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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission 2011-04-12 Minutes SRPC MINUTES (Regular) 4/12/11 1 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES SAN RAFAEL PLANNING COMMISSION APRIL 12, 2011 ROLL UNAPPROVED Commissioners Present: Colin, Kirchmann, Lang, Paul and Chair Sonnet Commissioners Absent: Pick and Wise Community Development: Raffi Boloyan, Principal Planner Kevin McGowan, Assistant Public Works Director AGENDA CONSENT 1. Minutes, March 15, 2011 PUBLIC HEARING 2. 99 Montecillo Road (Kaiser Medical Center) – Project consists of the following: 1) the seismic retrofit of the existing 407-space, multi-story parking structure and addition to the front (north) of the existing structure with a new multi-story parking structure consisting of 290 parking stalls, 18 motorcycle stalls and 12 bicycle spaces; 2) replacement of the Emergency Department (ED) involving: a) demolition of a portion of the General Services Building (GSB), b) seismic retrofit of the remaining portion of the GSB; and c) construction of the Replacement ED within the same footprint of the demolished remaining GSB area; and 3) associated site, parking lot, lighting and landscaping modifications; APN: 175-060-57; Planned Development (PD 1566) District; Kaiser Permanente, owner, Ed Walera /Kaiser Permanente, applicant; File No(s).: ED10- 079; UP10-052. DIRECTOR’S REPORT COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS * * * * PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. APPROVAL OR REVISION OF ORDER OF AGENDA ITEMS PUBLIC NOTIFICATION OF MEETING PROCEDURES Chair Sonnet explained for the benefit of the audience the Public Hearing procedures to be followed. URGENT COMMUNICATIONS - None SRPC MINUTES (Regular) 4/12/11 2 CONSENT 1. Minutes, March 15, 2011 Chair Sonnet asked for a motion. Commission Paul suggested one change to the minutes to reflect that Chair Sonnet was the Commissioner who brought up the Public Notification item, not Commissioner Lang. Commissioner Paul moved and Commissioner Colin seconded, to approve the Minutes of March 15, 2011 with one change to be made as indicated above. The Motion carried 4-0-2-1 as follows: AYES: Commissioners: Colin, Kirchmann, Paul, and Chair Sonnet NOES: Commissioners: None ABSENT: Commissioners: Wise, Pick ABSTAIN: Commissioners: Lang PUBLIC HEARING 2. 99 Montecillo Road (Kaiser Medical Center) – Project consists of the following: 1) the seismic retrofit of the existing 407-space, multi-story parking structure and addition to the front (north) of the existing structure with a new multi-story parking structure consisting of 290 parking stalls, 18 motorcycle stalls and 12 bicycle spaces; 2) replacement of the Emergency Department (ED) involving: a) demolition of a portion of the General Services Building (GSB), b) seismic retrofit of the remaining portion of the GSB; and c) construction of the Replacement ED within the same footprint of the demolished remaining GSB area; and 3) associated site, parking lot, lighting and landscaping modifications; APN: 175-060-57; Planned Development (PD 1566) District; Kaiser Permanente, owner, Ed Walera /Kaiser Permanente, applicant; File No(s).: ED10-079; UP10-052. Project Planner: Raffi Boloyan Environmental Review: Categorically Exempt Project Planner Boloyan introduces the project as a Kaiser Parking structure addition, a new four- level parking structure that would result in a net increase of 308 new spaces within the parking structure and that would result in net new parking throughout the campus of 252 new spaces. He states that the project also includes seismic retrofitting, relocation of modular units and site and landscape improvements. He reports that the second part of project would entail replacement of Emergency Dept to a new location. This would involve the demolition of the General Services Building and replace with a new Emergency Department Building, slightly larger with the old building in that location. Planner Boloyan remarks that at a previous Conceptual Review hearing three main issues were addressed as follows: 1) Amount of Grading proposed for parking structure addition – primarily behind existing structure into the hill. 2) Design consistency of parking structure addition and how it related to existing parking structure 3) Design of the new Emergency Department building and concerns with massing, and design consistency with other buildings on Campus. SRPC MINUTES (Regular) 4/12/11 3 He reports that since that Conceptual Review hearing, there have been the following changes proposed for the sight: 1) Moving the parking structure toward Montecillo Road, away from the hill behind, to reduce a lot of grading 2) Redesign parking structure to match existing design 3) Emergency Building design changed to reduce height and color palette revised to compliment other buildings on campus 4) Proposed relocation of modular buildings to include more cladding of exterior of the building to create more of a “permanent” building feel Planner Boloyan reports that during Conceptual Review process, as well as the time following, there was a great degree of input by Fire and Building, and there were issues around Fire access in and around the parking structure. He states that the applicant worked with the Fire dept and worked out an Alternate Means and Methods agreement to allow an alternate fire access to/from the parking structure. The plans presented tonight reflect this new agreement. Planner Boloyan reports that since the Conceptual Review process, there are three areas where items were added with visual impacts as follows: 1) A third staircase was added to the front of the parking structure 2) The circular driveway does not meet current code for width for fire apparatus– so applicant will remove/alter