Planning Commission Meeting

DocuSign Envelope ID: B6354761-E000-49B5-8436-2F15CB2C9700 MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION AFTERNOON SESSION ONLY Tuesday, February 25, 2020 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM 580 PACIFIC STREET, COUNCIL CHAMBERS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Brassfield, Dawson, Fletcher, Freeman, Latasa Commissioners Absent: Millich, Reed Staff Members Present: Community Development Director Cole, Administrative Assistant Rose 1. Meeting Procedures CALL TO ORDER Chair Brassfield called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 3. February 11, 2020 Action: Approved as amended. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Dawson noted that Nina Beety’s public comment on agenda packet page 7 should be changed from “safety” to “safe” and “refusal to removal” to “refusal to remove.” On a motion by Commissioner Dawson, seconded by Commissioner Latasa, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission approved the February 11, 2020 minutes as amended: AYES: 5 MEMBERS: Brassfield, Dawson, Fletcher, Freeman, Latasa NOES: 0 MEMBERS: None ABSENT: 2 MEMBERS: Millich, Reed ABSTAIN: 0 MEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 MEMBERS: None **End of Consent Agenda** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. DocuSign Envelope ID: B6354761-E000-49B5-8436-2F15CB2C9700 PUBLIC HEARING 3. Receive Report and Provide Direction on the City’s Undergrounding Policies (Exempt from CEQA Article 19, Section 15306, Class 6) Staff Presentation/Committee Member Questions Community Development Director Cole presented the report and took Commissioners’ questions. Public Comments Ray Meyers of Monterey Vista Neighborhood addressed the cost of undergrounding. He mentioned Rule 20A funding and other potential sources. Bruce Zanetta requested to add quality of service (percent of guaranteed power) as a third component, the other components being reducing visual clutter and reducing fire hazard. Gina Jett asked that the General Plan language include undergrounding in residential areas. Jeanne Rasch, speaking on behalf of the Monterey Vista Neighborhood, said that the Association was in support of the undergrounding policy language updates. Jason Reed of the Old Town neighborhood suggested broadening the policy language from “improving the shopping environment” to language aiming for a better environment. Jeannie Ferrara said that she is a realtor and that it has become increasingly difficult for homeowners to obtain fire insurance. She said Monterey Vista is still opposed to cell towers. Michele Altman said that she hoped for a shift to the undergrounding solution and expressed concerns that proposed PG&E power outages would jeopardize local businesses. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Latasa said he felt it was a good idea to add “quality of service” to the policy’s language and Commissioner Fletcher concurred. Vice Chair Freeman asked that the General Plan policy be changed to mention the maintenance of consistent service and several Commissioners concurred with this direction. Chair Brassfield asked if the Planning Commission had recommendations to make to City Council about funding. He noted that he would like to recommend that City Council examine some of the funding suggestions made by the public. Ms. Cole clarified that this agenda item was not meant to make a formal recommendation to City Council and that it is possible for the Planning Commission to suggest that the City Council investigate funding options even though it is outside of Planning Commission’s purview. 4. Consider 6 Lower Ragsdale; Concept Review 20-0023 of a New Medical Office Building with Extended Care and Potential Land Use Regulation Changes to Allow the Use in the I-R Zoning District; Applicant William Camille for Montage Health; Owner Community Hospital Properties; Industrial General Plan Land Use Designation; Industrial, Administration, and Research District, Design and Development Control Overlay and Emergency Shelter Overlay (I-R-150-D2-ES) Zoning District; Exempt from CEQA per Article 19, Section 15306, Class DocuSign Envelope ID: B6354761-E000-49B5-8436-2F15CB2C9700 Action: Approved concept review 20-0023 of a new medical office building with extended care and potential land use regulation changes to allow the use in the I-R zoning district: Staff Presentation/Committee Member Questions Community Development Director Cole presented the staff report and answered Commissioners’ questions. Public Comments Bill Camille, applicant, spoke to the Commissioners about the project. He described the project’s intent, proposed services, funding and development. Laurie Chambers, project architect, presented the project to the Commission and answered Commissioners’ questions. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Fletcher said the project is profoundly thoughtful design work. He said the building is a nice fit for the property. Commissioner Latasa echoed Commissioner Fletcher’s comments and said the project is a wonderful concept. He said the Commission should be creative when approaching the zoning ordinance and that Ryan Ranch is evolving and becoming more like a medical campus. Vice Chair Freeman asked for clarification on access locations during construction as well as the start and completion dates for the project. Mr. Chambers said the contractor would most likely access the site from Lower Ragsdale Drive and that construction should start early next year. Vice Chair Freeman said she cannot wait to see the project in finished form. Chair Brassfield asked what the age range would be for children being treated at the facility. Mr. Chambers said the age range would be nine to 18 years of age. Chair Brassfield asked what behavioral issues would be addressed. Mr. Chambers said there would be a wide spectrum of issues treated. Chair Brassfield asked if substance abuse would be addressed at the treatment facility and Mr. Chambers replied that there may be multiple issues involved in individual patient cases, including substance abuse, but that substance abuse would not be the primary focus for the facility. He said that cases requiring hospitalization would still be addressed at Community Hospital. Mr. Chambers added that this facility was not mean to operate as an emergency room. Chair Brassfield asked for clarification on the number of entrances and exits for the facility, to which Mr. Chambers replied. Chair Brassfield also asked about tree removal and Mr. Chambers noted that more trees would be planted than the number removed. Commissioner Latasa said he knows curves in building design are expensive and that he appreciates Montage’s willingness to do a project with curves. He said the building will be on a bluff and that there will be a nice buffer between the building and Highway 68. On a motion by Commissioner Fletcher, seconded by Commissioner Freeman, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission approved concept review 20-0023 of a new medical office building with extended care and potential land use regulation changes to allow the use in the I-R zoning district: DocuSign Envelope ID: B6354761-E000-49B5-8436-2F15CB2C9700 AYES: 5 MEMBERS: Brassfield, Dawson, Fletcher, Freeman, Latasa NOES: 0 MEMBERS: None ABSENT: 2 MEMBERS: Millich, Reed ABSTAIN: 0 MEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 MEMBERS: None COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Dawson said that Monterey Public Library’s Chocolate and Wine Festival fundraiser was well done. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS Planning Office Update Ms. Cole said that at the next Planning Commission meeting there will be a wireless facility on the agenda. Chair Brassfield requested to agendize a discussion on Planning Commissioner roles and duties. Chair Brassfield also asked Ms. Cole if there was any news about the local meeting for League of California Cities and Ms. Cole said she did not have an update. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kimberly Cole, AICP Chair Community Development Director Planning Commission