CITY of SAN JUAN BAUTISTA

Planning Commission Meeting

March 6, 2007

 

MINUTES

 

Vice Chair Ostrowski called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm, by inviting all present to join in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

 

Commissioners present:      Commissioner Bagley, Commissioner Cosio, Commissioner Ostrowski, Commissioner Spencer

 

Commissioners absent:       Chair Garza, due to illness

 

Staff present:                         City Planner (CP) Sundt and Minutes Clerk Johnson

 

OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:

 

Vice Chair Ostrowski opened the public hearing for items not appearing on the agenda. Noting that no persons were present to address this agenda item, the public hearing was closed.   

 

CONSENT AGENDA:

 

A.    Approval of Affidavit of Posting March 6, 2007 Agenda

B.   Approval of Minutes of February 6, 2007 Planning Commission Meeting                         

COMMISSIONER SPENCER MOTIONED APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. COMMISSIONER BAGLEY SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH PASSED (4-0-0-1), WITH THE FOLLOWING VOTE:  AYES: COMMISSIONER BAGLEY, COMMISSIONER COSIO, COMMISSSIONER OSTROWSKI, COMMISSIONER SPENCER; NOES: NONE; ABSTAIN: NONE; ABSENT: COMMISSIONER GARZA. 

 

PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS ~ REQUIRING COMMISSION ACTION

 

499 Third Street – Glad Tidings Church

CP Sundt presented the staff report, noting the following:

This is a request for consideration of final landscape plan prior to issuance of the final building occupancy permit for the Glad Tidings church parsonage at 499 Third Street.

 

CP Sundt recalled for the Commissioners that on September 7, 2004, the Planning Commission approved the Glad Tidings parsonage project and required the applicant to revise the landscape plan and return for final approval prior to issuance of the final building occupancy. The landscape plan stipulates the following:

1.  a meandering sidewalk along Muckelemi that accommodates the street trees, landscaping, and a minimum four-foot pedestrian pathway;

2.  alternative tree species that would be more appropriate to the town but not overused in the region (as is the Crepe Myrtle); and

3.  clarification of landscaping proposed for the rear of the property.

Continuing, CP Sundt said that in early 2006 the City Building Inspector issued a temporary occupancy permit. Subsequently, the City Planner has been working with the applicant to develop and submit a final landscape plan that reflects the 2004 conditions and resolution. The applicant has submitted a final landscape plan that includes the following:

-         two 15-gallon Japanese maple trees to be planted at the south end of the northwest side of the parsonage and one in the courtyard area between the church and the parsonage      [Note: the City landscape architect Anita Kane states in her            correspondence in February 2006 (distributed as part of the staff report) on the subject of street trees that Aristocratic Pear should be the predominant street tree in SJB. On sites with limited space for trees, the Evergreen Pear is recommended. Swan Hill fruitless olive, interior live oak and California pepper tree are "signature trees" and should be used where space is adequate to accommodate these large diameter trees. In the case of the Glad Tidings church the Japanese maple could be an appropriate tree because it is on private property and provides good canopy];

-         20 bougainvillea (5 gal. each);

-         20 photinia fraseri (1 gal. each);

-         flower carpet rose, climbing roses and the ground cover (thyme) (as required to adequately cover between previously identified plants;

-         water fountain structure in area between the church building and the parsonage;

-         pavers between the church building and the parsonage; and

-         south boundary line will be fenced six feet high with plants indicated on the site plan.

Sidewalk: a sidewalk was not installed as the spacing between the building and the back of curb would not accommodate this. Suggested trees (by the Church) are Japanese maple. In presenting the landscaping for the site plans by calling attention to the drawings and the following Conditions, CP Sundt noted the proposed resolution

1.  Landscaping and fencing (per the landscape plan) shall be installed and         presented to the Planning   Commission by May 1, 2007.

2.  Hardscape (pavers and fountain) shall be installed by June 1, 2007.

            (add) City Staff will work with the applicant to ensure appropriateness of         pavers and grout for equivalent façade to others within the City.

3. All building construction associated with the parsonage shall be completed by May 1, 2007.

4. The City Planner shall inspect the landscaping and fencing on May 1, 2007 to determine installation.

5. The City Building Inspector shall inspect the parsonage on May 1, 2007 to determine that it meets code as of May 1, 2007, (human habitation and use)

6.  Plant two Aristocrat pear trees where the Modesto ash trees had been on Muckelemi Street, and fronting the church (completion before May 1, 2007)

7.  Install irrigation system to all plants (completion before May 1, 2007)

8.   If the landscaping, fencing and condition of the building is not fit for human habitation and use by May 1, 2007, as required by the State or City code, the Building Inspector shall immediately rescind the temporary occupancy permit, which will result in the current inhabitants and users vacating the parsonage, as allowed per city code.