landscaping/hardscape in this area to correct this 3) Landscaping in front of parking structure to be reduced due to fire truck/ladder access Planner Boloyan reports that the project complies with zoning regulations for this site (PD zoning) and with FAR ratio requirements, height, landscaping and parking requirements. He states that the DRB reviewed this project as a formal application and recommended approval with minor modifications. The modifications include additional research be done to add landscaping in front of parking structure, and further design enhancements to Emergency Building. Also, the final details of the bio-swale will be relooked at to be more aesthetically pleasing. In addition, they called for the applicant to find a more direct pedestrian connection from Montecillo Road to the Hospital. Lastly, further design enhancements to modular buildings to make them look more like a “permanent” building. Planner Boloyan states that the Applicant has drafted revisions to the DRB recommendations and will be going back to the Design Review Board at a later date. Planner Boloyan would like to turn it over the Public Works Department, and states that particularly Condition #84 and Condition #85 are to be looked at. Staff has drafted recommended revisions to those conditions that have been presented to the Commission in strike through/underline format. The proposed revisions were placed on the dias before the meeting. He introduces Kevin McGowan, Assistant Public Works Director . Mr. McGowan expresses concern over potential impacts from heavy construction truck traffic that would exist for the project. The conditions that he has laid forth have to do with the size and scope of what is being proposed. He suggests that Public Works should take picture/video of the current roadway conditions and then upon near completion of the project, the applicant should notify PW to SRPC MINUTES (Regular) 4/12/11 4 identify any damage to the roadway and review them and prepare plan to repair roadways. The applicant would be expected to finance repairs that they created. In addition another condition refers to assurance that these large trucks do not negatively impact residents in the area. Boloyan remarks that Neighborhood meetings have taken place and no public comments have been received for this hearing. He states that staff supports the project and that many staff concerns have been addressed by the applicant. He remarks that the provision of additional off- street parking would address an additional issue of overflow street parking from Kaiser employees that has been an issue with the neighborhood for many years. The parking structure is in a good location, well screened. The Emergency Department building has specific spatial needs and the massing does fit in with the surrounding buildings and the materials and colors fit in well. The trailers, the design has been greatly enhanced lately, the applicant has gone along way to incorporate design elements to fit in with the Campus. Planner Boloyan remarks that Construction Management is a main concern for this project and that they are numerous conditions to address in the packet provided to the Planning Commissioners. He reassures that efforts will be made by the applicant to minimize construction during evenings and weekends. There will be valet service for staff and employees. Construction hours will be limited to 7 am to 6pm weekdays and from 9 am to 6 pm weekends (for interior work only). Also, there will be Noise Disturbance Coordinator required for this project. An off site location for parking of delivery vehicles, or spillover of trucks will require a temporary use permit for portion of parking lot at Aldersgate Church for contractor employees parking only. He remark that there will be a construction communication plan for informing employees and the public for update on what is going on with the site. Chair Sonnet asks applicant to make a presentation. Pat Kendall makes a presentation. Ed Walera makes a presentation. He discusses the timeline for construction and that the parking structure would be first, and then the Emergency Department building. Chair Sonnet thanks Mr. Valera for his presentation and opens the meeting to the public for their questions. Cathy Chandler, manager of the Kaiser Emergency Department, remarks about struggles with size issues at hospital and is in support of the project. Gail Miller, resident of San Rafael and employee at Kaiser and supports this project. Sonnet then turns it over to the Commissioners, for their questions. Commissioner Colin asks about early arrival of trucks – where will they be waiting? Mr Walera applicant responds that trucks will be idling before the 7am start time, and if they arrive earlier, they will be instructed to hold their vehicles at the Park and Ride on Smith Ranch Road until the appropriate time. She asks if the noise complaint info be posted on site? The applicant says there will be a hotline to call in and a web site which will give info on what will happen on site and is happy to post this information on the site. Boloyan interjects that this is one of the conditions. She asks about the signage pointing to the modular buildings and the applicant responds that the many of the occupants of the modular buildings are employees and are familiar with their location, but there will be signs anyway designating the buildings for the public. Commission Paul asks about timing of phases. Mr. Walera responds that the Parking Garage will be completed first, and then the Emergency Building. Commissioner Paul also inquires about the SRPC MINUTES (Regular) 4/12/11 5 pedestrian walkway from Montecillo Emergency Building and notes that the sidewalk ends and should continue on to the entrance to the building. Mr Walera agrees and will have this detail changed to reflect