MINUTES
G Planning Commission Meeting
Council Chambers, 380 Civic Drive, Galt, California
GALT Thursday, August 8, 2024, 6:00 p.m.
Chair Hood called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Commissioners present were Hood, Denier, Jones, Gerling, and Rodriguez.
Staff members present: Interim Community Development Director Amie Mendes, Attorney Brandon Kline, Senior Planner Kristyn Bitz, and Associate Planner Stacy Schafer.
INFORMATION/CONSENT CALENDAR
A. SUBJECT: Minutes of the May 9, 2024, Regular Meeting.
RECOMMENDATION: The Planning Commission approve the minutes of the May 9, 2024, Regular Meeting.
ACTION: Commissioner Jones motioned to approve the minutes of the May 9, 2024 Regular Meeting. Commissioner Gerling seconded the motion. Motion passed by Chair Hood, Vice-Chair Denier, Commissioner Jones, Commissioner Gerling, and Commissioner Rodriguez.
PUBLIC HEARING:
A. SUBJECT: Elliott Ranch Unit 3 Tentative Subdivision Map (TSM) Time Extension Request RECOMMENDATION: 1. Receive presentation; and 2. Open public hearing to receive comments; and 3. Upon closing the public hearing, consider the resolution approving a three-year extension request for the Elliott Ranch Unit 3 Tentative Subdivision Map.
CEQA: A California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Initial Study (IS) was adopted as part of the Elliott Ranch Unit 3 TSM and Design Review to prove consistency with the original adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the East Galt Infill Annexation / Simmerhorn Ranch project (SCH #2020050581). Map extensions do not require further CEQA review.
ACTION: Staff Bitz presented.
Chair Hood opened the public hearing.
Chuck Pisano asked for clarity on the City's definition of high-density zoning, whether it included single-family dwellings, and if staff were aware of the price point of the proposed homes.
Staff Bitz explained that each city's has its own definition of high-density housing. In the case of Unit 3 of Elliott Ranch specifically, for-sale single-family dwellings on small lots are what will be built - not apartments, condominiums, or townhomes. Pricing is not known.
Randy Morton asked why the city staff recommended the three-year extension, and if other units of the project would require a similar time extension.
City of Galt Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 of 5
Regular Meeting of August 8, 2024
Staff Bitz explained the City's recommendation.
Chair Hood closed the public hearing.
Chair Hood opened the floor to Commissioners.
Applicant Martti Eckert of Elliott Homes explained to the Commission the reason for requesting an extension to the Unit 3 Tentative Subdivision Map.
Commissioners asked questions and provided comments to staff and the applicant.
Commissioner Jones motioned to adopt the resolution approving a three-year extension request for the Elliott Ranch Unit 3 Tentative Subdivision Map. Vice-Chair Denier seconded the motion.
Motion passed by Chair Hood, Vice-Chair Denier, Commissioner Gerling, Commissioner Jones and Commissioner Rodriguez.
B. SUBJECT: Meritage Homes Design Review - Liberty Ranch Village 6 RECOMMENDATION: 1. Receive presentation; and 2. Open public hearing to receive comments; and 3. Upon closing the public hearing, recommend that the Planning Commission adopt a resolution approving the Design Review (Project Architecture for Meritage Homes - Liberty Ranch Village 6.
CEQA: Staff has determined that the project is exempt from additional environmental review pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21083.3 and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 (Projects Consistent with a Community Plan, General Plan or Zoning).
ACTION: Staff Bitz presented. Per the City Attorney, Staff Bitz presented one presentation for all three public hearing items (B, C, and D) for Meritage Homes, with each public hearing subsequently opened and considered individually.
Chair Hood opened the public hearing.
Chuck Pisano asked if prices had been set, what the lot sizes were, and if floor plans were available.
Staff Bitz advised that Mr. Pisano could look through the public copies available at the meeting.
Staff Bitz also detailed the location of the project documents on the City's website and mentioned that public copies were available at the front counter of the Planning Department office.
Melissa Snow asked about road, water, and sewer improvements related to the overall Liberty Ranch project. Ms. Snow owns property on Twin Cities Road that was part of the Eastview annexation, but not part of the actual Liberty Ranch development. She also inquired about the timing for the improvements.
Interim Director Mendes clarified that the Design Review (project architecture) agenda item was solely related to the Meritage Homes and its design review. She advised that the Public Works Department could provide detailed information on public improvements planned for the Liberty Ranch development.
City of Galt Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 of 5
Regular Meeting of August 8, 2024
Chair Hood closed the public hearing.
Commissioners asked questions and provided comments to the staff and applicant. The proposed elevations were of primary concern to the Commissioners. Modifications and additions were proposed as part of each motion.
