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Record of Proceedings

Santa Rosa Planning Commission Regular Meeting – April 11, 2024

Planning Commission — Thursday, April 11, 2024
BodySanta Rosa, California
SessionPlanning Commission
DateThursday, April 11, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
3:58

Chair Weeks, it's four thirty, if you'd like to call the meeting to order.

4:03

Okay, thank you.

4:19

Commissioner Carter.

4:26

Commissioner Peterson.

4:31

Commissioner Peterson?

4:35

Yes.

4:53

We have draft minutes from March twenty eighth, twenty twenty-four.

4:57

Are there any changes to the minutes?

5:02

Okay, seeing none.

5:04

Do we have any public comments on the minutes?

5:11

My apologies.

5:13

That's okay.

5:15

So if we do, please go to one of the podiums.

5:19

Not seeing anybody rise for this item.

5:22

Go uh we'll go ahead and uh approve the minutes as they stand.

5:28

And now we move on to item three, public comments.

5:32

Uh we're now taking public comments on item three, non-agenda matters.

5:36

This is the time when any person may address the commission on matters not listed on the agenda, but which are within our subject matter jurisdiction of the commission.

5:48

And so with that, uh, we'll go ahead and start with uh Mr.

5:52

DeWitt.

5:53

Thank you, Madam Chair.

5:54

I wanted to use the overhead.

5:56

Okay.

5:58

There you go.

5:59

Let's get it in sight here.

6:02

All right.

6:06

Is the microphone on?

6:07

Yes.

6:08

Hello, my name is Duane DeWitt.

6:10

I'm from Roseland.

6:11

I wanted to thank you folks, you volunteers for what you do.

6:14

Wanted to tell you about this event we're having on Burbank Avenue at what we call the Roseland Neighborhood.

6:21

It's a area that's been preserved by the Sonoma County Open Space District and donated to the City of Santa Rosa.

6:30

There is a neighborhood there that we've been working to keep as natural as possible for over 20 years.

6:37

This April 20th Earth Day, that's Saturday.

6:41

We're going to be out there like we've been out there for over 20 years cleaning up the area, doing good things.

6:47

We'd like to invite you to come there, especially because trees are really important for all the goals that the city has said they want to do for climate adaptation, resiliency and sustainability, and every other buzzword you can think of.

7:04

Basically, trees are right front and center for what can help us with pollution.

7:10

We have the highest rate of childhood asthma in Rosalind.

7:13

We have a high rate of adult diseases that are related to what's called particulate diesel matter and other pollutants that come from driving in the area.

7:22

Unfortunately, what's been happening is even more developments going in there, relying upon old traffic studies and not looking at what the cumulative effects are of what happens when you folks do what you do.

7:35

So with that in mind, traffic on Burbank Avenue, because there's an elementary school there now, is packed many times of the day.

7:43

Did you remember that Burbank Avenue was actually given a scenic road designation in the past?

7:49

That Marsha Voss Dupree, when she was on the city council, worked to make sure that we had that scenic road designation.

7:56

But unfortunately, some planners in the city's departments of planning, they don't look at that as if it's important, and they've allowed numerous trees to be cut down along Burbank Avenue, especially big old redwoods, which are the best carbon sequester sequestering trees that are available.

8:15

Unfortunately, this has happened at a place called Burbank Avenue apartments, and that housing is going in right now.

8:21

And no one's been looking at the cumulative effects of what's happening over in Roseland with all this extra housing being pushed in there, and no one really taking account with current traffic impacts, current cumulative impacts being studied.

8:36

You folks could change that by saying that's what needs to be done and get that on somebody's agenda.

8:42

Burbank Avenue apartments may even be bamboozling you folks because they came forward saying they were gonna put in affordable housing first and foremost.

8:50

That's how they got some of their funding.

8:52

That's what they said they were gonna do.

8:54

They're building now, but nothing affordable is going in yet.

8:57

And those apartments may never come to pass.

9:00

That happened at Bellevue Ranch 30 years ago.

9:02

So please keep that in mind, as we in Roseland will keep it in mind.

9:06

Hope to see you on Saturday, the 20th of April for our Earth Day, 10 in the morning, real earth day, out in nature.

9:14

Thank you, Mr.

9:15

DeWitt.

9:16

Anyone else on agenda on non-agenda matters?

