HomeMy WebLinkAboutP.C. Min 10-10-07 MINUTES
CITY OF UKIAH PLANNIIVG GOMMISSION
October 10, 2007
MEMBERS PRESEMT OTHERS PRESENT
Ken Anderson Listed below, Respectively
Anne Molgaard
Judy Pruden, Ghair
STAFF PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT
Charley Stump, Planning Director Mary Anne Landis
Cathy Elawadly, Recording Secretary James Mulheren
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
Roil was taken with the results listed above.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Everyone cited the Pledge of Ailegiance.
4. SITE VISIT VERIFICATION - N/A
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - September 26, 2007
Recording Secretary Elawadly noted Mary Anne �andis was not present at the September
26, 2007 meeting and made the necessary correction.
M/S Molgaard/Anderson to approval tlie Septemtrer 26,2007 minutes, as amentletl. Motion carried.
6. COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE AN NON-AGENDA ITEMS
No one came forward .
7. APPEAL PROGESS - N/A
8. VERIFICATION OF NOTICE N/�4 ;
9. NEW BUSINESS '
9A. Discussion: The Role of the Public Works Department in Development Permit '
Application Review.
Chair Pruden recommended the public participate in the discussion.
Planner Director Stump stated the Public Works Department plays an integral role in the
Development Permit Application Review process, primarily as it relates to subdivision
designs, parcel boundary line adjustments, traffic impacts, grading, drainage; streets, curb,
gutter and sidewalks, street trees, and storrn water runoff: The putpose of tonighYs
discussion is to discuss and better understand the role of the Public Works Department
relevant to the development permit appiication review process. City Engineer Tim Eriksen is
present to participate in t(�e discussion.
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION October 11 , 2007
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It was noted:
r� The Senior Civil Engineer as oversee� by the City Engineer is the primary Public
Works Staff person assigned to developme�t project review and works closely with
Planning Staff and othersto make certain developmentproposals are consistent with
the Ukiah General Plan, zoning ordinance, subdivision ordinance, other codes, and
all adopted policy documents. Aiso, many of the recommend conditions of approval
for Subdivisions, Planned Developments, Major Use Permits, and Major Site
Development Permits are generated by the Department of Public Works: A list of
some of the standard conditions of approval that are typically recommended by the
Department of Public Works for projects include:
1 . Any construction shall,comply with the "Standard Specifications" for such type of construction
now existi�g or which may hereafter be promulgated by the Engineering Department of the
City of Ukiah; except where higher standards are imposed by law, rule, or regulation or by
action ofthe City Couocif.
2. AII curb, gutter, sidewalk, and street paving along Dora Street which is tiroken or
damaged shall be removed and replaced as required by the City Engineer.
3. Street improvements including curb, guttar, sidewalk, ADA-compiiant remps, and
street trees required to comply with City standards shall 6e as per the City Engineer's
recommendations.
4. All work within the City right-of-way shalf be performed by a propedy licensed
Contractor with a current City of Ukiah Business ticense. Contractor musEsubmlt
copies of proper insurance coverage (Putilic Liatiility, $1 ,000;000; Property Damage,
$1 ,000,000) and current Workman'sCompensation Certificate.
, 5. An Encroachment Permif.shall be obtained from the City by a licensed wntractor
prior to doing any construction within the public street easements. Encroachment
permit fee shalf be $45 dolfars plus three percent (31a) of estlmated construction
costs. Contractor(s) shall have a current City of Ukiah $usiness License who shall
submit copies of proper insurance coverage (Public Liability: $1 ,000;000; Property
Damage: $1 ,000;000) and current 1Norkman's CompensaGon Ceftificate.
6. All on-site paving shall be a minimum of 2" asphalt concrete with a 6" aggregate base,
or an altemative� option approved by khe.City Engineer.