Commissioner Jones motioned to adopt the resolution approving the Design Review (Project Architecture) for Meritage Homes - Liberty Ranch Village 6 inclusive of the following additional requirements: 1)Meritage Homes shall provide rock, stone, or similar veneer elements to the front elevations of a minimum of one-third of the homes in Village 6, and 2) a minimum five foot by eight foot outdoor seating area with decorative railing shall be included in the front elevation of a minimum of one-third of the homes in Village 6., The additional architectural requirements are to be reviewed and approved by staff during a subsequent plan review. Vice-Chair Denier seconded the motion. Motion passed by Chair Hood, Vice-Chair Denier, Commissioner Gerling, Commissioner Jones, and Commissioner Rodriguez.
C. SUBJECT: Meritage Homes Design Review - Liberty Ranch Village 7 RECOMMENDATION: 1. Receive presentation; and 2. Open public hearing to receive comments; and 3. Upon closing the public hearing, recommend that the Planning Commission adopt a resolution approving the Design Review (Project Architecture) for Meritage Homes - Liberty Ranch Village 7.
CEQA: Staff has determined that the project is exempt from additional environmental review pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21083.3 and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 (Projects Consistent with a Community Plan, General Plan or Zoning).
ACTION: Chair Hood opened the public hearing; there being no comments, the public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Jones motioned to adopt the resolution approving the Design Review (Project Architecture) for Meritage Homes - Liberty Ranch Village 7 inclusive of the following additional requirements: 1) Meritage Homes shall provide rock, stone, or similar veneer elements to the front elevations of a minimum of one-third of the homes in Village 7, and 2) a minimum five foot by eight foot outdoor seating area with decorative railing shall be included in the front elevation of a minimum of one-third of the homes in Village 7. The additional architectural requirements are to be reviewed and approved by staff during a subsequent plan review. Commissioner Rodriguez seconded the motion. Motion passed by Chair Hood, Vice-Chair Denier, Commissioner Gerling, Commissioner Jones, and Commissioner Rodriguez.
D. SUBJECT: Meritage Homes Design Review - Liberty Ranch Village 9 RECOMMENDATION: 1. Receive presentation; and 2. Open public hearing to receive comments; and 3. Upon closing the public hearing, recommend that the Planning Commission adopt a resolution approving the Design Review (Project Architecture) for Meritage Homes - Liberty Ranch Village 9.
City of Galt Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 of 5
Regular Meeting of August 8, 2024
CEQA: Staff has determined that the project is exempt from additional environmental review pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21083.3 and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 (Projects Consistent with a Community Plan, General Plan or Zoning).
ACTION: Chair Hood opened the public hearing; there being no comments, the public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Jones motioned to adopt the resolution approving the Design Review (Project Architecture) for Meritage Homes - Liberty Ranch Village 9 inclusive of the following additional requirements: 1) Meritage Homes shall provide rock, stone, or similar veneer elements to front elevations of a minimum of one-third of the homes in Village 9, and 2) a minimum five foot by eight foot outdoor seating area with decorative railing shall be included in the front elevation of a minimum of one-third of the homes in Village 9., The additional architectural requirements are to be reviewed and approved by staff during a subsequent plan review. Vice-Chair Denier seconded the motion. Motion passed by Chair Hood, Vice-Chair Denier, Commissioner Gerling, Commissioner Jones, and Commissioner Rodriguez.
PUBLIC MEETING:
A. SUBJECT: Planning Commission Annual Report - FY 2023/2024 RECOMMENDATION: The Planning Commission review and make recommendations and/or revisions as needed to finalize the Planning Commission Annual Report for presentation to the City Council. (September 17 - City Council meeting)
ACTION: Interim Director Mendes presented.
No questions or revisions from the public or commissioners.
Item was closed.
REGULAR CALENDAR:
None.
COMMENTS BY PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER/FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None.
COMMENTS BY STAFF/DIRECTORS REPORT
Staff Mendes provided the Commissioners with a thorough update of the many Community Development and Economic Development items taking place throughout the city.
Interim Director Mendes advised the Commissioners of the road work beginning on C Street as part of the C Street Enhancements Project. She shared the website information dedicated to the project (cstreetproject.org) is the source of up-to-date information related to the project and construction efforts.
City of Galt Planning Commission Minutes Page 5 of 5
Regular Meeting of August 8, 2024
Interim Director Mendes informed the Commission that a new app for citizens to report code complaints and other city concerns was now live. The old version of the Galt Connect app must be updated by each user within the app store in order for the new platform, GoGov, to take effect.
So far, the launch has been well received by the community.
ADJOURN
Meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Stacy Schafer, Associate Planner Stochole
tacy Schafer, Associate Planne