HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 04/13/2004 Planning Commission Minutes - April 13, 2004
11, U City of Petaluma, California
City Council Chambers
!t, t City Hall, 11 English Street
Ate Y:e Petaluma, CA 94952
Telephone 707/778-4301 /Fax 707/778-4498
L8 s E-Mail planning ci.petaluma.ca.us
Web Page http://www.ci.petaluma.ca.us
1
2 Planning Commission Minutes
3 April 13, 2004- 7:00 PM
4
5 Commissioners: Present: Asselmeier, Barrett, Harris, McAllister, Rose, von Raesfeld
6 Absent: Dargie*
7 * Chair
8
9 Staff: George White, Assistant Director, Community Development
10 Irene Borba, Senior Planner
11 Anne Windsor, Administrative Secretary
12
13
14 ROLL CALL:
15 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
16 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of February 24 were approved as amended. M/S
17 Asselmeier/von Raesfeld, 5=0, Dargie absent, Harris recused himself. Minutes of March
18 23, 2004 were approved as submitted. M/S Barrett/vonRaesfeld, 6-0, Dargie absent;
19 Harris abstained.
20 PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
21 DIRECTOR'S REPORT: None
22 COMMISSIONER'S REPORT: None
23 CORRESPONDENCE: None
24 APPEAL STATEMENT:Was noted on the agenda.
25 LEGAL RECOURSE STATEMENT: Was noted on the agenda.
26
27
28 Public hearing began: @'7:00
29
30 PUBLIC HEARING:
31 NEW BUSINESS
32
33 I. RIVAS SUBDIVISION, 1081 Bantam Way
34 AP No.: 019-070-043
35 File: PRZ01001,TPM01001
36 Planner: Irene T.Borba
Planning Commission Minutes- April 13, 2004
1
2 Applicant is requesting a recommendation to the City Council of a proposal for a
3 3-lot subdivision outside City limits but within the Urban.Growth:Boundaries
4 (UGB) on a 2-acre parcel., The proposal requires Adoption of,a Negative
5 Declaration, Pre-zoning, Tentative Parcel Map, and Annexation of subject parcel.
6
7 Irene Borba presented the staff report.
8
9 Edie.Robbins, CSW Stuber Stroeh: Answered commission questions regarding the air
10 gap tank referred to on Page 4 of the staff report.
11
12 Joe. Swicegood,, applicant: Addressed the air gap system, the questions regarding
13 removal of the trees and the reason for annexing into the City of Petaluma.
14
15 John Fitzgerald: Answered commission questions regarding improving the sidewalk,
16 curb and gutter on Bantam Way.
17
18 Commissioner McAllister: Wanted to make sure the storm drain and water lines are
19 outside the canopy of the existing trees. So not want to see the loss of the trees as they
20 provide screening.
21
22 Commissioner Asselmeier: Do not want,the public to perceive this as a-private road and
23 would want the sidewalk to be continuous on at least one side of'Bantam Way.
24 Recommend public thorough way. Want future connectivity to other neighboring
25 subdivisions.
26
27 Commissioner Barrett: Asked for clarification`that the public road stops at the southern
28 edge of lot 3.
29
30 Craig Spaulding: That is correct.
31
32 Public comment opened.
33
34 Susan Kirks, Paula Lane: Related neighborhood concerns. Suggested less development.
35 Will impact visual aesthetics, biological resources, hydrology, noise and lighting;impacts,
36 water pressure and fire safety on the Paula Lane neighbors. Will be a significant
37 cumulative, negative impact.
38
39 Katie O'Connor, 594 Paula Lane: Asked to consider noise, feathering density, lighting,
40 and loss of land and wildlife habitat,significant visual and aesthetic impact Did not
41 want to have the property annexed into the City.
42
43 Patrick Sheafer, 594'Paula Lane: What is this project good for the community — can this
44 be blended more into the hillside and the environment considering the neighbors and the
45 community.
46 •
47 Public comment closed:
2
Planning Commission Minutes - April 13, 2004
1
2 Commission Discussion:
3
4 Commissioner Asselmeier: Can granny units be built on these lots?
5
6 Irene Borba: Yes, if it meets the requirements.
7
8 Commissioner Asselmeier: Asked if the Planning Commission can give direction toward
9 the size of the homes?
