Planning Commission Meeting

MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, February 12, 2013 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS, COUNCIL CHAMBERS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: McCrone, Stocker, Reed, Widmar, Garden, Osorio (Evening Session Only) Commissioners Absent: Davis, Osorio (Absent for the Afternoon Session) Staff Members Present: Chief of Planning, Engineering, and Environmental Compliance Rerig, Principal Planner Cole, Traffic Engineer Deal (Evening Session Only), Senior Associate Planner Hopper, Associate Transportation Planner Green (Evening Session Only), Recording Secretary Hanes CALL TO ORDER Chair Garden called the meeting to order at 4:01 pm. CONSENT ITEMS Chair Garden suggested continuing the Consent Agenda to the evening session to allow all Commissioners to be present. The Commission concurred. On a motion by Commissioner McCrone, seconded by Commissioner Widmar, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission continued the CONSENT ITEMS to the February 26, 2013 meeting: AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Garden, McCrone, Osorio, Stocker, Reed, Widmar NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Davis ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None Approval of Minutes 1. January 22, 2013 ACTION: Continued to the February 26, 2013, meeting. Commissioner Osorio asked staff to review his comments and adjust the minutes to better reflect his comments. ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None.  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, February 12, 2013 PUBLIC HEARING 2. Recommend City Council Consider #15 Wharf 1 Permit 12-366 to Expand the Footprint of an Existing Building by 205 Square Feet and a Building Height of 18’- 10”; Applicant Dennis Hodgin; Owner City of Monterey (Exempt from CEQA) On a motion by Commissioner Stocker, seconded by Commissioner Widmar, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission adopted a Resolution recommending City Council approval of the expansion of the footprint of an existing building by 205 square feet and approval of a building height of 18’-10”: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Garden, McCrone, Stocker, Reed, Widmar NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Davis, Osorio ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ACTION: Adopted a Resolution recommending City Council approval of the expansion of the footprint of an existing building by 205 square feet and approval of a building height of 18’-10”. Staff Presentation/Commission Questions: Christine Hopper presented the Agenda Report and along with Kim Cole, answered Commissioners' questions. Applicant: Dennis Hodgin, architect, gave a brief presentation of the project and said the plan is to improve the Wharf by making the building look better. In answer to Commission McCrone’s question, Mr. Hodgin said the rear of the building is not transparent and the illumination will not show on the backside of the building. In answer to Commissioner Widmar’s question, Mr. Hodgin said he has not researched the effect of the sun on the windows and alternative materials that are less reflective could be considered. In answer to Commissioner Stocker’s question, Mr. Hodgin said the back of the building will be cleaned up as part of the proposed changes. Public Comment: Maxwell Vereen asked staff if the environmental impact will be researched for the project. Sally Elves, adjacent building owner, said the project will be an awesome attraction on the Wharf and encouraged all business owners on the Wharf to work together to make the Wharf more attractive and interesting. She said the project will bring people to the Wharf which will help other businesses on the Wharf. Chris Shake said he is in support of the project and it is an improvement to the entrance of Fisherman’s Wharf. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, February 12, 2013 2  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, February 12, 2013 Commission Comments: Staff confirmed that appropriate environmental studies will be done to insure that the project remains in an exempt status. Commissioner Stocker said the tenants/lease holders on the Wharf should be encouraged to consider both sides of the buildings when making improvements and made a motion to adopt a Resolution recommending City Council approval of the expansion of the footprint of an existing building by 205 square feet and approval of a building height of 18’-10”. Commissioner Widmar seconded the motion. Commissioner Reed expressed concern about the size of the proposed building but said he is in support of the project because of the architectural style and improvements to the Wharf. Commissioner McCrone said the project is an excellent, attractive improvement to the Wharf. Chair Garden suggested moving items 3 and 4 to a consent approval. The Commission concurred. 