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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-14-2003 PC MinutesA regular meeting of the City of Dublin Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, January 14, 2003, in the Dublin Civic Center City Council Chambers. Acting Chairperson Jennings called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners, Jennings, Fasulkey, Nassar, King and Machtmes; Eddie Peabody, Community Development Director; Jeri Ram, Planning Manager; Andy Byde, Senior Planner; Jonelyn Whales, Associate Planner; Michael Porto, Planning Consultant; and Autumn McGrath, Recording Secretary PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Cm. Jennings led the Commission, Staff, and those present in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. ADDITIONS OR REVISIONS TO THE AGENDA The Minutes of December 10, 2002 meeting were not available. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS 6.1 Swearing in of Commissioners Ms. Kay Keck gave the Oath of Office to the two new Commissioners, Mr. Morgan King and Mr. Todd Machtmes. 6.2 Election of Commissioners Cm. Jennings nominated Cm. Robert Fasulkey for the office of Chair. Cm. Nassar seconded the motion and there was a unanimous vote of 5-0 for approval of the nomination. Planning Commission Regular Meeting 1 January 14, 2003 Cm. Fasulkey stated he was very honored to be nominated and was respectful of the position, that he would make his schedule available to the Commission and would serve with the utmost of diligence. Cm. Fasulkey asked for nominations for the office of Vice-Chair. Cm. Machtmes nominated Cm. Jennings; Cm. Nassar seconded the motion and there was a unanimous vote of 5-0 for approval of the nomination. 6.3 Honoring of Departing Commissioners Mr. Peabody requested that Mr. Don Johnson, the departing Chairperson of the Planning Commission, come forward to receive an award plaque prepared in honor of his dedicated years of service from 1995 to 2002 to the City of Dublin. He stated that Mr. Musser, also a departing Commissioner, was not present at the meeting but would be awarded his plaque at a later date. Mr. Johnson thanked the Commission for the opportunity to serve the City of Dublin and stated that he would be available to serve on any future boards or committees. 6.4 Discussion of City Council Goals and Objectives and Planning Commission/City Council Workshop Ms. Ram informed the Commissioners of the City Council Goals and Objectives, and that at a future Planning Commission meeting they would receive a staff report with Staff's recommended 2003 goals and objectives related to planning. She advised them that their input is encouraged, and asked that they review and comment on these goals and objectives. She added that there would be a Planning Commission/City Council Workshop on March 1, 2003, and that all of the City's Commissions are encouraged to attend. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS None ~[anning Commission 2 qLeauFar ~eeting January 14, 2003 PUBLIC HEARING 8.1 PA 02-065 Buick/Pontiac/GMC Revised Master Sign Program and Site Development Review for a new 55 foot pylon sign at 4400 John Monego Court Ms. Whales presented the Staff Report and gave an overview of the project. There were questions and discussion between Staff and the Commission regarding specifics of the project. Cm. Nassar asked about the requirements of a master sign program. Ms. Ram explained specifics of the City's master sign program, noting that signs measuring up to 20 feet do not require a site development review. Cm. Fasulkey opened the public hearing, and asked if the Applicant was present and if he would like to speak. The Applicant, Jack Abele, addressed the Commission, and explained that the request for signage was to provide visibility and gain a competitive advantage that the other dealerships have along the 580-freeway corridor. He also provided the history of the original sign request submitted two years prior, and noted that Staff and the Commission had recommended creation of a modified version of the sign with separate identity and design. He stated that as Applicants, they had made the required modifications, addressed the concerns of Staff, and had made a large concession in regard to the height of the sign, noting that the sign would be 20 feet shorter and would have less square footage than the surrounding signs. The Commission asked Mr. Abele questions about specifics of the project, and there was discussion about the size and intent of the signage, including future sign needs. Cm. Machtmes asked why this sign had not been addressed at the time of request for a Master Sign Program. Mr. Abele answered that two years prior there had been a request for a 75-foot sign to enable freeway visibility and exposure, but at that time there had been concerns by the Commission and Staff. ®fannintt Commission 3 q(ettufar S~leeting January 14, 2003 Cm. Machtmes asked about the two vacant parcels which have been vacant since the original master sign program amendment was requested, and asked what the intentions and plans were for leasing/ownership of the parcels. Mr. Abele stated that GMC still owns the property, and that it is their intention to have additional dealerships on the vacant parcels. He noted that the dealership had moved from Pleasanton to Dublin 2 1/2 years ago, and had been without the exposure since that time. He also added that the sign, as requested, would allow for the addition of two other dealerships in the future. Cm. Machtmes asked for comparisons to the signs across the freeway, specifically the Acura Dealership sign. Mr. Abele answered that some of the other dealerships have shorter signs but that those signs sit directly at the freeway edge, and he noted that GMC's sign would have a 75-foot set-back from the freeway which would make the sign appear smaller. He stated that the GMC sign was designed at the minimum size for visibility at speeds of 55-60 miles per hour. Cm. Fasulkey asked if the