Planning Commission Meeting Update

March 22, 2005                         Wednesday                                7:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

OATH OF OFFICE:             Swearing in of new Commissioner, Peter Brown 

ROLL CALL:      Commissioners Carlyn Christianson, Alice Loh, Peter Brown, Andrew Carter, Jason McCoy, Vice-Chair Andrea Miller, and Chairperson Orval Osborne 

Commissioner Loh was absent 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:  

Agenda was accepted as written 

MINUTES:  Minutes of March 8, 2006. Approve or amend. 

Minutes were approved as written.  

PUBLIC COMMENT:   

There was no public comment 

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.   2932 Augusta Street; TR and ER 159-05; Request to create 9 residential condominiums; R-4 zone; Steno-Wolf Associates, applicant. (Phil Dunsmore)  

Following a brief presentation by staff to recommend the Planning Commission recommend approval of the project to the City Council, the applicant’s representative, Garth Kornreich, discussed the project design and layout, and other components of the project.  Residents of the adjacent property, Judson Terrace Homes, explained that there is a fence and gate between the development site and the Judson Terrace Homes property.  Their main concern is related to emergency vehicle access should that fence and gate be blocked.  They also expressed concern regarding parking, traffic, view, light and noise impacts that will result from the condominium project.   

At the request of Chairperson Osborne, Mr. Kornreich explained that he was not aware of emergency vehicle access through the Beth David Temple site.  He clarified that while the site won't be made inaccessible by grading or retaining walls, the property adjacent to the existing gate will become an open space area for private use by the tenants of the new condominiums.  Staff also clarified that there was no known emergency access easement on the proposed development site. Commrs. Carter, McCoy, and Miller concurred that because no exceptions had been requested and there was no indication that an easement was recorded against the property, the Commission could not rule against the proposal. 

On motion by Commr. Miller, Seconded by Commr. McCoy. The Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the condominium tract map the City Council. 

COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: 

2.   Staff 

A.    Agenda Forecast 

Interim Deputy Director, Development Review, Pamela Ricci presented an agenda forecast of upcoming projects.  She also reported that the Conservation and Open Space Element will be considered by the City Council on April 4 and the General Plan Annual Report will be considered by Council on April 18.   

Interim Deputy Director, Development Review, Pamela Ricci acknowledged that tonight is the last meeting for Commissioner Alice Loh, who has served on the Planning Commission for seven years and previously served on the Architectural Review Commission and Cultural Heritage Committee.  It is also the last meeting for Chairperson Osborne, who has served on the Planning Commission for six years and on the Mass Transportation Committee for two years.  

Commrs. Miller, McCoy, Carter and Christianson voice their appreciation to Commr. Loh and Chairperson Osborne.  

3.   Commission 

Commr. Miller briefly discussed the composition of the Planning Commission with professional and non-professional planners, and said that she will no longer be a County planner as of April 3.   

The meeting ADJOURNED at 8:30 to the regular meeting of the Planning Commission scheduled for Wednesday, April 12, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 990 Palm Street.