City of San Juan Bautista
June 6, 2006
Members Present: Rick Edge, Erika Spencer, Reuben Garza, Javier Mendez, and Michael Ostrowski.
Staff Present: Jan McClintock, City Manager; Matthew Sundt, City Planner; Trish Paetz, Deputy City Clerk.
There was no public comment received.
A motion was made by Commissioner Garza and seconded by Commissioner Spencer to approve the affidavit of posting of the public hearing notice, the affidavit of posting of the agenda and the minutes for the May 2, 2006 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
City Planner
Sundt presented a staff report for a design review for alterations to an
existing structure within the Historic District which includes replacement of
an emergency generator located within the structure with a newer and more
efficient generator that meets all California environmental clean air
standards. The generator exhaust is
relocated to eliminate the smell and noise that have historically impacted the
neighbor to the east. The generator is
operated routinely once each month for 30 minutes and when power is disrupted. Proposed finishing materials are consistent
with the existing structure. Proposed
work would not be detrimental to the historic character of the district.
He commented
that members of the Planning Commission and the Historic Resources Board had
visited the site, together with AT&T representative, Mr. Garcia and a
neighbor to the property.
Commissioner
Mendez stated that he participated in the site visit, and was concerned with
the sidewalk in front of the property that was lifted because of overgrown tree
roots. There was discussion about the
HRB’s request to replace the buckled sidewalk using “old” sidewalk materials.
Mr. Garcia
reported that AT&T wanted to get an arborist in to look at the tree in
question and its root structure. He said
he appreciated the assistance HRB provided with the process.
Chairman
Edge asked if employing an arborist to inspect the sidewalk needed to be added
to the conditions of approval, and City Planner Sundt replied, yes.
A motion was made by Commissioner Ostrowski and seconded by Commissioner
Garza to approve the application for design review for alterations to an
existing structure within the Historic District, and Resolution 2006-07 with
the modification described above. The
motion passed unanimously.
Consultant Elizabeth Caraker presented a staff report stating the Housing Element adopted by the City Council did not pass review by the State Department of Housing and Community Development; specifically, additional changes are required in order to comply with State housing element law and to obtain certification. The required changes include an amendment to Program H-24 to require the City to amend its Growth Management Ordinance to allow exemptions to special needs housing and infill projects and further clarify when a project would require voter approval. Other changes include information items, including expansion of the land inventory, inclusionary housing ordinance discussion, permit processing discussion, and special needs housing discussion. Certification of the Housing Element is required in order for the City to pursue state funding through Community Development Block Grants. Therefore, staff requests that the Planning Commission recommend City Council adoption of the proposed Housing Element amendments.
Commissioner Ostrowski asked if changes were made to the growth ordinance, and Caraker responded, no, but programs were being proposed. There was general discussion about the City’s growth ordinance.
During public comment Georgeanne Gularte stated she was impressed with the Planning Commission’s concern.
Todd Dubois asked Commissioners to please pay attention to special needs housing and preserving historical structures.
Commissioner Ostrowski was concerned with how a small city like San Juan was going to be able to accommodate the State’s requirements. The City would have to “bend” in order to get funding to support City Hall and to prosper.
Becky McGovern stated, the good news is that the State isn’t telling us to raise the growth rate to 2% or 3%, but they are telling us to include these elements.
A motion was made by Chairman Edge and seconded by Commissioner Garza to recommend approval of proposed changes to the 2001-2009 Housing Element to the City Council. The motion passed 4-1-0-0 with Commissioner Ostrowski voting against.
City Manager McClintock presented a staff report stating the San Juan Bautista Historical Society is requesting permission from the City to install a sign at the City Library. The proposed sign has HRB approval.
Valerie Egland presented samples of a temporary sign and what the original sign looked like. She is a student of Alex Zeller who created the original sign.
A motion was made by Commissioner Garza and seconded by Commissioner Spencer to approve a sign for the City Library. The motion passed unanimously.
5.
Action
Items
This item was continued to the July 2006 hearing. No action was taken.
6.
Discussion
Items
City Planner Sundt announced that Commissoners must reschedule the July meeting as it falls on a City holiday, Independence Day.
A motion was made by Commissioner Ostrowski and seconded by Chairman Edge to change the date for the next meeting to July 11, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. The motion passed unanimously
7.
Comments
Chairman Edge asked who was threatening to sue over the City’s growth ordinance, and the City Manager responded, multiple people.
City Manager McClintock reported there would be a community meeting to develop a Calendar of Events on June 20 at 4:00 p.m., the City would submit an application to Preserve America, and the City Attorney would conduct an ethics class for all appointed and elected officials on June 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Commissioner Mendez suggested the City sponsor a blues festival.
City Planner Sundt stated he had received three applications from; (1) the Mission (Diosese of Monterey) for bathroom renovation, (2) Mr. Rocha, and (3) Manual Lopez.
Sundt updated the Commission on progress with the Historic Inventory, stating information was being downloaded onto the server.
In regards to the Chalmers property, Sundt commented the HRB’s decision was difficult for the Rodriguez family to contend with.
Sundt reported on the landscape issue at the ATC site, stating Wes Musitelli had delivered dirt fill to the site that will be used to stabilize the gully.
8.
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 p.m. passed unanimously.