Month 1988.07 July.


Day 1988.07.05PC


PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
City of Vacaville
7:30 P.M. - City Council Chambers    June 5, 1988


CALL TO ORDER:
The regular meeting of the City Planning Commission was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Chairman Matsuhara.

PRESENT:    Chairman Matsuhara, Vice Chairman Rajander, Commissioner Alpert, Commissioner Gjervold-Mikalis (arrived at 7:40), Commissioner McCulley, Commissioner McEntee and Commissioner Weiss
ABSENT:    None
ALSO PRESENT:    Director Werner, Associate Planner Moore, Assistant Planner Buderi,  Assistant Public Works Director Baird

1.  CONSENT CALENDAR
    a.  Approval of Minutes - May 17, 1988
    b.  Approval of Minutes - June 21, 1988
    Chairman Matsuhara moved, Vice Chairman Rajander seconded, that the items listed on the consent calendar be approved as submitted.  Motion approved 6-0.

2.  ELECTION OF OFFICERS
    With the consensus of the Commission, this item was continued to the end of the agenda.

3.  UPDATE ON TRAVIS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT  -  Mark Rothaker, Business Manager

Mark Rothaker discussed school operations and budget relative to state authorized school impact fees.  He discussed input of funds from the Federal Government of approximately $1,600.00 per student from Travis Air Force Base.  Mr. Rothaker discussed the anticipated and actual development of various residential projects, especially the Gonsalves-Lockie development.

Director Werner asked whether the junior high school site in Gonsalves Lockie might be needed.  Mr. Rothaker discussed the development agreement for the Gonsalves-Lockie property regarding fees, school size, criteria of 28-30 students per classroom and funding requirements.  The elementary school may be under construction in about 4-5 years, with the middle school approximately 2 years thereafter.  It is not anticipated that another high school would be needed.  He noted that previous projections had assumed a faster growth in Vacaville.  Also, there are fewer children per household than was anticipated earlier.

4.  NUT TREE TEXACO TIME EXTENSION  -  Art Soltani, applicant
    a.  Environmental Assessment (REA-39-88)
    b.  Conditional Use Permit (CUP-5-87)
    Pertains to a request for a one year time extension for the approval of a conditional use permit to convert the existing service station into a convenience market with gasoline sales.  The gasoline service station is located at the north the east corner of E. Monte Vista Avenue and Browns Valley parkway.  The environmental assessment pertains to reaffirming the Vacaville Community Redevelopment Environmental Impact Report as adequately addressing the potential impacts of this project.

Associate Planner Moore reviewed the project and introduced the staff report into the record, noting that the project includes a 1,1256.8 square foot market.  The project is located within the Vacaville Community Redevelopment EIR (EIR-1-81).  Neither the project nor the circumstances in which the project would be undertaken have significantly changed since the original approval in 1987.  The Planning Commission's action in 1987 was appealed to the City Council regarding the required dedication and improvement of street right-of-way along Browns Valley Parkway and the driveway closure.  The City Council denied the appeal, upholding the Planning Commission's action, and added a condition that the provision of a 10 foot deep planter along E. Monte Vista Avenue not hinder adequate circulation to the gasoline pumps.  Condition D of this report addresses this modification.  Staff recommended approval subject to the conditions of the staff report.

PUBLIC HEARING OPENED:
    There were no questions or comments from the floor.
The public hearing was closed.

COMMISSION ACTION:

Environmental Assessment:
Commissioner Alpert moved, McCulley seconded, to approve Environmental Assessment (REA-39-88) as adequately addressing the impacts of the project in accordance with CEQA and with findings A-C.  Motion approved 6-0.

Conditional Use Permit Extension:
Commissioner Alpert moved, McCulley seconded, to approve a one year time extension for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP-5-87) to convert an existing service station to a convenience market with gasoline sales subject to conditions of approval A-D, as listed in staff report.  Motion approved 6-0.

5.  CHERRY GLEN FRUIT ORCHARD  -  Richard Nola, applicant
    a.  Environmental Assessment (EA-21-86)

This item pertains to a request for a Negative Declaration for a proposed fruit stand and deli-type restaurant on a 6 acre site on the east side of Cherry Glen Road abutting I-80. The applicants requested additional time to prepare further information for the review of this request.  Staff recommended this item be continued to the hearing of July 19, 1988.