9:21

Um these are uh public comments for items that are not on the agenda.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Technology and Innovation██████████████████18%
Planning And Zoning████████████████16%
Public Safety██████████████14%
Public Engagement█████████████13%
Flood Management████████8%
Procedural███████7%
Telecommunications Infrastructure██████6%
Annexation Policy█████5%
Environmental Protection████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Santa Rosa Planning Commission Regular Meeting – April 11, 2024

The Santa Rosa Planning Commission held a regular meeting on April 11, 2024, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:41 p.m. The meeting included approval of minutes, public comments, department reports, a presentation on the FEMA flood risk mapping project, and three public hearings. All actions were approved unanimously (6-0), with Commissioner Peterson absent.

Consent Calendar

  • None.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Non-agenda public comments: Duane De Witt spoke about the upcoming Veterans' Trail Grove & Healing Garden Earth Day event on April 20, and raised concerns about cumulative impacts of development, traffic on Burbank Avenue, tree removal, and affordable housing commitments at Burbank Avenue apartments.
  • During Department Reports: Duane De Witt urged authentic community engagement for the South Santa Rosa Specific Plan and criticized the lack of community involvement in the CALED conference.
  • During FEMA Presentation: Kim inquired about insurance impacts and the influence of FEMA over insurers. Duane De Witt asked to include Colgan Creek and Roseland Creek in the flood mapping project.
  • Public Hearing – Telecommunication Tower (Item 10.1):
    • Kim Kelley (opposed) raised concerns about cumulative RF exposure, aesthetics, noise from generators, and property owner responsibility.
    • Roberta Valdez (opposed) cited property values, lack of proof of safety, and health concerns.
    • Sydney Cox (opposed) argued that FCC exposure limits are outdated and that the 30-minute averaging period is insufficient for long-term exposure.
    • Duane De Witt (supported) emphasized the need for improved first responder coverage, noting the proximity of Fire Station 10 and the value of FirstNet for emergency preparedness.
    • Jennifer Laporta (opposed) called the tower “toxic” and criticized the planning department for rubber-stamping projects.
  • Public Hearing – Dutton Meadows Time Extension (Item 10.2):
    • Duane De Witt (opposed) requested a current traffic study, citing increased traffic and cumulative impacts from housing developments.
    • Robin Miller (applicant, supported) noted the project has been in process for years and that the time extension is needed due to city processing times; the final map is imminent.
  • Public Hearing – John Pol Annexation (Item 10.3):
    • Steve Sharp (applicant, supported) explained the pre-zoning is the first step in annexation to obtain city utilities; no new development is proposed at this time.

Discussion Items

  • Approval of Minutes: The March 28, 2024 draft minutes were approved as submitted.
  • Commissioner Reports: Chair Weeks announced that the Santa Rosa Merit Awards are accepting applications for 2024.
  • Department Reports: Deputy Director Jessica Jones reported on the South Santa Rosa Specific Plan community engagement strategy, an Earth Day booth at Courthouse Square, the CALED conference in Santa Rosa, and that the next meeting will be in May (no meeting on April 25).
  • FEMA Flood Risk Mapping Project Presentation:
    • Flannery Banks (Assistant Engineer) explained that FEMA is updating flood maps for the Santa Rosa Creek watershed. The project is in the discovery phase, with preliminary maps expected around summer 2025, a 90-day appeal period, and a final determination by spring 2026. The city has developed a strategic communications plan, including a website (srcity.org/FEMAfloodmapping) and outreach to impacted communities.
    • Jimmy Bliss (Acting Chief Building Official) discussed impacts on building requirements (elevation, materials) and insurance, and noted that existing structures are grandfathered but significant remodels (>50% of value) must comply with new standards.
    • Elise Miller (Communications Coordinator) outlined outreach efforts: a website, e-newsletter, community meetings, and materials in English and Spanish.
  • Telecommunication Tower (Item 10.1):
    • Staff presented: The project is an 85-foot monopine tower at 2715 Giffen Avenue to improve wireless coverage, especially for FirstNet (public safety network). The site is in an industrial area, over 1,000 feet from schools and residences. The project is exempt from CEQA. Staff recommended approval.
    • Applicant (Mike McLaughlin, Western Fire Chiefs Association) explained that FirstNet is a dedicated public safety broadband network created after 9/11. The tower is needed to fill coverage gaps in the area. The height (85 feet) is the minimum necessary to clear adjacent 45-foot buildings. Co-location is available for other carriers. The tower complies with all city zoning code requirements.
    • Assistant City Attorney Ashle Crocker clarified that the city cannot impose additional RF monitoring beyond FCC requirements, and that the FCC sets nationwide exposure limits.
    • Commissioners discussed the distance requirements, RF exposure, and generator testing hours. The applicant agreed to limit generator testing to normal business hours except for emergencies.
  • Dutton Meadows Time Extension (Item 10.2):
    • Staff presented: The project is a 137-unit small-lot subdivision on 18.4 acres. The approved tentative map expires December 2024; a one-year extension is requested. The final map is imminent. Staff recommended approval.
    • Commissioners noted that the delay was partly due to city processing and that the project will help extend Stony Point Road and eventually relieve traffic. The Hearn Avenue overcrossing groundbreaking has occurred.
  • John Pol Annexation Pre-Zoning (Item 10.3):
    • Staff presented: The property at 5817 Highway 12 (3.18 acres, two single-family dwellings) is outside city limits. The pre-zoning to RR-20-SR-RC (Rural Residential with Scenic Road and Resilient City overlays) is needed for annexation to obtain city utilities. No new development is proposed. Staff recommended approval.

