
Policy 1 2• The City shall requite, dynamic- ground-motion analyses and , responsive
,
structural design for all new higk-Qccup 04 structures and cy w hose continued
� W
functioning d'
in the, event of �a: disaster is critical;: and to h ave plan che . cki for
these buildings performed'by, a licenjed.structuralen ineer.
The proposed project, would he desigried -and constructed .. to minimize hazards from
floodinvto the fallest 'extent possible; as balled for in the -Hazard section of the
Community Health and Safety- Chapter. Under. Seismic Safety Policy 12, the City,
requires ;dynarnic, -grouhd m6fion analysis at the time of building pernift/Olan check
review, -Furthermore, noise - °and,air quality -impacts generated by the project. would not
impede the 'General Plan obj ectives to minimize: noise` - created by ftifur development and
maintain and im prove Mdftima"s pair qualit
. ,General Plan AmendmehfReques
In orderforthe3 City Qouncil, to ap prove a General .PanA
lmerdinent the .fol Ji
. lowin ndings must
-
be made:t
•, The
. proposed General Tla:ii Amendment; is consistent and compatible with the rest of
the General Plan and any implementation programs; that maybe affiectM.
Potential irnDacts of the. prop Pose d amendni etit, have been assessed and, have been
determined not —to be detrimental to the public health, safety;, or welfare.
7,
� 1
• The proposed amendment' has been processed in accordance with the applicable
provisions of the California Government Code and the "California. Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA).
A discussion of the project "s conformance with City general plan policies and the findings to
approve a General Plan Amendment is contained in the January 8, 2002, Planning Commission
staff report (dated December ;11, 2001).
Rezoning
The proposal involves a rezoning that would replace the existing Highway Commercial (CH)
District designation on Parcel A, and. Light Industrial (ML) District ,designation on Parcel B with
a Planned ' Unit District (PUD) designation. The Planned Unit District is designed to allow
inclusion within its .boundaries a of uses, or unusual density, building intensity, or design
characteristics that would not, normally be permitted in a single use district.. Development in this
zone is allowable only afterthe approval by City Council. of a complete Unit.Development Plan
showing the „internal design of the District, the interrelationships of uses; and their relation to the
surrounding area. In addition, the following specific findings must be made:
® That any`P.U.D. District is` proposed on property which has suitable relationship to one or
more thoroughfares, and that said thoroughfares are adequate to carry any additional traffic
generated by development,.
•
• That the plan for the'proposed development presents a unified,and.organized arrangement
of buildings and service facilities which are appropriate in relation to adjacent or nearby
properties, and that provisions for adequate landscaping and/or screening are included to
ensure compatibility.
• That the natural and scenic qualities of the site are protected, with adequate available
public and private spaces designated on the Unit Development Plan.
® The development of the subject property project in the manner proposed by the applicant,
and as conditioned, will ,not be detrimental to the :public; welfare, will be in the best
interests of the City, and will be in keeping with the general intent and spirit of the zoning
regulations of the City of Petaluma, and with the Petaluma General Plan.
A discussion of the project's conformance with City zoning policies is contained in the January
8, 2002 staff report (dated December 11, 2001).
Preliminary SPARC Review
The previous retail center proposed for Site A and the Corporate Campus proposed for Site B.
were p resented to SPARC for preliminary review on August 12, 1999. The current proposal has
not been reviewed by SPARC. Conditions of approval require SPARC review and approval
prior to the issuance of a building or grading permit.
•
E.
Planning Commission, Review
The Planning. Commission conducted three public hearings on the project at meetings held on
January 8, January , ,22, and May 14, 2002:, The first two meetings held in January focused on the
Draft EIR, and the last meeting in May,,focused on the Final EIR and project merits. Attached are.
the minutes and staff reports for these Planning Commission meetings. The minutes of the
January ,8 and .January 22, 2402, Planning Commission .meetings are included in Volume II of
the Final EIR.
During the three public hearings, the Planning. Commission heard testimony, -from- several
members of -the public whose concerns, focused the ;project's possible iinpacts on traffic and
flooding in the area. At the' May 14th. Planning Commission meeting, a member of the - public,
Mr. John Cheney, questioned whether an existing.84 -inch pipe near Corona Road,was _factored
into the hydrology analysis. At that time; Betty Andrews With Phillip Williams & Associates,
EIR hydrology consultants; could not confirm or deny the presence of the pipe in question. Staff -
suggested that as part; of their ,recommendation, the Planning Commission could request that
further field investigation and' hydrology rnod`eling, if necessary, be required prior to the
Council's consideration `of the project.
After receiving the staff report discussion, and :hearing all public testimony, the Commission
voted to:
1) Recommend that the City Council, certify the Final Environmental Impact Report, with the
,stipulation that a field check be conducted to confirm the presence of the 84 7inch culvert in •
question,, and•'if necessary, re -run the hydrology model to, determine whether' any changes to
the, conclusions of the EIR hydrology analysis would result.
2) Adopt the, General. Plan Amendment to a "Special Industrial /Office Park" designation; and
3) Approve the Rezoning to "Planned Unit Development (PUD), including the adoption of a
Planned UnitDevelopment Plan.
As part of their recommendations on the project,. the Planning Commission requested the
following:
■ The site plan generated for the . "Pedestrian Friendly" alternative identified in the Finial
EIR (Alternative D) `should. be seriously considered, ;along with any resulting hydrology
impacts;
On -site daycare shall be a requirement of the project;
■ A; condition of approval that water going into the Petaluma River is filtered and that it 'be
monitored; "
■ The maximum building height should be limited to 55 feet to be consistent with buildings
nearby;
W
® Eliminate jail facilities as one of -the conditionally permitted_ uses identified in the
• proposed PUD regulations; and
® Funding sources and bonding capabilities to widen the Old Redwood Highway overpass
need to be considered.
As recommended by the staff and the Planning Commission, the EIR hydrology consultant,
PWA, conducted additional fieldwork and was able to confirm the presence of the 84 -inch
culvert'discussed above. PWA has revised the hydrodynamic model used in the Final EIR to
evaluate the hydraulic ; and hydrologic impacts of the proposed Redwood Technology Center so
that it includes the previously omitted "84- inch" culvert at the end ofthe Holm Road ditch. The
effect of the addition of -the culvert on both the existing conditions and "the with - project model
results in a 100 -year event is extremely modest. As previously concluded in the Final EIR, this
amount is within the range of the model's computational uncertainty and can be considered in all
cases to quantitatively represent no impact. A memorandum from PWA that reports the findings
of the additionaYfield and modeling work is included as Attachment 3.
3. F INAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
On October 24, 2001, a Draft' 'E'IR for the Redwood Technology. Center project was released for
the required 45 -day public review" and comment period. The public comment period was
extended to include comments received prior to "and during the Planning, Commission hearing
• h eld on January 8 2002. At the following. meeting held on January 22, 2002, the Planning
Commission provided their comments on the Draft EIR and requested that they have an
opportunity to review the Final EIR.
The City's EIR consultant, Design, Community & Environment. (DC &E), has prepared the Final
EIR, which provides responses to comments received on the Draft EIR, and clarifies any errors,
omissions, or misinterpretation of discussion of findings in the Draft EIR.
th Draft . EIR is containe � environm Vol
al evaluation, ins the same components included in
(p descri p ion_ alternatives to the proposed
project), with corrections clarifications and minor .text edits' based on :comments received on the
Draft EIR: Hi1ghh1ghted text represents" language that has been added to the EIR documents text
with steers has been deleted from the EIR. " Volume I also contains a Mitigation Monitoring
Pro'grAm, The City must mom orir g,mitigati n measures that e r o made conditions of pro'ect,a pfor reporting or
-adopted P ,J approval.
Volume . 11 of the Final E IR contains reproductions of letters received from the public and
government agencies on, the Draft EIR. Following each letter are .responses to comments
contained .in the letter-, The responses are keyed to the comment'by sharing the same numeric
code (shown in the margin of the letters). The written comments are followed by public hearing
comments and responses, Volume II also contains the Appendices, supplemental information
related to traffic and' eirculation, groundwater and information related specifically to Parcel C
• (Theater parcel).
10
The Final EIR concludes that implementation of the Redwood Technology Center project,
including the development scenario for .Parcel C, has the potential to generate environmental
impacts in the following areas:
• Public Policy
• Traffic and Circulation
• Infrastructure and Community Services
• Visual and Urban Design
• Biology
• Hydrology; Drainage and Water Quality
• Noise
• Air
Although impacts could be significant ;. all but one of the identified impacts are avoidable and
would: be reduced to a less- than- significant level if the mitigation. measures recommended in this
report. are implemented.
Unavoidable Significant.Impact
The Final EIR concludes.,;that one 9 1 gnificant and*. unavoidable traffic impact (Impact C r=3).
Whether . or not the project would occur traffic on the Old Redwood Highway overpass across
Highway 1.01 would deteriorate to unacceptable service levels. Given that the recommended
mitigation measure.to widen to overpass could not occur'prior to completion ofthe ;project, :the
impact could. not be .mitigated to . a less - than_ significant level. Therefore, this impact is
considered significant and unavoidable.
The Petaluma Environmental Review Guidelines and the CEQA guidelines require that the
decision =makmg� agency to balance, as applicable, the economic, legal, social, technological, or
other benefits of a proposed project against its unavoidable environmental risks when
determining whether to approve a project. If these `benefits outweigh the unavoidable adverse
environmental effects,, the adverse effects may be considered "acceptable:," The decision- making
agency .must state in writing the specific reasons to. support its ;.action based. on the Final EIR
and/or other information. in the, record. The statement of overriding considerations must be
supported by substantial evidence in the record.
Parcel C - Theater Parcel
As noted previously, after the City Council made the determination that the parcels;. comprising
the 30 acres, known as Redwood ;Crossroads; need not be master- planned, the ;scope of the ,EIR
was amended to :include a future development scenario for the 16:2 -acre theater property (Parcel
C) in order to assess the environmental impacts of development of the entire 30 acres (Parcels,A,
B and C). The Parcel `C development scenario that is analyzed in the .Fina1.EIR is. ;based on an
application filed by .Robertson 'Properties Group .in December 200.1. This application ,proposes .
the demolition of the existing theater bulding..and development of :a retail center that would
'include a free- standing discount store -with garden center, over 34,000 square .feet of additional
retail space and two'restaurant, 'ads,, one which is proposed to be. a fast -food restaurant with a
drive- through. It is "important to note that although .Parcel C development was included in the
EIR analysis, the .Robertson Properties Group application for Parcel C is not before the City
1.1
Council at this time. This 'application which requires an amendment to an approved PCD, will
be subject to a separate environmental review, and public hearing process .before the Planning
• Commission and the City Council.
4. ALTERNATIVES
a. The City Council may accept the recommendation from the Planning Commission and
approve the requested General Plan Amendment, Rezoning and Planned Community
Regulations.
b. The City Council may approve the proposed project with other. modifications.
c. The City Council may deny the request for the General Plan Amendment and/or the
request for the Rezoning.
5. FINANCIAL IMPACTS
This is a private development project subject to. applicable City Special development. Fees and
standard processing .permit fees. A contract planner, working on a full cost recovery basis, has
processed the application:
6. CONCLUSION
The Planning Commission recom'm6nded certification of the Final EIR, and also found that the
proposed General Plan Amendment, Rezoning, and Unit Development. Plan would be consistent
with the General Plan and , the Zoning Ordinance, and recommended that the City Council
approve the project.,
7. RECOMMENDATION
The Planning. Commission and staff .recommend that the City Council: 1.) adopt a resolution
certifying the. Final Environmental .Impact Report; 2) adopt a resolution adopting a Statement of
Overriding -Considerations .and' ;approving the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
(1V MRP) , 3) adopt a resolution to amend General Plan land use designation. from "Special
Commercial" to "Special Industrial/Office Park "; and 4) introducel an ordinance to ;rezone the
property from Highway Commercial (Parcel A) and. Light Industrial (Parcel B) to Planned Unit
District (PUD) including the' approval of a Unit Development Plan for the Redwood `Technology
Center.
•
12
Planning Commission'Minutes = January 8, 2002
•
City of Petaluma, California
City Council Chambers
City Hall, 11 English Street
Petaluma, CA'94952
Telephone 707/778 -4301 /`Fax 707/778 -4498
E -Mail planniazAci:petaluma.ca.us
Web Page htti)://www.ci.lietaluma.ca.us
Planning o mission' Minutes EXCERPT
January 8, 2002, 7:00' P.M.
Commissioners: Present: Barrett, Darg e, Glass*, Monteschio, O'Brien, von Raesfeld,
Vouri (Absent for Agenda1tem. I)
0 * Chair
NEW BUSINESS,
PUBLIC HEARING
11. REDWOOD TECHNOLOGY CENTER, by Basin Street Properties, corner of
Old Redwood Highway and North McDowell Boulevard,
AP NOS: -007- 411 -7, 9 11,18 and 19; FILE NOS: GPA00001; REZ00001.
Planner: Jayni,Allsep
The applicant requests that the Planning, Commission hold a Public Hearing on.'the
Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Redwood Technology Center,
an office and research & development campus that would include 262,5.00 gross
square feet of office/R &D space and a 7,,500 square foot restaurant pad, and
- forward a.recommendaton to the City Council on its adequacy. The applicant also
requests ,a recommendation from the Planning Commission Tor the City Council to
approve a "proposal that includes a request for a General Plan Amendment to re-
designate the 14:4 -acre subject property from "Special 'Commercial" to "Special
Industrial /Office Park "; and a rezoning request to replace: the .existing Highway
Commercial (CH) - District on Parcel A, and the Light Industrial (ML) District on
• Parcel B, to Planned Unit Development -PUD.
Jayni Allsep presented the staff report.
Planning Commission Minutes — January 8, 2002
David Early; Design Community Environment: Gave overview of the Draft EIR: Asked
Commission: to :comment on the DEIR by taking public comment and give: Planning
Commission comm_ ents on the DEIR and take action on the proposed Redwood
Technology Center.
Vin Smith: Gave historical background of project site and presented the Redwood
Technology Center project as proposed_.. Two significant issues as identified: traffic and
wetlands. LOS with or without the project is E to :F: This is a regional traffic issue and
should be dealt with 'in a regional way. Will be improving signal at North McDowell
and Old Redwood Highway.
Public comment opened:
Steve Nicholson, =Robertson Properties Owner and Developer of Parcel C: Project is
160;027 square feet of retail with 115;00 square feet of a big box retail and the remainder
unidentified.
Rick Parmer, 2.17 Fair Avenue: Lived in .Petaluma since 1986. Mitigations in the EIR
are unacceptable.. Flood plain management; °is : still a serious issue. Flood storage on
parcel: would have to be extremely high. ;Inadequate basin wide flood plain
— created flooding in Thompson Creek since Redwood Business Park. ,Is also impacting'
the eco system. Creates traffic issues and burdens the street system. Scale down projects
on all three sites A big box,retail will-have a negative impact on downtown businesses.
Rick Savel, Penngrove: Every increment is significant regarding traffic. Petaluma 1 7 S
moving ahead with projects assuming Highway 101 :is 6 lanes and ihafhas not`happenedI
City's model does not look` outside the City. Overlap traffic analysis zones and use
County zone data. Do not agree with assumptions in the DEIR. Would like a county
wide, meaningfiA analysis for traff c .before projects are approved. Overlap jurisdictional
maps — doesn't evaluate potential of floodway.
John King, 1055 Adobe Road; Have a aerious traffic problem on Adobe - Road.. Lssue
with the4Redwood Technology project is groundwater recharge. Referred to Section 4.32
of 'the Penngrove. Specific Plan.
John. Cheney, 55 Rocca, Drive: ;Do not, have faith :in EIRs. Would. like an explanation of
MIKE; 11: Don't think� this project is feasible until we have a new FEMA map.,
Presented a letter to Planning Comm fission. Know there is a plan in place for Parcel C.
Need a complete study of what 'is to be done on all Parcels. Please ,look at this project
and be careful.
Geoff Cartwirght 56 Rocca ;Drive! Don't see nything about cumulative impacts in the
DEIR. Referred to his letter submitted on January 8, quoting pages of the -DEIR.
