City
of San Juan Bautista
City Hall
January 3, 2006
Members Present: Rick Edge; Reuben Garza; Michael Ostrowski; Erika Spencer; Javier Mendez.
Staff Present: Jennifer Coile, City Manager; Matthew Sundt, City Planner; Trish Paetz, Deputy City Clerk.
Rebecca McGovern stated she had a concern that some of the lamp posts in town have become wobbly from a recent storm.
A motion was made by Commissioner Ostrowski and
seconded by Commissioner Mendez to nominate Rick Edge Chairman of the Planning
Commission for another year. The motion
passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Commissioner Ostrowski and seconded by Chairman Edge
to nominate Reuben Garza Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission for another
year. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Commissioner Garza and seconded by Commissioner Mendez to approve the Affidavit of Posting for the January 3, 2006 Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Commissioner Garza and seconded by Commissioner Mendez to approve the minutes of the November 1, 2005 Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Commissioner Ostrowski and seconded by Commissioner Garza to approve the minutes of the December 6, 2005 Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
City Planner Sundt presented a staff report stating the applicant is proposing to demolish an existing 1,628 square foot home built in 1953 and 330 square foot detached car port, as well as remove a hedge, a loquat tree, a magnolia tree, a pine tree and three berry bearing trees in the backyard. The applicant would then construct a new 2,212 square foot single story residence, and a 523 square foot single story attached garage. Staff recommended adopting the resolution approving the demolition of the existing home and carport, removal of vegetation, and Design Review.
Commissioner Garza stated that any trees removed along the street should be replaced, particularly since Seventh Street is tree-lined. Sundt stated he could make a condition that they replace at least one tree.
During public comment Rebecca McGovern stated that demolitions should be brought before the Historic Resources Board. City Manager Coile commented that if demolitions are not mentioned in the HRB ordinance, perhaps it should be amended to reflect it, otherwise the HRB does not have jurisdiction. .
A motion was made by Commissioner Garza and seconded by Commissioner Mendez to approve a site plan and design review application for a new home at 404 Seventh Street. The motion passed unanimously.
The applicant had installed a 5’ x 12’ structure to house the relocated hotel water heaters and water softener without following the City’s design review process. The Historic Resources Board unanimously approved the permit with conditions to include painting the new steel shed doors and exhaust pipe to match the trim color of the existing Posada. The proposed design tiles were considered an appropriate aesthetic for the structure and would not detract from the historical character of the district. The applicant, Ralph Lopez, was present. Staff recommended approving the resolution and the project.
A motion was made by Commission Ostrowski and seconded by Commissioner Garza to approve alterations to the Posada de San Juan located at 310 Fourth Street. The motion passed unanimously.
City Planner Sundt presented a staff report stating the applicant is requesting the approval of a sign permit for two on-site identification signs for a sandwich shop located within the Historic District at 201 Third Street. The new sign would be painted over the previous proprietor’s sign and would be of the same size. The HRB reviewed and approved the sign design but recommended removing a small graphic depiction of Mission SJB and “San Juan Bautista, CA”. The applicant was present.
Commissioner Ostrowski commented that the corner where the restaurant is located is dangerous to traffic.
During public comment Tony Boch commented that the applicant should be required to provide liability insurance for the hanging sign. There was discussion as to whether this requirement was in the municipal code. Sundt stated if it was not, liability insurance could be made a condition in the resolution.
A motion was made by Commissioner Mendez and seconded by Commissioner Ostrowski to approve a sign permit for a new business at 201 Third Street. The motion passed unanimously.
City Planner Sundt presented a staff report stating PG&E has volunteered to remove an existing power pole with streetlight attached so developer Wes Musitelli could voluntarily install an additional lamppost in front of the Foothill Pottery business. Mr. Musitelli is installing four lampposts in the street frontage in front of his Mission Gardens project and this additional light would help extend the City gateway “entry boulevard” visual impact. Sundt stated the intensity of the light has not been determined but Mr. Musitelli is aware of the community’s concern with excessive light intensity. The HRB reviewed the proposal and recommends approval. Staff recommends approval of the installation of the one lamppost and adoption of a respective resolution.
There was general discussion about light intensity. Coile asked if the night skies ordinance would address design aspects to keep the light pointing downward.
During public comment Rebecca McGovern, stating she was part of the advisory committee on the Mission Gardens project, provided clarification.
A motion was made by Chairman Edge and seconded by Commissioner Ostrowski to approve installation of a lamppost on Muckelemi Street. The motion passed unanimously.
6.
Comments
Commissioner Garza commented that a lamp on Las Puertas had been broken for some time and someone in the audience reported that they knew that a replacement part was on order.
.
City Manager Coile provided an update on the American Tower landscape issue.
In response to Commissioner Ostrowski’s concern about a stop sign at Washington and Third, Coile responded that the traffic engineer was busy with other City assignments but that could be addressed in the next fiscal year.
City Manager Coile announced the opening of Girl Scout cookie sales on January 13 (and the availability of seven Girl Scout troops in SJB for cookie orders) and that there are great deals for kids traveling with youth groups listed on the Amtrak “Kids and Trains” website, specifically, a $9 fare for round trip to Sacramento. She also announced there would be a. Breen Adobe dedication with Senator Denham on March 10. Additionally, she informed the Commission she had updated the City website with information about the historic survey. Coile then announced to the Commission that she has resigned as City Manager because of family illness.
City Planner Sundt reported Elizabeth Caraker informed him the City does not have an approved night skies ordinance at this time because the zoning ordinance has not been updated. Coile commented that she has asked the deputy city clerk to check with Code Publishing what the cost would be to post the City’s zoning ordinance on the website. The City delayed posting the Zoning Ordinance because of the expense and the need to pay to replace it with the updated ordinance after a short time. Sundt commented that since the current zoning code is fragmented, posting it on the website could create more problems for staff trying to explain the conflicting requirements in the current ordinance. .
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 p.m. passed unanimously.