Planning Commission Meeting

MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, December 11, 2018 4:00 PM AFTERNOON SESSION ONLY 580 PACIFIC STREET, COUNCIL CHAMBERS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Dawson, Latasa, Brassfield, Fletcher, Millich, Reed Commissioners Absent: None Staff Members Present: Community Development Director Cole, Housing and Community Development Manager Caraker, Principal Planner Flower, Contract Planner Sabdo, Recording Secretary Leinen CALL TO ORDER Chair Dawson called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 1. November 27, 2018 ACTION: Approved as submitted. Commissioner Reed made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Latasa seconded the motion. On a motion by Commissioner Reed, seconded by Commissioner Latasa, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission approved the minutes: AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Dawson, Latasa, Brassfield, Fletcher, Millich, Reed NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC HEARING 2. Approve 200 Glenwood Circle; Mitigated Negative Declaration ER-18-0225, and Use Permit Amendment PA-17-0504 for a New Four-Story, 40-Unit Senior Independent Living Apartment Building and Site Improvements Project; Applicant Douglas Roberts, AIA; Owner P Monterey LP; Planned Community Zoning District; Medium Density Residential General Plan Land Use Designation ACTION: Continued to January 8, 2019. Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions Christy Sabdo presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioners’ questions. Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, December 11, 2018 Kimberly Cole, Elizabeth Caraker, and Ande Flower also answered Commissioners’ questions. Applicant Doug Roberts of JHW Architects and Rick North of Pacifica Companies, on behalf of property owner, were present. Mr. Roberts said there is minimal visual impact from the project and motorists are likely not to see it while driving on Highway 1. He also said a 100 foot buffer from the project site was not practical given the grade difference between the roadway and the site and questioned whether the General Plan actually intended for Park Lane to have this buffer. Regarding parking, Mr. Roberts said there are 245 existing parking spaces and the project will cause loss of 35 spaces. He also said storage of materials in the garage generally does not impact parking. Mr. Roberts said redwoods planted would help replace other trees that will die off over time and are expected to grow to 40 to 50 feet. He also said water credits for the project have been earned through fixture replacements. In response to Vice Chair Latasa’s questions, Mr. Roberts said no new driveway off of Glenwood Circle will be created and that while staking is possible for the site it would be difficult and expensive. He showed a rendering that was prepared for the Architectural Review Committee (ARC). Mr. North said once the parking has been removed to accommodate the project, residents and employees would be required to use their assigned parking spaces and visitors would receive validated parking. He also said all parking requirements will still be met, that there will still be adequate parking for employees, and that he anticipates only two to five new employees resulting from the project. Mr. North said he will ensure that materials in parking spaces in the garage are removed. In response to Commissioner Millich’s question, Mr. North said he does not know the specific number of residents who have vehicles. In response to Commissioner Brassfield's question, Mr. North said parking in designated spaces will be enforced and that additional parking could be created in the garage but this has not been addressed as additional parking is not required. In response to Commissioner Brassfield’s question about emergency preparedness and calls for service, Ms. Sabdo said the fire and police departments have verified that they have adequate capacity to serve the facility. Public Comments Lee Whitney, Glenwood Neighborhood Association president and Neighborhood Improvement Program representative, said the fire department is at the facility daily and has to park its truck in the bus stop. She also expressed concern with the lack of parking on site and the impact of MPC students and employees parking on Glenwood Circle. She questioned where visitors would park if 35 spaces were removed and said parking is a serious problem. Ms. Whitney also expressed concern with the proximity of the proposed building to parking, damage to roads by construction vehicles, the effect of construction vehicles on traffic flow, the danger of adding additional senior citizens and cars to an area with a speeding problem, and availability of water for the project. Jean Rasch, Monterey Vista Neighborhood resident, questioned how an increase in units would not cause an increase of employees and in turn vehicles. She also said Ms. Whitney’s concerns should be listened to. Ms. Rasch said part of The Park Lane’s attraction is the ease of parking. She said if the whole project backed up into the easement and kept more of the parking this could be a solution. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, December 11, 2018 2 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, December 11, 2018 Commissioner Comments Commissioner Reed said he would like to see an employee parking plan to ensure the matter is taken care of. Ms. Flower said the parking (employee, guest, and resident) is required to be reviewed by the ARC. Ms. Caraker said a Condition of Approval can be added requiring designated spaces. Chair Dawson agreed the issue needs to be studied and fixed. Commissioner Reed suggested a highly effective sign directing visitors to parking. Commissioner Reed said it is important for the Planning Commission to review the requirement of redwood trees and the preservation of the view from Highway 1. He also said with the proposed project being significantly closer than 100 feet to the Highway he cannot support the project without seeing a model showing the view from Highway 1. Commissioner Fletcher concurred and said he agrees that motorists will not