0
Planning Commis :' ion Minutes — , January 8,.2002
John Bertucci: Element of mitigation not being addressed. Reclaim the' cinema and turn
back to the floodplain.
Public hearing closed.
Vin Smith: Responded to public comments on the project. Analysis concludes that the
project does not flood downstream projects. Are storing water on the site.
Continued to January 22, 2002.
Adjournment: 11 :05
SAK- Planning Commission \Minutes \0I0802•.doc
0
•
3
.Planning Commission Minutes
'City ofPetaluma, California
City Council Chambers
City Hall, 11 English Street
,Petaluma, CA 94952
January 22, 2002
Telephone 707 /778 -43.01 / Fax 707/778 -4498
E -Mail. PlanninL(ii),ci.netaluma.ca.us
Web Page http: / /www ;ci:petaluma.ta.us
Planning C®nmiss on Minutes EXCERPT
January 22, 2002, 7`:00 P.M.
Commissioners: Present. Barreft, Dargie, Glass *, Moritesch o, O'Brien, von Raesfeld,
Voun*
• * Chair
Staff. George White, Planning Manager
Jayni Allsep, Project Planner
Kim Gordon, Assistant Planner
Jane Thomson,, Code Enforcement Officer
Anne Windsor; .S'ecretary
OLD BUSINESS;
PUBLIC HEARING:
I. REDWOOD TECHNOLOGY CEN'T'ER by Basin Street Properties; corner of
Old. Redwood Highway and North McDowell.Boulevard:.
AP NOS:` 007- 411 -7, 9, 11, 18' and 19; FILE NOS: GPA00001; REZ00001
Planner: Jayn"i.Allsep
The applicant requests, that the Planning Commission hold a Public Hearing on the
Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Redwood Technology Center,
an officeand research & development campus that would include262,500 gross
ua
q
s re feet" of office/R &D space and a 7,500 square foot restaurant pad, and
forward a recommendation to the City Council on its adequacy. The applicant also
• requests a recommendation from the Planning Commission for the,City Council to
approve a proposal that includes a request for a General Plan Amendment to re-
.designate, the 14.4 .acre subject property from "Special Commercial" to "Special
Planning Commission Minutes
January 22, 2002
Industrial/Office Park "; and a rezoning request to replace the existing Highway
Commercial (CH) District on Parcel A, and the Light Industrial. (ML) District on
Parcel. B, to Planned Unit, Development -PUD.
(continued from January 8 5 2002).
Jayni Allsep, Project Planner: Gave an update, on Redwood. Technology DEIR, reiterated
that public comment on the DEIR is closed, tonight the Planning Commission will be
commenting on the DEIR.
Betty _Andrews, Philip Williams & Associates; Ltd -.: Gave a presentation on the MIKE
11 Hydrology Model.
Commission Comments:
Hydrology:
Commissioner Vouri: Felt hydrology was very well analyzed in DEIR. Two areas.that I
felt were .inadequate :regarding the hydrology element: — I am not comfortable finding the
DEIR adequate on a project that does not exist and the flows are "approximations ?'
because - the,,
grading plan is yet to be determined. There seems to be some kind of
financial liability or impact on the City's emergency services since it. is the intent of this
project that it flood on. purpose and then if there are people working in the offices or'
parked cars in lots then emergency 'services would rescue them because the parking', lot •
would be a temporary detention basin. Would like; to ;see a mechanism for the City to be
reimbursed.
Commissioner von Raesfeld: Do not have significant comments regarding hydrology:
We, have to assume consultants; were given proper 'information and direction the
difficulty .is that we will not know'.if they :right or wrong until it's too late. We would
have to be sure that this project would have no sgiufi`caiit downstream impact.
Commissioner Barrett: T airi also concerned about Parcel C and making a decision with
just a scenario and not an _actual project.
Jayni Allsep Responded to concerns; about Parcel C. When the Redwood Way Retail
Center IS, evaluated under CEQA andif it is found, that the assumptions were not! correct,
those issues Will then be addressed before that project can go., forward,
Commissioner. 'Barrett: Referred to' pg. 181, second paragraph "the Outlet Mall
Expansion Project would by itself 'increase the flow .rate and flood, elevations in the
Petaluma .River ". How would we, be looking at that; comment in light of this DEIR?
Asked about the wetlands.
Betty Andrews- Looked at both ,projects independently and then combined to, see the.
effect of both together. The effects of the comb ined. projects tracked almost, exactly the, •.
Planning Commission January 22, 2002'
effect of the 'Outlet Mall Expansion on its own. As a result the effect on the Petaluma
River could looked at _as;not being cumulative between the two,
Vin Smith: Responded to Commissioner` Barrett' question about the wetlands.. A
benefit to creating the wetlands is that ,we will be detaining water that would otherwise
enter the watershed and Willowbrook Creek at a peak flood event.
Commissioner O'Brien: Thought the DEIR did an excellent job on mitigation of
hydrology issues. Cumulative effects seem to be- further reduced with the scaling back of
the Factory Outlet Expansion.
Commission Dargie: Referred to Table 9 on pg., 1'74, regarding 1:0:0 year runoff and then
when you go to Table 1.1, the percentages do not match up. Can you please explain.
Betty Andrews: Table 9 shows ah-e amount of water that-would be running off Parcel B
just caused by changes on Parcel. B. Table '1.1 shows; the flow.rate actually passing by the
southeast corner of Parcel, Bat Holm Road which is the beginning of the Holm Road
ditch — it's representing a larger runoff.
Commissioner lVlonteschio: If we continue to pave over .our land, make detention ponds
and continue to channelize the water, when and how do our wells get recharged? I would
like this to be answered in this DEIR.,
�. Commissioner von Raesfeld Referred Ito page 1,81„ groundwater .section ..seems skimpy
to me and raises a couple of ;questions:, Section 4A on - groundwater reads "the-project. site
represents .1% of the total area, of the Petaluma Valley Groundwater basin7 and if makes
some conclusions from there is this gross acreage and permeable acreage, ideal
recharges vs non- recharged area?
Commissioner Glass: In the .Report it 'talks .about zero net runoff as
a Condition of Approval — I thzk that is absolutely necessary as a mitigation if this does
become a project. Zero. net;,,,;fill I s absolutely necessary: A paragraph that .I found
disturbing on Pg. .177, 3 paragraph — "flood water that would .flow through the project
site has the potential to strand occupants and flood parked vehicles and would, flood,
Redwood Way iiiaking the road impassable. Customer, employee and emergency vehicle
ingress and egress would have to follow, an alternative route. In some instances flood
water could, � revent p on of the project site." There ;is no mitigation. As a
- evacuati
condition "I find that unacceptdble. I share Commissioner Voun'9 comments when there
is flooding to have- a'funding mechanism for reimbursement to the City for time spent by
employees in eyent.of flood.
Commissioner O'Brien: Regarding flooding and stranding of customers ;and employees.
The Outlet mall has, detention ponds and to my knowledge no one has ever been..stranded
there.
Traffic:
Planning Commission Minutes January, -22, 2002
Commissioner- O'Brien: Project has been scaled back and applicant is paying traffic .
mitigation fees. Traffic :is a regional problem =. this project does not cause the traffic
problems the City ofPetaluma is experiencing presently.
Commissioner- Dargie: Referred to Pg. 75 – asked about details-of LOS of D as a
benchmark.. Study area,has to be enlarged to include Penngrove.
Applicant responded to question;
"regarding Level of Service D as a benchmark
Commissioner Monteschi'o: Analysis° of 200'6' assumed l O l is 6 lanes and Old Redwood
Highway;is wid'ened`to. 4 lanes – very possible that-:it will not, happen. Was Old Redwood.
Highwayanalyzed as only 21_anes? Is.there a standard about spacing of traffic lights?
Weinberger: Desirable not to have less than :500. feet.
Commissioner M.onteschi 1 o Need to include .Peringrove. Would like analysis done on
1.01 not being widened and Old. Redwood Highway as two lanes.
Commissioner Glass: Want to see a- game plan for traffic – possible telecommuting, day
care on site. Have concerns about formulas being used –if a fast food restaurant- goes '
into Parcel C,'want'to: see CUP. EIR talks about mitigations that should iapperi – ''should
be shall. Identify how we pay regarding traffic. 'Traffic is a huge issue—how do we fund
improvements = 'possibly redevelopment _fund. Do not see .how we can go ' forward
making LOS worse than what already exists. Pg. 89 refers to retail generating more
traff c – lacking in identifying Yiow funds will be raised to mitigate traffic issues
; specificallyto Redwood Highway overpass.
Commissioner Barrett: Statement of intent is not :enough. No discussion regarding bus
service (pg. 11 Policy T). Pedestrian connections where are they coming froiri? Think
this is a fundamental missing link. Bike path is not discussed. either. Need to look
further out – into Penngrove – heavily,impacted area. Funding is critical –not. all LOS F
is equal. Traffic is; °weak = sympathize with engineer using old Modeling.
Commissioner Vouri: Avoiding the additional car trips per day -- approximately 7,000
cars in one day in one spot. Concur the DEIR is ;not adequate in ' analyzing.. impact
regionally: To have consistency with. our projects – want to use the traffic model used for
the 'General Plan. Assuming 101 to be 6 'lanes "is inaccurate. LOS it 1985 G'eteral'Plan
as level C' – project mitigation is not, in .keeping with the, General Plan. DEIR lists
impacts at various 'intersections – 2005 without the project is -same LOS as now, 2005
plus project'LOS goes from B to D: Do not find traffic element adequate in description
and mitigations.
Commissioner von Raesfeld: Do not have significant comments that have not already '•;
been raised:
Planning Commission;Minutes January 22, 2002
•' Commissioner Glass: Parcel C sent; a letter saying traffic fees too high. Concerned and
relieved by Memo from 'Council member Healy..
Commissioner Dargic: Want to clarify that traffic should include Penngrove at Old
Redwood and Main and Adobe and Main.
Commissioner Glass: Wanted to include Council Member Healy's memo into public
record.
Commissioner von. Raesfeld Incorporate Parcel C into the Final EIR.
Commissioner Vouri: Made the following continents on a variety of issues:
• Population, employment and housing Did not find EIR adequate .in addressing
the housing demands put on Petaluma by the project.
• Not adequate analysis on 'impact of downtown business due to big box retail.
• More detailed . analysis of water supply as requested by Sonoma County PR &D
memo.
• Reiterate comments 'on. groundwater recharge,. 0.1 of entire valley — what' is
amount of annual recharge being removed due to paving?
•
•
Impressed
sed wi t h proposal for wetlands —want to know how to turn dry wetland
into wetland. `
• Air quality impact —: do not condone exceeding threshold of Bay Area Air Quality
Mgmt. District — proper mitigation. If mitigation is to decrease traffic am in
agreement. If mitigation is'to reduce square footage — do not agree.
Would like a comp done regarding traffic — use Rhonert Park Home Depot as a
traffic example.
®- Virtual project° approach 'may 'be legal, however, it is fragmented — have
analyzed proposed project, however, I don't know what the project is. Need
specifics for Parcel C. to snake DEIR adequate.
Commissioner Barrett: Concur that we need. to know what is proposed on .Parcel C.
Infrastructure, pg 16 purple pipe in :addition to what .has been suggested. Pg 20 —
bothered by air quality because it relates to Parcel C — can'make Condition of Approval
that there can lie no drive through fast food.
5
13
Planning Commission Minutes January 22, 2002
Commissioner Monteschio:. Want analysis on General Plan amendment wih lose.maior
tax dollars — want'
project to be'beneficial to the. City. `Want, mixed use to be. looked at on
this site.
Commissioner Dargie Size and massing of buildings what will project look .like on
this parcel — community character policies — does:.it address what may be blocked by°the
massing 'of the buildings?
Commissioner O'Brien: Parcel C — more or less impervious surface. Thought for a draft
the EIR was very thorough.
Commissioner Glass: Had comments on several areas:
•' Pg. 1;10 regarding water capacity — pg. 119-- concerns regarding; water.
9 . Compliance for parks pg. 117 — re parks to population ratio.
® Pg. 122 — nowhere to put additional students —no mitigation I; am '.happywith.
• Pollution pg. 212 - size of project on parcel C — does not reduce emissions.
• Parcel C traffic generated — 'uncomfortable signing .off when I can't analyze
logically,
A motion was made to bung final EIIR back t Planning Comm ss on seconded. by Commissioner Mon. "tescho
Y
Commissioner O'Brien: No
Commissioner Dargie: No
Commissioner Monteschio: Yes
Commissioner Glass: "Yes
Commissioner Barrett: Yes
Commissioner Vouri 'Yes
Commissioner vonAaesfeld Yes
Public hearing opened:
Diane Reilly Torres, Rainer Avenue: Want Parcel C to be included. Referred to copy of
Resolution adopted in 1989 —read excerpt. Do not agree with the merits of the project.
Stan .Gold, 615 King Road: Couple of negatives. Need more retail and not more office
space — there is a surplus of office- space now.. If project' is office space, we need a
housing element as well.
Public hearing closed:
•
j I'
Planning Commission Minutes January 22, 2002
Vin Smith: Gave an overview of - the proposed' proj ect.
Commission comments:
Commissioner von Raesfeld: Extension of Redwood Way — public or private street?
Vin: 20 feet public and then private.
Commissioner von Raesfeld Encourage private road? Need a component of project out
on the street — define public domain vs. buildings.
Commissioner Vouri: Housing/jobs imbalance in the City.. Cannot afford to be doing
projects that are high density—and not mixed use. Don't understand logic of not putting in
housing. Disagree regarding noise issues — street frontage with mixed use /retail and
apartments in the interior. Site begs for frontage on. North McDowell. Problem with no
housing — housing would mitigate some traffic issues. ,Question economic impact of
adding more office space. August 1999 — comments from Ross Parkerson, Chair of Site
Plan and Architectural Committee regarding amount of parking pavement on this site.
Proposed light rail stop on McDowell — as part of mitigation of traffic that the project
could contribute.
Commissioner Barrett: Need to look at what you wanted to do at Southgate and bring it
here. Site begs for mixed use.
Commissioner O'Brien: Like the project and think it's an excellent gateway to the
northern end of City. Don't see how it will affect downtown. Have not seen theatres
flooding.
Commissioner Dargie No comments outside DEIR.
Commissioner Montesch o , , Need to meet requirements of pedestrian and bike committee
— path for employees to walk and jog. Glass office buildings. on west side facing 101 can
potentially be dangerous due to glare. Don't like this look for northern end of Petaluma.
Commissioner Glass: Can traffic be mitigated with a day care on Parcel C or mixed use?
Vin Smith: Need to address possible glare, redirect traffic to Stubb. Road, less parking
toward the street, mixed use.
A motion was made by Commissioner Dargie and seconded by Commissioner
/Monteschio to continue the project to a date uncertain.
All in favor:..
• Commissioner O'Brien: Yes
Commissioner Dargie: Yes
VA
1 /'
Planning Conunission Minutes
Commissioner Moriteschio: Yes
Commissioner Glass: Yes
Commissioner Barrett: Yes
Commissioner Vouri: Yes
Commissioner'von Raeskld: Yes
January 22, 2002
Adjournment: 11:50
SAPC =Planning,Con missiori\Minutes \012202.doc
•
•
11
Planning Commission Minutes -.May 14, 2002
•
p, L tr City of Petaluma, California
City Council Chambers
City Hall, it English :Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
Telephone 707/778 -4301 /Fax 707/7784498
E -Mail planning(&i.petaluma.ca.us
Weh.Page http //- ww.ci.petalurria.ca.us
1
2 Planning Commission M nutes .EXCERPT
3 May 149 2002 - 7.00 PM
4
5 Commissioners: Present: Barrett, Dargie, Glass, O'Brien, Vouri
6 Absent von Raesfeld
7 * Chair
8
9 Staff. Michael Moore Community Development Director
10 Jane Thomson, Code Enforcement Officer
11 Jayni Allsep, Project Planner
12 Anne Windsor; 'S'ecretary
• 13
14
15 NEW .BUSINESS
16 PUBLIC HEARING
17
18 1. REDWOOD TECHNOLOGY CENTER — FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL
19 IMPACT REPORT GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT (GPA00001)
20 AND REZONING (REZ00001); LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST
21 CORNER OF OLD REDWOOD HIGHWAY AND NORTH
22 MCDOWELL BOULEVARD; AP NO'S 007-411-007,009, 011 AND 019.
23
24 Planning Commission recommendation to City Council regarding:
25
26 1. Certification of the Final Environmental Impact Report:(EIR)
27 2. Request to amend the General plan land Use Designation from Special
28 Commercial to Special Industrial/Office Park
29 3. RequestAo rezone the subject property from highway Commercial (CH)
30 District and Light Industrial (ML) District to Planned Unit District (PUD)
31 1 including a.Unit Development Plan.
