ACTION MINUTES

DALY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Council Chambers, Daly City

 

 

Chair Kelly called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

ROLL CALL:         Present:             Smith, Satorre, Kelly, Salamy and Tallerico

                                   

      Staff Present:     Sedik, Berger, Schott, Mothershead, Van Lonkhuysen and DeFries

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 

 

Commissioner Satorre had a point of inquiry about the last meeting and the crucial project, Crowne Plaza Hotel at Pacific Plaza, that was denied with only three commissioners present at that meeting.  Since only 40% of the Commission voted for denial, he wanted to rescind the denial.  He also said that if they adopted the findings, there was no logic to deny the project.  Assistant City Attorney, Kelly Schott, explained that, according to her interpretation, only those present at that meeting could make a motion to rescind.  Commissioner Satorre had a different interpretation and quoted from Robert’s Rules of Order.  He explained that to rescind is to recall the decision and then allow the group to reconsider the decision.  A discussion followed with Ms. Mothershead pointing out that the applicant had withdrawn their application.  Ms. Schott concluded that since the rules are subject to interpretation, Mr. Satorre could make the motion to rescind. 

 

Chair Kelly then confirmed that there was a motion on the floor to rescind the motion to deny the Major Subdivision SUB06-2 and Use Permit UP06-6 for the addition of residential condominiums to a hotel project.  She asked if there was a second to the motion.  The motion died for lack of a second.. 

 

Moved by Commissioner Tallerico, seconded by Commissioner Smith, to approve the minutes of April 3, 2007.  Motion carried 4-1.

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

 

10.       Major Subdivision SUB06-5 to subdivide one lot into five lots for single-family detached homes – 1616 Annie Street

 

            Staff report presented by:       Michael Van Lonkhuysen, Associate Planner

 

            Mr. Van Lonkhuysen presented the request by James Fogarty and Gery Nartin to subdivide one 15,000 square foot parcel into five parcels at the southwest corner of Annie Street and Washington Street for the purpose of constructing one home on each lot for a total of five new detached homes.

 

            The site, which was annexed into Daly City in 2006, is located in the Sullivan Corridor Specific Plan Area and in the Residential Retail Commercial zone.  Low density uses such as the proposed subdivision are allowed in the C-R/R zone without the requirement for a use permit.  The adjacent uses are primarily single-family detached homes.

 

            There is an existing single-family detached home on the site, which will be demolished prior to subdivision map recordation.  The five new lots created in this proposal would range from 2,550 square feet to 3,835 square feet.  Each of the new lots would meet the 2,500 square foot lot size minimum mandated by the Zoning Ordinance.  With the construction of one home on each of the five lots. the resulting neighborhood density would be 6.1 dwelling units per acre, well within the 2.1 to 14.5 units per acre specified by the General Plan and Specific Plan.

 

            The majority of the lots would be accessed by Annie Street.  This arrangement would be beneficial because it minimizes the amount of backing–up into Washington Street, which provides vehicular access to the Broadmoor neighborhood and for this reason has a higher traffic volume.

 

            Mr. Van Lonkhuysen noted that the applicant has indicated that he intends to revise the architectural details of the proposal.  Final project architecture is subject to Design Review Committee approval if the subdivision map is approved.  The project is Categorically Exempt as per CEQA guidelines for in-fill development projects.

 

            No speakers on this item.

 

            COMMISSION ACTION

 

            Moved by Commissioner Tallerico, seconded by Commissioner Salamy, to close the public hearing. Motion carried 5-0.

 

            Moved by Commissioner Tallerico, seconded by Commissioner Salamy, to adopt the findings as outlined in the staff report of June 5, 2007.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

            Moved by Commissioner Salamy, seconded by Commissioner Tallerico, to affirm the Environmental Assessment.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

            Moved by Commissioner Tallerico, seconded by Commissioner Salamy, to approve Major Subdivision SUB06-5 subject to the Findings and Conditions outlined in the staff report of June 5, 2007.  Motion carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

 

COMMUNICATIONS:

 

20.           General Plan Work Program – Review procedure and schedule for comprehensive update of  the City’s General Plan

 

            Staff report presented by:       Michael Van Lonkhuysen

 

            Mr. Van Lonkhuysen explained that this is the first step in the update of the City’s General Plan.  The work program that the Planning Commission is looking at does not require any action.  It is an informational item only.

 

            In an early May study session, the City Council considered the work program and asked that the work priorities be forwarded to the Planning Commission.  The work program identifies all the steps that staff will complete in the next three years.  There are several steps that require extensive community outreach.  A steering committee for the General Plan update is being formed and applications are available on the City website. 

 

            Commissioner Smith commented that she appreciated the fact that public meetings increased from one to two and she hoped that they would be held in the fall rather than summer when people are on vacation.  She felt that more public meetings was a step in the right direction.

 

            Commissioner Salamy asked if the meeting times had been decided yet.  Mr. Van Lonkhuysen replied that a number of steps had to be done in sequential order and one of the first things we need to do is develop the General Plan steering committee membership.  Until that happens, it is difficult to predict when the meetings will occur.  The current thought is to have late afternoon or early evening meetings and possibly some Saturday meetings. 

 

            Commissioner Tallerico asked how the members are to be chosen.  Mr. Van Lonkhuysen explained that persons who are interested should fill out an application form and turn it in to the City Clerk.  The Planning Division will screen the applications in hopes of getting representation from all parts of the City, including business owners and residents.  The City Council will review staff’s recommendations and have the ultimate approval.  Commissioner Tallerico asked if there would be any default members.  Ms. Mothershead replied that the City Council has two members and Planning Commission has one, which will be the Planning Commission Chair.  Chair Kelly confirmed that she would keep the Commission updated and Ms. Mothershead agreed that it was appropriate for the Chair to report back at the Planning Commission meetings. 

 

            Commissioner Satorre asked when the last update of the General Plan was.  Ms. Mothershead responded that the last comprehensive update was in 1987, although the Housing Element was the last individual element updated in 2004.  Commissioner Satorre then asked how different the current General Plan is from the vision for the City.  Ms. Mothershead replied that the reason for the community workshops is to get input from residents and businesses and there is no preconceived vision.

 

            Commissioner Satorre stated that preparing a General Plan could be difficult considering the size and diversity of the neighborhoods in Daly City and the City should have Specific Plans for various areas.  He said some voices are very loud and they can ruin the Plan.  Ms. Mothershead replied that we are doing city-wide meetings so that the first couple of workshops will be community prioritization meetings, where the community as a whole establishes the priorities and from that create a vision for the City.  Outside that, the steering committee is going to be selecting “opportunity sites,” where one could expect consideration of a particular site in a specific neighborhood.  There will be a community-wide vision as well as for specific sites.  Mr. Van Lonkhuysen added that the approach is to include people early in the process.  He concurred that they will not be in complete agreement on the vision for the City or what should happen on each of the “opportunity sites,” but they do want to avail the whole process to those who want to get involved.  He also reminded the Commission that a General Plan is not an option, but is required by the State. 

 

            Chair Kelly stated that they should plan on being active participants in the process.  She has confidence in staff and City Council’s ability to put the steering committee together and move forward with a General Plan.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

            Moved by Commissioner Tallerico, seconded by Commissioner Salamy, to adjourn at 7:35 p.m.

 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                        Terry Sedik

                                                                        Director of Economic and Community Development

 

gd