Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Okay. Now that we're all caught up, call the Planning Commission meeting for October 17 to order. First order of business is the roll call.

Vice chair Harrison? Here. Secretary Burbaker?

Here.

Commissioner Timmons? Here. Commissioner Lockett? Here. And commissioner Gohle votes Gohle votes? Here.

Okay. We have no minutes to approve. Is that correct? Correct. And consent calendar, we have no consent calendar items. So next thing on the agenda is the Brown Act Public Forum. That would be a chance for anybody who does not have an item on the agenda to speak to the council about that item. We can't take action on it, but we can hear from I know this guy.

Yes.

So do we do we

have any people people online or just the one speaker?

No people online. Just Cordell. Okay.

That's me. So good evening, vice mayor Harrison, commissioners. My name is Cordell Hendler, and I'm a Richmond resident. So nice to meet you, commissioner Luckett and commissioner Timmons. So so I was watching the last meeting, and I was very disappointed that the the proposed warming center that was on the agenda, I was the only one that was aware of the project because some of the concerns that I had raised regarding this site, it was it was in the staff report, which I do appreciate it because I looked at that site and I said and that's a potential cons a hazard because cars have got broke have gotten broken into a number of times and that location itself is it does not fit with the image.

So because Park Plaza Neighborhood Council, we were not aware of it, nor neither does Pullman. And we were not aware of the that the project that was taking place. And so I was the only one that figured it out unless it it was on the agenda. So I'm like, okay. That was that was a that was a surprise.

So that was one issue. Then the second concern is that a few pre COVID, the I had a I had raised concerns regarding the proposed Making Ways expansion at the time when the Aspire Academy folks came. And I read the staff report and the HOAs were in favor of this project, but the one commission the one group that was not on the list was Fairmead Hilltop because they had they had raised concerns, you know, like the traffic would would be congested. It was like as soon as you get up to Hilltop Mall Road at 3PM, it gets backed up. And that's really an issue.

And then so I will say this for the record that that whenever projects come before the planning commission or the design review board, the applicant must first talk to the to the neighboring councils, you know, to provide our input. Because if this if this project, which you will discuss in a minute, I already looked at the project and so I'll just leave it at that for when that item comes up. So that's it.

Thank you, Cordell. We'll make we'll continue to work with staff to make sure the neighborhood councils get notified that comes up from time to time. Okay. Any other speakers for public forum?

Nobody in person and nobody online.

Okay. Then we'll move on to the next item. We only have one new item this evening. It's PLN20Four-two07, the Sid Tech Beauty College. So at this point, we'll hear a staff report.

Yes, I'd like to introduce Pete Sebrum, our assistant planner with the City of Richmond. He will present the project this evening.

Hello, morning commissioners, or sorry, good evening commissioners. This is PLN20Four-two07 Sid Tech Beauty College. It's a request for a conditional use permit to establish a cosmetology vocational school at an existing tenant space in the McDonnell eighty's shopping center. The recommended action is to hold a public hearing and to adopt resolution twenty four ten proving this project. The project site is located on a 52000 square foot parcel in the McDonnell eighty shopping center.

The applicant proposes tenant improvement of 3,150 square foot tenant space. Some notable tenants in this entire plaza is Target and Mechanics Bank noted on the graphic here. And some of the building tenants are DaVita Dialysis, GameStop, and Cuts, Curls, and More, which is on the right tenant space marketed in the graphic here. This is where Sid Tech Beauty College will be taking place. The zoning of this site is CM3 commercial mixed use.

The proposed use for colleges and vocational schools are conditionally permitted in this zoning district. The operating characteristic with the proposed use such as hours operation, parking demand, and potential noise impact do not adversely affect the surrounding businesses. The proposed use complies with the commercial emphasis of this zoning districts. Some surrounding use are commercial, residential, and it is abutted by the Richmond Richmond Greenway. Greenway.