Key Outcomes

  • Minutes: Approved as submitted.
  • FEMA Presentation: Received as information; no action taken.
  • Telecommunication Tower (CUP23-004): Motion by Commissioner Holton, seconded by Commissioner Cisco, to adopt Resolution No. PC-2024-005 approving the conditional use permit. Passed 6-0. The decision is final unless appealed within 10 calendar days.
  • Dutton Meadows Time Extension (EXT23-0008/0009): Motion by Vice Chair Duggan, seconded by Commissioner Carter, to adopt Resolution No. PC-2024-006 granting a one-year extension. Passed 6-0. The decision is final unless appealed within 10 calendar days.
  • John Pol Annexation Pre-Zoning (ANX23-001): Motion by Commissioner Sanders, seconded by Commissioner Carter, to adopt Resolution No. PC-2024-007 recommending pre-zoning to the City Council. Passed 6-0. The recommendation will go to the City Council for final action.
  • Meeting Adjourned at 6:41 p.m. Commissioner Holton was thanked for his service as this was his last meeting.

Meeting Transcript

Chair Weeks, it's four thirty, if you'd like to call the meeting to order. Okay, thank you. Commissioner Carter. Commissioner Peterson. Commissioner Peterson? Yes. We have draft minutes from March twenty eighth, twenty twenty-four. Are there any changes to the minutes? Okay, seeing none. Do we have any public comments on the minutes? My apologies. That's okay. So if we do, please go to one of the podiums. Not seeing anybody rise for this item. Go uh we'll go ahead and uh approve the minutes as they stand. And now we move on to item three, public comments. Uh we're 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 the agenda, but which are within our subject matter jurisdiction of the commission. And so with that, uh, we'll go ahead and start with uh Mr. DeWitt. Thank you, Madam Chair. I wanted to use the overhead. Okay. There you go. Let's get it in sight here. All right. Is the microphone on? Yes. Hello, my name is Duane DeWitt. I'm from Roseland. I wanted to thank you folks, you volunteers for what you do. Wanted to tell you about this event we're having on Burbank Avenue at what we call the Roseland Neighborhood. It's a area that's been preserved by the Sonoma County Open Space District and donated to the City of Santa Rosa. There is a neighborhood there that we've been working to keep as natural as possible for over 20 years. This April 20th Earth Day, that's Saturday. We're going to be out there like we've been out there for over 20 years cleaning up the area, doing good things. We'd like to invite you to come there, especially because trees are really important for all the goals that the city has said they want to do for climate adaptation, resiliency and sustainability, and every other buzzword you can think of. Basically, trees are right front and center for what can help us with pollution. We have the highest rate of childhood asthma in Rosalind. We have a high rate of adult diseases that are related to what's called particulate diesel matter and other pollutants that come from driving in the area. Unfortunately, what's been happening is even more developments going in there, relying upon old traffic studies and not looking at what the cumulative effects are of what happens when you folks do what you do. So with that in mind, traffic on Burbank Avenue, because there's an elementary school there now, is packed many times of the day. Did you remember that Burbank Avenue was actually given a scenic road designation in the past? That Marsha Voss Dupree, when she was on the city council, worked to make sure that we had that scenic road designation. But unfortunately, some planners in the city's departments of planning, they don't look at that as if it's important, and they've allowed numerous trees to be cut down along Burbank Avenue, especially big old redwoods, which are the best carbon sequester sequestering trees that are available. Unfortunately, this has happened at a place called Burbank Avenue apartments, and that housing is going in right now. And no one's been looking at the cumulative effects of what's happening over in Roseland with all this extra housing being pushed in there, and no one really taking account with current traffic impacts, current cumulative impacts being studied. You folks could change that by saying that's what needs to be done and get that on somebody's agenda. Burbank Avenue apartments may even be bamboozling you folks because they came forward saying they were gonna put in affordable housing first and foremost. That's how they got some of their funding.

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