City of San Juan Bautista

Planning Commission Meeting
Minutes

October 2, 2007

 

  1. Swearing In

City Manager McClintock stated the swearing in had already taken place at the beginning of the Historic Resources Board meeting.

 

  1. Call to Order at 7:32 p.m. by Chairman Reuben Garza

A.     Pledge of Allegiance (Had already taken place at the Historic Resources Board Meeting.)

    1. Roll Call

Members Present:  Reuben Garza, Jeff Bagley, Dan McMath, and Wanda Guibert.

Members Absent: Erika Spencer

Staff Present:  Jan McClintock, City Manager, Matthew Sundt, City Planner, and Trish Paetz, Deputy City Clerk.

 

  1. Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda

Jolene Cosio instructed the new Planning Commissioners to ask for a code book, and recommended each attend an ethics course.

 

  1. Action Items

A.     Selection of Chair and Vice Chair

Commissioner Guibert nominated Reuben Garza as chairman of the Planning Commission, and Commissioner Bagley seconded the nomination.  The nomination passed unanimously, 4-0-1-0.

 

Commissioner Guibert nominated Erika Spencer as vice chairman of the Planning Commission, and Commissioner Garza seconded the nomination.  The nomination passed unanimously, 4-0-1-0.

 

  1. Consent Items

A.     Approval of Affidavit of Posting October 2, 2007 Agenda

B.     Approval of Affidavit of Posting Public hearing

C.     Approval of Minutes of August 7, 2007 Planning Commission Meeting

D.    Approval of Minutes of September 4, 2007 Planning Commission Meeting

A motion was made by Commissioner Garza and seconded by Commissioner Bagley to continue Item C and Item D, the minutes for approval, to the next Planning Commission meeting when Commissioner Spencer could be present.  The motion passed unanimously, 4-0-1-0.

 

A motion was made by Commissioner Garza and seconded by Commissioner McMath to approve all items on the consent agenda except Item C and Item D.  The motion passed unanimously, 4-0-1-0.

 

6.      Public Hearing Items

A.     1 Polk Street – Historic District Sign Review

This item was discussed during the Historic Resources Board meeting where it was continued to next month.  Therefore, it is not ready for review by the Planning Commission.

 

B.     Sign Ordinance – Amendment – Title 11. Chapter 11.10

City Planner Sundt presented a staff report stating some minor changes to the City’s existing sign ordinance are required that are necessary for clarity and better  understanding.  He proceeded to bring each of the proposed changes to the Commission’s attention. 

 

Chairman Garza asked for clarification on the illuminated signs and sandwich board signs seen in town.  City Manager McClintock informed commissioners that, because of budget constraints, code enforcement is in a reactive mode; that is, issues would be dealt with after a complaint is received in City Hall.

 

A motion was made by Commissioner McMath and seconded by Commissioner Guibert that staff’s proposed changes to the sign ordinance be recommended to the City Council.

 

C.     Site Plan and Design Review – Amendment – Title 11. Chapter 11.18

City Planner Sundt presented a staff report stating that various citizens have expressed an desire for a more streamlined review process in regards to certain developments within the R-1 district of the city, whereby administrative review would be conducted by the City Manager or designee.  Currently, the municipal code requires the Planning Commission to review all projects in the city.  The proposed amendments to the municipal code would preclude Planning Commission review for developments within the R-1 district.  Therefore, the current process would be replaced by an administrative review process with review and decision made by the City Manager or designee. As comparison, City Planner Sundt stated, both the cities of Marina and Soledad use the administrative process for developments in their R-1 districts.  Specifically, this process would apply to new additions to homes and the addition of second houses.

 

During public comment Tony Boch stated he was in favor of the proposed changes to the municipal code.

 

Commissioner Guibert stated she was not comfortable following the cities of Soledad and Marina because they do not have as many historic structures.

 

Chairman Garza stated he would like all new houses to come before the Planning Commission.

 

There was discussion about what percentage of change to a home should apply.

 

Jolene Cosio commented that 1,000 square feet is a large project and the amendment could say 75% or in excess of 1,000 square feet.

 

City Planner Sundt stated it would be better to state simply 75%.

 

The motion was made by Commissioner Bagley and seconded by Commissioner McMath to recommend the proposed ordinance changes to the City Council, including the additional change of 75% of the total square footage of the home.  The motion passed unanimously, 4-0-1-0.

 

D.    Housing Element Amendments (as requested by HCD for CDBG grant)

City Planner Sundt presented a staff report stating the City applied for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) through the California Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) in July 2007 for purposes of funding the November 2007 election that contains a ballot measure to amend the City’s Growth Management Ordinance.  For the City’s application to proceed, HCD had to approve the City’s Housing Element conditional upon the City’s successful implementation of Program H-27 by the end of November 2007.  This matter is presented to the Planning Commission today so that the resolution to amend the Housing Element can immediately proceed to the City Council at their October 16 meeting, thereby allowing final approval of the resolution to occur immediately following the election.

 

City Manager McClintock commented that this process brings the City one step closer to getting the Housing Element passed.  She further explained that without an approved Housing Element the City does not have an approved General Plan, opening the city up to litigation by developers.

 

During public comment Tony Boch asked about the State’s required housing rate, and City Manager McClintock responded, 17,000 houses in San Benito County of which 28% must be affordable units but she was not sure what that number will be in San Juan Bautista.  She then commented that San Juan Bautista has design guidelines and impact fees in place that will dissuade growth.

 

The motion was made by Commissioner Bagley and seconded by Commissioner Guibert to recommend the City Council amend the Housing Element, subject to approval by the voters.  The motion passed unanimously, 4-0-1-0.

 

E.     Condominium Conversion Ordinance

City Planner Sundt presented a staff report stating apartments in California have been converted to condominiums, community apartments, or stock cooperatives.  This conversion process is not new in California with the most recent interest in conversions relative to the upward spiral in the cost of single-family dwellings.  As single-family units become more expensive, people who want to own a residence look to the alternative.  The housing market has been very attractive to those who buy apartments, remodel them and then “flip” them into condominiums, community apartments and stock cooperatives.  There is the potential for this sort of housing in San Juan Bautista whereby existing apartments could be bought and “flipped”.  This would then diminish the City’s stock of affordable rental housing.  So that the City does not lose all affordable rental housing and thus potentially jeopardize a certified Housing Element, staff has been directed to introduce a Condominium Conversion ordinance.

 

During public comment Tony Boch advised that the property at the corner of Franklin and Washington streets was built as condos but rented out as apartments.

 

A motion was made by Commissioner McMath and seconded by Commissioner Bagley to recommend the proposed condominium conversion ordinance to the City Council for approval.  The motion passed unanimously, 4-0-1-0.

 

F.      Underground utility District Ordinance – CONTINUED

 

7.      Comments

A.     Planning Commissioners

Commissioner Garza asked about the relocation of the sheriff substation from the Windmill to the Boy Scouts cabin, and City Manager McClintock responded Council Member Laverone could provide him with more information.

 

B.     City Manager

City Manager McClintock had no comments.

 

Deputy City Clerk Paetz commented that since the November regular meeting falls on Election Day, and the council chambers is being used as a voting precinct, the November meeting needs to be rescheduled to another day.  It was decided to change the meeting to Monday, November 5, 2007, and post the meeting as a special meeting.

 

C.     City Planner

No comments were received.

 

8.      Adjournment

A motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:06 p.m. passed unanimously.        

 

 

                                                                        _________________________________

                                                                           Reuben Garza, Chairman

ATTEST:

 

 

_____________________________

Trish Paetz, Acting City Clerk