CCMIN12152020 - Laserfiche WebLink

Councilmember Testa explained there had not been an opportunity to offer input on the project until recently and stated her belief there should be an opportunity for Council input at an earlier stage. She stated she did not believe this is what residents deserved as presented a few weeks ago and thanked Irby Ranch residents for speaking out. She supported Mr. Ritter's comments about having a workshop between the Council and the Planning Commission, citing there only being one Commissioner with concerns about the project's lack of conformity with the General Plan. She also stated she would like staff to review community benefit policies in the future but did not want that to hold up this project. In response to Councilmember Arkin's inquiry, Director of Community Development Clark confirmed a traffic study was done and found, relative to the size and nature of the project, there would be minimal traffic volumes and that 15-gallon trees are proposed. Councilmember Arkin stated her appreciation for the applicant's cooperation with the community and staff to significantly improve the project by making it more visually consistent with Irby Ranch. She expressed her excitement to reach LEED silver certification. She echoed Councilmember Testa's comments by praising the beauty of the storage facility on Valley Avenue as a benefit to the community. Councilmember Narum stated she is not seeing a significant benefit to the pitched roof on the three- story building when residents are upset about potentially losing the view of the mountains. Councilmember Testa replied she would have rather looked deeper into the need for the third story if this project were not already so far along, but stated it was of substantial importance to the applicant. She stated her belief the gabled roof is a substantial improvement to the aesthetics. She stated this area has unofficially evolved from industrial to mixed-use and she does not want the buildings to look stark, cold, and industrial with garish coloring. She stated the current design blends with Irby Ranch and the gabled roof are a part of the reason why. Councilmember Narum argued the three-story building is next to other industrial buildings and stated her concerns the Council is trying to make this area into mixed-use when it is industrial. She stated her relief the Council will not impose more windfall or community benefits. She stated concerns the appearance of this review will sound like they are trying to discourage investment and the Council should be sensitive to that and help prevent local businesses from relocating or investing elsewhere. Councilmember Narum stated concerns about the public process, expressing her feelings the design process was done without much public or Council input. She expressed her belief this does not feel like good transparent government. She stated she does not see housing being extended eastward beyond Irby Ranch so the property is the beginning of an industrial zone. She added many of the lots are not large enough for high-density housing. She stated she will not support the item. Mayor Brown expressed her support for the project. She noted many buildings in Irby Ranch are three stories and view over the fence and potential new building. She added neighborhoods change over time, citing when Irby Ranch was a farm and not housing. She stated she watched the Planning Commission meeting video and there was a lack of knowledge of the General Plan in respects to the orange usage but they were hesitant to ask for too much revision given how long this project had been in the queue, thus, she believes, it passed with reluctance. She directed staff to cite the General Plan more frequently in their reports. She thanked the applicant for their flexibility. MOTION: It was m/s by Testa/Arkin adopt and waive full reading of Resolution No. 20-1194 to approve applications P19-0128/P19-0129 for a Design Review and Conditional Use Permit to modify an existing self-storage facility (Public Storage) subject to conditions of Attachment A as follows: 1) demolish seven existing storage buildings and office; 2) construct a 900 square-foot office; 3) construct a 9.750 square-foot one-story storage building; 4) construct a 197,410 square-foot three-story storage building; 5) construct related site improvements at 3716 Stanley Blvd; and 6) with condition of office front posts being painted to match the trim color of the remainder of the building. Motion passed by the following vote: City Council Minutes Page 13 of 17 December 15, 2020