7. The owner of the property shall execute a�y or all of the following agreements tttat
are required pursuant to Secllon 9251 of the Ukiah Municipal Code, and as
determined appropriafe by the Ciry Engi�eer: an easement agreement, a hold
harmless agreement and a private property agreement. These shall include
easements for joint use of access driveways, parking, and other commonly used
areas withio the planned development
8. A Final Subdivision Map shall be prepared and submitted to the City Engineer for review
and approval, and recorded in a manner consistent with Ukiah Municipal Code '
requlrements. '
° 9. Tbe subdivider of the subject property shall dedicate land, pay a fee in-lieu thereof, or
both at the option of the City Council for park and recreaGon purposes prior to the
filing of t}re Final S�bdivision Map. '
10. Covenant, codes, and restrictions#hat include, but are not limitetl to, the'development !
of maintenance agreemenls for the continued maintenance of the private access
roadway, storm drainage, sidewalks, landscaping, and other areas thatwill be used in
common, shall be submitted to the City of Ukiah Publio- Works Department and the
Ciry of Ukiah Department of Planning and Communiry Development for review, and
shall be approved by the Planning Director prior to their recordation and the recording
of the Finaf Subdivision Map.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED: 6:07 p.m.
Gity Engineer Eriksen commented as follows:
■ As projects come forward, the Public Works Department essentiaily has two primary
roles:
MINUTES OF THEPLANNING COMMISSION Octotrer 11 , 2007
Page 2
1 . Assessment of issues involving the public right-of-way such as street
trees/sidewalks and other issues that may involve potential road
improvements:
2. Drainage impacts in terms of additional maintenance as a result of a
proposed project.
• From an engineering standpoint; the Public Works Department Iooks at traffic and
drainage studies to make sure the City's existing facilities can handle whatever the
proposed new development wiil piace on the system.
• The City Engineer also hears minor subdivisions and other relevant projects that
overlap with the Planning Department for later review by the Planning Commission
and/or Ciry Council.
PLANNING COMMISSION QUESTIONS/COMMENTS:
Chair Pruden
. The Wagenseller neighborhood and other like neighborhoods in the community have
substandard inf�astructure whereby the Planning Commission is often reluctant #o
approve p�ojects that increase the density in such neighborhoods that lack
appropriate infrastructure. She questions how the Public Works Department views
what needs to occur in terms of providing for drainage systems and/or curb, gutter
antl sidewalks for new developments.
• it seems illogicai for staff and the Commission to continue approving projects without
a master plan in place that addresses drainage systems and sidewalks by allowing
planning to get ahead of fixing the infrastructure. The Clara Court project is an
exampie of such a projecYin the Wagenseller neighborhood.
City Engineer Eriksen
a The first step toward addressing the substandard infrastructure is the preparation of
a Master Plan for the Wagenseller neighborhood and other such neighborhoods so
developers ciearly understand their role for what needs to occur in this regard for a
particular project
. Initially Measure S money was apportioned for some public works projects based on
priority and need. While Measure S funding was intended for an outside service to
complete the design aspects of the Master Plan, this did not happen because of '
other project priorities. No Measure S funds were specificaily slated to create a '
Master Plan. Most of the Measute S funding went for public safety projects that '
included other priority projects, such as the need to address flooding issues on
Perkins Street:
a Allowance was made in the 200�-08 budget cycle to hire;a civil engineerto heip with
the Public Works Department work load and this civil engineer can also assist with
the engineering design aspects for a Master Plan for neighborhoods having
substandard infrastructure.
Planning Director Stump
• Grant opportunities may be availabie to assist with infrastructure improvements
provided a Master Plan is in place.
o Denial of a project must be clearly substantiated and if the potential significant
impacts created by a new development have been successfully mitigated in the
corresponding mitigation measures and project conditions, there is no justification
for denial unless it`s inconsistent with the General Pian or Zoning Code. While
MINUTES OF THE PIANNING COMMISSION October 11 , 2007
Page 3
substandard infrastructure exists in neighborhoods, developers cannot be held
financially responsible for the bigger picture of improvements necessary:
• He supports the creation of a Master Plan that addresses "infrastructure
improvements in neighborhoods:
Commissioner Molgaard
. Inqui�ed regarding the cost of creating a Master Plan for the Wagonseller
neighborhood and other Iike neighborhoods. it is interesting to note, how
neighborhoods are rated and decisions made about which neighborhoods receive
infrastructure improvements when neighborhoods such as Betty Street and Lorraine
Street and the Wagonseller neighborhood have very apparent infrastructure needs
thatare nof addcessed. While projects that meetthe General Plan and Zoning Code
standards continue to be approved in these neighborhoods, they do not necessarily
add to the quality of life in an already constrained neighborhood. Therefore, she does
not support that projects continue to be approved for neighborhoods lacking the
necessary infrastructure to function appropriately.
