PC Min 11/22/2005
CITY OF CAMPBELL PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
7:30 P.M.
TUESDAY
NOVEMBER 22, 2005
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
The Planning Commission meeting of November 22, 2005, was called to order at 7:30
p.m., in the Council Chambers, 70 North First Street, Campbell, California by Chair
Gibbons and the following proceedings were had, to wit:
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present:
Chair:
Vice Chair:
Commissioner:
Commissioner:
Commissioner:
Commissioner:
Elizabeth Gibbons
Bob Alderete
Mark Ebner
Tom Francois
Michael Rocha
Bob Roseberry
Commissioners Absent:
Commissioner:
George Doorley
Staff Present:
Community
Development Director:
Senior Planner:
Associate Planner:
Planner I:
City Attorney:
Recording Secretary:
Sharon Fierro
Jackie C. Young Lind
Tim J. Haley
Melinda Denis
William Seligmann
Corinne A. Shinn
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: On motion of Commissioner Rocha, seconded by Commissioner
Francois, the Planning Commission minutes of October 25, 2005,
were approved as submitted. (6-0-1; Commissioner Doorley was
absent)
COMMUNICATIONS
There were no Communications Items.
Planning Commission Minutes of November 22, 2005
Page 2
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS OR POSTPONEMENTS
Item No.1 will be withdrawn.
ORAL REQUESTS
There were no Oral Requests.
***
PUBLIC HEARING
Chair Gibbons read Agenda Item No.1 into the record as follows:
1
PLN2005-48
Hummel, J.
Public Hearing to consider the application of Ms. Jennifer
Hummel, on behalf of Cullen DeMattei Development, Inc.,
for the referral of the Site and Architectural Review Permit
for property located at 500 W. Latimer Avenue in an R-1-
6 (Single Family Residential) Zoning District. A Mitigated
Negative Declaration was previously granted for this
project. Planning Commission decision final, unless
appealed in writing to the City Clerk within 10 calendar
days. Project Planner: Tim J. Haley, Associate Planner
Chair Gibbons advised that this item has been withdrawn from the agenda.
***
Chair Gibbons read Agenda Item No.2 into the record as follows:
2
PLN2005-137
Morelan, J.
Public Hearing to consider the application of Mr. Jim
Morelan, on behalf of Campbell Christian School, for a
Conditional Use Permit (PLN2005-137) to allow the
expansion of an existing private school on to the adjacent
vacant lot for a new playground on property owned by
Campbell Church of Christ located at 1075 W. Campbell
Avenue in an R-1-6 (Single Family Residential) Zoning
District. Staff is recommending that this project be
deemed Categorically Exempt under CEQA. Planning
Commission decision final, unless appealed in writing to
the City Clerk within 10 calendar days. Project Planner:
Melinda Denis, Planner I
Ms. Melinda Denis, Planner I, presented the staff report as follows:
. Reported that the applicant is seeking approval of a Conditional Use Permit to
allow the expansion of a playground for an existing private school into an adjacent
vacant parcel also owned by the Campbell Church of Christ.
. Described the General Plan Land Use designation as being Low-Density
Residential and the Zoning designation as R-1-6 (Single Family Residential).
Planning Commission Minutes of November 22, 2005
Page 3
. Explained that a Conditional Use Permit is required to permit this playground on a
parcel zoned R-1-6.
. Said that with the issuance of a Use Permit, this proposed use is consistent.
. Stated that the Campbell Christian School was established in 1967 to serve
infants, toddlers and students through 5th grade. The school also offers extended
care and summer programs.
. Said that this proposal consists of two new play structures with a maximum height
of 12 feet. The existing cyclone fence would be removed and replaced with a
black wrought iron fence creating three separate play areas.
. Recommended that the Planning Commission adopt a Resolution approving this
Conditional Use Permit.
. Reported that the applicant is available for questions.
Chair Gibbons asked for clarification that a playground is permissible in an R-1-6
Zoning District with a Use Permit and that this parcel is R-1-6 while the church/school
property is zoned P-F (Public Facilities). She asked if this is an unusual request.
Planner Melinda Denis replied yes a playground is allowed in R-1-6 Zoning with
issuance of a Use Permit and that this is not an unusual request.
Commissioner Ebner asked about the gage of the wrought iron fencing and its
adequacy as a barrier to protect the children using this playground from nearby traffic
on Campbell Avenue.
Planner Melinda Denis reported that the new fencing is set back 15 feet from
Campbell Avenue and the playground itself is set back an addition 10 feet. Therefore
the play area is approximately 25 feet away from the roadway.
