HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Resolution 2020-12 08/11/2020 RESOLUTION 2020`-13
CITY OF PETALUMA PLANNING COMMISSION
RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE A GENERAL PLAN
AMENDMENT TO CHANGE THE LAND USE DESIGNATION OF THE PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 27 HOWARD STREET FROM PUBLIC/SEMI-PUBLIC TO DIVERSE
LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL
APN 008-044-009
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma has initiated a General Plan Amendment and Zoning Map
Amendment to change the land use designation of the city owned property at 27 Howard Street (APN
008-044-009) from Public/Semi-Public to Diverse Low Density and modify the associated zoning of the
property from Civic Facility (CF) to Residential 3 (R3) in order to facilitate the sale of the parcel as surplus
City property and to complete interior renovations to return the existing structure to residential use; and
WHEREAS,the General Plan Amendment would modify the General Plan Land Use Map to change
the land use designation for the property at 27 Howard Street from Public/Semi-Public to Diverse Low
Density Residential; and
WHEREAS, on July 30, 2020, public notice of the August 11, 2020 Planning Commission meeting to
consider the amendment was published in the Argus Courier and mailed to all property owners and
tenants within 1,000 feet of the site in compliance with state and local law, and routed to appropriate
agencies listed under Government Code Section 65352; and
WHEREAS, on August 11, 2020 the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing to
consider the General Plan Amendment and reviewed the environmental analysis prepared for the project_
in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the City of Petaluma as follows:
1. The above recitals are hereby declared to be true and correct and are incorporated into the
resolution as findings of the Petaluma Planning Commission.
2. The General Plan Amendment is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15061(b)(3) in that
the proposed map amendment modifies the zoning of one parcel developed with an existing
single family residential structure to allow conversion of the existing structure back to its historic
residential use and does not involve any new construction, Section 15301(a) in that there will
be only minor interior alterations of the existing structure to revert its use back to a single-family
home, and Section 15303(a) in that the project will result in the conversion of an,existing small
structure from civic office use to its original residential use that will entail only minor interior
modifications.
3. Government Code Section 65358 allows General Plan amendments when it is deemed in the
public interest to do so.
4. The requested amendment to modify the land use designation from Public/Semi-Public to
Diverse Low Density Residential is deemed to be in the public interest because it would allow
conversion of an existing structure to its original residential use on a property adjacent to
existing residences and preserves the scale and character of the established neighborhood
while facilitating the City's sale of surplus property.
Planning Commission Resolution No.2020-13 Page 1
5. The requested amendments to modify the land use designation from Public/Semi-Public to
Diverse Low Density Residential is deemed in the public interest because it results in efficient
land use near the downtown consistent with General Plan Policy 1-P-2, preserves the scale and
character of an established neighborhood consistent with General Plan Policy 1-P-3,
implements Policy 1-P-7 which encourages flexibility in the nature of activities that occur over
time, and does not significantly alter the presence of city hall functions downtown consistent
with General Plan Policy 2-P-15.
6. The public necessity, convenience, and welfare clearly permit and will be furthered by the
proposed amendment because the proposed land use amendment will allow the City to
convert the existing City-owned structure back to its original residential use, preserve the
character of the neighborhood, and sell the surplus property.
7. State law limits the number of times a local agency can amend its general plan to more than
four times per year. The proposed amendment represents the first amendment request for
2020.
8. The Planning Commission hereby recommends that the City Council approve a General Plan
Amendment changing the General Plan Land Use designation of the subject parcel located
at 27 Howard Street from Public/Semi-Public to Diverse Low Density Residential.
ADOPTED this 111h day of August,2020, by the following vote:
Commission Member Aye No Absent Abstain
Councilmember McDonnell X
Chair Streeter X
Vice Chair Bauer X
Alonso X
Hooper X
Marzo X
Potter X
Patrick Streeter, Chair
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
other Hines, Co mission Secretary Eric Danly, City Atforney
Planning Commission Resolution No.2020-13 Page 2