Name: Petaluma Planning Commission meeting, May 28, 2024
Start: 2024-05-28
Location: City of Petaluma

Planning Commission

Tue, May 28, 2024

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Meeting summaryAI-generated

Planning Commission — May 28, 2024

This was a regular Planning Commission meeting chaired by Vice Chair Racusen (Chair Hooper arrived late). The session ran nearly five hours, dominated by a lengthy study session on the ongoing General Plan Update. Commissioner Whisman was absent.

Approval of Minutes — May 14, 2024

The Commission approved the minutes from its previous meeting without amendment. Commissioner Mozes abstained.

Vote: Carried 4–0 (Bauer, Cader Thompson, McErlane, Racusen in favor; Mozes abstained; Hooper and Whisman absent at time of vote)

Study Session: General Plan Update — Safety, Governance, Economic Development, Infrastructure, and Noise Policy Frameworks

This was the evening's centerpiece: a nonbinding study session in which Commission members provided input on five draft policy frameworks that form part of Petaluma's ongoing General Plan Update. No formal action was taken; the session was designed to give staff and consultants (Raimi and Associates and Rincon Consultants) direction before the frameworks are finalized and before preparation of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) begins.

Community Development Director Brian Oh, along with consultants Ron Whitmore, Sebastian Bertsch (Raimi and Associates), Della Costa, and Josh Carmen (Rincon Consultants), made presentations covering the draft frameworks across multiple rounds of discussion. The session was substantial enough to include a five-minute break. Commissioners Racusen, Mozes, Bauer, McErlane, Cader Thompson, and Chair Hooper all engaged in questioning staff and consultants across multiple rounds.

Two members of the public submitted written comments by email — Katherine Rinehart and Susan Kirks — and Duane Bellinger spoke in person during one of the later public comment periods. The minutes do not detail the specific content of their comments.

Because this was a study session, no vote was taken and no CEQA determination was required. The feedback provided will inform the next stage of the General Plan Update process, which will move toward developing the draft Land Use Framework and then the EIR.

Amendment to Planning Commission Rules and Regulations — Officer Term Limits

The Commission considered and approved a resolution amending Section 3.303 of its Rules and Regulations to allow the Chair and Vice Chair to serve a maximum of two consecutive terms in their officer roles. This item was first introduced on April 9, 2024. Special Projects Manager Heather Hines presented the item.

Two members of the public spoke in person: Nickola Frye and Alex Decarli (who also serves as a City Councilmember for District 5). Commissioner Racusen and Chair Hooper disclosed ex-parte communications prior to discussion. Several commissioners asked questions of staff before the vote.

The change means that instead of being limited to a single term as Chair or Vice Chair, officers can now serve up to two consecutive terms before rotating out of the leadership role.

Vote: Carried 6–0 (Bauer, Cader Thompson, Hooper, McErlane, Mozes, Racusen in favor; Whisman absent; no abstentions)

Key Takeaways

General Plan Update is advancing: Five major policy frameworks — Safety, Governance & Implementation, Economic Development, Infrastructure & Utilities, and Noise — were presented for Commission feedback. This nonbinding input will shape the frameworks before the EIR process begins.

No Land Use Framework yet: The land use component, often the most consequential part of a general plan, has not yet been presented; it will come after these policy frameworks are finalized.

Officer term limits extended: The Commission unanimously approved allowing its Chair and Vice Chair to serve up to two consecutive terms, giving leadership positions greater continuity than before.

Long meeting: The session ran from 6:00 p.m. to nearly 11:00 p.m., reflecting the complexity of the General Plan study session materials.

AI-generated summary from voice-to-text transcript. Not the official record. Verify important details with the source documents linked above.

Agenda items (3)

Procedural (1)

1ProceduralApproval of Minutes for the meeting of May 14, 2024. THIS MEETING ITEM WAS PUBLISHED ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2024.