3. Consider 2114 Del Monte Avenue; Use Permit 13-007 to Enlarge an Existing Building; Applicant Wisam Nader; Owner Torras Leasing Company; C-3-D-2 Zoning District (Exempt from CEQA) On a motion by Commissioner Stocker, seconded by Commissioner McCrone, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission adopted a Resolution approving Use Permit 13-007 to enlarge an existing building: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Garden, McCrone, Stocker, Reed, Widmar NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Davis, Osorio ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ACTION: Adopted a Resolution approving Use Permit 13-007 to enlarge an existing building. Commission Comments: Commissioner Stocker made a motion to adopt a Resolution approving Use Permit 13- 007 to enlarge an existing building. Commissioner McCrone seconded the motion. 4. Recommend City Council Consider 137 Stephen Place; Permit 13-009 to Amend the Boundaries of a Conservation Easement; Applicant Ronald and Mary Nahas Family Trust; Owner Stephen Place, LLC; R-1-15 Zoning District (Exempt from CEQA) Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, February 12, 2013 3  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, February 12, 2013 On a motion by Commissioner Stocker, seconded by Commissioner McCrone, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission adopted a Resolution recommending the City Council amend the boundaries of a conservation easement: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Garden, McCrone, Stocker, Reed, Widmar NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Davis, Osorio ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ACTION: Adopted a Resolution recommending the City Council amend the boundaries of a conservation easement. Commission Comments: Commissioner Stocker made a motion to adopt a Resolution recommending the City Council amend the boundaries of a conservation easement. Commissioner McCrone seconded the motion. 5. Consider 851 Cannery Row; Use Permit 12-311 for a Mixed Use Project; Applicant Bob McIntyre; Owner Chris Shake; CR-H-1 Zoning District (Exempt from CEQA) On a motion by Commissioner McCrone, seconded by Commissioner Reed, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission adopted a Resolution approving Permit 12-311 allowing a mixed-use project. AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Garden, McCrone, Stocker, Reed, Widmar NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Davis, Osorio ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ACTION: Adopt a Resolution approving Permit 12-311 allowing a mixed-use project. Staff Presentation/Commission Questions: Kim Cole presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioners' questions. Applicant: Bob McIntyre, representing Chris Shake who was also present, requested condition 6 be removed because of a prior approval from the Architectural Review Committee. Public Comments: None. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, February 12, 2013 4  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, February 12, 2013 Commission Comments: Commissioner Stocker asked staff if the applicants request to remove condition 6 is an appropriate request. Commissioner Widmar said condition 6 should remain and allows the applicant an option to consider changing the materials. Commissioner Reed said condition 6 should be eliminated. Commissioner McCrone said if condition 6 remains it will allow the applicant an opportunity to consider changes to the plan and will provide the ARC and HPC an opportunity for another look at the project. Commissioner Widmar asked staff to clarify the City’s legal obligations. Kim Cole clarified that the permit required the applicant to return to the ARC and HPC with proposed designs. Commissioner McCrone made a motion to adopt a Resolution approving Permit 12-311 allowing a mixed-use project. Commissioner Reed seconded the motion. Chair Garden called for a recess at 4:54 pm. Reconvened at 7:00 pm. CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 6. Recommend that the City Council Adopt a Negative Declaration and Adopt the Monterey on the Move Plan, the City's Multi-Modal Mobility Plan On a motion by Commissioner Widmar, seconded by Commissioner Osorio, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission adopted a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt a Negative Declaration; and, Adopt a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt the Monterey on the Move Plan, the City's Multi-Modal Mobility Plan as amended.. AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Garden, McCrone, Stocker, Reed, Widmar, Osorio NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Davis ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ACTION: Adopted a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt a Negative Declaration; and, Adopt a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt the Monterey on the Move Plan, the City's Multi- Modal Mobility Plan as amended. