Planning Commission Meeting

MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, November 25, 2014 AFTERNOON SESSION ONLY 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm 580 PACIFIC STREET, COUNCIL CHAMBERS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: McCrone, Garden, Stocker, Reed, Osorio (arrived at 4:57 pm) Commissioners Absent: Davis, Widmar Staff Members Present: Principal Planner Cole, Senior Planner Hopper, Recording Secretary Salas CALL TO ORDER Chair McCrone called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. CONSENT ITEMS Chair McCrone requested that “Committee Members” to be changed to “Commissioners” on page four of the minutes. Commissioner Reed made a motion to approve the consent items with amendments to the minutes. Commissioner Stocker seconds the motion. On a motion by Commissioner Reed, seconded by Commissioner Stocker and carried the following vote, the Planning Commission approved the CONSENT ITEMS: AYES: 4 COMMISSIONERS: McCrone, Garden, Stocker, Reed NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 3 COMMISSIONERS: Widmar, Osorio, Davis ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None Approval of Minutes 1. November 13, 2014 ACTION: APPROVED WITH AMENDMENTS ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC HEARING  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, November 25, 2014 2. Consider 520-522 Fremont Negative Declaration and Use Permit 14-136 for Mixed Use, Building Height that Exceeds Two Stories and 25', Joint/Shared Parking (19 required; 16 spaces provided; 3 shared parking spaces);, 70% Lot Coverage, 75 Du/Acre and Variance for Building Height That Exceeds 35' (35' Maximum; 41.5' Proposed); Property Owners/Applicants: Cosentino 2000 Family Trust, Cosentino 1995 Family Trust, and Anthony, Nella and Louie Cosentino; C-2 Zoning District ACTION: Continued to December 9, 2014, with direction to Staff to prepare Resolution that gives a choice of granting the Variance or the Incentive with regard to the height. Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions Kimberly Cole presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioners’ questions. Applicant Paul E. Davis, Architect, said he is eager for the project to get approved to move forward. He also said he believes that they have done all they can and should to make the building blend in with the surrounding area and existing buildings. Mr. Davis said the building only has 16 parking spaces of the 19 are required, and functions as shared parking with people who are more inclined to use public transit. Anthony Cosentino, building owner, said he has had over 10 years of success with the shared parking program of another building that he manages on Lighthouse Avenue. Mr. Cosentino also said he wants to see the project move forward as soon as possible. Public Comments Rick Heuer, 552 Fremont Street, property and business owner, said he lives in an adjacent neighborhood and supports mixed use at the site, but has a major issue with parking and does not feel that shared parking will work at this spot. He said Perry Lane is impacted with employee parking. Mr. Heuer said he supports staff’s recommendation, but a rendering should be done before a decision is made because the front of the building crosses into the public right of way and the Royal Presidio chapel is across the street. He also said surrounding businesses will be impacted by a loss of parking. Commission Member Comments In response to Commissioner Reed’s question regarding encroachment permits, Ms. Cole said she has spoken with the Assistant City Attorney, and is researching to provide better clarification. In response to Commissioner Osorio, Ms. Cole said that the Planning Commission could continue the project and require a perspective drawing to give Commission members a better idea of what a three story building would look like in that spot. In response to Chair McCrone’s question, Ms. Cole said that story pole staking is typically done at the Architectural Review level not the Planning Commission level, but said as a motion to continue it could be done in order to help make a better decision. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, November 25, 2014 2 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, November 25, 2014 Commissioner Stocker said findings could be made to support the Variance, but he is concerned with the parking. He said that Perry Lane is impacted by employee parking, and that this situation is different from most other shared parking situations and would not work. Chair McCrone said he is unconcerned by the height issue with the Variance but shares concerns over the parking issue. He said that the project is precisely the type that the Planning Commission should encourage. Commissioner Garden said that in the future people may live in smaller spaces and not require parking, and believes that with good management the parking issue can be resolved. Commissioner Reed said he supports the height but struggles with the Variance and feels that other ways should be explored. He also said the he supports the project and it is needed on that side of Fremont Street. Commissioner Osorio said that the number of units is the cause of the issue, and believes that the project is not where it needs to be in terms of it being appropriate for the site. He also said that using the moderate units to support the Variance does not meet the state requirements. In response to Commissioner Stocker’s question, Ms. Cole stated that an alternative to the Variance would be to grant an