32
33 Jayni Allsep presented the staff report.
• 34
35 Commissioner Darge Asked for clarification of Table 3 on pg. 94 of Volume 1 of Final
36 EIR.
El
Planning Commission Minutes - May 14, 2002
1
S teve Weinberger: Clarified .numbers for the Commission. The higher the speed,, the
• 2
3
better the LOS.
4
5
Commissioner Glass Asked what traffic mitigation ineasures, would be vulnerable in
6
terms of complete• financing not being available to complete the improvements?
7
Previously asked about financial information regarding ihemitigations.
8
9
Jayni Allsep: Referred to ,Mitigation CIR -3 on pg. ,121, volume 1 = Old Redwood
10
-Highway is a regional facility, so the ability to. collect fees from this applicant for the
11
needed improvements is not feasible. The.other mitigations. are primarily related to the'
12
specific projects on each parcel.
13
14
Vin Smith: Referred to pg. 120, line 1, CIR -1 referring to Table 7 on -pg. 125 and CIR -2
15
on pg. 121, referring to Table 7, ;gives the breakdown of percentages. Capital.
16
Improvements - has #1 from table 7 on 'it. The Old Redwood Highway overpass is the
17
biggest ticket item.
18
19
Commissioner Vouri: Asked how the cumulative impacts are affected for the specific
20
-intersections at Penngrove and 101?
21
22
23
Steve Weinberger: Addressed Highway 101 and the Penngrove intersections and the
mitigations.
24
25
Vin :Smith: Complemented staff and Design; Community & Environment for .collating
26
and analyzing all the information. Reiterated that Basin Street is committed to working.
27
with Mr. Savel and his committee regarding the ' Penngrove intersections. Concern with
28
language in the EIR and the fair share contributions. Believe Table• 7 overstates the,
29
calculations' of what• our share should be — would like that to be reevaluated. Support the
30
recommendation from staff.
31
32
Public comment opened:
33
34
Richard, Braun, 141 Grevillia: Process is not producing results that I would like to see as
35
a citizen. There is a conflict of rights of property owners and rights of neighbors.
36
Looking for balance — there is a serious problem with, a lack of standards. No one is
37
benefiting according to the 1984; :General Plan. Where are objective standards to
38
knowing what is acceptable? Identify City policies and, then measure standards.
39
Reported outright errors in. the EIR, for example, DeDMan..Flats only being west of Hwy.
40
101. States that the project does :not have significant impact on the police and fire
41
services. Mitigation is a series of promises and no one is being held accountable. This
42
way of doing business does not serve either the developer or the citizens of Petaluma.
43
Hope the commission will not :recommend the FEIR go forward and wait until. the new
44
General Plan and ;there are standards.
45
46
Pat McShane, .34 Myrtle Court: Represent myself and those who live in the flood plain
47
area. I am fighting for the area in which I live and that we do not flood again. Why are
2
Planning Commission Minutes - May 14, 2002
1 we building in the flood plain and where there are traffic problems – presently there is a
• 2 vacancy rate in Petaluma.for this, type of development – why do this now? Hope you will
3 keep those of us in .the Payran area in mind.
4
5 Diane Reilly Torres, Rainer Avenue: Disappointed in the whole process. Wish there was
6 a public forum to discuss the: project` with Mr. White. This project will affect all of us.
7 Related to the findings necessary to approve the PCD rezoning, would like to know how
8 this project is in the publics' interest? Want to know how the Cm
Community Development
9 Department will be able to monitor the proposed mitigations. Addressed the mixed -use
10 issue.
11
12 John Cheney, 55 Rocca Drive: The question of flooding and traffic are ridiculous.
13 Passed out some pictures to the Commission regarding the pipe referred to by Mr. Smith
14 at Corona Road, which would handle the water from the project site. Suggested stopping
15 here.
16
17 Geoff Cartwright, 56 Rocca Drive: Parcel C has its own EIR – has conditions which are
18 not identified in the EIR. Penngrove traffic is being increased which is a cumulative
19 impact. Read earlier from Article lb of the City's Zoning Ordinance. The applicant says
20 they will flood their. project – who else will they flood? Think the EIR is inadequate.
21 There are unfeasible mitigation. proposals – referred to 'Rockridge, Traditions, Petaluma
22 Factory Outlet Expansion these will all have cumulative; impacts. Read his letter
• 23 passed out to the Commissioners. Asked:that the FEIR not be certified at this time.
24
25 Patricia Tuttle Brown, 513 Petaluma Boulevard South: Bike committee made 5
26 comments and 4 were responded to, including the com —rent requesting bike turn lanes'at
27 the . intersection of Old, Redwood Highway and North McDowell. Comment not
28 responded to concerning pedestrian friendliness –the comment was considered to be
29 related to the merits of the project and.noi the FEIR, so it was not addressed. Would like
30 to see mixed -use here to alleviate traffic and address some housing needs.
31
32 Public comment closed.
33
34. Bill White Basin Street Properties: Regarding mixed -use – we are in favor of this type
35 of development, however, this is not a °viable option for this area since it is in a flood
36 plain. area. We are proposing a two -story garage to mitigate some flooding „and flood
37 storage. Regarding traffic – we will be making a 'fair share contribution and
38 approximately $750,000 in traffic mitigation fees. Have paid over 2 million. in traffic
39 fees which was slated to be for the Old Redwood Highway overpass and that not has
4o happened.,
41
42 Hydrology Issues:
43
44 Betty. Andrews, .PWA Addressed some of the hydrology : issues brought up during the
• 45 public comment. The 84 -inch pipe brought up by Mr. Cheney was factored into the
'46 analysis. The 36 -inch pipe. is at Industrial Boulevard. The assertion here is that the 84-
47 inch culvert extends all `the way to the river, and this is the first that.I have heard of this.
Planning Commission Minutes - May .14, 2002
1 If there is an 84 -inch culvert that flows to the river, it would be prudent to put this
2 information into our modeling.
3
4 Commissioner O'Brien: Asked for clarification regarding the water flowing from, the site
5 referred to on Pg. 3 and 4 of the staff report.
6
7 Betty Andrews The project itself has very , little runoff and is allowing existing over-
8 bank flow conditions to exist.
9
10 Commissioner Barrett: Asked about 7 the cumulative affect of other projects such as
11 Rockridge and Traditions, which was brought up during the public comments.
12
13 Bill White, Basin Street Project: At the point that water goes off the site, there is a
14 backup at Corona road whether this is an :84 or a 36 inch pipe.
15
16 Betty Andrews: Do not believe these were factored into the model. Do not think a
17 project near Marin.Creek would affect this project, and it was not'looked at for this EIR.
18
19 Commissioner Glass: Brought up the idea of telecommuting as part of a traffic
20 mitigation program.
21
22 Commissioner, Barrett: Asked' how 1,300 daily trips would be reduced that is proposed in
23 the Mitigation Measure AIR -2c. •
24
25 Bill White: Trips would be reduced by ielecoinmuting, 4 -day workweeks or elimination
26 of some square footage if that is necessary to reduce the trips to 1,_300.
27
28 Jayni Allsep Suggested that when the Commission. makes their recommendation to the
29 City Council, they could request that, the' hydrology - consultant reexamine and confirm
30 the size and location of the pipes and. culverts in question, and if necessary, make any
31 necessary changes to the hydrology study.
32 Comments from the Commission:
33
34 Commissioner O'Brien: Find it adequate at this time.
35
36 Commissioner Dargie: Find the document adequate — would like the hydrologist `to. look
37 at the culvert and the pipe identified. How can we as a Commission be assured that these
38 in measures would be pint 'into place.
39
40 Commissioner Barrett: Have some problems with traffic — CEQA requires that the
41 mitigations are Teatried out -f or specific p u rp oses' — do n ot think we can move forward with
42 this because it is irresponsible. and .against, the public good. The EIR is based on a
43 General Plan amendment that would cost, sales tax dollars that we cannot afford at this
44 time. Do not think this is the interest of the city and the public. Have problems with. a
46 responsible p ri v ate y erson� w P notbbe the e '24-hours. Have difficulty of this affect. The •
p with infrastructure and
47 community issues. In the Mitigation Monitoring Program, Hydro 3 -b -- does this only
4 .
1.
Planning Commission Minutes - May 14 2002.
1 need to be done once. Do not think the monitoring is adequate for this EIR. Air 2a —
2 think it should be more aggressive than that to meet and beat the air quality issues. Air
3 2c — do not think that Js .sufficient or the monitoring is sufficient as well. Referred to pg.
4 137 regarding the impact. of the water supply.
5
6 Commissioner Vouri: Regarding the adequacy of the EIR I have a few comments. CIR-
7 1 — the fair share impacts are large capital improvements are well beyond the scope of a
8 single applicant t, however, .CIR -lb and lc are pretty standard for any project — do not
9 know why they are only - paying fair share — applicant should be paying for both of these
10 since they are adjacent to the project. C1R -la — can see how other applicants would be
11 involved in those. Table 6a on pg. 1,12 — this mitigation is 100% on this project — I do not
12 find CIR lb and c adequate unless it requires the applicant to fund 100% of
13 improvements. The flood modeling needs to be redone on what is actually out there and
14 why the conflict. The housing chapter of ,this, document says there may be need for 1,000
15 additional residences do not agree that 500 houses that the City permits to be built
16 annually is adequate. Alternative D in the EIR does begin to deliver on the changes that 1
17 think are necessary and is, the most environmentally friendly happens to be the same
18 page that refers to mixed -use not being considered because:parcels have different owners.
19 Believe that mixed -use is a viable option here, particularly on the third floor where
20 flooding would not be an issue.
21
22 Commissioner Glass: Questioning why the buildings had to be 7 "feet above grade for the
23 pedestrian friendly scenario. Do not see how this is pedestrian friendly.
24
25 Joshua Wolfe with DC &E: Referred to page 258 — the buildings could be raised, thereby
26 allowing parking underneath the buildings.
27
28 Commissioner Glass: Could find this adequate with some addendums. Want a financial
29 analysis for the fair share of traffic mitigation.
30
31 Jayni Allsep: Clarified how the mitigations and concerns of the Commission will go
32 forward as project conditions ,df.approval rather than as stated in the EIR.
33
34 Commissioner Glass: How do we make these mitigations happen up front?
33
36 Mike Moore: Clarified what the adequacy 'issue is regarding the EIR.
37
38 Commissioner VOuri: Asked if the Commission had authority to make changes to
39 mitigations in the EIR or just as conditions of approval to the project.
40
41 Glass Would like to entertain a motion that addressed the hydrology, childcare services
42 and traffic issues bought up by.Mr. Vouri.
43
44 M/S Dargie /Obrien to certify EIR with the stipulation that there will be a new field study
• 45 to determine the adequacy of the hydrology model.
46
47 All in favor:
5
Planning Commission Minutes - May 14, 2002
1
2
Commissiorer O'Brien: Yes
•
3
Commissioner Dargie: Yes
4
Commissioner Von'Raesfeld: Absent
5
Chair Glass: Yes
6
Commissioner Barrett: No
7
Commissioner Vouri: No
8
9
General Plan Amendment
10
11
Commissioner Glass: Pg. 60 -- am in favor -of the General Plan amendment because it
12
would not compete'with downtown.
13
14
Commissioner Vouri: No comment. Would be voting no on the General Plan
15
amendment.
16
17
Commissioner Barrett: Passed out, an article from the Press Democrat on May 8, 2002 —
18
quoting the article do not believe commercial use should be considered here. Do not
19
think °this amendni'entvouldlle a benefit to the,City.
20
21
Commissioner Dargie: No--comment.
22
23
Commissioner O'Brien: No comment.
24
25
M/S O'Brien/Dargie to amend the General Plan Land Use Designation.
26
27
3/2 vote — `Barrett/Vouri- no
28
29
Rezoning
30
31
Commissioner Barrett: Referred to page 6 of the staff "report.
32
33
Commissioner 'Vouri: Mitigations — circulations lb and c at time of project
34
implementation. Pedestrian friendly alternative is used
35
36
Consensus of committee . to require applicant to, construct improvements identified in
37
Mitigation Measure CIR -lb -and c, with the provision for a reimbursement agreement.
38
39
Commissioners Dargie; and O'Brien do not -agree with the pedestrian friendly alternative.
40
Glass agreed with pedestrian friendly alternative as did Commissioner'Barrett.
41
42
3/2 vote majority to recommend that the the pedestrian'friendly site plan (Alternative.D)
43
be considered, along with any resulting hydrologyimpacts.
44
45
Commissioner Barrett: Wants- on -site daycare. This was the consensus of the committee.
46
Want clear „a condition of approval thatwater going into the Petaluma river is filtered and
47
that it be. monitored.
6
Planning Commission Minutes - May 14, 2002
1
• 2 Commissioner Dargie; , Fix maximum height of the buildings to be consistent with
3 buildings nearby— 55'.
4
5 Commissioner Barrett: Eliminate facilities as one of the conditionally permitted uses.
6
7 Consensus on 55 foot building height limit.
8
9 Commissioner Glass: Wanted to put on the record regarding funding sources and
10 bonding capabilities to Widen the Old Redwood Highway overpass.
11
12 All commissioners support°the above.
13
14 M/S Vouri/O'Brien to support the rezoning, with the above recommendations.
15 4/1 — Barrett — no
16
17
18
19 Adjournment: '12:15 p.m.
20
21 SAP Planning Commissioin4V4inutes \051402.doc
.7
7
ATTACHMENT 2
CITY OF . PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA
MEMORANDUM
Community Development Department, Planning'Divislon 11 English Street, Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 778 -4301 Fax °(707) 778 -4498 ` E- mail: planning@cipetaluma.ca.us
DATE: July 12, 2002
TO: City Council
FROM: Jayni Allsep Project Planner
SUBJECT: Redwood Technology Center
On June 10, 2002, the City Council considered the Final EIR '
for the proposed Redwood
Technology Center. After receiving the staff report, a presentation :from the applicant's project
team and comments from the public, the City Council voted to continue the item in order to have
additional time to review the Final EIR and to allow staff to address specific issues raised at the
meeting.
® Staff has prepared the attached list of questions and 'issues :raised at the June 1.0` meeting. The
list is based on the collective. notes of City staff,' our consultants, and the applicant. Following
each issue is a response that appears in bold italics.
A public hearing has been scheduled for the City Council to again consider the project on July
22, 2002.
Attachments
1. Responses to Issues raised at June 10, 2002 City Council Meeting
2. Memorandum from Hydrologist Betty Andrews, PWA, May 30, 2002
SACC -City Counci ]\Memos\redwoodtechctr7- 22.doc
•
Page 1
Redwood Technology Center
Responses to Issues Raised
At the June 10, 2002
City Council Meeting
1. Is there a gas station, proposed?
There is no gas station proposed. The reference to a gas station in the Final EIR
(Chapter 6, p.272, bullet'4, Human Health) was a typographical error. At one time, under
previous ownership of Parcel A, there was a gas station proposed as part of a previous
Shopping Center project (circa 1999); however, under.the current ownership of Parcels A
and B there has never been a gas station proposed and there is not currently one
proposed.
2. Is or is not the project in compliance with the'Petaluma Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan?
Since the Redwood Technology Center application and plans were originally submitted
in February 2000, , plans have been refined to show outdoor use areas and an
• interconnected sidewalk system for pedestrian use (please see. Landscape Plan dated
2129/00). Application materials indicate that the applicant agrees 'to the requirements of
the Petaluma Bicycle Plan. As more detailed plans: are submitted during the SPARC
process, more precise information regarding the,location. :of•bike racks, lockers and other
pedestrian and bicycle amenities, as. wiell:as indoor showers; lockers and eating areas
will be included with the plans. Basin Street Properties has consistently agreed to
comply with the Petaluma ,Bicycle rPlan. A condition of project approval requires that the
Redwood Technology a
Center Development Plan shall be revised 'to indicate thatbicycle
amenities shall be provided in ccordance with the City of Petaluma Bicycle _Plan and
shall be subject to the standard Site Plan and Architectural Review process.
