Telephone 707/ Web Page

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City of Petaluma, CA City Council Chambers City Hall, 11 English Street Petaluma, CA 94952 Telephone 707/778-4301

E-Mail [email protected] Web Page http://www.cityofpetaluma.org

Planning Commission Minutes

Tuesday, September 22, 2020 – 07:00 PM Regular Meeting

DRAFT MINUTES

1. CALL TO ORDER

Chair Streeter opened the meeting at 7:00 P.M. and called the Planning Commission to order.

Chair Streeter called the City Council meeting to order. He also noted that items 4, 5 and 6 will be moved to after the presentation.

2. ROLL CALL

PRESENT: Richard Marzo, Heidi Bauer, Scott Alonso, Patrick Streeter, Kevin McDonnell, Blake Hooper, Sandi Potter, Teresa Barrett, D'Lynda Fischer, Mike Healy, Gabe Kearney, Dave King, and Kathy Miller.

ABSENT: None

3. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT

During General Public Comment, the public is invited to make comments on items of public interest that are within the Commission’s subject matter jurisdiction and that are not listed on the current agenda. Public comments are limited to three minutes per person.

Chair Streeter opened the General Comment period.

Scott Springhorn, provided comments regarding the proposed Verizon wireless project at the

Petaluma Creamery site on Western Avenue. He believes that the information provided by the

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applicant is unverifiable and requested that the City order a drive test, at no cost to the City, to show that there is no significant gap in coverage in order to protect the City from any lawsuits.

Paul Gavin provided comments regarding the proposed Verizon wireless project at the

Petaluma Creamery site on Western Avenue. He is concerned about the people affected by the proposed cell tower which is inappropriate because of its size in a residential neighborhood. He believes that City staff is not interested in learning about the project because he has left 18 messages and received only one return call. He would like to hear about any changes to Verizon's plans.

Shad Cloney provided comments regarding the proposed Verizon wireless project at the Petaluma Creamery site on Western Avenue. The Creamery was recently recognized as a historic landmark and therefore the municipal code only allows up to 1500 watts on that site compared to the 500,000 watts of power that has been proposed. He is concerned that once the towers are erected that there will be no controls of their power emissions.

Duane Bellinger stated his concerns about Global Warming and Greenhouse Gases and with another heatwave coming, he asked at what point should automobiles stop being subsidized?

He suggested letting the drivers pay the full cost of driving automobiles.

4. COMMITTEE COMMENT

A. Council Liaison – Kevin McDonnell

Council Member McDonnell announced that the City of Petaluma has a new City Clerk, Kendall Rose. He reported on the following:

1) City Council received a "Community Forum on Racism and Interactions with Police" report which will be an item at a future community workshop. 2) The City has sold Polly Klaas theater space on Western Avenue. 3) The Riverbend project zoning changes and appeal came to Council for review and will be discussed further at a future meeting. 4) A Notice of Preparation of an EIR was filed for the Scannell Mixed Use project on Hopper Street and a public meeting is being held on September 23rd. 5) The "Know Before You Grow" group is starting to meet again and he will announce more meetings in the future.

B. Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee – Blake Hooper

Commissioner Hooper reported that at their regular August meeting, the Committee discussed items such as ADA curbed ramps, Phase 3 missed opportunities on the east side of Petaluma, a potential bicycle boulevard on 5th Avenue, and the Hines Downtown Station project. At their special meeting on August 26th, the Committee reviewed the Casa Grande housing project and VMT Thresholds.

C. Tree Advisory Committee – Richard Marzo

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Commissioner Marzo reported that at their Tree Advisory Committee meeting, there was a presentation from an Eagle Scout proposing a tree planting project in the Oakhill neighborhood which will be part of the official Arbor Day celebration. The Committee continued discussions on the technical tree manual which will be presented in next two meetings. They also discussed heritage oak trees within the Riverbend project and will be sending a letter to the City Council requesting to review the inclusion of these oaks into their landscape plan.

D. Other Committee Comment

Committee Member Alonso asked if there were any items scheduled for following meeting.

Ms. Hines responded that there were not any items noticed for inclusion on the next agenda.

5. STAFF COMMENT

A. Planning Manager’s Report

Heather Hines, Planning Manager, added that the Scannell project scoping meeting will be a kickoff to the environmental process for the project and the EIR consultant, Placeworks, and the developer will be present to answer questions. She noted that the Baywood zoning text amendment project was approved by the City Council with the modified language

recommended by the Planning Commission. In addition, the proposed Riverbend project was heard by the City Council along with an appeal that was filed. Staff made their presentation and public input was taken. The Council continued the item with direction to the applicant to look more closely at tree preservation, maximizing on street parking, traffic calming, and potential flooding impacts.

Commissioner Alonso Ms. Hines

6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Approval of Minutes for the meetings of Tuesday, July 28, 2020 and Tuesday August 11, 2020.

The minutes will be available at the next meeting.

7. PRESENTATION

A. Urban Land Institute Technical Advisory Panel - Receive and discuss the Urban Land Institute Technical Advisory Panel (ULI TAP) presentation, including findings and

recommendations from the panel’s study of housing opportunities in Petaluma.

Staff: Christina Paul, Principal Policy Planner

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Staff Report

Attachment 1 - Petaluma ULI TAP Site Profiles Chair Streeter introduced the item and staff.

Christina Paul, Principal Policy Planner introduced the Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance Panel Chair.

