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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/06/97 AGENDA REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BAKERSFIELD Council Chamberl City Hall Thursday, November 6, 1997 5:30 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL JEFFREY TKAC, Chairperson ROBERT ORTIZ, Vice-Chairperson STEPHEN BOYLE MICHAEL DHANENS MARTI MUNIS-KEMPER WADE TAVORN ALTERNATE: BETSY TEETER NOTE: Agendas may be amended up to 72 hours prior to the Planning Commission meeting. A .final agenda may be obtained from the Planning Department 72 hours prior to the meeting. 2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS ANY PERSON WHOSE NAME APPEARS ON THE AGENDA OR WISHES TO SPEAK REGARDING A PUBLIC HEARING NEED NOT FILL OUT A SPEAKER'S CARD. ALL OTHERS WISHING TO SPEAK BEFORE THE COMMISSION MAY FILL OUT A SPEAKER'S CARD AND PRESENT IT TO THE SECRETARY PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF THE MEETING. NOTICE OF RIGHT TO APPEAL Planning Commission decisions on Zone Changes, Parcel Maps and Tentative Subdivision maps are subject to appeal by any person aggrieved. No permit shall be issued for any use involved in an application until after the final acceptance date of appeal. Such appeal must be filed in writing within 10 days from date of hearing, addressed to the City Council, cio Office of the City Clerk, 1501 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301. A $330 non-refundable filing fee must be included with filing of the initial appeal for those appeals filed by the applicant or any person outside the notice area. All appeals filed on land divisions will require a $330 non-refundable filing fee. If all appeals are withdrawn prior to the City Council hearing, it will not be conducted and the- ' decision of the Planning Commission will stand. If no appeal is received within the specified time period or if all appeals filed are withdrawn, the action of the Planning Commission shall become final. Agenda, PC, 11/6/97 Page 2 3. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS - (marked by asterisk (*) These items will be acted on as a group without individual staff presentations if no member of the Planning Commission or audience wishes to comment or ask questions on a case. The items are recommended for approval by staff. The applicant has been informed of any special conditions and has signed an agreement to conditions of approval and requested to be placed on the consent agenda. If anyone wishes to discuss or testify on any of the consent items the item(s) will be taken off consent and will be considered in the order on the agenda. If not, the public hearing will be' opened and the items acted on as a group. 4. PRESENTATION TO COMMISSIONER BRADY 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of minutes of the regular meetings held September 15, and September 18, 1997. 6. PUBLIC HEARING -- PROPOSED STREET NAME CHANGE FROM PIERCE ROAD TO BUCK' OWENS BOULEVARD FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ON PIERCE ROAD BETWEEN HIGHWAY 178 AND AIRPORT DRIVE. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve. Group vote PUBLIC HEARING - TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 10472 (Ty Baker) Located on the east side of Main Plaza Drive, south of Winlock Street. Consisting of 4 lots on 24.4 acres zoned R-2 (Limited Multiple Family Dwelling). (Categorically exempt) STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve with conditions. Group vote Agenda, PC, 11/6/97 Page 3 PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS ON THE ADEQUACY OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (DEIR) FOR THE GRAND CANAL PROJECT The Grand Canal Project is a 555,000 square foot retail shopping center proposed for the area between State Route 99, South H Street, the Arvin-Edison Canal and the Berkshire Road alignment. A DEIR has been prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act for this project. This hearing will be to accept testimony on the objectivity and adequacy of the DEIR consistent with the intent of the California Environmental Quality Act. (Comments will be referred to staff for response in the Final EIR). STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Receive comments and refer to staff. 9. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR PARK AND RECREATION FACILITIES OF THE NORTH BAKERSFIELD RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY OF BAKERSFIELD -- DETERMINATION OF CONSISTENCY WITH THE ' 10. 11. 