The applicant proposes a cosmetology vocational school in an existing tenant space. The school will host about 30 students and will be operated by three teachers, two staff members. Inside the building, there will be three rooms and two bathrooms, one being mainly the main classroom and another room providing us a break room, another room for waxing. There are new business signs proposed for this project, however it is reviewed administratively and not and it's not subject to Planning Commission approval. The operating hours proposed for this beauty college is 9AM to 9PM, Monday to Saturday, as the school will be hold holding classes in the morning and evening.

The school will be operating all year round with new students enrolled every two months. And this institution will be providing job training and barbering and cosmetology as well as providing affordable hair, skin, and nail beauty services to the local community. Provided here is the parking requirement provided by the applicant. As you can see highlighted here, the minimum parking required for Sid Tech is five spots and the total required parking for all tenants in the site which all share one large parking lot is four seventy nine compared to the available which is approximately 1,000 spots. So with the new tenant of Sid Tech, the parking requirements would be met.

As for public comments, there are currently no comments from the public sorry, from Park Plaza Neighborhood Council and no other public comments has been received to date. And I believe we do have one speaker for the regarding comments for the project and for the findings listed here in the attached resolution, all the findings have been met or conditionally met. Thus, staff is recommending approval for the project. The Planning Commission's action on this item is subject to City Council appeal which will end on 5PM on 10/28/2024.

Thank you. Does anyone have questions for staff at this time? If so, go ahead and ask.

Thank you for the presentation. I was wondering why what is it that triggers a conditional use permit on this project?

So in the zoning ordinance for commercial mixed use. It requires a conditional use permit for colleges and vocational schools. My my guess is is that we will look at parking and traffic control. In this case, there's a lot of parking at this site. It's mostly empty. I was actually just there earlier today getting dinner. And yeah, there's a lot of parking spots available and it does meet all the requirements.

So it's the educational use that requires a use permit?

Yes.

And let's see. You mentioned signage. That's interesting. That is an administrative permit on signage. Since it is in our package, I'm just wondering what was the conclusion of staff about the signage that's proposed.

Yes. So the signage do meet all design guidelines requirements in the sign ordinance. So staff is recommending approval of the signs.

Okay. Thank you. That's it. Any other questions for staff? Okay. Then I'll open the public hearing. And at this time, an opportunity for the project proponents to give us your pitch. So is there someone from your group that wishes to speak to the council or commission? Or you can be satisfied with what the staff has said and hope for the best. I don't think you have anything to worry about. So no no one's wishing to come forward. And there's no people people in opposition. So if that's the case, going once, going twice.

We just have one one common card from court. Dale?

I like the way you said council. That's it. That sounds better. So good evening again, vice mayor Harrison, commissioners. Let me state it for the record. I am Cordell Hendler, and I'm a member of the Park Plaza Neighborhood Council. And so thank you, Pete, for that presentation. So one of the things that I don't think it was mentioned is, like, you know, is security. And so so when I was thinking that, like, listening to the presentation, I'm thinking that, like, they need to have security, you know, on-site. So I'm hoping that staff would would, you know, would, you know, have a, you know have some sort of security around the premises because it'll be very helpful not only for the staff but for the the the customers that come in there.

That's one. And then the second part is I don't have no objections to this project. Don't have no objections. And so the Neighborhood Council and I, we have spoken about this and we said, it's a great idea for for D Tech to come into the neighborhood because there is it is good for everyone to come, like, you know, to get their hair done, their nails done, all that stuff. And so so the so we so I'm in a 100% favor of this project. So it's up to you, vice mayor Harrison, and commissioners to approve the project as presented by staff, and I'll leave it at that.

Thank you.

If there are no other comments, let me close the public hearing. And I would assume, related to the question about security, I would assume that the property itself, the entire property, has some kind of a security program that covers entire acre plus of the site and that they would this project would benefit from that security. Is that a valid assumption?

Yes. Valid assumption. Correct.

Okay. Alright. Is there any further discussion among the commissioners?

Yes. Can I go? Does anybody Thank you. So you both planners here, I don't think, have been at our planning commission before. Before.

