11/03/2016 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 12/01/2016DRAFT
Planning Commission
Regular Meeting
of
NOVEMBER 03, 2016
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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 Friday, October 28, 2016 at 8:44
a.m.
Present: Commissioner Rebeca Armendariz; Commissioner Steve Ashford;
Commissioner Tom Fischer; Vice Chair Paul Kloecker; Commissioner Kai Lai; Chair
Sue Rodriguez
Absent/Excused: Commissioner Richard Gullen
Staff Present: Office Assistant I Zinnia Navarro; Assistant City Attorney Jolie Houston;
Interim Planning Manager Rebecca Tolentino; Planner II Melissa Durkin
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A. September 15, 2016
Motion to approve minutes of September 15, 2016
Moved by Commissioner Fischer, seconded by Commissioner Ashford.
Vote: Motion carried 6-0.
Yes: Commissioner Rebeca Armendariz; Commissioner Steve Ashford; Commissioner
Tom Fischer; Vice Chair Paul Kloecker; Commissioner Kai Lai; Chair Sue Rodriguez
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Commissioner Richard Gullen
B. October 06, 2016
Motion to approve minutes of October 06, 2016
Moved by Commissioner Lai, seconded by Commissioner Fischer.
Vote: Motion carried 6-0.
Yes: Commissioner Rebeca Armendariz; Commissioner Steve Ashford; Commissioner
Tom Fischer; Vice Chair Paul Kloecker; Commissioner Kai Lai; Chair Sue Rodriguez
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Commissioner Richard Gullen
DRAFT
IV. PRESENTATION BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Art Barron with Eden Housing introduced himself to the Planning Commissioners.
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. M 16-13 (miscellaneous) requests that, in accordance with California
Government Code Section 65402, the planning commission determine whether
development of a school site on property located at the northeast corner of Club
Drive and Santa Teresa Boulevard (APN # 808-43-001) conforms to the site’s
general plan designation and that, in accordance with California Public
Resources Code section 21151.2, the planning commission analyze the Gilroy
Unified School District’s proposal to acquire and develop the 12.7+/- acre
elementary school site. The site is located within the Glen Loma Ranch Specific
Plan area. Application filed by City of Gilroy.
Planner II Durkin provided a presentation on the Gilroy Unified School District’s proposal
to acquire and develop the 12.7+/- acre site located at the northeast corner of Club
Drive and Santa Teresa Boulevard. Planner II Durkin stated staff recommends on-site
improvements consisting of two different parking lots to allow vehicles to drop off and
pick up students at the curb. Planner II Durkin also stated that the recommended off-
site improvements include constructing a roundabout at the intersection of Club Drive
and Sana Teresa Boulevard; extending the median on Club Drive; constructing a “keep
Clear” area at the intersection of Club Drive and Lice Way; constructing a roundabout at
the Club Drive/Grenache Way intersection; and realigning a portion of the Uvas Creek
trail to accommodate this new roundabout. Planner II Durkin stated that staff what have
reservations about constructing a school at this site if these improvements are not
incorporated. Planner II Durkin stated that this is not a final design and that adjustments
would be made to the on-site design to reflect the actual school layout and the provision
of landscaping and other site features. Planner II Durkin stated that the school district
staff proposed to stagger start times between the existing middle school and the
proposed elementary school. Planner II Durkin further stated that school district staff
was considering staggering school end times.
Commissioner Fischer, Commissioner Lai, Commissioner Armendariz and
Commissioner Rodriguez voiced their concerns about the traffic in the morning and
afternoon and suggested the start time for both schools should be staggered longer
than the current 20 minutes due to foot and vehicle traffic.
Commissioner Lai asked the size of the residential development adjacent to the site.
Planner II Durkin stated there is a proposed residential development, consisting of
approximately 60 units, would be located between the two schools.
DRAFT
Commissioner Rebeca Armendariz voiced her concern about the traffic asked if the
School District would consider staggering the start times more than the 20 minutes.
Commissioner Armendariz expressed further concerns about the proposal to construct
two parking lots due to concerns about traffic backing up She requested that staff work
with the GUSD to develop a design that would not result in traffic backing up.between
the two recommended lots
Vice Chair Paul Kloecker asked if this item would come back to the Planning
Commission.
Planner II Durkin stated it will not come back to Planning Commission.
Jolie Houston reiterated that this item will not be coming back to the Planning
Commission or City Council, but that the City will have an opportunity to comment on
the environmental document, including traffic impacts.
Chair Rodriguez opened the public hearing for public comments.
Assistant Superintendent Alvaro Meza with the Gilroy Unified School District provided
background on the project. He stated, prior to choosing this site, an extensive study was
conducted at 12 different sites in Gilroy. He stated that GUSD owns a similar-sized
parcel called The Grove that is also located within the Glen Loma Ranch Specific Plan
area; the School District and the Glen Loma Group swapped the property contained
within The Grove with the subject school site.
Assistant Superintendent Meza stated that he cannot commit to the requested
improvements, but that the School District is committed to providing a safe environment
for students.
Assistant Superintendent Alvaro Meza stated the district will definitely stagger the start
time for both schools helping to minimize traffic issues. He further stated that the
proposed plan was the 4th or 5th iteration that was worked on in collaboration with
former city Traffic Engineer Henry Servin.
Commissioner Kloecker reiterated the importance of the safety concerns of the
residence.
Commissioner Lai asked if there were will be outreach to the surrounding
neighborhoods.
Assistant Superintendent Meza stated there will be a lot of outreach. And stated the
school will be built to accommodate 800 students with a 2-story element, and will ensure
that it complements the surrounding neighborhood.
Chair Rodriguez closed the public hearing for public comments.
DRAFT
Motion on item V.A.
Motion to forward to the Gilroy Unified School District Board of Education a
determination that development of the subject parcel with a school would be in
conformance with the site's underlying general plan designation; and site acquisition
recommendations as contained in the staff report and discussed above
Moved by Commissioner Tom Fischer, seconded by Vice Chair Paul Kloecker.
Vote: Motion carried 6-0.
Yes: Commissioner Rebeca Armendariz; Commissioner Steve Ashford; Commissioner
Tom Fischer; Vice Chair Paul Kloecker; Commissioner Kai Lai; Chair Sue Rodriguez
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Commissioner Richard Gullen
VI. OLD BUSINESS: None
VII. NEW BUSINESS: None
VIII. CORRESPONDENCE: None
IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
A. Current Planning Projects (report attached)
B. Planning Staff Approvals (report attached)
X. PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION: None
XI. ORAL REPORTS BY COMMISSION MEMBERS:
A. City Council Meetings of October 17, 2016: Commissioner Lai provided a brief
summary.
B. Housing Advisory Committee: Commissioner Gullen was absent therefore, no
discussion was made on the meeting.
C. Historic Heritage Committee: Commissioner Ashford stated there was no meeting.
D. Arts & Culture Commission: Vice Chair Kloecker provided a brief summary.
E. South County Joint Planning Advisory Committee: Vice Chair Kloecker stated there
was no meeting.
F. Street Naming Committee: Commissioner Lai stated there was no meeting.
G. Development Standards Task Force: Commissioner Fischer stated there was no
meeting.
DRAFT
H. General Plan Advisory Committee: Commissioner Fischer stated there was no
meeting.
I. High Speed Rail Advisory Committee: Commissioner Fisher provided a brief
summary
XII. PLANNING DIVISION MANAGER REPORT:
No report.
XIII. ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY REPORT:
No report.
XIV. PLANNING COMMISSION CHAIR REPORT:
No report.
XV. ADJOURNMENT to the Next Regular Meeting of December 1, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.