12. GENERAL AND SPECIFIC PLANS STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Group vote COMMUNICATIONS A) Written B) Verbal COMMISSION COMMENTS Make Finding. Committees Committee appointments by Chairman DISCUSSION AND ACTION REGARDING POSSIBLE CANCELLATION OF THE NEXT 13. PRE-MEETING. ADJOURNMENT November 31 1997 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BAKERSFIELD Held Thursday, November 6, 1997, 5:30 p.m., City Council Chamber, City Hall, 1501 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, California. 1. ROLL CALL COMMISSIONERS: Present: JEFFREY TKAC, Chairperson ROBERT ORTIZ, Vice Chairperson STEPHEN BOYLE MICHAEL DHANENS MARTI KEMPER WADE TAVORN BETSY TEETER ADVISORY MEMBERS: Present: STAFF: Present: LAURA MARINO, Assistant City Attorney MARIAN SHAW, Civil Engineer DENNIS FIDLER, Building Director STANLEY GRADY, Planning Director JIM MOVIUS, Principal Planner LAURIE DAVIS, Recording Secretary PUBLIC STATEMENTS Due to their absence at the Monday pre-meeting, Commissioners Tavorn, Dhanens and Boyle indicated that they had listened to the tapes of the Monday meeting and would be participating at this meeting. Mr. Tom Falgatter, representing Valley Plaza, commented on the DEIR of the Grand Canal Project, specifically about any adverse effect the project would have on.other retail establishments. Mr. Falgatter stated that Valley Plaza welcomed the competition, and that their only concern was that the project proponents were initially seeking City subsidies which was subsequently dropped. He indicated that any subsidies, whether direct or indirect, whether in the form of outright grants or reduced fees would be inappropriate for any project. Mr. Dennis Fox submitted material on land use programs from the California Department of Resources. Minutes, PC,11/6/97 Page 3. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS None PRESENTATION TO COMMISSIONER BRADY Commissioner Brady was presented with a service award. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Dhanens made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ortiz, to approve the minutes of the regular meetings held September 15 and September 18, '1997 as presented. Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARING - PROPOSED STREET NAME CHANGE FROM PIERCE ROAD TO BUCK OWENS BOULEVARD FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ON PIERCE ROAD BETWEEN HIGHWAY 178 AND AIRPORT DRIVE Staff report was given recommending approval. The public hearing portion of this item was opened. Ms. Mary Bryant, President of R & B Cooling and Supplies, opposed the name change, indicating it would posea significant financial hardship not only for small businesses located on that street, but for a number of State offices as well. She proposed alternative sites, such as Sillect Avenue or a portion of the freeway, to honor Mr. Owens. Mr. Brian Baker sPoke for his mother, reading a letter she composed in opposition to the name change. Mr. John Sweetzer indicated that 78% of those responding to a Channel 17 poll, and 76% of those responding to a similar poll on Channel 29 were in opposition to the name change. He felt these numbers reflected a lack of widespread support. He also felt that the names of the early settlers should be preserved. Ms. Karen Ash als0 spoke in Opposition. Mr. Brock indicated that a committee had approached him and asked his permission in this matter, that neither Mr. Owens nor any of his staff had any part in initiating the name change. He also stated that they had researched the matter of historical significance of both Pierce and Sillect with a local attorney. Mr. Brock said that prior to approaching City officials with the proposed change, his committee had sent a letter to each business located on Pierce Road, followed up with a second letter and a visit to each individual business that did not respond. He stated that 75% of those businesses indicated they would not oppose the name change. Minutes, PC,11/6/97 Pa~e 3 Ms. Mary Shell indicated her support of the name change, and' gave examples of both Mr. Owens' world-wide fame and his contributions to the community. Mr. Greg Scott stated that he supported the name change. Ms. Carol Knapp of Wells Fargo Bank expressed her support of the name change. Ms. Ernestine Miller gave examples of Mr. Owens' service to the community, and indicated her support of the name change. The public hearing of this item was closed. Commissioner Kemper stated that she favored the name change, indicating that since the change would not take place for a year, this would alleviate problems with the post office. She also read from a number of letters she had received from constituents supporting the name change. Commissioner Boyle indicated, his support for the application