HomeMy WebLinkAboutpcm_02232011 1 UKIAH PLANNING COMMISSION
2 February 23, 2011
3 Minutes
4
5 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
6 Judy Pruden, Chair None
7 Jason Brenner
8 Linda Helland
9 Linda Sanders
10 Mike Whetzel
11
12 STAFF PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
13 Kim Jordan, Senior Planner Listed below, Respectively
14 Jennifer Faso, Associate Planner
15 Cathy Elawadly, Recording Secretary
16
17 1. CALL TO ORDER
18 The regular meeting of the City of Ukiah Planning Commission was called to order by
19 Chair Pruden at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Ukiah Civic Center, 300 Seminary Avenue,
20 Ukiah, California.
21
22 2. ROLL CALL
23
24 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Everyone cited.
25
26 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — January 12, 2011
27 M/S Sanders/Brenner to approve January 12, 2011 minutes, as submitted. Motion carried (5-0).
28
29 5. COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
30 None.
31
32 Public Correspondence. An email with the link to the draft `Bird-Safe Buildings' document from the San
33 Francisco Planning Department was sent to planning staff by Susan Knopf with a request to forward this
34 information to the Planning Commission. The email was forwarded to all Planning Commissioners on
35 February 23, 2011.
36
37 6. APPEAL PROCESS—Chair Pruden read the appeal process. For matters heard at this meeting,
38 the final date to appeal is March 7, 2011.
39
40 7. SITE VERIFICATION —Site visit for agenda item 9A was verified.
41
42 8. VERIFICATION OF NOTICE — Agenda item 9A was properly noticed in accordance with the
43 provision of the Ukiah Municipal Code.
44
45 9. OLD BUSINESS—PUBLIC HEARING
46 9A. Community Built Mural Permit No: 10-12-MP-PC. Conduct a public workshop for a request for
47 Planning Commission approval for a Mural Permit for the Community Built Mural at 107 East
48 Perkins Street, APN 002-229-09. Continued from the June 23, 2010 Planning Commission
49 meeting.
50
51 Associate Planner Faso gave a staff report and advised:
52 • Some pages of the staff report and accompanying attachments were missing in the original
53 packet mailed to the Commissioners. Accordingly, staff emailed the complete staff report and
54 attachments to the Commissioners on February 23, 2011 and a copy of this email is included in
55 the project file.
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION February 23, 2011
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1
2 Commission:
3 • Recalled the reason the community built mosaic mural project was continued and that was
4 because the mural was problematic to the location.
5 • The theme was agricultural in nature. The Commission was of the opinion there may be alternate
6 locations more appropriate for a mosaic mural having an agricultural theme on the Mendocino
7 County Child Support Services building.
8 • The initial project was continued to a date uncertain to allow the artist/applicant time to possibly
9 look at a different location for the original mural and/or a different theme for the mural proposed
10 for 107 E. Perkins Street.
11 • Regarding the previous proposal, a letter was received from the several employees of County
12 Child Support Services indicating that they did not support the proposed mural.
13 • Requested clarification regarding the process for choosing the design.
14 • Acknowledged Elizabeth Raybee is a renowned artist and stated that the artwork is appreciated.
15 • Requested clarification about the number of side pictures that bracket the mural.
16
17 PUBLIC HEARING OPENED: 6:09 p.m.
18
19 Elizabeth Raybee, Applicant:
20 • Redesigned the mural concept with the intent of installing it at the originally proposed location on
21 the Child Support Services building.
22 • In terms of the design process, met with the Director of Child Support Services to present her
23 design ideas, which were positively received. The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors
24 recently reviewed the proposed design for installation on the County building and unanimously
25 approved the project pending approval of the mural permit by the Ukiah Planning Commission.
26 • The murals will be built through a community effort to include existing students at Ukiah High
27 School or those that have already graduated as paid interns. These persons are very happy to
28 have the job of building the murals and this is a way of giving back to the community.
29 • The side pictures will bracket three sides of the mural.
30
31 Chair Pruden: The Ukiah Main Street Program design committee reviewed the proposed mural this
32 morning and had the following comments:
33 • It would be appropriate for the Indian basket to be of a Pomo Indian design as opposed to a
34 regular Native American design.
