Planning Commission Meeting

MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, August 23, 2011 Afternoon Session Only 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Widmar, Davis, Garden, McCrone, Osorio, Stites, Stocker Commissioners Absent: None Staff Members Present: Principal Planner Cole, Senior Associate Planner Bennett, Senior Associate Planner Hopper, Recording Secretary Hanes CALL TO ORDER CONSENT ITEMS Staff recommended pulling Item #1 from the Consent Agenda for further discussion. The Commission concurred. On a motion by Commissioner Stocker, seconded by Commissioner Widmar, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission approved the Consent Agenda with exception of item #1 which was pulled for further discussion and approval of the Minutes in which McCrone and Stites abstained: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Widmar, Davis, Garden, Osorio, Stocker NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 2 COMMISSIONERS: McCrone, Stites RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 1. 600 Irving Street; Extension Permit 11-188 for Use Permit 08-361; Applicant/Owner Eugene F. Strangio; R-3-5 Zoning District; Exempt from CEQA Requirements. Request Extension of Use Permit 08-361 for the construction of a 5-unit apartment building (4,666 square feet). ACTION: Approved Extension Permit 11-188 of Use Permit 08-361 for four years with Findings for Decision and Conditions of Approval. 4-3-0. Staff Presentation/Commissioners Questions: Christy Hopper presented the staff report and along with Kim Cole and Todd Bennett, answered Commissioners’ questions. Applicant: Daniel Strangio made reference to a letter he submitted and highlighted the constraint on the project regarding water resources on the Monterey Peninsula and requested the Commission approve the request for a four year extension to the Use Permit. He said water resources may become more readily available within the four year time period allowing a better chance of being able to proceed with the project. Public Comments: None. Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, August 23, 2011 Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Garden asked staff how many similar projects might potential need an extension due to lack of water. Senior Associate Planner Todd Bennett responded indicating that this is an unusual case and the majority of Use Permits are executed within the time limit attached to the Permit. Commissioner Stocker said this project is unique and does not agree with a four year extension. He said the Commission should further discuss a policy that would address possible requests for extensions from projects on the Water Waiting List and motioned to deny the request for a four year extension and approve Extension Permit 11-188 of Use Permit 08-361 for two years for the construction of a 5-unit apartment building. Commissioner McCrone seconded the motion. Commissioner Osorio said he agrees with the applicant for a four year extension and approval of the extension would set a precedent for other similar projects with water issues. He suggested adding a condition indicating that the applicant will comply with the regulations that are aplicable at the time of approval. Commissioner Widmar agreed with the motion and suggested agendizing a discussion about the policy standard for projects that request extensions that are on the water waiting list. Commissioner McCrone said he would not be in support of a four year extension for the project. In answer to Commissioner Davis' question, Principal Planner Kim Cole said it is a normal policy to grant two year extensions. Commissioner Garden expressed concern that if a discussion surrounding the policy was agendized as a Work Program, it might prevent staff from working on the adopted work program. Chair Davis called for a vote on the motion. Motioned failed 3 (Ayes-McCrone, Stites, Stocker) - 4 (Noes-Davis, Garden, OSorio, Widmar). Commissioner Garden made a motion to approve Extension Permit 11-188 of Use Permit 11-88 for four years for the construction of a 5-unit apartment building. Commissioner Osorio seconded the motion. Commissioner Stocker said further discussion is necessary regarding the terms of an extension request that is a result of water issues. Commissioner McCrone suggested granting the extension for two years and allow the Zoning Administrator the ability to grant any further extension requests for the project. Chair Davis called for a vote on the motion. On a motion by Commissioner Garden, seconded by Commissioner Osorio, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission approved Extension Permit 11-188 of Use Permit 08-361 for four years with Findings for Decision and Conditions of Approval: Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 23, 2011 2  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, August 23, 2011 AYES: 4 COMMISSIONERS: Widmar, Davis, Garden, Osorio NOES: 3 COMMISSIONERS: McCrone, Stites, Stocker ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 2. 316 Larkin Street; HPC Application 11-178 (Mills Act Contract and H-2 Historic Zoning); Applicant/Owner John Koostra; R-3-6 Zoning District; Exempt from CEQA Requirements. Recommendation to City Council to adopt an Ordinance to rezone the property as a City Historic Resource from R-3-6 to R-3-6-H-2. ACTION: Recommended that the City Council adopt an Ordinance to rezone the property as a City Historic Resource from R-3-6 to R-3-6-H-2.7-0- 0. Approval of Minutes 3. July 26, 2011 ACTION: Approved as submitted. 5-0-0-2 (Abstained – McCrone, Stites). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS James Fink asked for clarification on the meeting date that the 2020 Del Monte project was continued to and informed the Commission that he had been circulating a petition to stop the demolition of the building. Commissioner Stocker said the item will be agendized at the September 13, 2011 Planning Commission Meeting. Staff informed Mr. Fink that the agenda for the meeting is still being compiled and it has not yet been determined if the 2020 Del Monte Project will be in the afternoon or evening session, but the agenda will be available for viewing as of September 8, 2011. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS 4. Response to Commissioners’ Comments at the July 26, 2011, Meeting. Response to Commissioners’ Comments at the July 26, 2011 meeting. Report received. New Comments:  Commissioner McCrone said the appearance of the parking lot in front of the Passenger Depot is improving with the removal of some of the larger vehicles, and encouraged the Parking Division to continue addressing the issue.  Commissioner Osorio referenced an article written in the Weekly entitled "Street of Dreams" regarding the proposed Downtown changes indicating that it does not represent a valid comprehensive description of the work that is being done by Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 23, 2011 3  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, August 23, 2011 Staff and the City. He suggested requesting a correction from the newspaper specifically pertaining to the statements indicating that the City Council had approved changes, rather it should indicate that a study of the changes has been approved. He also said when consultants are given an opportunity to present to the City Council on City projects, the content of the material should be pre- approved by Staff prior to the presentation to assure that all facts are correct. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 5. Planning Office Update. Report received and reviewed.  Ms. Cole requested that the Chair attend the September 6, 2011, City Council Meeting regarding the continued presentation of the Transportation and Parking Plan and provide insight to the recommendation that was made by the Planning Commission. Chair Davis said he would attend the meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:50 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kimberly Cole, AICP Chair Principal Planner Planning Commission Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 23, 2011 4