Santa Rosa Planning Commission Regular Meeting – January 11, 2024

The Santa Rosa Planning Commission held a regular meeting on January 11, 2024, at 4:30 PM in the Council Chamber at 100 Santa Rosa Avenue. Chair Karen Weeks presided with Vice Chair Vicki Duggan and Commissioners Charles Carter, Patti Cisco, Jeffrey Holton, and Julian Peterson present; Commissioner Terrence Sanders was absent. The meeting included approval of previous minutes, public comments, department reports, and two public hearings. The first hearing addressed a proposed Verizon wireless telecommunication tower at 244 Colgan Avenue (Conditional Use Permit), which was approved 6-0 after extensive public testimony. The second hearing considered a citywide zoning code text amendment to exempt senior care facilities from spacing and overconcentration requirements and to allow palliative care; the commission voted 6-0 to recommend adoption to the City Council. The meeting adjourned at 6:25 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from October 26, 2023, and December 14, 2023, were approved as submitted without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Non‑Agenda Public Comment: Duane DeWitt spoke about overcrowding and infrastructure limitations in the Roseland area of southwest Santa Rosa, urging the commission to consider existing residents when approving new developments.

• Public Hearing 9.1 – Verizon Tower (244 Colgan Avenue): Fourteen speakers opposed the project and one spoke in support. Opponents raised concerns about potential health effects from radiofrequency (RF) radiation, inadequate public noticing, the absence of a proven service gap, noise from generator testing, microplastic pollution from the monopine, and the tower’s proximity to low‑income senior housing and a creek. Multiple speakers identified themselves as retired nurses, a physics professor, a city planner, and a creek steward. One speaker (Vincent Hurst) supported the tower, emphasizing the need for improved cellular coverage for public safety.

• Public Hearing 9.2 – Senior Care Zoning Code Text Amendment: No members of the public spoke during the open hearing period.

Discussion Items

• Department Reports: Staff Liaison Jones reported the appointment of Gabe Osburn as permanent Planning and Economic Development Director and announced the adoption of a professional services agreement for a South Santa Rosa specific plan (two‑year process covering ~1,900 acres). A public meeting on a draft development services fee study was scheduled for January 22, 2024.

• Verizon Wireless Telecommunication Tower (Item 9.1):

  • Staff Presentation (Suzanne Hartman): The project is a 69‑foot‑tall monopine (telecommunication tower) with ground equipment enclosed by a 7‑foot‑2‑inch chain‑link fence with barbed wire on a light‑industrial zoned parcel at 244 Colgan Avenue. The tower would be placed behind an existing auto repair shop, more than 100 feet from any habitable structure. The project qualifies for a Class 3 CEQA categorical exemption. Staff recommended approval subject to findings including compliance with zoning code and general plan, compatibility, and no public nuisance.
  • Applicant Presentation (Aaron Delao, Centerline Communications): The tower is needed to address capacity congestion in Verizon’s network (first detected in 2020). Alternative sites were considered but rejected as too far south. The monopine design blends with existing trees, and the site allows future co‑location. An RF report concluded that exposure at full capacity would be 11.8% of the FCC limit. Construction would take about three months; generators would be tested monthly during daytime hours.
  • Commission Questions and Deliberation: Commissioner Holton asked about generator testing hours – applicant agreed to limit testing to normal business hours (7 AM–7 PM weekdays, 8 AM–6 PM Saturdays, no Sundays/holidays). Commissioner Carter sought clarification that the fence height correction (7’2” instead of 6’) and the amended tolling agreement (extending shot clock to February 2, 2024) would be incorporated into the resolution. Staff confirmed. Multiple commissioners noted federal preemption regarding RF emissions and that the project met all required land‑use findings.

• Senior Community Care Facility Zoning Code Text Amendment (Item 9.2):

  • Staff Presentation (Kristinae Toomians): The amendment proposed (1) exemption of senior care facilities from the 300‑foot spacing and overconcentration requirements for community care facilities, and (2) modification of the definition of “community care facility” to allow palliative and end‑of‑life medical treatments for senior care facilities. The change aligns with California Health and Safety Code Section 1520.5(f) and the General Plan’s support for senior housing.
  • Applicant Presentation (Peter Stanley, Raj Kalra – physician and owner): Dr. Kalra described a planned memory care facility in Oakmont that would be adjacent to independent living, illustrating how the current code prevents seniors from aging in place. The amendment would enable such complementary uses.
  • Commission Deliberation: Commissioners viewed the amendment as a housekeeping measure consistent with state law and beneficial for the community. No dissenting comments.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of Minutes: Unanimous approval (6‑0) of the October 26 and December 14, 2023, minutes.
• Item 9.1 – Verizon Tower Approved: Motion by Commissioner Holton, seconded by Commissioner Cisco, to adopt Resolution No. PC‑2024‑001 approving the Conditional Use Permit for the telecommunications tower at 244 Colgan Avenue, including corrections to the fence height and the tolling agreement. The vote was 6‑0 (Sanders absent).
• Item 9.2 – Zoning Code Text Amendment Recommended: Motion by Vice Chair Duggan, seconded by Commissioner Carter, to adopt Resolution No. PC‑2024‑002 recommending City Council adoption of the zoning code text amendments as presented. The vote was 6‑0.
• Next Steps: The Verizon project will proceed subject to building permits and design review. The zoning text amendment will go before the Santa Rosa City Council for final action.