Planning Commission Meeting

MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, April 9, 2019 4:00 PM AFTERNOON SESSION ONLY 580 PACIFIC STREET, COUNCIL CHAMBERS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Dawson, Latasa (4:23 p.m.), Brassfield, Fletcher, Freeman (4:01 p.m.), Millich, Reed Commissioners Absent: None Staff Members Present: Community Development Director Cole, Housing and Community Development Manager Caraker, Associate Planner Schmidt, Traffic Engineer Renny, Recording Secretary Leinen CALL TO ORDER Chair Dawson called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 1. March 26, 2019 ACTION: Approved as submitted. Commissioner Reed made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Fletcher seconded the motion. On a motion by Commissioner Reed, seconded by Commissioner Fletcher, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission approved the minutes: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Dawson, Brassfield, Fletcher, Millich, Reed NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Latasa, Freeman ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC HEARING 2. Recommend 359 Watson Street; Application TM-18-0446 for H-2 Historic Zoning; Applicant Carole and Molly Erickson; Owner Carole Erickson; R-3-6 Zoning District; Exempt from CEQA per Article 19, Section 15305, Class 5, and Section 15331, Class 31 ACTION: Adopted a resolution recommending that the City Council adopt an ordinance to rezone the property as a City Historic Resource from R-3-6 to R-3-6-H2.  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, April 9, 2019 Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions Chris Schmidt presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioners’ questions. Applicant Carole Erickson, applicant, said it has been an honor to take a house that was neglected for several years and repair it. She also said repairs were made in a careful manner as to not destroy any aspect of the house. Ms. Erickson spoke of the history of the house, saying it was constructed on a hillside that was once completely owned by Thomas Larkin. She said she is delighted to be able to take care of the house. Public Comments None. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Reed made a motion to adopt a resolution recommending that the City Council adopt an ordinance to rezone the property as a City Historic Resource from R-3-6 to R-3-6-H2. Commissioner Freeman seconded the motion. Commissioner Brassfield asked how many historically zoned properties there are in the City and expressed concern that the City does not have the capacity to do the required inspections of the properties. He also questioned how many Mills Act Contracts the City can approve knowing that State requirements are not being followed. Ms. Caraker said the update of the City’s Historic Ordinance will address these issues and that a draft of the ordinance should be available in the next couple of months. Chair Dawson asked how many Mills Act Contracts the City currently has and what the financial impact is. Ms. Caraker said there are approximately 45 Mills Act properties. Commissioner Reed noted that Mills Act Contracts were discussed in detail at a previous Planning Commission meeting. On a motion by Commissioner Reed, seconded by Commissioner Freeman, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission adopted a resolution recommending that the City Council adopt an ordinance to rezone the property as a City Historic Resource from R-3-6 to R-3-6-H2: 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 PUBLIC APPEARANCE 3. Receive Report on Planned Improvements to Lighthouse Avenue and Del Monte Avenue Corridors (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) ACTION: Received a report and status update on planned improvements to Lighthouse Avenue and Del Monte Avenue corridors. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 9, 2019 2 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, April 9, 2019 Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions Ms. Caraker introduced City Traffic Engineer, Andrea Renny, who gave a presentation on planned improvements to and projects regarding the Lighthouse Avenue and Del Monte Avenue Corridors and answered Commissioners’ questions. Ms. Renny discussed traffic signal adaptive system for congestion mitigation; the Split Cycle Optimization Technique; projects funded by an Air District grant, Measure X, and NIP; Lighthouse Avenue average daily traffic counts; Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program; Del Monte Avenue and Washington ATP Application; a wayfinding sign program; curb extensions on Lighthouse Avenue; variable message signs; and challenges with the Lighthouse Avenue curve. Public Comments None. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Fletcher expressed concern with access for emergency vehicles as he said he regularly sees cars blocking intersections. Ms. Renny said other Bay Area cities are experiencing similar problems and she is working with area businesses to try to implement TDM. Commissioner Freeman spoke of the Lighthouse Specific Plan Nelson-Nygard study and said the study does not show the favored option of the Lighthouse Committee, which was two lanes going east, one lane going west, and one way traffic on Foam Street. Kimberly Cole said this option was not included as it would not allow adequate capacity heading towards Pacific Grove and would also increase risk of rear-ending accidents. Ms. Cole said the three options left all have benefits and challenges. She also said this Saturday, April 13, 2019 there will be an evacuation exercise through the Presidio of Monterey, Pine Street to High Street, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Vice Chair Latasa said it is unfortunate that the High Street to Pine Street connection is not open, due to the perceived security risks, as it was before 2001. Ms. Renny said the City Manager has had conversations with the Army regarding reopening the connection and the answer is usually no, however, the City is looking into a walking and biking cut through connection. Ms. Renny said a connection for cars is more challenging and that there could be added tourist traffic nowadays through a Presidio connection due to way-finding apps. Commissioner Brassfield said he has encountered tourists in the City who are lost due to street names changing in the middle of the intersection. He also noted that Monterey is a tourist town and most tourists visit in cars and not on bikes. Commissioner Brassfield said that the North Fremont Street’s TOT is increasing on a fairly consistent basis, and he suggested implementing a shuttle for this area. Chair Dawson said the Del Monte Shopping Center is also working towards getting shuttle service. Commissioner Reed said the way-finding signs are fantastic and he encourages staff to look into a wayfinding app that also integrates parking, garages, and buses. Chair Dawson said he supports having a variable sign on Del Monte Avenue. Ms. Cole said this type of sign was ultimately approved and that Ms. Renny has acquired funding and is working towards implementation. Commissioner Brassfield complimented Ms. Renny on her efforts. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 9, 2019 3  Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday, April 9, 2019 COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS Commissioner Reed noted that the Planning Commission previously held a discussion on Mills Act Contracts in the City at the November 27, 2018 meeting. Commissioner Reed said he will not be present for the May 28, 2019 meeting. Chair Dawson said he may have to miss the April 23, 2019 meeting. Vice Chair Latasa said he will not be present for the April 23, 2019 meeting. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 4. Planning Office Update  Update received.  Ms. Caraker provided an update on the Ocean View Plaza project, saying the parties involved have agreed to a tolling period, making the expiration of the vesting tentative map August 2020. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:46 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Elizabeth Caraker Chair Housing and Community Development Manager Planning Commission Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 9, 2019 4