Planning Commission Meeting

MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, May 24, 2011 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. 7:00 - 11:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Widmar, Davis, Garden, McCrone, Osorio, Stocker Commissioners Absent: Stites Councilmember’s Present: Downey, Selfridge (Arrived at 4:07 pm) Councilmember’s Absent: Mayor Della Sala, Haferman, Sollecito Staff Members Present: City Manager Meurer, Chief of Planning, Engineering, and Environmental Compliance Rerig, Principal Planner Cole, Senior Planner Ebbs, Parking Superintendent Dalton, Recording Secretary Hanes CALL TO ORDER Chair Widmar called the meeting to order at 4:02 pm. Joint Session with City Council PRESENTATIONS 1. Defense Language Institute Master Plan and Environmental Impact Statement John Elliott, Chief of Master Plans, presented the Master Plan Concept. Two alternatives were shown. The preferred alternative is Alternative 1 (POM Centric). Mr. Elliott shared the reasoning for the preferred alternative including:  more efficient use and modernization of facilities;  avoids impacts to cultural/historic resources;  promotes natural resources through enhanced mitigations;  reduces loss of endangered plant;  reduces air emissions from movement of vehicles on-post;  reduces traffic from OMC to POM through mass transit;  optimizes use of existing developed areas and space and,  better overall management and utilization of resources. City Manager Meurer gave a brief description of the intentions of the DLI Master Plan and some of the changes under discussion. Mr. Meurer emphasized that the City has participated for over two years in the planning process. The City has submitted two comment letters that were provided to the Council and Planning Commission. Key issues have been transportation/circulation and the need for a Highway 68 gate. Mr. Meurer emphasized the upcoming Planning Commission meeting on June 14, 2011, and City Council review of the City’s comment letter. Councilmembers Downey and Selfridge shared an interest in a new access point/gate on Highway 68.  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, May 24, 2011 End Joint Session Chair Widmar called for a five minute recess at 4:26 pm. Reconvened at 4:29 pm. PRESENTATIONS 2. City Parking Program. Wayne Dalton, Parking Superintendent, presented and along with Kim Cole, answered Commissioners' questions. Mr. Dalton showed examples of the new parking meters and pay stations. He also emphasized that the Parking Division is awaiting results from the City’s Transportation and Parking Study. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. RECESS 5:30 p.m. RECONVENE ***Evening Session Agenda*** 7:00 - 11:00 p.m. CONSENT ITEMS Commissioner McCrone requested to have Item 3 pulled from consent for further discussion. On a motion by Commissioner Stocker, seconded by Commissioner Osorio, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission approved the CONSENT ITEMS. AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Widmar, Davis, Garden, McCrone, Osorio, Stocker NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Stites ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 3. Recommendation to City Council. Review of proposed Fiscal Year 2011/2012 Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) for consistency with the General Plan. ACTION: Recommendation to City Council that the proposed Fiscal Year 2011/2012 Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) is consistent with the General Plan. 6-0-1 (Absent - Stites). Public Comment: Rick Heurer answered Commissioner McCrone's question by stating that Project 18 for the Highway 68/Presidio Gate Study will parallel the DLI's Master Plan changes. In answer to Commissioner McCrone's question regarding Project 33, Bike Rack Installation, Mr. Heurer said that the parks department will be choosing the locations of Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, May 24, 2011 2  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, May 24, 2011 the bike racks. Commissioner McCrone also asked about item 14, Casa Verde Rec Trail Crossing Study and Mr. Heurer said he is in discussion with Rich Deal about re- configuring the area to improve safety for both pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Lee Whitney, President of Footprints On The Bay Homeowners Association, said Project 27, Glenwood Circle Radar Speed Sign, is a safety concern in the neighborhood because of the danger speeding vehicles pose to pedestrians walking in the area. She said the sign has been approved for funding through the basic allocations and she urged the Commission to approve and move the project onto the City Council. Commission Comments: Commissioner Stocker motioned to recommend to City Council that the proposed Fiscal Year 2011/2012 Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) is consistent with the General Plan. Commissioner Osorio seconded the motion. Approval of Minutes Commissioner McCrone requested the