3. What is the impact of the 84 -inch pipe that was discussed at the Planning Commission
meeting?
consultant, PWA, co ducted additional fieldwork and was able .to confirm the pres logy
As recommended b the staff and the Plannin Commission, the EIR, hydrology
'84 =inch,culvert discussed above. P ence
of the
iMA has revised the hydrodynamic' model used
in the Final EIR to evaluate ".the' hydraulic and hydrologic impacts of the proposed
Redwood Technology Center so that it includes the previously omitted "84- inch" culvert
at the :end of the Holm Road. ditch. The effect of`the addition of the culvert on both the
existing conditions and the with- project model results in a 100 -year event ' is extremely
modest. As previously concluded in the Final EIR, this amount is within the range.of the
model's computational uncertainty and can be considered in all cases to „quantitatively
represent no impact. A memorandum from PWA that reports the findings of the
additional field and modeling work is included as Attachment 2.
•
4. What happened to retaining pond with gate at Redwood Business Park, why wasn't the
second retaining pond built iand why was construction allowed on Lot 19 of the Redwood
Business Park?
According to information provided by the applicant, there was never a requirement: for a
detention pond with mechanical gate for 'Redwood Business Park. This idea was
discussed through the public hearings for Redwood Business Park; however, the SCWA
refused , to accept this solution as it .relied on mechanical means for 'flood control, which
was determined by:SCWA to be unreliable and inconsistent- with their standards.' The
existing condition of the Redwood Business Park is the solution, required; by the
conditions of•approval for the Redwood Business Park.
Lot 19 was always considered for development and has development Standards that
Would allow .three story buildings., .Upon processing the buildings, for Lot 19, it was
determ'ined,by public input and SPARC'review that the one and two story, buildings that
exist -today would be more appropriate ,given the existing hillside and the relationship
With the adjacent neighbors.
5. How can we approve this EIR without information on Parcel C?
The Final EIR prepared for the Redwood Technology 'Center treats ,Parcel C on a
"Programmatc Levee' consistent with CEQA Guidelines. The level of development
programmed into the, FEIR establishes the maximum level of development potential for
Parcel C. Although the Parcel C development scenario analyzed in the Final ,EIR is
consistent with, the application. 'that has been filed for Parcel C (Robertson ,Properties
Group, December 2001), approval of .the Final EIR does n ot in any way "entitle" a project
for Parcel C. ,If simply provides: the environmental thresholds for development on
Parcel C This application .'which ; requires an amendment to an approved ,Planned
Community Development (PC0), will be subject to a separate environmental review and
public hearing, process, before the Planning Commission and the City Council:,
.5. Mitigation Monitoring should be done more frequently for compliance with Transportatiion
.Systems Management (TSM)' Program.
Transportation d t aof project approval will require that he project sponsor- submit a
System Management (TSM)': Progra "m to the 'City of Petaluma Community
Development Department prior to the issuance of a. building permit` for the first phase of
site development. As required by the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
(1WMRP) actions for Impact AIR -2b which also requires trip reduction measures',an annual
report shall be submitted which itemizes the programs to be implemented in. the
upcoming year and the effectiveness of the programs of the TSM in the. previous year.
The annual report shall demonstrate that TSM measures are being diligently, pursued and
implemented to the maximum extent that is feasible.
7. How' can the impact on Highway '1.01 and in Penngrove be considered "Less than
Significant?
In the absence of any adopted. "or •suggested significance thresholds for facilities
_
operating near the LOS E/F threshold, W- Trans developed a threshold which is based on •
an increase in traffic neat 10 percent. Ten percent was selected because traffic volumes
•
Cap acity Manual,' Tran ` - Y y� � such as the Highway
g va ry y percent from da to da Publications
Research Board, and the Traffic Engineering , ,Handbook,
Institute of Transportation Engineers (1TE); provide discussions of traffic volume
variance, which substantiate this assumption. As noted in the Final EIR, improvements
to U.S. 101 are in the planning process and are expected to be completed within
approximately five years.
In Penngrove, the project would' be expected to : increase traffic volumes by
approximately, three percent. Planning for mitigation to the intersection of Main
Street/Adobe Road - have been. attempted by the County but were withdrawn ,due to local
objection. The County is currently conducting traffic analysis to determine viable
options. Given this minor level of impact and situation where there is no adopted policy
or approach for mitigation in Penngrove, it may be appropriate to assess the project fees
commensurate with its level of impact.
8. How were traffic volumes projected if the City's model is out of date?
Because the City's traffic.model yielded unstable results in the .vicinity of the Project, an
alternative methodology was- employed in which growth factors were applied to existing
traffic volumes. Growth factors were based on analysis. of historic traffic counts
obtained at several of the study intersections in 'the past ten years. The resulting factors
of approximately 2 percent per year are consistent with growth experienced throughout
• Sonoma County. It should also be reiterated that the applied factors represent future
conditions with no changes to; the existing circulation network, i.e., no widening of the
freeway or the Old Redwood High wayovercrossing.
F
9. The discussion in the EIR of the project's impact on jobs /housing balance is weak and
conclusory.
Section 4.3 of the Final EIR' gives information on job; generation and ,housing demand
that would result from the project. It finds that the project would have a positive impact
on the City's existing jobs /housing balance, and that the, number of additional housing
units that could conceivably be required to serve : the project could be. accommodated
under existing City plans.
As noted in the Final ElR Petaluma currently has. a, jobs /housing imbalance, with 29,,033
employed ,residents and only 23,370 jobs in 20 00..,, While it.must ; be acknowledged that
not all`employed residents will work inside the city.and that not all workers will reside in
the city, a ratio of 1 employed resident for every job is ideal. Thus. the city currently has
a shortfall , of 5,663 jobs.
The Final EIR projects that the! project would result in 1,091' full =time jobs and 197 part -
time jobs, for a ,total of 1,288' jobs. This would only partially make up for the current
shortfall of 5,633 jobs; in the city.
While it is likely that,.some of the employees that would work in the project would live
inside of Petaluma, some would be new employees in the region who would require new
housing. The Final' EIR finds .that the City already has plans to build more than enough •
housing to accommodate all the workers in the project It would be unlikely that all
project workers would require new,,housing,, since some would be existing residents in
the city or the region, but the fact that the city could accommodate all�,workers. in new
housing indicates that any needed 'housing required for the project could be built.
The applicant has submitted a report prepared by Gruen Gruen + ,Associates which
indicates that there is currently an imbalance of housing to jobs. ,According to the
report, if every Petaluma resident wanted -to work in, the City of Petaluma and had the
qualifications to do so approximately 5,600'residences would still have: to commute out
of the city because of a job deficit: The report goes on to state that Petaluma currently
has 2, 733 .more housin units than needed to house the local workforce. Although. the
conclusions'of'the Gruen report have notbeen independently verified the r.:eport appears
to support the discussion and conclusions contained in the FEIR.
10. The Level of Service (LOS) policies ;in the. General Plan should be. clarified as to whether
theyare intended to relate to street intersections, street segments or both.
The City's 'General Plan indicates that "On City streets where Level ,of 'Service (LOS) is
currently at C or better, .,LOS shall not deteriorate below LOS C." This statement a "pplies
to street segmenfs such as the ,Old'Redw.00d Highway street segment analyzed 'in the
studies for the City of Petaluma and is consistent with State been applied in traffic
EIR. A `threshold .of LOS. D /E' for intersections has .historical)
and regional planning
criteria. Staff has confirmed this interpretation with' the' former C►ty',traffic engineer..
11. What is Caltrans
threshold of significance for segments 'of Highway 101 that are already at
LOS F ?.
C a ltra ns and the SCTA have not indica a ny policy for segments of U.S. 101 which
have been indicated to already operate at LOS,F conditions.. In its comment letter dated
.November 28, 2001:on DEIR,, Caltrans staff did not indicate any concerns with level
of service. on. mainline 101.
12. Why did shopping center pass-by traffic increase from 16 percent to 40 percent? Is 40 "percent
unrealistically high?
Trip Generation data from ITE suggested' a .rate„ of 16 percent pass -by rate for free-
standing discount stores and - a variety of rates for shopping centers.: Originally, the 16
percent pass -by figure was used' for both the free - standing discount` store and -the
shopping center use in order to: be conservative. Subsequent to this data being
published, the ; newer Trip Generation 'Handbook, 'March 2001; , ITE, was acquired. 'This°
document provides more refined'.pass -by data on .shopping centers. Therefore, this data,
which indicated a pass -by percentage of 40 percent, was then used for the analysis.
13. Is analysis of Carbon Monoxide (CO) emissions missing from EIR Air Quality analysis?
The Air Quality _section of the Final' EIR contains a discussion of potential carbon
monoxide (CO): impacts on pp' 234 -235 and concludes "... the impact on 'local air quality •
4
is considered to be less than significant." Table 21 on page 237of he Final EIR provides
• the data to support this conclusion.
14. Why wasn't a project consistent ,with the existing Specialty Commercial General Plan land
use designation considered as an EIR project alternative?
CEQA requires analysis of a reasonab le. range of alternatives; and not an exhaustive
analysis of every conceivable alternative. The General`Plah is quite old and is currently
being updated. Concepts in the General Plan 'are somewhat out -of -date in light of
changes in industry in Petaluma, ' especially the rise of high tech, R &D, and
telecommunications, industries. Thus it was neither legally required nor appropriate to
assess an alternative consistent with the existing Specialty Commercial General Plan
land use designation.
15. Were the Rockridge and Redwood ,Business Park projects, which,allegedly flow into Willow Brook
Creek at the same point as the i1project, considered when assessing cumulative flooding impacts?
Since the Redwood Business: Park is essentially built out,, it was included as, part of both
the Without and' With Project conditions in the cumulative impact analysis of hydrologic
and flooding impacts.
The Rockridge and Traditions projects were not included in the cumulative impacts
analysis. Projects to include in the cumulative flooding assessment,were discussed with
City staff at the beginning of the ADEIR effort and' again during the public comment
period. The initial assessment identified only the Outlet Mall Expansion as having the
potential to interact with the Redwood Technology Center in a cumulative fashion with
respect to flood issues.. When the Rockridge and Traditions development projects were
raised as potential contributors toli cumulative effects, their 'locations in the watershed
were considered. Each is on a small watershed that will reach peak flows very quickly
during a storm, and then quickly' decline, in contrast to the longei development of high
flows on the Petaluma River. Hydrologic modeling of the system shows that the flow
from the Traditions and . Rockridge sites would affect ,peak flows on their respective
drainages more than 4 hours prior to the peak on the mainstem of the river.. Flows would
then tail off quickly, becomingg,negligible by the time - the ;peak on the Petaluma River is
reached. This is not the case for the Redwood Technology Center site, which has the
potential to Significantly affect Willow Brook flows that contribute to ,peak flows in the
Petaluma River. Increased flows from the Rockridge site would be detained in the
Denman Flat area, but the very' minimal increase in stage at the extensive Denman Flat
storage area that could be .expected) from this project would not be ,expected to increase
the outflow rate to the Petaluma „River at any given time, but would) rather create a very
minimal change over an extended period of time. This impact would ;be considered de
minim thus, it.was not necessary to include it in the cumulative impacts anal
m►' ' analysis.,
•
16. The EIR .discussion of Water supply is based on "paper water" (i.e. water availability is not
guaranteed). i
The water supply discussion contained in both the Draft; 'and Final EIR is based on
personal communications with the City of Petaluma Department of Public Works
Superintendent. Because the project is -located within the City's Sphere of Influence, it
was part of the water service area used. in the 19861 study to estimate future water use
demand s `stated in the Final EIR, the oma County Water Agency (S.CWA) has
begun implementation of the Water Supply and Transmission System, .Project by
proceeding with environmental approval: Once this project is completed, there" will be
sufficient water supply and transmission capacity to serve the project,
17. Why wasn't an economic analysis prepared to assess the potential impact of physical blight
to the downtown?
Section 15131 of the CEQA Guidelines state that an economic or social change alone is
not considered a significant environmental effect. The evaluation of economic or social
effects ,is generally considered optional: Agencies are not required to evaluate then,
though they may. However, an economic' or !social change: causally related to a physical'•
change maybe considered when the: significance of the'physical changes determined.
CEQA, requires that an EIR look at - economic effects only 'if they would create a physical
change, such , as blight The establishment of major retail development at the proposed
location would. not necessarily result' in ,a' negative physical impact on downtown
businesses. The kind: of retaill development, proposed on Parcel ,Cis quite, different from
the range of commercial uses curren_ tiv existing in downtown :Petaluma„ which include
clothing boutiques, °gift shops, art, jewelry , and antique shops. Therefore, its downtown
clientele ;is :not likely to shift their purchases to the ,retail establishments proposed on
Parcel C. Moreover,; the City, through the _Redevelopment Agency.and' its. support of the .
Petaluma Downtown Association, has in place a range of programs: to: maintain the
economic vitality of downtown. Consequently, the project's direct and cumulative
environmental impact on downtown Petaluma w,ouldbe: less than: significant:
18. Shouldn't Mitigation Measure CIRC -1 b and 1'c be 100 percent responsibility of the, applicant,
not just fair share?
The -need for . miitigations at the intersection :of Old Redwood Highway /N. McDowell
Boulevard is based _on LOSE conditions under the future plus project conditions. Since:
the project would .cause this intersection to exceed acceptable standards, and since
these mitigations would . enhance existing traffic operations at thee intersection, a
condition of approval requires that the project sponsor be responsible for completing
these improvements prior to occupancy of the first phase of development, and that the
project sponsor be reimbursed by other (cumulative projects) within the City,over time.
19.Does staff concur with tfie. draft Statement of Overriding Considerations supplied by the
• applicant? Do the draft Statements of Overriding Considerations contradict the EIR
conclusions?
Staff did not review the Statement of Overriding Considerations (ORC) provided by the
applicant prior to them being distributed io Council. Furthermore, staff did.not include a
statement of ORC in the draft resolution because staff does not presume to know the
position of the City Council regarding the public benefit of the project.
The project would .further many of the goals identified in the General Plan, however,
whether the benefits .of °fhe project outweigh the significant unavoidable impact is for the
City Council to decide:: If directed' do so at the next public'hearing, staff 'will prepare a
resolution that incorporates the Council's position regarding the project benefit and
ORC.
20. Is the pedestrian - centered alternative feasible?
The applicants have raised questions as to the feasibility, of the Pedestrian- Centered
Alternative, which is found in, the :EIR to be the Environmentally Superior Alternative.
The questions center on °issues of aesthetics, economics and''hydrology.
® From" an aesthetic perspective, the Pedestrian - Centered Alternative was designed
specifically to respond 'to directives in the City's regulations, which suggest that
pedestrian - oriented" development is desirable when, compared to other development
• forms. Although this is' a somewhat subjective finding, it' is based on existing City
policy.
The economic viability of a particular alternative is not a subject of CEQA. Neither the
City, nor the EIR consultants can judge whether the proposed' project, this proposed
alternative, or any other one, is economically viable, and they are not required to do
so in order for the EIR to be acceptable.
The applicants are correct to note that there are hydrological issues related to the
Pedestrian - Centered Alternative, and these are acknowledged on page. 263 of the
Final EIR, which states that the alternative, as designed, would require that some
buildings be raised on stilts 7 feet' above grade to allow water to pass under hem.
Other options, which are not explored in the Final EIR, would be to expand the width
of Redwood Way to increase its conveyance: or to orient ithebuildings around' another
pedestrian- oriented feature: on the site, thereby allowing the Redwood' Way alignment
to, serve exclusively as a flood ,conveyance area. In any event, the drawing of the
Pedestrian- Centered Alternative is intended only as,an illustration of the concept, and
would need to be refined' if it were to be considered as an alternative to the project.
