HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2022 0628 REG PC ITEM 10BCITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA
Planning Commission Meeting
of June 28, 2022
ACTION: Approved Staff Recommendation.
BY: J. Lugo
A.Consider Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes of May 24, 2022. Staff
Recommendation: Approve the minutes.
Item: 10.B.
ITEM: 10.A.
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
Moorpark, California May 24, 2022
A Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Moorpark was held on May
24, 2022, in the Council Chambers of said City located at 799 Moorpark Avenue,
Moorpark, California.
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Landis called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Commissioner Barrett led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL:
Administrative Specialist Valencia administered roll call.
Present: Commissioners Alva, Brodsly, Rokos, Vice Chair Barrett, and
Chair Landis.
Staff Present: Carlene Saxton, Community Development Director; Doug
Spondello, Deputy Community Development Director; Adam
Pisarkiewicz, Contract Planner; Shaun Kroes, Public Works
Manager; Jeremy Laurentowski, Parks and Recreation
Director, Brendan Kearns, City Attorney’s Office; and Kat
Valencia, Administrative Specialist.
4. PROCLAMATIONS AND COMMENDATIONS:
None.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT:
None.
6. REORDERING OF, AND ADDITIONS TO, THE AGENDA:
Community Development Director Saxton requested that the agenda be reordered
to have the consent calendar ahead of public hearing items. The request was
approved by unanimous voice vote 5-0.
Item: 10.B.
Minutes of the Planning Commission
Moorpark, California Page 2 May 24, 2022
7. ANNOUNCEMENTS, FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS, AND REPORTS ON
MEETINGS/CONFERENCES ATTENDED BY THE COMMISSION:
Deputy Director Spondello introduced Mr. Brendan Kearns, City Attorney’s Office,
to the Commission. He also announced that several department directors were
present for the meeting, as well as staff from the Ventura County Sheriff’s
Department and Fire Protection District.
10. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Consider Draft Five-Year Capital Improvement Program for the City
Engineer/Public Works and Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Departments for FY 2022/23 through FY 2026/27. Staff Recommendation:
1) Find the draft Five Year Capital Improvement Program for FY 2022/23
through FY 2026/27 to be in conformity with the Moorpark General Plan,
except as noted in the staff report. 2) Find the planned acquisition of street
right-of-way for certain specified projects described in this report, to be in
conformity with the Moorpark General Plan. (Staff: Shaun Kroes)
MOTION: Commissioner Barrett moved, and Commissioner Brodsly seconded a
motion to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by unanimous voice
vote 5-0.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Consider Resolution No. PC-2022-669, Recommending That the City
Council Approve Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2021-03 Amending
Chapters 17.08 (Definitions), 7.20 (Uses by Zone), and 17.28 (Standards for
Specific Uses) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the Moorpark Municipal Code to
Define “Chain Store” Uses and to Establish Regulations Related to the
Operation of Chain Stores on High Street in Anticipation of the Interim Urgency
Ordinance Expiration on August 21, 2022. Staff Recommendation: 1) Re-open
the public hearing, accept public testimony, and close the public hearing; and
2) Adopt Resolution No. PC-2022-669 recommending to the City Council
adoption of an ordinance approving Zoning Ordinance Amendment No.
2021-03. (Consultant: Adam Pisarkiewicz)
Commissioner Brodsly recused himself from Item 8A and left the room.
Consultant Adam Pisarkiewicz gave the staff report.
Chair Landis opened the public hearing.
Minutes of the Planning Commission
Moorpark, California Page 3 May 24, 2022
Mr. Colin Velazquez, a High Street business owner, spoke in opposition of the
proposed ordinance and voiced concerns with the ordinance discouraging
development on High Street.
Chair Landis closed the public hearing.
A discussion followed among the Planning Commissioners, staff, and consultant
which focused on the following: 1) Concerns related to removing “retail service”
from the ordinance; 2) Support for the modified ordinance; 3) Clarification on
criteria.