consent vote be changed to reflect that he was absent rather than abstained, and also requested that the first motion for 96 Wharf #1 be changed to reflect that he was the second on the motion. He also requested to have the amended finding for 96 Wharf #1 be added to the motion verbiage. Commissioner Davis motioned to approve the May 10, 2011 Planning Commission minutes with a correction to the Consent Item vote to reflect that Commissioner McCrone was Absent and not Abstained, and a correction to Item 3 to reflect that Commissioner McCrone seconded the first motion made by Commissioner Garden to Deny the Appeal. Commissioner Garden seconded the motion. On a motion by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Garden, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission approved the May 10, 2011 Minutes with corrections. AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Widmar, Davis, Garden, Osorio, Stocker NOES: 1 COMMISSIONERS: McCrone ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Stites ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 4. May 10, 2011 ACTION: Approved as submitted. 5-1 (Noes – McCrone)-1 (Absent – Stites). ***End of Consent Agenda*** CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENTS None. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, May 24, 2011 3  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, May 24, 2011 PUBLIC HEARING 5. 211 Hoffman Avenue; Use Permit Application 10-273; Applicant/Owner Eric Miller Architects; C-2 Zoning District; Exempt from CEQA Requirements. Approve Use Permit for Construction of New Mixed Use Building. ACTION: Approved the Use Permit for construction of a new mixed use building with the Findings for Decision and Conditions of Approval.6- 0-1 (Absent – Stites). Staff Presentation/Commissioners Questions: Forrest Ebbs presented the staff report and answered Commissioners’ questions. Commissioner McCrone inquired about the New Monterey Neighborhood Association Letter. Mr. Ebbs discussed the projects consistency with the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance and Resolution. Applicant: Eric Miller showed a video presentation of the project. Public Comments: None. Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Stocker motioned to approve the Use Permit for construction of a new mixed use building with the Findings for Decision and Conditions of Approval. Commissioner McCrone seconded the motion. Commissioner Osorio suggested a correction to the heading for Finding 2 from General Plan to Lighthouse Area Plan. Staff concurred with the correction and will make the change. On a motion by Commissioner Stocker, seconded by Commissioner McCrone, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission approved the Use Permit for construction of a new mixed use building with the Findings for Decision and Conditions of Approval. AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Widmar, Davis, Garden, McCrone, Osorio, Stocker NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Stites ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS 6. Response to Commissioner Comments at the May 10, 2011 meeting. Report received. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, May 24, 2011 4  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, May 24, 2011 New Comments:  Chair Widmar said that Commissioner Comments are an opportunity to announce absences at future meetings, and to share information with other Commissioners. He requested the Commission refrain from addressing issues during Commissioner Comments that would require excessive discussion. Commissioner Davis concurred and indicated that items discussed become un-agendized comments.  Commissioner McCrone said he has determined the problems he was having with viewing and printing the Draft Waterfront PDF and is now able to obtain the information properly. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 7. Planning Office Update. Report received and reviewed.  Ms. Cole reminded the Commission of the upcoming Transportation & Parking Charette and informed them that the evening session of June 28, 2011, will be dedicated to the Charette and the location of the meeting may be moved to the Conference Center. She also requested that the Commission also attend the June 30, 2011 evening meeting and informed the Commission that a schedule will be published detailing the times, locations and agenda items that will be discussed. In answer to the Commissioners' concerns regarding attendance and participation at the Charette, Ms. Cole said she will research the topic and inform the Commission accordingly.  Ms. Cole also informed the Commission that progress is being made on the Medical Marijuana project and is intended to be agendized for either the June or July, 2011 meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:53 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kimberly Cole Chair Principal Planner Planning Commission Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, May 24, 2011 5