04/04/2013 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 05/02/20131
Planning Commission
Regular Meeting
APRIL 04, 2013
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Chair Fischer called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and led the pledge of
allegiance.
II. REPORT ON POSTING THE AGENDA AND ROLL CALL
Deputy City Clerk Knerr reported that the agenda for the regular Planning Commission
meeting of April 4, 2013 had been posted on March 29, 2013 at 3:30 p.m.
Roll Call:
Present: Commissioner Brad Bannister; Vice Chair Tom Fisher; Commissioner Christi
Garcia; Commissioner Richard Gullen; Commissioner Paul Kloecker; Commissioner Kai
Lai
Absent/Excused: Chair Elizabeth Sanford
Staff Present:
David Bischoff, Director of Planning and Environmental Services; Melissa Durkin,
Planner II; Jolie Houston, Assistant City Attorney; Jennifer Knerr, Deputy City Clerk;
Rick Smelser, Public Works Director/City Engineer; David Stubchaer, Operations
Manager; Christina Turner, Finance Director/Treasurer
Director Bischoff stated that Chair Sanford called to report that she would be unable to
attend that evening’s meeting.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. February 7, 2013
Motion on Item III.A.
Motion: to approve the minutes of February 7, 2013 as written.
Moved by Commissioner Paul Kloecker, seconded by Commissioner Brad Bannister.
Vote: Motion carried 6-0-0-1
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Yes: Commissioner Brad Bannister; Vice Chair Tom Fisher; Commissioner Christi
Garcia; Commissioner Richard Gullen; Commissioner Paul Kloecker; Commissioner Kai
Lai
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Chair Elizabeth Sanford
IV. PRESENTATION BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
No comments or presentations were made.
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
Vice Chair Fischer stated that there is a change in items. Item VII.A. would be called
first.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Review of Capital Improvement Budget for Fiscal Years 2013-14 through 2018-19.
Director Bischoff presented the staff report.
Vice Chair opened the public hearing.
Seeing no public comments Vice Chair Fischer closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Kloecker asked for clarification regarding project number 45, First Street
Drain which is charged to Vehicle Registration Fees (VLF) and two other related
projects charged to the W ater Fund.
Director Smelser stated that the major project is a water main replacement that is from
the water enterprise fund and at the same time the City is replacing the storm drain line
and that can be charged to the VLF fund. The VLF is a new fee for street related
projects including the storm drainage.
Commissioner Kloecker asked if the structure study at Christmas Hill Park is in regards
to the red barn. He also asked if the library parking structure will come back before the
Planning Commission.
Director Smelser stated it is the barn and other structures that are within the area. He
also stated that the parking structure will be brought back before the Commission.
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Motion on Item VII.A.
Motion: to recommend City Council find the Capital Improvement Budget for Fiscal
Years 2013-14 through 2018-19 consistent with the General Plan as described in the
staff report.
Moved by Commissioner Brad Bannister, seconded by Commissioner Christi Garcia.
Vote: Motion carried 6-0-0-1
Yes: Commissioner Brad Bannister; Vice Chair Tom Fisher; Commissioner Christi
Garcia; Commissioner Richard Gullen; Commissioner Paul Kloecker; Commissioner Kai
Lai
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Chair Elizabeth Sanford
VI. OLD BUSINESS
A. M 09-03 Continued discussion regarding potential amendments of the Zoning
Ordinance.
Planner II Durkin presented the staff report.
Assistant City Attorney Houston asked about the definition section regarding daycare.
Planner Durkin stated that daycare was removed and replaced with family daycare.
Commissioner Bannister asked about section 6.52 entrances facing alleys.
Planner Durkin stated that for safety reasons, police and fire will enter a home from the
street and that there needs to be a sidewalk leading to the front door from the street.
She also stated that a second unit on the property that can have an entrance from an
alley.
Commissioner Bannister asked about R3 lots and the number of bedrooms per square
foot.
Planner Durkin explained that the minimum lot size in the R3 is 8000 square feet and
the number of units depends on the number of bedrooms per unit.
Commissioner Kloecker asked about R4 high density allocations near Luchessa and
other areas not currently having services to meet those needs.
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Planner Durkin explained that a request to change zoning to R4 would go in front of the
Planning Commission and the City Council for consideration. Not all location might be
appropriate for R4; it needs to fit with the surrounding area.
Commissioner Bannister asked about the Neighborhood District and who’s discretion is
it to not “overly concentrating” high density in an area.
Director Bischoff commented that the wording might be more appropriate in the General
Plan and not in the Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Ordinance is a regulatory document
and the General Plan is the guiding document.