Even if the aria_ lysis of the Pedestrian- Centered Alternative were to be changed to
indicate this, alternative was marginally worse than the proposed project from a flood
control perspective, the overall analysis would still indicate that the, Pedestrian - Centered
Alternative would be the Environmentally Superior Alternative. This is because it out-
performs the other alternatives in many other factors.
It should be note that the identification of one or several alternatives that are •
environmentally superior to the proposed project does not` require the City to adopt one
of these alternatives in -lieu of the proposed project.. The City niay approve the project as
proposed or 'with mitigation measures; provided that it either. 'mitigates the ,project
impacts identified in the. E1R or makes findings of overriding consideration as- to why
they cannot.be mitigated.
21. What about recreational opportunities? Are there any proposed?
The''Gen 'Plan does not have any policy language about recreational facilities for -.non-
residential uses. Although none are currently shown, there are opportunities for
volleyball, and/or bat ketballcourts. The details of such facilities would -be included in the
plans submitted as part of the `SPARC application. In addition, it should be noted that
several outdoor seating areas are proposed to be interconnected with a sidewalk system
the ties back to Parcel C and -North McDowell Blvd.
22. Why, hot ;consider a mixed -use project, including housing?
As noted above, CEQA requir,.es analysis of a, reasonable range of alternatives; and not
an ekhaustive analysis ',of.every conceivable alternative. Moreover, CEQA requires that
the considered should have the ability to meet the�project's objectives and;
that they should address. project impacts. In this , case ; the applicants do not have an
objective to build .housing, and four other alternatives.. that .would' meet the applicant's:
objectives were reviewed:. Moreover, no, impact with respect to housing provision was
identified. Therefore; an EIR analysis of an alternative with housing was neither required •
nor advisable.
Some City decision - makers may. still , to consider requesting that the applicant's
pursue a project that includes 'housing, and there is no reason that this .could .not be
accomplished outside of the EIR. process. If this were to occur, however,. additional
CEQA review of the revised project 'with housing would be required.
Although° no •anal of the impacts of constructing housing on, the site has been
completed, it appears that there could be some concerns 'regarding ,emergency
management impacts. Even ifthe dwellings themselves were on upper floors above the
floodplain ' there would still' be the problem of evacuation,. and private outdoor storage
areas such as a garage might be subject to flooding, thereby endangering residents'
property. Still, the City has recently approved: another project, the 'Downtown River
Apartments by Eden Housing, which included housing within the flood plain, so it might
be possible to: mitigate .these impacts. This would need to be assessed in' a subsequent
review of any revised proposal thatincluded'housing.
23. Is there'money to ensure that mitigation measures can be monitored?
Include a condition of approval requiring that applicant submit cash deposit to cover
mitigation monitoring.
•
n
24. Should (here be a job /housing 'impact. fee for ,projects that exacerbate the City's current
• jobs /housing imbalance?
As discussed ,above and in the study by Gruen Gruen + Associates, there is.. no credible
evidence to suggest` °that there currently is a jobs /housing imbalance. Therefore, there is
no legal basis for imposing such. an impact :fee,
25. VVhat about the 2 -year sand 10 -year runoff data shown on page 200 of the EIR Hydrology
and Drainage section. How is it that a 15 to 20 percent increase "magically doesn't _matter'?
When the percentages of increase "relate to very small absolute ,values, they can be
insignificant. • In this case, the.,abso lute amount of runoff change is an insignificant value.
The total change in peak flow is less than 4 cubic feet per second (cfs), which does not
contribute to on -site flood hazards. That flow is then routed into ,the Holm Road Ditch,
where it could qualify as a significant impact if it affected "flood hazards. However, it
does not. The projected increase instage that this very" small °increase in peak flow would
create would. cause , an increase in .water elevations in the ditch that is so small that it
cannot be considered an accurately quantifiable change, given numerous other
uncertainties in the modeling process. The projected increase could not be considered
significant using the standard of significance criteria used in the Final €IR, which is to
"substantially increase the rate .or amount of surface runoff in. a manner that would result
in flooding on or off - the site: "' Thet same applies to the effect of this very, small increase
as it travels downstream to the Petaluma River.
While the increased runoff from the proposed project is not significant, the project could
have. a very significant effect on .,the flows in the Petaluma River if it had changed the
timing or quantity of overbank :flows- from Willow Brook that subsequently flow to the
Petaluma River. The applicant has made numerous. changes in the project` to avoid this
- potential impact.
27. The Sonoma County Water .Agency (SCWA) letter of April 23, 2002 states that there should be no
increase in runoff rate that could contribute to offsite flooding.
There is currently no adopted ,City, policy requiring no net increase in runoff. Therefore,
it was not used to evaluate project impacts. The Final EIR states" that the project would
.have -a, significant impact with regard to hydrology if it would "...substantially increase
the rate ,or amount `of.surface runoff in. a manner that would result in flooding on or off
the site." The' implied "no, net increase in runoff" standard. would need to be clearly
defined in order to be applied as a standard -of. significance., '.`Runoff'-' as defined by
which storm events ( e.g, 100 -year, or 50 7 year,, or both) would need to be specified. A
strict constuctionist,'s 'interpretation of "zero increase" could mean zero increase in
runoff during storms, which would radically change the face of development in Petaluma,
requiring vey large detention areas :and potentially eliminating most new development
as well. Alternatively, it could .mean zero increase in peak flows only in the Petaluma
River — as estimated within 'the accuracy of the tools being used to quantify change --
which is a standard this,project would meet. Or it could apply to peak flows throughout
• the system. In any case, there is no adopted City policy or standard requiring no net
increase in .runoff, and therefore - was not used as a standard of significance n the .EIR's •
evaluation of`impacts.
28. Should the fill placed on Parcel C be considered ;as an existing condition, or should the pre -
fill conditions be considered the baseline for complying with zero net fill.
This issue relates to Parcel C, which is not part of the Basin Street application. This
issue will be addressed in conjunction with the application submitted by Robertson
Properties Group for "the Redwood" Way Retail Center proposed on Parcel C.
29. Does project comply with Zero Net Runoff` policy? Are the interim changes to the Zero Net
Fill Ordinance still in effect? When do we need to extend it?
Please see response to Question 27 regarding "no net runoff". Interirn changes to the
Zero Net Fill Ordinance are 'in effect until mid - November 2002: Pursuant to -State law, the
interim ordinance cannot be" extended again in its present form. A permanent ordinance
amendment or a new interim ordinance must be adopted by mid = November.
29. What: is the: actual cost estimate for Redwood Highway Overpass?
According to the applicant, in 1996 the County Congestion Management .Agency
estimated, the cost of widening the. Old Redwood Highway Overpass; :to be $12 million. -
Costs in 2002.or later are likely to be consideta6ly higher; since construction costs have
gone up since 1996, but. no more recent cost estimate is available.
30. Why isn't' the Old :Redwood Highway Overpass ,and Interchange a. part of .the 1:01 wid_ e'ning •
project?
Based on information provided by Caltrans, the basic purpose of the proposed project
on Route 101 between Route Vin Novato and Old Redwood Highway in Petaluma is to:
• Reduce delay experienced by HOV lane users during peak commute periods on
Route 1,01;
• Facilitate multi -modal uses on Route 101 including the :use of express. buses,
vanpools, and carpools by enhancing.,the level ofservice for these modes;
• Convert the existing four. -lane expressway (from north of Atherton Avenue to
Kastania Road) to a six -lane freeway, improve safety . by eliminating at -grade
crossings'and providing control of access;
® Improve safety by addres "sing:current deficiencies;
• Improve highway operations by iip stalling ,ramp metering and '`Traffic Operations
System (TOS) hardware;
• Give HOV .users faster access to the highway by widening existing on -ramps for
preferential HOV "lanes;
Integrate with county and city plans for the promotion of economic vitality in the
region.
10
The ramp modifications are primarily to accommodate ramp queuing' as ,part of the ramp
• metering improvements and HOV access.. The focus of the project is not to increase
local street capacity. Therefore,, the ,widening of he existing overpass is not included in
the project.
31. What is the public safety impact of having water in the parking lots during a flood event? Of
various depths? The EIR says up to four feet of water in some parts of the parking lot
during a 100 -year event?
The Final EIR acknowledges that floodwaters flowing through the project site have the
potential to strand occupants 'and Rood parked vehicles. When water is flowing on
Redwood Way, alternative ingress and egress routes would be required. Peak flood
levels are estimated to be at..about elevation 34.0 MSL. The parking area on Parcel A that
would be parallel and adjacent to McDowell Boulevard is 'below' elevation 34.0 MSL. Near
the intersection of Redwood` Way and North McDowell; 4the parking area is as low as
elevation 28 feet MSL. Duringthe hypothetical 100= year,flood analyzed in the Final EIR,
flood levels would be above elevation 32.0 feet for a period of 7 ; hours, above elevation
30.0 feet MSL for 9 hours, and above elevation 28.0 feet MSL for 19 hours.
On Parcel B proposed ,parking: area would generally be between elevation 33 and 34.
Egress from Parcel B with floodwater at elevation 34.0 MSL would be difficult and would
require driving through about 1 foot of water. -During the hypothetical 100 -year flood
analyzed in the Final EIR, flood levels would be above elevation 33.'0 feet MSL for a
• period of about 4 hours.
Mitigation Measure HYDRO -1 describes mitigation intended to protect property and
safety of tenants and customers of the proposed project. It M the intent of the mitigation
measure that the building owners and operators have in place a :formal flood
management plan in the event of imminent flooding. 'The mitigation measure requires
that the plan specify procedures to evacuate tenants and customers .from the complex
should flooding ham
er a 9►
evacuate vehicles from parking areas that could
experience flood depths of inches'orgreater, prevent access to flooded parking areas
and access roads and identify those persons on the property management staff fnot City
employees) that are responsible for maintaining and implementing the flood
management plan. With the implementation of this mitigation, the public safety impacts
should be reduced to a level that is less than significant.
Since buildings on the project site would be built at least two, feet above the 100 -year
flood elevation, it is unlikely that "wafer would flood the buildings. The ,flooding of a
parking lot that serves a private Office development would not necessitate evacuation by
the Fire Department. The usual procedure for flooded parking lots is for the Fire
Department to contact building owners /managers and recommend evacuation
preparation. The °"mitigation described above would put these measures into place
without the. need .for Fire Department oversight. If evacuation were necessary; the Fire
Department' has appropriate' equipment. and mutual aid agreements with several
• neighboring jurisdictions that are less affected by a 100 -year flood event.
11
33. Do we have any projections of the 'fufure space needs for the telecom industry in Petaluma?
And when will this additional space be needed vis -a -vis the timing of widening 101 T •
City staff does not have any projections for the future space needs for the telecom
industry in the City of Petaluma. Any such projections would be speculative and'.subject
to change based on market conditions.
32. Would the use of permeable paving in the parking lots have an impact on the hydrology of
the site?
Yes. The use of permeable paving materials would reduce peak runoff from. the °p'roject
site in at least some storms and would likely reduce total runoff ,volumes as a result of
percolation toy groundwater. However, it may ,have negligible effect on peak flows, in
larger storms, as the ground at the site may. be either inundated or sdtufated at peak
rainfall times during such storms.
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12
ATTACHMENT 3
DRAFT RESOLUTION NO. N.C.S. .
RESOLUTION OF THE PETALUMA CITY COUNCIL CERTIFYING A FINAL
ENVIRONMENTAL. IMPACT REPORT FOR THE REDWOOD TECHNOLOGY
CENT-ER`PROJEICT LOCATED SOUTHWEST OF NORTH.MCDOWELL
BOULEVARD AND OLD REDWOOD HIGHWAY ADJACENT TO HIGHWAY
101
(APN 007- 411 -7, 9,11,18 and 19)
The City Council of the City of Petaluma finds and determines that:
WHEREAS, planning applications were filed by Basin Street Properties requesting
approval of a . general plan amendment, rezoning and Unit Development Plan to permit
the construction of an office /research and development campus with 262,500 square feet
of office/R &D space �a 7,500 square foot freestanding restaurant building pad; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma is the lead agency under the California Environmental
• Quality Act (Public Resources Code, Section 21000 et seq..) with respect to land
development approval within the City limits; and
WHEREAS consistent with the requirements of the City of Petaluma Environmental
q Y
Review Guidelines and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines,
the City determined that the proposed development had the potential to' result in
significant environmental. effects. As a result the City decided to prepare an
Environmental Impact Report, and a Notice of Preparation was published and distributed
for a 30 -day review period on January 18, 1999; and
WHEREAS, the City expanded the scope of the EIR to include a future development
scenario for the adjacent Parcel C, owned by California Drive -In Theatres and further
identified as APNs 007 - 411 -020 & 021. The development scenario for Parcel C assume
the demolition of a movie theater and its replacement with 115,323 square- feet of free
standing discount store (including an open -air garden center), 10,454 square feet' of
restaurant space and .34 square feet of general retail space; and
WHEREAS', the City has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), dated
October 2001. The• City observed a 45 -day public review period for the document,
extended. the comment period beyond the required 45 days, and held public hearings with
is the Planning Commission on January 8 and January 22, 2002; and
1
WHEREAS, the City has evaluated the comments received by public agencies, utilities,
organizations, special interest groups and person who reviewed the .DEIR, and has
prepared a Final EIR responses to comments received during the 45 -day public review
period; and
WHEREAS, said comments received on the DEIR, and a list of individuals; ;groups,
organizations, and agencies commenting on the DEIR_ have been included in the Final
EIR for said project, as required by:Section 15132 of the CEQA Guidelines. Iri zddition,
a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) has been prepared to outline
procedures for implementing all mitigation measures in the Final EIR and
WHEREAS, the custodian of record of proceedings for this project is the Community
Development Director, and
WHEREAS, the City desires and intends to use the Final EIR for the 'Redwood
Technology Center as the environmental documentation required by CEQA for each
phase: of discretionary actions required for this project by the City, and
WHEREAS, on May 14, 2002, the Planning Commission of the City of Petaluma
recommended that the City yCouncil certify the Final EIR; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council does hereby certify -the
Final EIR based. on the findings that:
1.. The Final Environmental Impact Repo
which consists of Volume I (D
amended subsequent
Reporting Program);
Appendices and. su
,compliance with. the.
Environmental Review .G'uidelines.
raft
t (Final EIR) dated May 3, 2002,
Environmental. Impact Report as
to public comment and Mitigation Monitoring and
and Volume II (Response to Comments document;
pplemental information has been completed zin
requirements of CEQA and the City of Petaluma
2. The City Council has exercised its independent judgment in evaluating the
Final EIR and has, considered the comments received during the public
review period on the, Draft EIR.
3. A Mitigation Monitoring. and Reporting Program has been prepared to
ensure implementation and compliance with all measures required to
mitigate all.butone significant impacts to less- than- significant, levels.
•
•
2
A`T'TACHMENT 4
•
DRAFT RESOLUTION NO. N.C.S.
