1.

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Cisco called the meeting to order at 3:59 p.m.

2.

ROLL CALL

Commissioners present:  Commissioners Bañuelos, Byrd, Poulsen, Stanley and Chair Cisco.

Commissioners absent: Commissioners Duggan and Faber

3.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Minutes of May 12, 2011 were approved as presented.

4.

PUBLIC APPEARANCES

None

5.

DEPARTMENT REPORT

None

6.

PLANNING COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

Commissioner Poulsen reported on subdivision subcommittee meeting stating that there is some development going on.

Chair Cisco stated that concerns had been stated with regards to reading of the resolutions; she stated that it is to be a shared responsibility and should be voluntary.

7.

STATEMENTS OF ABSTENTION BY COMMISSIONERS

None

8.

CONSENT AGENDA

None

9.

PUBLIC HEARING –  RIGHT OF WAY VACATION – 1135 SOUTH A STREET – Request to vacate approximately 27,000 square feet of public right-of-way located in the vicinity of 1135 South A Street to accommodate future improvements associated with a KIA automobile dealership – File Number VAC11-001

Ex-Parte Disclosures:

All commissioners visited the site.

Planner, Bill Rose gave the staff report

Applicant representative Ken Blackman gave a presentation.

Public Hearing:

• Karen Rasore, 414 Earle Street – concerned of the lack of noticing, also expressed concerns of access and traffic; doesn’t feel it is progressive to give away right to citizens; would like more dialogue; is opposed.
• James Bennett, 1089 Santa Rosa Avenue, Good Stuff Auto – supports a project but not the A Street Vacation; submitted petition of opposition.
• C. Donahue, 1088 South A Street, owns business on A Street – is opposed to closing off A Street.
• James Hubberts, 541 Los Alamos Road, owns property on Barham – is not opposed to the project but stated South A is not meant for a thoroughfare.
• Herbert Terreri, 132 Mill Street, Healdsburg, attorney representing Good Stuff Auto – also stated that there was a problem with noticing; submitted letter.
• Ward Page, 1973 Gardenview Circle – spoke in opposition; also stated issues of noticing.

Public Hearing Closed

Applicant Representative, Ken Blackman responded to the public hearing. He stated that a traffic study will be done at the time of project submittal. He also stated that concerns of noticing were for the city to respond to.

There was some discussion about noticing as well as the process of whether or not the project will come back before the Planning Commission or would it remain at staff level. Planner Bill Rose stated that when an actual project is submitted it would go through the Zoning Administrator which is a public process.

Rob Sprinkle, Traffic Engineer, made comments about traffic signaling at Barham Road.

Mark Pedroia, Santa Rosa Fire Department, spoke about emergency vehicle response times.

Molly Dillon, CAO, made comments regarding concerns of public need.

Chair Cisco asked about a policy at the minor use permit level if the Zoning Administrator has the option to bump up an item to the Planning commission level; Planner Bill Rose stated that the Director has the authority to do that.

Clare Hartman interjected that the reason a new auto dealership would be acted upon at the Zoning Administrator level was because of the Aggressive Economic Development Ordinance that was adopted by the City Council last year to incentivize a business to bring them in at the lowest level but still provide the discretion and noticing that is required.

Commissioners discussion ensued:

Commissioner Poulsen – favors stating that problems between the neighbors will be worked out but it’s an opportunity to bring a new business into town.

Commissioner Byrd – feels the area is in need of some improvement and that the council, in their foresight, in order to move projects forward to help the city in its current economic condition is a good thing; he will support.

Commissioner Bañuelos – has concerns with access and/or lack of and also has issues of noticing; but supports the vacation itself.

Commissioner Stanley – will support the vacation, feels it will be positive and it will give more control over safety with a signalized location in moving traffic out onto a busy street.

Chair Cisco – supports the vacation stating that it has potential to improve the area.

Commissioner Byrd made a motion and Commissioner Bañuelos seconded to approve Resolution 11576: RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL VACATE A PORTION OF THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY ON SOUTH A STREET BETWEEN SANTA ROSA AVENUE AND BARHAM AVENUE PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 8300 ET. SEQ. FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACCOMMODATING PROJECT IMPROVEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH A FUTURE KIA AUTO DEALERSHIP – FILE NUMBER VAC11-001.

The motion carried with the following vote:

AYES:

(5)

(Bañuelos, Byrd, Cisco, Poulsen, Stanley)

NOES:

(0)

ABSTENTIONS

(0)

ABSENT:

(2)

(Duggan, Faber)

Break

10

PUBLIC HEARING – CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING – BICENTENNIAL MARKETPLACE – 3366 MENDOCINO AVENUE – General Plan amendment to change approximately 4.2 acres from Office and Very Low Density Residential to Retail and Business Services, and Rezoning to reclassify said properties from CO (Office Commercial) and RR-40 (Rural Residential) to CG (General Commercial) in order to accommodate a specialty grocery store and retail shops – File Number MJP10-003

Ex-Parte Disclosures:

Commissioner Stanley visited the site and spoke with an applicant representative.

Commissioner Bañuelos visited the site and spoke with members of the community.

Commissioner Poulsen visited the site.

Commissioner Byrd visited the site and spoke with a representative in March.

Chair Cisco visited the site and spoke with the applicant.

Planner, Bill Rose gave the staff report.

Applicant Representative, Tom Laguero gave a presentation.

