Minutes 2004/11/08
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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.
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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.
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Is! RHONDA PELLIN, CMC
City Clerk