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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSPJT Minutes 1996-05-28SRCC/SRPC MINUTES (Annual Meeting) 5/28/96 Page 1 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL, TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1996, AT 7:30 PM Special Annual Meeting: Present: San Rafael City Council/ San Rafael Planning Commission Barbara Heller, Councilmember Gary O. Phillips, Councilmember Absent: None Present: PLANNING COMMISSION Jim Atchison, Commissioner Ann Batman, Vice -Chair Cyr Miller, Chair Richard O'Brien, Commissioner Joyce Rifkind, Commissioner John Starkweather, Commissioner Absent: Judy Tipple, Commissioner CITY COUNCIL Albert J. Boro, Mayor Paul M. Cohen, Councilmember Others Robert Pendoley, Planning Director Claire Machado, Code Enforcement Officer Present: Sheila Delimont, Principal Planner Louise Patterson, Associate Planner Jean Hasser, Principal Planner Bill Tuikka, Associate Planner Linda Jackson, Associate Planner OPEN SESSION - 7:30 - COUNCIL CHAMBER 1. CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION DISCUSSION - File 9-2-6 x 9-1 Planning Commission Chair Cyr Miller opened the meeting, recognizing Commissioner John Starkweather, who has served on the Planning Commission since 1973, and Mayor Al Boro, who has served on the Planning Commission for the longest period of time, beginning in 1971. Commissioner Miller also recognized Commissioner Joyce Rifkind, whose term will be expiring, and thanked her for her advocacy for affordable housing. Commissioner Rifkind stated that she was delighted to have served the Commission for 12 years, and to have had an impact on her abiding concerns for housing, conservation, and economic viability. Commissioner O'Brien stated that it has been a pleasure to have worked with Commissioner Rifkind the past 11 years, and noted her strengths as an advocate for housing. Mayor Boro, on behalf of the Councilmembers, thanked Commissioner Rifkind for her dedication to the City. Planning Director Bob Pendoley noted that the Council had before them a summary of the implementing programs which Council adopted in 1988. The 1988 General Plan established benchmarks for projects and various programs. Among the accomplishments since then have been creating the neighborhood meeting process and fast track processing; housing (since 1986, 1800 units have been approved -- 80 percent of goal, 850+ affordable, 400+ under contract); child care using the PPP process and the Parks & Recreation Program; and updating the Zoning Ordinance. There are fewer regulations overall, some new regulations (i.e. Hillside Design Guidelines), and handouts. Mr. Pendoley noted some City planning needs: new Francisco Blvd. Design, better Design Review Process, improved Sign Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance, and General Plan Update. The Council has undertaken some planning initiatives, such as the Economic Development Vision, the North San Rafael Vision, and review of programs in East San Rafael. Mr. Pendoley noted the need for two-year strategic updates to keep the General Plan current. Mr. Pendoley described "strategic planning" as having a short range (about five years), being action oriented, and taking a comprehensive approach with mutually supportive activities. He gave the following San Rafael planning examples: a. Affordable Housing - bonuses and trips granted, sites identified b. Traffic & Growth Management - capacity rationed for meeting specific goals C. Downtown Vision - zoning incentives in density and height, different approaches in the zoning districts, policies which support vitality and strengths and the change in focus to housing and selective retail. During discussion, Councilmembers and Planning Commissioners noted that there was a need to go further with affordable housing, and to talk about where it is built, and how and by whom. San Rafael has been fortunate to have people familiar with affordable housing. The strategic approach should be applied to economic viability. The "PPP" (Priority Projects Procedure) program is an example of using a community resource (traffic allocation) for economic development. We also need to ask: what jobs do we want to retain? Should we have an economic development consultant like we have a housing consultant? Another example of strategic planning is the Council's recent work on a mission statement, goals, and programs, with a six month review. SRCC/SRPC MINUTES (Annual Meeting) 5/28/96 Page 1 SRCC/SRPC MINUTES (Annual Meeting) 5/28/96 Page 2 Councilmembers and Commissioners next discussed the role of the Planning Commission. They agreed that the Commission should be active, and play a supporting role similar to that played with planning for Downtown and Montecito/Happy Valley. The Councilmembers and Commissioners also noted that the new City Manager will be setting goals and priorities with the Council. The Design Review process was noted as an excellent device to screen projects. It also can be time consuming for applicants. One suggestion was made to have a project appear before the Design Review Board twice, and then move on to the Planning Commission for decision. Planning Commissioners stated that changes have been made recently to make the "process" less threatening to the public, including moving the podium to the side of the audience so that the speaker could see both the Commissioners and the audience. Recording hearing comments for the public and Commissioners to see has also been instituted for some projects. The Commissioners review and respond to comments after the Public Hearing; this process worked well with the Downtown and Montecito zoning