Gity Engineer Eriksen stated a Master Plan would cost approximately $100,000 for a
neighborhood like the Wagenseller. Infrastructure improvements are typically
assessed/funding decided according to immediate need , such as the matter of reoccurring
flooding on Perkins Street and/or drainage probiems on Giay Street as to how funding is
decided.
Commissioner Anderson
• Inquired regarding a timeline to develop a Master Plan for the Wagenseller
neighborhood.
City Engineer Eriksen replied no Master Plan is being considered at this time. He stated it
would be beneficial in terms of cost effectiveness to develop one Master Plan fot both the
Betty Street/Lorraine Stteet neighbo�hood and the Wagensellerneighborhood.
There was a brief discussion about:
• Traffic problems on ford and Clara Streets where narrowing of a street can be an '
effective approach for traffic calming than other measures that have been '
implemented in the past '
• Traffic pattems and problems on coliector streets such as Glara and Ford Streets wiil
likely change with the construction of the Orohard Street Bridge, scheduled for
construction in the summer of 2008. With no bridge, vehides tend to navigate
through neighborhoods.
e The intent is to use Orr Creek Bridge for pedest�ian and bicycle purposes only, once
Orchard 5treet Bridge is completed. While the design aspects have been
considered, no formal plan has been adopted and/or funding in piace for the
conversion. The Orr Greek Bridge is not in good condition to handle vehicular traffic.
As more networking systems/concepts are considered from the onset of Smart
Growth and/or other new philosophies, such as the intent of using the Orr Greek
Bridge for pedestrian/bicycle purposes; more places are directed fo� vehides use so
that the end result is that avery street shares a load of traffic as opposed to just the
main streets.
• Changes in the Brush Street Triangle, particularly with the new overlay that will be
constructed when the O�chard Street Bridge is constructed, including changes in
MINUTES OF THE PLANN WG COMMISSION October 11 , 2007
Page 4
traffic circulation that will affect traffic patterns on Ford Street, other streets in the
Wagenseller neighborhood, and fraffic on Low Gap Road and State Street.
o Potentiai benefit of City/County annexation of land in the Brush Street Triangle.
. Use of pe�meabie versus concrete sidewalks and the benefitthereof.
. Landscaping and street trees issues would also be a component of a Master Plan.
Gity Engineer Eriksen commented on the issue of sidewalks and stated the reason
sidewalks are typically constructed using concrete is to meet ADA compliance. The new
technology is the use ofigYass swales so that excess runoff from the sidewaiks can drain
iMothe grass lined swales.
Gommissioner Malgaard commented it may be best in terms of feasibility to wait until the
Orchard Street Bridge is constructed and see how traffic patterns change in the area before
consideration is given to formulating a Master Plan for #he Wagenseller neighborhood. The
Plan could address such issues as traffic and the possibility of narrowing of streets as a
traffic calming measure/traffic model, and such other issues as aesthetics, sidewalks,
landscaping/street trees, and drainage systems. As a Commissionet, she has listened to
discussions about infrastructure problems for every project that has come fonvard in the
Wagonseller neighborhood.
Chair Pruden commented it is likely best to hold-off consideration of a Master Plan for
infrastructure improvements until after the Orchard Street Bridge is constru�ted so that
traffic changes can be carefully considered because the design elements relative to the
traffic component of the Plan must be correct when determining major/mino� collector streets
in the Wagenseller neighborhood.
Commissioner Molgaard inquired as to the likelihood of budgeting for engineering costs for
two Master Plans relative to the Wagenseller neighborhood and Betty Street/Lorraine Street
neighborhood in the Public Works Department budget for FY 2008-09, which is after fhe
Orchard Street Bridge has been built.
