Planning Commission Meeting

MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, September 10, 2013 AFTERNOON SESSION 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm EVENING SESSION 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS, COUNCIL CHAMBERS 580 PACIFIC STREET MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Garden, McCrone, Davis, Stocker, Osorio (4:18 pm) Widmar, Reed Commissioners Absent: None Staff Members Present: Principal Planner Kimberly Cole, Deputy City Chief of Plans and Public Works Hans Uslar, Chief of Planning, Engineering and Environmental Compliance Chip Rerig, Principal Planner Elizabeth Caraker, City Traffic Engineer Richard Deal, Recording Secretary Halabi CALL TO ORDER Chair McCrone called the meeting to order at 4:04 pm. CONSENT ITEMS On a motion by Commissioner Garden, seconded by Commissioner Widmar, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission approved the CONSENT ITEMS: AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Garden, McCrone, Davis, Stocker, Reed, Widmar NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Osorio ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None Approval of Minutes 1. August 27, 2013 ACTION: Approved as submitted. ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. Commissioner Osorio recused himself from item #2  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, September 10, 2013 2. Consider 10 Ryan Ranch Road Use Permit 12-056 and Variance 13-164 Allowing Two New Storage Buildings and a 0’ Sideyard Setback (25’ Required); Applicant Gary Parola (Monterey Disposal Service); Owner City of Monterey, Mitigated Negative Declaration ACTION: Adopted Resolutions approving the Negative Declaration; and approving the Use Permit and Variance allowing two new storage buildings and a 0’sideyard setback (25’ required) with added Conditions of Approval. Staff Presentation/Commission Questions Kimberly Cole presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioners’ questions. Applicant In response to Commissioner McCrone’s question, Mr. Parola, Monterey Disposal, said birds are not a challenge on the site. Public Comments None. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Stocker said he supports the variance due to the sites unique characteristics and use. Commissioner Davis said the additional buildings on the site would be aesthetically pleasing addition and would screen the facility from the adjacent park. Commissioner McCrone said the Resolution does not include the appropriate support to grant the Variance. He said the easement eliminates the requirement of a 25 foot setback resulting in a minimal affect on the property and such reasoning should be included on the Resolution. Commissioner Garden made a motion to adopt a Resolution approving the Negative Declaration and the Use Permit and Variance allowing two new storage buildings and a 0’ sideyard setback (25’ required). Commissioner Widmar said it is necessary to add mention of the existing easement to the resolution. Commissioner McCrone concurred. Commissioner Garden amended his motion to include additional language referring to the easement and the excessive slope on the site be added to the findings for decision in the Resolution. Commissioner Reed seconded the motion. On a motion by Commissioner Garden, seconded by Commissioner Reed, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission adopt a Resolution approving the Negative Declaration and the Use Permit and Variance allowing two new storage buildings and a 0’ sideyard setback (25’ required). AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Garden, McCrone, Stocker, Widmar, Reed, Davis NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 2  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, September 10, 2013 ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Osorio 3. Consider Recommendation to City Council to: Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration, Adopt the Downtown Specific Plan, Repeal the Downtown Area Plan, Redevelopment Plan for the Custom House Redevelopment Project, Redevelopment Plan for the Greater Downtown Monterey Redevelopment Project, Design Framework and Guidelines for Downtown and East Downtown Mixed Use Area and Alvarado Street Study, Adopt an Ordinance Amending the Zoning Map from Planned Community (PC), Community Commercial (C-2), Commercial Office and Professional (CO), Residential Medium Density (R-3), and Open Space (O) to Planned Community (PC) - Downtown and Deleting Monterey City Code Section 20- 48.4 that Restricts Bicycles and Vehicles on the Alvarado Mall Public Comment: Rick Johnson, Old Monterey Business Association (OMBA), said businesses in the downtown area remain concerned about access to the Ordway Pharmacy as well as vehicular traffic on the Alvarado Mall. Mr. Johnson said he is confident that staff can adequately address these issues. Commissioner Garden made a motion to continue the public comment on the Downtown Specific Plan to the evening session at 7:00 pm. Commissioner Stoker seconded the motion. On a motion by Commissioner Garden, seconded by Commissioner Stocker, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission