MINUTES
Planning Commission Regular Meeting
Council Chambers, 380 Civic Drive, Galt, California
GÄLT Thursday, March 10, 2022 6:00 p.m.
The meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m. by Chair Denier. Commissioners present: Denier, Hood, Jones, Gerling, and Pratton.
Staff members present: Community Development Director Craig Hoffman, Development Engineer Bill Forrest, Attorney Anne Branham, Associate Planner Kristyn Bitz, Assistant Planner Stacy Schafer.
4. INFORMATION/CONSENT CALENDAR
A. SUBJECT: Minutes of the February 10, 2022 Regular Meeting.
RECOMMENDATION: The Planning Commission approve the minutes of the February 10, 2022 Regular Meeting
ACTION: Commissioner Jones motioned to approve the minutes of the February 10, 2022 Regular Meeting. Vice-Chair Hood second the motion. Motion passed by Chair Denier, Vice- Chair Hood, Commissioner Jones, Commissioner Gerling and Commissioner Pratton.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. SUBJECT: Fairfield Residential Study Session
RECOMMENDATION: 1. Receive a staff presentation; 2. Open public hearing to receive comments; 3. Receive an applicant presentation; 4. Adopt a resolution approving the Conditional Use Permit and Design Review for the Fairfield Residential Development.
ACTION: Staff Bitz presented.
Staff Hoffman highlighted some of the important conditions of approval.
Chair Denier opened public hearing at 6:14 there being none closed public hearing at 6:15.
Applicant Boucher presented to the commission.
Chair Denier opened the item to comments and questions from commissioners.
Commissioner Gerling confirmed that there was a charging station in each garage.
Commissioner Jones questioned if one charging station in the commercial area was sufficient.
Staff Hoffman advised that square footage will determine conduit amount.
Commissioner Jones asked if the applicant was prepared for built with rising inflation for all areas of the project.
City of Galt Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 of 4
Regular Meeting of March 10, 2022
Applicant advised that they have been monitoring numbers consistently and by having a firm start date and buying power in the market they are prepared.
Chair Denier thanked the applicant for clarification on the garbage areas and also expressed his concern over the price point of the project.
Applicant addressed concern over the price point and advised that they see this as a much larger community then how Galt is normally viewed
Vice-Chair Hood motioned to adopt a resolution 2022-01 approving the Conditional Use Permit and Design Review for the Fairfield Residential and Commercial Project inclusive of changes made to the COAs (Exhibit B). Commissioner Jones second the motion. Motion passed by Chair Denier, Vice- Chair Hood, Commissioner Jones, Commissioner Gerling and Commissioner Pratton.
B. SUBJECT: 955 Simmerhorn Road Gas Station - Amend Conditional Use Permit RECOMMENDATION: 1. Receive a staff presentation; 2. Open public hearing to receive comments; 3. Upon closing the public hearing, consider the resolution approving the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow full liquor sales at 955 Simmerhorn Road.
ACTION: Staff Bitz presented.
Staff Hoffman provided more information to the commission on the Use Permits and ABC Licensing.
Chair Denier opened the item to comments and questions from the Commissioners.
Commissioner Gerling confirmed if the City feels obliged due to just the neighboring approval or for any others that come to the City.
Staff Hoffman advised that staff only feels obligated due to approving the CUP across the street not for any other location in the City. Staff Hoffman advised that he wanted the Commissioners to start thinking about the City and liquor sales.
Commissioner Jones advised that he supports staff's feelings on the item.
Chair Denier asked what percentage of sales are hard liquor and if the same time restrictions from across the street could be placed here as well.
Staff Hoffman advised that the time limits are per the Chief of Police.
Staff Bitz advised that the applicant has those percentages.
Commissioner Gerling advised he would like to see a requirement on the size of bottles being sold and asked if this is cause for alarm near an off-ramp or if there would be an increase in police calls.
Staff Hoffman advised that he was unsure about the increase in calls from similar locations with this type of license but that the Police Chief did say there have been no issues at this location.
City of Galt Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 of 4
Regular Meeting of March 10, 2022
Chair Denier opened public comment at 6:51 there being none closed public comment at 6:52.
Applicant Ranchhod presented to the commission.
Vice-Chair Hood questioned why this wasn't asked for in the beginning, who would be being served with this different license and expressed concern over gas stations becoming liquor stores.
Applicant Ranchhod advised that when they first started this business that wasn't the model of the franchise. Things have changed now and there is a push for this one stop shop. The license will allow the business to cater to the same people with more options and be the destination of choice.
Applicant Ranchhod also advised that most franchises will not go through if they do not have this license now and that they have lost numerous customers to across the street.
Commissioner Gerling asked if this was needed for the business to make a profit and if they would be open to size limits on bottles to push for a more take home product.
The applicant answered yes, that they had been hurt by the business across the street and receiving this use permit was required to make a profit and that they would also be open to a size limit and that the Police Department has already denied the sale of singles.
Chair Denier questioned percentage of revenue sales now versus with this use permit and expressed his opinions on agreeing with the approval of the permit.
The applicant advised that now liquor sales are about 20% of the revenue and that will on increase with the use permit. This is a long process to receive this type of license and everyone they have spoken with has assured them it is worth it.
Vice-Chair Hood expressed concern over approving the use permit and asked what the public necessity and convenience code from our report means.
Attorney Branham explained the PCN.
Commissioner Pratton has some concern with Popeye's going in next door but not see a problem with approving the use permit.
Commissioner Jones motioned to adopt a resolution approving the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow full liquor sales at 955 Simmerhorn Road. Commissioner Pratton second the motion. Motion passed by Chair Denier, Commissioner Jones, Commissioner Gerling and Commissioner Pratton. Vice-Chair Hood voted no.
6. PUBLIC MEETING:
None
7. REGULAR CALENDAR:
None
City of Galt Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 of 4
Regular Meeting of March 10, 2022
COMMENTS BY STAFF/DIRECTORS REPORT
Staff Hoffman updated the commission on SD's issued to date, the current subdivision buildings and advised that with materials and items such as transformers being difficult for builders to get Galt will keep a steady pace of build and not see anything extreme.
Staff Hoffman also advised that the State of the City will be next week.
Staff Forrest gave an update on onsite and offsite subdivision improvements happening and that many of the developments are waiting for water fixings.
COMMENTS BY PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER/FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None
10. ADJOURN
Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Stacy Schafer, Assistant Planner taculihade
Stacy Schafer, Assistant Planner