City Engineer Eriksen stated the budget item would have to be clearly substantiated when '
presented to CounciL '
Gommissioner Molgaard inquired whetHer the Public Works Department submits a priority
request list annually to MCOG regarding public works projects and whether there is a list
being #ormulated for the nexf funding request from MCOG
i
City Engineer Eriksen confirmed that a list is submitted and this is an area where funding is '
available for public works projects. However, most of the funding from MCOG is typically
used for paving of City streets andbr more 'functional projects' such as storm drain repairs,
the rails-trail project -and/or projects having a high priority. Irr terms of maintaining an
ongoing request list to MCOG, "the public works pavement management system telis staff
when the scheduling of paving projects is necessary.
CommissionerMolgaard further commented on the reoccurring issue where projects come
forward in neighborhoods lacking sufficient infrastructure where they are basically 'piece-
meaP projects such that the project conditions and mitigated impacts work fo� the
development, but not necessarily for the good ofthe neighborhood. While she understands
funtling for projecta is competitive, the process is also likely politically driven as to which
projects actually get on the books.
MINUTES OF THE PLANNWG COMMISSION October 11 , 2007
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City Engineer Eriksen commented the City Council had a discussion a year ago about
infrastructure issues in neighborhoods, particulatly the Betty Street/Lorraine Street
neighborhood.
Gommissioner Molgaard suppods combining the proposed individual pians for Betty
StteeULorraine Street,and the Wagenseller neighborhood into one Master Plan where the
Giry Council may look closer to the project as being a priority. She would be amenable to
assist staff with presenting to Council that portion of the budgetto create one Master Plan.
City Engineer Eriksen commented on the discussions above concerning Planning
Commission decisions about individual projects being approved in neighborhoods that have
existing substandard infrastructure further documents the need to take action to create a
Master Plan. He understands that solving infrastructure problems in neighborhoods is a slow
` process requiring funding mechanisms to be in place. Neigfiborhoods can assist with the
process by making if clear what needs to occur in order to maintain the health, safety, and
general welfare, as well as promote the quality of life for people living in constrained
neighborhoods.
Diane Zucker concurred with the above discussion and is hopeful the much needed Master
Plan wili be approved and impleme�ted.
PUBLIG HEARING CLOSED: 7:08 p.m.
10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
10A. Status Report: Downtown/Perkins Street Carridor Form Based Code Project
Planning Director Stump commented as #ollows:
o Staff and the consulting team have been working on customizing the administrative
draft code by taking the necessary procedures and steps to shape the information
into a draft document.
• The intent is not to change the existing standards, but to work with these standards
such that the community, City staff; and community leaders can make decisions
about what types of development and architectural design features they want to see '
in the Downtown and City gateway on Perkins Street: '
o . The process has been more procedural in nature because of the new terminology '
associated with 'smartcodingl '
• Staff is hopeful the draft document can be made available to the pubiic within the
next few of weeks. '
• GEQA review is also associated with the process.
o issues and Airport Compatibility, parking and traffic. �
Dottie Copian commented the primary focus of `Smartcode' should be "reality° rather than
an "image," because the project is not about making fa�ade improvements.
11 . ONGOING EDUGP,TION
11A. How is the Rise of Green Buildinq Affectinq Retail Architecture? Retail Traffic
Magazine, September 2007
The above referenced publication is for the Commissioners' information.
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION October 11 , 2007
Page 6
12, PLANNING DIRECTOR REPORTS
Planning Qireetor Stump reported there will be a Planning Commission meeting on
October 24, 2007, and he provided a briefsummary of #he items that wiii be on the agenda.
He added the Gommission will have the opportunity to have discussions with staff from other
City departments in the future.
13. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS
Ghair Pruden commented the street trees along South State Street relative to the Rite Aid
development site have been damaged and may not survive.
It was the co�sensus of the Commission for staff to address the street trees with the
developers and make sure the trees will be replaced with a trees species that will thrive in
the event the existing trees must be removed.
14. ADJOUR�IMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
Judy Pruden, Chair
Cathy Elawadly, Recording Secretary
�
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