RESOLUTION OF`THEPCITY.OF PETALUMA ADOPTING FINDINGS AND A
STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS AND APPROVING THE
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM (MMRP) FOR
THE REDWOOD TE'CHN,OLOGY CENTER PROJECT LOCATED
SOUTHWEST OF NORTH MCD,OWELL BOULEVARD AND OLD REDWOOD
HIGHWAY, ADJACENT TO HIGHWAY 101 (APN 007- 411 -7, 9,11,18 and 19)
The City Council of the City of Petaluma finds and determines that:
WHEREAS, planning ;applications were filed by Basin Street Properties requesting
approval of a general plan amendment, rezoning, and Unit Development Plan to permit
the construction of an office /research and development campus with 262,5.00 square feet
of office/R &D space a 7,500:square foot freestanding restaurant building pad; and
WHEREAS, the City of 'Petaluma is, the lead agency under the California Environmental
Quality Act (Public Resources Code Section. 21000 et seq.) with respect to land
development approval within the City limits; and
• WHEREAS, consistent with the requirements of the City of Petaluma Environmental
Review Guidelines and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines,
the City determined that the proposed development had the potential to result in
significant environmental effects. As a result the City decided to prepare an
Environmental Impact, Report, and a Notice of Preparation was published and distributed
for a 30 -day review period on January 18, 1999; and
WHEREAS, the -City expanded the scope of the EIR to - include a future development
scenario for the adjacent. Parcel. C, owned by California Drive -In Theatres and further
identified as APNs 007- 411 -020 & 021. The development scenario for Parcel C assumes
the demolition, of a movie theater and its` replacement with 115,323 square feet of free -
standing discount store (including an open -air garden center), 10,454 'square feet of
restaurant space and 34,250 square feet of general retail space; and
WHEREAS, the City has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact. Report (DEIR), dated
October 2001. The; City observed a 45 -day public review period .for the document,
extended the comment period beyond the required 45 days, and held public hearings with
the Planning Commission on January 8 and January 22, 2002; and
• WHEREAS, the,.Cityhas evaluated the comments received by public agencies, utilities,
organizations, special interest groups and :person who reviewed the DEIR, and has
1
prepared a' Final EIR responses to comments received during the 45 -day public review
period; and 0
WHEREAS, said comments received on the DEIR, and a list of ;individuals; groups,
organizations, and agencies commenting on the DEIR have been included in the Final
EIR for said project, as,requiredby Section 15132 of the CEQA Guidelines;' and
WHEREAS', the custodian of record of proceedings for this project is the City of
Petaluma Director. of Community Development; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 15097 of CEQA Guidelines; a Mitigation
Monitori ng and Reporting Program :(MMRP) has been -prepared to outline procedures for
implementing all mitigation measures in the Final EIR; and
WHEREAS,, the Petaluma .Environmental Review Guidelines and the 'CEQA gu'i'delines
require that the decision - making agency balance; as applicable, the, economic, legal,
social,, technological, or other benefits of a proposed project against its unavoidable
environmental risks when determining whether to approve a project. If these. benefits
outweigh the unavoidable adverse environmental effects the adverse effects •may, be
considered "acceptable." The decision- making agency.must'state in writing the specific
reasons to support its action based on the Final' EIR and/or other information in the
record. The statement of overriding considerations must be supported by substantial
evidence in the record; and
WHEREAS, on June 10, 'and Marcli 3, 2003 the City Council held duly noticed public
hearings on;the planning applications for the Redwood Technology Center accepting all
written and verbal reports and testimony. As apart of this hearing process, the City
Council has considered the' Draft and Final, EIR, recommendations by the Planning
Commission and/or City staff, and comments received' during the review�proeess.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council does hereby make the
following f ndiiigs
All of the significant impacts identifiedin the Final EIR, with the exception of Impact
CIR -3 described further below, has been or can be mitigated to a level of less=than-
significant.
2. The : Final EIR identifies one significant unavoidable impact: The Old Redwood
Highway overpass across Highway 101 would deteriorate to unacceptable service
levels (Impact CIR -3).
3. This impact would occur with or without the project because of capacity constraints
on the existing two -lane freeway overpass. As outlined in the FEIR (Table 7), the
Redwood Technology Center Project would contribute to, less than half of the
additional traffic volume on the Old Redwood Highway overpass.
4. The Final EIR identifies 'Mitigation Measure CIR =3, which provides fora fair- share
contribution to widen the overpass to provide four lanes. However; widening, of the
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overpass prior to the completion. of the project would. not be economically feasible,
since complete funding for the widening project, estimated in 1996 to cost $12
Million, is, not secured
5. Project Alternatives analyzed in the Final EIR. An EIR must describe a range of
reasonable alternatives to -the project, which feasibly could obtain most of the basic
objectives of the project, but would avoid or substantially lessen the significant
environmental effects of the project, and evaluate the comparative merits of the
alternatives. The Final EIR analyzed four alternatives to the Redwood Technology
Center project ( "Center" ) (.1) No 'Development Alternative, (2) ,Mitigated Project
Alternative, (3) Office -Only Alternative and (4) Pedestrian - Centered Alternative.
The City adopts the Mitigated Project Alternative, which is the project as originally
proposed, but, with incorporation of the mitigation measures identified in the Final
EIR, plus an on -site daycare facility as recommended, by the Planning Commission.
The City finds that the other three alternatives are either infeasible or would not
achieve the basic "objectives of the project. Findings for the other three alternatives
are stated below:
a. No Development Alternative. Under the No Development Alternative,
construction of the Center would not occur. The Center site would remain vacant,
with the existing, vacant Pacific 'Theaters complex remaining in place on the
adjacent site.
Comparison to the Mitigated Project. The No Development. Alternative generally
would have fewer impacts than the Mitigated Project Alternative, although would
have substantially worse public policy impacts (site would not be used for
economic development and, - employment generation) and worse visual and urban
design impacts. The No Development Alternative would fail to meet and promote
nearly all of the objectives of the City and of the Center.
Finding. The No Development Alternative is hereby rejected because it would
fail to meet' and',promote nearly all of the project objectives, and would not fulfill
the General Plan, goal of utilizing the site for economic development and
employment _ opportunities (particularly higher- paying opportunities) for
Petalumans.
b. Office -Only Alternative. The Office -Only Alternative assumes that the
.proposed. Redwood Technology Center project would be developed. as originally
proposed;. however the Pacific Theaters site would be developed only with
290,000 square feet of office uses, rather than the retail uses presently envisioned.
Comparison to the Mitigated Project. The Office -Only Alternative was
developed ;primarily to address land use alternatives for the adjacent Pacific
Cinemas property (Parcel C), and is not relevant to the Redwood Technology
• project. With adoption of recommended mitigation measures, the Office -Only
Alternative would' be equivalent to the Mitigated Project Alternative (with respect
to the Center which :is the subject of these< findings, but not with respect to the
Pacific Theaters development which is not the subject of these fmdings)..
Finding. The Office -Only .Alternative is hereby rejected as infeasible because in'
addition to the development .originally proposed on the proj ect site ('Parcels A and_
B) it also envisions office development on an adjacent property that' is not owned
by the project sponsor. Furthermore a separate pending .application has been
submitted. for the Pacific Theaters property, which proposes a retail development
on that property (Parcel Q. With regard to the one significant unavoidable traffic
impact; the Office -Only Alternative would not reduce this impact to a less-than-
significant level.
C. Pedestrian-Centered Alternative. Under the Pedestrian-Centered
Alternative, the Center would be developed with the same: square footage of
s to plan s and office buildings would be red e
development Mitgated Project.Alternative, but the
gned =,to front on the street edge of
North McDowell Boulevard (the main public access to the site) and .Redwood
Way (on the internal portion of the site): To meet flood protection requirements
these buildings would have to be elevated seven to ten feet above the grade of the
adjacent sidewalks and roadways, and would have to includeparking underneath. "
Comparison io the Mitigated Project. While the Pedestrian- Centered Alternative
circulation on the site this alternative was develo to further = facilitate pedestrian
site plan included in the Final EIR was intended
ped prior to completion of the
hydrological, analysis of the project, and does not take into account the measures
that would be necessary to meet the flood protection requirements. the project.
Specifically, the Pedestrian- Centered Alternative would require that the, buildings
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that front the intersection of North. _Boulevard and,Redwood Way to be
elevated (with parking. underneath) seven to teri feet above grade of the sidewalks'
and roadways in order to ,meet run -off and flood protection requirements. " The
resulting building pad elevations-would introduce certain aesthetic and massing
issues that would threaten the des'i'red effect of providing a more pedestrian
friendly environment on the site. Furthermore, the Final. 'EIR concludes that the
Pedestrian - Centered Alternative would .have fewer traffic and, circulation impacts
than the Mitigated Project Alternative partially be the Pedestrian- Centered
Alternative would include an on -site day care center that would reduce trips. The
project sponsor,. however, has decided to include in the Mitigated Project
Alternative a day care center. as recommended by the:,Planning Commission. Any
other trip - reduction advantage of the Pedestrian - Centered Alternative over the
Mitigated Project Alternative would be a reduction in midday. trips (when
roadways are relatively less crowded), rather than peak hour trips.
Finding: The Pedestrian - Centered Alternative is hereby rejected as infeasible
because it would require the buildin g. pads proposed near the intersection. of Norih
McDowell Boulevard and Redwood - Way to be elevated (with parking .
underneath) seven to ten feet above grade of the sidewalks and roadways, thereby
negating the desired benefits of providing a more pedestrian- friendly �environnient
is
on the site. Furthermore, with the incorporation of a day care center in the
• Mitigated Project; Alternative, the Pedestrian - Centered Alternative would not be
measurably better than the Mitigated Project Alternative relative to traffic and
circulation impacts.
Mixed-Use Alternative., In addition to the four alternatives mentioned above,
during the review process for the project, a request was made that analysis of a
mixed -use alternative be .provided. A mixed -use alternative would place
residential uses in `an area completely isolated from any other residential or
housing-related use (the site is surrounded by a freeway a major roadway and
light industrial' uses).. There are no other residential uses located near the site. A
mixed -use alternative would render the housing units relatively unmarketable,
making a mixed -use alternative economically infeasible.
Statement of-Overriding Considerations.
[The following draft Statement is provided for the Council's
consideration. The 'City Council may adopt any or all ofthe findings as
drafted or as modified. The findings must be supported by substantial
evidence in the record]
As indicated above, all of the project alternatives that were °considered are either
infeasible or would not achieve the basic objectives of the project. In addition, although
the mitigation measures required by the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
will reduce all but one significant impact to levels that are less than significant, the
project will result in one significant unavoidable impact. This one remaining impact is
acceptable in light of the economic, legal, social and . technological benefits that the
approval of the project will make possible.
The City Council finds that each of the overriding considerations set forth below
constitutes separate and independent grounds for finding that the benefits of the project
outweigh the significant unavoidable impact of the project and is an overriding
consideration warranting approval of the project. These matters are supported by
substantial evidence in the record_ that includes but is not limited to the Final EIR, staff
reports and analyses, oral arid, written testimony, and other documents referenced in this
Statement of Overriding Consideration and its adopting resolution. The principal benefits
include, but are not limited to, the following:
The Project will provide 262,000 square feet of office ,space that targets high-
technology companies, thereby permitting expansion by Petaluma's existing high -
technology companies and/or moving of new high - technology companies into
Petaluma, consistent with Local Economy Goals 1 and 2, Objectives a, b and c.
2.. The Project will provide an office and research and development campus with
attractive pedestrian amenities and an on -site restaurant.
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3. The Project will improve a site that presently is not in productive use and °is
surrounded by other development and a major highway, thereby improving the
cohesiveness of the area.
4. The Project will increase the. potential for new higher- paying employers to locate in
Petaluma, consistent with Local Economy Goal l .of the General Plan.
5. The Project will increase the potential for existing higher- paying employers to remain
in Petaluma (by providing: 'expansion 'spaces); consistent with Local Economy
Policies 1 and 3, Objective b.
6: The Project potentially will increase the number of persons who both work and;live in
Petaluma,, consistent with Local Economy Policy 7 of the General Plan.
7. The Project will provide employment opportunities for highly- trained workers.
8. The Project will be economically beneficial to the City of Petaluma by a), generating
retail sales taxes from the restaurant: uses; b) generating significant property taxes;
and c) generating significant tax ,increment revenue for the Redevelopment Agency;
all .of which are consistent 'with Local 'Economy Goal '2 and Objective g. of the
General Plan.
9:, The Project . will develop the site with appropriate uses in appropriate 'locations
without`.causing downstream flooding.iiicreases or flood flow backups.
•
10. The Project will develop the' site with attractive buildings and site layout that is
consistent and compatible with surrounding developments and that is attractive and
inviting'to users and passersby..
The City" Council 'finds that the' .a Mitigation -Monitoring and Reporting Program
(MMU), attached hereto: as Exhibit A, has been prepared in accordance with Section
15097 of CEQA Guidelines, and .outlines procedures for implementing all mitigation
measures in the Final EIR.
•
on
ATTACHMENT 5
• DRAFT .RESOLUTION NO. N.C.S.
APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE GENERAL PLAN TO
REDESIGNATE PARCELS TOTALING 14.4 -ACRES FROM ".SPECIAL
COMMERCIAL "' TO "'SPECIAL.INDUSTRIAL % OFFICE PARK" FOR THE
REDWOOD TECHNOLOGY CENTER PROJECT LOCATED SOUTHWEST OF
NORTH MCDOWELL BOULEVARD AND OLD REDWOOD HIGHWAY
ADJACENT TO HIGHWAY 101
(APN' 007 - 411 -7, 9, 11,18 and 19)
File GPA00001
WHEREAS, an application to amend thei General Plan was filed by Basin Street
Properties, on behalf of Redwood Technology Center, LLC,, requesting a General Plan
Amendment to re- designate the subject property from "Special Commercial' to "Special
Industrial /Office Park"; and
WHEREAS, the Planning .Commission held duly noticed public hearings for the
proposed General ',Plan Amendment on January 8, January 22 and May 14, 2002, and
considered all written and verbal reports and testimony on the matter before
recommending approval of the General Plan Amendment to the City Council; and
WHEREAS, all reports and communications to the Planning Commission were
forwarded to the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the potential environmental impacts of the proposed Amendment have been
considered, and proper action has been taken by the City Council in compliance with the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and local governmental guidelines in that
a Final Environmental Impact Report (Final EIR) has been certified by adoption of a
separate resolution; and.
WHEREAS, the City Council held duly noticed public hearings, on the proposed
Amendment on June 10, 2002 and March 3, 2003 before rendering its decision.
NOW THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Petaluma City Council hereby approves
the Amendment to the General Plan land use designation from "Special Commercial" to
"Special Industrial /Office Park" allowing the Redwood Technology Center to establish at
this location, based on the findings specified below:
FINIDIN.GS'FOR A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT:
1. That the proposed amendment is deemed to be in the public interest to provide for
orderly development of appropriate research and design (R &D) and office uses.
. The Special Industrial /Office Park designation allows a range of land uses that are
appropriate for the site and that will not create a nuisance to existing surrounding
uses.
2. That the proposed General Plan Amendment, is consistent compatible with the
rest of the General Plan acid any implementation programs that may be affected.
The Special Industrial/Office Park designation at this site incorporates the policies
to develop underutilized properties of the General Plan. The Redwood
Technology .Center proposal subject. to conditions of approval, will help further
the objectives, policies and programs of the General Plan.
3. The potential impacts of the proposed amendment have been assessed and ;have
been determined not to be detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare.
4. That the proposed amendment has been processed in accordance 'with the -
applicable provisions of the California Government Code and the California
Environmental Quality Act., The requirements of the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) have been safisfied 'through the preparation of a Final
Environmental Impact Report (FEIR), which analyzed the potential
environmental impacts of the General Plan Amendment, and represents an
adequate documentation of the environmental implications and possible.
mitigation measures of the proposed project for use in decision making: The City
supported by substantial l mf each 'significant. impact, which are .
g
record,* and all, feasible mitigation, •
measures, as .identified in the Final. EIR prepared for the Redwood, Technology
Center are. herein incorporated into the project and/or as' conditions of project
approval. A copy of Notice of Availability of "the Draft Elk was published in'the
Arius Courier and provided to residents and occupants within 3.00 feet of the site,,
in compliance with City of Petaluma CEQA requirements.
2.
.J
ATTACHMENT 6
ORDINANCE NO. N.S.C.
Introduced by Councilmember Seconded by Councilmember
REZONING PARCELS 'TOTALING 1.4.4 ACRES, APN 007-411-7,9,11,1,8 and 19
FROM HIGHWAY—COMMERCIAL (CH)- PARCEL A, AND LIGHT
INDUSTRIAL (ML) DISTRICT ON PARCEL; B TO PLANNED UNIT DISTRICT
(PUD)
TO ALLOW FOR,DEVELOPMENT OF AN OFFICE/R&D TO BE
.KNOWN AS THE REDWOOD TECHNOLOGY CENTER,LOCATED
SOUTHWEST OF NORTH MCDOWELL BOULEVARD AND �OLD,REDWOOD
HIGHWAY ADJACENT TO HIGHWAY 101
FILE NO: REZ00001
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council, finds that the Planning Commission filed with the City
Council its report set forth in its minutes Of 'May 14, 2002, recommending the adoption of
an amendment to Zoning Ordinance Section 1072 N.C.S., as amended, by reclassifying
and rezoning certain lands being more particularly described as Assessor's Parcel Nos
007- 411 -7, 9, 11, 18 and 19, a 14.4 -acre .site located southwest of North McDowell
Boulevard and Old Redwood Highway adjacent to Highway 101
Section 2. The City Council further finds that said Planning Commission held public
hearings on said proposed amendment on January 8, ,January 22 and May 14, 2002, after,
giving notice of said hearings,, in the manner, for the period, and in the form required by
said Ordinance No. 1072 N.C.S., as amended.
