Outlook
Fwd: Correction to Planning Commission Minutes
From Responsible Growth Marin <[email protected]>
Date Sun 12/1/2024 5:21 PM
To Lindsay Lara <[email protected]>
Cc Mayor Kate <[email protected]>; Rachel Kertz <[email protected]>; Micah Hinkle <[email protected]>; Cristine Alilovich <[email protected]>; April Talley <[email protected]>; Margaret Kavanaugh-Lynch <Margaret.Kavanaugh[email protected]>; Maika Llorens Gulati <[email protected]>; Maribeth Bushey <[email protected]>; Eli Hill <[email protected]> 1 attachment (51 KB)
12.1.24 RGM Ltr Minutes Correction.docx;
Dear Lindsay,
Please make ensure staff correct the Planning Commission minutes to reflect what happened at the meeting, correct the record and archive in the official record for the Planning Comission and for the December 2, 2024 City Council meeting.
Sincerely appreciate it.
Best regards,
Pam Reaves
12/2/24, 5:58 PM Mail - Lindsay Lara - Outlook
https://outlook.office365.com/mail/id/AAMkAGE4NDc2ZDVlLWQxMTYtNDBiOC04NTI0LTRjYTQzNTJlMTJkMQBGAAAAAAAyY1qsYIBjQ6ajfUyz5cB8… 1/1 December 1, 2024
Dear City Clerk Lara,
Responsible Growth Marin (RGM) is concerned that the City Council received inadequate and inaccurate minutes from the Planning Commission (PC) hearing dated October 29, 2024. Also, RGM is concerned that the PC did not get a chance to edit and approve their own minutes containing their recommendations and submit them directly to the Council. The Planning Commission is an official advisory body to the City Council. Although there is no City policy requiring this, the failure of the PC not being allowed to review and edit their minutes is unprecedented…especially for a major redevelopment like the Northgate Town Square Project.
RGM wants it in the record our suggestions for corrections to the San Rafael Planning Commission Public Hearing Northgate Town Square, October 29, 2024 minutes.
The minutes:
-Failed to list attendees: Micah Hinkle, Community Development and Economic Director. -Public comments listed as “opposed” or “in favor” misleading and inaccurate. For example, Bill Carney spoke for Sustainable San Rafael not Responsible Growth Marin. His comment was listed as “opposed” but they fully support the housing but they oppose the allowance of gas used in restaurants.
Commissioner Rodby:
-Nira Doherty, JD, response to Rodby’s question about where Park in Lieu fees may be used is not accurately captured. Doherty stated that “it is state law that the fees ‘must’ be used for the neighborhood, BUT, that ‘neighborhood’ is not defined. The City’s intention is to use it in the direct vicinity.”
-PW director April Miller responded to Rodby’s local transportation concerns. Miller (among other things) stated that the Cal Trans roundabout for the northbound 101 at Freitas exchange has gone out to bid (She did not say it is shovel ready as in the minutes.) -Commissioner Saude asked about missing public comment letters in the packet. Hines and Hinkle misspoke by stating that 3 were missing. An addendum dated November 22, 2024 later revealed that 21 public letters, including one from Marin Transit and one from SMART, regarding the DEIR were not acknowledged or responded to. Also concerning is as of the release of the City Council packet for the December 2, 2024 hearing the packet did NOT include the letter from Responsible Growth Marin’s legal counsel Gloria Smith. This error was discovered by the public as well.
Commissioner Saude:
-The minutes do not include her request to clean up the documents to be consistent that there be no artificial turf anywhere in the Project (except in dog park and dog relief area).
Chair Haveman:
-Spoke of need for more details regarding neighbors’ privacy.
Commissioner Previtali:
-The minutes do not capture his questions regarding funding availability for the two proposed roundabouts on Freitas Parkway. He noted that TAM reports that these two intersections have high collision rates and safety concerns will likely increase. Public Works Director Miller stated that the City would have to apply for grants to pay for these improvements. They are currently in the planning phase. Previtali questioned further about the projected cost and how those grants would cover the enormous cost.
-He was concerned that without a determination of increased traffic, the City has lost the ability to receive traffic mitigation money. Doherty, JD, interrupted several times that they were NOT going to discuss traffic mitigation fees due to lawyer client privilege. She then said that she is a consulting attorney for the City (not the applicant). She said that “the traffic mitigation fee is a separate calculation that has not yet been done and will be concluded prior the City Council meeting OR the building permit issuance.”
-He wanted to make a condition of approval to require that applicant to perform a traffic study after the completion of phase 1 six months after fully occupied as well as the end of phase 2.
Heather Hines said that would be difficult to wordsmith on the fly and suggested he make it a recommendation instead. (will the CC realize that the PC requested this?) -The minutes do not capture his questions regarding funding availability for the two proposed roundabouts on Freitas Parkway at the intersections with Del Presidio and with Northgate Drive.
Please correct the staff report and file these corrections in the official record.
Sincerely,
Pam Reaves, Environmental Team Lead
David Smith, President