Santa Rosa Planning Commission Regular Meeting – June 23, 2022
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Santa Rosa Planning Commission Regular Meeting – June 23, 2022
The Santa Rosa Planning Commission held a regular virtual meeting on June 23, 2022, at 4:30 PM. The meeting primarily focused on a public hearing for a conditional use permit for a cannabis facility at 1825 Ferdinand Court. The commission also received updates on department staffing, the draft Housing Element, and other city matters. The meeting concluded at 4:53 PM.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made during the general public comment period or during the public hearing for the scheduled item.
Department Reports
- Staff Liaison Hartman reported on several items:
- The City Council heard the draft Housing Element on June 21, 2022, and is moving forward with submission to the state. An open comment period continues for a few more weeks, with additional opportunities for state feedback and resubmission before adoption.
- Staffing updates: Five city planner positions are being filled; one planner is already onboard, two more start next week, and another the following week. Two administrative secretary vacancies are also being addressed.
- Hybrid meetings (in-person and virtual) are planned for the end of summer 2022, pending administrative readiness.
- Hartman participated in a California Planning Roundtable event that toured wildfire recovery sites in Santa Rosa, including Coffee Park, Journey's End, and Fountain Grove areas, highlighting the city's resiliency planning and rebuild efforts.
Commissioner Reports
- Chair Weeks noted that on June 21, 2022, the City Council heard and denied an appeal of the Florida Terra cannabis dispensary on Fourth Street, thereby upholding the commission's earlier action.
Discussion Items
- Public Hearing – California Organica Inc. Conditional Use Permit (CUP21-091) – 1825 Ferdinand Court
- Project Planner Conor McKay presented the proposal: a major conditional use permit for an existing industrial building to operate a cannabis facility including Level 1 non-volatile manufacturing (2,788 sq ft), distribution (3,481 sq ft), cultivation of 5,001 sq ft or greater (8,033 sq ft), and 1,572 sq ft of administrative office space. The site is zoned Light Industrial, which allows cannabis uses.
- The project qualified for CEQA exemptions (Class 1, 3, and 32). A focused traffic study found insignificant new traffic; an odor control plan was certified and security measures were deemed compliant.
- Public comments received before the meeting raised concerns about odor, traffic, and security. Staff responded that the operation must contain odors, traffic impacts are minimal, and security plans meet city standards. No follow-up concerns were raised.
- Applicant representative Scott Schellinger spoke briefly, emphasizing no retail component and limited traffic. He thanked staff and answered no further questions.
- The public hearing opened at 4:48 PM and closed at 4:49 PM with no speakers.
- All seven commissioners stated they could make the required findings and expressed support. Vice Chair Peterson noted that additional security (more eyes) can improve safety and that the site has surplus parking.
Key Outcomes
- Motion and Vote: Commissioner Cisco moved to adopt Resolution No. PC2022-013 approving the conditional use permit for California Organica Inc. Commissioner Okrepkie seconded. The motion passed unanimously (7-0): Chair Weeks, Vice Chair Peterson, Commissioners Carter, Duggan, Holton, Okrepkie, and Cisco all voted aye.
- The decision is final unless appealed within 10 calendar days to the City Council. Appeal forms and fees must be submitted by the deadline.
Meeting Transcript
Chair Weeks, I just want to confirm that all commissioners are on, so we can start at 4 30 when you're ready. Great, thank you so much, okay. Um by my watch, I think we're at 4 30. Um so with that, um, if staff is ready to go. We are ready. Thank you. Um so it's great to see everybody. It's been a while. Um so I'd like to call the uh June 22nd, 2022 meeting of the Santa Rosa Planning Commission to order. And as we've been saying for the last two plus years, uh, due to the provisions of the governor's executive orders n twenty five-twenty and n twenty-nine-twenty, 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 nineteen. 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 or practicing appropriate social distancing. Members of the public may view and listen to the meeting as noted on the city's website. Um on the agenda. And you may speak during uh the item four of the public comment period for items that are not on the agenda tonight. Um and if you also wish which to wish to speak during our public hearing, uh please do so by raising your hand, and you'll be given the ability to address the commission. So with that, um, if we could have roll. Yes, thank you. Let the record reflect that all commissioners are present. Thank you. Um item two is approval of minutes, and we have four sets of minutes. Um are there changes or corrections on any of the four sets. Okay, not seeing anybody. Uh, then those will stand as approved. Those stand approved as noted. And then I'll move on to item three public comments. So now is the time for the public comment period on this agenda. If you wish 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. A countdown timer will appear for the convenience of the speaker and viewers. Please make sure to unmute yourself when you're invited to do so, and your microphone will be muted at the end of that countdown. So with that. And Chair Weeks, I am seeing that no hands at this time. Thank you. So I will go ahead and close a public comment portion of the meeting and moving on to item four primary commissioners' report. So our statement of purpose as a planning commission is that we are charged with carrying out the California planning and zoning laws in the city of Santa Rosa. Duties include implementing of plans, ordinances, and policies relating to land use matters, assisting in writing and implementing the general plan and area plans, holding public hearings and acting on proposed changes to the zoning code, zoning map, general plan, tentative subdivision maps, and undertaking any special planning studies as needed. So item 4.2 uh are there any reports on either subdivision or waterways? Okay. See any um so item 4.3 commissioner reports. Are there any reports by my fellow commissioners? Okay. Um I would like to mention that at the council meeting on Tuesday. Uh the council heard the appeal of the Florida Terra cannabis dispensary on Fourth Street, and the council um uh did not approve the appeal, so upheld the commission's uh actions. So I wanted to uh pass that on. So with that, um, item five, uh Ms. Hartman. Great, and it's good to see everybody. I like a full house.
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