HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 10.25.11_CCv0001.pdf MINUTES: of the Planning Commission Meeting of the City of Redlands held
Tuesday, October 25, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. are as follows:
PRESENT: Gary Miller, Chairman
John James, Vice Chairman
Carol Dyer, Commissioner
Conrad Guzkowski, Commissioner
Jan Hudson, Commission
Ken Jeske, Commissioner
Julie Rock, Commissioner
ADVISORY STAFF Oscar Orci, Development Services Director
PRESENT: Robert Dalquest, Assistant Development Services Director
Sergio Madera, Associate Planner
I. CALL TO ORDER AND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD - 3 MINUTES
Chairman Miller called the meeting to order, and opened up the Public Comment period. All
members were present.
There were no Public Comments and the Public Comment period was closed.
II. WORKSHOP
A. Discussion on developing regulations for Single Room Occupancy(SRO) units.
Associate Planner Sergio Madera gave a brief overview on SRO units.
Chairman Miller opened up the Workshop for comments and discussion.
Commissioner Jeske stated the comparisons are mostly from beach cities which differ in lot size
than Redlands. Commissioner Jeske inquired if there were any other cities more inland.
Associate Planner Madera stated the cities mentioned are comparable in characteristics.
Commissioner Dyer inquired if staff is proposing a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) with the SRO
process. Associate Planner Madera concurred. Commissioner Dyer asked if the SRO process
could be approved administratively. Assistant Director Robert Dalquest stated the Housing
Element was to clarify where the uses are allowed, the type of process, and the work
requirements. Most cities require a CUP. Commissioner Dyer requested clarification on the size
restrictions. Associate Planner Madera stated there are minimum and maximum size restrictions,
and clarified the restrictions.
Vice Chairman James stated that the Huntington Beach comparable was the best model to
compare with Redlands. Vice Chairman James recommended developing SRO's in the C-3 and
C-4 Districts.
Commissioner Rock requested clarification on the Planning Commission's responsibility.
Commissioner Rock recommended the Police Department's involvement. Commissioner Rock
suggested staff address a Management Plan, defined annual reports with set standards, open
space per occupant, facilities, and storage areas.
Commissioner Guzkowski recommended a CUP as a minimum requirement, and to include an
annual review. Commissioner Guzkowski stated facilities need a range of flexibility to
accommodate the market that is needed, and to retrofit motels may not be conducive to the SRO
needs identified. Staff may want to consider family SROs, with retail store component where the
occupants could acquire clothing, essentials, and services in the common space area.
Commissioner Hudson expressed concern on sharing restrooms and kitchens.
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October 25,2011
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Chairman Miller inquired if the City's desire is to revitalize the older motels that are struggling or
to comply with moderate to low income criteria that are state mandated. Associate Planner
Madera stated the goal is to satisfy the needs of the Housing Element. The policy provides
alternative housing options that are currently not available in the City. The City could facilitate the
conversion of the existing motels to SRO's, if the owners agreed.
Assistant Director Dalquest stated our responsibility is to clarify where it would be allowed in our
code, the process, and what the requirements are for new construction or conversions.
Director Oscar Orci requested clarification on what the City has agreed to on SRO's in the
Certified Housing Element.
Assistant Director Dalquest stated the Housing Element, in part, reviews the constraints to
affordable housing and requires the City to modify its requirements in order to comply with the
Housing Assessment. The programs that are in the Housing Element address numerous items,
one being to clarify in our code where SRO's are allowed in the process.
Chairman Miller inquired if the state mandates where the SRO's should be allowed. Assistant
Director Dalquest stated the location is not mandated by law, but do encourage SRO's.
Director Orci confirmed the state encourages housing for all income levels as well as a variety of
housing opportunities. The SRO's was one of the correction items encouraged by the state to
include in the City's Housing Element.
Chairman Miller expressed concern on the quality of housing in Redlands.
Commissioner Guzkowski requested clarification on the SRO income tiers, and its subsidies.
Commissioner Guzkowski stated the very low income target will be very challenging relative to
the subsidies, and the community participation. Assistant Director Dalquest concurred.
Chairman Miller requested clarification on the consequences if the City does not comply with the
programs.
Director Orci stated there are penalties. The City needs to have a Certified Housing Element in
cycle four before it could move forward to cycle five, if the City is not in compliance they would
have issues with grants, funding, and potential environmental issues without a Certified Housing
Element.
Commissioner Rock stated there are significant penalties if we do not have a Certified Housing
Element. Commissioner Rock requested clarification on the target population. Commissioner
Rock recommended staff craft the SRO's so it is appropriate for the targeted population.
Assistant Director Dalquest stated the Housing Element has the demographics and staff could
bring the information back to the Commission for their review.
Commissioner Jeske concurred with Commissioner Guzkowski's recommendations.
Commissioner Jeske stated the City has a large population of transients.
Commissioner Dyer inquired if the SRO's are on a month to month lease. Associate Planner
Madera stated it could be long term for some occupants. Commissioner Dyer stated the City is
encouraging SRO's in a non residential area. Director Orci confirmed the reason to encourage a
commercial area is to be close to transit, facilities, services, employment, and restaurants.
Assistant Director Dalquest stated the City can customize the SRO's to be within a certain
distance to transit, restaurants and services.
Commissioner Jeske recommended the facility have small kitchens to prepare meals.
Chairman Miller inquired if the SRO's are a vehicle for the Housing Element.
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Commissioner Dyer stated she was in support of the ordinance, and to implement an action for
the Housing Element.
Vice Chairman James stated the SRO's have a target population and recommended allowing the
SRO's to identify their projects needs.
Commissioner Jeske recommended implementing standards for the SRO's.
Chairman Miller requested clarification if low income housing funding is available for SRO's and if
the City's suburban environment is better suited for a different kind of Housing Element.
Commissioner Dyer stated the motels along Redlands Boulevard confirm the need and demand
for affordable housing in the City.
Chairman Miller inquired if the SRO's are the right vehicle to provide affordable housing.
Commissioner Guzkowski inquired if the Redevelopment Department (RDA) had been involved in
the past to build affordable housing. Director Oscar Orci stated the Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) as well as RDA programs do provide assistance for first time home buyers,
silent seconds, and assistance with multifamily dwelling units on construction and land costs.
Director Orci stated the SRO provision is in the Housing Element.
Commissioner Rock encouraged communicating with the Police Department regarding the motels
located on Redlands Boulevard.
Chairman Miller clarified the Commissions recommendations as follows:
To bring back information to the Commission on reasons the SRO's are in the Housing Element.
To provide the Commission with background information and analysis on the populations needs.
Chairman Miller requested a motion to direct staff to move forward.
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Rock, seconded by Commissioner Guzkowski and carried on a 7-
0 vote that the Planning Commission direct staff to move forward and provide the Commission
more analysis and information on SRO's.
III. ADJOURN TO NOVEMBER 8, 2011
Chairman Miller adjourned the meeting at 3:00 p.m. to the November 8, 2011 meeting.
Linda McCasland Oscar Orci
Senior Administrative Technician Development Services Director
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October 25,2011
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