09/06/2012 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 10/04/20121
Planning Commission Minutes
Regular Meeting
SEPTEMBER 06, 2012
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chair Aulman called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and led the pledge of a llegiance.
II. REPORT ON POSTING THE AGENDA AND ROLL CALL
Deputy City Clerk Knerr reported that the agenda for the regular Planning Commission
meeting of September 6, 2012 had been posted on August 31, 2012 at 3:20 p.m.
Roll Call:
Present: Commissioner Brad Bannister; Commissioner Tom Fischer; Commissioner
Christi Garcia; Commissioner Kai Lai; Vice Chair Elizabeth Sanford; Chair Terri Aulman
Absent/Excused: Commissioner Ermelindo Puente
Staff Present:
David Bischoff, Planning Division Manager; Lee Butler, Development Center Manager;
Andy Faber, acting City Attorney; Jennifer Knerr, Deputy City Clerk
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. July 26, 2012
Motion on Item III.A.
Motion: Approve the minutes of July 26, 2012
Moved by Commissioner Tom Fischer, seconded by Vice Chair Elizabeth Sanford
Vote: Motion carried 6-0-0-1
Yes: Commissioner Brad Bannister; Commissioner Tom Fischer; Commissioner Christi
Garcia; Commissioner Kai Lai; Vice Chair Elizabeth Sanford; Chair Terri Aulman
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Commissioner Ermelindo Puente
2
IV. PRESENTATION BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
No comments or presentations were made
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
VI. OLD BUSINESS
A. M 09-03 Continued Discussion regarding potential amendments of the Zoning
Ordinance.
Director Bischoff presented the staff report.
Director Bischoff noted a few minor changes and stated staff was hoping to have all of
the proposed amendments reviewed by the Commission in ordinance from for adoption
by spring of 2013.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. AS 12-30 Architectural and Site review application. A request to demolish an
existing vacant commercial building, construction of a pedestrian paseo, and structural
stabilization of the adjacent unreinforced masonry buildings on property zoned DHD
(Downtown Historic District) located at 7453 Monterey Street. APN: 799-07-054
Chair Aulman recused herself stating that she was a member of the Paseo Committee
which had been working to develop a paseo in the event the building is demolished; she
then left the Council Chambers.
Director Bischoff introduced Lee Butler, Development Center Manager.
Development Center Manager Butler presented the staff report.
Seeing no questions from Planning Commissioners, Vice-Chair Sanford opened the
public comment period.
Carol DeSantis provided a handout to the Planning Commissioners regarding
preservation practices for historical resources.
Ms. DeSantis stated that she was an advocate for developing Gilroy’s downtown into a
National Historic District. She explained that she agreed with the demolition but
disagreed with the staff report which stated that rehabilitation of the structure would be
impractical due to prohibitive costs and that the building did not exhibit significant
architectural or person/event associations which would merit its preservation. Ms.
3
DeSantis stated that she did not want the deteriorated condition of a structure to
become the justification for demolishing other buildings where historic interest was
involved and referred to her handout which contained guidelines and alternatives for
rehabilitation and preservation.
She stressed the importance of hiring an engineer who specialized in historic buildings
to conduct the analysis of the structures and gave examples of how knowledge of the
materials used in historic structures was vital. Ms. DeSantis commented that she was
pleased the staff report addressed the salvage process and asked that any salvaged
materials go to the historical museum for examination and possible restoration.
Connie Rogers stated that she was not opposed to the building’s demolition but hoped
to take the opportunity to educate the Commission about issues related to historic
buildings. She spoke about the City’s historic building inventory compiled in 1986 and
explained the term "contributing building" which had been used to describe the property
in question in that inventory.
Ms. Rogers further spoke about the historic nature of downtown as an asset to the
community and noted that a High Speed Rail consultant had stated that downtown
Gilroy possessed the historic resources to be designated as a National Register Historic
District. She explained that such a designation would require a great deal of work but
would be a benefit to the City.
Ms. Rogers spoke in support of the paseo, noting that the Historical Society, of which
she was President, had a representative on the Paseo Committee. She expressed
concern, however, that the General Plan and the Downtown Specific Plan both spoke to
historic preservation yet the City has done little to further that goal.