two vacant parcels would utilize the same monument sign, and therefore not require additional signage when developed. Mr. Abele answered that the dealership had proposed as the plan to use one freestanding freeway sign, and that it was the trade-off approved by GMC to implement a single sign, rather than three individual 35-foot signs for the parcels. Cm. Machtmes asked Staff if the sign amendment would complete the master sign program for these parcels. Ms. Ram confirmed that it was the Applicant's intention to utilize the same freestanding freeway sign for all three parcels, thereby completing the master sign program. Cm. Fasulkey asked if anyone wished to address the Commission; hearing no requests, he closed the public hearing and the Commission deliberated. Cm. Fasulkey asked Staff if the resolution defined the master sign program to apply to all three parcels. Ms. Ram stated that a condition could be added to the resolution to include all three parcels so that ®[annintl Commission 4 qLetI uFa r S~t e et i ng January 14, 2003 any additional freestanding freeway signage would require an amendment to the master sign program to be approved by the Planning Commission. With the Commission's concurrence, Staff drafted Condition 14, which was read and approved by the Commission for inclusion into the resolution. Cm. Fasulkey requested a motion. On motion by Cm. King, seconded by Cm. Jennings, and a vote of 4-1, the Planning Commission approved: RESOLUTION NO. 03 - 03 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN APPROVING PA 02-065, AMENDMENT TO DUBLIN BUICK/PONTIAC/GMC MASTER SIGN PROGRAM PREVIOUS PA 99-061 8.2 PA 02-060 City of Dublin, Zoning Ordinance Amendment - Amendment to Chapter 8.84, Sign Regulations of the Dublin Municipal Code (Zoning Ordinance) Mr. Byde presented the Staff Report and gave an overview of Zoning Ordinance Amendment. Cm. King asked what type of signs would be defined by the amendment. Mr. Byde answered that the amendment would apply to apartment communities. He noted specifically that apartment owners and managers were requesting use of temporary signs to advertise in a market with high vacancy rates within the City. Cm. King asked what type of enforcement there would be for the sign ordinance. Mr. Byde stated that the City has 1.5 Code Enforcement Officers who enforce the City's ordinances. There were questions and discussion between Staff and the Commission regarding specifics of the City's sign regulations and amendment. &[anning Commission 5 q(egu[a r S14 eet ing .~anuary 14, 2003 Cm. Machtmes asked why this category was originally excluded from the Ordinance. Mr. Byde stated that it was excluded because the Ordinance listed all the Zoning Districts and what types of signs were allowed within specific districts. He added that all residential districts were combined into one, prohibiting all signage within the residential zoning district. Thus, apartments were prohibited from temporary banners and signs. Cm. Jennings asked about balloons as an option for advertising. Mr. Byde stated that the Ordinance currently species that balloons over 15 inches in diameter are not allowed for use in residential advertising. He added that the Ordinance specifies that only apartment communities could have the temporary banners at regulated sizes. Cm. Fasulkey asked about the policing and enforcement of the temporary sign usage, and if the City had options for punitive or substantial penalty for non-compliance. Ms. Ram answered that the City may give citations in amounts specified in the Zoning Ordinance. Cm. Fasulkey opened the public hearing, and asked if anyone from the public wished to speak; hearing no requests, he closed the public hearing and the Commission deliberated. Upon deliberation, Cm. Fasulkey requested a motion. On motion by Cm. King, seconded by Cm. Machtmes, and a vote of 5-0, the Planning Commission unanimously approved: RESOLUTION NO. 03 - 01 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT CHAPTER 8.84, SIGN REGULATIONS OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE (ZONING ORDINANCE) PA 02-060 ®fanning Commission 6 ~etIufar Prteeting January 14, 2003 8.3 PA 02-022 & PA 02-023 Toll Brothers - Dublin Ranch Areas A-4 & A-5 Development Agreement Mr. Porto presented the Staff Report and gave an overview of the two Development Agreements for the project, noting specifics about the agreements. Copies of the Exhibit B's were distributed to the Commissioners, with noted revisions to Condition 33. Cm. Fasulkey opened the public hearing, and asked if the Applicant would like to speak. The Applicant, Mr. Jon Paynter, addressed the Commission and stated that he was available for questions. Cm. Fasulkey asked if anyone wished to address the Commission; hearing no requests, he closed the public hearing and deliberated. Upon deliberation, Cm. Fasulkey requested a motion. On motion by Cm. Jennings, seconded by Cm. King, and a vote of 5-0, the Planning Commission unanimously approved: RESOLUTION NO. 03 - 02 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS FOR TOLL BROTHERS - DUBLIN RANCH AREAS A-4 & A-5 DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT PA 02-022 & 02-023 Cm. Fasulkey asked if there was any other new or unfinished business. NEW OR UNFINISHED BUSINESS None ~Fanni~ Corarai~sion 7 ~Le~t uFa r ~4 eet in8 .Tanuary 14, 2003 OTHER BUSINESS Ms. Ram informed the Commission of the League of California Cities Conference on March 20-22, 2003 and asked the Commissioners to advise her promptly as to whether or not they would be able to attend. Cm. Jennings encouraged attendance at the Conference and recommended the training as an invaluable tool for the Commissioners. Ms. Ram discussed the future City Council and Planning Commission meeting items. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. ATTEST: Refi~, fully ?tbjnit ted, 141/anning Ckammission Chairp~n Pld~ager G: \ MINUTES \ 2003 \ Planning Commission \ 1-14-03 pc min.doc ®fannin~ Commission 8 q(etIu[ar Prleeting January 14, 2003