incentive as stated in the General Plan. Chair McCrone made a motioned that staff should prepare Resolutions to approve the project, both Use Permits, and with the added condition of approval that the retail tenant will have its employees park off site per an enforceable parking plan. Commissioner Garden Seconds motion Commissioner Osorio said if granting a Variance based on the topographical issue it will set precedent. Chair McCrone amends his motion and requested that staff drafts a Resolution giving a choice of granting the Variance or the incentive with regard to the height. Commissioner Garden said he supports the motion. Commission Reed also said he supports the motion. Chair McCrone motions to continue to December 9, 2014, with direction to Staff to prepare Resolution that gives a choice of granting the Variance or the Incentive with regard to the height. Commissioner Garden Seconded the motion. Commissioner Osorio said that cares should be taken when dealing with height for future use and aesthetics as the site is a gateway to our city. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, November 25, 2014 3  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, November 25, 2014 On a motion by Chair McCrone, seconded by Commissioner Garden, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission Continued to December 9, 2014, with direction to Staff to prepare Resolution that gives a choice of granting the Variance or the Incentive with regard to the height. AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: McCrone, Osorio, Garden, Stocker, Reed NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Widmar, Davis ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 3. Consider Downtown Specific Plan Amendments - Recommendation to the City Council to Amend the Downtown Specific Plan to: 1) Add Amplified Music/Sound as a Conditional Use, 2) Allow Single-Family Parking as a Permitted Use; 3) Add Indoor Vehicle Sales as a Permitted Use, 4) Add Design Guidelines for the National Historic Landmark District, Awnings, and Lighting; and 5) Add Related Definitions as Necessary and Amend the Definition of "Story." Planned Community - Downtown Zoning District; Commercial General Plan Designation. Downtown Specific Plan Mitigated Negative Declaration Addendum Filed. ACTION: Continued to January 13, 2015, so as to get more clarity regarding the lighting issue. Staff Presentation/Committee Member Questions Christine Hopper presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioners’ questions. Public Comments Molly Erickson, attorney representing, “Turn down the Lights” said she supports the continuance to January 13, 2015. Ms. Erickson also said there are better ways to clearly state the guidelines and make them more enforceable, and said she is committed to continuing to work with staff. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Stocker mad a motion to continue the item to January 13, 2015 so as to get more clarity regarding the lighting issue. Commissioner Osorio seconded the motion. On a motion by Commissioner Stocker, seconded by Commission Osorio, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission continued the item to the January 13, 2015 meeting to get better clarity with regards to the lighting issue: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: McCrone, Osorio, Garden, Stocker, Reed NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Widmar, Davis ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, November 25, 2014 4  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, November 25, 2014 COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS Commissioner Stocker requested that the Planning Office use the Drop Box program to distribute the Planning Commission packet to conserve time and paper. Chair McCrone requested a discussion of the minutes of November 13, 2014, at the next Planning Commission meeting. Commissioner Osorio said he wants to make sure that his comments on the project at 449 Calle Principal were reflected in the minutes. Commissioner Reed said that the first Lighthouse Specific Plan Subcommittee Meeting was little unorganized but successful. Ms. Cole said that the next Lighthouse Specific Plan Subcommittee Meeting will be held on December 4, 2014 at 9:00 am in the City Council Chambers. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 4. Planning Office Update  Ms. Cole said:  The December 9, 2014, Planning Commission meeting will be lead by either Elizabeth Caraker or Chip Rerig with Todd Bennett presenting staff reports.  There will be a Holiday reception on December 11, 2014, and no reports to City Council will be made.  The meeting for December 23, 2014 regarding the Conference Center may occur.  Commissioner Garden said it is a hardship for him to attend meetings from 4:00- 7:00 pm, and feels that 4-5:30 pm and 7-11 pm. with a break in between, works better.  In response to Commissioner Garden, Ms. Cole said and afternoon session from 4:00-7:00 pm is set if all items can be discussed in that timeframe, without holding and evening session, She also said the item can be agendized for the January 13, 2015, meeting for further discussion. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:02 pm. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, November 25, 2014 5 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, November 25, 2014 Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kimberly Cole, AICP Chair Principal Planner Planning Commission Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, November 25, 2014 6