Approved Action Minutes

General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) Meeting #4

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

San Carlos Library Meeting Rooms A & B, Second Floor

6:45 – 9:45 p.m.

I. Meeting Called to Order

Chair Klein called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.

II. Roll Call

GPAC members present: Kaveh Badiei, Pat Bell, Chris Burton, Donald Cook, Cecily Harris, Suzanne Henderson Emerson, Mary Jo Hoffman (Vice chair), Joann Iwasa, Andrew Klein (Chair), Thomas Knudsen, Jason Mansfield, Michelle Margiotta (arrived late), Scot Marsters, Martin Miller

GPAC Members Absent: Brett McCollum

Staff: Al Savay, Community Development Director; Stephanie Bertollo-Davis, Planner III

Consultants: Steve Noack, Ben Noble DC&E

Public: Approximately 12 members of the public.

III. Approval of Minutes

Motion to approve the minutes from February 20, 2008; motion passed 10-0-4 (Committee Members Harris, Henderson Emerson, Knudsen abstained).

IV. Old Business

a) GPAC Role Communiqué

Committee Member Bell commented that in response to the email sent from Community Development Director Savay regarding the GPAC Role Communiqué that she, as well as others on the GPAC, felt clarification was needed from the City Council.Chair Klein stated that the role and responsibilities of the GPAC are outlined in the purpose and charge as originally adopted by the City Council and that any changes would require an amendment by the City Council.

VI. New Business

a) Presentation of Land Use Alternatives

Ben Noble, Consultant, began a facilitated discussion of the three Citywide land use alternatives. He presented an overview of the Alternatives Task as part of the General Plan update and upcoming schedule. Mr. Noble explained what land use alternatives were and that they represent different possible ways that San Carlos could grow and change in the next 20 years, as well as that they identify possible changes to land use regulations to study as part of the General Plan Update. He noted that identifying alternative changes to land uses at this stage does not imply that the GPAC supports or endorses all of these changes. Rather, the land use alternatives identify possible changes to land use regulations that will be subject to further study. However, all land use alternatives should be feasible and should represent a logical response to specific community needs and desires. Mr. Noble explained the terms density and floor area ratio (FAR) and presented photographs as examples.

b) Facilitated discussion of Draft Land Use Alternatives (Study Area 1)

Mr. Noack facilitated a discussion of the land use alternatives for Study Area 1. Some GPAC members voiced desire for increased residential density while others expressed concern with impacts on adjacent single-family neighborhoods and maintaining the city’s small town feel.Some GPAC members also expressed interest in identifying additional areas in the western part of the city of mixed-use or neighborhood serving commercial development.

Action:

Based on the discussion, DC&E will study Land Use alternatives that include 80 dwelling units per acre in the Multi-family Urban Core designation, to clarify that recreational uses are permitted in the Public designation, and to include the Bell Market site in Study Area 1.

c) Facilitated discussion of Draft Land Use Alternatives (Study Area 2)

Mr. Noack facilitated a discussion of the land use alternatives for Study Area2. The GPAC discussed issues related to building heights, parking, activating south Laurel Street, connections between the east and west sides of the city and the fiscal impacts of land use alternatives.

Action:

Based on the discussion, DC&E will study Land Use alternatives that include 80 dwelling units per acre in Alternative 3, to extend mixed use along Old County Road to Commercial Street in Alternative 2 and to designate parcels on Old County Road north and south of Holly Street as Park.

VII. Adjournment

At 9:35 p.m. Chair Klein continued the meeting to Wednesday, March 26, 2008.