City of
Planning Commission
Special Meeting
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Minutes
A. Pledge
of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Wanda Guibert at
the opening of the preceding Historical Resources Board meeting.
B. Roll
Call: Present: Jeff Bagley,
Local resident
A. Affidavit of Posting Agenda
B. Minutes of January 8, 2007 Planning
Commission Meeting
A.
other
dwellings will occur as the market warrants.
City Planner Sundt read a report stating that the City
Engineer has determined that because the subject parcel (Lot 2) is sloped and
the rear two lots have steeper slopes that it is necessary for the applicant to
provide to the City Engineer detailed
information about the characteristics of the
proposed driveway so as to allow an assessment to determine if the driveway
slope and other characteristics will be adequate to serve the two rear
parcels. The following information is
necessary: width of driveway, subgrade
characteristics, and proposed slope of driveway between the two front lots and
the slope of driveway on the two rear parcels.
With this information the City Engineer will be able to determine if the
driveway is adequately permeable, is adequately sloped in order to safely and
practically service the two rear lots, and how the driveway will correlate with
future residences on the two rear parcels.
The applicant is now requesting a variance from city code that requires
a driveway. Staff is adamantly opposed
to there not being a driveway because without a driveway there would be no
access to the carport.
With regard to grading, City Planner Sundt reported that
the previously approved plans (December 2006) included a grading plan that
showed substantial cut and fill. Though
the current plans indicate a residence that is half the size of the previously
approved home on this lot, the subject parcel is sloped and so it is
anticipated by the City Engineer that
some grading will be necessary to accommodate the proposed residence, thus
resulting in cut and fill. The applicant
has stated in his application that no cut and fill is required for the proposed
residence or driveway, but there is no plan for the rear lots so it is not
reasonable for City staff to concur with this.
As the two rear lots (not proposed for construction at this time) are on
sloped it is reasonable to anticipate that cut and fill will occur.
City Planner Sundt spoke about drainage requirements for
maximized pervious surfaces be
maximized on the four lots to prevent large volumes of water washing down the
slope in rainy seasons. He also noted that, per SJB Municipal Code, all new
utilities are required to be placed underground.
During
his report, the City Planner reviewed the conditions submitted by City Staff
for the project, which include(but are not limited to:) an indemnification agreement; expiration of
the approved permit one year from the date of approval and responsibility of the applicant to know and understand in
its
entirety
SJB Municipal Code Section 11.17; plans detailing the driveway dimensions and
location to serve all for lots; a grading plan detailing the cut and fill on
each lot associated with each residence and driveway; and a utility plan for service to all four
parcels.
The City Planner reviewed the statutory conditions upon
which a variance may be granted to the applicant developer.
The Council recognized Mr. Tod DuBois who spoke about his
opposition of some of the City’s requirements based upon various factors, the
primary one being that his request concerns rebuilding of a previously existing
residential unit and not development of the additional three parcels. He reviewed,
item by item, each condition he objected to with his rationale.
During
discussion and consideration of the Planning Commission, the City Planner
agreed to make several modifications on various conditions, such as waiving the
underground utilities requirement for the one residential home.
A public hearing was opened to receive comments on the
matter. Ms.
Ms. Cosio stated that Mr. DuBois is a nice person and his
action to tear down the previous structure on the
Upon motion made by Commissioner McMath, seconded by
Commissioner Bagley, and unanimously carried, the Planning Commission approved
the
A. SJB Urban Design Charette: The City
Manager and the City Planner
reviewed
the development process for the City’s Urban Design Charette, and
noted that
interesting proposals were designed for
streets,
as well as a proposal for the closure of a section of
between
Second and Third Streets, to vehicle traffic, with creation of a walkway
to the
embedded
in sidewalks; modification of fences in front of empty parcels on
and
placement of a visitor kiosk containing general info about the City;
beautification
of the City’s entrances; a seasonal, outdoor movie theater on the
wall of
the Golden Wheel building.
It was
noted by Commissioners that the SJB Urban Design Charette is published
on the
City’s website and available in printed copies at City Hall.
A. Planning Commissioner: None.
B. City
Manager: City Manager Jan McClintock responded to an inquiry about
the
condition of a property at First and Monterey Streets, by stating that the
City’s
code enforcement process is addressing the situation. She also responded
to a
question regarding “Safe Routes to School,” and stated that when schools
are
built, it becomes an unfunded responsibility of the City or other local area to
provide a
safe route for students to walk to school. The City Manager reported
that the
City is applying for grant funds for “Safe Routes to School.” She also
noted
that eligibility to receive the vast majority of grant funds is based upon a
certified Housing Element, which SJB does not have at this time.
C. City Planner:
1) CLG
Grant re National Register Historic Landmark District
Nomination: City Planner Sundt
stated that a report was submitted to
the State Office of Historical Preservation.
2)
Eleven Most Endangered Historic Properties Grant Application:
City
Planner Sundt stated that the City has not yet received a response to
its
application.
Community
member Tony Boch stated that he was informed that the
State’s
building inspectors condemned several downtown buildings, and
asked
if there is a public safety liability issue.
The City Manager stated that the State building inspectors
were responding to complaints, but were not given access to the buildings and
could not complete a full analysis of their condition; therefore, the buildings
were not officially condemned. She
further stated that City Code Enforcement sent notices regarding public health
and safety concerns to owners of the properties. Mr. Boch asked if the owners
of these historical buildings could be eligible for grant monies. The City
Manager explained that there could be grant funding eligibility up to $700,000;
however, because the City does not have a voter approved Housing Element, the
properties are not eligible.