Santa Rosa Planning Commission Meeting Approves Penstemon Place Subdivision on January 27, 2022

The Santa Rosa Planning Commission met virtually on January 27, 2022, at 4:30 p.m. The primary action was the unanimous approval (6-0-1) of the Penstemon Place subdivision, a 59-lot small lot subdivision with accessory dwelling units (ADUs), after a public hearing. The commission also re-elected Vice Chair Julian Peterson and approved the minutes from December 9, 2021.

Consent Calendar

• None.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kim Roberts (spoke on urban forest): Expressed concern about the loss of oak trees, noting that 75% of heritage trees on the site would be removed and the proposed replacement trees are in narrow planting strips that may not sustain valley oaks. Requested the commission consider retaining more existing trees and requiring a more sustainable landscape plan.
• Chris Roberts (spoke on fire danger): Cited the 2021 Sonoma County Wildfire Risk Index rating the area as Level 3 (moderate) and noted the project lacks an evacuation plan. He raised concerns about 130 cars during an evacuation potentially impairing emergency response.
• Judy Kalbfell (spoke on pedestrian safety): Requested a marked pedestrian crossing with flashing lights on Linwood Avenue, a reduced speed limit, and noted the traffic bottleneck at Brookwood and Linwood.
• Renata Breth (spoke on park development): Uh, she said the density is higher than surrounding areas and suggested preserving two heritage trees as a pocket park. She also stated that the development is not as described 25 years ago.
• Steve Osborne (spoke on trees and traffic): Criticized the staff response to 300 pages of public comments, stating the response to tree preservation was inadequate. He called for a new traffic study that includes the Brookwood extension and modifications to the project.

Discussion Items

• Vice Chair Election: Commissioner Cisco nominated Vice Chair Peterson for another term; seconded by Commissioner Holton. Motion carried unanimously (7-0).
• Commissioner Reports: Commissioner Carter reported on the Waterways Advisory Committee meeting regarding the Hyatt Regency's fencing proposal near Prince Memorial Greenway.
• Department Reports: Jessica Jones, Staff Liaison, announced the February 10, 2022 meeting is canceled, and reminded commissioners about abstention notifications and checking city emails.

Public Hearing: Penstemon Place (Item 8.1)

• Project Overview: This project is a 59-lot single-family detached subdivision on 9.73 acres at 2574, 2842, and 2862 Linwood Avenue. It includes two ADUs to be constructed and four optional ADUs, a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND), a Hillside Development Permit, a Conditional Use Permit, and a Tentative Map. The site has slopes over 10%, requiring a Hillside Development Permit.
• Staff Presentation (Susie Murray): Highlighted the project's history, compliance with the General Plan (2-8 units per acre), the MND circulation in June 2020, and mitigation measures. She noted that the project retains four oak trees, proposes to retain four more (with uncertainty), and mitigation exceeds requirements. She also explained the project will be all-electric with photovoltaic panels and will include street improvements, including a new all-way stop at Linwood Avenue and an extension of Poinsettia Lane.
• Applicant Presentation (Kurt Nichols, Carlisle Macy): Emphasized the design goals of fitting into the neighborhood, preserving trees, and integrating with the future Farmers Lane extension. He described the tree management plan, the auto court lots, and the landscape plan that now proposes planting 71 valley oaks and 20 coast live oaks. He also mentioned that the project would not need sound walls due to grading.
• Commissioner Questions: Questions addressed fire risk, pedestrian crossings, tree preservation, and architectural variety. Fire Marshal Paul Lowenthal clarified the city's risk assessment and noted that the county's draft CWPP is still under review)Skip

Key Outcomes

• Vice Chair Election: Julian Peterson re-elected unanimously (7-0) for another term.
• Resolution PC-2022-001: Adopted the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for Penstemon Place. Motion by Vice Chair Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Carter. Passed 6-0 (Commissioner Okrepkie abstained).
• Resolution PC-2022-002: Approved the Hillside Development Permit for Penstemon Place, allowing development on slopes greater than 10% and securing architecture for specific lots. Motion by Vice Chair Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Holton. Passed 6-0 (Commissioner Okrepkie abstained).
• Resolution PC-2022-003: Approved the Conditional Use Permit for Penstemon Place. Motion by Vice Chair Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Carter. Passed 6-0 (Commissioner Okrepkie abstained).
• Resolution PC-2022-004: Approved the Tentative Map for Penstemon Place. Motion by Vice Chair Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Holton. Passed 6-0 (Commissioner Okrepkie abstained).

Note: Commissioner Okrepkie abstained from all Penstemon Place items due to a financial association with the project and left the meeting at 4:40 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 6:28 p.m., and the minutes were approved on February 24, 2022.