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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-26-1999 PC MinutesA regular meeting of the City of Dublin Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, October 26, 1999, in the Dublin Civic Center City Council Chambers. Chairperson Jetmings called the meeting to order at 7:05. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners, Jennings, Johnson, Hughes, Musser, and Oravetz; Eddie Peabody Jr., Community Development Director; Dennis Carrington, Senior Planner; and Maria Carrasco, Recording Secretary. Absent: Cm. Musser PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Cm. Jennings led the Commission, Staff, and those present in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. The minutes from the September 28, 1999 meeting were approved as submitted. ADDITIONS OR REVISIONS TO THE AGENDA - None ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None WRITTEN COMMUNICATION - None PUBLIC HEARING - 8.1 PA 99-019 Archstone Communities Proposed Zone Change and Site Development Review for an apartment project on 7.39 acres of land, located east of Dougherty Road and north of Houston Place. Cm. Jennings asked for the staff report. Andy Byde, Associate Planner presented the staff report. He stated that this project is located at 6247 Dougherty Road north of Houston Place. The site is currently operated by American Building Components and is currently being used as a truss manufacturing business in conjunction with various industrial storage uses. The site has illegal storage uses, trucks, trailers and a lot of junk. In May of 1998, the City Council initiated a land use study for the site. The initiation was for the All Aboard Mini Storage Planning Coinmission 107 October 26, 1999 Regular Meeting project and as a result the City Council chose to modify the land use designation of Business Park Industrial to include Retail Office and Medium High Residential. The combination of these uses would allow a mixed-use site, with an office retail component. In addition to the PD Rezoning required, the project also requires a Site Development Review. He stated that the project is on 7.39 acres with 9-buildings that would contain a total of approximately 233,000 square feet of floor area buildings. The apartments will have 1-3 bedrooms, which will range from 700 to 1,310 square feet. Additionally, the applicant has also proposed a 2,200 recreation/leasing building in conjunction with a recreational facility consisting of a pool/spa, BBQ/picnic area, and passive recreation areas. There will be two site entrances, one on Dougherty and the other on Houston. A circular main entrance would be built in front of the main gate to provide an enhanced project entry. The entrance would be gated and would be able to be electronically opened by residents and equipped with an intercom unit for visitors. A second point of access would be along Houston Place and would be for tenants only and no intercom is proposed. Houston Place, in the interim, would allow uncontrolled left or right turns onto Dougherty Road however, once the Scarlett Drive extension is constructed from Dougherty Road to Dublin Boulevard, turning onto Dougherty Road from Houston Place would be limited to right in and fight out only. To access southbound Dougherty Road, vehicles would be required to U-turn at the traffic light in front of the Park Sierra Apartments. However, once the Scarlett Drive extension is constructed, southbound traffic would be able to travel along the Scarlett Drive extension, ultimately connecting with Dublin Boulevard. The apartment complex would include 354 on-site parking spaces consisting of 141 garage spaces, 36 carport spaces, and 177 guest spaces. One for the particular unit and the other undesignated for guests. The proposed parking ratio complies with the zoning requirements of 2.0 parking spaces per unit, with 1 covered space required per unit (Section 8.76.080). Emergency vehicle access to the site would be provided in addition to the two access points along Dougherty and Houston Place at the northern most portion of the site, along Dougherty Road and at the eastern most portion of the site along Houston Place. The proposed improvements will be the widening of Dougherty Road and to build the rest of Houston Place and ultimately connect it with Scarlett Drive. Mr. Byde stated that Staff has worked closely with the applicant and finds the proposed project would provide additional housing opportunities and is served by existing infrastructure, including water, sewer, and power. Cm. Oravetz asked what the recommendation is on traffic for that area. Mr. Byde stated that the applicant has agreed to pay the traffic improvement fees. Cm. Oravetz stated he was interested in the trips per day and seeing Dougherty Road widened. Mr. Byde stated a traffic study was completed and the result of the traffic study indicated the roadways affected by the project would not drop below a level of service "D". Cm. Oravetz asked ifa light would be installed at Houston Place and Scarlett Dr? Floyd Davis, Public Works stated that it would be a controlled intersection with a stop sign. Cm. Oravetz asked if there would be a left turn lane on to Houston Place coming from the BART Station? Planning Commission 108 October 26, 1999 Regular Meeting - Mr. Davis stated that the County owns 50 feet of that right of way. If the County relinquishes that to the City, there will be a median and a left turn dedication lane. Cm. Oravetz said that eventually there will be a lot of traffic coming up Scarlett going towards Dougherty Road. Mr. Davis stated Staffis aware of the potential traffic and it has been designated as a Capital Improvement Project and a long-range goal for Public Works. Mr. Peabody stated that there is the old Southern Pacific Railroad property with another proposal for development that will come before the Commission and the Council in the near future. If that project goes ahead Scarlett will get built out to provide direct access to that property. Cm. Hughes asked if that is the same property that was previously approved for automobile storage. Mr. Peabody responded no. That is Mr. Wright's property. Cm. Hughes asked if Mr. Wright's property