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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes - December 4, 2012City of Central Point Planning Commission Minutes December 4, 2012 I. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:00 P.M. II. ROLL CALL Commissioners Chuck Piland, Mike Oliver, Tim Schmeusser, Tom Van Voorhees, Rick Samuelson, Jr., and Craig Nelson, Sr. were present. Susan Szczesniak was absent. Also in attendance were: Don Burt, Planning Manager; Connie Clune, Community Planner; and Didi Thomas, Planning Secretary. III. CORRESPONDENCE — None IV. MINUTES Tom Van Voorhees made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 13, 2012 Planning Commission meeting. Tim Schmeusser seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: Oliver, yes; Samuelson, yes; Schmeusser, yes; Van Voorhees, yes; Nelson, abstained. Motion passed. V. PUBLIC APPEARANCES - None VI. BUSINESS A. Eastside Transit Oriented Development (TOD) District (File No. 12003) — Public hearing to consider adoption of an Eastside Transit Oriented Development (TOD) District requiring amendments to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan map designating an Eastside TOD District; Zoning Map applying Transit Oriented Development District zoning classifications; Transportation System Plan identifying a neighborhood circulation plan for the Eastside TOD District; and zoning ordinance section 17.65 TOD Districts and Corridors, Section 17.66 Application Review Process, and Section 17.67 Design Standards. There were no conflicts or ex parte communications to disclose. Planning Manager Don Burt advised commissioners that he would be presenting highlights of the proposed amendments required in connection with the Eastside Transit Oriented Development (TOD) District proposal. Staff is recommending that the public hearing be opened after the staff presentation, and that testimony be taken from members Planning Commission Minutes December 4, 2012 Page 2 of the audience, and hearing continued to Tuesday, January 8, 2013, at 6 p.m. Based on a recent neighborhood meeting changes to zoning code are still being worked on and are not ready for presentation. Mr. Burt began his presentation by stating that in order to create an Eastside TOD, amendments would need to be made to the City's comprehensive plan, zoning map, transportation system plan and those sections of the zoning ordinances which would be directly affected by this change. The proposed area under consideration consists of approximately 160 acres. It was noted that the proposed TOD will not be annexing property, modifying annexation policies, reducing density, expanding commercial lands or expanding the current Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). The primary impetus for the TOD proposal comes from the recently adopted Greater Bear Creek Regional Plan, which establishes new minimum residential density standards. To meet these standards it will be necessary to rely on the TOD section of the zoning code. Mr. Burt reviewed current strengths and limitations within the City's traffic, street circulation and zoning plans relative to the TOD proposal. He pointed out that the traffic benchmarks would be an additional 2,137 peak hour trips based on the City's Transportation System Plan (2008). A proposed street circulation plan incorporates minimum block requirements and connectivity, and TOD design standards based upon sections 17.66.030, 17.75 and 17.67 of the City's municipal code. Standard zoning, Mr. Burt explained, has density limitations while the TOD zoning allows for growth. We will need to get to an average density of 6.9 and TOD zoning will get us there and surpass average densities. The TOD -LMR zoning allows for a broad mix of housing and greater density. Staff noted that the neighborhood meeting that was held at Shepherd of the Valley catholic church on November 27, 2012 was well attended. The primary concern was preservation of the neighborhood's current level of livability as the area develops. Mr. Burt noted that through use of the TOD and master planning requirements, this can be done. However a definition of the "Master Plan" and master plan criteria needs to be incorporated into our code addressing duration, location descriptions, minimum and maximum densities, multi -modal circulation plan, open space and parks, environmental assets, impacts, and remedies; surrounding land uses, impacts, and remedies. The public portion of the hearing was opened. Ernest Mingus, a property owner on Beebe Road, came forward and requested additional time for deliberation on the issue as he had just heard about it last week. He expressed concern with an anonymous comment made about property owners in the area of the proposed eastside TOD being "against future development ". He stated that property owners were concerned with the impact of any future development on the value of their properties and the preservation of their quality of life. In addition, he added that the Planning Commission Minutes December 4, 2012 Page 3 vacant land designation attached to his property was not true; that there was a dwelling on the property along with an orchard. Mr. Mingus said that he would like to see a more balanced approach and felt that the needs of the residents can be met along with coming up with a plan for development. Mr. Burt explained that the State's definition of vacant land was used to calculate vacant land within the proposed TOD, which assigns .25 acres to each existing residence, with the balance being considered vacant (developable). Mr. Mingus additionally expressed concerns with the proposed circulation plan. Jim Sutton, a resident on Hamrick Road, came forward and said that he wanted to continue to be informed about the meetings. Mike Duncan, a developer, came forward and stated that he was in favor of advanced planning, that there were elements of the transit oriented development standards that provided more control over development of the land. Mr. Duncan said that he isn't sure where the market is headed but was very complimentary of City staff for taking an advanced look at this so that existing residents aren't disadvantaged. Staff has done a good job of evaluating the area, Mr. Duncan stated, and there would be a little more control with a TOD. Twin Creeks is a good example of mixed uses. Don Burt advised that staff was continuing to work on the neighborhood's concerns and will have more information for Mr. Mingus to look at late next week. Mr. Burt recommended keeping the public hearing open until January 8, 2013 to allow for further input. The public hearing was continued. Mike Oliver made a motion to continue the public hearing in this matter to Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. Craig Nelson, Sr. seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: Oliver, yes; Samuelson, yes; Schmeusser, yes; Van Voorhees, yes; Nelson, yes. Motion passed. VII. DISCUSSION VIII. ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEWS IX. MISCELLANEOUS X. ADJOURNMENT Mike Oliver made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Tom Van Voorhees seconded the motion. Meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Planning Commission Minutes December 4, 2012 Page 4 The foregoing minutes of the December 4, 2012 Planning Commission meeting were approved by the Planning Commission at its meeting on January 8, 2013. Planning Commission Chair