11/05/2015 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 12/03/2015Planning Commission
Regular Meeting
NOVEMBER 05, 2015
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chair Gullen 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
Christina Villarreal reported the agenda was posted on Friday, November 30, 2015 at
10:30 a.m.
Roll Call:
Present: Chair Richard Gullen; Vice Chair Sue Rodriguez; Commissioner Kai Lai;
Commissioner Elizabeth Sanford; Commissioner Paul Kloecker; Commissioner Tom
Fischer; Commissioner Steve Ashford.
Staff Present:
Sue Martin, Planning Manager; Valerie Negrete, Planner I; Melissa Durkin, Planner II;
Jolie Houston, Assistant City Attorney; Christina Villarreal and Georgina Sanchez, Office
Assistants Community Development Department.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
October 1, 2015
Motion on Item III.1.
Motion: to approve minutes of October 1, 2015
Moved by Commissioner Paul Kloecker, seconded by Commissioner Kai Lai.
Vote: Motion carried 7-0.
Yes: Commissioner Paul Kloecker; Commissioner Kai Lai; Commissioner Elizabeth
Sanford; Commissioner Tom Fischer; Commissioner Steve Ashford; Vice Chair Sue
Rodriguez; Chair Richard Gullen.
No: None
Abstain: None
IV. PRESENTATION BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
No comments or presentations were made.
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. RDO-HE 14-02 (Residential Development Housing Exemption) request to allot 75
affordable senior apartment homes in the downtown district pursuant to Gilroy city code
section 30.50.60.2.j. The applicant proposes 60 one-bedroom units and 15 two-
bedroom units. Eighty nine percent of the units constructed in this project will be low
income and eleven percent for very low income. The architectural and site design is not
part of this RDO request and is expected to be considered by the Planning Commission.
RDO allocations are not a project subject to CEQA. The project site is located on the
east side of Monterey Road across from Erwin Court. Application was filed by AMG &
Associates c/o Gene Boussard, 16633 Ventura Blvd., Encino, CA, 91436.
Item A - RDO-HE 14-02 - Res. Dev. Housing Exemp.
Planner I Negrete presented the staff report for the Residential Development Housing
Exemption (Gateway Apartments).
Commissioner Kloecker asked what would happen if the tenant who qualified for the
rental passed away, what would happen to the unit and any other occupants should
there be any and what age does the tenant need to be to occupy.
Planner Negrete stated that she believed the age was 62 and that the property
management would handle the transfer of the unit.
Planning Manager Martin stated that the minimum timeframe an affordable unit must
stay as such was 30 years.
Assistant City Attorney Houston confirmed the 30 years for sale units and 55 years for
rentals; she also confirmed age 62 as the age requirement for a tenant to remain in the
unit or they would have to vacate within a specific timeframe.
Commissioner Lai stated the concept is good but he is concerned about the property
location being isolated for seniors, who must drive to get to the businesses around the
area, specifically, Commissioner Lai has concerns with the entry turning lane, that
southbound coming out of the site is hard to see. He asked if these conditions are
being considered for getting in and out of the complex. Commissioner Kloecker
expressed the same concerns.
Commissioner Sanford had concerns regarding the private entity being able to enforce
other problems besides the 62-year age requirement, which is the City’s policy. Should
other people move into the unit who would be held accountable since it will be managed
by private ownership. Also, what is the area’s future plan regarding revitalization that
might affect this development.
Planner Negrete answered that when staff reviews the Arch and Site permit, the
concerns mentioned would be analyzed as well as the environmental review, which is
still underway. Chair Gullen asked if staff is considering CC&R’s since there are more
details disclosed regarding the rules of occupying these units.
Planning Manager Martin stated that this proposal is for an apartment complex and that
CC&R’s would not be required. Commissioner Fischer stated his concerns (no elevator;
building is too close to Monterey Road; building massing along the roadway must be
addressed with better articulation). He asked what would happen to the project if the
Arch and Site doesn’t address these concerns. Assistant City Attorney Houston stated
that the Commission is considering the granting of a RDO exemption request for the
units and the Arch and Site can’t move forward without the allocation. As part of the
Arch and Site conditions addressing the commissioner’s concerns can be handled at
that time.