for the name change. Commissioner Ortiz stated he would support the name change. Commissioner Tavorn stated that while he had no opinion for or against the name change, he pointed out that it may take as long as five years for various maps, the Internet, and other sources of public information to fully update the change. Commissi°ner Teeter indicated her approval of honoring Mr. Owens, but expressed support for an alternate location, perhaps a stretch of freeway. Commissioner Dhanens asked Mr. Brock to elaborate upon the reasons for selecting Pierce Road, and if alternate locations had been considered. Mr. Brock replied that renaming a freeway was difficult, that 24th Street had far too many businesses and residences to effect a change. He stated that Pierce Road seemed the most logical since that is where the Crystal Palace and Mr. Owens' business offices are located. Commissioner Dhanens, while acknowledging Mr. Owens' contributions to the community, expressed concern that older, less well- known names be preserved as well; however, due to the evidence of approval from those entities located on Pierce Road, he indicated his support of the name change. Chairman Tkac asked staff if any other similar streets had been renamed recently; staff replied that none had. Chairman Tkac stated that he Would support the name change. Minutes, PC,11~6/97 Page CommissionerTavorn askedthe costofsign change;staffreP!ied between $18 and $30 each. 4 A motion was made by Commissioner Boyle, seconded by Commissioner Ortiz, to approve the proposed street name change from Pierce Road to Buck Owens Boulevard to take effect November 6, 1998, with findings set forth in the attached resolution and Exhibit A. Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARING - TENTATIVE TRACT 10472 Commissioner Dhanens declared a conflict of interest on this item. Staff report was given recommending approval with conditions. The public hearing portion of this item was opened; no one spoke in opposition. The public hearing portion of this item was closed. A motion was made by Commissioner Teeter, seconded by Commissioner Ortiz, to approve Tentative Parcel 10472 with findings and conditions set forth in the attached resolution, Exhibit A. Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARINGS TO RECEIVE COMMENTS ON THE ADEQUACY OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (DEIR) FOR THE GRAND CANAL PROJECT Staff indicated the Grand Canal Project is a 555,000 square foot retail shopping -center proposed for the area between State Route 99, South H Street, the Arvin- Edison Canal and the Berkshire Road alignment. A DEIR has been prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act for this project. This hearing will be to accept testimony on the objectivity and adequacy of the DEIR consistent with the intent of the California Environmental Quality Act. (Comments will be referred to staff for response in the final EIR). Staff recommended comments be received and referred to staff. Mr. Glen LeJoy gave an overview of the draft EIR. The public hearing portion of this item was opened. Mr. Dennis Fox expressed concern over water usage, possible liability risks, .and the estimated O and M costs, whether or not these costs would be borne by the City of Bakersfield or the Melos-Roos District. The public hearing portion of this item was cloSed. Minutes, PC,11/6/97 Page 5 Commissioner tavorn expressed concern over levels of traffic, indicating that the information in the draft EIR is weak, that the LOS's are not accurate. He also addressed the problem of potential glare. Commissioner Dhanens referred to the land use sections of the DEIR, specifically centers development and mixed use centers, and requested staff to do an analysis on Policy Number 37 in the land use section to see whether or not the project kind of fits into that type of development, and whether or not it fit into the definition of urban sprawl. Commissioner Boyle agreed with Mr. Tavorn on the issue of traffic. He also expressed concern over public safety, since the project will likely prove an attractive gathering place for young people. He concurred with Mr. Dhanens on the impact of urban sprawl and land use compatibility. Chairman Tkac also expressed concern over traffic, touching on ingress and egress, and suggested that on and off ramps be particularly addressed. Staff indicated that mo're specific~requests would be required to properly resp°nd to the Commission's concerns for traffic. Commissioner Tavorn indicated concern over Panama Lane, that with the estimated traffic generated by the project the off ramp design needed to be changed similar to