City of San Carlos

San Carlos Planning Commission

January 22, 2008 7:00 PM

San Carlos City Hall Council Chambers

Approved Minutes

I. Meeting Called to Order

Vice Chair Phillips called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM

II. Roll Call

All Commissioners were present.

III. Public Comment

Vice Chair Phillips moved the Public Comment section from item VI to item III. Vice Chair Phillips asked for Public Comment. There was none.Commissioner Thompson requested that public comment always occur at this location on the Agenda.

IV. Reorganization of the Planning Commission

a) Election of Chair and Vice Chair of the Planning Commission

M/S Iwasa/Thompson to nominate Vice Chair Phillips for the position of Chair of the Planning Commission.Motion passed 4-0.

M/S Phillips/Thompson to nominate Commissioner Iwasa for the position of Vice Chair of the Planning Commission.Motion passed 4-0.

b) Appointment of Planning Commission representation on the Residential Design Review Committee (RDRC)

M/S Iwasa/Divney to nominate Commissioner Thompson for the position of Planning Commission representative on the Residential Design Review Committee.Motion passed 4-0.

Deborah S. Nelson, Planning Manager indicated the recruitment for the vacant Planning Commissioner position is now being advertised with a close date of February 15, 2008. Interviews for this position will be conducted at the February 25, 2008 City Council meeting with potential appointment that evening.

V. Approval of Minutes

a)Approval of minutes: December 3, 2007 Planning Commission Minutes

M/S Iwasa/Thompson to approve the minutes as amended:

• Noting Commissioner Divney as Excused from the meeting
• Including additional detail regarding landscaping responsibility for the project at 533 Elm Street, five unit building.

Motion passed 3-0-1 (abstention).

VI. New Business

a) Consideration of request pursuant to San Carlos Municipal Code (SCMC) Section 17.28.010 to grant an extension of time for filing a tentative parcel map certificate of a five unit condominium building at 769 Elm Street, San Carlos (Assessor's Parcel Number 050 152 240) approved by the San Carlos Planning Commission on December 19, 2005

Michael Fossati, Planner I presented the item and answered questions of the Commissioners.Chair Phillips asked for Public Comment.There was none.

Commissioner Thompson inquired how three months from approval was determined.Planner Fossati replied that the calculation was derived by counting three months from the end of the appeal period or February 1, 2008.

M/S Thompson/Divney to approve the request.Motion passed 4-0.

VII. Public Comment

This item was moved to Agenda item III. as noted above.

VIII. Public Hearing

Michael Fossati, Planner I gave a report on the item.Commission questions, applicant and applicant’s representative comments and answers followed. Commissioners’ questions and comments were regarding:ingress and egress, shared parking, hours of operation and peak hours, any collaboration with and outreach to adjoining users, long term plan or goals for the site and term of the Use Permit.

Joobin Bahrami, applicant described the business plan and the intention to work with local food suppliers.The applicant described how the business could fill a need in the community.He described the number of expected patrons and employees and an intent to work with the neighboring businesses.

Chair Phillips opened the Public Hearing.

Scot Marsters, presented concerns about parking and traffic on Brittan/Industrial Avenue and the egress conflicts that occur from the commercial properties on the south side of Brittan Avenue

Commissioner Divney expressed support for the business concept.He indicated a need to make sure the issues of parking and circulation are resolved.He noted that the internal operation of the facility will impact the external impacts.He asked the applicant about staggered hours and reduced numbers of parties and/or patrons.Commissioner Divney also requested discussion among Commissioners and with the City Attorney regarding the temporary nature of the Use Permit.Commissioner Divney indicated he would have no problem with a condition for a Use Permit with a 5 year term.

Commissioner Iwasa expressed support for the concept and indicated concerns about the location, circulation, ingress and egress and impacts to neighboring businesses.She inquired if the applicant had had conversation with the adjoining sporting business.

Commissioner Thompson stated his agreement that the business would be an addition to San Carlos.He expressed concern regarding the proximity to the Brittan Avenue off ramp.He commented on the potential conflict with left turn movements from the REI parking lot. He requested further review of the concerns of the Commission by the City Engineer through a more detailed circulation plan.He agreed with a five year term for a Use Permit.

Chair Phillips agreed that this is a good business for San Carlos.He reinforced the City’s goal for regional retail at the site.He expressed his interest in seeing a more comprehensive circulation plan to be reviewed by the City engineer.He commented that there was not sufficient detail to make a decision.

Commissioners discussed:

• the use as an addition to the Community
• the ultimate Regional Retail designation and use of the site
• a term and length of term for a use permit as a temporary use
• shared parking potential on-site
• circulation on-site and off-site with particular regard to ingress and egress onto major arterials and the proximity to the Hwy 101/Brittan Avenue off-ramp.

Commissioners expressed support for this type of business in San Carlos and also expressed concerns regarding approval without traffic and circulation impacts being fully addressed and evaluated.

City Attorney Rubens responded to questions regarding Use Permit term and noted the need for findings for approval.

M/S Divney/Thompson to re-open the public hearing and continue the item to February 19, 2008 for the purpose of providing sufficient time for the applicant to address a shared parking arrangement with property owners and businesses and for an analysis of circulation impacts and any resultant recommendations, to be reviewed by the City Engineer.

Motion passed 4-0.

IX. Reports, Correspondence and General Information

a)Report on recent City Council actions

i.City Council action on the Interim Urgency Ordinance and a replacement Ordinance

Planning Manager Deborah Nelson reported on the City Council’s consideration and action on the item January 8, 2008.

b) Planning Commission comments or reports

i. Verbal report concerning lighting at the

Planning Manager Deborah Nelson reported on a Planning Staff request for the City Police Department to view the parking lot at night.Commissioners asked questions of City Attorney, Greg Rubens.Commissioners noted that the City’s safety personnel should make the decision with regard to safety in the parking lot.

ii. Report on GPAC

Vice-Chair Iwasa reported on the January GPAC meeting where member worked to create a Vision Statement for the General Plan.She noted the item will come to the Planning Commission.

c)Correspondence

None.

d)Planning Staff comments, reports and updates of current projects

i.

ii.

iii. Planning Commission Visioning for the General Plan - February 4, 2008

iv. Creation of a Planning Commission Work Plan for FY '08-'09 - February/March 2008

v. League of California Cities - Planners Institute March 26-28, 2008,

vi. 167

Planning Manager Deborah Nelson gave a verbal report on the items noted above.

X. Adjournment

Chair Phillips adjourned the meeting at 8:12 PM