New members could be installed in Planning Commission after April election, therefore, some current commissioners want to avoid taking on big projects.
By Jonathan Friedman/Staff Writer
In its first meeting, some members of the new-look Planning Commission expressed a concern about taking on any big projects with the possibility that several of them might not be around in two months. At Monday’s meeting, the commission heard a presentation from staff and briefly discussed a proposed zoning amendment on hillside development, an ordinance that is six years in the making. Although the commissioners did finally make some recommendations on further information they would like from staff, the staff response might not be ready until an entirely new commission is in place.
With three council seats up for grabs in the April election, hypothetically that could mean three new commissioners could be installed. An individual commissioner is appointed by an individual councilmember, therefore when somebody new comes to the council, the person could appoint a fresh commissioner.
In addition, a fourth commissioner, Joel Walker, who was appointed last month by Mayor Pro Tem Sharon Barovsky, would not commit to saying his post is permanent. He said in an interview last week that he was hopeful it would be.
Despite this, Planning Manager Mike Teruya told the commission that it would be helpful for staff to hear some recommendations on the hillside ordinance, even if it means the report back by staff is to a new commission.
The concept of creating a hillside ordinance was developed by the City Council in January 1998. In February 1999, the Planning Commission recommended an ordinance for approval. But when it came before the City Council in April of that year, the council took no action. Then in 2002, the council once again recommended that staff create a hillside ordinance, leading to the proposal that is currently in front of the commission.
With the proposal as it is written, hillsides are defined as anything with a 4:1 slope or greater, and development is not allowed on any area with a slope greater than 2.5:1, unless a variance is granted. Total development square footage on a hillside would be reduced by 25 percent from what would otherwise be allowed on the parcel. Also, the height of a home would be limited to no more than 35 feet from the highest point to the lowest point. In addition, driveways would need to be designed to follow the natural topographic contours of the property.
The commissioners asked staff to come back with further information on several topics, including whether there should be lighting restrictions placed on hillside homes and the feasibility of a flat portion of a parcel being considered separate from the hillside portion during the planning process. They also asked staff to gather information about other cities’ hillside ordinances.
Also at the meeting, David Fox was named chair of the commission and John Sibert was named vice chair. Fox, who has been on the commission since 2000, replaces Robert Adler, who was fired by Councilmember Andy Stern in December.
Sibert, who has been on the commission since 2002, replaces Deirdre Roney, who was fired in December by Barovsky. Councilmember Jeff Jennings, who is running for re-election, appointed Fox. Sibert was appointed by Joan House, whose term ends in April, but is not seeking re-election.