OFFICIAL MINUTES
OF THE
SALINAS PLANNING COMMISSION
April 3, 2024
The meeting was called to order at 4:01 p.m. in the City Council Chamber Rotunda.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
WELCOME AND STAFF INTRODUCTIONS
PRESENT: Vice-Chairperson Meeks and Commissioners Donohue, Manzo (Arrived at 4:03 p.m.), McKelvey Daye, and Purnell
ABSENT: Chairperson Gonzalez and Commissioner Ramos
STAFF: City Attorney, Christopher Callahan; Community Development Director, Lisa Brinton; Planning Manager, Courtney Grossman; Senior Planner, Thomas Wiles; Administrative Analyst, Cassandra Orozco; and Administrative Aide, Denise Ledezma
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Vice-Chairperson Meeks opened for public comment at 4:03 p.m.
No public comments were received.
Vice-Chairperson Meeks closed for public comment at 4:03 p.m.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: March 6, 2024
Upon motion by Commissioner Purnell, and a second by Commissioner McKelvey Daye, the minutes of March 6, 2024, were approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Vice-Chairperson Meeks and Commissioners Donohue, Manzo, McKelvey Daye, and Purnell
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Chairperson Gonzalez and Commissioner Ramos
1 CONSIDERATIONS
No consideration items were presented.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Conditional Use Permit 2022-048 (CUP 2022-048) for subject site 1228 South Main Street in the Commercial Retail - South • Main Street Focused Growth Overlay District (CR-FG-3) Zoning District
Vice-Chairperson Meeks informed that Commissioner Manzo would be in attendance until 5:00 p.m.
Vice-Chairperson Meeks clarified that the Planning Commission would only be considering Conditional Use Permit 2022-048 (CUP 2022-048) and not Commercial Cannabis Permit 2023-007 (CCP 2023-007). Staff will need to resolve all outstanding issues relating to the Commercial • Cannabis Permit before it can be presented for action to the Planning Commission.
Senior Planner, Thomas Wiles, presented a PowerPoint presentation, which is on file at the Community Development Department.
Commissioner Manzo inquired how future tenants proposing a different use of the site may be affected should the proposed project be approved, specifically the impact of the parking reduction as outlined in Condition No. 1 of CUP 2022-048.
Mr. Wiles informed that if CUP 2022-048 is approved, the applicant would still be required to obtain and comply with the requirements of a Commercial Cannabis Permit.
Community Development Director, Lisa Brinton, clarified Commissioner Manzo's inquiry regarding the request for information in understanding how the parking reduction being considered under CUP 2022-048, would interface with a different use of the site for future tenants.
Planning Manager, Courtney Grossman informed that if CUP 2022-048 is approved, and an appeal is not received, the permit will be valid for one year. During the validity period of the permit, if the property owner requests a new tenant proposing a different use, an amendment to CUP 2022-048 may be requested.
Vice-Chairperson Meeks informed meeting attendees of the time allocation to the public comment segment regarding CUP 2022-048 and opened for public comment at 4:21 p.m.
Peter Brazil, JRG Attorney, provided public comment in support of the project and indicated the reasons for the applicant's request to relocate to the proposed project site.
Commissioner McKelvey Daye inquired about the parking study completion date for the project site. 2 Trinh Retterer, JRG Attorney, provided details regarding the parking study completed for the project site.
Pablo Romero, Physician, provided public comment in opposition of the project.
Sherry Banks, Salinas resident, provided public comment in support of the project.
Matthew Ancher, Salinas resident, provided public comment in support of the project.
Brad Palmer, CannaCruz Co-Owner, provided public comment in support of the project.
Eloise Shim, Salinas resident, provided public comment in opposition of the project.
Barbara Palmer, Mother of CannaCruz Owners, provided public comment in support of the project.
David Velasco, provided public comment in support of the project.
Coby Butler, CannaCruz employee, provided public comment in support of the project.
Jonathan Juarez, Salinas resident, provided public comment in opposition of the project.
Jorge Rubio, Sun Street Centers Employee, provided public comment in opposition of the project.
Abraham Guzman, CannaCruz employee, provided public comment in support of the project.
Daniel McKenzie, CannaCruz employee, provided public comment in support of the project.
Grant Palmer, CannaCruz Co-Owner, provided public comment in support of the project.
Jeff Sherman, Sherman's Apothecary Pharmacy Owner, provided public comment in opposition of the project.
Rose Clark, Salinas resident, provided public comment in opposition of the project.
Vice-Chairperson Meeks closed for public comment at 4:52 p.m.
In addition to the public comments provided at the public hearing of CUP 2022-048, numerous additional comments, both in favor and in opposition of the project, were received and made available to the Planning Commission. All public comments received during and after the public hearing, will become part of the record.
Commissioner Purnell inquired if there are additional location options available to the applicant.
Mr. Wiles informed that CCP 2023-007 cannot be issued unless CUP 2022-048 is approved.
Ms. Brinton clarified and re-stated Commissioner Purnell's inquiry. 3 Mr. Wiles informed that if CUP 2022-048 is denied, the applicant will have to consider a dispensary permit for other locations that are compliant with both the relocation requirements of a CCP, as well as with the regulations as outlined in Chapter 5 of the City's Municipal Code.
Commissioner Purnell inquired about the length of time that the applicant can hold the commercial cannabis permits without having an approved business location.
Mi. Grossman indicated that follow-up is required to answer Commissioner Purnell's inquiry. Mr.
Grossman also informed of the Sensitive Use Map with Buffer Zones, which can be utilized as a reference tool in identifying an alternate location for the proposed project.
Commissioner Donohue requested clarification regarding the weight of the concerns regarding CCP 2023-007 as presented by the City's Police Department in Exhibit J, dated March 19, 2024.
City Attorney, Christopher Callahan, reminded the Planning Commission that the public hearing as presented, was specific to CUP 2022-048 and did not include CCP 2023-007.
Commissioner Donohue indicated that due to the input by the Police Department regarding the location of the proposed project site and the policy decision process required in the consideration of CUP 2022-048, it was his opinion that CCP 2023-007 should be included and presented for action at the City Council level.
Commissioner Manzo supported Commissioner Donohue's request that both CUP 2022-048 and CCP 2023-007 be presented and considered at the same time.
Commissioner Purnell inquired about the decision to consider only CUP 2022-048 and omit CCP 2023-007.
Mr. Callahan indicated that due to concerns with the process and completeness of the application at this time, CCP 2023-007 cannot be presented as is.
Commissioner Donohue motioned to deny Conditional Use Permit 2022-048 (CUP 2022-048) for subject site 1228 South Main Street in the Commercial Retail - South Main Street Focused Growth Overlay District (CR-FG-3) Zoning District. Vice-Chairperson Meeks seconded the motion. The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: None
NOES: Vice-Chairperson Meeks and Commissioners Donohue, Manzo, McKelvey Daye, and Purnell
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Chairperson Gonzalez and Commissioner Ramos
4 OTHER BUSINESS
General Plan Steering Committee Update
No updates regarding the General Plan Steering Committee Update were provided.
FOLLOW UP REPORTS
No follow-up reports were discussed.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mr. Grossman informed that a study session regarding the General Plan Update Land Use and Circulation is expected for presentation to the Planning Commission on April 17, 2024.
ADJOURNMENT
Vice-Chairperson Meeks reviewed for quorum for the April 17, 2024, meeting and adjourned at 5:07 p.m.
Meth
JOHN MEEKS COURTNEY GROSSMAN
Vice-Chairperson Executive Secretary
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