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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-23-2002 PC MinutesA regular meeting of the City of Dublin Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, July 23, 2002, in the Dublin Civic Center City Council Chambers. Chairperson Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners, Johnson, Musser, Jennings, Nassar and Fasulkey; Jeri Ram, Planning Manager; Mike Porto, Project Planner; and Renuka Dhadwal, Recording Secretary. Absent: None PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Cm. Johnson led the Commission, Staff, and those present in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. ADDITIONS OR REVISIONS TO THE AGENDA - None Minutes of July 9, 2002 meeting were approved as submitted. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS 7.1 Review revisions to the Site Development Review approval for the Dublin Ranch Golf Course Clubhouse and Cart Barn within Dublin Ranch Area A initially approved on July 25, 2000 as part of PA 99-060 with Master Vesting Tentative Tract Map 7135 and give Staff direction. Planning Commission Regular Meeting 150 July 23, 2002 Mike Porto, Project Planner, presented the staff report. Mr. Porto gave a brief background about the project. He stated that the Planning Commission had originally discussed the project under the Site Development Review for the Dublin Ranch Golf Course. Since the approval, the developer is proposing some changes to the Club House. The developer is scaling down the floor plan for the facility. Mr. Porto pointed out that the Architect for the developer has submitted a letter describing the details of the design that was originally approved as well as the design that is being proposed. The developer is proposing to reduce the square footage from 19,000 to 13,174 (which includes the cart barn area). The architectural design for the proposed changes is consistent with the original approved design. Mr. Porto stated that Mr. Inderbitzen representing Dublin Ranch, will explain the reason for the proposed changes. In conclusion, Mr. Porto stated that the project is being presented to the Commission for their review and direction. If the Commission does not have any comments or concerns then Staff would approve this as an SDR Waiver. However, if the Commission has concerns regarding the design, then Staff needs to be directed Staff to meet with the Architect and the developer to incorporate the ideas given by the Commission and bring it back for its approval. Cm. Johnson asked Mr. Inderbitzen for his presentation. Mr. Inderbitzen stated that the developer is ready to proceed with the construction of the Club House facility for the Golf Course. In reviewing the design of the facility, the developer felt that they would not entertain any non-golf related banquet activity at the facility and hence decided to reduce the square footage for the facility. However, the facility could still entertain around 130-140 guests for a golf related activity even after the reduction. The second major change is the reduction in size of the Cart Barn. Mr. Inderbitzen explained that this was a cost efficiency modification. Cm. Jermings asked if there was any research done that indicated that the Banquet facility was not a cost efficient proposition. Mr. Inderbitzen said that any non-golf related activity such as weddings would depend on its demand. He gave examples of the Bridges and the Wente golf courses that had similar operations as the Dublin Ranch Golf course and stated they have different needs and demands. He further stated that the restaurant in the clubhouse would have very limited business. In order to justify the use of the banquet facility, heavy marketing for the banquet hall would be required and it would also have to deal with local competition. Cm. Jennings wanted to know that once the facility is operational would someone keep track of the number of requests that come in for hosting non-golf related activities. Mr. Inderbitzen replied that the proposed restaurant would be able to serve around 130-140 people and if there were a demand for a party for 200 people then they would obtain a Temporary Use Permit to host the party outside q'[anning Commission 151 ffu[y 23, 2002 q~egu[ar !Meetint7 on the premises. However, if the demand for such activity increases then the developer intends to modify the design for the facility to accommodate it. Cm. Johnson voiced his concern for golfers and their inability to eat lunch in case there was an aftemoon wedding and the restaurant was closed for catering. Mr. Inderbitzen responded that there would be a Pro Shop where the golfers can buy a sandwich and an open area to relax and eat the sandwich. The Manager for the facility would however need to evaluate the logistics for operating such activities. Cm. Fasulkey asked the reason for scaling down the number of carts needed as well as the area for the cart barn. Mr. Inderbitzen replied that the original plan had extra carts, more than what was required for an 18-hole game and hence the reduction. Additionally, the area for the cart barn had some extra storage and aisle space which was unnecessary and hence the reduction of the area. Cm. Johnson stated that in his opinion the proposed restaurant area was not enough to accommodate large amount of people. The developer needs to increase the space for capacity rather than downsizing it. Mr. Inderbitzen gave reasons in support of the reduction. There was an extensive discussion regarding the issue of the reduced seating capacity in the restaurant area as well as the issue of providing alternate seating for the golfers to eat in case the restaurant is closed for catering for a non-golf related activity. Cm. Johnson, Musser and Fasulkey were in agreement that the developer should modify the floor plan to accommodate additional seating. Cm. Fasulkey pointed out that the floor plan shows a large office area, which can be reduced and included in the restaurant area. Cm. Jennings & Nassar agreed that due to the current economic situation there might not be a high demand for non-golf related activities. However, if in the future the management of the course found out a demand for the same then the expansion into a banquet facility would be justified. In conclusion the direction from the Commission is as follows: Increase the seating capacity of the restaurant to accommodate 180-200 guests. Have a facility for golfers to eat and relax when they are not part of a tournament. In order to do the above, developer will either reconfigure the existing space, or add some area to the proposed space or reduce some office space. Plannint] Commission 152 July 23, 2002 Regular Meeting PUBLIC HEARING 8.1 Continue the Public Hearing for PA 02-009 Armstrong Garden Center Specific Plan Amendment, Site Development Review and Conditional Use Permit to August 13, 2002. Cm. Johnson asked for the staff report. Ms. Ram stated that some conditions of approval needed to be resolved with the applicant and hence the request for continuation. In response to a comment from a neighboring business owner that the City did not inform them about the continuation, Ms. Ram stated that the City does not send out notices on continuation of an item due to shortness of time. Continuation usually occur too close to a meeting to send out notices. On a motion by Cm. Jennings, seconded by Cm. Fasulkey, and by a vote of 5-0, the Planning Commission continued the public hearing for Armstrong Garden Center to August 13, 2002. NEW OR UNFINISHED BUSINESS None OTHER BUSINESS Cm. Fasulkey informed the Commission and Staff about the 'Green House' workshop he attended and described in detail the issues discussed at the workshop. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. ATTEST: ~nager Respectfully submitted, "~l-a~miss(on Chairperson g:\minutes\02\7-23-02pcminutes q'fanning Commission 153 .Tu[y 23, 2002 qLetIu[ar 9ffeetina