07/02/2015 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 09/03/2015Planning Commission
Regular Meeting
JULY 02, 2015
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Chair Rodriguez 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
Zinnia Navarro reported the agenda was posted on June 26, 2015 at 1:30 p.m.
Roll Call:
Present: Commissioner Steve Ashford; Commissioner Tom Fischer; Commissioner Kai
Lai; Commissioner Paul Kloecker; Vice Chair Sue Rodriguez; Commissioner Elizabeth
Sanford
Absent/Excused: Chair Richard Gullen
Staff Present:
David Bischoff, Special Projects Planner; Melissa Durkin, Planner II; Jolie Houston,
Assistant City Attorney; Zinnia Navarro, Office Assistant Community Development
Department
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. June 4, 2015
Motion on Item III.A.
Motion: to approve the minutes of June 4, 2015
Moved by Commissioner Tom Fischer; seconded by Commissioner Steve Ashford
Vote: Motion carried 4-0-2-1
Yes: Commissioner Steve Ashford; Commissioner Tom Fischer; Commissioner Paul
Kloecker; Commissioner Elizabeth Sanford
No: None
Abstain: Commissioner Kai Lai; Vice Chair Sue Rodriguez
Absent: Chair Richard Gullen
IV. PRESENTATION BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
No comments or presentations were made.
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V. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. AS 13-05 (Architectural and Site Review) requests approval of a twenty-seven (27)
unit market -rate apartment project on the 1.95+/- acre property located at 9060 and
9070 Kern Avenue, commonly known as the Kern Avenue Apartments project (APNs
790-18-015, 016, and 017). The applicant proposes to develop five two-story buildings
with a maximum height of 27+/- feet and two one-story buildings with a maximum height
of 17+/- feet. The project would also include a community room, tot lot and community
garden area. The developer will dedicate right-of-way along Kern Avenue and develop
frontage improvements to city standards. A mitigated negative declaration was adopted
for this project as part of General Plan Amendment application GPA 05-03 (city council
resolution 2006-60). Application filed by PSI Development c/o Joe Burch, 2 West Santa
Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95113.
Planner II Durkin presented the staff report.
Commissioner Sanford commented on the on -site management office. She was also
concerned about privacy in regards to the upstairs walkway.
Planner II Durkin stated that the design is common for apartments and it is hard to mask
stairs.
Vice Chair Rodriguez opened the public hearing, hearing no comments; she closed the
public hearing.
Motion on Item V.A.
Motion: to adopt a resolution recommending the City Council to approve AS 13-05.
Moved by Commissioner Elizabeth Sanford; seconded by Commissioner Tom Fischer
Vote: Motion carried 6-0-0-1
Yes: Commissioner Steve Ashford; Commissioner Tom Fischer; Commissioner Kai Lai;
Commissioner Paul Kloecker; Vice Chair Sue Rodriguez; Commissioner Elizabeth
Sanford
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Chair Richard Gullen
B. Z 13-08 (zone change for a PUD) requests approval of a Planned Unit Development
zoning overlay to allow for private streets, private recreational amenities and setbacks
that do not meet minimum standards in a R4 zoning district for the development of 205
townhouse units on a 10.15 acre site located at the southeast corner of Santa Teresa
Boulevard and First Street, APN's 808-01-21, 808-01-22 and 808-01-23.
TM 13-11 (tentative map) requests subdivision of the 10.15 acre site to develop 205
townhouse units contained in forty-one 3-story buildings with anew pubic street, private
streets and common recreational facilities.
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AS 13-35 (architectural and site review) requests approval of specific building and
landscape plans for the 205-unit townhouse project. A mitigated negative declaration
(MND # 2015-02) has been prepared for consideration with the proposed project.
Applicant, Imwalle Properties. This item is continued from the June 4, 2015 meeting.
Special Projects Planner Bischoff presented the staff report.
Rita Garcia of RBF Consulting presented the initial study findings.
Commissioner Sanford asked what traffic was included in the analysis of future
conditions at the intersection of Third and Santa Teresa. She asked if current
conditions or full build -out of the Hecker Pass Specific Plan and Glen Loma Ranch were
included.
Ms. Garcia stated to analysis included all projects that would be completed by the
completion date of the subject project.
Special Projects Planner Bischoff stated the analysis included some of the units in the
Hecker Pass Specific Plan but, not all.
Commissioner Fischer asked what types of traffic mitigation measure are included in
this project.
Ms. Garcia stated there are a total of 9 traffic mitigation measures included in the
project and they are located at various intersections in the city and surrounding area.
