Planning Commission Agenda Packet 102225 (1)

P25-0294 and PUD-54-01M, Winding Oaks Drive Planning Commission 5 of 6 are unusual circumstances justifying the installation of a gate, as determined by the Community and Economic Development Director or their designee. In addition to providing guidance on processing requests for gates, or gated developments, the proposed language would also be consistent with the General Plan. Winding Oaks Drive is a private street, serving a limited number of properties and with no through connection that would be impeded by its installation. These conditions and the recent break-in attempts could be considered an “unusual circumstance” that justifies the installation of a gate. Planned Unit Development Major Modification As described in Exhibit B, all of the findings for approval for the PUD Major Modification can be made, including finding that the proposed plan is in the best interest of the public health, safety, and general welfare, the proposal is compatible with the previously developed properties in the vicinity and the natural, topographic features of the site , and adequate public safety measures have been incorporated into the design . Other Considerations With respect to the security afforded by gates, staff notes that while gates may provide a greater sense of security and safety for residents and deter unauthorized visitors, they do not provide an absolute guarantee against intruders who may park off -site and enter the area by foot. Gates may also have the potential to delay emergency response, since first responders have to be able to open the gate to access homes and address an incident. The PPD notes that the gate should have both a Knox box and keypads and the police department be provided with a specific code to use to access the community. Condition of Approval number 27 requires that a future gate installation include both a Knox box and keypad. Patrol officers responding to calls for service do not have Knox box keys; only supervisors do. When patrol officers access communities via keypad gates there is a slight delay in accessing the community because officers need to slow down to put in a code and then wait for the gate to open . The community would have to ensure that law enforcement always had the correct code to enter the area. PUBLIC NOTICE Notice of this application was sent to surrounding property owners and tenants within a 1,000-foot radius of the site and published in the newspaper. At the time of publication staff has not received any public comments. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT The project is within the scope of the VACSP Environmental Impact Report (EIR). No additional environmental review is required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section 15162 because no substantial changes to the PUD are proposed, no substantial changes have occurred with respect to the circumstances under which the project is undertaken, and no new information of substantial importance shows that the project will have one or more significant effects not discussed in the previous EIR. SUMMARY/CONCLUSION While installation of a security gate on Winding Oaks Drive may offer residents a sense of security in response to recent break-in attempts, it would not guarantee protection