Santa Rosa Planning Commission Regular Meeting - March 9, 2023
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Santa Rosa Planning Commission Regular Meeting - March 9, 2023
The Santa Rosa Planning Commission met on March 9, 2023, at 4:30 PM in the Council Chamber. The sole scheduled item was a public hearing on the Brittain Townhomes project, a proposed 82-unit for-sale townhome condominium development at 851 Brittain Lane. The commission unanimously approved the vesting tentative map with amendments.
Public Hearing – Brittain Townhomes (MAJ22-002)
- Project Overview: The project is located at the northwest corner of Brittain Lane and Sebastopol Road. It proposes 82 units on 5.92 acres (14.3 units/acre) in a medium-density residential zone. The project includes 164 parking spaces, 8 moderate-income homes, and a density bonus waiver to use private streets. The project is within the Sebastopol Road Corridor Priority Development Area.
- Staff Presentation: Project Planner Kristinae Toomians presented the history, including a neighborhood meeting (March 2022), concept design review, and zoning administrator approval of the EIR addendum and minor design review (January 2023). Staff recommended approval with two amendments: adding a whereas clause to the resolution acknowledging the EIR addendum adopted by the zoning administrator, and modifying condition 2 in the DAC report to include the word "substantially" regarding building materials.
- Applicant Presentation: Samantha Hauser of City Ventures presented the project, highlighting its sustainable features (solar all-electric, EV charging, low-impact landscaping), design responsiveness to neighborhood feedback (two-story scale, preservation of mature valley oaks, access from Sebastopol Road), and the company's experience in Santa Rosa.
- Commissioner Questions: Commissioners asked about the vesting tentative map's duration (same as standard tentative map), the timeline for construction (permits in 6-9 months, groundbreaking April 2024), solar panel configuration (monolithic array, exclusive use areas, maintained by HOA), and the density bonus contract (already signed).
- Public Testimony: No public comments were made in person or via Zoom. The public hearing was opened at 5:00 PM and closed at 5:01 PM.
Key Outcomes
- Motion: Commissioner Cisco moved to adopt the resolution with the proposed amendments (adding a whereas clause and amending condition 2 to include "substantially"), seconded by Commissioner Holton.
- Vote: Unanimous (7-0) in favor.
- Resolution No. PC-2023-006: Approves the Brittain Townhomes Vesting Tentative Map at 851 Brittain Lane, subject to the conditions in the staff report and the amendments.
- Appeal Period: The decision is final unless an appeal is filed within 10 calendar days of the action.
Meeting Transcript
Chair Weeks, we're good to start at 430. We're good to start at 430. So with that, I'd like to call to order the ninth of March Planning Commission meeting. Oops. Thank you. And I will I'm probably the worst defender of that, but I would like to ask everybody just really speak into the microphone. Um anyway, I'd like to call to order the March 9th, 2023 meeting of the Santa Rosa Planning Commission. And before we start, so nice to see everybody in person. Thank you, it's been three years. So with that, uh, could we have roll call, please? Commissioner Carter. Commissioner Sisko. Here. Commissioner Duggan. Here. Commissioner Holton? Here. Commissioner Sanders. Here. Vice Chair Peterson? Here. Chair Weeks? Here. Let the record reflect that all commissioners are present. Thank you. Uh, item two is approval of minutes. We don't have any minutes today, so we'll move right on to item three public comments. We are now taking public comments on item three, non-agenda matters. This is the time when any person may address the commission on matters not listed on this agenda, but which are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the commission. If you wish to make a comment via Zoom, please raise your hand. If you are dialing in via telephone, please dial star nine to raise your hand and star six to unmute once called upon. If needed, sorry, sorry. For members of the never mind. So with that, I will go ahead and close the public hearing or public comment portion. So we go on to item four planning commissioners report. Uh the planning commission is charged with carrying out the California planning and zoning laws within 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 plant, tentative subdivision maps, and undertaking special planning studies as needed. So we'll go on to item 4.2 subdivision and waterways advisory committees. Do you have any reports? Okay. No reports, then we'll go to uh 4.3 commissioner reports. Are there any uh reports by my fellow commissioners? Okay, and we'll move on to department reports. Other than welcoming everybody back into the chambers, I don't have anything for you today. Thank you. Uh are there any statements of abstentions by commissioners? Okay, then we don't have any consent items today, so we'll move right on to our one and only scheduled item. Uh it's a public hearing. Britain town homes, EIR previously certified by City Council Vesting Tentative Map Major, 851 Britain Lane, MAJ 22-002. This is an ex parte item, so we'll start with Commissioner Sanders.
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