necessarily see the project, however it is good to be certain. Vice Chair Latasa said that the applicant stated that staking is possible, however, too expensive. Commissioner Latasa said staking is always the best way to show a proposed project. Chair Dawson asked if a rendering would be acceptable and Vice Chair Latasa said yes and that he agrees with Commissioner Reed that a rendering should be required as part of the Planning Commission’s review. Commissioner Millich concurred. Commissioner Millich said the parking may be insufficient, but it meets the codes so the Commission cannot require additional parking. He also said he is concerned with highway noise given the decreased setback and at this point in time he cannot support the project, even with the provision for soundproofing. Chair Dawson said there appears to be space to move the building twenty feet or more to the west and asked if this was looked into. Ms. Sabdo said this option was not explored. Commissioner Brassfield echoed other Commissioners’ concerns regarding requiring a parking plan and a rendering showing the view impacts from Highway 1. He also said that increased calls for service mean an increased cost and that fire trucks and ambulances should have a safe place to park on site. Chair Latasa said in addition to the rendering a single stake with netting could be placed at the corner closest to the freeway. He expressed concern about parking and requested that staff verify the parking spaces and that the Commission be shown a parking plan. He urged the applicants to take seriously the issue of visitor parking. Commissioner Brassfield said he would like to see current parking versus proposed parking. Chair Dawson spoke of noise impacts from Highway 1. Commissioners Fletcher and Reed said this is not an issue as a renter would know the proximity to the Highway when choosing to live there. Ms. Sabdo said interior sound level would have to be 45 decibels, which is a condition of approval reviewed by the Building Official. Commissioner Reed asked if the Commission would consider continuing the project or would like to vote on it instead. Chair Dawson asked the applicant what his preference is. Mr. Roberts said he would prefer a continuance as opposed to denial of the project. He also said that the Building Code covers things like sound and that the 100 foot setback requirement is for scenic reasons, not sound control. Mr. Roberts said the roadway is 95 feet from the proposed building corner and that it would be easier to do a single stake. Ms. Caraker said this would have to be verified with the Building Official. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, December 11, 2018 3  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, December 11, 2018 Commissioner Dawson reopened Public Comment. Mr. Roberts said service calls and parking of fire trucks on the street may be a policy decision that is made by the Fire Department. He also said the fourth floor of the proposed project will be a darker green to blend in with the trees. Commissioner Fletcher suggested that this be included with the rendering to show what the overall visual impacts would be. Mr. Roberts said a parking plan was not included with the submittal because additional parking was not provided. Ms. Whitney said she has confirmed with the fire department that they go to The Park Lane daily and that if parking spaces are taken away there will not be enough space for trucks to park. She also said MPC students, residents, and employees already park on the street because there is not enough parking. The applicant, Mr. Roberts, confirmed that January 8, 2019 is an acceptable date for continuance. Commissioner Reed made a motion to continue the project to January 8, 2019. Commissioner Millich seconded the motion. On a motion by Commissioner Reed, seconded by Commissioner Millich, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission continued the project to January 8, 2019: AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Dawson, Latasa, Brassfield, Fletcher, Millich, Reed NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 3. Approve 620 Devisadero Street; Permit Amendment PA-18-0435 to Amend Resolution P18-023 with Minor Text Corrections to the Conditions of Approval for Approved Modifications to the Existing Personal Wireless Service Facility; Applicant Natalia Jepsen; Owner California American Water; R-1-5 Zoning District; Exempt from CEQA per Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1 ACTION: Adopted a resolution approving PA-18-0435 to amend resolution number P18- 023 with text corrections to the Conditions of Approval for the approved modifications to the existing Personal Wireless Service facility. Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions Ms. Flower presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioners’ questions. Applicant No applicant present. Public Comments None. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Reed made a motion to adopt a resolution approving PA-18-0435 to amend resolution number P18-023 with text corrections to the Conditions of Approval for the approved modifications to the existing Personal Wireless Service facility. Commissioner Fletcher Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, December 11, 2018 4  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, December 11, 2018 seconded the motion. On a motion by Commissioner Reed, seconded by Commissioner Fletcher, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission adopted a resolution approving PA-18-0435 to amend resolution number P18-023 with text corrections to the Conditions of Approval for the approved modifications to the existing Personal Wireless Service facility: AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Dawson, Latasa, Brassfield, Fletcher, Millich, Reed NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 4. Planning Office Update  Report received. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:33 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Elizabeth Caraker Chair Housing and Community Development Manager Planning Commission Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, December 11, 2018 5