Commissioner Lai commented there are only 2 exits from the project; one on Santa
Teresa and the other on First Street. He is concern that a car can only turn north onto
Santa Teresa and only a right turn onto First Street. He asked about a roundabout at
First Street and Santa Teresa.
Special Projects Planner Bischoff commented that a roundabout at that intersection
would require a 2 lane roundabout and that is currently unacceptable to Caltrans.
Commissioner Kloecker commented that the analysis should include the entire build -out
of the area, not just the units that would be built at the time this project would be
completed.
Commissioner Sanford commented on the safety aspect of the traffic on First Street.
She stated at this time on First Street it goes from two lanes into one lane and that is
right where the driveway will be located.
Special Projects Planner Bischoff stated that First Street will be widened into 2 lanes
and Santa Teresa will be widened as well.
Commissioner Fischer asked Special Projects Planner Bischoff if staff has reached an
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impasse with the applicant. He also stated that he would like to visit to Mountain View
project that is similar to the one proposed for Gilroy.
Special Projects Planner Bischoff stated there are some issues on which the applicant
and staff do not agree.
Vice Chair Rodriguez opened the public hearing.
John Razumich and Don Imwalle applicants, addressed some of the issues that staff
has with the project. They spoke about working with Recology for garbage pick-up; they
explained a porter would be available on garbage day to place the totes back in the
correct places and the air condition units would have lattice work place around the units
and landscaping. They spoke about community outreach with neighbors and
Councilmembers. They explained the arborist report regarding the existing trees,
removing and replacing the existing trees with new trees.
Commissioner Sanford asked about the size and setbacks provided in the Mountain
View project.
Don Imwalle explained that the Mountain View property was originally zoned industrial
and they came in with a PUD with 19 units per acre. They focused on front porches and
paseo and not setbacks.
Commissioner Fischer asked why putting the air conditions unit on the roof was not
feasible. He asked about landscaping trees for privacy with existing neighbors.
John Razumich commented that placing air conditioning units on the roofs structurally
would not work with the roof line of the project. He stated a roof well would not allow for
air flow and movement that allows the air conditioner to run efficiently. He stated that
placing AC units on the ground allows for air flow and movement to run efficiently and
the lattice work hides the units.
Don Imwalle explained the community outreach meeting that was held with the
neighbors and as a result of that meeting they added a walking path to the shopping
center, adjusted windows not to look into neighbor's backyards and agreed to replace
the wooden fence with a masonry or stucco wall.
Commissioner Kloecker stated he is concerned with the trash totters and the bump outs
at the corners. He stated he would like to visit the Mountain View project too.
Don Imwalle explained that the bump outs will be cut back and a porter will be on the
property on garbage day to move the totters back.
Commissioner Lai explained that he wants the public street to be a private street. He is
concerned with the children going to schools and the traffic.
Vice Chair Rodriguez closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Sanford stated James Suner called her regarding the project.
Commissioner Kloecker stated he spoke with property owner Mr. Benassi.
Commissioner Fischer stated he spoke with Mr. Suner.
Assistant City Attorney Houston explained the different options the Commission has to
approve or deny the project. She recommends the Commission continue to project to
the September meeting.
Commissioner Fischer stated he would like to see the applicant and staff work out the
issues and come back to the Commission in September. He also stated he has a
problem with the parking.
Motion on Item V.B.
Motion: to continue the following items Z 13-08, TM 13-11 and AS 13-35 to the
September meeting.
Moved by Commissioner Tom Fischer; seconded by Commissioner Kai Lai
Vote: Motion carried 6-0-0-1
Yes: Commissioner Steve Ashford; Commissioner Tom Fischer; Commissioner Kai Lai;
Commissioner Paul Kloecker; Vice Chair Sue Rodriguez; Commissioner Elizabeth
Sanford
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Chair Richard Gullen
C. CUP 14-04 (conditional use permit) this conditional use permit allows for the
operation of an auto repair business located at 8385 Monterey St. (Assessor Parcel
Number 790-36-032). The public hearing is being held due to the failure of the business
owner to comply with the conditions of approval for the use. The Planning Commission
will consider revocation of the conditional use permit as well as the possibility of
modification and/or addition to the conditions of approval. The use and its revocation or
modification is exempt from environmental review under Section 15301 of the State
CEQA Guidelines. (CUP 14-04 conditional use permit); City of Gilroy, Applicant. This
item is continued from the May 7, 2015 meeting
Special Projects Planner Bischoff presented the staff report.