continued the item to the September 10, 2013 evening session at 7:00 pm. AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Garden, McCrone, Stocker, Widmar, Reed, Davis, Osorio NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None The afternoon session adjourned at 4:30 pm. RECONVENE ***Evening Session Agenda*** 7:00 - 11:00 p.m. Commissioners Present: Garden, McCrone, Davis, Stocker, Osorio (4:18 pm) Widmar, Reed Commissioners Absent: None Staff Members Present: Principal Planner Kimberly Cole, Deputy City Chief of Plans and Public Works Hans Uslar, Chief of Planning, Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 3  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, September 10, 2013 Engineering and Environmental Compliance Chip Rerig, Principal Planner Elizabeth Caraker, City Traffic Engineer Richard Deal, Recording Secretary Halabi Chair McCrone called the evening session called to order at 7: 01 pm CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENTS None. 3. Consider Recommendation to City Council to: Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration, Adopt the Downtown Specific Plan, Repeal the Downtown Area Plan, Redevelopment Plan for the Custom House Redevelopment Project, Redevelopment Plan for the Greater Downtown Monterey Redevelopment Project, Design Framework and Guidelines for Downtown and East Downtown Mixed Use Area and Alvarado Street Study, Adopt an Ordinance Amending the Zoning Map from Planned Community (PC), Community Commercial (C-2), Commercial Office and Professional (CO), Residential Medium Density (R-3), and Open Space (O) to Planned Community (PC) - Downtown and Deleting Monterey City Code Section 20- 48.4 that Restricts Bicycles and Vehicles on the Alvarado Mall ACTION: Staff Presentation/Commission Questions Kimberly Cole, Richard Deal and Elizabeth Caraker presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioners’ questions. Public Comments Jack Valenti, Ordway Pharmacy, said the Ordway Pharmacy saw a boom in business resulting from gained access to Polk Street and he objects to the limited access resulting from the proposed closure of Pearl Street. Mr. Valenti said he supports the parking solution resulting in a larger lot with the illumination of the Davi building. In response to Commissioner Stocker’s inquiry, Mr. Valenti said the owners of Ordway Pharmacy would consider the staff solution of a driveway onto Pearl Street as a possible solution Jerry Anderson, Saucito Land Company, quoted Robert Gibbs urban, planning professional, and said the creation of one way streets have resulted in poorly maintained downtown areas and strongly urged the approval of two-way circulation on Alvarado Street. Mr. Anderson also said the cost of parking should be relative to the convince of parking. Jody Quintana, Oak Grove resident, said she is not in support of opening the Alvarado mall to vehicular traffic. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 4  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, September 10, 2013 Commissioner Comments In response to Commissioner Osorio’s question, Ms. Cole said the additional language regarding Figueroa area was intentionally left broad incorporating inspiration for the area. In response to Commissioner Osorio’s suggestion to include 417 Figueroa Street as an opportunity site for the Pearl District, Ms Cole said that site is currently utilized as a storage facility for the Harbor and Police Department and would have to relocate this use to another site on the Waterfront. The Commission Recessed at 8:15 pm. The Commission reconvened at 8:22 pm. Commissioner Garden requested staff provide the City Council the full Downtown Specific Plan with the Planning Commissions edits incorporated into the plan. Commissioner Garden said he has concerns with Parking He said he has concerns that parking program does will not support the type of development envisioned in the Downtown Specific Plan. In response to Commissioner Garden’s question, Ms. Cole said pg 73 of the plan includes the proposed parking strategy which will establish a uniform standard for the downtown area. Commissioner Stocker said he is in support of staff’s proposal of a short term drive way from Tyler Street and long term parking lot to remedy issues with access to the Ordway Pharmacy Commissioner McCrone concurred but said he does the long term solution is not feasible. Commissioner Reed said he would like to include the Ordway Parking lot as opportunity site and said the driveway from Tyler Street solves issues with access. The commissioners were in consensus. Commissioner McCrone expressed concern with the outlet on Jefferson Street. Commissioner Stocker said he would prefer to see the Alvarado Mall limited to trolley and bicycle use only. Commissioner Davis concurred. Commissioner Widmar said cars should have the lowest priority in terms of access to the Alvarado Mall. Commissioner Reed said a visual connection between the Waterfront and the downtown area can be achieved without the use of cars, He said he supports the use of a trolley on the Alvarado Mall. Commissioner Osorio said the dimensions of the Alvarado Mall are too tight to