Karen Alschuler, Panel Chair, Perkins & Will Randy Tsuda, Alta Housing

Ms. Alschuler

Meg Spriggs, Shorenstein Ms. Alschuler

Tom Leader, TLS Landscape Architecture William Duncanson, BAR Architects Daniel Adams, Sares Regis

Mr. Duncanson Mr. Leader Mr. Adams

Nicole Franklin, BART Mr. Tsuda

Ms. Alschuler

Chair Streeter opened the meeting to Commission and Council comments.

Vice Chair Bauer Ms. Alschuler Mr. Adams Mr. Duncanson Streeter

Ms. Alschuler

Commissioner Alonso

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Ms. Alschuler

Commissioner Alonso Ms. Alschuler

Commissioner Alonso Chair Streeter

Commissioner Hooper Mr. Adams

Commissioner Hooper Ms. Alschuler

Commissioner Marzo Ms. Alschuler

Commissioner Marzo Commissioner Potter Council Member McDonnell Ms. Alschuler

Ms. Spriggs

Council Member McDonnell Ms. Alschuler

Ms. Spriggs

Council Member McDonnell Ms. Alschuler

Council Member McDonnell Vice Mayor Fischer

Mr. Adams

Vice Mayor Fischer

Ms. Alschuler

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Mr. Adams

Council Member Healy Ms. Alschuler

Council Member Kearney Ms. Alschuler

Council Member King Ms. Alschuler

Council Member King Council Member Miller Mr. Tsuda

Ms. Alschuler

Mayor Barrett

Ms. Alschuler

Mayor Barrett

Ms. Alschuler

Mayor Barrett

Mr. Tsuda

Chair Streeter

Ms. Alschuler

Ms. Spriggs

Chair Streeter

Ms. Alschuler

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Mr. Adams

Chair Streeter opened the public comment period.

Ms. Alschuler Chair Streeter Patrick Carter

Taryn Obaid had a comment directed to the City and M-Group. She stated that when you have an assignment you must take a step back and verify the assignment to keep from having a misguided false narrative. She believes that the City of Petaluma is 820% over their RHNA numbers, and even if the RHNA numbers doubled, the City would be fine for the next 15 years.

She also asked how the representatives for the list of stakeholders were selected.

Christina, Petaluma resident, stated that she was concerned about losing the charm of the town when there is mention of being flexible of development using vertical growth. She would like to see more use of the public voice because many people are very concerned that what we are told is not what actually happens. She is concerned about the impacts on roads and traffic. The ULI ideas sound great but it feels like it’s moving too fast.

Ben Peters echoed the previous speakers’ comments and noted that when the City Council overrules the Planning Commission decisions, you get a negative political climate. He stated that there was no mention in the ULI report that the Washington Square property is the central bus hub in Petaluma and suggested they review the bus map. If buses are a priority for fighting climate change a safe bus station should be a priority. If the bus station remains, there should be more emphasis on keeping it safe and friendly.

Ali Gaylord, East Petaluma resident, was happy that the ULI TAP looked at increasing density and reusing underutilized space and providing areas that are more walkable and bikeable. She stated that the idea of replacing old style shopping centers with vibrant communities is a great suggestion and would like to see a safe crossing over 101 along East Washington Street. She noted that it is important for the City Council and Planning Commission to support forward thinking ideas and stressed that the General Plan is a long-term planning tool and should have an equitable, climate-focused, affordable housing centered, Housing Element to accommodate all residents of Petaluma for years to come.

Pete Gang, Petaluma architect, expressed gratitude for the work of the ULI TAP, and stated that this is the integrated long-term planning and visioning that Petaluma has been missing.

Duane Mellinger stated that he was impressed with the ideas around the Petaluma River and

the Fairgrounds but felt that the Corona area could be utilized better. The people of Petaluma

voted twice to allow for an extension area of 90 acres North of Corona to allow for parks,

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school and a 10-acre shopping center and the lack of vision detracts from the other work that ULI TAP has done.

Susan Kirks stated that she echoed Ms. Gaylords comments, and felt that examples of

transforming a shopping center would be helpful. She also noted that it would have been nice to be included in the invitation for stakeholders since she is affiliated with several conservation organizations in Petaluma.

Beverly Alexander was surprised that the TAP presentation did not stress heavy development but used climate change and the use and possible expansion of the Petaluma River. She stated that she did not read any advertising of invitation for stakeholders and it would have been nice to see an invitation in the Argus. She also suggesting using the proposed TOD project in Rohnert Park as an example and more of the Lynch Creek trail and the Petaluma River.

Brian Barnacle encouraged the process to articulate what system thinking and design thinking looks like. He encouraged the long-term view of the Corona area, with design that makes it safe and the continuation of engaging planning experts to provide a good planning experience.

The public comment period was closed.

Mayor Barrett Chair Streeter Ms. Alschuler

Commissioner Marzo Chair Streeter

Chair Streeter requested final thoughts from the Council members and Commissioners.

Vice Mayor Fischer Council Member Healy Council Member Kearney Council Member King Council Member McDonnell Council Member Miller Mayor Barrett

Vice Chair Bauer

Commissioner Alonso

Ms. Hines

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Ms. Paul

Commissioner Alonso Ms. Hines

Commissioner Alonso Commissioner Hooper Commissioner Marzo Commissioner Potter Chair Streeter

Ms. Hines

The City Council portion of the meeting was adjourned.

8. OLD BUSINESS NONE

9. NEW BUSINESS NONE

10. ADJOURN

Chair Streeter closed meeting at 10:05 PM

Next Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, 2020.