Public Hearing:

• Nica Poznanovich, Community Market – submitted petition in opposition.
• Deb Scott, 2251 Santa Fe Drive, owner of Oliver’s - opposed stating the area was already saturated. Wants to keep it local.
• Terry Garrett, 1206 14^th Street, Go Local Coop – feels it is a redundant demand; that if it comes (sprouts) it will be at the cost of local merchants.
• Jim Tonna, 1720 Hopper Avenue – spoke in opposition; stated there was a safety problem with elderly people coming in and out because of traffic problems.
• Tom Scott, 2251 Santa Fe Drive, General Manager of Oliver’s’ Markets – spoke in opposition stating that it is a saturated market.
• Jeff Lerner, 1224 Demeo Street – spoke in opposition.
• Sonia Taylor – spoke in opposition stating the Design Review Board does not understand CEQA as much as the Planning Commission and feels that the project should come to Planning Commission for land use issues; she also stated there needs to be an EIR.
• Marlene Lily, 807 Silva, Real Estate Broker – supports local market (Community Market).
• Jason Dwayeze – spoke in opposition stating that chopping down trees to build another building that could potentially be vacant doesn’t make sense.
• Meredith Kaplan, teacher - spoke of her experience with Community Market and how they donated healthy snacks to her school class.
• Lisa Ambruso – spoke in opposition to rezoning stating it didn’t seem fair without seeing a project.

Public Hearing Closed

Applicant responded to the public hearing stating that they didn’t know if Sprouts would come in, there was no project at this time; he also stated that office construction generally is more massive and bigger then a retail store.

Ubaldo Tambellini, owner of property stated he has no intention of cutting trees on the property and that the residential area there is not safe for residential.

Dalene Whitlock from W Trans commented on concerns regarding land use and vehicle trips.

Bill Rose to outlined the options for tonight’s decision that there are four options: 1) to recommend approval; 2) denial; 3) direction that a development project can go forward with a GPA and Rezoning application which would require a denial motion with direction to do so; and 4) Fair Argument which CEQA gives direction and how it can be applied which would be for the GPA and the Rezoning, and if the commission chooses that option they would be required to explain where the significant impacts lie.

Commissioners discussion ensued:

Commissioner Stanley – feels that retail use is appropriate for that property; doesn’t like the “potential” project but from a land use perspective he supports.

Commissioner Banuelos – doesn’t feel the Negative Declaration is adequate; has problems with the General Plan and Rezoning and the fragile nature of the property; the traffic analysis is not adequate; has a problem with the housing; would like to go with option 3 and would hope that an EIR would be required and housing that is lost would be replaced.

Commissioner Poulsen – stated the zoning that is being proposed is compatible and that it is not a great area for residential but good for retail, feels option 1 fits within what they are being asked to do.

Commissioner Byrd – feels a fair argument has been presented and that an EIR should be prepared; has issues with traffic report and that attention needs to be made with regards to hydrology and soils, housing, employment impacts, fiscal impacts with regards to local businesses, and that a physical site and a conceptual plan is needed, and they should consider the action as a whole; wants option 4.

Chair Cisco – stated their charge was whether or not a GPA was appropriate on that site; commented that it makes sense that retail would work there; stated that the process of review is adequate; likes option 1 but is concerned with what is needed to make the recommendation.

Bill Rose stated four votes in support were needed. He also stated another option would be to continue to another meeting for a full commission to be in attendance.

Commissioner Byrd, stated that a Community Impact Report would give them more information with regards to housing, retail, traffic, and sales tax.

Chuck Regalia stated that it is not the City’s policy to require impact reports as opposed to environmental impact reports; the Planning Commission does not have the authority to make that request as a condition of approval but they could make a recommendation to City Council to look at it as a work item.

Chair Cisco asked about the interest of continuing to a future meeting with a full commission to review.

Bill Rose stated that a continuance would only require 3 votes; and Molly Dillon stated if that was their desire they would need to make a motion to continue to the next meeting to allow missing commissioners, who would have to review tonight’s meeting to participate, and that it would not be a public hearing as the public hearing has already been closed.

Commissioner Poulsen made a motion and Commissioner Stanley seconded to continue to the July 14, 2011 meeting in order to have a full commission. 

The motion carried with the following vote:

AYES:

(3)

(Cisco, Poulsen, Stanley)

NOES:

(2)

(Bañuelos, Byrd)

ABSTENTIONS

(0)

ABSENT:

(2)

(Duggan, Faber)

Break

11.

PUBLIC HEARING – GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT – 111 CARRILLO STREET – Change the General Plan land use designation of 0.24 acres from General Industry to Medium Density Residential (8.0 to 18.0 units per acre) – File Number GPAM11-001 

Planner, Erin Morris gave the staff report 

Chuck Regalia also added that this was most likely a mapping error when it was designated and the property owner had no cost to this.

Public Hearing

• Gayle Peck – stated concerns of traffic impacts.
• Unknown speaker (neighbor of Ms. Peck), 116 Carrillo – spoke of traffic concerns if increased density housing goes in.

Public Hearing was closed.

Commissioners discussion ensued:

All commissioner expressed their support

Commissioner Poulsen made a motion and Commissioner Stanley seconded to approve Resolution 11577: RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA RECOMMENDING APPROVAL TO THE CITY COUNCIL OF A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT FROM GENERAL INDUSTRY TO MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (8.0 TO 18.0 UNITS PER ACRE_) FOR THE 0.24 ACRE PROPERTY AT 111 CARRILLO STREET – FILE NUMBER GPAM11-001

The motion carried with the following vote:

AYES:

(5)

(Banuelos, Byrd, Cisco, Poulsen, Stanley)

NOES:

(0)

ABSTENTIONS

(0)

ABSENT:

(2)

(Duggan, Faber)

12.

ADJOURNMENT

Chair Cisco adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m. to the regular Planning Commission Meeting to be held at 4:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at Santa Rosa City Hall on Thursday, July 14, 2011.

PREPARED BY:

Anette Niewald, Recording Secretary

ATTEST:

APPROVED:

Chuck Regalia, Executive Secretary