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, February 12, 2013 5 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, February 12, 2013 Staff Presentation/Commission Questions: Elizabeth Caraker and Rich Deal, Traffic Engineer, presented the Agenda Report and along with Ariana Green, former Associate Transportation Planner, answered Commissioners' questions. Public Comments: Mathew Sundt said he was on the Transportation Agency of Monterey County (TAMC) Bicycle Recreation Committee and the Advisory Committee for the project and encouraged the Commission to approve the plan. Commission Comments: Commissioner Osorio made mention of a couple references in the plan relative to the benefits of biking and pedestrian activity on health, and suggested an objective on Page 12 under Health, Safety, Education and Enforcement be provided. Ms. Caraker made mention of Objective 4 – Reduce Obesity Rates in the City that addresses the issue of health but said the topic could be expanded to include overall health and not just obesity. Commissioner Osorio questioned Page 44 Table 9, asking for clarification that the Downtown Area was expanded to include Van Buren. Ms. Caraker confirmed. Commissioner Osorio said under the Area on Column 2 listed as Missing/Steep ADA Ramps, the table should be updated to include the revisions to the new maps. In answer to Commissioner Osorio’s question related to the consideration of concerns about safety on the Recreation Trail, Mr. Deal said there are two areas that generate safety complaints; 1) the uncomfortable feeling of riding a bike through a large group of pedestrians or people with pets; and, 2) safety issues are valid at all of the uncontrolled Recreation Trail crossings and standards have been changed since the trail was installed and the plan intends to improve the intersections to match with current standards. Mr. Deal said there is also a third type of safety issue with all the connections across arterials to the Recreation Trail that is also included in the project list. Commissioner Osorio suggested implementing a plan that has volunteers or Police Officers handing out documentation indicating why it is important to cycle slow on the Recreation Trail, every six months on a Sunday morning. Commissioner McCrone asked if the concept of a community bicycle at the bike stations was considered in the plan. Elizabeth Caraker said the concept of a community bicycle is referred to as bike sharing in the plan, and confirmed that the idea is being explored. Commissioner McCrone asked staff to review the acronyms in the document. Commissioner Stocker concurred with Mathew Sundt about approving the plan, and expressed concern about the bicyclists on the bike trail that ride too fast. He said Monterey is a bicycle unfriendly City and encouraged more protected and identified bike lanes because motorists pay attention to them. He also said maps should be generated that identify where all the bike lanes exist and encouraged the use of the trail for both recreation and transportation. He said alternative routes should be available that allow cyclists to travel at a greater speed. In answer to Commissioner McCrone’s question, Rich Deal said that in the Vehicle Code Segways are considered Electric Assisted Mobility Devices similar to an electric wheelchair and can go anywhere pedestrians can go. Commissioner Reed requested staff review the document for typos and grammatical errors and said if an acronym is only used one time it does not need the acronym Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, February 12, 2013 6  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, February 12, 2013 defined. He said the plan has opened his eyes to the alternative form of transportation that cycling provides and asked staff to consider integrating wheelchairs into the pedestrians section of the document since they are considered pedestrians. He also said he will support the recommendation. Commissioner Widmar made a motion to adopt a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt a Negative Declaration; and, adopt a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt the Monterey on the Move Plan, the City's Multi-Modal Mobility Plan. Commissioner Garden clarified that the motion include the suggested changes to the document to correct typos and grammar errors and assure that use of acronyms is appropriate and clearly defined. The motion maker concurred with the change to the motion. Commissioner Osorio seconded the motion. Commissioner Stocker asked the motion maker if the motion also included the requested change from Commissioner Reed to incorporate wheelchairs in the pedestrian section. The motion maker and seconder concurred with the addition to the motion. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS  Commissioner Widmar informed the Commission about an event to benefit the Monterey Public Library taking place on Friday February 15, 2013 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm that combines chocolate with a wine tasting. He said the tickets were $25.00 per person and the event will hold a silent auction.  Commissioner McCrone said the City should exercise their rights as a commercial landlord to the tenants on the Wharf to improve the look of the Wharf. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 7. Planning Office Update ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kimberly Cole, AICP Chair Principal Planner Planning Commission Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, February 12, 2013 7