35 • Trees should be included in the design and suggested Redwood Trees.
36 • More of the squares bordering the mosaic could be more reflective of the Ukiah Valley as
37 opposed to `just Mendocino County' that could include hot air balloons, a trolley, Squaw Rock,
38 sport themes such as a soccer ball and baseball at Anton Stadium.
39 • For the smaller mosaic, include a person kayaking since no one swims in the Russian River.
40 • There were questions about the interpretation as to what the `dance circle' represents.
41 • As other questions come about, there may be more detailed revisions on some of the squares as
42 the murals are built.
43 • Consider adding a `historical building' that exists in the Downtown to one of the squares or some
44 design reflective that Ukiah has been the County seat since 1859.
45 • The aforementioned comments are merely ideas that could trigger some other types of design
46 configurations in the squares around the mural. The Main Street Program design committee is not
47 asking the artist to revise the design of the murals.
48
49 Elizabeth Raybee:
50 • Confirmed the basket is of Pomo Indian design.
51 • The dance circle would be representative of the Ukiah Concerts in the Park where families and
52 friends come to enjoy music and dance.
53
54
55
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION February 23, 2011
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1 Chair Pruden:
2 • Received a phone call from a concerned citizen that the murals could be a distraction to motorists
3 and a potential safety hazard.
4 • Is interested in participating in the building of the murals.
5
6 PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED: 6:24 p.m.
7
8 Commission consensus: The project is wonderful and unanimously supports approval.
9
10 M/S Sanders/Whetzel to approve Community Built Mural Permit No.: 10-12-MP-PC with Findings 1-4
11 and Conditions of Approval 1-9. Motion carried (5-0).
12
13 MURAL PERMIT FINDINGS TO ALLOW
14 A MOSIAC MURAL TO BE INSTALLED AT
15 107 EAST PERKINS STREET, APN 002-229-09
16
17 The following findings are supported by and based on information contained in this staff report, the
18 application materials and documentation, and the public record.
19
20 1. The proposed project, as conditioned, is consistent with the goals and policies of the General
21 Plan as described in the staff report.
22
23 2. The proposed mural is consistent with criteria contained in Section 3225 (G) of the Ukiah City
24 Code, supported by the following.
25
26 A. Compatibility with surrounding environment and community in general.
27 Staff has visited and evaluated the site and has determined that the site is appropriate for
28 the proposed mural. The site contains an office building within a commercial district and is
29 surrounded by commercial uses. Additionally the theme of the mural is Mendocino County—
30 The Good Life!. The mural will show items representative of the area. Therefore the mural
31 would be compatible with the surrounding environment.
32
33 B. Appropriateness of the proposed mural to the site.
34 The site contains the County offices of Child Support Services and is within a commercial
35 area. The mural created by the community will represent items/themes of Ukiah. The site is
36 located in an area that will be highly visible to the General Public and therefore will create a
37 positive community feeling and " Sense of Place ", as noted in the General Plan Community
38 Design Element. Therefore the mural is appropriate for this location.
39
40 C. Relationship to use of building upon which the mural will be place.
41 The site contains the County Offices of Child Support Services and the mural created by the
42 community will depicts the wonders of Ukiah and the Ukiah Valley. Therefore the mural is
43 appropriate for this location.
44
45 D. Impact on motorist and traffic hazards. The mural will be visible to motorists traveling on
46 South State Street. However, the mural does not flash, rotate, blink or move. The graphics
47 also do not imitate or resemble official traffic or road signs (e.g. "stop", "go slow", "caution",
48 "danger", "warning"or similar). The mural permit application has been reviewed by the Public
49 Works Department and they did not have any comments. Therefore, the mural would not
50 have an impact on motorists and will not create a traffic hazard.
51
52 E. Advertising potential.
53 The murals will not represent an advertising message but will convey a sense of community
54 involvement and well being.
55
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION February 23, 2011
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1 3. The proposed mural is compatible with surrounding land uses and will not cause impacts to traffic,
2 pedestrians or bicyclists since the murals will be attached to the building wall and will not extend
3 into the public right-of-way, pedestrian path, or parking area(s).