Vice Chair Rodriguez opened the public hearing.
Rolando Barroso commented he is willing to do whatever it takes to do business. He
stated he only has money to run his small business and not enough to beautify the
property. He stated the tank removal is a very large project and he is working with the
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State to help fund the removal of the tanks.
Commissioner Kloecker asked what is the present status of the application with the
State for the tank removal and when do you expect the tanks to be removed.
Mr. Barroso stated the State would work with and keep the City informed of the status of
the process.
Special Projects Planner Bischoff clarified that Mr. Barroso has a permit to remove the
tanks from the City and the State does not need to approve it. What Mr. Barroso has
requested from the State is funding to remove the tanks and that application is
incomplete. Mr. Bischoff stated his understanding is that Mr. Barroso needs a tax return
and other personal items for his State application to be complete.
Mr. Barroso stated he understands that he needs to provide the tax return and other
personal items to the State.
George Mancuso of Livermore spoke on behalf of the applicant.
Vice Chair Rodrigues closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Kloecker asked if the business is open or closed.
Mr. Barroso stated it is closed due to all the work of the tank removal.
Commissioner Fischer commented that the Commission has been working on this
project for 3 years and Mr. Barroso has not done any of the work the Commission has
required.
Commissioner Ashford asked about closing of the driveway and why has Caltrans not
been involved since the beginning.
Special Project Planner Bischoff explained that the applicant does need an
encroachment permit from the State to close the driveways. He stated the driveways
are too close to the intersection and that is why they need to be closed.
Mr. Barroso stated he came to the city before escrow closed and was not told of all the
work that needed to be done to the property.
Commissioner Sanford stated that when the applicant came in front of the Commission
back in 2012 he stated he was going to operate a gas station with light automotive
repair. Then the applicant changed his mind and he decided not to run a gas station but
to operate an automotive repair shop. She stated the applicant needs to get his permit
from the State himself; it's not the city's responsibility. She would like to see Mr.
Barroso run a successful business but there are responsibilities of a business owner
and he needs to take responsibility.
Motion on Item V.C.
Motion: to continue item CUP 14-04 to the September meeting.
Moved by Commissioner Paul Kloecker; seconded by Commissioner Steve Ashford
Vote: Motion failed 2-4-0-1
Yes: Commissioner Steve Ashford; Commissioner Paul Kloecker
No: Commissioner Tom Fischer; Commissioner Kai Lai; Vice Chair Sue Rodriguez;
Commissioner Elizabeth Sanford
Abstain: None
Absent: Chair Richard Gullen
Second Motion on Item V.C.
Motion: to approve resolution revoking CUP 14-04.
Moved by Commissioner Tom Fischer; seconded by Commissioner Elizabeth Sanford
Vote: Motion carried 4-2-0-1
Yes: Commissioner Tom Fischer; Commissioner Kai Lai; Vice Chair Sue Rodriguez;
Commissioner Elizabeth Sanford
No: Commissioner Steve Ashford; Commissioner Paul Kloecker
Abstain: None
Absent: Chair Richard Gullen
VI. OLD BUSINESS
None
VII. NEW BUSINESS
None
VIII. CORRESPONDENCE
None
IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
A. Current Planning Projects
B. Planning Staff Approvals
X. PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
XI. ORAL REPORTS BY COMMISSION MEMBERS: (no action)
A. City Council Meetings of June 15, 2015 and July 1, 2015
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Commissioner Sanford gave a brief summary of the June 15, 2015 meetings and
Commissioner Ashford gave a brief summary of the July 1, 2015 meeting.
B. Housing Advisory Committee
Vice Chair Gullen was absent and no report.
C. Historic Heritage Committee
Commissioner Ashford gave a brief summary of the meeting.
D. Arts & Culture Commission
Commissioner Kloecker stated that there was no 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
Chair Fischer stated that there was no meeting.
H. General Plan Advisory Committee
Commissioner Fischer stated that there was no meeting.
I. High Speed Rail Advisory Committee
Commissioner Fischer stated that there was no meeting.
XII. PLANNING DIVISION MANAGER REPORT
None
XIII. ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
None
XIV. PLANNING COMMISSION CHAIR REPORT
None
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Commissioner Ashford asked for a list of vacant land for in -fill.
Special Project Planner Bischoff stated that he believes that there is a vacant land
inventory list but, did not know if it only includes in -fill lots or not.
XV. ADJOURNMENT at 10:13 p.m.
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Susan Johnson, Deputy City Clerk
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