issues. A third change has been to assign a Planning Commissioner to specific projects such as Dominican or the North San Rafael Vision, so that Commissioners can follow progress and be familiar with community issues. Jack Krystal, Downtown property owner, spoke about making Fourth Street one-way west, with diagonal parking on one side and parallel parking on the other side. Another suggestion was to add dormers to buildings, which would extend over the sidewalk and at corners, adding value to the building and improving the appearance of Downtown. Chairman Miller referred Mr. Krystal to the Downtown Vision Committee, noting that the Committee would love to hear his ideas. Harry Winters, West End Neighborhood, discussed his concern that 50 percent of neighborhood issues are not addressed by the Design Review Board. Often these are technical issues, which are referred to Public Works, with no opportunity for neighbors to know how the issues were resolved. Mr. Pendoley noted that Public Works conditions of approval are included in project review by the Commissioners. The question is how can they ensure that issues mentioned during Design Review are addressed? Councilmember Cohen stated that the City has professional staff with the expertise to resolve technical engineering problems. He would like to see a process set up with a customer orientation, so that neighbors get the assurance they need that problems raised have been passed on to Public Works. 2. COMMISSION ISSUES Mr. Pendoley described recent changes in Design Review Board meetings. As a result of newly adopted Rules of Order, discussions are focused and decisions are reached with deliberate speed. There are now two types of review: Concept, and Decision. Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to go through Concept Review. On occasion, the Design Review has had on-site review, for example, for the Dominican application. Overall, the process is more customer friendly. Several points were made about the Design Review Board. There is an inherent tension balancing the public interest and the needs of the client. Design Review is important because whatever is approved will be here a long time. One benefit of the process is that the Design Review is free advice between colleagues. The Design Review Board has made a commitment to consistency. There are two tasks for the Design Review Board: the objective technical vote on professional standards, and the subjective comments and suggestions about design. Mayor Boro stated that he would like to see computer-aided design technology used. He would like to know what other cities might be doing in this regard, what it costs, and how a city might retain control of the technology. Councilmembers and Commissioners talked about the possibility of public notice. Mr. Pendoley noted that Design Review Board meetings are not a Public Hearing, and that neighborhood associations currently receive plans and staff reports. On controversial projects, neighbors within 300 feet are notified of Design Review Board meetings. Noticing can be expensive. Harry Winters, West End Neighborhood, stated that it is not necessary to notice within 300 feet, but that notice should be given to adjacent property owners and those across the street. Mayor Boro asked Mr. Pendoley to give some thought to that suggestion. Councilmember Cohen requested that the Design Review Board's Rules of Order should state that the duties of secretary include preparing accurate minutes, and helping to keep the record clear on the intent of the Design Review Board's motions. SRCC/SRPC MINUTES (Annual Meeting) 5/28/96 Page 2 SRCC/SRPC MINUTES (Annual Meeting) 5/28/96 Page 3 3. WHAT'S NEXT? Mr. Pendoley stated that with the adoption of the General Plan in 1988, a number of initiatives have been accomplished, including the Downtown Vision and the Montecito/Happy Valley Plan. New programs underway include the Economic Development Vision and the North San Rafael Vision. The Planning Department will, in 1996-97, work on a program to update the 1988 plan. There are several ways to approach the topic: (1) basing the work program on the results of a community survey with follow-up workshops; (2) Citywide visioning; (3) Area approach (East San Rafael, Gerstle Park, Peacock Gap, Bret Harte); and (4) Element approach (i.e. housing, circulation, recreation). One suggestion was that we should tie together what we have done, with Land Use as the lead. In addition, an updated environmental review will be necessary, and funds should be budgeted for that. Another suggestion was that the strategic approach is a good way to build on opportunities in the community. The Commission should be active participants, and volunteers should be brought in. There was discussion about East San Rafael and the projects which have been undertaken: parks, code enforcement, and economic development. The East San Rafael Neighborhood Plan could be updated with visioning and community -building. We should address core issues, and focus on appreciation and integration of the community. Sandy Greenblat, Chamber of Commerce, commented on three issues. Security in the neighborhoods and traffic concerns should be addressed in the update. He also urged the members to involve the community in the selection of any consultant which may be used for the planning process. Mayor Boro thanked everyone for coming. Chairman Miller thanked the Planning staff for their outstanding work and dedication. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 PM. JEANNE M. LEONCINI, City Clerk APPROVED THIS DAY OF 1995 MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL SRCC/SRPC MINUTES (Annual Meeting) 5/28/96 Page 3