safely allow vehicular access. Commissioner McCrone concurred with Commissioner Reed and Commissioner Stocker and expressed support for the use of a trolley and the necessity of a visual connection between the Alvarado Mall, Alvarado Street and the Waterfront. He said he is in support of rescinding the ordinance but would like to do more to ensure no vehicular access on the Alvarado Mall. In response to Commissioner McCrone’s comments, Commissioner Widmar said he does Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 5 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, September 10, 2013 not want the plan to include a absolute ban on cars in the event of special events. Commissioner Reed said he is in support of the language in the errata. The committee was in consensus. Committee Member Davis requested staff include a street scape plan that creates a more distinctive connection between Church Street Plaza and Figueroa Street connection. Commissioner Widmar and Reed concurred. Commissioner Stocker said additional uses on Custom House Plaza will create greater vitality. Commissioner Osorio concurred and suggested stronger language be utilized to ensure additional uses. Commissioner McCrone agreed. Commissioner McCrone suggested the Commission make a determination on the street name. Commissioner Widmar said naming the whole street Abrego Street ensures consistency. Commissioner Stocker concurred. Commissioner McCrone expressed support the naming choice, but suggested Abrego Street end at the cross of what is currently Abrego Street and Munras Avenue. Commissioner Garden said the plan’s proposed phasing is a function of financing and should be removed from the plan. The Commission was in consensus that the phasing function be removed from the plan. Commissioner Garden said he would like the plant list removed from the plan. The Commissioner’s were not in consensus and determined that they would like to retain the plant list. Commissioner Garden said he has not heard interest in neighborhood parking districts and requested removal of its mention. In response to Commissioner Garden’s comments, Commissioner Davis said the North Fremont Neighborhood meeting discussed the possibility of neighborhood parking districts. Commissioner Widmar said replacing “should” with “could” would provide Neighborhoods the possibility to create parking districts but would not require it. In response to Commissioner’s comments, Ms. Cole said they can alter the language to “can be.” Commissioner Garden made a motion to adopt: a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration; a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt the Downtown Specific Plan and repeal the Downtown Area Plan, Redevelopment Plan for the Custom House Redevelopment Project, Redevelopment Plan for the Greater Downtown Monterey Redevelopment Project, Design Framework and Guidelines for the Downtown and East Downtown Mixed Use Area and Alvarado Street Study; a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt an Ordinance Rezoning portions of the Planning Area from Planned Community (PC), Community Commercial (C- 2), Commercial Office and Professional (CO), Residential Medium Density (R-3), and Open Space (O) to Planned Community – Downtown (PC-D); and a Resolution recommending Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 6  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, September 10, 2013 that the City Council adopt an Ordinance deleting Monterey with amendments. Commissioner Stocker seconded the motion adopted: a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration; a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt the Downtown Specific Plan and repeal the Downtown Area Plan, Redevelopment Plan for the Custom House Redevelopment Project, Redevelopment Plan for the Greater Downtown Monterey Redevelopment Project, Design Framework and Guidelines for the Downtown and East Downtown Mixed Use Area and Alvarado Street Study; a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt an Ordinance Rezoning portions of the Planning Area from Planned Community (PC), Community Commercial (C- 2), Commercial Office and Professional (CO), Residential Medium Density (R-3), and Open Space (O) to Planned Community – Downtown (PC-D); and a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt an Ordinance deleting Monterey with amendments. AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Garden, McCrone, Stocker Osorio, Widmar, Reed, Davis NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS Commissioner McCrone appointed Commissioner Reed to the Water Allocation Subcommittee. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 4. Planning Office Update  Received update  Ms. Cole said she has not confirmed the final dates for the Water Allocation Subcommittee meeting. ADJOURNMENT Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 7 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, September 10, 2013 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:34 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kimberly Cole, AICP Chair Principal Planner Planning Commission Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 8