23 - Laserfiche WebLink

ATTACHMENT 8 DRAFT PDR-56I/PV-158, John Miller Architects/Saint Elizabeth Seton Church Applications for: (I) design review approval to modify the Saint Elizabeth Seton Church Master Plan to construct an approximately 22,296-square-foot parish center building with gymnasium and related site improvements on the existing church site located at 4001 Stoneridge Drive; and (2) a variance from the Municipal Code to allow the proposed parish center building with gymnasium to be approximately 34 feet tall, where 30 feet is the maximum height limit allowed. Zoning for the property is A (Agriculture) District. Ms. Decker introduced the item and noted that an e-mail written by Acting Chairperson Fox was available to the public at the rear table. She requested the Planning Commission to allow staff to present the project, at which time she would address those questions. She added that staff had received an email requesting that this item be presented as a workshop first. She reaffirmed that this project was noticed as a public hearing item and recommended that it continue and maintain its status as such. She noted that this item was well into the application process and that the items of concern to the neighborhood had significantly been addressed. She advised that a majority vote of the Planning Commission would be required to change it to a workshop item. In response to an inquiry by Acting Chairperson Fox regarding a request to videotape this hearing, Ms. Decker replied that was not typically done. A member of the public who misses a meeting could listen to the full content of the meeting on the audiotape; the minutes would also be available. She then indicated that Steve Otto, Associate Planner, the project planner for this item, would present the staff report. Mr. Otto summarized the staff report and described the background, layout, and scope ofthis project. Ms. Decker summarized Acting Chairperson Fox's November 28,2006 email which requested feedback in the event that the Commission might have some difficulty in rendering a decision after hearing the presentation and public testimony, what opportunity may be available to have a mediator become involved in the process, and how the City might pay for that mediator. She had noted that previous projects used mediators when there were significant disputes between an applicant and the surrounding neighborhood. Two projects were used as examples: St. Clare's Episcopal Church and the Knights' residential additions. She noted that the use of a mediator to be paid for by the City was a budget issue and that only the City Council had the authority to provide funding. She indicated that the mediation for St. Clare's was authorized by the Council and that with respect to the Knights' case, former Planning Commissioner Mary Roberts had volunteered her time to conduct the mediation as recommended by the Planning Commission. Ms. Decker reiterated that there was no funding for mediation as a condition for any project that would come before the Planning Commission. She emphasized that the charge of the Planning Commission was essentially to approve, conditionally approve, deny, or continue various projects by a majority vote. Ms. Harryman explained the Brown Act, which required government business to be held in the open for the public to observe. A meeting is considered to take place any time there is a quorum ofa legislative body; in this case, three of five Planning Commissioners would constitute a quorum. A meeting also takes place when that quorum discussed or considered a matter or took DRAFT EXCERPTS: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, November 29, 2006 Page I of 1 I