posted 05-18-2011 04:16 PM            

2.0 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The pledge of allegiance was led by Fire Chief Tony Clarabut.

3.0 ROLL CALL
Commissioner Aguilar present x
Commissioner Bateman present x
Commissioner Brown present x
Commissioner Ingram absent -
Chairman Swartzendruber present x

Members present were Chairman Swartzendruber, Commissioners Ben Aguilar, Tom Brown and Dawn Bateman. Staff present included Community Development Director Joe Heckel, Planning Director Tom Last, Fire Chief Tony Clarabut, Senior Civil Engineer Trisha Tillotson, Engineer Bjorn Jones and Administrative Clerk Sue Colbert.

4.0 APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by: Commissioner Bateman moved to approve the agenda.
. Second by: Commissioner Brown
Vote: 4 ¡V 0 for approval. Commissioner Ingram was absent.

5.0 APPROVAL OF ACTION MINUTES
No minutes were prepared for approval.
.
6.0 PUBLIC COMMENT - There is a time limitation of five minutes per person.

Chairman Swartzendruber opened and closed the public comment at 7:03 p.m.

7.0 CONSENT ITEMS - (roll call vote) All matters listed under the consent calendar are to be considered routine by the Planning Commission and will be enacted by one motion in the form listed. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless, before Planning Commission votes on the motion to adopt, members of the Commission, staff or the public request specific items be removed from the consent calendar for separate action.

There were no consent items.

8.0 PUBLIC MEETINGS / HEARINGS

Continuation of Project Applications for the Loma Rica Ranch project. The proposed project for Loma Rica Ranch is a Specific Plan for a mixed-use development on ¡Ó452 acres, adjacent to the City limits within the Grass Valley Sphere of Influence. The applications include: Annexation (07PLN-46) of the land to the City of Grass Valley located east of Sutton Way, northwest of Loma Rica Drive, with Brunswick Road and Idaho Maryland Road extending through the site (APNs 09-570-62, 09-570-53, 09-570-64, 09-570-65, 35-412-11, 35-412-13, 35-412-14, 35-412-23, 37-450-01, 37-450-02); Prezoning (07PLN-47); General Plan Amendment (07PLN-48); Specific Plan (07PLN-49); and Development Agreement (08PLN-02). The proposed plan includes development of 700 low, medium and high density primary residential dwelling units; 54,000 square feet of commercial, mixed-use, and retail uses; and 364,161 square feet of business and light industrial uses in four neighborhoods. Approximately 314 acres are proposed as open space, including improved parks, farm land and natural open space. In addition, the project includes the prezoning and annexation of a 3.2 acre lot, known as the McCarthy property, located at the intersection of Sutton Way and Idaho-Maryland Road.

Chairman Swartzendruber asked for item 8.1 at 7:04 p.m.

Tom Last, Planning Director continued the presentation on the Loma Rica Ranch project applications. Previous actions made by the Planning Commission were reviewed. Mr. Last outlined the format of the meeting which focused on an overview of the Specific Plan. Recommended changes to the Specific Plan have been noted in the table in Exhibit A, formatted to track recommendations from the Planning Commission and action by the City Council. Changes in the Plan address technical corrections and plan implementation. Key issues of the overall plan concept were reviewed, including concerns raised by the public. Recommendations made by the Parks and Recreation Commission were noted, listing priorities for the City Council to consider.

Presentation of the Applicant
Steve Garrett, Loma Rica Ranch, LLC representative
Robert Lee, Architect
Mr. Garrett provided a comparative Plan analysis illustrating the reduction of retail use from the original proposal; the availability of a wider range of housing density, as well as the decrease in commercial area. More than five miles of trails will be available throughout the project.

Robert Lee discussed the vision of creating a compact, connected, safe and walkable neighborhood that reinforced the community character of Grass Valley. Two roundabouts are to be considered to slow the traffic on Brunswick Road. Mr. Lee noted the amount of open space and parkland available within the project. Existing structures on the property will be enhanced and remain within park areas. The developer would like the creek setbacks modified to create some flexibility allowing closer public access, but keeping structures a greater distance from the creeks.
Questions of the Consultants
Commissioner Brown queried the rationale for not including an active sporting area.

Steve Garrett and Robert Lee noted that such an amenity would require at least four acres of flat land, requiring extensive grading. The lighting impact on the surrounding neighborhoods was also considered. The goal of this plan is to provide walkability and a passive park area. Possible areas for open air events/concerts to accommodate various sizes of audiences were noted.

Chairman Swartzendruber opened the public hearing at 8:10 p.m.

