Planning Commission
Regular MeetingSanta Rosa, CA · April 10, 2025
Minutes
City Hall, Council Chamber
City of Santa Rosa 100 Santa Rosa Ave
Santa Rosa, CA
Planning Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes - Final
Thursday, April 10, 2025 4:30 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Weeks called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
Present 7 - Chair Karen Weeks, Vice Chair Vicki Duggan, Commissioner Charles
Carter, Commissioner Patti Cisco, Commissioner Miles Horton,
Commissioner Aaron Pardo, and Commissioner Terrence Sanders
2. REMOTE PARTICIPATION UNDER AB 2449 (IF NEEDED)
None.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3.1 March 27, 2025 - Draft Minutes.
Approved as submitted.
There were no public comments.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chair Weeks opened public comment at 4:31 p.m.
Jennifer Lapuerta spoke on new housing developments.
Chair Weeks closed public comment at 4:34 p.m.
5. COMMISSION BUSINESS
None.
5.1 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Chair Weeks read aloud the Statement of Purpose.
There were no public comments.
5.2 COMMISSIONER REPORTS
City of Santa Rosa
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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes - Final April 10, 2025
Chair Weeks commented on the upcoming Merit Awards.
There were no public comments.
5.3 OTHER (i.e. VICE CHAIR ELECTION, NEW MEMBER INTRODUCTIONS)
None.
6. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Staff Liaison Jones reported.
There were no public comments.
7. STATEMENTS OF ABSTENTION OR RECUSAL
Commissioner Sanders will be recusing himself from item 11.1.
There were no public comments.
8. PRESENTATIONS
None.
9. CONSENT ITEMS
None.
10. REPORT ITEMS
None.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
11.1* PUBLIC HEARING - ELM TREE STATION - CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT - 874 N WRIGHT RD - PRJ21-033
BACKGROUND: The Elm Tree Station project includes a Conditional
Use Permit and Design Review for two general retail spaces (3,448 SF
and 432 SF), gas station, apartment unit (806 SF), and outdoor amenity
space. An addendum has been prepared pursuant to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Planning and
Economic Development Department that the Planning Commission, by
City of Santa Rosa
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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes - Final April 10, 2025
two resolutions, (1) adopt an addendum to the Elm Tree Station
Mitigated Negative Declaration and (2) approve a Conditional Use
Permit to allow the development of a gas station, two general retail land
uses across two buildings, one apartment unit and a small park for the
property located at 874 N. Wright Road.
PRESENTED BY: Conor McKay, Senior Planner.
Commissioner Sanders left the meeting at 4:40 p.m.
Ex Parte Disclosures:
Commissioner Pardo met with the applicant and did not visit the site.
Commissioner Horton met with Congas and applicant
representatives, and did visit the site.
Vice Chair Duggan spoke to the Congas representatives, spoke to
neighbor of the site, and emails with the applicant representative.
Commissioner Cisco visited the site.
Commissioner Carter visited the site.
Chair Weeks visited the site and met with Congas and applicant
representatives.
Project Planner McKay presented.
Applicant representatives presented.
Chair Weeks opened the public hearing at 5:08 p.m.
Woody Hastings spoke in opposition of the project.
Caitlin Rekowskie spoke in opposition of the project.
Matt Calloway spoke in opposition of the project.
Tyler Krueger spoke in opposition of the project.
Jennifer Lapuerta spoke in opposition of the project.
Denis Knowles spoke in opposition of the project.
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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes - Final April 10, 2025
Wendy Cropnick spoke in opposition of the project.
Rebecca Rydlebock spoke in opposition of the project.
Laurel Chambers spoke in opposition of the project.
Aria Muirhead spoke in opposition of the project.
Wayne Yamaguishi spoke in opposition of the project.
Jack James spoke in opposition of the project.
Alexa Forrester spoke in opposition of the project.
Jenny Blaker spoke in opposition of the project.
Ana Glossen spoke in opposition of the project.
Michael Hilbur spoke in opposition of the project.
Marla Sharvanough spoke in opposition of the project.
Kate Steen spoke in opposition of the project.
June Rushares spoke in opposition of the project.
Steven Pierce spoke in opposition of the project.
Chair Weeks closed the public hearing at 6:06 p.m.
Staff and the Applicant representatives responded to Commissioner
Member inquiries.