MOTION: Commissioner Rokos moved, and Commissioner Alva seconded a
motion to approve staff recommendation. The motion carried by unanimous roll-
call vote 4-0. (Commissioner Brodsly recused himself)
Commissioner Brodsly rejoined the dais.
B. Consider Resolution No. PC-2022-671, Recommending to the City Council
the Certification of a Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) pursuant to
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), including a Mitigation
Monitoring and Reporting Program, CEQA Findings of Fact, and Statement
of Overriding Considerations for the Hitch Ranch Specific Plan and
Approval of Specific Plan 2019-01, General Plan Amendment 2020-01,
Zone Change 2019-01, Tentative Tract Map for Tract No. 5708 (2019-01)
and Development Agreement 2019-01 for the Proposed Tract, Master
Planning and Development of 755 Residential Units, 28.78 Acres of Open
Space, a 6.77-Acre Public Park and 7.23-Acre Passive Park, as well as
Roadways, Stormwater and Detention Facilities, and Associated
Improvements on 277.3 Acres of Property Generally Located North of
Poindexter Avenue, West of Casey Road, and Extending Approximately
1,700 Feet West of Gabbert Road on the Application of Harriet Rapista on
Behalf of Comstock Homes. Staff Recommendation: 1) Open the public
hearing, receive public testimony, and close the public hearing; and 2)
Adopt a resolution recommending that the City Council: a) Certify the FEIR
for the Hitch Ranch Specific Plan, including the Mitigation Monitoring and
Reporting Program, CEQWA Findings of Fact, and adopt Statement of
Findings and Overriding Considerations pursuant to CEQA; and b) Approve
Specific Plan 2019-01, General Plan Amendment 2020-01, Zone Change
2019-01, Tentative Tract Map for Tract No. 5708 (2019-01) and
Development Agreement 2019-01. (Staff: Doug Spondello)
Deputy Director Spondello gave the staff report.
Minutes of the Planning Commission
Moorpark, California Page 4 May 24, 2022
Deputy Director Spondello introduced Debra Geiler, Comstock Homes, who gave
a brief introduction to the Hitch Ranch presentation.
Mrs. Geiler then introduced Dennis Hardgrave, Hitch Ranch land planner, who
presented the High Ranch Development.
Mrs. Geiler gave some closing comments regarding the Hitch Ranch Development.
Deputy Director Spondello gave the staff recommendation and made himself
available for any questions.
A discussion followed between the Commissioners, staff, consultant, and staff from
the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and Fire Protection District regarding the
following: 1) Clarification regarding Tables 3.2-4 through 3.2-6; 2) What the funds
allocated to Arroyo Vista Park will be used for; 3) Regional Housing Needs
Assessment (RHNA) Numbers; 4) Why this project is not subject to SOAR
restrictions; 5) Affordable housing; 6) Changes made within the last 30 years as it
relates to the Land Use Element and Housing Element; 7) Relationship between
City property and Hitch Ranch project; 8) How SB-9 affects the neighborhoods; 9)
Area contribution fees; 10) North Hills Parkway Roads; 11) Whether there are any
active projects in the North Hills Parkway area; 12) Clarification on Special
Condition No. 21; 13) High Street designation plans; 14) Conditions for fire safety;
15) Gabbert Road plans; 16) Summary of access plans for safe evacuation during
an emergency; 17) Analysis of the number of homes as it pertains to safe egress;
18) Whether there is a higher chance of fire hazard on account of v aulted utilities
versus above-ground wiring; 19) Assessing improvements from a fire perspective
resulting from new landscaping versus the existing brush; 20) Whether the fire
analysis determined the need for any additional fire department personnel,
additional water for fire flow, etc.; 21) The difference between a Residential
Planned Development and a Specific Plan, and why this project was determined
to be a Specific Plan; 22) Parks Department involvement with the project; 23) How
this project addresses the 20% grading requirements; 24) Alternative analysis
within the EIR; 25) Agency feedback regarding the EIR findings; 26) Traffic impact
classifications; 27) Impact Hitch Ranch project will have on High Street; 28)
Whether level of service impacts related to Los Angeles Avenue arterial was part
of conducted studies; 29) Questions regarding adequate water supplies to meet
project demands; 30) Whether there is a local water well that would help service
the development project; 31) Whether the water agency has provided a will serve
letter; 32) Whether City Council could request that water agencies explain data
associated with their master plan for long term capacity as it pertains to the project
and existing conditions; 33) How reclaimed water will be part of the project; 34)
Alternatives to the proposed project and methodology behind the alternatives; 35)
Aesthetics analysis and impact to population on south side of town with a north
view; 36) Whether there is a 3D model of the project; 37) Whether there are any
requirements related to LED lighting within the project; 38) Affordability with
Minutes of the Planning Commission
Moorpark, California Page 5 May 24, 2022
respect to CEQA; 39) Solar panels; 40) RHNA allocation as it pertains to the
General Plan.
