Planning Commission Meeting

MINUTES Planning Commission Regular Meeting Council Chambers, 380 Civic Drive, Galt, California Thursday, January 11, 2018 6:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. by Chair Morris. Commissioners present: Cannell, Daley, McFaddin. Absent: Sandhu Staff members present: Community Development Director Chris Erias, Development Engineer Bill Forrest, Assistant Planner/PC Secretary Tia Klumpp, Assistant Planner Kristyn Bitz. Staff Erias introduced Assistant Planner Kristyn Bitz, and noted she would be taking over as Planning Commission Secretary in the near future. PUBLIC COMMENTS – None INFORMATION/CONSENT CALENDAR 4. SUBJECT: Minutes of the November 16, 2017 Regular Meeting. ACTION: Commissioner Daley motioned to approve the minutes of the November 16, 2017, Regular Meeting. Commissioner McFaddin second the motion. Motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENTS – The Secretary announced that members of the audience could address Commissioners on any matter which was not on the agenda but within the subject matter jurisdiction. She advised the location of the speaker sheets, asked that speaker sheets be presented to the Secretary prior to addressing Commissioners and advised that each person would have a three-minute time limit to speak. PUBLIC HEARING: 5. A. SUBJECT: Zoning ordinance amendment to reduce the street side yard fence setback in residential zoning districts. AGENDA REPORT: Staff Erias gave presentation RECOMMENDED ACTION: Recommend to the City Council the adoption of an ordinance amending Chapter 18.44.030, Fences and Walls, of the Galt Municipal Code regarding fence setbacks in residential zoning districts. Commissioner Cannell expressed concern about homeowners building on/over Public Utility Easements (PUEs) if the zoning ordinance amendment is approved. Commissioner Cannell also wanted the definition/specific language of PUEs. Staff Erias addressed the concern regarding homeowners building on/over PUEs. The current code does restrict/prevent development on PUEs; that would not change. Any development on a PUE would remain a violation of the current code. City of Galt Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 of 2 Regular Meeting of November 16, 2017 Staff Forrest addressed the PUE language question. PUE language is in the final map of each individual subdivision; does not include restrictive/negative language – that falls under the code, which leads back to Staff Erias’ statement regarding code violations. Commission Daley felt the proposed zoning ordinance amendment was beneficial to homeowners, and should move forward. However, she requested that the code also be updated to include specific use regarding the 5’ side yard that would result for those that move their fence. Her concern is that the new front side yard would not maintained properly due to its decreased size. Staff Erias said he would bring suggestions to the next meeting. Galt Resident Rick Walters spoke to the Commission. He would like to have zero setback on his property. He feels his location and proposed use justifies his request. He expressed concern about the City’s Variance fee. Both Staff Erias and Staff Forrest addressed Mr. Walters and his request including not allowing building/development on PUEs, and future developments that would impact his request. ACTION: Commissioner Daley motioned to approve the recommendation to the City Council adopting the ordinance amending Chapter 18.44.030, Fences and Walls, of the Galt Municipal Code regarding fence setbacks in residential zoning districts. Vice Chair McFaddin second the motion. Motion passed unanimously. 7. COMMENTS BY STAFF/DIRECTORS REPORT Staff Erias gave update on current development, annexations and grant funding. Staff Klumpp gave update on ongoing projects; commercial and residential building. Staff Forrest gave update on city projects. 8. COMMENTS BY PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER/FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 9. ADJOURN Meeting adjourned at 7:35 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 Tia Klumpp, Assistant Planner and Planning Commission Secretary _____________________________________ Tia Klumpp, Assistant Planner and Planning Commission Secretary