Planning Commission Meeting

DocuSign Envelope ID: CDF7BC45-A7A9-40AC-B6BE-7E166E2B6112 MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION December 08, 2020 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM 7:00 PM – 1100 PM TELECONFERENCE 580 PACIFIC STREET, COUNCIL CHAMBERS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Brassfield, Freeman, Dawson (joined evening session at 7:06 p.m.), Fletcher, Latasa, Millich, Reed Commissioners Absent: None. Staff Members Present: Community Development Director Cole, City Traffic Engineer Renny, Urban Forester Prouty, Senior Associate Planner Roveri, Associate Planner Sabdo, Recording Secretary Cleary, Recording Secretary Ziel ***Afternoon Session Agenda*** CALL TO ORDER Chair Brassfield called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Recording Secretary Ziel provided details on how to participate and provide public comment during the meeting. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 2. November 10, 2020 ACTION: Approved as amended. Regarding item 3 page 2, Commissioner Reed recommended changing Hansen to Reed. On a motion by Commissioner Reed, seconded by Vice Chair Freeman, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission approved the November 10, 2020 Minutes as amended: AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Brassfield, Freeman, Dawson, Fletcher, Latasa, Millich, Reed NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS Marta Kraftzeck, resident of Monterey, reiterated her submitted letter regarding the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD) Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Ms. Kraftzeck shared concerns for Monterey High School’s potential addition of stadium lights in regard to potentials for sky glow, parking issues, and noise interference, urging the Planning Commission (PC) to study impacts and submit a comment to MPUSD for the Draft EIR. DocuSign Envelope ID: CDF7BC45-A7A9-40AC-B6BE-7E166E2B6112 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday December 08, 2020 Local resident Tony Tollner commented on the MPUSD Draft EIR, citing concerns for possible impacts on residents, including potential noise issues, light pollution, parking, safety, emergency vehicle accessibility, liability, and historic issues. Mr. Tollner requested the Planning Commission to ask MPUSD to change their priorities. PUBLIC HEARING 3. Consider Adopting the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Greenbelt Fuel Reduction Project to reduce the risk of wildfire within the City’s greenbelt system; Applicant City of Monterey, Justin Prouty, Interim Urban Forester; Open Space, Planned Community, and Residential Single-Family Zoning Districts; Parks and Open Space General Plan Designation ACTION: Adopted as submitted. Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions Associate Planner Sabdo presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioner questions. Vice Chair Freeman asked if a coordinated effort exists between Monterey and surrounding cities to care for local flora and fauna. Community Development Director Cole stated the Fire Departments have been meeting to discuss safety measures. Commissioner Reed asked if it is possible to establish multi-year approval. Ms. Cole clarified the purpose of this document is to have multi-year clearance. Regarding the Vice Chair’s question, Urban Forester Prouty confirmed the City is working with local Fire districts to develop a fire defense plan. Commissioner Latasa asked about the Old Capital Site. Ms. Sabdo explained the site was obtained after the plan was created and will likely be added later. Public Comments Resident Christopher Barlow shared concern for fire prevention on private property, asked if outreach was done on private lands, and asked if trees are required to be replaced when removed from private property. Laura, resident of Carmel Highlands, referenced the webinar presentation series, Care of the Environment (COTE) and the Carmel Climate Meeting on the Carmel City Hall website, stating Cal Fire and local organizations rated resiliency at residential properties around Carmel. Responding to Mr. Barlow’s comments, Mr. Prouty explained new trees are typically required to replace those removed from private property. Chair Brassfield suggested the public view the referenced webinar. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Dawson mentioned the inclusion of the Old Capital Site to the Greenbelt Fuel Reduction Project should occur, emphasizing fire hazards there. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday December 08, 2020 2 DocuSign Envelope ID: CDF7BC45-A7A9-40AC-B6BE-7E166E2B6112 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday December 08, 2020 Commissioner Reed spoke in support of adopting the MND. Chair Brassfield asked if the Fire Department talks with the County regarding lots adjoining City property. Mr. Prouty suggested this would be best answered by Fire. Vice Chair Freeman asked if a plan is in place to add the Old Capital Site. Ms. Sabdo stated the site would be added in a future environmental process. Ms. Cole provided details. On a motion by Commissioner Reed, seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission adopted the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Greenbelt Fuel Reduction Project to reduce the risk of wildfire within the City’s greenbelt system as submitted: AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Brassfield, Freeman, Dawson, Fletcher, Latasa, Millich, Reed NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 4. Deny Appeal of 34 Cielo Vista Drive; Application AP-20-0249 Appealing Architectural Review Committee Approval (Resolution A20-019) of Architectural Review Permit ARP- 20-0205 for a Second-Story Addition to an Existing One-Story Single Family Dwelling; Appellant Nicolas W. Smith with Horan Lloyd on behalf of Allen and Steffeny Tremain; Applicant Frank Dost, Architect; Owner Mark Waite; R-1-10 Zoning District; Low Density Residential General Plan Designation; Exempt from CEQA Per Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1 ACTION: Item not heard; appeal withdrawn prior to meeting. The Planning Commission recessed at 4:40 p.m. and reconvened at 7:00 p.m. ***Evening Session Agenda*** Commissioner Dawson joined the evening session at 7:06 p.m. CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENTS Pat Venza referenced the MPUSD Parking Lot Improvement Plan and expressed concern for new parking sites and egress at Logan Lane. Ms. Venza requested the City Traffic Engineer to address this issue with the PC, citing concern for safety issues and first responder access. PUBLIC APPEARANCE (EVENING) Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday December 08, 2020 3 DocuSign Envelope ID: CDF7BC45-A7A9-40AC-B6BE-7E166E2B6112 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday December 08, 2020 5. Discuss the Draft City of Monterey Transportation Adaptation Plan, Provide Input, and Gather Community Feedback (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) ACTION: Item discussed. Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions Senior Associate Planner Roveri introduced Consultants Rebecca Verity with GEI Consultants and Frederik Venter from Kimley-Horn & Associates to present the Agenda Report and answer Commissioner questions. Ms. Verity provided background information and benefits of planning for sea level rise. Mr. Venter supplied information regarding current and future traffic trends and issues. Ms. Verity provided potential solutions while explaining benefits and downfalls of each. Commissioner Millich asked how people would get to Cannery Row if there is no tunnel. Mr. Venter provided options. Commissioner Millich asked for the daily traffic count through the Lighthouse tunnel. City Traffic Engineer Renny explained 55,000 cars travel through the tunnel each day. Commissioner Latasa asked for the Caltrans grant amount. Ms. Roveri explained $240,000 was granted for this project. Commissioner Latasa asked if there is any relationship between retreating and tsunami risk. Ms. Cole stated the low point is Del Monte Avenue and Lake El Estero, and the same area at- risk for flooding would be at risk for tsunamis. Commissioner Latasa shared concern for impacts in neighboring areas and potential erosion on nearby beaches. Ms. Cole explained there are two significant impacts: scouring at the base of the wall, and increased erosion on either side. Ms. Verity elaborated. Ms. Cole stated more research is needed on environmental impacts if the City considers a sea wall. Commissioner Latasa asked for a cost breakdown for the viaduct option. Mr. Venter explained. Commissioner Dawson asked how sandbagging sand mines in Marina affects sand flow into the harbor and suggested surveying the height of king tides. Ms. Cole suggested the last time she observed king tides water was flooding near the Recreation Trail. Vice Chair Freeman asked when the managed retreat would start and who would fund it. Ms. Verity explained further analyses are necessary to determine answers. Commissioner Dawson asked if triggers could be set up to help inform a course of action. Chair Brassfield asked if plans for protecting the cemetery have been discussed, suggesting revisiting this prior to making a plan. Chair Brassfield inquired about the plan and impacts at Cannery Row, and asked about erosion underneath potentially affecting the roadway. Ms. Verity and Ms. Cole explained the main concern at Cannery Row is large waves. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday December 08, 2020 4 DocuSign Envelope ID: CDF7BC45-A7A9-40AC-B6BE-7E166E2B6112 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday December 08, 2020 Chair Brassfield asked if multi-agency coordination has been made regarding sea level rise. Ms. Roveri stated inter-agency discussion has not yet occurred but hopefully will in the future. Chair Brassfield suggested identifying areas now that could cause potential planning problems later. Commissioner Latasa asked about the urgency of this plan. Ms. Cole explained this will take efforts for the next decades to come. Public Comments Lee Shahinian asked, regarding the sea wall option, asked if the Coastal Commission would allow that structure and if the City would consider allowing locals to armor the beach to protect homes. Ms. Roveri stated building a sea wall in front of La Playa homes was not yet examined as this study was specifically for transportation, and mentioned sea walls are inconsistent with Coastal Commission guidance. Dan asked about unintended consequences, shared concern for interfering with nature, and suggested using the least invasive solution. Tom Rowley, oceanographic engineering graduate of NPS, recommended using the best consultants possible, perhaps international affiliates, to find the best solution with limited unintended consequences. Mr. Rowley suggested other affiliations are also working on this problem. Christopher Barlow, local property owner, mentioned the Lighthouse tunnel is already a victim of sea level rise, built too low with pumps running constantly. Mr. Barlow suggested most properties to be affected are businesses, and recommended working together to find a solution. Curt Tipton, Downtown Neighborhood Association President and NCIP Representative, shared concerns regarding seawalls and pumps, suggesting the seawall is for a 100-year flood but should be built for the 500-year flood. Mr. Tipton suggested reexamining this to prevent added costs for future generations, and spoke in support of managed retreat. Morgan Ivens-Duran, resident of Glenwood Neighborhood, spoke in support of adaptation measures and managed retreat, and stated a Del Monte viaduct seems potentially viable. Ms. Ivens-Duran shared concern for shifting more traffic to North Fremont and urged the City to keep focus on bicycle and pedestrian transportation throughout adaptation. Trey inquired about a Highway 1 ecotone levy functions, benefits, and funding. Ken Peterson suggested impacts on Monterey’s transportation will have a significant effect on surrounding areas, urging the Commission and City Staff to work with surrounding affiliations and cities to create a comprehensive solution. Lawrence Garber, graduate student of MIIS, expressed gratitude for the City’s adaptation efforts. Mark McKeller, La Playa resident, asked about beach nourishment and how to more easily facilitate it. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday December 08, 2020 5 DocuSign Envelope ID: CDF7BC45-A7A9-40AC-B6BE-7E166E2B6112 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday December 08, 2020 Commissioner Comments Chair Brassfield thanked the public for joining the meeting and providing input. Commissioner Fletcher stated the work that has been done so far is impressive but shows much work still must be done, and encouraged Staff to continue pursuing funding and research. Commissioner Reed encouraged Staff to prioritize work on this to plan for sea level rise knowing it is eminent, sharing concern for tourism-dependent industries and resident impacts. Vice Chair Freeman suggested the entire peninsula could benefit from a viaduct at Del Monte and El Estero, citing importance in participation among the communities. Commissioner Latasa expressed concern for the 2030 eight-inch rise, encouraged focus and cooperation on finding solutions and funding, spoke in support of managed retreat, and shared concern for physical and financial impacts. Commissioner Millich suggested having a short-as-possible viaduct, citing concerns for traffic impacts and first responder access if the four lanes on Del Monte are reduced to two. Chair Brassfield suggested partnering with Caltrans and commended the Planning Office for examining this problem and potential solutions. Ms. Cole provided answers to questions raised during public comment period. Ms. Verity explained an ecotone levy would replicate the appearance and ecological benefits of a natural dune and look more like a natural environment than a standard levy. Ms. Roveri stated a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant has been applied for and a cost-benefit analysis is needed to receive funds, which will involve a robust public outreach effort to discuss determining factors and solutions. Ms. Roveri explained the City relies on grants to address these issues, and if the City receives the FEMA grant inter-agency cooperation would be pursued. Ms. Cole stated this issue will be brought to the City Council in the near future to discuss and accept public input. Commissioner Millich suggested the Council consider a moratorium on development until further research is done. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS Update received. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Chair Brassfield thanked Commissioners and Staff for their support through his time as Chair. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday December 08, 2020 6 DocuSign Envelope ID: CDF7BC45-A7A9-40AC-B6BE-7E166E2B6112 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday December 08, 2020 Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kimberly Cole Chair Community Development Director Planning Commission Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday December 08, 2020 7