Commissioners provided comments and feedback.
Chair Weeks recessed the meeting at 6:33 p.m. and reconvened
City of Santa Rosa
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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes - Final April 10, 2025
the meeting at 7:18 p.m.
A motion was made by Commissioner Cisco, seconded by Commissioner
Pardo, to waive the reading of the text and adopt;
RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA
ROSA ADOPTING AN ADDENDUM TO THE ELM TREE STATION INITIAL
STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE ELM TREE
STATION PROJECT, LOCATED AT 874 N WRIGHT ROAD - ASSESSOR'S
PARCEL NUMBER (APN) 034-063-001 - FILE NUMBER PRJ21-033.
The motion failed by the following vote:
No: 6 - Chair Weeks, Vice Chair Duggan, Commissioner Carter,
Commissioner Cisco, Commissioner Horton and Commissioner
Pardo
Recused: 1 - Commissioner Sanders
A motion was made by Commissioner Cisco, and seconded by Vice Chair
Duggan, to the reading of the text and adopt as amended;
RESOLUTION NO. PC-RES-2025-007 ENTITLED: RESOLUTION OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA DENYING A
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR ELM TREE STATION, A GAS STATION
WITH ONE APARTMENT UNIT AND OUTDOOR AMENITIES - LOCATED AT
874 N WRIGHT ROAD - FILE NUMBER CUP21-100.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: 6 - Chair Weeks, Vice Chair Duggan, Commissioner Carter,
Commissioner Cisco, Commissioner Horton and Commissioner
Pardo
Recused: 1 - Commissioner Sanders
12. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Weeks adjourned the meeting at 7:36 p.m.
Agenda
City Hall, Council
City of Santa Rosa Chamber
100 Santa Rosa Ave
Santa Rosa, CA
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA AND
SUMMARY REPORT - FINAL-REVISED
APRIL 10, 2025
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING BY
ATTENDING IN-PERSON FROM THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS LOCATED AT
100 SANTA ROSA AVENUE (IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT SOCIAL
DISTANCING BE OBSERVED).
THE PUBLIC CAN ALSO VIEW OR LISTEN TO THE MEETING LIVE AT:
1. HTTPS://SANTA-ROSA.LEGISTAR.COM/CALENDAR. CLICK ON THE
"IN PROGRESS" LINK TO VIEW;
2. VIA ZOOM BY VISITING
HTTPS://SRCITY-ORG.ZOOM.US/J/82970108050, OR BY DIALING
877-853-5257 AND ENTERING WEBINAR ID: 829 7010 8050;
3. COMCAST CHANNEL 28, AT&T U-VERSE CHANNEL 99; AND
4. VIA YOUTUBE AT HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/CITYOFSANTAROSA
Public Comment may be made live, in-person, during the meeting in the
Council Chamber or submitted in advance via email at
planningcommission@srcity.org by 5:00 pm the Wednesday before
the Planning Commission Meeting. Any written correspondence will be
included in the agenda before the meeting begins.
IN THE EVENT A PLANNING COMMISSIONER PARTICIPATES
REMOTELY BASED
ON JUST CAUSE OR EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES PURSUANT TO
AB 2449, THE PLANNING COMMISSION WILL ALSO ALLOW FOR PUBLIC
COMMENT THROUGH THE ZOOM LINK OR DIAL-IN NUMBER ABOVE.
4:30 P.M. - REGULAR SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
Page 2 of 5
Planning Commission - FINAL-REVISED APRIL 10, 2025
2. REMOTE PARTICIPATION UNDER AB 2449 (IF NEEDED)
To consider and take action on any request from a Board Member to
participate in a meeting remotely due to Just Cause or Emergency
Circumstances pursuant to AB 2449 (Government Code Section 54953(f)).
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3.1 March 27, 2025 - Draft Minutes.
Attachments: March 27, 2025 - Draft Minutes
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
This is the time when any person may address matters not listed on this
agenda, but which are within the subject matter of the jurisdiction. The public
may comment on agenda items when the item is called. Each speaker is
allowed three minutes.
5. COMMISSION BUSINESS
5.1 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The Planning Commission is charged with carrying out the California
Planning and Zoning Laws in the City of Santa Rosa. Duties include
implementing of plans, ordinances and policies relating to land use
matters; assisting in writing and implementing the General Plan and area
plans; holding public hearings and acting on proposed changes to the
Zoning Code, Zoning Map, General Plan, tentative subdivision maps, and
undertaking special planning studies as needed.
