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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 1.24.12_CCv0001.pdf MINUTES: of the Planning Commission Meeting of the City of Redlands held Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. are as follows: PRESENT: John James, Vice Chairman Carol Dyer, Commissioner Conrad Guzkowski, Commissioner Jan Hudson, Commissioner Ken Jeske, Commissioner Julie Rock, Commissioner ADVISORY STAFF Oscar Orci, Development Services Director PRESENT: Robert Dalquest, Assistant Development Services Director Chris Boatman, Associate Planner I. CALL TO ORDER AND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD - 3 MINUTES Vice Chairman James called the meeting to order, and opened up the Public Comment period. All members were present with the exception of Chairman Miller. There were no Public Comments forthcoming, and the Public Comment period was closed. A. Election of Planning Commission Chairman and Vice-Chairman. Commissioner Guzkowski nominated Mr. Gary Miller as the Planning Commission Chairman. Commissioner Dyer nominated Mr. John James as the Planning Commission Vice Chairman. Vice Chairman James requested a vote from all that was in favor of the nominated leadership, and the Planning Commission carried on a 6-0 vote to approve the new Chairman and Vice Chairman. II. CONSENT CALENDAR - None III. OLD BUSINESS A. DARRYL EVEY, APPLICANT (PROJECT PLANNER: CHRIS BOATMAN) 1. Consideration of a Notice of Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines. 2. PUBLIC HEARING to consider Conditional Use Permit No. 213 (Revision No. 4) to establish a transitional housing facility for up to twelve (12) children between the ages of 11 to 17 on property previously approved for a boarding school located at 940 Stillman Avenue in the R-2 (Multiple Family Residential) District. Associate Planner Chris Boatman gave a PowerPoint presentation and overview of the proposed project. Staff recommended approval of Conditional Use Permit No. 213 (Revision No. 4) subject to the conditions of approval. Planning Commission Minutes of January 24,2012 Page 1 Commissioner Guzkowski inquired if the proposed use would allow a group home with six or less occupants. Associate Planner Boatman confirmed if the group home was licensed by the state, and had six or less occupants they would be allowed to operate in the facility. Mr. Darryl Evey, representative, stated he had submitted letters of support. Mr. Evey stated Judge Marsha Slough and Ms. Jackie Moot were here to speak on the proposed project. Judge Slough stated San Bernardino County has 25,000 homeless children registered for school in San Bernardino County. San Bernardino County is the largest county in the state and they do not have a facility for the children. Homeless children sleep on building rooftops in the City of Redlands. The Redlands community feeds fifty children twice a week, and dentists are now offering their services to provide dental care for the children. Judge Slough stated the facility will provide a better quality of life for the children and will give them hope, encouragement, shelter, safety, and food. Judge Slough encouraged the Commission to move forward with the approval of the proposed project. Ms. Moot, Director of Operation Safehouse, stated their facility in Riverside had thirty- nine phone calls to the Police Department for the year of 2011, and clarified the calls as follows: • Twenty-eight calls were on children that ran from the program. • Ten of the twenty-eight children returned, and completed the program. • Five calls were made to the Police Department to report incidents that occurred to the children, before they arrived at Safehouse. • There were six calls on children that were a threat to themselves. Commissioner Guzkowski inquired if the operations, goals, and objectives of Operation Safehouse were obtainable and feasible. Ms. Moot confirmed. Commissioner Guzkowski inquired what their largest challenge was; Ms. Moot stated the largest challenge is the parent's lack of participation in the program. Commissioner Dyer requested clarification on the children that were not able to return to their home because of substance abuse; where would the facility refer to the children? Ms. Moot stated if there is abuse in the home the facility is mandated to report the problem. If the child can not go home then a group meeting would be conducted involving Child Protection Services, Social Services, Mental Health and other groups in the community to discuss the welfare of the child. They would come up with a plan and a goal that is safe for the child, when they are ready to leave. Commissioner Dyer inquired if the surrounding neighbors had impacts from Operation Safehouse in Riverside or if any