10
11 George White: Yes,however, it would have to be very specific.
12
13 Commissioner Rose: Have a concern about the use of Bantam Way as a private road.
14 There is a proposal to abandon the right of way at the end of lot 1 — question if this is
15 something the City really wants to do.
16
17 Commissioner Barrett: Can the water easement be a future pedestrian or bike path?
18
19 Craig Spaulding: Yes, it i .not an exclusive easement.
20
21 Commissioner Rose: Reiterated the responsibility of the City regarding.public streets and
22 private roads. Do pot want'the property to be over graded—there are compatible ways to
23 develop houses. Would be useful for SPARC to review the design details.
24
25 Commissioner von Raesfeld: Believe there is an adequate basis to condition the two
26 parcels to go to SPARC. Some merits to public right of way going to southern boundary
27 of lot 1.
28
29 Council Member Harris: Believe clear direction to SPARC on line of sight, etc. is
30 appropriate.
31
32 Commissioner McAllister:- Design of the homes is critical. Difference in grade is huge
33 and needs a good architectural solution. Confused regarding county residential
34 designation B6 versus what is in the staff report.
35
36 Consensus of the Commission:
37
38 SPARC review of development on lots 2 and 3 regarding view screening, siting of
39 homes, particularly on the western slope, architectural size and fitting into the
40 neighborhood, especially to the west, lighting on the site, minimize grading. In addition
41 the commission requested to maintain as many trees as possible.
42
43 . Commissioner Asselmeier: Concerned about connectivity and safety of school routes.
44 Where is public benefit from this subdivision? Want a condition that allows public
45 access—needs to be considered in relationship to where the homes will be. Can possibly
46 have a path on the 10 ft.water easement.
47
3
Planning Commission Minutes- April 23, 2004
1 Commissioner Barrett: Would like the easement conditioned with this subdivision.
2 Agree to move drainage lines out of the canopy of trees.
3
4 George White: Suggested an evaluation of the trees and how close the drainage is to the
5 tree canopy.
6
7 Commissioner McAllister: Would like to condition the project to keep the trees — need
8 the footprint of the homes to work around the trees: I am in support of an arborist report
9 and measuring the tree canopy.
10
11 Commissioner von Raesfeld: Want to make a pitch for the public street or private with
12 an irrevocable offer of dedication for a public street in the future.
13
14 Craig Spaulding: If there were an irrevocable offer of dedication, I would want the
15 private street developed to city standards.
16
17 Commissioner McAllister Went over,SPARC requirements, materials, and want trees to
18 be a separate condition. Need the siting of the homes to work with the•topography
19 stepped architecture. Size of the homes to fit with the neighborhood do not know how
20 to condition this.
21 '
22 Commissioner Asselmeier: Want SPARC to look at the built environment Want to
23 proceed carefully so that the ambience of old neighborhoods is not mined by new homes.
24
• 25 Commissioner Barrett: This is°infill and will be a dominant part of new development:and •
26 we will want it compatible with existing;.development:
27
28 Council.Member Harris: Is it appropriate to go to the applicant again for to
29 comments?
30
31 Commissioner McAllister: Believe our conditions preclude a 3,000 sq.`ft.,home'with a 3-
32 car garage.
33
34 The commission reviewed the consensus for approval:
35
36 • Irrevocable dedication for private road to later become public street
37 • Private road developed to city standards
38 • Arborist evaluation of trees
39 • Measure tree canopies to ensure drainage pipes are not under or inside tree
40 canopy line
41 • SPARC to review development on lots-2"and"3 regarding view screening;,siting of
42 homes, particularly on the western slope;' architectural size and ,fitting into the
43 neighborhood -with' compatible materials and colors of surrounding area,
44 especially to the west; lighting on the site; and minimizing grading-. In.addition
45 the commission requested to maintain as many trees as,possible.
46 • 10-ft.water easement to become future pedestrian/bike,path
47
4
Planning Commission Minutes- April 13, 2004
1 Commissioner Barrett: Do not think there:is a benefit to leaving this in the county.
2
3 Commissioner Rose: Agree with what has been said, density is appropriate. Believe the
4 lots are appropriate sizes.
5
6 Commissioner Asselmeier: Agree with additional conditions and focusing on what the
7 homes look like would benefit the city.
8
9 Applicant: Pleased with the conditions, want to be good neighbors.
10
11 MIS McAllister/Rose to forward a recommendation to adopt a Negative Declaration,Pre-
12 zoning to R-1,20,000, Tentative Parcel Map, and Annexation of subject parcel per the
13 attached findings and amended conditions of approval, 6-0, Dargie absent.