Chairman Matsuhara moved, Rajander seconded, to continue the item as recommended. Motion approved 6-0.

6.  REYNOLD'S RECYCLING CENTER APPEAL  -  Reynold's Aluminum Recycling, Golden Hills Plaza
    a.  Staff Design Review (SDR-20-88)
    Pertains to an appeal of the Design Review Committee's action denying a request to locate a recycling center in the Golden Hills Plaza Shopping Center.  The project involves the use of a 40 foot long truck trailer as a collection center for recyclable materials.  The staff design review approval was appealed by the applicant to the Design Review Committee.  The Design Review Committee denied the request citing incompatibility with adjacent residential uses and potential hazards to vehicular and pedestrian traffic within the shopping center parking lot.

Assistant Planner Buderi reviewed the project and introduced the staff report into the record, and explained the Design Review Committee action being appealed, and extensive project history.  He presented the 5 alternative locations and screening methods considered by the applicant, staff and Design Review Committee.  Assistant Planner Buderi presented the staff recommendation to deny the appeal based upon vehicle/pedestrian conflicts, safety concerns and visual/aesthetic concerns given the street grades at the intersection of Alamo Road and I-80.

To facilitate discussion of the alternative trailer location, the locations were numbered as follows:
    #1  Along Alamo Drive
    #2  Near the market loading dock
    #3  Adjacent to building o E. side of Market
    #4  In parking area, parallel to building
    #5  In parking area, parallel to east property line
    #6  as #4, but 1 tier closer to Alamo

Commissioner Alpert requested clarification on whether the use would accept all recyclable materials or only aluminum.  Planner Buderi stated that as a State-certified recycling center, aluminum, glass, plastic, and bi-metal containers would be collected.

PUBLIC HEARING OPENED:

    Bill Coffee, Area Manager for Reynolds Aluminum, said that the two main issues were safety and aesthetics--they would not locate there if it were unsafe.  He said they need the large trailer due to the 10-20 ton volume that they do per month.  He said that he preferred sites 1,2 and 5.  He felt that #4 was unsafe.  He said the operation is staffed 35 hours per week; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
In response to questions from the Commission, he gave the following information.  He said that a fence enclosure would be alright with him, but the landlord doesn't want it. He felt that visibility from the street was necessary and preferred #1.  He agreed that they could put skirting on the trailer and said that noise had not been a problem.  Also, they were not doing reverse vending in Northern California, it requires too much capital investment, and it's still in a test market.  They have about 50 to 80 customers per day. He noted that the noise level equaled 90 dB inside the trailer at dump point.
    Gerry Kirkpatrick, owner of the Golden Hills Plaza, said that he preferred location #5; that screening could be done by any plant material; fence could be done, but plants would be better; screening of #5 would not be necessary.
    Gramercy Park neighbor:  Said he was concerned about location, that it would be very visible from adjacent homes, and felt it was an eyesore.
    Helen Steffan, neighbor, said that the trailer was too big and was against #1.
    Peter English, said that he supports his neighbors.   He felt the company was trying to maximize the profits; everything is too tight here and conflicts between commercial and residential too great.
    Elaina Hallman, resident of Ogden, was not in favor of #5, because of noise and view.  She preferred #1.
    Public hearing closed.

Director Werner suggested the possibility of moving #4 over one more tier.  Mr. Kirkpatrick thought that would be a good alternative.  Director Werner also noted that signs must comply with the sign ordinance.

COMMISSION ACTION:

Commissioner Rajander moved to approve the appeal for Reynolds Recycling Center, to be located on location #6 - 2nd row from east wall (one tier closer to Alamo Drive) with the opening toward Alamo Drive; skirting installed, 27' trailer; signs approved by Staff; and restriped to prevent parking.  Chairman Matsuhara seconded the motion.
The motion was approved 4-3.  (No: Gjervold-Mikalis, McCulley, Weiss)

2.  ELECTION OF OFFICERS:

The Commission voted unanimously to elect Glenn Matsuhara, Chairman and Commissioner Gjervold-Mikalis, Vice Chairman.

7.  DIRECTOR'S REPORT:

    a.  Tentative Upcoming Planning Commission Agenda Items
    b.  City Council Actions related to Planning Items.

8.  ADJOURNMENT:

There being no further business to discuss, the regular meeting of the City Planning Commission was adjourned at 10:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,


Phyllis Lorenzo
Recording Secretary