Chair Landis called a 10-minute recess at 9:16 P.M.
Meeting reconvened at 9:27 P.M.
Chair Landis opened the public hearing.
Zoom registrant Max Ghenis, representative for Ventura County YIMBY, spoke in
support of the project due to the need for multi-family housing near transit.
Zoom registrant Bill McReynolds, President of the Los Angeles Ventura Chapter
of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, spoke in support of the
project due to the proposed project offering a multi-income community.
Zoom registrant Linda Braunschweiger, CEO for the Housing Trust Fund of
Ventura County, spoke in support of the project due to the diverse community it
would serve.
Zoom registrant Lynn David, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services for
Moorpark Unified School District, spoke in support of the project and stated that
attendance would increase by an anticipated 419 students across all grade levels.
Zoom registrant Dr. Roseanne Mikos spoke in opposition of the project due to
concerns including the Draft EIR, as well as concerns regarding entitlement issues
being discussed during one single meeting.
Zoom registrant Trevor Zierhut spoke in favor of the project on account of it
accommodating the number of housing units needed to reach RHNA goals.
Mr. Ken Rayzor spoke in support of the project on account of affordable housing
needs.
Mr. Rick Schroeder, Many Mansions business owner, spoke in support of the
project stating that it would be a welcomed addition to the City of Moorpark.
Mrs. Dianne McKay, Chair for Ventura County Community College District, spoke
in support of the project due to a shortage in housing needs which the project
would help alleviate.
Mrs. Patricia Ducharme spoke in opposition of the project on account of fire
evacuation concerns.
Minutes of the Planning Commission
Moorpark, California Page 6 May 24, 2022
Mr. David Lauletta spoke in support of the project on account of the demand for
housing.
Mrs. Barbara Wareham spoke in opposition of the project due to concerns
regarding impact to rural area ranch homes and evacuation issues.
Mrs. Andrew McClellan spoke in support of the project due to the sustainability the
project would provide to the community.
Mrs. Kathleen Stacey spoke in opposition of the project on account of concerns
related to traffic, fire, wildlife, water, and power.
Mrs. Nora Morris, who serves on the Moorpark Foundation for the Arts, spoke in
support of the project, and stated that the project would help preserve families,
future, and safety. Mrs. Morris added that the proximity of the Hitch Ranch project
to the theater in addition to the amenities that it would provide related to outdoor
arts, creates opportunities for change in the lives of children growing up in the
Moorpark School District.
Mrs. Megan Rayzor, Director of Education for Moorpark High Street Arts Center,
spoke in support of the project on account of housing need s the Hitch Ranch
project would help address.
Mr. Dan Waldman spoke in support of the project on account of the development
extending Casey Road and High Street, as well as it providing Walnut Canyon with
a second way in for first responders in the event of an emergency.
Renee Delgado, Moorpark resident and realtor, spoke in support of the project on
account of housing needs and the positive impact the project will have on
businesses.
Gayle Bruckner spoke in opposition of the project due to concerns related to the
EIR, grading, Gabbert Road fire evacuation issues, and mitigation.
Mrs. Jeanine Alexander, a teacher in the Moorpark Unified School District, spoke
in support of the project and stated that it would extend High Street and add much
needed homes for young families.