incidents were reported on the facility. Ms. Moot stated she has been with the facility for twenty-one years and stated they have not had a complaint from the neighbors that she could remember. Ms. Moot stated the facility has a good relationship with the surrounding neighbors. Mr. Evey stated the proposed facility will have an advisory counsel that will help oversee the facility and they have invited the neighbors to participate. Commissioner Rock requested clarification on the programs in the facility. Mr. Evey stated they keep the children very busy with programs which will include self esteem, food and nutrition, cooking classes, hiking and field trips, school work, and runaway youth programs. Planning Commission Minutes of January 24,2012 Page 2 Vice Chairman James requested expansion on their marketing techniques for the facility. Mr. Evey stated they will market their facility with the schools Homeless Coordinator, Department of Children Services, Family Services, and local businesses in the community. Mr. Evey stated he will work with the Police Department to develop a relationship. Commissioner Guzkowski stated there is a need for the facility and confirmed staff had conditioned the proposed project adequately, and was in support of the proposed project. Commissioner Dyer confirmed the Commission's concerns were addressed and stated she was in support of the proposed project with the conditions as proposed. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Dyer, seconded by Commissioner Jeske and carried on a 6-0 vote (Chairman Miller absent) that the Planning Commission determine that Revision No. 4 to Conditional Use Permit No. 213 is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, pursuant to section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Dyer, seconded by Commissioner Jeske and carried on a 6-0 vote (Chairman Miller absent) that the Planning Commission approve Revision No. 4 to Conditional Use Permit No. 213, subject to the following findings and subject to the attached Conditions of Approval: 1. The proposed youth shelter and support facility at this location will not adversely affect the applicable land use plans. General Plan Policies 10.10d and 10.10f encourage human rights and support services and assistance for community organizations. As indicated in the January 10, 2012, staff report, the conditional use permit amendment would allow for support services to homeless or runaway youth. 2. The proposed youth shelter and support facility will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare because the project will provide a safe environment for homeless or runaway youth. In addition, the activity will be licensed, conducted entirely within a secure facility, and supervised and operated by trained volunteers and employees in accordance with the State Department of Health and Human Services provisions. 3. The proposed youth shelter and support facility will comply with the regulations of the City's General Plan, the applicable zoning district and the City's development standards because it is consistent with General Plan Policies 10.10d and 10.1 Of, and because the facility is conditionally permitted in the R-2 (Multiple Family Residential) District. 4. The proposed youth shelter and support facility is appropriate at the proposed location because the facility is connected to all the City's services, and would be located at a facility that has been providing similar types social service at this same location for 39 years. IV. NEW BUSINESS-None Planning Commission Minutes of January 24,2012 Page 3 V. MINUTES A. Planning Commission Minutes of December 13, 2011 MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Dyer, seconded by Commissioner Rock and carried on a 6-0 vote (Chairman Miller abstained) that the Planning Commission approve the minutes of December 13, 2011. VI. LAND USE AND CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS OF JANUARY 17, 2012. Vice Chairman James inquired if there were City Council actions to report for January 17, 2012. Director Oscar Orci stated the City Council approved the second reading of Ordinance No. 2762 for the Density Bonus Requirement, and Ordinance No. 2763 for the Temporary Sales and Special Events Facilities. The City Council approved the one year extension on Commission Review and Approval No. 834 for Pacific Mercantile Bank. Director Orci stated the City Council continued two public hearing items that will be rescheduled to the February 7, 2012 meeting. VII. ADJOURN TO FEBRUARY 14, 2012 Chairman Miller adjourned the meeting at 2:45 p.m. to the February 14, 2012 meeting. Linda McCasland Oscar Orci Senior Administrative Technician Development Services Director Planning Commission Minutes of January 24,2012 Page 4