Planning Commission Meeting

DocuSign Envelope ID: 0E9659E2-F2CC-472C-8E6F-40C6792CE638 MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, March 28, 2023 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM ZOOMGOV TELECONFERENCE 580 PACIFIC STREET, COUNCIL CHAMBER MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Fletcher, Brassfield, Freeman, Latasa Commissioners Absent: Bluth, Dawson Staff Members Present: Community Development Director Cole, Senior Associate Planner Schmidt, Recording Secretary Cleary ***Afternoon Session Agenda Only*** 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Chair Fletcher called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. Recording Secretary Cleary provided information to the public on how to participate and provide public comment during the meeting. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes On a motion by Commissioner Freeman, seconded by Commissioner Brassfield, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission approved both Consent Items as submitted: AYES: 4 COMMISSIONERS: Fletcher, Brassfield, Freeman, Latasa NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Bluth, Dawson ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 2. February 28, 2023 (Not a project under CEQA per Article 20 Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5 Section 15061) ACTION: Considered with item 3; approved as submitted. 3. March 14, 2023 (Not a project under CEQA per Article 20 Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5 Section 15061) ACTION: Considered with item 2; approved as submitted. ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS (MATTERS NOT ON AGENDA) DocuSign Envelope ID: 0E9659E2-F2CC-472C-8E6F-40C6792CE638 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday March 28, 2023 On behalf of Monte Vista Neighborhood Association, Jean Rasch thanked the Planning Commission for their support and commitment to the community through the recent Wireless Ordinance amendment process. PUBLIC HEARING 4. Consider 601 Wave Street Use Permit UP-22-0224 to Allow a modified Verizon Wireless Services, LLC (Verizon) Personal Wireless Service Facility; Applicant John Scandola, Camp & Associates, Inc. on behalf of Verizon; Owner: City of Monterey; C-2 Zoning District; Public / Semi-Public General Plan Land Use Designation; Exempt from CEQA per Article 19, Section 15303, Class 3 ACTION: Approved Use Permit UP-22-0224 to allow a modified Verizon Wireless Services, LLC (Verizon) Personal Wireless Service facility at 601 Wave Street with the added Condition that the structure’s color be changed to a matte gray similar to the building it is attached to Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions Wireless Application Consultant Jerry Hittleman presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioner questions. Commissioner Brassfield inquired about the color, suggesting utilizing a color that may be less visible. Ms. Cole confirmed it is within the Planning Commission’s purview to change the color and suggested the design was meant to emulate a smokestack. Commissioner Latasa agreed about the comment on color and asked Mr. Hittleman for help on color selection. Commissioner Latasa shared concerns about the Radio Frequency (RF) angles potentially changing over time and asked what conditions could be applied to ensure the structure does not slip from elemental exposure to project downward. Mr. Hittleman said that after the structure is constructed another RF report is required that includes permanent RF coverage, then discussed the matter further with the Commission. Chair Fletcher requested clarification regarding the placement of the smokestack and if it would touch the ground or end at or above the fence. Applicant Applicant John Scandola of Camp & Associates, Inc. on behalf of Verizon, clarified the equipment is intended to emulate a solid smokestack. Commissioner Latasa asked what colors are available. Mr. Scandola confirmed the color could change if preferred. Commissioner Latasa suggested non-shiny or non-metallic gray because the building has a corrugated gray. Public Comments Jean Rasch suggested moving the equipment to the parking structure or adjacent building, saying the increased size and dark color are an obstruction to views in the City. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday March 28, 2023 2 DocuSign Envelope ID: 0E9659E2-F2CC-472C-8E6F-40C6792CE638 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday March 28, 2023 Regarding the potential for the structure to slip, Verizon representative Dewayne Bonham clarified that the enclosure is designed as small as possible to fit the antennas tightly and added that the entire network and equipment are re-certified annually for safety. Commissioner Comments Chair Fletcher asked what color would suffice and recommended avoiding too light a color. Commissioner Brassfield suggested making the structure less visible since it would double in size and suggested matte gray similar to the parking garage. Commissioner Latasa said he would support a motion that recommends changing the color to a gray similar to the Aquarium’s smokestacks and agreed that the color should not be too light. Commissioner Freeman suggested that a matte-finished 50% French Gray may match the Aquarium. Senior Associate Planner Schmidt showed an image of the Aquarium’s smokestacks for comparison. Commissioner Brassfield agreed with the recommendation to match the Aquarium. Commissioner Brassfield moved to approve the project as proposed with the added Condition that the color be changed to a matte gray similar to the building it is attached to. Commissioner Latasa seconded the motion. On a motion by Commissioner Brassfield, seconded by Commissioner Latasa and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission approved Use Permit UP-22-0224 to allow a modified Verizon Wireless Services, LLC (Verizon) Personal Wireless Service Facility at 601 Wave Street with the added Condition that the structure’s color be changed to a matte gray similar to the building it is attached to: AYES: 4 COMMISSIONERS: Fletcher, Brassfield, Freeman, Latasa NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Bluth, Dawson ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 5. Consider 912 Del Monte Center; Text Amendment Application TM-22-0217 to Amend the Del Monte Center SC Plan Land Use Regulations; Applicant Sarah Cuban, Wald, Ruhnke & Dost Architects, LLP; Owner American Assets Trust; C-2-SC Zoning District; Commercial General Plan Designation; Exempt from CEQA per Article 18, Section 15270a ACTION: Adopted a Resolution recommending that the City Council approve the request to amend the Del Monte Shopping Center SC Plan with new amendments to the Resolution moving Dentists to the A-list of denied uses and adding both Tax and Financial Services and Chiropractors to the B-list to allow chiropractic services. Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions Senior Associate Planner Schmidt presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioner questions. Applicant Henry Ruhnke of Wald, Ruhnke & Dost Architects, LLP reiterated his presentation from the previous discussion, advocating for approval and highlighting recent changes to the proposal. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday March 28, 2023 3 DocuSign Envelope ID: 0E9659E2-F2CC-472C-8E6F-40C6792CE638 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday March 28, 2023 Joseph Davi, owner of Joint franchises in Monterey and Salinas, provided background on The Joint, saying the facility would provide affordable walk-in care and a retail sales component. Jerry Gammieri was present for questions and emphasized that American Assets Trust supports approval as The Joint is a retail chiropractor. Whitney Davi, on behalf of The Joint, encouraged approval by suggesting people would travel to receive walk-in care and arguing that the nail salon near the space offers no retail services. Public Comments None. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Freeman stated that though the applicant proposed a specific use, location, and business, the issue is the shopping center at large and how retail experience has changed. Commissioner Latasa confirmed he had watched the March 28, 2023 meeting video, read both Agenda Reports, and is prepared to discuss the matter. He spoke of avoiding inflexibility and recommending that the City Council allow chiropractic services at the shopping center. Chair Fletcher inquired about the square footage of the shopping center and of the proposal in question. Mr. Schmidt provided information. Commissioner Brassfield discussed the dichotomy between fulfilling community needs and changing the types of businesses allowed in the City’s retail hub. Commissioner Freeman moved to adopt a Resolution that recommends the City Council approve the proposal to amend the Del Monte Shopping Center SC Plan with new amendments to the Resolution moving Dentists to the A-list of prohibited uses and adding both Tax and Financial Services and Chiropractors to the B-list to allow chiropractic services. Ms. Cole asked if the motion is to approve the proposed amendments but move Dentists to the prohibited list. Commissioner Freeman said the goal is to maintain the list as modified and proposed by Staff with the exception of moving Chiropractors to the B-list of allowed uses. Ms. Cole reiterated that Lawyers, Dentists, Accountants, and Doctors, except for Chiropractors, would each be prohibited, the not-to-exceed space would remain at 6,000 square feet, and Tax and Financial Services and Chiropractors would be added to the list of allowed uses. Commissioner Freeman confirmed that is the motion. Commissioner Brassfield seconded the motion as clarified by Ms. Cole. On a motion by Commissioner Freeman, seconded by Commissioner Brassfield and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission adopted a Resolution recommending that the City Council approve the request to amend the Del Monte Shopping Center SC Plan with new amendments to the Resolution moving Dentists to the A-list of prohibited uses and adding both Tax and Financial Services and Chiropractors to the B-list to allow chiropractic services: AYES: 4 COMMISSIONERS: Fletcher, Brassfield, Freeman, Latasa Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday March 28, 2023 4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 0E9659E2-F2CC-472C-8E6F-40C6792CE638 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday March 28, 2023 NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Bluth, Dawson ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 6. Confirm Replacement for Vice Chair due to Resignation (CEQA Not a Project) ACTION: Confirmed Robert Bluth as Vice Chair of the Planning Commission Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions Community Development Director Cole announced that as the City policy reads, there is no minimum service requirement for Vice Chair, so Commissioner Bluth is next to fill the vacant Vice Chair position. She explained that he would not become Chair during the annual Chair rotations in July as the requirement for that position is to serve for six months prior to appointment, added that Commissioner Dawson would be the next Chair in July, and suggested continuing the item to be sure he wants to serve as Vice Chair since he was not present. Public Comments None. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Latasa suggested Commissioner Bluth’s tenure on the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) renders him able to fill the Vice Chair position. Commissioner Brassfield said Commissioner Bluth fits into the Planning Commission well. On a motion by Commissioner Latasa, seconded by Chair Fletcher and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission confirmed Robert Bluth as Vice Chair of the Planning Commission: AYES: 4 COMMISSIONERS: Fletcher, Brassfield, Freeman, Latasa NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Bluth, Dawson ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Latasa requested agendizing a discussion to consider revising the Tree Ordinance in light of fallen trees from recent storm damage. Ms. Cole stated that issue is not within the purview of the Planning Commission but rather the City Council, and suggested Commissioners contact Council Members regarding the topic. Commissioner Brassfield said the City has initiated a Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) project to study deaths of its trees over recent years. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday March 28, 2023 5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 0E9659E2-F2CC-472C-8E6F-40C6792CE638 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday March 28, 2023 INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS Update received. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kimberly Cole Chair Community Development Director Planning Commission Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday March 28, 2023 6