Vice-Chair Sanford closed the public comment period.
Vice-Chair Sanford asked Development Center Manager Butler about items that might
be salvaged from the building and if there was a precedent as to which organization
would receive those items.
Ms. Rogers asked if the building to be demolished shared a common wall with the
existing structure to the south which was a locally-protected historic site.
Vice-Chair Sanford closed public comment.
Development Center Manager Butler expressed the City’s shared concern with
preserving Gilroy’s historic resources and explained that support of the building’s
demolition was for the overall benefit of a paseo connecting public parking with
downtown businesses.
He noted that, in the staff report, the Gilroy Historic Society was designated to salvage
materials prior to demolition. He mentioned Ms. DeSantis’ request that the Gilroy
4
Museum have first access to items of historic value and stated that staff could
recommend the Museum receive the artifacts instead, if the Commissioners preferred.
Commissioner Lai asked about the buildings which were located immediately north and
south of the property in question and whether demolishing the subject building would
require reinforcement of those neighboring structures.
Development Center Manager Butler explained that those neighboring structures did
depend on the building in question for support. He noted that only the building to the
north shared a common wall and explained the necessary structural rehabilitation that
would be necessary on both the interior and exterior of the structures prior to demolition.
Director Bischoff addressed Ms. DeSantis’ concern regarding economic infeasibility of
rehabilitation as a rationale for demolishing a building. He explained that the City Code
required that two findings be made in order to demolish a building in the Historic District,
one of those findings was that a building was obviously not restorable. Director Bischoff
stated the finding would be reviewed as part of an update to the Zoning Ordinance and
alternative language would be presented to the Planning Commission at a future
meeting.
Motion on Item VII.A.
Motion: recommend the City Council adopt the draft Negative Declaration for A/S 12-30.
Moved by Commissioner Brad Bannister, seconded by Commissioner Christi G arcia.
Vote: Motion carried 5-0-0-2
Yes: Commissioner Brad Bannister; Commissioner Tom Fischer; Commissioner Kai
Lai; Commissioner Christi Garcia; Vice Chair Elizabeth Sanford
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Commissioner Ermelindo Puente; Chair Terri Aulman
Motion on Item VII.A.
Motion: recommend the City Council approve A/S 12 -30 Architectural and Site Review
Application.
Moved by Commissioner Brad Bannister, seconded by Commissioner Christi Garcia.
Vote: Motion carried 5-0-0-2
5
Yes: Commissioner Brad Bannister; Commissioner Tom Fischer; Commissioner Kai
Lai; Commissioner Christi Garcia; Vice Chair Elizabeth Sanford
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Commissioner Ermelindo Puente; Chair Terri Aulman
Chair Aulman returned to the dais.
VIII. CORRESPONDENCE
None
IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
A. Current Planning Projects
B. Planning Staff Approvals
Director Bischoff gave a brief summary of the current planning projects and staff
approvals.
X. PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
None
XI. ORAL REPORTS BY COMMISSION MEMBERS
A. City Council Meeting of August 6, 2012
Commissioner Bannister gave a brief summary of the August 6, 2012
B. Housing Advisory Committee
Vice Chair Sanford state that there is no report.
C. Historic Heritage Committee
Commissioner Garcia stated that she was unable to attend the meeting.
D. Arts & Culture Commission
Commissioner Bannister gave a brief summary of the meeting.
6
E. South County Joint Planning Advisory Committee
Chair Aulman gave a brief summary of the meeting.
F. Street Naming Committee
Commissioner Puente was absent and no report was given.
G. Climate Action Plan Stakeholder Advisory Committee
Commissioner Lai stated that there was no meeting.
H. Development Standards Task Force
Commissioner Fischer gave a brief summary of the meeting.
I. Sign Ordinance Review Task Force
Vice Chair Sanford stated that the Task Force has not met.
XII. PLANNING DIVISION MANAGER REPORT
None
XIII. ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
None
XIV. PLANNING COMMISSION CHAIR REPORT
None
XV. Adjournment at 7:17 p.m.
__________________________________
/s/ Susan Johnson, Deputy City Clerk