PC 04/28/99 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commissioner Maas commended staff and property owners for their work on the project. She commented that this project set out to protect the natural environment and the quality of hillsides and that the Specific Plan does in fact accomplish that. She commented on the number of housing units and noted that General Plan states that "the Specific Plan should include a target of the 150 housing units," and that the 189 is a target number. Further, that delays in the project will increase the number of residences due to increased cost in the infrastructure, and she supports the project moving forward. She noted the acreage designated for this project in open space and stated that staff has adequately addressed her concerns. Commissioner Maas further spoke in favor of the consumer protection measures and stated that the Mitigation Monitoring Program addresses the chemical concerns. Further, she expressed support for the language that recommends the 1990 Organic Foods Act, protect the safety of the residences. She expressed her agreement with the standards that have been developed for the school. Commissioner Maas addressed traffic concerns and expressed her concurrence with staffs recommendations for Vineyard Avenue. She expressed concurrence with the modifications for the removal or replacement of heritage trees. She requested that a visual analysis be performed on all development not just the hillsides. Further, she suggested Monday through Friday construction hours, and expressed concurrence with trail being eliminated on Lot 26 due to safety issues, and that the 100-room inn on Lot 28 be deleted. Further, that Lot 31 be allocated a total of two home sites. She noted that a recommendation for the Specific Plan should be submitted to the City Conncil and if there are delays in proceeding with the Plan, that the project should be phased. She expressed concern with the mining activity and strongly urged the City Council to continue negotiations with Lonestar to discontinue mining activity. In conclusion she noted she would vote in support of approving the Specific Plan. Commissioner Cooper noted that the process has been lengthy enough and he would be in support of making recommendations to the City Council. He commented on a previous City Council making proposals to the residents that were not realized; however, he could not be bound by proposals that were not part of a public process. He stated that the number of homes proposed in the Specific Plan was low, and noted it should have been in the 250-range. He stated he would not support a reduction in the number of homes and would like to see additional homes added in order to finance the infrastructure. He recommended that the City Council consider expanding the project to 250 homes to provide an incentive for key players to pay for infrastructure. He expressed support with the project being phased. He commented on the school and noted his concurrence with Commissioner Sullivan that this is not a good site for a school. He stated that annexation occurred with a series of expectations, and even though all expectations cannot be met, he has concern with ignoring them. Commissioner Cooper spoke in support of two lanes on Vineyard Avenue with acceleration and deceleration lanes, to reduce speeding, and with a series of hearings being conducted relating to traffic impacts on Vineyard Avenue. He further noted that organic farming is a burden on the vineyards; however, due to the close proximity of vineyards to residences, regulation of chemicals should be done on a case-by-case basis; however, due to state law preemption, this was not possible; therefore, he would support a condition for organic practices only. He expressed support for the wording relating to Methyl Bromide use prohibition and for the requirement that vineyards or other agriculture be in compliance with the 1990 Organic Food Act. He expressed support with staffs vehicular access recommendation for Lot 3. He supported a daycare center and the number of children being decided at the time of use PLANN1NG COMMISSION MINUTES Page 8 April 28, 1999