Section 3. Pursuant to the provisions of Zoning Ordinance No. 1072 N.C.S., as amended,
the City Council finds as follows,
The proposed Amendment to Zoning Ordinance No. 1072 N.C.S., to classify and'
rezone the subject parcel from Light Industrial (ML) And Highway Commercial
(CH) District to Planned Unit District (PUD) will result mi amore desirable use of
land and a better physical environment than would be) possible under any single
zoning district or combination of zoning districts.
•
1
I
The proposed uses comply with the Special Industrial/Office Park General Plan
designation, which allows for a campus -type development for employers who
would contribute to the City'sl objective of increasing employment densities.
Additionally, this proposal incorporates the policies and guidelines of the FUD-
Planned Unit District of Article 19A of "the Zoning Ordinance.
2. The public necessity, convenience and welfare clearly permit and will. be
furthered by the proposed Amendment to ;the Zoning Ordinance, reclassifying and
rezoning the subject property to Planned'Unit District.
The Planned Unit District Guidelines/Development Standards describe permitted
and conditional. uses as well as those that would not otherwise be allowed to be
established at this location. This specific list of uses prevents the creation of any
nuisanceeto the existing surrounding uses.
3. The requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act ;(CEQA) have been
satisfied through the preparation of a Final Environmental Impact Report ,(EIR)
which analyzed the potential environmental impacts of the General Plan.
Amendment, and represents an adequate documentation of the environmental
implications and possible mitigation measures, of the proposed project for use in
decision- making. The City Council has;made written findings for each,significanf
impact, which are supported by substantial evidence in the record, and all feasible:
mitigation. measures, as, identified in `the. Final EIR prepared for the Redwood
Technology Center are herein .ncorporated,into the project and/or as conditions of
project'approval. A copy of Notice of Availability of the Draft'EIR was published
in the Arius Courier and provided to residents and occupants. within 30& feet of
the -in compliance with City of Petaluma CEQA requirements.
Section 4: Pursuant to the provisions of Zoning Ordinance No. 1072 N.CS., and. based
upon .the: evidence it has received and in accordance with the findings -made the ;City
Council hereby adopts an amendment to said Zoning Ordinance No. `T072 N.C.S., so as to
reclassify and rezone said 'property herein referred to, in accordance with -the
recommendation of the Planning Commission.
Section 5. , The City Clerk is hereby directed to post this Ordinance for the period and. in
the manner required by the City Charter.
IF'ANY SECTION, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase or word of`this Ordinance is
for any reason held to be unconstitutional, unlawful or otherwise invalid by a court of
competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions
of this Ordinance. The City Council of the City of Petaluma hereby declares that it would
have passed and adopted this Ordinance and each and all, provisions thereof irrespective of
C
2
the fact that any one or more: of Said provisions be declared unconstitutional, unlawful or
otherwise invalid.
INTRODUCED and ordered Posted/Published this day of
ADOPTED this day of , 2003, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Mayor
•
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
•
City Clerk
City Attorney
3
ATTACHMENT ' 7
• DRAFT RESOLUTION NO. N.C.S.
APPROVAL OF THE UNIT DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND DEVELOPMENT
STANDARDS TO ALLOW FOR,DEVELOPMENT OF AN OFFICE /R &D CENTER TO
BE KNOWN AS THE REDWOOD TECHNOLOGY CENTER LOCATED SOUTHWEST
OF NORTH MCDOWELL BOULEVARD AND OLD REDWOOD HIGHWAY
ADJACENT TO HIGHWAY 101
(APN 007- 411 -7, 9,11,18 and 19)
WHEREAS, by Ordinance No. N.C.S., Assessor's Parcel Numbers APN 007 - 411 -7, 9,
11, 18 and 19 comprising of 14.4 acres, has been rezoned. from Light Industrial (ML) and
Highway Commercial (CH) 'District to Planned Unit District (PUD); and
WHEREAS, by action taken on May 14, 2002„ the Planning. Commission considered and
forwarded a recommendation to the City Council on the Redwood Technology Center project, to
permit the construction of an office /research and development campus with 262,500 square feet
of office/R&D space a 7,500 square foot freestanding restaurant building pad; and
WHEREAS, the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project have been considered,
and proper action has been taken by the City Council in compliance with the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and local governmental guidelines in that a Final
Environmental Impact Report (Final EIR) has been certified by adoption of a separate resolution;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the proposed Unit Development Plan and PUD
Regulations, as set forth in the attached Exhibit A, as revised or modified, and in- accordance
with the recommendation of'the Planning Commission, finds that:
That the Unit Development Plan, including the Development Standards
will "result in appropriate and compatible uses in. the district.
2. That any P.U.D. District is proposed on property which has suitable
relationship to one ;or- more thoroughfares, and'that` said thoroughfares are
adequate to carry any additional traffic generated by development.
3. That the plan for the proposed development. 'presents a unified and
organized arrangement of buildings and service facilities which are
appropriate in relation to adjacent or nearby properties, and that provisions
for adequate landscaping and/or screening are included to ensure
compatibility. Conditions have been incorporated requiring design and
development standards that are compatible with neighboring
developments.
4. That the natural and scenic qualities of the site are protected, with
adequate available public and private spaces designated on. the Unit
Development Plan.
5. The development of the subject property project in the manner proposed
by the applicant, and as conditioned, will not be detrimental to the public
welfare, will be in the best interests of "the City, and will be in keeping
with the general intent and spirit of'the zoning regulations of'the City of
Petaluma, and with the Petaluma General Plan.
The project, as conditioned, complies with the applicable provisions, of the Municipal
Code and the General Plan. The recommendations and conditions, of City Departments
have been incorporated into conditions of approval to the extent. "that they apply to
Development Plan. The project as proposed supports a number of policies of the Petaluma
General Plan such as:
ComMunity Character Chapter
Policy 3 — Low profile, horizontal development shall be encouraged. Locations and criteria
to allow for taller buildings will be studied.
Policy 6 — Well designed development that will be harmonious with their setting and /or
enhance the city s image shall be encouraged.
Policy 10 — The City shall encourage public and private landscaping along or in all major
streets.
Policy 14.2 — New development shall include pedestrian and bicycle circulation within and
through the site to connect existing andlor planned City -wide pedestrian andlor "bicycle
networks.
Policy 20 —The clustering of commercial enterprises shall be encouraged. Additional strip
commercial shall be discouraged along arterial streets including Lakeville, Bodega; East
Washington, Petaluma Boulevard and Old Redwood Highway.
The proposed project incorporates design features that are consistent with and achieve the
intent of most. of the policies set forth in this Chapter. The buildings proposed on parcels
A and B would be low- profile, protecting surrounding views of the hills, and the project
site would be well landscaped with trees in the parking areas and in front of the buildings
and along the North McDowell frontage: The project would also preserve some wetlands
on -site within a wetland mitigation area, which addresses the General Plan objective to
preserve meaningful and usable urban open„ space in development. Although plans for
the project do not demonstrate compliance with the Bicycle Plan, mitigation measures
identified in the Traffic and Circulation section of the EIR would require improved
pedestrian connections and facilities as well as bicycle lockers and racks, and employee
2
showers in 'accordance with recommendations contained in Appendix A of the Bicycle
Plan. As conditioned, the project would conform to the policies of this Chapter.
Land Use and Growth Mdnagement Chapter
The goals and policies of the Land. Use and Growth Management* Chapter reflect the
City's overall philosophy on public and private development. The proposed project is
located within the Urban Limit Line and is consistent with City policy to limit growth
within these boundaries. Similarly the project, is consistent with the Land Use policies
that support and ,reinforce city- centered. development. The project is consistent with the
intent of the Special ;Industrial /Office Park designation, which is to support well -
designed, master, - planned, campus -type developments for employers who will contribute
significantly to the City's objective of increasing emploiyment densities. In addition, the
Redwood Technology'Centerwould contribute to the tax. base of the City by providing an
opportunity for high-wage residents to work in the City. Furthermore, the project does
not preclude the development of the adjacent property, Parcel C, as a tax- generating retail
center.
Local Economy Chapter
Policy 6 — The City shall actively attempt ;to increase the number of persons who both
work and live in Petaluma.
Policy 7 - The City. shall: actively encourage new industries that will employ Petalumans.
The project could provide, as many as 1000 full -time; jobs, many of which would be
higher paying positions for which Petalumans are currently out- commuting to other
communities in the Bay Area, Therefore, in general, the Redwood Technology Center
would help to achieve the Local Economy Chapter's goals, objectives and policies related
to creating sources of local employment, attracting major office projects to the city and
increasing the number of people who live and work in Petaluma.
Transportation Chapter
Policy 1: On streets where.Level of Service (LOS) is currently at. "C" or better, LOS
shall not deteriorate below "C ". Where 1985 LOS was "D" or `E ", LOS shall not
deteriorate to the next lower level.
Policy 2: Traffic improvements.shall be made to arterials and collectors to provide LOS
"C" or better, where feasible:
Policy 9: Land'use decisions shall take into consideration potential traffic impacts.
Policy '10: Nei-v development shall be required to pay a pro -rata share of needed traffic
improvements.
Policy 31: Land use decisions shall be based on potential'trafficunpacts.
Traffic improvements identified in the Draft EIR would maintain a Level of Service
(LOS) D on the roadways in the area. However, in some cases, mitigation measures
require only a pro =rata contribution for these road improvements rnany of which are not
included in the City's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).:Furthermore, the project would
cause one significant unavoidable impact: The Old Redwood. Highway overpass across
Highway 101 would deteriorate to unacceptable service levels (Impact C` 3). This
impact - would occur with or without the project because of capacity constraints .on. the
existing two lane freeway overpass. Thee Final EIR adequately exaimned the potential
mitigation measures for 'this project and found that this impact cannot be mitigated to less
than 'significant because the mitigation, measure, widening the overpass, cannot" be
completed by the time the project would begin. M As outlined in the FEIR (Table 7), the
Redwood'Technology Center Project contributes to less than half of the additional - traffic
volume on the Old Redwood. Highway overpass. In accordance with the, Petaluma
Environmental Review Guidelines and the CEQA guidelines, the City Council balanced
the economic, legal, social, technological, or other benefits of the proposed. project,
against .this. ,one' unavoidable environmental 'impact and by separate resolution adopted a
Statement of Overriding Considerations, which indicates that the project's benefits
outweigh the unavoidable impact.
Similar to the policies contained in the Community Character Chapter; Program 13..1 call
,for major employment and commercial centers. to incorporate into their developm_ ent
plans, to ' the extent possible, pedestrian, °transit , and bicycle access, and .related facilities
,such as bicycle .racks /lockers, pathways, street lighting and furniture, and transit stops.
The project site is currently served by two local bus routes and is accessible by local
bicycle routes. Mitigation measures 'identified in the Traffic and Circulation section of
the EIR would require improved pedestrian connections and facilities, as well as 'bicycle
lockers and racks, and employee showers in accordance with recommendations contained
in Appendix. A of the Bicycle Plan. In addition, a condition of approval and mitigation
measure is recommended that would require that the proposed project; implement vehicle
trip reduction programs.
Community Health .and Safety Chapter
Policy 7: The City shall regulate land" uses in, flood prone areas and should allow
development in those areas only with appropriate mitigation.
Policy 10 The City shall continue to require fees, standards and other measure to
mitigate downstream impacts associated with new' development.
Policy 12: The Gi'ty shall: require dynamic ground- motion analyses - and: responsive
structural design for all new high- occupancy structures and structures whose continued
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functioning in the event , of a disaster is critical, and continue to have plan checks for
these buildings performed by a licensed structural engineer.
The proposed project would be designed and constructed to minimize hazards from
flooding to the fullest extent possible, as called for in the Flood Hazard section of the
Community Health and Safety Chapter. Under Seismic Safety Policy 12, the City
requires dynamic groun&motion analysis at the time of building permit /plan check
review. Furthermore; noise and air quality impacts' generated by the project would not
impede the General Plan objectives to minimize noise created by future development and
maintain and improve:Petaluma's air quality.
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ATTACHMENT 8
• DRAFT CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
Redwood Technology Center
Corner,of Old Redwood Highway and North McDowell Boulevard
APN 0076-411-7,9,11,18 and 19
Project File'No(s). GPA00001 and REZ00001
From the Planning Division:
Plans submitted for final SPARC approval shall include a photometric plan for all
exterior lighting; including the building, parking Jot, landscape and pedestrian
lighting. Said plan shall include a detail of the types of fixtures to be installed for
review and approval by the planning staff. The lighting. plan shall be reviewed in
regards to the Site Plan and Architectural Review standards for lighting as well as
the lighting standards outlined in the Bike Plan (Objective O; Policy 39, 40 and
41).
2. The Redwood Technology" Center Design Development Plan shall be revised to
indicate -that bicycle amenities shall be provided in accordance with the City of
• Petaluma Bicycle Plan and shall be subject to the standard Site Plan and
Architectural Review process.
3. The applicant. shall be required to utilize, Best Management Practices regarding
pesticide/herbicide use and fully: commit to Integrated Pest Management
techniques for the protection: of pedestrian/bicyclists. The applicant shall be
required when pesticide /herbicide use occurs that appropriate signed be installed
warning pedestrians.
4. Any work or traffic control proposed within State right -of -way will require an
encroachment 'permit. The applicant shall be required prior to issuance of
building permits to obtain any necessary permit from Caltrans.
5. All mitigation meaIsures adopted in conjunction with the Final. Environmental
Impact Report (Resolution . N.C.S.) for the Redwood Technology Center
and as identified in the approved Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
(MMRP) are herein incorporated by reference as conditions of project approval.
6. Upon approval by the City Council, the applicant shall pay the $35.0.0 Notice of
Determination fee and applicable Fish & Game fees to the Planning Division.
The check shall be made payable to the County Clerks. Planning staff will file the
Notice of Determination with the County Clerks office within five (5) days after
receiving Council approval.
7. Plans submitted for building permit" shall' include a plan sheet, which shall contain
all conditions of approvalmitigation measures for review by the. Planning
Division.
STANDARD„ CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
8. All trees shall be a minimum fifteen (15) gallon size, unless otherwise ;specified
smaller (5 gallon) may be considered in areas not subject to, high pedestrian
access or based on site ,specific and design; purposes and larger (24 "box sized)
and installed to City planting and staking standards; trees may be required in
highly visible areas; :all shrubs shall be five gallon size. All planted areas not
improved with lawn or other groundcover material. shall be protected with aIwo-
inch, .deep, organic mulch as a temporary measure until the ground cover is
established.
9. All. plant material shall be served by a City approved automatic underground
irrigation system.
10. All :planting shall be maintained. in good growing condition. Such maintenance
"shall 'include, where appropriate, pruning, mowing, weeding, cleaning of debris
and trash, fertilizing and'regular Vdtering. Whenever necessary, plantirg shall be •
replaced. with other plant materials to insure continued compliance with
applicable landscaping requirements. Required irrigation systems shall be fully
maintained in sound operating , condition with "heads periodically cleaned .and
replaced when missing to insure continued regular watering_ ' of landscape areas,
and health and vitality of landscape materials.
11. A master landscape plan of the street frontage areas shall be provided, to staff
approval, prior' to issuance of a building ;perrnit. The landscape plan :shall include
street trees with planting design and species to staff approval. Landscape shall be
installed to City standards prior to issuance of Certificate of Occupancy.
12. Linear root barrier systems shall be utilized for trees near public streets or:
walkways as needed, subject to staff review and approval.
13. All street- trees: and other plant materials within the public right -of =way shall be
subject to inspection by the project landscape architect or designer prior to
installation and by City staff prior to acceptance by the City, for conformance
with the approved quality specifications
14. All tree stakes and ties shall be removed within one year following installation or
as soon as trees are- able to stand erect without support.