Commissioner Kloecker asked if the property could be sold at higher price by applicants
after RDO is approved or is there a restriction. Assistant City Attorney Houston asked
Planner II Durkin if the recorded covenant restricting property to Senior use comes
before or after building permit, Planner Durkin confirmed it was prior to building permit
issuance. Commissioner Kloecker also wanted staff to consider as part of the Arch and
Site permit review, laundry facilities located on every floor of the complex.
Chair Gullen opened to public comments, hearing no comments, he closed the public
hearing.
Disclosure of Ex-Parte Communications: None
Motion on Item V.A.
Motion: to approve RDO-HE 14-02
Moved by Commissioner Tom Fischer, seconded by Commissioner Steve Ashford.
Vote: Motion carried 6-1.
Yes: Commissioner Tom Fischer; Commissioner Steve Ashford; Commissioner
Elizabeth Sanford; Commissioner Paul Kloecker; Vice Chair Sue Rodriguez; Chair
Richard Gullen.
No: Commissioner Kai Lai
Abstain: None
B. Z 13-08 (Zoning Amendment for a Planned Unit Development), TM 13-011
(Tentative Map for condominium purposes) and AS 13-35 (Architectural and Site
Review). Request three applications, in combination, would allow for the development
of 202 townhouse units on 10.15 acres located at the southeast corner of Santa Teresa
Blvd. and First St. (APNs 808-01-21, 808-01-22 & 808-01-23) The townhouse units
would be contained in 40 buildings, all of which would be 3 stories in height. Access to
the units would be provided by numerous private streets and driveways constructed
throughout the project.
Chair Gullen opened to public comments, hearing no comments, he closed the public
hearing.
Disclosure of Ex-Parte Communications:
Commissioner’s Tom Fischer, Steve Ashford and Elizabeth Sanford met with applicant
on this issue.
Motion on Item V.B.
Motion: to table to an unspecified date in the future.
Moved by Commissioner Elizabeth Sanford, seconded by Vice Chair Sue Rodriguez.
Vote: Motion carried 7-0.
Yes: Commissioner Elizabeth Sanford; Vice Chair Sue Rodriguez; Commissioner Kai
Lai; Commissioner Paul Kloecker; Commissioner Tom Fischer; Commissioner Steve
Ashford; Chair Richard Gullen.
No: None
Abstain: None
C. TM 15-01 (Tentative Map), request to create the Montonico neighborhood within the
Glen Loma Ranch Specific Plan area. This neighborhood is one of nineteen
neighborhoods with the specific plan area. At full build-out, the Glen Loma Ranch
Specific Plan will allow up to 1,693 dwelling units on a 309+/- acre site. TM 15-01
proposes a subdivision of approximately 14 gross acres and 9 net acres (APN 808-18-
018) to create an 84-lot single-family residential subdivision. Build-out of this tentative
map will also create one private recreational open space lot, seven private landscaping
areas, extend one public recreational area, extend one private street, and create one
new private street. The private streets are consistent with city of Gilroy street
standards. The lot sizes accord with the standards set forth in the Glen Loma Ranch
Specific Plan. The subject property is located northeast of Santa Teresa Boulevard and
bounded by West Luchessa Avenue, Merlot Drive, and Syrah Drive. Application filed by
Tim Filice and John Filice representing The Glen Loma Corporation, 7888 Wren
Avenue, Suite D-143, Gilroy, CA 95020.
Planner II Durkin presented the staff report for Tentative Map Glen Loma neighborhood.
Commissioner Elizabeth Stanford asked for clarification on the existing trail going from
West to East currently used by the community, and specifically wanted to know if the
city trail would still be available. Planner Durkin pointed out each component on a
cross-section, from natural vegetation to sound wall, and confirmed a city trail would still
be available and open to the public (no competing trail situation).
