Colette Meunier, Planner presented the item to the Commission.
Commissioner Iwasa asked staff to explain ways the excavated soil may be prevented from becoming airborne and if it will be able to be contained on-site?
Colette Meunier, Planner indicated the mitigations included the prevention of airborne materials from the site. The San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board sets control methods for removal of soil remediation.
Commissioner Iwasa asked whether the City would be responsible for any persons exposed to potentially hazardous materials.
Deputy Attorney Rubens noted that the responsibility would be on the property owner or the responsible party actively involved in the removal process.
Commissioner Thompson asked staff if the required remediation is directly associated with the current proposed use.
Colette Meunier, Planner noted that the remediation activities would apply to any future proposed use.
Commissioner Thompson asked if the remediation work would be done between the dates of October 15th through April 15th in addition to the other six months noted.
Colette Meunier, Planner stated the City Engineer feels that due the flatness of the site and the nature of the soil as noted in the letter from Brian Scott of BKF Engineering grading and earthwork would be allowed all year long.
Commissioner Thompson asked whether the erosion and sediment could be controlled year round.
Alan Leavitt, applicant, 301 Industrial LLC, outlined the essential requirements to implement the state approved remediation plan assures the work will meet all mitigations in the Environmental Impact Report and all other applicable laws and regulations, in accordance with these bylaws.
The Public Hearing was opened
Scot Marsters, of the Laureola Association and Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) member, asked staff about condition #19 in the draft grading and dirt haul certificate, how many truck loads would be required and the allowed days of grading and dirt hauling activities.
Colette Meunier, Planner, stated that based on a 20 cubic yard truck, the off hauling would result in approximately 800 truck trips. She suggested modifying condition #19 to include both grading and dirt hauling activities for clarity and that activities would be allowed seven days a week.
Alan Leavitt, applicant, 301 Industrial LLC, indicated the determined haul route would not go through residential neighborhoods and that he would not anticipate the contractor working seven days a week as a regular occurrence.
M/S Phillips/Divney to close the public hearing.
Commissioner Thompson expressed possible concerns with the weekend operations.
Commissioner Iwasa indicated that she would like to see a condition for the Planning Commission to have the authority to issue a stop work permit should circulation and/or other traffic impacts result and would like to discuss not allowing work to be conducted on holidays.
Commissioner Phillips stated that the work-site was fairly distanced from the residential neighborhoods and the work would be completed quicker if the Commission were to leave Condition #19 as it reads.
Commissioner Divney confirmed that Conditions #7 and #8 would address any negative circulation or traffic issues that arise.
Colette Meunier, Planner suggested Condition #7 could be enhanced to include the word “nuisance.”
Commissioner Thompson suggested modifying Condition #5; to state the grading and dirt hauling activities would be allowed year round and required to comply with the erosion and sediment control plan year round.
Commissioner Phillips commented that he was glad the cleaning is to be done in accordance with all regulations.
M/S Thompson/Iwasa to approve the Grading and Dirt Haul Approval Certificate at 301 Industrial Road with the additions as noted.Motion passed 5-0.
Stephanie Bertollo Davis, Planner III presented the Commission with City Council actions from the August 13, 2007 City Council meeting.Al Savay, Community Development Director presented the Commission with a summary of the August 30, 2007 City Council retreat.
Director Savay discussed during the retreat the panel reviewed the projected six months strategic plan work program. Further the panel created a vision statement where the Community Development Department would be maintaining 40 percent of the work program. Also highlighted were the downtown urgency Ordinance, the General Plan Advisory Committee and the General Plan Update.
Stephanie Bertollo Davis, Planner III presented the Commission with an overview of the draft Residential Design Guidelines Brochure.The Commission discussed and commented on the brochure.
Chair Royce summarized the intent of the Brochure, proposing that the draft be evaluated for six months with public comment.
Stephanie Bertollo Davis, Planner III informed the Commission that the next scheduled Planning Commission meeting is September 18, 2007 for consideration of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation project at 301 Industrial Road.This meeting will be held at the Hiller Aviation Museum.She informed the Commission that a meeting for the following night September 19, 2007 was scheduled as well if determined necessary.
The Commission requested an early packet distribution than usual.
Al Savay, Community Development Director informed the Commission of the Chief Building Officials announcement of retirement and that an interim Building Official will be appointed until the position is permanently filled.
