Planning Commission Meeting

CITY OF TULARE PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Tulare Public Library—Council Chambers November 27, 2017 491 North M Street COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Miller, Crase, Rocha, Miguel, Cox Killion TEENS ON BOARD PRESENT: Jennifer Rodriguez, Ethan Padilla STAFF PRESENT: Josh McDonnell, Community & Economic Development Director Sarah Tobias, Assistant City Attorney Mel Meleka, Principal Planner Steven Sopp, Associate Planner Lucie Brown, Commission Clerk CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Killion called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Cox led us in the flag salute. SELECTION OF OFFICERS: Commissioner Rocha nominated Commissioner Chuck Miguel for Chairman, it was seconded by Commissioner Miller and carried by unanimous vote. Commissioner Miller nominated Commissioner Deanne Rocha for Vice Chairperson, it was seconded by Commissioner Miguel and carried by unanimous vote. Planning Commission Minutes 1 December 11, 2017 CITIZEN COMMENTS: None COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: Commissioner Miller asked if staff could look into a dumpster that is in the southbound lane of Blackstone, between Merritt and Cross. Director McDonnell stated that he would forward this to our Solid Waste department. CONSENT CALENDAR: (1) Minutes of the November 27, 2017 regular meeting It was motioned by Commissioner Crase and seconded by Commissioner Rocha to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion carried by unanimous vote. PUBLIC HEARING: (1) Mitigated Negative Declaration/Tentative Subdivision Map 2017-08- Hidden Ridge and Zone Amendment No. 721: Steven Sopp, Associate Planner, reviewed with the Commission a request by Great Valley Builders, Inc. for consideration of Tentative Subdivision Map 2017-08; a request to subdivide 9.73 acres into a 43 lot single-family residential subdivision to be zoned R-1-5 (Single Family Residential—5,000 square foot minimum lot area) density in two phases. The Zone Amendment is to change the existing zone from R-1-6 (Single Family Residential—6,000 sq. ft. minimum lot area) to R-1-5 (single Family Residential – 5,000 sq. ft. minimum lot area. This project is located approximately 350 feet west of Morrison Street near the northwest corner of Morrison Street and Bardsley Avenue. A Mitigated Negative was prepared for this project for public review pursuant to provisions of the Public Resources Code, State of California, Section 210000 to 21177 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This project was continued from the November 27, 2017 meeting. Chairman Killion re-opened the public hearing. Planning Commission Minutes 2 December 11, 2017  Public comments in opposition: James Rouse, 2728 Trapper Springs, spoke in opposition to the project. He stated his concerns are with ingress and egress and the safety of the children. Brandon Ormonde, 977 Mammoth, cited his concern for traffic increase and public safety. He further noted that he reviewed the project file and did not see any traffic study in the file because one was not done. He stated that there is a proposed outlet onto Morrison but there is not set date of when this will happen or if it ever will happen. He proposed the developer remove one lot and create an access onto Bardsley to alleviate the traffic issue. Danielle Evenson, 701 Descanso Bay, cited her concerns regarding traffic and safety of children especially during pick up and drop off time at the schools. James, Long, 2789 Kelty Meadow, cited his concerns with traffic, decrease in property values and asked for transparency from the developer as to size of homes proposed, price ranges as well as whether these will be Section 8 homes. Public comments in favor: Charlie Clouse, C2 Consulting, representing applicant, spoke in favor of the project. He noted that there are only approximately 25% of the lots that actually fall below the existing zoning. He provided the Commission with a letter that explains the trip generation to address the concerns regarding traffic impact. Public comment in opposition: James Rouse, 2728 Trapper Springs, stated that all the residents are asking for is an additional road providing access to and from the subdivision. Nicholas Keller, 974 Mammoth, spoke in opposition to the project. He noted that the previously approved Tentative Subdivision Map was approved in 2006 which was way before a majority of the surrounding subdivisions were completed. Brandon Ormonde, 977 Mammoth, restated that the removal of one lot is all it would take to satisfy the residents’ traffic and safety concerns. Juan Gutierrez, 2770 Trapper Springs, noted his concerns with emergency vehicles accessing the subdivision with only the two entrances into subdivision. He further noted that the schools are being impacted as well with not enough room to accommodate the existing residents. Beth Perry, 938 Mammoth, cited her concerns with traffic and public safety. Planning Commission Minutes 3 December 11, 2017  Gilbert Flores, 2676 Swanson Meadow, cited his concerns with traffic and public safety. Judy Autovino, 2698 Trapper Springs, cited her concerns with traffic. There being no one else to speak in favor of or against the project, the public hearing was closed. During Commission discussion all the Commissioners expressed concerns regarding traffic as well as public safety. Charlie Clouse, C2 Consulting, stated that he would be willing to entertain the Commission imposing a condition requesting the applicant work with city staff to see if there was any possibility of creating an access off of Bardsley. Chairman Killion stated that he believes that it is the consensus of the Commission that traffic is a major concern. He suggested the possibility of an access road onto Bardsley even if it is just a temporary one until the access road onto Morrison is completed. He asked staff if this hearing should just be continued to give applicant and staff opportunity to work together to try and resolve the Commission and residents’ traffic concerns. Director McDonnell stated that a continuance would be recommended. It was motioned by Commissioner Miguel and seconded by Commissioner Rocha to continue Mitigated Negative Declaration/Tentative Subdivision Map 2017-08- Hidden Ridge and Zone Amendment No. 721 to the January 8, 2018 meeting to allow for applicant and staff to work together to find an additional access to and from the subdivision. Motion carried by unanimous vote, with Commissioner Herrera being absent. Commissioner Miller wanted it noted for the record that she wants to ensure that staff in solving one problem will not be creating another one. (2) Conditional Use Permit No. 2017-27: Steven Sopp, Associate Planner, reviewed with the Commission a request by Jeffrey & Deborah Powell to establish a residential use within a commercial zone. The project is located at 132 South “N” Street. This project is exempt pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, as amended. Chairman Killion opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak in favor of or against the project, the public hearing was closed. Planning Commission Minutes 4 December 11, 2017  Following Commission discussion it was motioned by Commissioner Miguel and seconded by Commissioner Rocha to adopt Resolution 5269, approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2017-27 based upon the findings and subject to the conditions as listed in the staff report. COMMISSIONERS AYES: Miguel, Cox, Miller ABSENT: Herrera Crase, Rocha, Killion NOES: None ABSTAIN: None GENERAL BUSINESS—NON PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS None TEENS ON BOARD: Ethan Padilla and Jennifer Rodriguez commented on various school activities. DIRECTORS REPORT: Director McDonnell announced that this is the last Planning Commission meeting for Chairman Killion and Commissioner Linda Crase and thanked them both for their many years of dedication and service to the Planning Commission. AJOURNMENT: There being no other items to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 8:19 p.m. ___________________________ JEFF KILLION, CHAIRMAN City of Tulare Planning Commission ATTEST: ______________________________ JOSH McDONNELL,, SECRETARY City of Tulare Planning Commission Planning Commission Minutes 5 December 11, 2017