I don't know if you have in the past. But I will say, this is just a preface to say that in the past everyone expects this from me but I always look at a project with an eye towards active transportation. And there was no mention of bicycle parking. There's a lot of mention of car parking. And I am wondering if there is, it made me wonder if the zoning code actually includes requirements for bicycle parking.

And if not, I'm kind of wondering why not. But that is kind of a big issue for me, and I think it's a big issue for the city of Richmond. And I think that bicycle connectivity to this site is pretty good. The rear of the property has the bike path on it, so it's not far away. So that's my comment. I don't know if you have a response regarding required bike parking or not, but I'd love to hear.

Yes. So to my knowledge, currently, I'm not aware of any bicycle parking requirements in this zoning districts. However, I don't believe that there's bike parking available at this plaza. I can discuss with the applicants on potential things they can provide to accommodate for bicycle parking at this site. I think that will be a great addition to the site. So I will keep that in mind. Thank you.

So to the commission, I think I would like to add a condition to have the applicant provide some minimal amount of bike parking. It's not expensive to put a rack and bolt it down to the ground. So I would like to make a condition. I mean, was so much conversation about car parking that it seems only appropriate that there be some kind of equivalent bicycle parking required. So I would like to make it a condition for, let's say, three bicycle, secure bicycle parking rack to be a part of the project.

Three bike rack.

One rack, three bicycles.

Three bike rack.

Minimum. If you want to do more, that's fine.

Okay. Is there any objection to us adding that commission to the project? Is that something you can go along with?

Yeah. Yeah.

It'd be good probably to get it on the record. Yeah.

I I appreciate that. And, no, we'll we'll follow through with that condition And it seems very reasonable. So thank you so much.

Thank you. Thank you.

Okay. Any further comments or discussion from commissioners?

Just a comment on the bicycle parking. Are you amenable to having the final design of the bike three stalls or the three bike rack be approved by the zoning administrator, or would you like it to be returned?

Approved by staff.

Okay. Thank you.

Yeah, absolutely.

Ensure that it doesn't get in the way of the accessible path of travel, etcetera. It's not hampering circulation, etcetera.

Of course.

Okay. So I guess we've closed the public hearings. I guess if there's no other good discussion, we're ready for a motion and a second.

I

will move to approve PLN 24,207, Sid Tech Beauty College application with the conditions as stated in the staff report as well as an additional condition for a bicycle rack parking three bicycles to be approved finally by staff.

So that's adopting the resolution twenty four ten.

Yes. Thank you. Adopting resolution twenty four ten.

Okay. And the associated conditional Do use we, have a second?

I'll second that.

Okay. If there's no further discussion, can have a roll call vote. Vice chair Harrison?

Yes.

Secretary Burrbaker? Yes. Commissioner Golovitz? Yes. Commissioner Timmins? Yes. Commissioner Lockett?

Yes.

Okay. Congratulations. We look Good luck. It seems like a good project. Yeah. Okay.

Next on our agenda is, commission business, elect election of officers. It's been about a year since we we've had this on the agenda now for about a year. What what's the process?

I confirmed with James Attensio that, yes, you can hold your election this evening. You have quorum, and there are enough of you to do so. So as far as process, I'll let James

lay it out for us. Sure. Thank you. We'll consolidate the process. Typically, have a nominee committee established, then that committee solicits interest for the officers.

But here, I guess, given the size of the Planning Commission and the need for the election of officers, what we can do is have the commission effectively serve as the nominating committee, and you can all determine and just discuss informally whether anyone wants to nominate someone else for, you know, take one position at a time, whether somebody wants to nominate themselves for that position. And then once the nominations have closed, the commission as a whole can vote on each officer.

So you just go through position by position?

Correct. Whichever order is preferred. Go.

Do you drive that process, or do I need to drive that process?

You should drive that process. But

I

can, I'm here to help Didn't know what along the

the process was. Okay, let's start with chairperson for the commission. Are there any nominees for chairperson?

Yeah, I nominate John Harrison for chair.

