City of San Juan Bautista
February 7, 2006
Members Present: Rick Edge; Reuben Garza; Michael Ostrowski; and Erika Spencer.
Members Absent: Javier Mendez (excused)
Staff Present: Jan McClintock, City Manager; Matthew Sundt, City Planner; Trish Paetz, Deputy City Clerk.
City resident Tony Boch asked about the legality of parking a cargo container on the street due to the fact one had been left on his street. Commissioner Ostrowski reported that the container, placed on the street by merchant Dante Bains, had already been removed.
Rebecca McGovern welcomed new City Manager Jan McClintock.
B. Approval of Minutes of January 3, 2006
A motion was made by Commissioner Garza and seconded by Commissioner Spencer to approve the Affidavit of Posting for the February 7, 2006 Planning Commission meeting and the January 3, 2006 meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
City Planner Sundt presented a staff report stating the Infantes had submitted an application for a Conditional Use and Sign Permit for purposes of obtaining approval from the City to operate a wine and beer lounge at 311 Third Street. Their Use Permit application includes a proposal to install a sign and attach it to an historic building in the historic district. The Historic Resources Board and staff recommend approval based on the findings and subject to the conditions of approval listed in the resolution.
No public comments were received.
The applicants were asked general questions about their lounge; hours of operation, capacity, and whether the applicants had discussed building repairs with the owners.
A motion was made by Commissioner Garza and seconded by Commissioner Ostrowski to approve a Conditional Use and Sign Permit application for a wine and beer lounge at 311 Third Street. The motion passed unanimously.
City Planner Sundt presented ATC’s fourth amendment to the landscape plans, which had the Historic Resources Board’s approval. Karen Avery of the Lyle Company and landscape architect Anita Kane were present.
Chairman Edge was concerned with the size of trees for planting, if they would provide immediate screening and catch up on the amount of screening lacking on the site over the past few years. Anita Kane responded that the trees would grow to the point of screening in three years.
Sundt commented that the resolution provided for installation of mesh cages around all landscaping to guard against deer browsing on the young plants. He further stated that a quarterly maintenance plan reporting requirement would be added to the resolution.
Commissioner Garza asked how the issue of erosion would be addressed and Sundt replied that public works staff would deal with it. Garza suggested using dirt from the Mission Garden project to build it up, after the water flow has been diverted.
Chairman Edge asked about the issue of painting the equipment boxes and Sundt replied that ATC would not paint Verizon’s boxes. Commissioner Ostrowski, a painter by trade, commented that the Verizon box has a baked-on finish and would be expensive to paint.
Comissioner Ostrowski suggested that if ATC does not comply with the revised landscape design plans, the City should cancel their contract and remove the towers.
Chairman Edge asked if the City has a lease renewal option, and City Manager McClintock advised that there was a penalty involved with not renewing and it would be to the City’s benefit to work with the contractor or they would lose control of the situation if the towers were moved to neighboring property.
Chairman Edge commented that the amended landscape plans were acceptable, whereas a few months ago they were not.
There was discussion about the timing of the maintenance reports where Ms. Kane suggested monthly reporting during the first year and Sundt maintained quarterly reporting would be a requirement during the second term of the lease.
Commissioners selected camouflage colors for the PG&E transformer box from samples provided by Karen Avery. Anita Kane assisted in the selection.
A motion was made by Commissioner Edge and seconded by Commissioner Spencer to recommend to the City Council approval of the ATC landscape design plans. The motion passed 3-1-0-1 with Commissioner Garza opposing.
5.
Comments
Commissioner Garza welcomed the new City Manager.
City Manager McClintock announced the Castro Breen adobe would be open to the public on February 11.
City Planner Sundt reported the Housing Element went to the State Office of Housing and Community Development. He further reported the zoning ordinance would be presented to the Historic Resources Board and then to the Planning Commission, and the dark sky ordinance is part of the zoning ordinance.
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:24 p.m. passed unanimously.