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Home My WebLink About07-11-2006 PC Minutes Planning Commission Minutes CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL A regular meeting of the City of Dublin Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 in the Council Chambers located at 100 Civic Plaza. Chair Schaub called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Chair Schaub, Vice Chair Wehrenberg, Commissioners Biddle, Fasulkey, and King; Mary Jo Wilson, Planning Manager; Kristi Bascom, Senior Planner; John Bakker, Assistant City Attorney; Diane Lowart, Parks & Community Services Director; and Rhonda Franklin, Recording Secretary. ADDITIONS OR REVISIONS TO THE AGENDA - NONE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS The June 27, 2006 minutes were approved as submitted. Cm. Biddle abstained from the vote due to his absence during the June 27, 2006 meeting. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - NONE CONSENT CALENDAR - NONE WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - NONE PUBLIC HEARINGS 8.1 Public Art Program - Amendment to the Dublin Municipal Code - Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt an Ordinance adding Chapter 8.58 and Amending Chapter 8.104.070 of the Dublin Municipal Code (Zoning Ordinance) relating to the Public Art Program. The Ordinance requires a Public Art Contribution for all new non-residential development and all new residential development projects in excess of 20 residential units. This item is continued to a future Planning Commission meeting. Chair Schaub acknowledged that the item has been continued to a future Planning Commission meeting. 8.2 P A 02-074 Dublin Village Historic Area Specific Plan and General Plan Amendment - The proposed project consists of the following components: 1) Adoption of a Resolution recommending City Council adoption of the Draft Initial StudyfMitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Program; and 2) Adoption of a Resolution recommending City Council approval of a General Plan Amendment and the Draft Dublin Village Historic Area Specific Plan. (j,>[annillfJ ('omm/.ssion 'Rf{jUklY'/'tfl't'iin,q 66 jury 11, 2006 Chair Schaub asked for the Staff Report. Ms. Kristi Bascom, Senior Planner, presented the specifics of the project as outlined in the Staff Report. Chair Schaub asked why the boundaries of the Specific Plan did not include the properties located at 11684, 11700, 11740, and 11750 Dublin Boulevard ("the four buildings"). Ms. Bascom explained that a consulting firm was hired to assess the boundaries based on the identification of the remaining historic resources in the area. Cm. Fasulkey asked if the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the Green Store to operate as a church had an expiration date, and Ms. Bascom said no. Ms. Bascom stated that the CUP could expire if the church was inactive for 12 months. Cm. Fasulkey asked if the CUP was transferable to another church. Ms. Bascom said yes and further stated that the CUP runs with the land. Cm. Biddle asked if the CUP only applies to church usage, and Ms. Bascom said yes. Chair Schaub opened the public hearing. Mr. Friedrich WeIss, resident in the area, inquired about the proposed redevelopment of the Springs Apartments and about additional visitor parking for the Park expansion. Ms. Bascom explained that there is no proposal to make any changes to the Springs Apartments. She stated that there is a proposal for additional parking along Donlon Way, as well as a new parking lot to serve a potential future Park. Cm. King asked if Alamilla Springs would be restored. Ms. Bascom stated that it is not a part of the Historic Park Master Plan; however, one of the implementation measures in the Specific Plan is to work with the property owner of Alamilla Springs. Chair Schaub suggested including the four buildings in the Specific Plan to enhance the historic ambience along Dublin Boulevard. Cm. Biddle asked if properties within the Specific Plan would have to conform to the Design Guidelines should the properties undergo exterior alteration, and Ms. Bascom said yes. Ms. Bascom added that the Design Guidelines were adopted by the City Council in January 2005. Chair Schaub pointed out that the Petco store was recently painted and does not comply with the Design Guidelines. Ms. Mary Jo Wilson, Planning Manager, stated that Staff would look into this. Chair Schaub asked about the term "Dublin lots." Ms. Bascom stated that "Dublin lots" is a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) term used to evaluate how lots in Dublin relate to other lots in the Tri-Valley area. Chair Schaub stated that he would like to see unfamiliar or infrequently used terms, including acronyms, defined in the Specific Plan to eliminate confusion and facilitate better understanding of the Specific Plan. :P{anning Commission 1?f!Jut:..lr ~""eetinfJ 67 Jury 11, 2006 Chair Schaub suggested that the Design Guidelines should be clearer on the appropriate style of a tower element and on the meanings of "pedestrian-oriented scale" and "traditional neighborhood design" as discussed on pages 34 and 55 of the Specific Plan. Chair Schaub pointed out that the last sentence of the discussion on multiplex homes on page 56, should read "If a multiplex home's design is to resemble a single family home, it can be placed adjacent..." instead of "Because its design resembles a single-family home..." Chair Schaub suggested that guidelines on the use of synthetic materials should be included in the discussion of building materials on page 62 of the Specific Plan, and Cm. Fasulkey agreed. Vice Chair Wehrenberg interjected that the language used in the Specific Plan would probably be easily understood by those in the architecturalj design field. She stated that the discussion on building materials does not eliminate the use of any material. Vice Chair Wehrenberg asked what would happen to the Kennel. Ms. Bascom stated that