a continuous sidewalk for pedestrian use. Mr. Paul inquires about landscaping and asks if it will be put in right after the completion of the parking garage, or will it be put in after completion of the Emergency Department building? Mr. Walera responds that the Landscaping will be put in right after completion of the garage and will not be delayed until after the Emergency Department building is completed. Commissioner Lang asks about condition #85 – noise with construction – is the reason for the delivery materials from large trucks/cranes etc. on weekends due to less pedestrian/vehicle traffic at the hospital than during the week? The applicant responds that this is the case. Kirchmann expresses concern about the potential impact this transport of large construction materials on trucks on weekends will have on community events (like a parade or bike race). Assistant Public Works Director McGowan explains that there would be extensive coordination with Police, Community Development staff to make sure that these events were not negatively impacted by the construction traffic at Kaiser. Chair Sonnet asks about the way the revised condition #85 is written seems more open-ended and that they way conditions are usually written in such a manner to imposed the condition(s) on the applicant. Planner Boloyan explains that is it written that way due to correlating previous conditions and to give a little more flexibility. Chair Sonnet asks about the hotline in terms of who will pick up the calls? Planner Boloyan responds that the applicant would be the primary responder to noise complaints, but the City would be also notified. He states that Resolution condition #67 describes the signs which would be posted will be subject to be reviewed by City and the applicant would keep a log of the calls. Chair Sonnet inquires about the temporary use permit that would be required to allow the contractor parking at Aldersgate – does it come back to Planning Commission? Boloyan replies that the Temporary Use Permit is staff level approval and does not require Planning Commission input. However, the concept of the off site parking was provided to the Commission so that they are aware that it is part of this project Chair Sonnet asks when will the project start – 45 days from approval? Planner Boloyan states that once the Applicant has already submitted, at their own risk, for a Building Permit and if this project is approved tonight, it is technically feasible for the construction to go forward with 45 days. Chair Sonnet closed public hearing. He returns the dialogue back to Commission for discussion/final comment and action on the project. Commissioner Kirchmann supports overall architecture and color materials for the project. Commissioner Colin supports the project comments on the importance on neighborhood outreach going forward as illustrated on the lack of controversy tonight. Commissioner Paul expresses that applicant has responded well to DRB comments and supports SRPC MINUTES (Regular) 4/12/11 6 the project. Commissioner Lang likes the project and expresses her confidence in the Public Works Director in dealing with potential construction/noise issues and hours of operation. Chair Sonnet favors project. He remarks about the importance of the sidewalk completion from Montecillo to the Emergency Department Building and the landscaping around parking structure. Planner Boloyan ensures him that the landscaping associated with Parking Structure will be installed prior to occupancy of parking structure Commissioner Paul moved and Commissioner Colin seconded, to approve the Environmental and Design Permit and the Master Use Permit amendment with revisions as noted above, including acceptance of the draft revisions presented by staff to condition # 84 and # 85 and additional conditions to require landscaping to be installed around the parking structure prior to final occupancy of the parking structure addition and 2) extend the sidewalk from Montecillo Rd into the driveway at the Emergency to ensure pedestrian access. The Motion carried 4-0-2-1 as follows: AYES: Commissioners: Colin, Lang, Kirchmann, Paul and Chair Sonnet NOES: Commissioners: None ABSENT: Commissioners: Pick and Wise ABSTAIN: Commissioners: None DIRECTOR’S REPORT Planner Boloyan reports that on April 4, City Council considered and approved an extension to the Moratorium on large group homes and research will continue and a possible zoning ordinance amendment could be presented to the Planning Commission at a later date this year. Also, on April 18th the City Council will receive an update on the budget – projections for next fiscal year are currently at a $4.3 million deficit. Also there is a Council Item on the April 18th agenda to approve for a grant application to secure zero waste. On April 21, Council is set to review the Community Impact Report for Target at 6:00 pm. At DRB last month, there was a second review of the proposed Ascona place subdivision focusing on site plan, elimination of one lot. Staff would like to bring the project to the PC as a special study session for feedback. In regard to the condos proposed at the Elks Club, Planning staff has received formal an application for condo units, and the applicant will be applying for a density bonus and the project will exceed height limits, and therefore a variance to height limits will be requested. Planner Boloyan reports that the second meeting in April (4/26/11) will be cancelled due to lack of items. The next meeting will be in May either May 10 or May 24. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS Paul remarked that he will not be present for first meeting in May (if there is a meeting) ADJOURNMENT By order of the Chair, the Planning Commission meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Anne Derrick, Recording Secretary