14
15
16
17 COMMISSION BUSINESS:
18
19 II. DISCUSSION REGARDING THE ELIMINATION OF FULL SIZE
20 PLANS.
21
22 Commissioner McAllister: Would support elimination of full size plans, except for the
23 civil drawings. Need full size plans when looking at grading.
24
25 George White: Clarified that just civil drawings should be full size, architectural can be
26 reduced.
27
28 Commissioner von Raesfeld: Want 21 x 15 if possible—want them to be scaleable.
29
30
31 III. LIAISON REPORTS:
32
33 a. City Council: Next City Council meeting is on April 19, 2004.
34 b. SPARC: Mary Isaac,center approved, North Bay construction on
35 Lindberg, preliminary review for North Bay sunspace, preliminary review
36 for Sonoma Marin narrows project; preliminary review for Petaluma
37 Valley Plaza (Deer Creek), preliminary review for new SFD at 611 Baker
38 Street; Boulevard Apartments approved with minor changes; Adobe Creek
39
40
Center, continued to May 27, 2004, preliminary review of El Rose
subdivision.
41 c. Petaluma Bicycle Advisory Committee: Many committee
42 members attended General Plan meeting on the 24th of March; discussed
43 Petaluma Valley Project; letter to representative Kerns on open space
44 district; discussion about cross-walks in town at undersigned intersections.
45 Sergeant Lyons will come and speak to the committee about safety for
46 pedestrians; reviewed Lakeville Wastewater Treatment Plant.
5
•
Planning Commission Minutes- April 13, 2004
1 d. Tree Advisory Committee: Chair Joseph Node! was appointed to
2 Park and Recreation Commission. Committee will be recommending a
3 tree ordinance for tree protection.
4
5 Commissioner Rose:. Attended a meeting last month co-sponsored by the 'Greenbelt
6 Alliance and the Farm Bureau. These groups were, bitter foes in terms of the rural
7 heritage initiative. They have now come together, received a major grant and did .a
S publication, which I.have.a copy of,and will share. I have also provided George White a
9 copy as well They are now applying pressure on Cloverdale to adopt a growth
10 ordinance. Cloverdale is the only city in Sonoma,County that does not have a growth
11 ordinance. The other issue is density —their mission is to get the cities within Sonoma
12 County to acknowledge that the only way agriculture will survive in its current state is if
13 cities become more.dense. The report provides good statistical data backup that could be
14 useful for us in the General Plan process.
15
16 The General Plan is moving forward at ca fast pace—want to explore more ideas and have
17 other options outside of the altematives. Before we get to far along, I want to:talk with
18 staff and have moreiback and forth discussion as to what our options are I would like to
19 consider scheduling a special meeting o •.two.
20
21 Commissioner Barrett: The City Council will be,reviewing the alternatives on Tuesday,
22 April 20, 2004.
23
24 Commissioner Rose: Suggested scheduling a special meeting to give the General Plan
25 the time it needs now.
26
27 Commissioner Asselmeier. Would like us to do an informal workshop with Pamela Tuft
28 and ScotiDuiven. Chair Dargie also voiced an interest in an informal workshop.
29
30 Commissioner McAllister: Want to latow what the Council will be doing on April 20th.
31
32 George White: The Council meeting will be a public meeting and people can weigh in on
33 the altematives at that time.
34 _.
35 Commissioner McAllister: What is the role of the Commission to weigh in on the
36 General Plan.
37
38 George White: You will be required to review the General Plan and the EIR and make a
39 recommendation to the Council.
40
41 Commissioner:McAllister: Has the council:already`directed'something and we will work
42 within that framework?
43
44 George White: Pamela Tuft expects to come back to the Planning Commission at least
45 one more time..
46
6
Planning Commission.Minutes - April 13, 2004
1 Commissioner Barrett:. Would like to see the Planning Commission working with the
2 Council to move this General Plan forward. Need to get some dates and present to staff
3 and Pamela Tuft.
4
5 Council Member Harris: Agree that we need some informal workshops.
6
7 George White: Will need lead-time so that we can do a public notice.
8
9 Commissioner Rose: Want a venue that would be informal we would all sit together.
10
•
11
12 Adjournment: 9:40 •
13
14
15 s.\PC-Planning Commission\Minutes\PC Minutes 04\041304.doc
•
7