Are there any other nominees? Closed nominations for chair and thank you. Appreciate it.

Do we vote? You tweet.

I'll call the roll. Vice Chair Harrison? Yes. Secretary Burbaker?

Yes.

Commissioner Bolivitz? Yes. Commissioner Timmons? Yes. And Commissioner Lockett?

Yes.

Okay. That one's handled. So next we'll open nominations for vice chair. Are there any nominations?

Do I nominate him?

You

do. I nominate Bruce. Brubaker.

Thank you. Are there any other nominations? Okay. We'll close the nominations and have our vote.

Chair Harrison? Yes. Secretary Burbaker? Yes. Commissioner Golovitz?

Yes.

Commissioner Timmons?

Yes.

And Commissioner Lockett?

Yes. Okay. And so that one's congratulations. Alright. Two down and one to go. We are open nominations for secretary. There any nominations?

You asked me if I would do

it. You did.

Yeah, see. I will.

Yeah, we did. We got that far, but then they never

He did or he somebody did.

They never did.

It was months ago.

So I will nominate Gay Timmets for secretary. Any other nominations?

I'll close the nominations and we'll have a vote.

Chair Harrison? Yes. Vice Chair Burbaker? Yes. Commissioner Golovitz? Yes. Commissioner Timmons?

Yes.

And Commissioner Lockett?

Yes. Alright, congratulations. Miss you too hard. Can't this be done by acclamation? Meaning There's no other nominees, so by acclamation, the one nominee is selected.

Just curious. Probably right. Yeah. Just curious. Okay. Thank you, everyone, for going through that process. And now we have reports of officers and commissioners or staff. Does anybody have anything? Actually, why don't you introduce yourself to us?

Let's introduce each other. Okay. So

the new person has to start.

Yeah. This is the rule.

Rachel Lockett. Very happy to be here, join you guys. I hope I can contribute to the committee.

What is your background and what do you do in real life?

I'm curious.

I'm a program manager for BART. I'm currently working on multiple projects for expansion of the rail system. I'm currently working on earthquake safety and the expansion of BART to San Jose, other little projects, mainly with the gas line for the yards.

Sounds like you're busy.

Very busy.

That's great.

That's great.

So my background is although I'm not a licensed engineer, I've been working on structural and civil engineering projects.

Great. Welcome.

Thank you. You're welcome.

I'm Alexander Galaviecz. I am a transplant from Zhoushain Commission at the mayor's request. A normal life, I'm an attorney.

I'm John Harrison. Been on this about four years now, maybe. My background's in in city planning, and I've had prior experience on planning commissions and city councils so I can bring that kind of managing of meeting stuff to this more or less.

I'm Bruce Freebaker. I am also a planner and I lead an urban design practice in Berkeley for police works. And I've been on commission longer than anyone else, I think maybe five years. And I've been a resident of Richmond for thirty, and I see a lot of potential in Richmond. So I'm happy to be on the commission. Where

where were you from? You grow up around here?

Oh, Los Angeles.

Oh, okay. You were foreigner. Yeah. My name is Gay Timmons, and I have a small business here in Richmond. I've lived here for about eleven years. I get when did I start? Like, at the beginning of last year.

Yeah. About a year. A little over

a About a year or maybe a little bit more. I I finished somebody else's term.

I think you and Alexander started about the same time.

Yeah. Yes. And I work with chemists

right now. Microphone.

Oh. I'm sorry. I primarily work with chemists. I the business I own is that I sell I'm a hardcore environmentalist. Let's put it that way. I sell certified organic and other sorts of environmental standard ingredients to cosmetic manufacturers. So I pretty much talk to chemists all day Mhmm. Many days or people who have lots of questions about the chemists. Those are the other people I talk to.

Is your business in Richmond?

Yes. Yes. That's why I was interested. Yeah. I'm over in South Fiftieth. I like to think of it as the art place. So they put in the new Eames Institute Yeah. Archive.