4
5 4. The proposed project, as conditioned, is exempt from the provisions of the California
6 Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Class 1(a),
7 which allows alterations to the exterior of an existing building when there is with no expansion of
8 the existing use based on the following:
9
10 • The proposed project only involves minor alterations to the exterior of the building; and
11 • The proposed project does not involve an expansion of the existing use or building.
12
13 MURAL PERMIT CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL TO ALLOW
14 INSTALLTION OF A MOSIAC MURAL AT
15 107 EAST PERKINS STREET, APN 002-229-09
16
17 1. Approval is granted for the proposed mural as shown in the conceptual mural exhibit submitted to
18 the Planning Department and date stamped January 13, 2011 . This Mural Permit is granted
19 only for the proposed mural addressed in this staff report and depicted in the project description and
20 shall not be construed as an approval for any additional murals or as eliminating or modifying any
21 building, use requirement.
22
23 2. This mural permit approval is granted pending property owner authorization and contingent on any
24 and all approval required by the County of Mendocino in regards to installing a mural on a county
25 owner building. Proof of property owner authorization shall be submitted with building permit
26 application.
27
28 3. This approval is not effective until the 10 day appeal period applicable to this Permit has expired,
29 and any timely filed appeal has been resolved.
30
31 4. This approval shall be null and void unless the California Environmental Quality AcUFish and
32 Game filing fee of $50 payable to Mendocino County is filed with the City of Ukiah Planning and
33 Community Development Department within five (5) days of this approval.
34
35 5. No Permit or entitlement shall be deemed effective unless and until all fees and charges
36 applicable to this application and Conditions of Approval have been paid in full.
37
38 6. All murals shall conform to the application approved by the Planning Commission and to any
39 supporting documents submitted therewith or made part of the administrative record, including
40 staff reports, maps and renderings submittals or documents any change to this approval shall
41 require an amendment to this approval.
42
43 7. This approved Permit may be revoked through the City's revocation process if the approved
44 project related to the Permit is not being conducted in compliance with the stipulations and
45 conditions of approval; or if the project is not established within two years of the effective date of
46 approval; or if the established and use for which the permit was granted has ceased or has been
47 suspended for twenty-four(24) consecutive months.
48
49 8. This approval is not effective unless and until all other required discretionary entitlements have
50 been granted, issued or approved as applicable.
51
52 9. All murals will be maintained in good condition. At any point as their condition becomes
53 deteriorated by graffiti, weathering or other means, as determined by the Planning Director, they
54 will be removed or obscured by the applicant or property owner.
55
56
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION February 23, 2011
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1 10. OLD BUSINESS—WORKSHOP
2 10A. Downtown Zoning Code Workshop. Conduct a public workshop to review and discuss
3 preferred Downtown Zoning Code design and low impact development examples for inclusion in
4 an appendix to the Downtown Zoning Code.
5
6 Commission:
7 • Discussion about what types of photographs should be included in the appendix.
8 • While there are numerous photographs of historical buildings that are examples of pleasing
9 design and architectural character, there are not many examples of newer buildings in Ukiah
10 having quality architectural pleasing features representative of the design characteristics in the
11 DZC.
12 • Seeking local examples of architecturally pleasing buildings may be challenging.
13 • Did see some facades on different buildings that would be appropriate examples of pleasing
14 architecture in the DZC and questioned how this should be documented where a building overall
15 exemplifies an architecturally pleasing design but not for all features.
16 • Would like to avoid having to include a narrative for a particular building example having design
17 exceptions that do not fit/comply with the DZC architectural standards for buildings.
18 • There was discussion of buildings with pleasing architectural features in Ukiah, some of which
19 include the Railroad Center, Grace Hudson Museum, the Clark Construction building
20 improvement and rehabilitation project on Main Street, the apartment complex building on Main
21 Street, Full Circle building on Main Street, Beverly Fabrics building, Coffee Critic building and
22 corresponding apartments, and other examples.
23
24 Staff:
25 • When thinking of buildings as examples, think about the location where such buildings should be
26 constructed. It could be that what would work on Perkins Street may not work Downtown.
