Santa Rosa Planning Commission Meeting - October 13, 2022: Annexations and Cannabis Microbusiness Approval
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Santa Rosa Planning Commission Regular Meeting – October 13, 2022
The Santa Rosa Planning Commission met virtually on October 13, 2022, at 4:30 p.m. to consider three public hearing items: two annexation pre-zoning proposals (Bowden and Winkler) and a conditional use permit for a cannabis microbusiness. All items were approved unanimously (6–0, with Commissioner Duggan absent). No public comments were received. The meeting adjourned at 5:14 p.m.
Discussion Items
8.1 – Bowden Annexation (ANX21-001) – Pre-zoning of two parcels at 4646 Badger Road and 999 Middle Rincon Road into the R-1-6 (Single-Family Residential) zoning district. Both parcels contain existing single-family homes and accessory structures; no new development is proposed. The annexation is needed to address a failed septic system on one parcel. Staff (planner Monet Sheikhali) presented the project, noting that the public notice mistakenly labeled Brush Creek as Rincon Creek. No public testimony was offered. The commission found the proposal straightforward and necessary.
8.2 – Winkler Annexation (ANX21-002) – Pre-zoning of a 1.52-acre lot at 1600 Manzanita Avenue into the RR-40-SR (Rural Residential – Scenic Road Combining) zoning district. The property has a failing septic system and seepage pit deemed irreparable by a registered environmental health specialist; annexation will allow connection to city sewer and water. No further development is proposed. Planner Christian Candelaria presented his first item to the commission. No public testimony was offered. Commissioners praised the straightforward application.
8.3 – So Co Grow, LLC Cannabis Microbusiness (CUP21-098) – A Major Conditional Use Permit to operate a cannabis microbusiness within an existing 4,130-square-foot building at 1626 Piner Road. Proposed uses include cultivation (1,293 sq ft), distribution (1,289 sq ft), manufacturing Level 1 non-volatile (463 sq ft), and retail dispensary (567 sq ft). Hours of operation were clarified: cultivation 24/7; distribution and manufacturing Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; retail Sunday–Thursday 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–9 p.m. The site is outside the 600-foot buffer from schools and other cannabis retailers. No public testimony was offered. Commissioner Carter noted a discrepancy in the project narrative regarding manufacturing hours, which was resolved by the applicant (Asa Schaefer and Elora Babini of Wayfinder LLC) confirming the corrected hours. The commission approved the permit.
Key Outcomes
- Bowden Annexation: Motion by Commissioner Cisco, seconded by Commissioner Okrepkie, to adopt Resolution PC-2022-030 recommending pre-zoning to City Council. Passed 6–0 (Commissioner Duggan absent).
- Winkler Annexation: Motion by Commissioner Cisco, seconded by Commissioner Carter, to adopt Resolution PC-2022-031 recommending pre-zoning to City Council. Passed 6–0.
- So Co Grow, LLC Microbusiness: Motion by Commissioner Cisco, seconded by Commissioner Okrepkie, to adopt Resolution PC-2022-032 approving the Conditional Use Permit. Passed 6–0. The decision is final unless appealed within 10 calendar days.
Meeting Transcript
For two weeks, I just want to let you know that we do have a quorum, so we'll be ready to go at 4 30. Great, thank you very much. So I have 4 30 now. Does that correct? Correct. Okay. Great. Thank you so much. Okay, uh, folks. So with that, um, I will call uh to order uh the October 13th, 2022 meeting of the Santa Rosa Planning Commission. And I'm going to read the statement we've been reading now for almost uh two plus years, maybe. Um, due to the provision of the governor's executive orders, n twenty-five-20 and n twenty-nine-20, which is spend 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 or are part are practicing appropriate social distancing. Members of the public may view this item on uh the city's website as noted on the agenda or via Zoom. Members of the public wishing to speak during item four, the public comment portion or during our public hearings tonight, we'll be able to do so by raising their hand and we'll be given the ability to address the commission. So with that, uh if we could do roll call, please. Absolutely. Ums Montoya, it's a little garbled. I don't know if it's on my end or do I sound that I don't know. No, it's um feedback ish for lack of a better word. So just wanted to share that with you. Is this a little bit better? Yes, that is. Okay, great. Does the record reflect that all commissioners are present with the exception of Commissioner Duggan? Thank you. Um so with that, we'll go ahead and go to item two, uh, which is approval of minutes, and we have no minutes tonight, so we'll move on to the public comment portion of the meeting. I will now open the public comments 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 style star nine to raise your hand. You will have three minutes. A countdown timer will appear for the convenience of the speaker and the viewers. Please make sure to unmute yourself when asked to do so. And your microphone will be muted at the end of that countdown. So with that, do we have any uh public comments? I am seeing no hands at this time. Thank you. So with that, I will go ahead and close me the public comment portion and move on to planning commissioners' report. And with that, um, I'll uh once again read the planning commission um purpose, and that is that we are charged with carrying out the California planning and zoning laws in the city of Santa Rosa. Duties include implementing a 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 special planning studies as needed. So with that, we'll move on to 4.2 subdivision and waterways advisory committee reports. Are there any okay? I'm not seeing any. Uh commissioner's report 4.3. Do we have any report from my fellow commissioners? Commissioner Carter. I just wanted to report briefly that I did attend uh the open house for the SR forward uh general plan update yesterday at the library, and I wanted to compete the DED team that they're all putting together uh that's the comparison in its community, not easy to come complicated uh extensive program the thing for another that's the consideration maybe job and looking at station on the 25th getting on with moving bars and keep more now. Thank you. Uh any other comments.
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