15. All improvements and grading shall comply with the Sonoma 'County Water
Agency's Design Criteria. 0
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16. Public utility access and easement locations and widths shall be subject to
a pproval by Bell, SCWA, all other applicable utility and service
companies dCth City Engineer and shall be� shown on the plans.
17. Underground utilities such as water meters and sewer laterals shall be placed
under paving' or as close as possible to private driveways, to avoid conflict with
street tree "planting locations within °the, street right-of-way. Transformer vaults,
fire 'hydrants and light standards shall be located in a manner which allows
reasonable implementation of the approved,street treeplanting .plan for the project
without compromising public safety.
18. All work within a public right -of- -way requires an excavation permit from the
Community Development Department.
19. a. Construction activities shall comply with applicable. Zoning Ordinance and
Municipal Code Performance Standards (noise, dust, odor, etc.).
b. At no time shall future business ' activities exceed Performance Standards
specified in the Uniform Building Code, Section 22 -301 of the Petaluma
Zoning Ordinance and the 1987 General Plan.
20. A separate 'water meter shall be provided for landscape irrigation systems or as
required by staff.
• 21. In the event that archaeological remains are encountered during gradin g work
shall be halted temporarily and a qualified -archaeologist shall be consulted for
evaluation of the artifacts and to recommend future action. The local Indian
community shall `also be notified and consulted in the event any archaeological
remains are uncovered.
22. All above - ground meters and transformers shall be shown on plans and screened
with landscaping materials subject to approval of the Planning Department. Any
combination of earth_ berms, retaining walls and landscaping may be used to
accomplish said screening.
23.A reproducible copy of the finalize PUD Development Plan and written PUD
Standards incorporating all project conditions of approval, shall be submitted to
thePlanning Department prior to issuance of development permits..
24: The applicaint' shall' defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City or any of its
boards, commissions,. agents, officers, and employees from any claim, action or
proceeding against the City, its boards, commission, agents, officers, or
employees to attack, set aside, void, or annul, the approval of the project when
such claim or action is brought within the time period provided. for in applicable
State , an&or local statutes. The City shall promptly notify the applicants of any
such claim, action; or proceeding. The City shall coordinate in the defense.
• Nothing contained in this condition shall prohibit the City from participating in a
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defense of any claim, action,- or proceeding if the City bears, its own ,alto_ rney's
fees and costs, and the City defends the action in good faith.
From the Fire Marshal:
25. Post address numbers on or near main entry door. Numbers to be a;rninimum of
four inches high with contrasting background. Must be visible from street
26. Address ;required to be posted at driveway entrance. Reflectorized numbers are
acceptable.
27. Any building or portion of a building used for "High Piled. Combustible Storage"
shall conform to the requirements of Article 81 of the Uniform Fire. Code. A
permit from the Fire Marshal is required for such storage.
28. Provide a KNOX BOX for fire department access. KNOX BOX shall contain
keys or access codes to buildings.
29. The building/s shall be by an automatic fire sprinkler system, as required
by the Uniform Fire Code and shall be provided with central station alarm
monitoring, which will iotify - the "fire department in the event of water flow. In
addition, a local alarm shall 'be provided the exterior and interior of the
building. •
30. A permit is-required from the Fire Marshal for the installation or alteration of a
fire sprinkler system, prior to the commencement of work. A minimum of two sets
of plans with calculations is required to be submitted for review and approval.
31. Fire sprinkler systems installed in buildings of undetermined occupancy /use shall
be designed and installed to provide a density of .33 gallons per minute per square
foot, over a minimum design area- of 3,000'square feet.
32. Sprinklers shall be installed at overhangs and in concealed spaces per, NFPA 13,
Chapter 4.
33. Contractors installing underground fire sprinkler mains shall obtain a permit and
submit 2 sets of plans.for approval prior to commencing work. A hydrostatic test
of 200 psi for two hours is ,required prior to backfill. All joints shall be visible at
time of inspection. Underground installations shall be flushed to fire department
satisfaction prior to connection to overhead.
34. Required access roads that are dead -ended shall terminate in an approved
emergency vehicle turn around.
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35. No combustible. construction.above the foundation is allowed: unless an approved
asphalt surfaced road is provided to within 150 feet of 'the furthest point of a
• structure and the fire hydrants, have been tested, flushed and. are in service.
36. The minimum fire flow for this project is 2500 GPM at 20 pounds per sq. in.
Proof that required fire flow is available shall be supplied to the Fire Marshal
prior to construction.
37. All required fire lanes in. which no parking is allowed shall be designated by
painting curbs fed. Where no curbs exist, signs approved by the Fire Marshal shall
be installed.
38. The maximurn allowable grade for driveways and roadways is 12 %. Special
allowances for grades up. to 15% may granted with the approval of the Fire
Marshal and City Engineer.
SACC -City Counci]\Memos\Redwood_ Tech_ 030303\redwoodtechdraftconditions .doc
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., Mitigation Measures to,be included as Conditions of Approval
1. Mitigation.Measure POLICY -1 ; Operation of the proposed project shall include
employee Transportation Demand.Management programs to encourage vehicle
trip reduction
2. Mitigation. Measure CIR -1 c Each component of the project shall provide its fair
share contribution ;(at the proportion for the Old Redwood Highway/ North
McDowell Boulevard intersection shown in Table 7) to accomplish the following:
a: Add a right turn overlap to the signal. operations for the ;southbound right turn
movement on North. McDowell Boulevard to westbound Old Redwood
Highway.
b: Extend the northbound left turn lane on North McDowell Boulevard from its
approximate- current length of 500 feet to approximately .600 "feet. The space
needed to complete th s improvement is currently a center two -way left -turn
lane; and therefore will require no additional right -of -way.
c: Add a center median barrier on. North .McDowell Boulevard between Old
Redwood Highway and Redwood Way to. delineate left turn pockets at the two
intersections, . and prohibit left turn ,movements into and out of private
driveways along the, street- segment.
3. Mitigation Measure CIR -2: Each component of 'the project. shall provide its fair
share contribution.(at the proportion shown in Table 7 for the Old Redwood
Highway /1.01 North Ramps intersection) to accomplish the following:
a: Provide an additional right turn lane on the northbound off- -ramp.
b: Widen Old Redwood Highway to provide three continuous eastbound lanes
between this intersection and the. Old Red- wood Highway/North McDowell
.Boulevard intersection.
4. Mitigation Measure CIR -3 : Each.component of the project shall provide its fair
share contribution_(at the proportion shown in Table 7 for Old Redwood
Highway Overpass) to the widening of the Old Redwood Highway freeway
overpass to four lanes. This improvement would correspondingly provide two
• westbound through lanes on Old Redwood Highway at the Old Redwood
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Highway /101 North Ramps intersection and two eastbound through lanes on Old
Redwood Highway at the Old Redwood Highway /101 South Ramps intersection.
5. 1VIiti�ation Measure CIR -4': The intersection of North McDowell.Boulevard and
Redwood Way shall be signalized with separate left turn phasing on North
McDowell Boulevard. An additional southbound lane on North McDowell
Boulevard shall be constructed between. Old Redwood Highway and - Redwood
Way, becoming a right turn -lane into theproject at the North McDowell
Boulevard/Redwood Way intersection.
6. MiM!ationlMeasure CIR -5 : The secondary access points to the project on North
McDowell Boulevard shall be lim "ted to right turns in and out through on -site
channelization and the installation of a raised median island on North McDowell
Boulevard.
7. Mitigation Measure CIR -6 In. order to create abetter pedestrian scale and to
encourage pedestrian trips, the proposed project shall,provide:
a: Sidewalk facilities along the project frontage,'including curb bulb -out
extensions at the driveways.
b: Pedestrian crossing improvements at the 'intersection of North McDowell
Boulevard/ Redwood Way as part of the signal installationxequired`by
Mitigation Measure CIR -1. These crossing improvements shall consist of
crosswalk striping; apedestrian traffic signal phase as part of the. traffic signal.
installation and curb bulb- extensions at the corners of the intersection.:
c: A new transit shelter on the east side of North McDowell Boulevard.
8. ' Mitigation Measure CIR -7 :.Qn -site pedestrian connections shall be improved by
providing safe pedestrian crosswalks at central, convenient locations so as to
.allow direct pedestrian access. between and among all three parcels: - Pedestrian
amenities, such as street furniture; landscaping and fountains shall be included in
detailed site plans forpedestrian circulation routes..
Mitigation Measure CIR -8a Each building over . 1.0,000 square feet I in ;size shall
include employee.showers afa,proportion detailed in Appendix A of the City's
Bicycle Plan.
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10. Mitigation. Measure C1R -8b :, Each parcel shall contain bicycle lockers and racks
in the proportions estabfished,in Sections 20 -301 and 20 =401 of Appendix A of
the City Bicycle Plan.
11. Mitigation. Measure SERV4 a : The use of potable water- for irrigation shall be
minimized. The developer shall follow the Sonoma County Low Water Use
Landscaping Guidelines and/or the SCWA's handbook for the design of water
conserving landscaping.
12. Mitigation Measure SERV -1`b The proposed project sha11 utilize low -flow
toilets (as required by the Uniform Plumbing Code) and flow - reducing aerators on
sinks.
13. Mitigation Measure VISUAL -1 : The landscaping plan shall include natural
vegetation and other landscaping features. along the.southerri sides of Building A2
and Buildings Rl and B2 that attractive landscaped'views framing the
buildings from Highway.101 and d'oes�not create a separation-on Parcel B
between the breezeway and the pedestrian trail.
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14. Mitigation Measure,B10 -1 : Wetlands shall be created on -site and off -site at an
amount at least. equal in acreage to the wetlands that would be filled by the
project. The detailed on -site and off -site mitigation plans shall be implemented
following review and approval by the City, the US Army Corps of Engineers and
San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control,Board. Any grading and
construction permits shal11,not be issued until the applicant has submitted evidence
to the City of Petaluma that authorization has.been obtained from jurisdictional
agencies to allow for proposed wetland _fill activities, and that adequate mitigation
for the loss of wetlands has been provided.
15. Mitigation' Measure B10 -2;a: Detailed surveys shall be conducted by a qualified
botanist in the spring, and early summer (late March/early April and late
May /early'June) to confirm presence or absence of any special- status plant
species on the off-site :mitigation lands. The surveys shall be conducted according
to the survey guidelines of the CDFG.
16. Mitigation Measure BI0 -2b If any special- status plant species are encountered,
appropriate mitigation plans shall be prepared and implemented in consultation
with the CDFG and USFWS depending on the status of the species. This may
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include modifications to the extent of proposed grading to avoid identified •
populations or alteration of surface hydrology, and possibly salvage and re-
establishment o f plant populations at alternative locations, where technically
.feasible.
17. Mitigation Measure HYDRO -1 : The Applicant shall prepare and' mplement a
flood management plan ;for the proposed project site that specifies:
Procedures to evacuate tenants and customers from the complex should
floodingIamper egress._
® Procedures to evacuate vehicles from parking areas that could experience
flood depths of six inches or greater.
® Procedures to prevent access to flooded parking areas and access roads.
o The property management personnel (by position and name) that are
responsible for maintaining- and implementing the flood management plan.
® The plan , shail be submitted to City for review and approval prior to
occupancy of any structure:
18. Mitigation M'easureHYDRO -2 : During -the construction period, the contractor
shall. comply with Joc al, state and Federal regulations pursuant to the National
Pollution Discharge Elimination System regulations for General Construction
Activities.
1 . Mtiga
tion Measure HYDRO -3a Best Management Practices (BMPs) shall be
implemented such as in -line oil and grease traps, sediment traps, good house
keeping or Other measures as described in Industrial/Commercial Best
Management Practice Handbooks and Staff Recommendations for New and
Redevelopment Control's for Storm Water Programs.
20. MitiLyation. Measure - HYDRO -3b ;Storm drain inlets shall be stenciled and signs
shall be displayed or notices provided to project tenants and their clients
requesting that waste or debris not be discharged'into the storm .drain system.
21. Mitigation Measure HYDRO -4a :. All utilities -on Parcel A.and Parcel B shall be
floodproofed.
22'. , Miti'j `ation Measure HYDRO -4b Development on Parcel C shall incorporate
the following requirements:
A
♦ Elevate construction so that the finished floor elevation of all buildings is
• two. feet above ,the 1.00 Y ear flood level.
♦ Floodproof all utilities.
♦ Meet the "zero net fill requirement."
♦ Provide technical analysis to demonstrate that proposed grading at the site.
will not increase the flow rate or flood elevations upstream or downstream
of the project site.
23. Mitigation Measure NOISE -1 a : Constriction truck traffic shall use the routes
which result in the least noise impact for'existing developed residential receptors.
Accessing the site from Highway 101 and Old Redwood Highway is
recommended whenever possible.
24. Mitigation Measure NOISE -lb During noisy phases (e.g., use of heavy impact
equipment), occupants of buildings located within 100 feet of active construction
areas shall be- provided written notification so they can prepare for these noisy
periods.
• 25. Mitigation Measure NOISE -1e The construction schedule shall be posted at
public locations -iii the project area so office occupants can prepare for any noisy
construction periods.
26. Mitigation - Measiire AIIt -1 -� The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has
promulgated the following set of ;guidelines to control impacts from fugitive dust
(PM10) that results from normal construction activities. Incorporation of these
control measures. would mitigate construction related PM10'impacts:
♦ Water all active construction areas at least twice daily and more often during
windy periods. Active areas adjacent to residences shall be kept damp at all
times.
♦ Cover all hauling trucks maintain at least two feet of freeboard. Dust -proof
chutes shall be used. as appropriate to load debris onto trucks during
demolition.
♦ Pave, apply water at least twice daily, or apply (non - toxic) soil stabilizers on
all unpaved access roads, parking areas, and staging areas.
o Sweep daily (with water sweepers) all paved access roads, parking areas, and
• staging, areas and sweep streets daily (with water sweepers) if visible soil
material is deposited onto the adjacent roads.
o Hydroseed or apply (non- toxic) soil stabilizers to inactive construction areas •
(i.e., previously- graded areas %that are inactive for 10 days or more).
Enclose, cover, water twice daily, or apply (non- toxic) soil binders to exposed
stockpiles.
® Limit traffic speeds on any unpaved roads to 15 mph.
® Replant vegetation in disturbed areas as quickly as possible.
Suspend any activities that, cause visible dust plumes, which cannot,be
controlled'.bywatering. )
27. Mitigation Measure AIR -2a Building design'techniques thatreduce area- source
emissions shall be implemented. ,Measures shall include:
Orienting buildings and include landscaping. (e.g., shade trees) to maximize
natural cooling:
o Installing centralized space and water-heating and/or use of 'solar water
heating.
® Providing outdoor electrical outlets and encourage use of electric - powered
landscape equipment. •
28. Mitigation Measure AIR -2b Measures to reduce automobile trips shall be
.implemented, thus reducing mobile source emissions. Measures shall include:
Developing, a rideshare program that would be implemented by all future
employers.
# Constructing transit facilities such as bus turnouts.and shelters'tliat are easily
pedestrian- accessible to all uses. Such facilities would have clearly legible
transit routes and schedules posted.
® Consulting with transit providers during- design and review.to facilitate transit
service to the site.
s Providing onsite or nearby'retail services for future employees at the site.
Providing onsite or nearby childcare facilities within walking distance of the
site.
e Providing preferential parking to carpools and vanpools for office buildings.
e Providing protected, secure, and convenient bicycle parking for employees at
all uses within the prof ect.
® Providing shower -and locker facility t employees that bicycle or walk. •
g ih y for site y
® Providing ,short =term bicycle, parking for retail customers and other non -
commute trips that would: be more convenient than, auto parking.
m Providing safe and convenient pedestrian and bicycle access to all uses on the
site.
29. Mitigation Measure AIR-22c Prior to the.issuance of building permits, the project
sponsor shall submit an air quality analysis prepared by a professional air quality
analyst, which, demonstrates that nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from direct and
indirect project sources will, not exceed ,Bay Area Air Quality Management
District (BAAQMD) significance thresholds in effect at the time the study is
prepared.
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