would still be used for automobile storage. Mr. Peabody stated that it would be used for commercial purposes and storage of vehicles. -- Cm. Hughes asked what is being proposed for the Southern Pacific property. Mr. Peabody stated that there is a development proposal submitted for a residential project, which will come before the Commission and Council at a later date. There was a General Plan Amendment approved last year for all of Mr. Omemik's property and the Southern Pacific property is proposed for residential uses. Cm. Hughes asked if Mr. Wright's property is big enough to develop high density residential. Mr. Peabody stated it is a small site and will probably be for commercial use. Cm. Oravetz asked if the existing junk on the Omemik property was an environmental concern. Mr. Byde stated a soil study was done and there was nothing significant found in the soil. Cm. Jennings asked if the garages would be located underground. Mr. Byde stated they would be surface garages. Cm. Jennings asked if there is wheelchair access for all three floors. Mr. Peabody responded no, only on the first floor. Cm. Jennings asked if the first floor apartments would be 1-2 bedroom apartments. Planning Commission 109 October 26, 1999 Regular Meeting -- Mr. Peabody stated the applicant could respond to that question when he does his presentation. Cm. Jennings asked if there were any other questions for Mr. Byde. Cm. Hughes stated that the carports look like they have a nice roofline but are supported by painted metal posts; he would like to see something other than the metal posts. Mr. Byde stated that they are the typical posts found in carports. Cm. Hughes wanted them upgraded. Mr. Byde stated that the Planning Commission could request a CMU wall to replace the end posts. Mr. Peabody suggested that after the Applicant makes his presentation, we could address the end posts. Shyam Taggarsi, Archstone Communities. He stated that this project would resemble condominiums rather than apartments. It will be a gated community with site amenities typically found in condominiums. They are fairly large units with 9-foot ceilings, washer and dryers, computer desks, and garages. The club area will have a swimming pool, spa, and a recreation area. The rent will range between $1100-$1200 for a one bedroom, $1400-$1500 on the two bedrooms and $1800-$1900 on the three bedrooms. He has worked with Staff and they have come up with a site plan and elevations that are functional and look nice. He stated that this project is the right land use, it meets the General Plan and will improve the look of the area. He thanked Staff and enjoyed working with them on the project. The carports being proposed are 6"x6" or 8"x8" aluminum posts but can be enhanced with wood trim. He is concerned with CMU walls on either side because it will look too massive and it will interfere with the car door opening. He would like to work with Staffto come up with something more attractive than the metal posts. He stated that the ground floor units will be handicap accessible; it will meet the ADA requirements and there are all types of units on the ground floor. Cm. Johnson asked if there were any units with garage access. Mr. Taggarsi stated that there are a few units with garage access. Cm. Jennings asked if there are provisions for affordable housing. Mr. Taggarsi stated they intend to pay the in-lieu fees. Cm. Johnson felt the parking was adequate with two spaces per unit. He asked if Sierra Court would be completed when this project is completed. Mr. Peabody stated that is part of Capital Improvement Program to have Scarlett built from Dougherty Road to Dublin Blvd. He said that Scarlett would be built from Dougherty Road to Houston Place. Cm. Jennings asked if there is something that addresses the lighting in the carports. Planning Commission 110 October 26, 1999 Regular Meeting - Mr. Byde stated that is addressed in the conditions. Cm. Jennings asked if there were any other questions or comments, hearing none she closed the public hearing. Mr. Peabody recommended a condition be added to number 32 regarding the metal poles in the carports, requiring the enhancement of carport support structures, subject to review and approval by the Community Development Director. Cm. Hughes complimented Archstone Communities and felt the project will be a very nice apamnent project. On motion by Cm. Hughes and 2nd by Cm. Oravetz, with a new condition 32 and with a vote of 4-0-1 with Cm. Musser absent the Planning Commission unanimously adopted RESOLUTION NO. 99-29 RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL ADOPTION OF A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR PA 99-019, ARCHSTONE COMMUNITIES APARTMENT PROJECT, INCLUDING PD REZONING AND SITE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW RESOLUTION NO. 99-30 RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF AND ESTABLISHING FINDINGS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (PD) REZONE CONCERNING PA 99-019, ARCHSTONE COMMUNITIES APARTMENT PROJECT RESOLUTION NO. 99-31 APPROVING SITE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW FOR PA 99-019 ARCHSTONE COMMUNITIES APARTMENT PROJECT Planning Commission 111 October 26, 1999 Regular Meeting NEW OR UNFINISHED BUSINESS Mr. Peabody stated that the SPCA has proposed a low cost spayed and neuter animal shelter, which will come before the Commission soon. It is an extremely elaborate building and he recommended that the Commission come to City Hall to look at drawings. Cm. Jcnnings asked how long the model will be here. Mr. Peabody stated to contact Anne Kinney, the project planner. The project will be for a Conditional Use Permit and a Site Development Review and they should take a good look at it. Cm. Jennings asked if Summerhill Development was aware of the proposed SPCA building. Mr. Peabody stated no, and it will be highly noticeable. Cm. Hughes asked if they would house dogs and cats overnight. Mr. Peabody said only in special cases. The SPCA has received a special grant from a corporate sponsor. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully subn)itted, Plan~ Commission Chairperson ATTE4ST: . /~ Community Development Director Planning Commission 112 October 26, 1999 Regular Meeting