Planning Commission Meeting

MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, March 12, 2019 4:00 PM AFTERNOON SESSION ONLY 580 PACIFIC STREET, COUNCIL CHAMBERS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Dawson, Latasa (4:31 p.m.), Brassfield, Fletcher, Freeman, Millich, Reed Commissioners Absent: None Staff Members Present: Community Development Director Cole, Housing and Community Development Manager Caraker, Principal Planner Flower, Human Resources Director Hauck, City Attorney Davi, Assistant City Attorney Salameh, Deputy City Attorney Donlon, Recording Secretary Leinen CALL TO ORDER Chair Dawson called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. He introduced and welcomed new Planning Commissioner Sandy Freeman. PRESENTATIONS 1. Presentation/Training on the Brown Act, Conflicts of Interest, Public Records Act, and Workplace Harassment and Bullying Prevention City Attorney Christine Davi, Deputy City Attorney Ryan Donlon, Assistant City Attorney Karin Salameh, and Human Resources Director Allyson Hauck gave presentations on the Brown Act, the Public Records Act, the FPPC, and Workplace Harassment and Bullying Prevention and answered Commissioners’ questions. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 2. January 22, 2019 ACTION: Approved as submitted. Commissioner Reed made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Fletcher seconded the motion. Commissioner Freeman abstained from voting. On a motion by Commissioner Reed, seconded by Commissioner Fletcher, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission approved the minutes of January 22, 2019: AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Dawson, Latasa, Brassfield, Fletcher, Millich, Reed NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Freeman RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None.  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, March 12, 2019 PUBLIC HEARING 3. 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 (Continued from December 11, 2018) ACTION: Adopted a resolution adopting Mitigated Negative Declaration ER-18-0225 and approving Use Permit Amendment PA-17-0504 for a four story, 40-unit senior independent living apartment building and site improvements. Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions Ande Flower presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioners’ questions. Elizabeth Caraker also answered Commissioners’ questions. Applicant Douglas Roberts, applicant, said the view of the 10 parking spaces from Highway 1 is minimal and that existing trees will remain and provide view mitigation. He also said mainly small vegetation that cannot be seen from Highway 1 is being removed and that screening will be worked out with the Architectural Review Committee, as necessary. Mr. Roberts said there will be one ADA parking space within the 10 new spaces and that this meets Building Code. Public Comments Lee Whitney, Glenwood Neighborhood Improvement Program and Neighborhood Association representative said a great job has been done with the fire signs at the front door, however, she strongly suggests a lettered fire lane in front of the building and near the 20 new parking spaces. She also said the new spaces, along with the upper and underground parking should be very well lit for safety. Ms. Whitney asked whether the new spaces would be marked and designated according to the building name and also asked how the employees are responding to the new ticketing system for parking. Commissioner Comments Vice Chair Latasa and Commissioner Brassfield said the developer has done well in meeting the requests of the City. Commissioner Reed said the developer has done a great job of going above and beyond and working with the Commission. He congratulated the developer as it has been a long process. Commissioner Reed said he supports the project as presented. Commissioner Fletcher said he also supports the project. He said it was thoroughly considered and that the applicant has done what was requested. Commissioner Fletcher made a motion to adopt a resolution adopting Mitigated Negative Declaration ER-18-0225 and approving Use Permit Amendment PA-17-0504 for a four story, 40-unit senior independent living apartment building and site improvements. Vice Chair Latasa seconded the motion. Vice Chair Latasa asked if lighting would be addressed by the ARC as it is important. Ms. Flower said the lighting plan will be reviewed by the ARC. Vice Chair Latasa said he appreciates the applicant’s redesign of the parking. Commissioner Freeman said she supports the motion. She noted that the tree replacement screen at Santa Catalina school has worked very well, however, the garage complex development on Highway 68 has screening that is insufficient to create a scenic barrier. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 12, 2019 2  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, March 12, 2019 Commissioner Freeman said these are two examples that can be taken into consideration when selecting tree size. Commissioner Millich said he is in favor of the project. On a motion by Commissioner Fletcher, seconded by Commissioner Latasa, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission adopted a resolution adopting Mitigated Negative Declaration ER-18-0225 and approving Use Permit Amendment PA-17-0504 for a four story, 40-unit senior independent living apartment building and site improvements: AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Dawson, Latasa, Brassfield, Fletcher, Freeman, Millich, Reed NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS Commissioner Millich said the Chocolate and Wine Event hosted by the Friends of the Public Library had 300 attendees and raised $24,000. He said it was a great event and everyone had a wonderful time. Commissioner Brassfield said issues arise regarding the General Plan and the Specific Plans at Planning Commission meetings and he asked if these issues are noted for consideration at a later time. Ms. Caraker said these items have been noted to bring back for discussion at a later time. Commissioner Brassfield said the issue of fire lanes may need to be addressed further in the General Plan. Ms. Caraker said she can examine the General Plan Policies and bring information back to the next meeting. Commissioner Brassfield also said he attended the Planning Commissioners academy where he learned about Senate Bill 35 (SB35). He suggested that the Commissioners receive a briefing on changes regarding SB35 that are coming quickly from the State. Vice Chair Latasa extended a welcome to Commissioner Freeman. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 4. Planning Office Update  Ms. Caraker said the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan will be reviewed at the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Elizabeth Caraker Chair Housing and Community Development Manager Planning Commission Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 12, 2019 3