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Minutes 2004/11/08 8317 Special Meeting November 08, 2004 Gilroy, California The Mayor called the meeting to Order. The City Clerk noted that the agenda had been posted on November 5, 2004 at 4:45 p.m. Hecker Pass Specific Plan Public Hearing on General Plan text amendments and adoption of the Hecker Pass Specific Plan, located on Hecker Pass Highway, west of Santa Teresa Boulevard. Hecker Pass property owners (c/o Jim Hoey), applicant, GPA 02-01. (Continued from the meetings of September 20 and October 18,2004.) The staff report was noted and further explained by Planner II Durkin for GP A 02-01 and Z 04-04. The Mayor opened the Public Hearing. Joel Goldsmith noted the history of the work on the Hecker Pass Specific Plan, from the late 1990s. He noted that they have tried diligently to create a vision for this area. He noted that he agreed with the Mayor's interest in preserving the agricultural land in perpetuity. He stated that this a good plan, and noted a tremendous amount of work that has gone into this. He stated that for this to be successful, they need the diligence of staff, the Planning Commission, and Council to decide whether the applicants are meeting the intent of the Plan. Rob Oneto, RIA, focused on the vision of the Specific Plan. He noted that the trail will extend from Santa Teresa Boulevard through the Hecker Pass Specific Plan. He noted concern with the possibility of Hecker Pass Highway being improved in excess of two lanes, with the possible removal of the deodar cedar trees. He.notedthe new land use category, which is more restrictive than the ag categories currently in the General Plan. He also noted the Agri-Tourism land use category. He explained that the church and religious area will provide a transition. Armint3 Jensen, RIA, discussed the residential clustering in the Specific Plan. She noted the diversified design with the available open space, which is crucial to the overall Plan. She stated that they are striving for community. She noted that other communities should look at this Plan for their communities. Joan Spencer distributed information on the Plan. She noted concerns with air quality in the Gilroy area. She asked to use clean solar power on 25% of the homes on Hecker Pass. Keith Anderson noted that two letters were distributed from him and his attorney, and explained that he was under the impression that the meeting was on November 15,2004, so he was unable to get these letters in earlier, as he had planned to have them for the packet for November 15,2004. He stated that the EIR does not contain legal wording to adequately evaluate the cumulative impacts caused by the proposed loss of agricultural land. He noted Exhibit D (letter from the City Attorney dated 11-4-04 and revised copy 11-8-04), and distributed a possible compromise regarding the loss ofag land. He agreed that Policy 5-7 and Policy 5-19 had significant impacts on ag land. Kirsten Carr stated that she was pleased to see that Agri-tourism is a new category included in the Hecker Pass Specific Plan. Carolyn Tognetti distributed some handouts on the Plan. She noted that she submitted a letter in August, 2004 prior to the Planning Commission meeting. She explained that they are in support of the Plan. She noted concerns regarding 1) permanent preservation of agricultural land, 2) Scenic Highway status for Hecker Pass Highway, 3) the increase in building coverage from 100.10 to 300.10, 4) uses allowed in the Hecker Pass Agriculture zones, 5) request.by the Hecker Pass Specific Plan for the City to help with financing of the project, and 6) nighttime playfield lighting. 8318 David Collier spoke on behalf of his mother, who has purchased property in Village Green. Since purchasing the house, he noted a sports stadium, night lighting, and night games might be allowed. He stated that one of the attractions of Village Green was for peace and quiet. He requested the conflict of use be deleted from the Plan. Connie Rogers stated that there is no other school in Gilroy that has night lighting, except for Gilroy High School. She stated that it is reasonable to ask them to conform to the other K-8 schools. Steve Andrade stated that he came for information tonight. He noted concerns with the stress on the two lane highway, and asked to leave the option open to increase the roadway to additional lanes in the future. Arminta Jensen answered some of the questions that were asked. She noted that the intent of the permanent preservation of agricultural land is tied to a final map, or possibly to a parcel map, but the legal parcelization of the property is the answer. She agreed that clarification needs to be made in the wording regarding the 10% vs. the 30% building coverage. Peter Arellano noted the comment regarding allowing Hecker Pass to become four lanes. He stated that we need to make sure that if the business traffic starts using Third Street, that there is the possibility to widen Hecker Pass Highway. He noted that schools don't have night games, typically, because of the problems that can occur. Joel Goldsmith commented on the widening of Hecker Pass Highway. He stated that you are dealing with the scenic character of the area vs. the increase in traffic. He stated that if the highway goes to four lanes, then the Plan should be null and void, that it negates aU that the Committee has worked for. He stated that all schools should be governed by the same rules regarding night lighting. Rob Oneto noted that we cannot control the widening of Hecker Pass Highway in the future due to CalTrans requirements. He agreed that on Table 3-2, the deletion of some specific uses could be appropriate. Austa Durham, on behalf of the church, stated that the church has only asked for night lighting, rather than a stadium. She stated that the night lighting is for the community use. She stated that this is just a possible, potential option. Joyce Maestri stated that when there is night lighting at a school, there is community and family support for those children at that location and time. The Mayor closed the Public Hearing. Motion was made by Councilman Gartman, seconded by Councilman Dillon and carried to continue discussion to a study session on November 22, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. and to continue the Public Hearing on GP A 02-01 and Z 04-04 to December 6, 2004. It was agreed that all questions be Emailed to staff by Thursday, November lIth so that answers can be responded to by November 19,2004. Public Hearing on a Zoning Ordinance text amendment to codify provisions of the Hecker Pass Special Use District into the Zoning Ordinance~ and Zoning Map amendment on property located on Hecker Pass Highway, west of Santa Teresa Boulevard, from RH, AI, HC to Hecker Pass Special Use District-PUD. Hecker Pass property owners, applicant, Z 04-04. (Continued from the meetings of September 20 and October 18, 2004.) Adjournment At 8:32 p.m.; the Mayor adjourned the meeting to the meeting of November 15, 2004. /-) ) _J~___~~J_~~~~_J_w~~~L~~______ Is! RHONDA PELLIN, CMC City Clerk