Laurie Oberholtzer, Rural Quality Coalition
Ms. Oberholtzer submitted a letter to the Commission and recommended retention of the historic fifty acre MacBoyle Horse Ranch.

Chairman Swartzendruber closed the public hearing at 8:14 p.m.

Questions of Staff
Commissioner Bateman asked if the trails and parks would be guaranteed open to the public. She noted her approval of the trail system.

Mr. Last noted that pocket parks and trails would be community amenities. The linear park provides easy public access.

Mr. Lee noted the parks are intended to be open to the public, but privately maintained.

Chairman Swartzendruber noted the Commissions duty to determine the priorities of the Specific Plan in regards to Parks and Recreation, which are not necessarily the same as the priorities of the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Commissioner Brown noted his understanding of the elimination of the multipurpose field.

Steve Garrett pointed out the reuse possibilities of existing buildings.

Joe Heckel noted the Park and Recreation issues will be further discussed with City Council.

Commissioner Aguilar stated he agreed with the fifty foot minimum setback.

Commissioner Bateman asked if adopting the fifty foot minimum setback on this project would establish setback requirements on future projects.

Chairman Swartzendruber expressed concerns for Trisha Tillotson regarding the reduction of the twelve foot wide lanes to eleven feet. He recommended striping at eleven feet to reduce speeds and expressed concern with a gravel surface on the alleyway.

Commissioner Bateman asked for clarification on the street standards provided by the Engineering Department.

Trisha Tillotson noted that these are adopted City standards. Streets could be striped as eleven foot lanes, but reducing the size of collector streets would not occur as fire trucks must be capable of performing u-turns. The Public Works Department receives complaints frequently if streets are too narrow. There will be some flexibility in the recommendations provided by the Engineering Department. Details and comparisons to existing streets were provided for clarification.
Commissioners Aguilar, Bateman and Brown expressed agreement to set aside land for Noor as proposed.

Commissioner Brown questioned the frontage improvements along Loma Rica Drive; from the entrance to the MacBoyle Lake area.

Trisha Tillotson noted the importance of connectivity and the Engineering improvements recommended for the area; curbs, gutters and sidewalks should be provided for all modes of transportation, anticipation of the area beyond being annexed into the City. Various funding options are available to provide these types of improvements.

Tom Last noted the County¡¦s concerns and caution in supporting the Loma Rica Drive road improvements because of future realignment plans. Because of uncertainties, there is no perfect solution. The County has funding set aside for improvements in this area, but they were hesitant to agree to making improvements today.

Chairman Swartzendruber agrees with City Staff, but does not foresee improvements being completed in the near future. A Development Agreement or Business Improvement Assessment area established, rather than imposing improvement requirements now.

Joe Heckel noted the street and waste water improvements for Loma Rica Drive can be worked out in the Development Agreement. The developer is responsible for only his portion; property owners would be required to pay a proportional assessment as well.

Commissioner Swartzendruber would like to have an additional component allowing retail sales; limited to 5,000 square feet or 25% of building (whichever is smaller) with a Use Permit.

Motion by: Commissioner Brown moved to approve Resolution 2011-02 recommending City Council certify the EIR as adequate; approve the Annexation, Prezone, General Plan and Specific Plan applications (07PLN-46, -47, -48, -49).
. Second by: Commissioner Aguilar
Vote: 4 ¡V 0 for approval. Commissioner Ingram was absent.

9.0 NON PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
There were no non-public hearing items.

10.0 ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION OR
There were no items removed for discussion or separate action.

11.0 OTHER BUSINESS
11.1 Review of City Council Items

11.2 Future Meetings, Hearings and Study Sessions
Joe Heckel reviewed the following, combining Items 11.1, 11.2 and 13.0:
„X Staff will take the Loma Rica Ranch project to Council for a Joint Study Session on the next steps in April, date to be determined.

12.0 BRIEF ANNOUNCEMENTS / REPORTS BY COMMISSION MEMBERS
There were no announcements or reports by Commission members.

13.0 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR REPORT
Noted above.

14.0 ADJOURNMENT: Adjourn to Regular Meeting of Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Chairman Swartzendruber adjourned the meeting at 9:23 p.m. to the regular Planning Commission meeting scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 in Council Chambers at City Hall, Grass Valley, California. There was no motion.

Respectfully Submitted,

Sue Colbert
Administrative Clerk to the Planning Commission

Approved this ____________ Day of ________________, 2011

_______________________________
Daniel Swartzendruber, Chairman

Reviewed by _________________________________________
Joe Heckel, Community Development Director