Planning Commission Meeting

MINUTES Planning Commission Regular Meeting Council Chambers, 380 Civic Drive, Galt, California Thursday, March 9, 2017 6:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Morris. Commissioners present: Cannell, Daley, Sandhu and Chair Morris. Absent: McFaddin Staff members present: Interim City Attorney Kimberly Hood, Community Development Director Chris Erias, Senior Civil Engineer Bill Forrest and PC Secretary Tina Barclay. PUBLIC COMMENTS – None INFORMATION/CONSENT CALENDAR 4A SUBJECT: Minutes of the January 12, 2017 Regular Meeting. ACTION: Commissioner Sandhu moved to approve the minutes of the January 12, 2017 Regular Meeting. Second by Commissioner Morris. Vote: Ayes: Daley, Sandhu and Chair Morris. Absent: McFaddin. Abstain: Cannell. Motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING 5A SUBJECT: River Oaks 3 Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map Amendment Project ACTION: Staff Erias gave a Power Point presentation. River Oaks 3 is a 270 unit subdivision that is being built in three phases. The first phase is complete, the second phase is midway thru completion and the third phase is in the final map stage so that the developer can continue building as soon as phase two is complete. An amendment request was continued from the January meeting because the applicant and staff were still working out the amendment. A traffic study has been done which concluded the bridge was not required for circulation on a local level. However, there is an existing problem at Carillion and Vintage Oaks and Ambrosia. There needs to be some fixes to Carillion so that it functions properly. The developer has agreed to install 4 way stop signs at the intersections, make improvements to the Carillion and DiMaggio intersection, build a pedestrian bridge in place of the original bridge design and pay $230,000 towards improvements along Carillion Blvd. In the future, staff will come up with a long term solution to mitigate. Staff also recommended that the developer moved the Ripken and Marengo Rd intersection a little further south and the developer agreed to do this. Staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve the resolution approving the River Oaks 3 Vesting Tentative Subdivision Amendment. Questions to Staff/Applicant (Price Walker for Elliott Homes): Cannell: What changed from when the original traffic study was done to now to have a failure? And do we give feedback to the firm? City of Galt Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 of 4 Regular Meeting of 03-09-2017 Erias: Staff reviewed the issues and the only thing that stood out is the school buses. There are not as many buses or kids using the buses, creating more single automobile trips. We use the same firm and give them feedback. There has also been some changes in Public Works, had a specific traffic engineer leave. Daley: Any thought about changing bridge from automobile to pedestrian bridge; concerned about “shady” hiding spots/privacy, people doing things they shouldn’t do in public? Erias: Traffic study looked at it strictly from traffic flow. Staff looks at it for community, not sure if we looked at it that way. We have other pedestrian bridges and people like them, good feedback. Sandhu: The $230,000, where will that money go to? Erias: It will be earmarked for long term fixes on Carillion. Haven’t identified a fix yet. A fair share will go towards a traffic signal. At this time, concerned about putting in traffic signals at every identified problem, need to look at it as a whole for long term. Morris: Were roundabouts looked at? Erias: We did. Not enough room with the four lanes, would have to go down to one to accommodate that. Still exploring for long term solution. Public Comments: Joshua Doberneck spoke in favor of keeping the automotive bridge and denying the bike/pedestrian bridge. It was originally planned and there is more traffic now. Feels the main reason developer wants to change it is monetary. Feels it is a dis-improvement and feels it is the Planning Commission’s responsibility to make sure it is an improvement. Patrick O’Flaherty and Rich Lozano spoke in favor of the proposed amendment. Mr. O’Flaherty also commended staff and the developer for working out these solutions. Does have some concerns about open space areas and paths with trespassers. Both feel the 4 way stop is needed and getting the extra benefit of another exit that will go out onto Marengo. Feel the bike/pedestrian bridge connects the neighborhoods. Discussion: Cannell: Drainage area, open space, public lands – trying to envision fencing for the area. Erias: Cannot fence it off. Concerns are valid. Pedestrian bridge will be very similar to the one in Emerald Park subdivision. Won’t have people going over the side. Forrest: We have looked at the area, throughout the gulch area from Marengo to Vintage Oaks. There are lots that back up to the gulch. Currently have signs that state natural area, do not enter. At the crossing signage that says don’t dump in the creek. Will work on language for signage. City of Galt Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 of 4 Regular Meeting of 03-09-2017 Commissioner Daley moved to approve Resolution No. 2017__(PC), approving the River Oaks 3 Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map Amendment. Second by Commissioner Sandhu. Vote: Ayes: Cannel, Daley, Sandhu and Chair Morris. Absent: McFaddin. Motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC MEETING 6A SUBJECT: Public Speaker Time ACTION: Staff Erias spoke that Planning Commission speaker time is not consistent with City Council’s speaker time. They allow 5 minutes and Planning Commission allows 3 minutes. Staff feels that the Planning Commission meetings are a working opportunity and at a minimum, should be consistent with Council. Cannell: I feel we are pretty lenient right now, but if increased, could be a problem with a big project. Morris: Would like to increase, could always limit to 3 minutes if a big project. Daley: Feels the bigger issue is that the applicant gets unlimited time and then outside agencies get limited to 3 or 5 minutes. Limits the amount of input the Commission gets. Agency representatives should have as much time as applicant. Staff will into these comments and will bring it back. Speaker time will stay at 3 minutes until then. 6B SUBJECT: Annual 2030 Galt General Plan and Housing Element Progress Report: 2016 ACTION: Staff Erias gave a Power Point presentation. Commissioners asked general questions about some of the items listed. Commissioner Morrise moved to recommend Council accept the report as presented and approve the report. Second by Commissioner Daley. Vote: Ayes: Cannel, Daley, Sandhu and Chair Morris. Absent: McFaddin. Motion passed unanimously. 7B SUBJECT: COMMENTS BY STAFF/DIRECTORS REPORT Staff Erias updated Commissioners about ongoing projects. 9. COMMENTS BY PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER/FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None City of Galt Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 of 4 Regular Meeting of 03-09-2017 10. ADJOURN Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. MEETING MINUTES CAN BE HEARD IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REQUESTING A COPY OF THE AUDIO RECORDING FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION SECRETARY. Respectfully submitted by Tina Barclay, Planning Commission Secretary /S/ _____________________________________ Tina Barclay, Planning Commission Secretary