Chair Gibbons pointed out that there are concrete bollards at the corner and asked
that these bollards would remain.
Planner Melinda Denis replied yes.
Chair Gibbons asked if the minimum required setback for this corner property is 15
feet.
Planner Melinda Denis replied that the minimum setback is actually 12 feet. The
applicant elected to extend that setback to 15 feet.
Commissioner Roseberry presented the Site and Architectural Review Committee
report as follows:
. Reported that SARC reviewed this project on November 8, 2005, and was
supportive.
. Said that concerns raised at SARC were the question about ownership of adjacent
properties. It was learned that this Church owns the two adjacent residential
Planning Commission Minutes of November 22, 2005
Page 4
properties. Additional concern was raised about the proposed color of the play
equipment. This issue was resolved and is depicted in the current proposal.
Chair Gibbons opened the Public Hearing for Agenda Item No.2.
Mr. Jim Morelan, Project Architect:
. Said that they accept the imposed Conditions of Approval and request approval of
this request.
Chair Gibbons closed the Public Hearing for Agenda Item No.2.
Motion:
Upon motion of Commissioner Francois, seconded by
Commissioner Roseberry, the Planning Commission adopted
Resolution No. 3691 approving a Conditional Use Permit (PLN2005-
137) to allow a new playground on property owned by Campbell
Christian School located at 1075 W. Campbell Avenue, by the
following roll call vote:
AYES: Alderete, Ebner, François, Gibbons, Rocha and
Roseberry
None
Doorley
None
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Chair Gibbons advised that this action is final unless appealed in writing to the City
Clerk within 10 calendar days.
***
REPORT OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
The written report of Ms. Sharon Fierro, Community Development Director, was
accepted as presented with the following additions:
. Reported that Council took final action on the Charities Housing project at 511 &
555 W. Campbell Avenue by taking second reading of the approving Ordinances.
. Explained that the Charities Housing project will require a fairly lengthy time to
schedule construction.
Chair Gibbons asked how traffic concerns raised by the Planning Commission were
dealt with finally.
Director Sharon Fierro:
. Said that a barrier was designed by staff to restrict entrance and exiting to left
turns only.
. Added that Council was very complimentary of the efforts of the Planning
Commission during its public hearing.
. Pointed out that there were no public speakers at the Council meeting for the
Charities Housing project although some local residents were in attendance that
Planning Commission Minutes of November 22, 2005
Page 5
evening but apparently were satisfied with the ultimate proposal and did not feel
the need to address the Council on any outstanding issues.
. Explained that the next Planning Agenda would consist of six items including the
election of the Chair and Vice Chair for 2006.
Chair Gibbons said she had some items to discuss as follows:
. Reported that there is new technology available for backflow preventers that
reduces the size required. She said that she would like to see the City's standard
condition on this issue modified to reflect these new standards.
. Stated a concern about the outdoor speaker in use at Sonoma Chicken Coop that
was not permitted with the project and asked staff to look into it.
. Suggested that staff prepare a Study Session on the issue of site drainage,
specifically the use of French drains, in cooperation with the Public Works
Department.
Director Sharon Fierro agreed that such a Study Session would be beneficial and
reported that she has been working with a joint group consisting of representatives
from the Water District, County and other cities on water-related issues including site
drainage standards. She said that she is interested in introducing the information
generated by this Water Collaborative to the Planning Commission as part of this
Study Session on site drainage.
Chair Gibbons:
. Said that she has new information about recent legislation that relates to cities and
what they can and cannot approve that she will share with the Commission
through staff.
. Reported on the Sunset Magazine Tour Houses that include green building
techniques.
. Stressed the importance of encouraging green building in this community.
. Encouraged the Commissioners to take the time to go see these Sunset homes.
Director Sharon Fierro explained that there are policies in the General Plan to support
green building. She added that the Zoning Code updates would also allow
consideration of this issue.
Commissioner Francois suggested another Study Session on traffic issues to help the
Commission to better understand traffic studies and reports.
Director Sharon Fierro advised that she is currently coordinating a Workshop for
Planners for the 2006 League of California Cities Planners Institute on just that issue.
She reminded that this Conference would be held in Monterey and she would attempt
to get as many Commissioners there as possible.
ADJOURNMENT
The Planning Commission meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m. to the next Regular
Planning Commission Meeting of December 13, 2005.
Planning Commission Minutes of November 22, 2005
Page 6
SUBMITTED BY:
Corinne A. Shinn, Recording Secretary
APP ROVE D BY: ~¿ 9'7 8 t ~ />\... ./
Izabeth Gibbons, Chair
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