 

CP Sundt advised that the ramp for handicapped access had been constructed without permits, but on inspection the structure had been found to be sound, and would be included in the landscape site plan. He also called attention to correspondence received from Cara Vonk, and responded to each of the items 4) raised in the letter.

 

Commissioners discussed at length the appropriateness of the plantings and placement of same in relation to the location. Considerable concern was voiced regarding the root system of Japanese maples.

 

Vice Chair Ostrowski opened the public hearing.

 

Pastor John Amelio said he – and the congregation – were happy to be at this point of completion, and thanked the staff and Commissioners for working with them. Pastor Amelio assured openness to suggestions for the plantings, and said working with City staff will guarantee timely achievement.

 

With no others present to speak to the matter, the public hearing was closed.

 

Brief discussion ensued regarding the suggestion of the Landscape Architect, and Commissioners directing CP Sundt to continue working with Church officials to bring timely conclusion to the issue, with identification of the ‘proper trees’ and plantings.

 

COMMISSIONER COSIO OFFERED RESOLUTION NO. PC 2007-0X, APPROVING A LANDSCAPE PLAN FOR THE GLAD TIDINGS CHURCH PARSONAGE INCLUSIVE OF THE FINDINGS AND CONDITIONS, AS INDICATED IN THE STAFF REPORTS AND WITH THE AMENDMENTS SO NOTED. COMMISSIONER BAGLEY SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH PASSED (4-0-0-1) BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: COMMISSIONER BAGLEY, COMMISSIONER COSIO, COMMISSSIONER OSTROWSKI, COMMISSIONER SPENCER; NOES: NONE; ABSTAIN: NONE; ABSENT: COMMISSIONER GARZA. 

 

San Juan Bautista Design Guidelines Amendment

CP Sundt gave the staff report, giving an overview of the project description:

The City Council approved an amendment to the Municipal Code Chapter 11.10 -Signs, on February 20, 2007, with portable freestanding signs are allowed in the commercial districts. CP Sundt reminded that the types of signs approved by that action are not currently allowed in the Design Guidelines; and consequently, there is need for consistency which altering the Design Guidelines will achieve.

 

CP Sundt explained that the following is cause for concern: Page 7-6, Design Guidelines includes a section titled "Prohibited Signs" (CP Sundt note there is a ‘rogue version’ of Chapter 7 of the Design Guidelines that does not include the "Prohibited Signs" section. He asked the Commissioners to disregard/discard that version (Chapter 7 only) of the Design Guidelines). The correct version of item 7 states that portable signs within the Historic District are prohibited, which now contradicts the action of the City Council at that February 20, 2007 meeting. The Commissioners were asked to recommend that the City Council rescind this item so that correction is feasible.

 

Succinct discussion ensued regarding the matter:

Commissioner Casio suggested possibly revisiting the issue of small neon signs for businesses within the Historic District

Vice Chair Ostrowski asked if the HRB had been the opportunity to peruse the language [yes]

 

Vice Chair Ostrowski opened, and then closed the public hearing as no persons present indicted a wish to speak to the matter.

 

COMMISSIONER SPENCER MOTIONED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL LANGUAGE AMENDING THE DESIGN GUIDELINES.  COMMISSIONER BAGLEY SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH PASSED (4-0-0-1) WITH THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: COMMISSIONER BAGLEY, COMMISSIONER COSIO, COMMISSSIONER OSTROWSKI, COMMISSIONER SPENCER; NOES: NONE; ABSTAIN: NONE; ABSENT: COMMISSIONER GARZA. 

 

Comments and  Announcements: 

 

Commissioners:

 

Responding to a concern of Commissioner Cosio regarding the handicapped access ramp on Washington and 3rd, Commissioner Bagley advised it is not finished yet, and explained the location of a ‘drop drains’ which ‘don’t always work’.

 

Commissioner Casio called attention to a ‘forever constant’ for-rent sign on Muckelemi Street between 3rd and 4th for near-by apartments with staff being directed to review and locate the offence.

 

Commissioner Bagley reported on the recent effort to locate pipes under city streets and determine those pipe sizes. He expressed frustration felt by many staff at the inconsistency of City maps.

 

Adjournment:

 

ACTING ON THE MOTION BY COMMISSIONERS SPENCER/CASIO FOR ADJOURNMENT, VICE CHAIR OSTROWSKI DECLARED THE MEETING COMPLETED, AND AT 7:45 PM SO ORDERED.  

 

 

                                                                        ____________________________

                                                                          Michael Ostrowski, Vice Chairman

ATTEST:

 

 

____________________________

  Trish Paetz, Deputy City Clerk