Planner Durkin mentioned a copy of an email from Rob Oneto of RJA has been placed
at the dais. She stated that he has asked for additional changes; the changes will be
considered after the Council completes the General Plan process. At that time the
Zoning Ordinance will be updated to reflex the changes to the General Plan.
Commissioner Bannister asked about standard fencing design and why the City does
not require something nicer than chain link with slats?
Planner Durkin clarified that the City requires tubular steel with a horizontal component.
Commissioner Bannister stated that he does not think tubular steel looks very nice and
he would like to see something nicer like the fencing in downtown Morgan Hill. He
stated he would like higher quality fencing.
Commissioner Garcia commented that putting a “minimum standard” instead of
“standard” would give the option of leaving it open.
Commissioner Bannister stated he wants something nicer than the minimum standard.
He would like to set a higher standard and not settle for the minimum standard.
Director Bischoff stated if the Commission would like staff can look into the fencing and
come back with other options.
Commissioner Lai stated that fencing should match the surrounding area and maybe it
should be left open and looked at for individual projects.
Vice Chair Fischer suggested that staff could do a little more work on the fencing item.
Commissioner Gullen stated that under rural residential there is a typo under defining
density the words “one unit per” are missing.
Commissioner Bannister asked why the ordinance allows outdoor auto repair in the
Gateway District. He expressed this is what visitors see as they enter our City.
Planner Durkin stated that the Gateway District allows many outdoor car uses to occur.
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Commissioner Gullen commented on the CUP for boarding animals inside and outside.
He stated the language is confusing and suggested new language.
Commissioner Kloecker asked about the storage facilities for RV’s and trailers.
Planner Durkin stated RV storage facilities are allowed in the industrial district.
Vice Chair Fischer opened the public hearing.
Seeing no public comments Vice Chair Fischer closed the public hearing.
Director Bischoff stated that no action is necessary by the Commission.
Commissioner Bannister thanked the staff for all their hard work on the Zoning
Ordinance.
VIII. CORRESPONDENCE
None.
IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
A. Current Planning Projects
Director Bischoff stated that a number of new items will be coming in front of the
Commission in the coming months including a proposal to construct homes off Babbs
Creek and a General Plan amendment to eliminate Camino Arroyo as a through street.
B. Planning Staff Approvals
Director Bischoff spoke about the home occupation permits, a new office building at the
corner of Monterey and 4th Streets, construction of homes are Eagle Ridge and
telecommunications projects.
C. Architecture and Site Design Standards for Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
in Public Right-of-Way.
Director Bischoff stated that a copy of the Design Standards for Wireless
Telecommunications Facilities within the public right-of-way approved by City Council
was included in the packets.
D. Planning Commission Committee Assignments
Director Bischoff stated that an updated copy of the Planning Commission Committee
Assignments was included in the packets.
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X. PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
Vice Chair Fischer spoke about the American Planning Association Planning
Commissioners Workshop that he attended with Chair Sanford. He stated it was the
first in a series of four workshops and the workshop was very informational.
XI. ORAL REPORTS BY COMMISSION MEMBERS
A. City Council meetings of February 25, 2013; March 4 and 25, 2013 and April 1,
2013.
Chair Sanford was absent and no report was given for the February 25, 2013 meeting.
Commissioner Bannister gave a brief summary of the March 4 and 25 meetings.
Commissioner Lai gave a brief summary of the April 1, 2013 meeting.
B. Housing Advisory Committee
Chair Sanford was absent and no report was given.
C. Historic Heritage Committee
Commissioner Garcia stated that there was no meeting.
D. Arts & Culture Commission
Commissioner Bannister gave a brief summary of the meeting.
E. South County Joint Planning Advisory Committee
Commissioner Kloecker stated that there was no meeting.
F. Street Naming Committee
Commissioner Lai stated that there was no meeting.
G. Development Standards Task Force
Commissioners Fischer gave a brief summary of the meeting.
H. Sign Ordinance Review Task Force
Chair Sanford was absent and no report was given.
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XII. PLANNING DIVISION MANAGER REPORT
None.
XIII. ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
Assistant City Attorney Houston informed the Commission that the City Council passed
a moratorium on payday lending businesses. It is going through a study period for
zoning for either regulation or ban and will come before the Commission for zoning and
then back to the Council.
XIV. PLANNING COMMISSION CHAIR REPORT
None.
XV. ADJOURNMENT at 8:12 p.m.
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/s/ Susan Johnson, Deputy City Clerk