Mrs. Sharon Noel spoke in spoke in opposition of the project on account of
concerns including the location of the proposed project being identified in the
States very high fire hazard severity zone, related fire evacuation concerns, and
comments provided by VCTC.
Mr. Ken Trigueiro, CEO and President of People’s Self-Help Housing, spoke in
support of the project and stated that the project would contribute to creating
Minutes of the Planning Commission
Moorpark, California Page 7 May 24, 2022
homes that would be affordable, especially for essential workers making below the
medium income level, who are most in need.
Mrs. Sara Soudani, housing advocate, spoke in support of the project due to
housing needs.
Mrs. Michelle Morony spoke in opposition of the project on account of the traffic
design and the implications it will have on the city, as well as concerns related to
the train tracks, water, and opposition to the North Hills Parkway plans.
Mr. Tim Devens spoke in opposition of the project due to concerns related to water
shortages, traffic, and fire.
Mrs. Jennifer Devens spoke in opposition of the project due to concerns related to
finite resources, reclaimed water plans, Gabbert Road evacuation concerns, and
infrastructure concerns.
Mr. Todd Cottle, representative for CNC Development, spoke in favor of the project
stating that Hitch Ranch would provide a significant public benefit through the
proposed amenities, infrastructure improvements, and single and multi-family
housing options that would be created.
Mr. Chad Stratton spoke in opposition of the project on account of grading
concerns that may cause radioactive ingestion.
Mr. Hugh Riley, President for the Moorpark Foundation for the Arts and Executive
Director of the Ventura Council of Governments, as well as former Assistant City
Manager for City of Moorpark, spoke in support of the project on account of it
helping meet RHNA mandated goals. Mr. Riley stated that failure to meet these
goals could result in the invalidation of the City’s General Plan, and a loss of state
appropriations and grant assistance.
Dr. Mark DiCecco, Architect, and land planner with a doctoral dissertation in
sustainable suburban development, spoke in support of the project on account of
public benefits, trails, parks, amphitheaters, amenities, and affordable housing. He
also addressed water concerns, building codes related to fire safety, RHNA
numbers, housing opportunities, and development intensity.
Chair Landis closed the public hearing.
A discussion followed among the Planning Commissioners , staff, and City
Attorney’s office representative, which focused on the following: 1) Concerns
regarding the extension of High Street; 2) Support for the project; 3) Railroad
crossing concerns; 4) Reiteration of the new access points identified for
emergency evacuation; 5) Fire Department approval of the project; 6) Egress
Minutes of the Planning Commission
Moorpark, California Page 8 May 24, 2022
Plans; 7) Water concerns; 8) Whether it would be feasible to make a
recommendation to Council to add the railroad crossing at Gabbert Road to the
CIP; 9) Housing needs in the City; 10) The positive impact the project would have
on the business community as well as Moorpark schools; 11) Mitigations related
to grading; 12) Historical information regarding Hitch Ranch Project being
proposed prior to 1999; 13) Traffic concerns; 14) Concerns related to water
shortages; 15) Lack of a 3D model of the proposed project; 16) Whether further
review related to height and setback guidelines would be possible prior to the final
approval of the project; 17) The Planning Commissions responsibility as it pertains
to the Development Agreement; 18) SB-9; 19) Concerns regarding the design of a
few of the architectural aspects in the Specific Plan; and 20) Contrasting
downspouts on the Specific Plan.
MOTION: Commissioner Barrett moved, and Commissioner Rokos seconded a
motion to approve staff recommendation with modifications of approval as
proposed by the Commission, including the removal of “metal halide” from the
lighting concept on the Specific Plan regarding LED lights, removing a photo
depicting contrasting downspouts from the Specific Plan and replacing with a more
appropriate depiction, and changing traditional home requirements to specify
stucco elements. The motion carried by roll-call vote 5-0.
9. PRESENTATION/ACTION/DISCUSSION:
None.
11. ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION: Chair Landis moved, and Commissioner Alva seconded a motion to
adjourn the meeting. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote 5-0. The time
was 11:35 p.m.
Kipp Landis
Chair
Carlene Saxton
Community Development Director