Santa Rosa Planning Commission Meeting - July 14, 2022
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Santa Rosa Planning Commission Meeting - July 14, 2022
The Santa Rosa Planning Commission met on July 14, 2022, at 4:30 PM in a virtual meeting. The six present commissioners (Chair Weeks, Vice Chair Peterson, Commissioners Cisco, Carter, Duggan, Holton; Commissioner Okrepkie absent) unanimously approved two items: a General Plan Amendment and Prezoning for a minor subdivision (Brush Creek), and a Zoning Code Text Amendment to prohibit new gas stations and expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure. The meeting concluded at 6:07 PM.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 8.1 (Brush Creek Subdivision): No public comments.
- Item 8.2 (Gas Station Ban): Twelve speakers expressed support for the ordinance. Speakers included Alexa Forrester, Woody Hastings (Coordinator, Coalition Opposing New Gas Stations - CONGAS), Geoffrey DeVore Smith, Cate Steane, Jenny Blaker (Co-coordinator, CONGAS), Sarah Jones, Kevin Anderson, Chris Thompson, Tom Thompson, Jean Kapolchok, and Jennifer LaPorte. They cited climate change, environmental justice, public health, and the need to reduce fossil fuel infrastructure. Several opposed modifications requested by Costco. John Ellingsen (Director, Costco Wholesale) spoke in support of the city's climate goals but requested codified flexibility for existing stations, including allowing expanded dispensers, relocation, and reconstruction after damage. CONGAS representatives urged removal of provisions for biogas, hydrogen, and EV charging from the ordinance, arguing these should be addressed separately.
Discussion Items
- Item 8.1: Summer 2022 General Plan Amendment Package – Brush Creek Minor Subdivision (PRJ20-008): Deputy Director Jessica Jones presented the project, which includes annexation, general plan amendment (from very low density to low density residential for 2210 Brush Creek Road), and prezoning of three parcels (2210 Brush Creek Road to R-1-6, 2200 Brush Creek Road and 0 Bridgewood Drive to RR-20). The project had been previously reviewed; recent updates included a tribal monitor requirement and addition of two parcels per LAFCO requirement. Staff responded to commissioner questions regarding annexation, protests, and fees. The commission discussed the project’s history and unanimously supported the recommendations.
- Item 8.2: Zoning Code Text Amendments to Prohibit New Gas Stations and Fossil Fuel Infrastructure Expansion: Senior Planner Shari Meads presented the ordinance, which bans new gas stations in all zoning districts and prohibits expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure at existing stations. It allows modifications for environmental and safety reasons and adds language to comply with state/federal law. The ordinance also includes provisions for hydrogen and biogas (non-fossil fuels) and a minor use permit process. Commissioners discussed public comments, including Costco’s requests for exceptions (e.g., allowing additional dispensers, relocation after damage). Vice Chair Peterson proposed a friendly amendment to strike the hydrogen and biogas section (Section D), which was accepted by the motion maker (Commissioner Duggan) and seconder (Commissioner Carter). Commissioner Duggan initially considered adding a natural disaster reconstruction provision but withdrew after clarification that existing code already addresses such situations. The commission ultimately supported the amended ordinance.
Key Outcomes
- Item 8.1: Two resolutions adopted unanimously (6-0):
- Resolution PC-2022-014: Recommending City Council adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Brush Creek Minor Subdivision.
- Resolution PC-2022-015: Recommending City Council prezone the properties (2210 Brush Creek to R-1-6; 2200 Brush Creek and 0 Bridgewood to RR-20).
- Item 8.2: Resolution PC-2022-016 adopted unanimously (6-0) as amended: Recommending City Council adopt Zoning Code Amendments to prohibit new gas stations and expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure, with an additional amendment to allow modifications required by state or federal law, and with the removal of the hydrogen and biogas provision (Section D). The motion was made by Commissioner Duggan, seconded by Commissioner Carter, with the friendly amendment from Vice Chair Peterson.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, I think I have us at four thirty, if that's right for everybody. Okay. Afternoon all. Uh so with that, I'd like to call to order the July fourteenth, twenty twenty-two meeting of the Santa Rosa Planning Commission to order. Um, and before I start, I'll read the following statement we've been reading for a couple of years now. Uh, 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 nineteen. Commissioners and staff are distance, 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 this agenda. So with that, um could we uh go ahead and call roll, please. Absolutely. Item three is our public comment item. Um so with that, I'll open now open the public comment period for any item that's not included in this meeting's agenda. If you wish to make a comment via Zoom, please select the raise hand button if you are dialing in via telephone. Please dial star nine to raise your hand. Each speaker will be given three minutes. A countdown timer is shown on the screen for your convenience and the convenience of the viewers. Please make sure to unmute yourself when you are invited to do so, and your microphone will be muted at the end of that countdown. And once again, this is for items that are not on the agenda tonight. So, with that, um do we Ms. Montoya? Do we have anybody? I am seeing no hands at this time. Okay. So with that, I will go ahead and close this public comment period and bring it back to the commission. Um, item four is planning commissioner's report and our statement of purpose is that we are charged with carrying out the California planning and zoning laws of 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 with that, we'll move on to item 4.2, uh any sub any waterways advisory committee report, Commissioner Carter. Oh thank you. And Commissioner uh C and any subdivision reports. Okay, so with that, uh we'll go ahead in to commissioner reports, item 4.3. Any commissioner reports tonight or this afternoon? Uh Commissioner Sisko. Uh, not a report really. I just wanted to encourage the commission members, if you haven't already done so, to take a drive down Sebastopool Road and see all of our amazing new murals. Um, you know, starting from Olive Street. Uh there's several brand new ones. Uh, they're really, really lovely up to Dutton. And there's more beyond that too, but those are particularly lovely. So great, thank you. And they are, they're really, it's really cool. Um so any other commissioner reports. Okay. So then we'll go into department reports. Yes, uh, hello, good afternoon. Um I I want to take this moment to thank one of our administrative secretaries that is our secretary tonight, uh, Michelle Montoya. Um, she's supported by Lonnie. I want to take a few words to really thank Michelle. Um she's moving into a new um position with the department. She's gonna take one of our lead admin secretary positions, um, and really help the department at a lead administrative level. She supports the director now, um, and she has been instrumental in training all of our admin staff.
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