Commissioner Kai Lai asked what major roads besides Santa Teresa would be
impacted and what is the school district doing about the addition of students. Planner
Durkin stated that a few roads would be affected and Club Drive, Luchessa and 10th
street would be the primary roads. Regarding schools, the district has not committed to
children being able to attend schools in the neighborhood but that is generally the
School District’s goal. The School District is aware of this requested subdivision but no
plan has been put in place as well as any school busing which is believed to be a public
funding program.
Commissioner Fischer asked how garbage would be picked up in the motor courts,
Planner Durkin stated garbage cans will have to be moved to the private streets on pick-
up day as there will be no pick-up in motor courts.
Chair Gullen opened to public comments, hearing no comments, he closed the public
hearing.
Disclosure of Ex-Parte Communications: None
Motion on Item V.C.
Motion: to approve TM 15-01 (Tentative Map)
Moved by Commissioner Tom Fischer, seconded by Commissioner Elizabeth Sanford.
Vote: Motion carried 7-0.
Yes: Commissioner Tom Fischer; Commissioner Elizabeth Sanford; Commissioner Kai
Lai; Commissioner Paul Kloecker; Commissioner Steve Ashford; Vice Chair Sue
Rodriguez; Chair Richard Gullen.
No: None
Abstain: None
VI. OLD BUSINESS
None
VII. NEW BUSINESS
None
VIII. CORRESPONDENCE
None
IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
A. Current Planning Projects
Planning Manager Martin stated a few dates were missing on the current project list; No.
20 on list, Martin Limited Partnership will be 11/19/15 for Planning Commission and
tentative date of 12/7/15 for City Council. No. 58 on list, New General Plan policies will
be brought to the Planning Commission on 11/12/15 and to the City Council on 12/14/15
at a special meeting.
B. Planning Staff Approvals
None
C. 2016 Schedule for Planning Commissioner Attendance at City Council Meetings
Planning Manager Martin stated that the 2016 meeting dates (Informational Items C, D,
E) are typically updated in November provided in the Commissioners’ packets. They can
open it up for discussion or, if dates are okay, they could move forward noting that the
May 12th Planning Commission date is an adjustment to accommodate attorney’s
meeting at the League of California Cities. There were no objections to the dates.
D. 2016 Schedule for Planning Commission Meeting Dates
None
E. 2016 Planning Commission Committee Assignments
None
X. PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
None
XI. ORAL REPORTS BY COMMISSION MEMBERS
A. City Council Meetings of October 5 & October 19, 2015 - Commissioner Kloecker;
November 2 - Commissioner Fischer:
Commissioner Kloecker gave a brief summary of the meeting for 10/5; the 10/19
meeting discussed the new Interim City Administrator.
Commissioner Fisher also gave a brief summary of the meeting on 11/2 with highlights
being a final member of the High Speed Rail Station advisory committee was appointed,
Craig Morris and the URM ordinance was given a one year extension.
B. Housing Advisory Committee:
Chair Gullen stated they are currently working on coming up with creative ways to
increase the inventory of low income housing, one possibility is focusing on granny
units, increasing the inventory on those and loosening up the rules.
C. Historic Heritage Committee:
Commissioner Ashford gave a brief summary of the meeting.
D. Arts & Culture Commission:
Commissioner Kloecker gave a brief summary of the meeting.
E. South County Joint Planning Advisory Committee:
Commissioner Kloecker stated there was no meeting.
F. Street Naming Committee:
Commissioner Kai Lai stated there was no meeting.
G. Development Standards Task Force:
Commissioner Fischer stated there was no meeting.
H. General Plan Advisory Committee:
Commissioner Sanford stated it was concluded with its final meeting last month.
I. High Speed Rail Advisory Committee:
Commissioner Fischer stated the committee looked over “Opportunities and Restraint”
reports, what can and might not happen in that area. He also announced the first
community meeting to be held 11/17/15, 7-9pm at Elliott Elementary, open to public.
XII. PLANNING DIVISION MANAGER REPORT:
No Report
XIV. PLANNING COMMISSION CHAIR REPORT:
No Report
Chair Gullen Adjourned the meeting at 7:20 PM
_____________________________
Georgina Sanchez, Office Assistant