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Home My WebLink AboutP.C. Min 01-23-08 MINUTES CITY OF UKIAH PLANNING COMMISSION January 23, 2008 MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT Ken Anderson Listed below, Respectively Mary Anne Landis James Mulheren Anne Molgaard Judy Pruden, Chair STAFF PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT Charley Stump, Planning Director None Pam Townsend, Senior Planner Cathy Elawadly, Recording Secretary The regular meeting of the City of Ukiah Planning Commission was called to order by Chair Pruden at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Ukiah Civic Center, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, California. 2. ROLL CALL Roll was taken with the results listed above. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Everyone cited the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. SITE VISIT VERIFICATION - N/A 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES-January 9, 2008 Chair Pruden corrected the spelling of`Citizen U Forum' on page 13 of the minutes. M/S Landis/Anderson to approve the January 9, 2008 minutes, as amended. Motion carried. 6. COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS No one came forward. 7. APPEAL PROCESS - N/A 8. VERIFICATION OF NOTICE Major Site Development Permit No. 07-20 was legally noticed in accordance with the provisions of the Ukiah Municipal Code. 9. NEW BUSINESS 9A. Major Site Development Permit No. 07-20 filed by Steve Gomes, applicant; Mike Gomes, Owner, to construct a 10,080± square foot building for retail use (office supply) located at 511 S. Orchard Avenue, 800+ feet north of Gobbi Street together with all site improvements to support the proposed use, on a 33,696 square foot lot in the C-1 (Community Commercial) and Airport B-2 Zone (APN 002-340-45). Environmental Determination: Categorically Exempt. (Continued to February 13, 2008). Chair Pruden advised she and Senior Planner Townsend recently met with Mr. Gomes regarding design/material/color palate issues for his proposed new commercial building with positive results. MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION January 23, 2008 Page 1 ON A MOTION by Commissioner Mulheren, seconded by Commissioner Molgaard to continue Major Site Development Permit No. 07-20 to February 13, 2008. 10. NEW BUSINESS 10A. Discussion and Direction Regarding Building Design Submittal Requirements. Discussion of the information and materials needed by the Commission to adequately understand and review development proposals. Direction to Staff. Planning Director Stump referred to his memorandum to the Planning Commission that addresses the information submitted for building designs and asked the Commission for input as to what types of information they would like to see when reviewing Major Site Development Permit applications. The current application submittal requirements include 15 sets of site plans/floor plans/building elevations where the application lists 20 required components for the site/plot plan, 1 colored elevation drawing, and a conceptual Landscaping Plan. Additional information that may be helpful could include a detailed written project description, a conceptual sign plan and lighting plan, exterior material samples and actual paint samples. The Commission commented as follows: ➢ Acknowledged there have been different variations of information applicants have submitted over the years for review by the Commission when considering/evaluating a Site Development Permit project. The Commission favors the concept that the information submitted be consistent for all projects across the board except possibly smaller projects that may be less intensive. ➢ The Commission looks at all facets of a project when reviewing a Site Development Permit in order to make informed decisions. ➢ A storyboard that displays samples of exterior building and roofing materials, color swatches, and/or other `reasonable' project profiles would be helpful. ➢ It was noted the role of the Design Review Board (DRB) has expanded so that it functions in a discretionary review capacity when considering grant applications for the Fa�ade Improvement Program and in an advisory capacity when considering the overall design and landscaping aspects/issues for Site Development Permit projects that will be seen by the Planning Commission. The DRB is comprised of inembers who are professional in the areas of landscaping and architecture, which can be very beneficial to applicants and discretionary review bodies. ➢ The Commission supports the DRB previews projects in a `pre-application' review capacity utilizing the Commercial Development Design Guidelines Project Review Checklist where applicable and makes recommendations to the Commission concerning design elements/features/treatments, color palates, building/roofing materials, and landscaping for projects. It would be even more important for the DRB to have a storyboard available to better understand the intent of a project and to be in a position to effectively make recommendations regarding projects to the Planning Commission. ➢ Supports the Commission and DRB have a joint meeting to discuss project objective/expectations and to establish a good working relationship. Chair Pruden referred to the Commercial Development Design Guidelines Project Review Checklist for the Lipsey Site Development Permit/Use Permit that was purposely left blank by staff and questioned whether this will be the process for future commercial projects in the Downtown area. She acknowledged the document is a valuable tool when evaluating for quality projects and covers a multitude of areas. MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION January 23, 2008 Page 2 Planning Director Stump stated the intent was for the Commission to complete the form and assess the project. It may be more beneficial if staff as well as the Commission complete the form for assessment purposes in terms of determining whether a development is a quality project. He recommended possibly using both methods interchangeably depending upon what the Commission desires. 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 11 B. Status Report concerning the Downtown/Perkins Street Corridor Form Based Code Project. Discussion of January 15, 2008 Draft Code unveiling event and next steps in the review process. Planning Director Stump stated the event was well attended and the information nicely received. Staff supports having workshops for the community and the Planning Commission to participate in exercises where they can evaluate a sample project by applying the `SmartCode' concepts to help plan and shape the project, as well as learn how the process would work. Chair Pruden stated the design committee for Main Street has expressed an interest in becoming educated about the Form-Based Zoning Code process. Planning Director Stump stated it would be beneficial for staff/Form-Based Zoning Code consultants to meet with property owners in the Downtown area and Ukiah Perkins Street corridor about potential improvements and application of the process. 12. ONGOING EDUCATION 12A. Reducinq Stormwater Costs throuqh Low Impact Development (LID) Strateqies and Practices. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, December 2007. 12B. Questions and Answers: Reducinq Stormwater Costs throuqh LID Strateqies and Practices. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, December 2007. The above referenced publications are for the Commissioners' information. A conference concerning the matter of LID will be held on Monday, January 28, 2008, at the Ukiah Conference Center. 13. PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT Planning Director Stump reported: ■ Second interviews are being conducted for the Associate Planner position. ■ The Planning Department may utilize contract planning assistance. ■ The Building Department has been busy issuing Building Permits for some of the projects the Planning Commission has approved. The Commission inquired regarding the status of the Ordinance Amendment 07-33 concerning temporary A-frame/sandwich board signs and other objects within and outside the public right-of-way. Planning Director Stump stated City Council considered the Planning Commission's recommendations regarding A-frame signs and other objects displayed in the public right-of- way and requested the Commission appoint a member to serve on the `Sign Committee' to MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION January 23, 2008 Page 3 further review this matter and report back to Council. The Sign Committee membership consists of the Main Street Program, the Chamber of Commerce, the Planning Commission and two members from the general public. Commissioner Mulheren expressed concern about City Council's lack of regard for Planning Commission recommendations made about planning documents/ordinances/plans and projects that must be approved by Council, noting there is a `real disconnect' in communication between the two decision-making bodies. Chair Pruden reported the Sign Committee will meet on February 14, 2008 and she volunteered to serve on behalf of the Commission. 14. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Landis commented on the essentials necessary for good planning that includes the City Council working with the Commission collaboratively. The Commission generally discussed canvas awnings in the Downtown and associated problems, noting having a regular maintenance schedule in place is of importance. Chair Pruden advised the City Parking Improvement Plan is available on-line. Commissioner Landis reported the Citizen U Forum will meet on January 29, 2008 to discuss potential development of the former Masonite property and with learning about how the community can maintain/preserve its economy. 15. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m. Judy Pruden, Chair Cathy Elawadly, Recording Secretary MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION January 23, 2008 Page 4