Planning Commission Meeting - Minutes March 3, 2008
City of San Carlos San Carlos Planning Commission March 03, 2008 7:00 PM San Carlos City Hall Council Chambers Approved Minutes I.Meeting Called to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Phillips at 7:00 PM. II. Roll Call
All Commissioners present with the exception of Commissioner Thompson was excused. Chair Phillips noted two changes to the order of the Agenda.Item IV.Approval of Minutes will be considered before Item III.Public Comment.Item VII d. Planning Staff comments, reports and updates of current projects will be considered following Item V.New Business. III. Approval of Minutes M/S, Divney/Iwasa approval of minutes of the meeting of February 19, 2008, as amended.Motion passed 3-0. IV. Public Comment Chair Phillips asked for Public Comment.There was no one wishing to speak. V. New Business a) Teri L.K. Shugart was installed as the newly appointed Planning Commissioner.
b) M/S, Iwasa/Divney to designate Commissioner Shugart as the Planning Commission Alternate to Residential Design Review Committee.
Motion passed 4-0.
VI. Reports, Correspondence and General Information d) Planning Staff comments, reports and updates of current projects
Planning Manager indicated that there may not be items for the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting on March 17, 2008. In which case the meeting would be cancelled. Planning Manager indicated that there may not be items for the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting on March 17, 2008.In which case the meeting would be cancelled. Planning Manager Deborah Nelson informed the Commission that Planner I, Michael Fossati would be leaving the City to take a regular position with the City of Saratoga. She also informed the Commission that Planner II, Serena Ponzo (not present) would be leaving the City to take a regular position with the Town of Hillsborough. She noted that they had been valued employees with San Carlos and would be missed. Commissioners thanked Michael Fossati for his service to the City and wished him well.Michael, in turn expressed his appreciation to the City and the Commission for the invaluable experience afforded to him while working with the City of San Carlos. VII. Public Hearing a) Consideration of the application of Joobin Bahrami of Bounce U for a Conditional Use Permit and Shared Parking Agreement to operate a commercial entertainment facility at 844-848 Brittan Avenue pursuant to San Carlos Municipal Code Chapters 18.72, 18.86 and 18.124 (Assessor's Parcel Number 046 151 040).Item continued from February 19, 2008 meeting.
Planner I, Michael Fossati presented the item. A traffic circulation and parking study had been prepared by Hexagon Transportation Consultants at the request of the Commission and for consideration of this item.He discussed that the results of the circulation and parking study had shown that the project could be accommodated on site provided conditions regarding a parking agreement and circulation instruction to users are implemented through the Conditions of Approval (Attachment 4 to the Staff Report.) Commission discussion and questions followed regarding total number of parking required and access between properties, from Brittan and from Industrial. M/S, Iwasa/Shugart to close the Public Hearing.Motion passed 4-0. Commissioners Iwasa and Divney thanked the applicant for taking the extra step to conduct the parking and circulation analysis.They welcomed him to San Carlos. M/S, Iwasa/Shugart to approve the Conditional Use Permit for Bounce U based on finding and conditions as presented in the staff report.Motion passed 4-0. b) Consideration of a Negative Declaration and General Plan Amendment to the Circulation and Scenic Highways Element of the General Plan.
Planning Manager, Deborah Nelson presented the item.She noted that Commissioner Thompson, has submitted comments for the Planning Commission to consider in his absence.A Memo and changes to the Draft Circulation Element have been forwarded to the Commission.She also noted that comments from CalTrans came in this afternoon, after the deadline for the Negative Declaration.CalTrans comments include project specific detail which is not typical of language included in a General Plan.Therefore no changes are recommended.She noted that Public Work Director, Parviz Mokhtari is also available to answer questions. Commissioners asked questions of staff regarding: - The requests in the CalTrans letter dated March 3, 2008 for additional language or changes
- Explanation of the improvements to Holly Street
- The right of way necessary for the Holly Street improvements and the changes which will occur to parking, sidewalks and front yards
- Asked for an explanation of the Hwy 101 clover leaf operation
- Asked about input from the Transportation and Circulation Commission
- Noted that Goal 1 should read Goal 1.0 in the Circulation and Transportation section
- Asked how Commissioner Thompson’s questions regarding a traffic signal and flooding would be addressed
Public Works Director Parviz Mokhtari showed illustrations of the improvements specifically included in the proposed Circulation and Scenic Highways Element.He explained that the project in CalTrans’ interest, is a future project with a very high cost.He also explained that the project to be implemented at the clover leaf is an appropriate yet scaled back project which has been negotiated with CalTrans. He indicated that the changes to the Element at this time are only to include improvements which define projects for a traffic impact fee.Other individual traffic signals, not subject to financing through a traffic impact fee are not specifically included in the Element, but will be implemented.He indicated that the Traffic and Circulation Commissions had reviewed the projects.He also noted that flooding is not an issue covered by the Circulation and Scenic Highways Element. Planning Manager Deborah Nelson indicated that staff would provide follow-up responses to Commissioner Thompson’s questions.She clarified that the Transportation and Traffic Commission review did not include specific language proposed for a General Plan amendment, because this is in the purview of the Planning Commission responsibilities.In answer to Commissioner Iwasa’s inquiry about the General Plan update, it was noted that GPAC might consider the issue of flooding and Goals and Policies in their discussion of the Safety Element. M/S Divney/Iwasa to close the Public Hearing.Motion passed 4-0 Commissioners indicated that their questions had been answered to their satisfaction.They requested staff follow-up with Commissioner Thompson.
M/S, Shugart/Iwasa that the Planning Commission adopt a Resolution which certifies the Negative Declaration and recommends to the City Council, approval of the General Plan Amendment to the Circulation and Scenic Highways Element of the General Plan as amended based on the finings and reasons outlined in the staff report. Motion passed 4-0 VIII. Reports, Correspondence and General Information a) Report on recent City Council actions
Planning Manager, Deborah Nelson mentioned that the City Council was briefed on the upcoming budget preparation.In the following months, consideration of the Planning Commission’s work plan will be included in the City Council considerations of the budget. b) Planning Commission comments or reports
There were no reports. c) Correspondence
Planning Manager Deborah Nelson noted correspondence from the Laureola/NESC Neighborhoods and the minutes of the neighborhood meeting on the Transit Village held February 21, 2008.She noted that cross section elevations would be posted on the City website. IX. Adjournment
Chair Phillips adjourned the meeting at 7:40 PM. |
