Santa Rosa Planning Commission Meeting - February 25, 2021
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Santa Rosa Planning Commission Meeting - February 25, 2021
The Santa Rosa Planning Commission met virtually on February 25, 2021, at 4:00 PM. The meeting included the introduction of a new commissioner, election of a Vice Chair, approval of consent items, and actions on several planning items, including continuances and a Conditional Use Permit for a cannabis retail facility. All votes were unanimous (7-0).
Consent Calendar
- Resolution No. 12047: Adopted unanimously (7-0) to amend the Planning Commission Rules and Regulations, modifying Sections I (Authority), II (Organization), III (Executive Secretary), VI (Meetings), and VII (Quorum). The motion was made by Commissioner Kalia and seconded by Commissioner Carter.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 10.3 (Manifest Venture): Public hearing opened at 5:04 PM and closed at 5:19 PM. Speakers:
- Elizabeth Cozine (opposed): Cited concerns about proximity to Piner High School, existing neighborhood issues with cannabis use in a nearby park, and the lack of community benefit.
- Jesse Schwartz (supported): Expressed support for the project, citing improvements to the corner and the quality of the applicant.
- Justin Newcraft (supported): Voiced support based on the applicant's character and the need for a dispensary on the west side.
- Marcos Suarez (supported): Spoke as a private citizen and past president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, endorsing the applicant's character and community focus.
- Ann Egre (opposed): Expressed concern that the dispensary would increase cannabis use in Peterson Lane Park, impacting safety for children.
- Roger Neilson (supported): Supported the project, noting the building's vacancy and the positive impact of renovations, and mentioned neighborhood app responses were approximately 80% in favor.
Discussion Items
- Item 10.1 - 1900 Brush Creek Appeal (ST20-003): Staff requested and the Commission granted a continuance to March 11, 2021, due to the appellant's unavailability. The property owner (Amber Lee Howe) expressed hardship with repeated continuances)Skip due to work and childcare, but the Commission voted unanimously (7-0) to continue the item.
- Item 10.2 - Alternatives East Conditional Use Permit (PRJ19-047): Staff requested a continuance to March 25, 2021, due to a noticing deficiency (only one on-site sign was installed; regulations require signs on all street frontages). The applicant spoke in favor of the continuance. The Commission voted unanimously (7-0) to continue the item.
- Item 10.3 - Manifest Venture Conditional Use Permit (CUP20-008): Public hearing held. Staff presented the project details, and the applicant (Manny Rivera) and his team presented their proposal. After public testimony, the Commission discussed the project. Concerns raised included proximity to Piner High School (more than 2,000 feet away, exceeding the 600-foot requirement) and potential impacts on Peterson Lane Park. Commissioners noted the absence of a park-distance requirement and the presence of a city smoking ordinance. Supporters emphasized the project's security measures, community benefits, and improvements to a blighted corner.
Key Outcomes
- Item 9.1: Adopted Resolution No. 12047 (7-0).
- Item 10.1: Continued to March 11, 2021 (7-0).
- Item 10.2: Continued to March 25, 2021 (7-0).
- Item 10.3: Approved Resolution No. 12048, granting a Conditional Use Permit for Manifest Venture to operate a cannabis retail and delivery business at 2489 Guerneville Road (7-0).
- New Commissioner: Jeffrey Holton was introduced.
- Vice Chair Election: Commissioner Peterson was elected Vice Chair (7-0).
- Appointments: Commissioner Kalia was appointed to the Subdivision Committee; Commissioner Carter was appointed to the Waterways Advisory Committee.
All actions were taken by unanimous votes. The meeting adjourned at 5:32 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Stay muted and we will start uh Karen Weeks at discretion. Thank you. Okay, uh it's four o'clock. Uh Mr. Host, are we ready to go? Yes, Chair Weeks. Staff is ready when you are. Thank you so much. Um, I'd like to call to order uh the meeting of uh February 25th, 2021 of the Santa Rosa Planning Commission. And I'd like to state that due to the provisions of the governor's executive orders, N 25-20 and N 29-20, which suspends certain requirements of the Brown Act and the order of the health officer of the County of Sonoma to shelter in place to minimize the spread of COVID-19. The planning commissioners will be conducting today's meeting in a virtual setting using Zoom webinar. Commissioners and staff are participating from remote locations and are practicing appropriate social distancing. Members of the public may view and listen to the meeting as noted on the city's website and as noted on the agenda for the commission meeting. Members of the public wishing to speak during item four public comment or during our public hearing items will be able to do so by raising their hand and will be given the ability to address the commission. And then if we could have, I would like briefly to introduce uh our new planning commissioner, Jeffrey Holton, who further on in the agenda will uh say a few words to us. Welcome. Um, and if the secret recording secretary could please call roll. Let the record reflect that all commissioners are present. Okay, so before we move on, um I'd like to make a note that for the benefit of the planning commission and the attendees that planning commission will be asked to consider recommendations of continuances for meeting items 10.1 and 10.2 as described in the memo to the planning commission in February 23rd, 2021 by Mr. Trip Tripel. Okay, so um do we would like to request approval of the January 14th, 2021 minutes? Does anybody your meeting does anybody have any comments or changes or corrections? Okay, so then uh the meetings will be the minutes of the meeting will be approved. Um now I'd like to open um public comment period. Um we would like to open public comment for any item not included in this meeting's agenda. If you wish to make a comment via Zoom, please select the raised hand button. If you are dialing in via telephone, please dial star nine to raise your hand. Each speaker will have three minutes and a countdown timer will appear for the convenience of the speaker and the viewers. Please make sure to unmute yourself when you're invited to do so. Do so, and your microphone will be muted at the end of that countdown. Uh Mr. Host, can you share the countdown screen and announce if we have any speakers? At this time, no one is raising their hand. Thank you. So now I'd like to so that closes that public uh comment period. Um what I'd like to do now is under planning commissioners uh report is I'll start off if I can. Uh, just to acknowledge uh Chair Cisco's departure. Um, as you all know, she was not reappointed to the commission, um, but wanted to assure my fellow commissioners that at a future meeting we will be acknowledging her 19 years of service on the commission. And I'd like to now introduce our new planning commissioner, Mr. Holton, if you want to say a few words. Uh hello all. Um I'm really proud to be serving the city of Santa Rosa in this capacity. And I'm gonna do my best to do this job with diligence, dignity, and most importantly, integrity. Thank you, Mr. Holton. And if you need anything, we're all here to help you. Thank you. Thank you. I really appreciate the support I've received from you, Chair Weeks, and in addition, uh, from everyone else as well. Thank you.
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