nothing is proposed for the Kennel. Vice Chair Wehrenberg confirmed that 1) only five parcels would change Land-Use Designation, and 2) the remaining parcels would have to conform to the Design Guidelines upon exterior alteration, and Ms. Bascom said yes. Cm. Fasulkey suggested that guidelines on the use of recycled materials should be included in the Design Guidelines. Chair Schaub asked if the Guidelines are open to using synthetic or recycled building materials. Ms. Wilson stated that the Guidelines could be open to alternative materials as long as the design criterion is met. Ms. Bascom pointed out that the intent of the Design Guidelines is to guide each project towards conforming to the desired look and feel of the area. Cm. Biddle stated that he appreciates the detail and specificity of the Design Guidelines, as well as an attempt towards recreating an era that no longer exists. Cm. Fasulkey noted that the middle picture on page 33 is inconsistent with the sign guidelines on page 44 of the Specific Plan. Ms. Bascom stated that page 33 is referring to the architectural style and character. Cm. Fasulkey suggested that it be corrected to avoid any misunderstanding. Cm. Fasulkey noted that the last sentence on page 49 of the Specific Plan implies that "... .fluorescent colors must be avoided" instead of".. . should be avoided." Ms. Bascom stated that the word "must" is not used because the document serves as a guideline. Cm. King suggested that the document should use the word "must" if fluorescent signs are unwanted in the area. Mr. John Bakker, Assistant City Attorney, explained that the guidelines are designed to allow flexibility. Cm. King reiterated that he would like to see descriptive terms and phrases better defined. Cm. Biddle asked about the timeframe for the Historic Area streetscape improvements. Ms. Diane Lowart, Parks & Community Services Director, stated that streetscape improvements would take place over the next three years. Cm. Biddle asked about the timeframe for the Historic Park improvements. Ms. Lowart stated that the City Council has to take action on the (j>f{mnifffJ Commission 1<;:gu{;..lr j-\1ceting 68 ]lIry 11, 2006 Specific Plan and General Plan Amendments, and the Mitigated Negative Declaration before it can consider the Historic Park Master Plan. Cm. King stated that he likes the objective of creating of an entry plaza as discussed on page 5 of the Specific Plan. Ms. Bascom stated that it will be implemented if the Draft Historic Park Master Plan is approved by the City Council. Cm. King asked for clarification on the five parcels included in the proposed land-use designation changes, and Ms. Bascom pointed them out on the diagram. Chair Schaub stated that he would like to see the four buildings included in the boundary of the Specific Plan. Vice Chair Wehrenberg asked about the response to the Initial Study I Mitigated Negative Declaration public review period. Ms. Bascom stated she received comments from two State agencies and questions from property owners in the area. Cm. Biddle asked if the Initial Study I Mitigated Negative Declaration would have to be revised if the Specific Plan boundary was amended to include the four buildings, and Ms. Bascom said yes. Cm. Biddle asked if this Initial Study I Mitigated Negative Declaration would have to be amended if zoning was amended within the boundaries of the Specific Plan, and Ms. Bascom said no. Cm. King asked if the Draft Historic Park Master Plan would come before the Planning Commission, and Ms. Bascom said no. Chair Schaub questioned the Planning Commission on whether it would like to recommend to City Council inclusion of the four buildings into the Specific Plan boundary, and the Planning Commission unanimously answered in the affirmative. Chair Schaub noted that for future documents, he would like to see descriptive terms and phrases better defined. Ms. Wilson stated that Staff would be able to appropriately interpret the Specific Plan as it is currently written. The Planning Commission complemented Staff on the level of detail and the amount of guiding information contained in the Specific Plan. Hearing no further comments, Chair Schaub closed the public hearing. Cm. Biddle asked for examples of what is not covered by the Specific Plan. Ms. Bascom explained that interior modifications are not covered by the Specific Plan. On a motion by Vice Chair Wehrenberg, seconded by Cm. Biddle, and by a vote of 5-0-0, the Planning Commission unanimously adopted: Planning Commission 1.?.rgUr..lr ~,\fcetinfJ RESOLUTION NO. 06-18 69 .Jury 11, 20U6 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL ADOPTION OF A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE DUBLIN VILLAGE HISTORIC AREA SPECIFIC PLAN PROJECT PA 02-074 On a motion by Vice Chair Wehrenberg; seconded by Cm. Biddle; with a suggestion to "recommend to the City Council the inclusion of the properties located at 11684, 11700, 11740, and 11750 Dublin Boulevard into the boundary of the Dublin Village Historic Area Specific Plan"; and by a vote of 5-0-0; the Planning Commission unanimously adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 06-19 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE DUBLIN VILLAGE HISTORIC AREA SPECIFIC PLAN AND RELATED GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS PA02-074 NEW OR UNFINISHED BUSINESS Chair Schaub commented that Staff should consider using a professional editor to proofread significant documents. The Planning Commissioners commented that they liked the idea. OTHER BUSINESS 10.1 Brief INFORMATION ONLY reports from the Planning Commission and/or Staff, including Committee Reports and Reports by the Planning Commission related to meetings attended at City Expense (AB 1234). The Planning Commission did not have any items to report. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~~ Planning Commission Chair ATTEST: -----"" P{annifffJ Commission 1?rgU[.lr ~lfeetinf1 70 Ju(v I1J 2006