White Lane, with a possible extension of the deceleration lane. He also asked how the impact to the road system south of the project, which are County roads, would be handled. CommissionerBoyle stated that as presently designed, the circulation pattern of the project required a series of turns to reach the center. He agreedthat an off ramp directly from the freeway would alleviate this concern. Chairman Tkac asked to see the currently proposed changes t'o the existing road system. Staff replied that these changes are in the DEIR, but that additional information could be provided if necessary. A motion was made by Commissioner Dhanens, seconded by CommissiOner Boyle, to refer comments to staff for preparation of a final EIR. Motion carried. Minutes, 9. PC, 11/6/97 Page 6 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR PARK AND RECREATION FACILITIE:: _OF THE NORTH BAKERSFIELD RECREATION AND PARK DISTRIC I LOCATED WITHIN.THE CITY OF BAKERSFIELD. DETERMINATION OI CONSISTENCY WITH THE GENERAL AND SPECIFIC PLAN.~: Staff report was given recommending finding be made. Mr. Roger Mclntosh of Martin-Mclntosh Engineering, representing the Building Industry Association, informed the Commission that the Forum 97 would be held on November 7, 1997, from 7:30 to 1:00 at the Holiday Inn, and invited all to come. He also addressed the issue of a building impaCt fee increase recently approved by the City Council, and similar County fees. Mr. Mclntosh expressed concern that the Park and Recreation District would take developer fees that were being paid by City building permits and use those fees for improvements within County areas to improve County parks. He asked that the Commission clarify these issues, and requested that the Commission clarify that all funding that is being acquired by the District is being properly allocated. COmmissioner Boyle declared a conflict of interest on this item. Commissioner Kemper requested a clarification on the funding issues as outlined by Mr. Mclntosh before taking any action of this item. Commissioner Teeter expressed appreciation to Mr.' Mclntosh for his analysis, and agreed with Commissioner Kemper. Commissioner Tavorn asked Mr. Mclntosh about how a certain per-unit cost in his analysis had been calculated; Mr. Mclntosh gave an explanation of the mathematics involved. Mr. Tavorn agreed with CommiSsioner Teeter, that the issue needs to be reevaluated before it can be properly addressed. Commissioner Dhanens asked if City staff had any comments or background as to how the Capital Improvement Plan had been prepared. Staff replied that the specifics could be provided at the next meeting, but that the funds in question were targeted for parks within the City limits as required by law. A two-week continuance of this item was suggested so that representatives from the North Bakersfield Recreation and Park District as well as the City of Bakersfield Park Division could be present and provide input. Chairman Tkac agreed that representatives from the park districts might provide additional clarification, and asked Mr. Mclntosh if this Would be satisfactory. Mr. Mclntosh replied that the absence of accountability is the most disturbing aspect of this issue, that appeals to several districts and other entities have been met with refusal; he agreed that meeting with park district representatives would be a good start in addressing the problem. Minutes, PC,11/6/97 Page 7 A motion was made by Commissioner Dhanens, seconded by Commissioner Ortiz, to continue this item to the regular meeting of November 20, 1997, and that representatives from the City of Bakersfield Park Division and the North Bakersfield Recreation and Park District be invited to attend. Motion carried. 10. COMMUNICATIONS The Hillside Ordinance Committee was canceled. 11. COMMISSION COMMENTS In response to a recent newspaper article, Commissioner Dhanens, Commissioner Teeter, Commissioner Tavorn and Chairman Tkac concurred with former Commissioner Brady's comments applauding the efforts of the planning staff and Public Worksl and the City Attorney's Office. Commissioner Kemper agreed to serve on the Subdivision and Public Service Committee. Chairman Tkac will chair the Ag Conservation and Preservation; Commissionei; BoYle will serve on this committee also. 12. DISCUSSION AND ACTION REGARDING POSSIBLE CANCELLATION OF 13. THE NEXT PRE-MEETING A motion was made by Commissioner Boyle, seconded by Commissioner Dhanens, to cancel the next pre-meeting. Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT There being nO further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 7:56. Laurie Davis Recording Secretary