PC 10/22/97 - Laserfiche WebLink

. . . of lakes" project at the end of Mohr Avenue. She reiterated her recommendation to close KoHn because it was poorly designed from the beginning, noting that this would preserve every neighborhood. Commissioner Kumaran noted that as a new commissioner, he is looking at this issue for the first time. He stated that in looking at the seven elements of the General Plan and the impacts the project has on the elements, the only element that this project would infringe upon is the Circulation Element. He commended staff, neighbors, and the developer for the amount of time spent on this project. He noted that he discarded Option 1, and that Options 2 through 4 to some extent mitigated the problem at hand, but moved the problem to another place. He noted that there are two groups represented. He felt that the solutions recommended were good efforts, but to a large extent they deal with the symptoms, not the cause. He stated that the cause was the new development and the number of homes. He suggested that there may be an acceptable reduction in the number of homes that would minimize the number of impacts. He further suggested that with a little more effort, the group could go back to the table and seek a solution that would minimize the impacts that they have been talking about. He noted that Option 5, with the turn restrictions, to a large extent breaks the community, by restricting access to various areas. He noted that Option 6 is supported by a large number of people but, however, Program 5.2 in the Circulation Element requires more than one access including EVA routes to new developments. He stated that this policy is there for a good reason. He suggested that the only option he feels comfortable with is having the Committee go back to discuss the issues again, even if it means bringing back a recommendation for no development. Chair Cooper stated that he feels the developer has played by all of the rules on this project and that there is no basis for denying the project. He noted that there has been a decrease in units by 40% since the inception of the planning process. He commented that the Planning Commission had approved a previous project with considerable more homes than the current plan has and that the City Council empowered the Ad Hoc Committee to prepare a recommendation. He stated that his preference would be to have it open to flow-through traffic and there would be no turn restrictions, but because of the agreement that the Ad Hoc Committee arrived at, he would support Option 5. If Option 6 was selected there would be no justification for closing Mohr Avenue. He advised that he is not in sympathy with Commissioner Barker's plan to close off streets, in that it is a total admission of failure. He stated that he cannot see going back through another set of hearings; he believes the developer has already compromised. He commented that this is the sort of development the General Plan calls for. He stated that the Planning Commission is doing its best in good faith to make it as livable for surrounding people as possible. Because of the process and because he feels it is the fairest to all, he will support Option 5. Discussion ensued regarding Kolin Street, traffic issues related to that street, and the history of the installation of the barrier on the south side of Valley. Commissioner Wright reviewed the history of the access to the project, noting that it met every criteria of the General Plan. He noted that the original plan was good planning to begin with, other than the fact that it upset neighbors. He noted that they are now doing "band-aid" solutions because they are trying to appease every neighborhood. He stated that good planning could have been accomplished by staying with the original plan. Planning Commission Minutes Page 12 October 22, 1997