Planning Commission Meeting

MINUTES Planning Commission Regular Meeting Council Chambers, 380 Civic Drive, Galt, California Thursday, April 12, 2018 6:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order at 6:31 p.m. by Chair McFaddin. Commissioners present: Daley, McFaddin, Morris, and Sandhu. Staff members present: Community Development Director Chris Erias, Development Engineer Bill Forrest, City Attorney Ashley Zambrano, Assistant Planner Tia Klumpp, and Assistant Planner/Planning Commission Secretary Kristyn Bitz. PUBLIC COMMENTS – None INFORMATION/CONSENT CALENDAR 4. SUBJECT: Minutes of the March 8, 2018 Regular Meeting. ACTION: Vice Commissioner Sandhu motioned to approve the minutes of the March 8, 2018, Regular Meeting. Commissioner Morris second the motion. Motion passed by Chair McFaddin, Vice Chair Sandhu, Commissioner Daley and Commissioner Morris. 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: Public Hearing Regarding Veranda at River Oaks General Plan Amendment, Specific Plan Amendment, Rezone, Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map, and Design Review Project. AGENDA REPORT: Staff Erias gave presentation on Veranda at River Oaks. Mr. Price Walker of Elliott Homes addressed the Commission. Mr. Walker stated Elliott Homes have owned the property for a long time, and have successfully built similar projects in other cities which have been accepted well by the public. The Commission addressed City staff and Mr. Walker. Chair McFaddin asked what the width of the single street was. Chair McFaddin inquired about fences and safety of children living in the development. Mr. Walker explained that the development does not have fences; rather, each home has a patio approximately 10’x10’. City of Galt Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 of 4 Regular Meeting of April 12, 2018 A discussion of the open project design concerns resulted in Mr. Walker offering to consider adding an open fence design around the perimeter of the property (i.e., wrought iron fencing). Commissioner Daley expressed concern about the home owner’s association (HOA) operations. Commissioner Morris wanted to know why there are 198 parking spots. Commissioner Sandhu inquired about the loss of commercial space if the rezone was granted. RECOMMENDED ACTION: (1) Conduct public hearing for the Veranda at River Oaks General Plan Amendment, Specific Plan Amendment, Rezone, Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map, and Design Review Project; (2) Upon closing of the public hearing, recommend that the City Council approve the resolution approving the Initial Study, Mitigated Negative Declaration, and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Veranda at River Oaks Project; (3) Recommend that the City Council approve the resolution approving the proposed amendment to the City’s General Plan land use map, North East Area Specific Plan (NEASP) land use map, approving the vesting tentative subdivision map, and design review for the Veranda at River Oaks Project; and (4) Recommend that the City Council introduce the ordinance approving the proposed rezone for the Veranda at River Oaks Project. Chair McFaddin opened the public hearing. The Commission was addressed by three speakers: Mr. Avery Banks, Mr. Fred Rodriguez, and Ms. Madison Miranda, all Galt residents. Mr. Banks expressed concern about delivery logistics for the new homes. He felt some sort of barrier is needed between the homes facing Walnut Avenue and the sidewalk. He mentioned that packages and mail left on doorways could be more susceptible to theft due to the doorways being so close to the sidewalk. Staff Erias and Mr. Walker stated that is a valid concern, and talked again about the idea of installing a fence around the property. Mr. Rodriguez, who resides near the proposed project, was worried about his privacy and those of his current neighbors. The nearby residents had been told that the site was zoned Office Professional (OP), and that houses would not be built there. Staff Erias addressed the concerns. He stated that if the existing homes contained only one-story residences, the City would not allow two-story homes to be built. However, the current homes include a mix of one- and two-story homes, so the proposed two-story homes are an acceptable design. Furthermore, the proposed two- story homes adjacent to the existing homes are orientated in a way that only the side of most of the homes would face the existing homes; those sides do not include windows. Finally, Staff Erias noted that building homes on the site was a better fit compared to having a business with heavy traffic developed. Ms. Miranda asked if the property values of the nearby existing homes would be affected. Staff Erias understood the concern, and explained that the proposed homes are not deed restricted low income housing, or subsidized housing. The homes are regular, single family dwellings sold at market rate, and property values are not expected to decrease due to the proposed development. City of Galt Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 of 4 Regular Meeting of April 12, 2018 Chair McFaddin closed the public hearing. ACTION: Commissioner Daley motioned to approve the recommendations that (1) The City Council approve the resolution approving the Initial Study, Mitigated Negative Declaration, and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Veranda at River Oaks Project; (2) The City Council approve the resolution approving the proposed amendment to the City’s General Plan land use map, North East Area Specific Plan (NEASP) land use map, approving the vesting tentative subdivision map, and design review for the Veranda at River Oaks Project; and (3) The City Council introduce the ordinance approving the proposed rezone for the Veranda at River Oaks Project. Motion second by Vice Chair Sandhu. Motion passed unanimously. B. SUBJECT: Dry Creek Oaks – Architectural Review AGENDA REPORT: Staff Erias presented the proposed architectural plans for Dry Creek Oaks. DR Horton addressed the Commission, introduced the new designs as part of the company’s Freedom Series, and also noted design constraints. Commissioner Morris asked if the Freedom homes were specifically for senior citizens. DR Horton confirmed that the Freedom series were not specifically senior homes, but include many features that seniors may find ideal such as outlets installed at increased height levels, and wider hallways. Commissioner Daley noted that the new plans lacked architectural features such as varying pieces of wood/trim, as well as lacking an overall theme. Commissioner Daley also wanted to know why one car garages were not considered. Staff Erias responded to DR Horton’s comment regarding setback concerns. Staff Erias provided examples of other developments with better designs. He also stated the importance of having better designed homes as Dry Creek Oaks will be the gateway into an area that will eventually be annexed into the City, and as such, will set the tone for future development. The Commission continued to collectively express their disappointment in the updated architectural designs. The designs were not recommended for approval. C. SUBJECT: Greenwood Cottages Tentative Subdivision Map and Architectural Review Project. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Continue item to the next regular Planning Commission Meeting. ACTION: Commissioner Daley motioned to continue the Greenwood Cottages Tentative Subdivision Map and Architectural Review Project to the next regular Planning Commission Meeting. Chair McFaddin second the motion. Vice Chair Sandhu was absent for the motion. Motion passed unanimously. City of Galt Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 of 4 Regular Meeting of April 12, 2018 6. COMMENTS BY STAFF/DIRECTORS REPORT Staff Erias gave an update on the Carillion Boulevard Master Plan, the Industrial annexation, and the Eastview development. Staff Forrest gave an update on Safe Routes to School. Staff Klumpp gave an update on incoming project applications. Staff Bitz gave an update on newly approved business licenses, and residential/commercial projects. 10. COMMENTS BY PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER/FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 11. ADJOURN Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. MEETING MINUTES MAY BE HEARD IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REQUESTING A COPY OF THE AUDIO RECORDING FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION SECRETARY. Respectfully submitted by Kristyn Bitz, Assistant Planner and Planning Commission Secretary _____________________________________ Kristyn Bitz, Assistant Planner and Planning Commission Secretary