27 • Due to the location of Perkins Street, there could be more flexibility in what would be appropriate
28 design. The design for State Street, Main Street, and Downtown may be different.
29 • Suggested the Commission submit photographs of buildings they `love' and think have good
30 architecture and design elements. These photographs could be of buildings anywhere.
31 • The intent of the design examples is to provide guidance as to what the community would like to
32 see.
33 • Asked the Commissioners to please submit their photos by the morning of the March 9th meeting
34 so that they can be reviewed and discussed at the meeting.
35
36 11. PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT
37
38 12. PLANNING COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
39
40 Commissioner Sanders:
41 • Commented on the new City electrical substation being constructed on Gobbi Street and North
42 Orchard Avenue and the negative letter written by Autumn Leaves in the Ukiah Daily Journal
43 expressing concern about health and safety of residents living in close proximity of the facility.
44 • Further inquired about the wall and the Landscaping Plan for the facility.
45
46 Senior Planner Jordan:
47 • The Planning Commission has already approved the design and materials for the wall.
48 • The RFP for the Landscaping Plan needs to be completed.
49 • Is not familiar with Autumn Leaves comments and noted the noise impacts that were reported
50 were that of the City well on the site and not the substation that is currently under construction.
51 • Would be happy to provide the interested person with the EMF study submitted as part of the
52 application and reviewed by the Planning Commission. Could also attempt to put this person in
53 contact with the consultant who wrote the document to answer any questions.
54
55 Commissioner Sanders:
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION February 23, 2011
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1 • Is co-authoring a series of six articles throughout the year on bird habitat and tree care for the
2 Ukiah Daily Journal for educational purposes.
3 • Commented on the article Mayor Rodin wrote in the Ukiah Daily Journal concerning possible
4 closure of the US Post Office on Oak Street asking the public to write letters to the Postmaster to
5 help save it and keep it open to the community. Referred to an article `U S Post Office Closures
6 Could Add to Unemployment Numbers' written earlier this year by Vicki Clinebell that is available
7 on a website.
8 • The Tree Advisory Group is moving forward on the revising/updating of the City's Master Tree
9 List.
10
11 Chair Pruden:
12 • Was contacted by `PR' persons from Walmart by way of an email asking if she would like to meet
13 individually with them.
14 • Does not like to meet on an individual basis with an applicant unless a staff inember is present.
15
16 There was Commission discussion about this issue wherein other Commissioners also received such an
17 email inviting him/her to meet individually with Walmart persons. The Commission questioned the protocol
18 in this regard and noted that compliance with the Brown Act is required.
19
20 Staff will review this matter and advise the Commission.
21
22 There was discussion about when the Commission will have the opportunity to review the Walmart EIR.
23
24 Staff:
25 • The Administrative draft is still being reviewed by Planning staff. The public will have the
26 opportunity to make comments on the draft EIR.
27 • Costco submitted a planning application and plans February 1, 2011.
28 • The Commission can look at the Walmart expansion plans if he/she desires and they are
29 available in the Planning Department.
30
31 Chair Pruden:
32 • Recently attended a Planning Commission meeting in Stewart Florida that exists on a peninsula.
33 Stewart is a beautiful city, is the official county seat and has a historical downtown. A person can
34 access City Hall by boat. The City has a Main Street Program that is concerned with streetscape
35 and other beautiful elements. She highly questioned the intent about the possible widening of the
36 main thorough faire and increasing the speed limit which already consists of four lanes that can
37 be traveled at 40 mph because more cars mean more business for the downtown. Being
38 familiar/experienced with the Ukiah Main Street Program and efforts to beautify streetscapes
39 spoke publicly on the matter by questioning the reasoning for expanding the thorough faire and
40 increasing the speed limit in terms of promoting/encouraging a pedestrian friendly environment
41 for enjoyment of storefronts on foot as opposed to in vehicles for which she was quoted in the
42 local newspaper.
43
44 13. ADJOURNMENT
45 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
46
47
48 Judy Pruden, Chair
49
50 Cathy Elawadly, Recording Secretary
51
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION February 23, 2011
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