You're in that building? Or

No. I'm across I'm, like, a block behind them. My daughter one of the women who works there went to Pratt, and my daughter was just out from New York, and she went to Pratt. So she got a little sneak visit. And they're having a little open house for the neighborhood, which I'm really excited to see.

Do you guys know about that? Nope. You interested in modern design?

It's incredible. You can arrange a meeting. And then there's another whole building that's a group of people who do art. One guy does sculptures from glass and metal and, know, a bunch of different things. And then the building on the corner is a bunch of rooms for different kinds of artists, and then they store a lot of the stuff for Burning Man. It's very fun to watch the trucks go in and out. Last year, not so much. A lot of mud. It's a really interesting weird little neighborhood there. And then there's a recording studio a friend of ours has.

It's expensive to get in though. The Ames

You wanna use your mic?

The Ames?

They actually record this.

Oh, sorry. It's what's expensive? I I I was reading about it. Super excited. I I collect, you know, mid century Woah. But I remember seeing, like, the entrance fee. Was, like, almost a $100.

It's, like, 90 or a $100.

Yeah. But I think that they call me I'm in the friends and family.

Yeah. Okay. You'll have to invite the planning commission. Although it would be a Brown Act violation, wouldn't it?

Now why we don't talk about business. It's not Yeah.

No. It's not business.

Social social safety.

It's totally hard. It's amazing. My daughter was just over moon. She got a quick Cool. Quick tour.

Just out

of her mind. Can we have the

Yeah. I was just gonna ask.

I'm not familiar with either of you. I should be, but I'm not.

Yeah. Well, good evening, planning commission. My name is Avery Stark. I joined the city of Richmond two months ago, almost to the date. I joined as the principal planner overseeing the planning division, current planning team. And then with Hector Roxas' departure to the city of Vallejo, I have graciously stepped in as acting planning manager in the interim and will continue to do so until that changes otherwise. I previously came from the city of Milpitas. I'd been in the South Bay for seven years with them. And then prior to that, I'd been with the state of Minnesota. I was a transplant from Minneapolis with my husband seven years ago, eight years ago now. And then this is Pete Zebrum. He is an assistant planner with the city as well, and I'll let him say a little bit more about himself.

Hello, commissioners. Hello, I'm Pete Siverome. I'm an assistant planner with the Planning Division. I started with the City of Richmond about seven months ago. And this is my first planning commission meeting and planning commission item. So it's super exciting to be here. I grew up in Pinneault, so I'm very familiar with the Richmond area and, you know, all of Richmond's needs and potential for growth. So I'm really excited to be working in my community and being a part of its success and growth.

Could I ask a question? Where did you go to school?

UC Davis.

UC Davis. Oh, welcome.

Yes, go Ags!

You're an old hand, aren't you? Thank you. Yeah. I will also add that the Planning Division is also adding new staff as well. So we're in the process of recruiting for a new senior planner who will help oversee the historical resource and historical preservation commission, also long range planning and policy. And then we have just made offers to two new planning technicians who will begin their careers in the planning field in about a month from now. So they will be some new people that we will introduce at various times throughout. If you see us up at City Hall, we'll be sure to say hi, but we'll be sure to bring them by and introduce them to the next Planning Commission if they're on board by then.

Great.

Welcome to you both. Thank you. And Mr. Atentio.

Good evening for those of you that don't know me. James Atentio, senior assistant city attorney, the city of Richmond. Been with the city for twelve years now, again, as of, I think, yesterday. And I've been staffing the planning commission on and off for the past six years, I think, more or less. And just happy to be here, happy to see all of you, and look forward to spending more time with you all. I know it's been on and off for the past year or so, but I anticipate being here more frequently the next months.

Thanks, James. And welcome to this new staff and a new commissioner. We're glad to have a pretty close to a full house finally. Two more commissioners, but we'll get them eventually. We're cooking with gas finally. That's good. Good, good. Okay. Any other comments anyone wishes to make? Any no? Okay. Then I think we're done. Adjourn the meeting at 07:02.

Awesome. Yeah. Yeah. That was fast.

Yeah. That's a

very good one.