HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission 2019-02-26 Minutes
In the Council Chambers of the City of San Rafael, February 26, 2019
Regular Meeting
San Rafael Planning Commission Minutes
For a complete video of this meeting, go to http://www.cityofsanrafael.org/meetings
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
RECORDING OF MEMBERS PRESENT AND ABSENT
Present: Jack Robertson
Aldo Mercado
Jeff Schoppert
Sarah Loughran
Berenice Davidson
Mark Lubamersky
Absent: Barrett Schaefer
Also Present: Raffi Boloyan, Planning Manager
Steve Stafford, Senior Planner
Cory Bytof, Sustainability Coordinator
APPROVAL OR REVISION OF ORDER OF AGENDA ITEMS
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION OF MEETING PROCEDURES
URGENT COMMUNICATION
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Minutes, February 12, 2019
Mark Lubamersky moved and Jeff Schoppert seconded to approve Minutes as presented. The vote is as
follows:
AYES: Jack Robertson, Aldo Mercado, Jeff Schoppert, Sarah Loughran, Berenice Davidson,
Mark Lubamersky
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Barrett Schaefer
PUBLIC HEARING
2. Presentation on Climate Action Plan Update: Staff Person – Cory Bytof
Staff Report
Jeff Schoppert moved and Mark Lubamersky seconded to accept the report and presentation. The vote
is as follows:
AYES: Jack Robertson, Aldo Mercado, Jeff Schoppert, Sarah Loughran, Berenice Davidson,
Mark Lubamersky
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Barrett Schaefer
3. 703 – 723 Third St. and 898 Lincoln Avenue – Request for an Environmental and Design
Review Permit, Use Permit and Lot Line Adjustment for the redevelopment of two
contiguous Downtown parcels, currently developed with 15,000 sq. ft. of commercial
space with a new, 6-story, 73 ft tall, multifamily residential building with 120 rental units,
121 ground-floor garage parking spaces and 969 sq. ft retail space. The project includes
requests for height and density bonuses, and a front setback waiver; APNS: 011-278-01 &
-02; Second/Third Mixed Use East (2/3 MUE) District Zones; Wick Polite of Seagate
Properties, Inc., Applicant; 703 Third Street LP, Owners; Case No’s: ED1 8-018; UP18-008,
LLA18-001. Project Planner: Steve Stafford
Staff Report
There was no vote on this Item, as it was a Study Session. The Commission made the following
comments:
Density
• Density is ok, especially at this location.
• However, the extra density bonus, coupled with the extra height and setback waiver are a
significant amount of asks and the affordability provided in the project needs to be increased to
support the significant asks.
• An idea was floated that 20% of the 59 extra above state density bonus units ) should be
affordable in addition to the 9 affordable units provided for the base project
Land Use
• Land use and mix of uses is ok and consistent with the requirements.
• A few commissioners suggested exploration of adding a retail space on the corner of Lincoln
Ave/3rd St and maybe reducing one block of stacked parking lifts to accommodate space for the
retail.
Height
• Height, density and setback all connected.
• Generally ok with the height, but as noted above for the density, there are significant asks for
deviation and additional affordability or public benefit needed to consider those asks
Bulk/Mass
• Bulk and mass are generally ok. A few individual comments
• Explore greater gateway prominense at the Tam/3rd corner of the building.
Setback Waiver
• Ok with the setback waiver, but as noted above for the density, there are significant asks for
deviation and additional affordability or public benefit needed to consider those asks
Stacked Parking
• General support for the stacked parking concept.
• A few Commissioners ok with less parking than provided, especially to improve ground floor
retail/pedestrian experience
CEQA Exemption
• The Infill exemption as drafted seems appropriate course for CEQA review based in
information at this time
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
COMMISSION COMMUNICATION
___________________________________
ANNE DERRICK, Administrative Assistant III
APPROVED THIS _____DAY OF_______, 2019
_____________________________________
Sarah Loughran, Chair