5.2 COMMISSIONER REPORTS
5.3 OTHER (i.e. VICE CHAIR ELECTION, NEW MEMBER INTRODUCTIONS)
6. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
7. STATEMENTS OF ABSTENTION OR RECUSAL
8. PRESENTATIONS
None.
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
Page 3 of 5
Planning Commission - FINAL-REVISED APRIL 10, 2025
9. CONSENT ITEMS
None.
10. REPORT ITEMS
None.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
11.1* PUBLIC HEARING - ELM TREE STATION - CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT - 874 N WRIGHT RD - PRJ21-033
BACKGROUND: The Elm Tree Station project includes a Conditional
Use Permit and Design Review for two general retail spaces (3,448 SF
and 432 SF), gas station, apartment unit (806 SF), and outdoor amenity
space. An addendum has been prepared pursuant to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Planning and
Economic Development Department that the Planning Commission, by
two resolutions, (1) adopt an addendum to the Elm Tree Station
Mitigated Negative Declaration and (2) approve a Conditional Use
Permit to allow the development of a gas station, two general retail land
uses across two buildings, one apartment unit and a small park for the
property located at 874 N. Wright Road.
PRESENTED BY: Conor McKay, Senior Planner.
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
Page 4 of 5
Planning Commission - FINAL-REVISED APRIL 10, 2025
Attachments: Staff Report
Attachment 1 - Disclosure Form
Attachment 2 - Location Map
Attachment 3 - Project Description
Attachment 4 - Plans
Attachment 5 - Traffic Impact Study
Attachment 6 - Addendum to Traffic Impact Study
Attachment 7 - Trip Generation and Trip Length
Attachment 8 - NCRWQCB 401 Certification
Attachment 9 - Health Risk Assessment
Attachment 10 - GHG Memo
Attachment 11 - Communication from BAQQMD
Attachment 12 - Biological Resources Analysis 2012
Attachment 13 - Environmental Noise Study
Attachment 14 -Arborist Report
Attachment 15 - CAP Checklist
Attachment 16 - Army Corps Verification
Attachment 17 - Gas Station Ban Ordinance, ORD-2022-010
Attachment 18 - Resolution PC-2022-020
Attachment 19 - IS-MND and MMRP, August 26, 2013
Attachment 20 - Stormwater LID
Attachment 21 - Public Correspondence
UPDATED Attachment 21 - Public Correspondence (Uploaded 4-10-25)
ADDED Attachment 22 - Prior Gas Station ZC Regulations (Uploaded 4-8
ADDED Attachment 23 - PD 0435 (Uploaded 4-8-2025)
Resolution 1
Resolution 2
Presentation
UPDATED Presentation (Uploaded 4-10-25)
Applicant Presentation
Late Correspondence (Uploaded 4-8-2025)
Late Correspondence (Uploaded 4-10-25)
12. ADJOURNMENT
City of Santa Rosa
Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
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Planning Commission - FINAL-REVISED APRIL 10, 2025
*Ex parte communication disclosure required.
In compliance with Zoning Code Section 20-62, the decision of the Planning Commission is final unless an appeal is filed on a
City Appeal Form (https://srcity.org/DocumentCenter/Index/173) and associated fees, as noted on the City’s Fee Schedule
(https://srcity.org/DocumentCenter/View/16129/Planning--Economic-Development-Department-Fee-Schedule?bidId= ), are paid
within 10 calendar days of the action. The time limit will extend to the following business day where the last day falls on a day
that the City is not open for business.
The City of Santa Rosa does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admissions or access to, or treatment of or
employment in, its programs or activities. Disability-related aids or services, including printed information in alternate formats, to
enable persons with disabilities to participate in public meetings are available by contacting the Board Secretary at
707-543-4646 (TTY Relay at 711). Requests should be submitted as far in advance as possible, but no later than two business
days before the scheduled meeting.
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Planning Commission prior to this meeting regarding any item on this
agenda are available for public review at https://santa-rosa.legistar.com/calendar.aspx or in person at the Planning and
Economic Development Department, Room 3, City Hall, 100 Santa Rosa Ave, during normal business hours.
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