Public Hearing

2Public HearingStudy Session – Recommendation to the City of Petaluma Planning Commission to Receive Staff and Planning Commission Ad Hoc Committee Presentations and Conduct a Study Session to Solicit Input and Provide Nonbinding Comments to General Plan Update Staff and Consultants for Draft Safety, Governance and Implementation, Economic Development, Infrastructure and Utilities, and Noise General Plan Policy Frameworks. No action is being taken; therefore, a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) determination is not required. Following review of the draft Policy Frameworks and development of the draft Land Use Framework, the General Plan Update project will begin preparation of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the project. THIS MEETING ITEM WAS PUBLISHED ON WEDNESDAY,

3Public HearingAdministrative Action – Recommendation to the City of Petaluma Planning Commission to Approve A Resolution Amending Section 3.303 of the Planning Commission Rules and Regulations to Allow Chair and ViceChair Officers of the Commission to Serve a Maximum of Two (2) Consecutive Officer Terms, Introduced for Consideration on April 9, 2024. Amending the Rules and Regulations is not a “project” pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section 15378, as the action is considered administrative. THIS MEETING ITEM WAS PUBLISHED ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2024.

Additional votes recorded in minutes

Planning Commission Chair Term Limits

Aye 3 · Abstain 1

Unknown (Unknown - Commissioner Bower)Aye

Unknown (Unknown - Commissioner Kerlan)Aye

Unknown (Unknown - Commissioner Kuson)Abstain

Unknown (Unknown - Commissioner Moses)Aye

Verbatim transcript available

4 transcript segments indexed

CITY OF PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION City Hall Council Chamber 11 English Street Petaluma, CA 94952 MINUTES Tuesday, May 28, 2024 CALL TO ORDER – (6:00 PM) ROLL CALL PRESENT: Blake Hooper (Joined the meeting late during the presentation of Meeting Item 2), Darren Racusen, Heidi Bauer, Janice Cader Thompson, Jessica Mozes, and Roger McErlane ABSENT: Rick Whisman GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT – (6:01 PM) During General Public Comment, the public is invited to make comments on items of public interest that are within the Commission’s subject matter jurisdiction and that are not listed on the current agenda. Public comments are limited to up to three minutes per person. Depending on the number of persons wishing to address the Commission, time will be allocated in equal shares totaling no more than twenty minutes, subject to the Commission’s discretion (Cal. Gov’t. Code §54954.3(a), Petaluma City Council Rules, Policies and Procedures, III). Vice Chair Racusen opened general public comment. - Duane Bellinger Vice Chair Racusen closed general public comment. Vice Chair Racusen closed the Meeting Item and continued with the agenda. PRESENTATIONS – (6:05 PM) Vice Chair Racusen announced there were no presentations during this meeting. Vice Chair Racusen closed the Meeting Item and continued with the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – (6:06 PM) 1. Meeting Item 1 – Approval of Minutes for the meeting of May 14, 2024. Vice Chair Racusen opened Meeting Item 1. Vice Chair Racusen invited the Commissioners to provide amendments. No amendments were provided. Vice Chair Racusen requested a roll call vote. A roll call vote was taken: Vote: Carried 4-0

Yes: Bauer, Cader Thompson, McErlane, and Racusen No: None Absent: Chair Hooper and Whisman Abstained: Moze Vice Chair Racusen announced that the minutes were approved by a vote of 4-0. Vice Chair Racusen closed Meeting Item 1 and continued with the agenda. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION – (6:06 PM) 2. Meeting Item 2 – Study Session – Recommendation to the City of Petaluma Planning Commission to Receive Staff and Planning Commission Ad Hoc Committee Presentations and Conduct a Study Session to Solicit Input and Provide Nonbinding Comments to General Plan Update Staff and Consultants for Draft Safety, Governance and Implementation, Economic Development, Infrastructure and Utilities, and Noise General Plan Policy Frameworks. No action is being taken; therefore, a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) determination is not required. Following review of the draft Policy Frameworks and development of the draft Land Use Framework, the General Plan Update project will begin preparation of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the project. THIS MEETING ITEM WAS PUBLISHED ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2024. THIS MEETING ITEM WAS UPDATED ON FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2024, TO INCLUDE ATTACHMENTS 7, 8, AND 9. Vice Chair Racusen introduced Meeting Item 2. Vice Chair Racusen announced this item was not a public hearing and did not require disclosing any ex-parte communications. Director of Community Development Brian Oh, Raimi and Associates Ron Whitmore, and Rincon Consultants Della Costa presented on Meeting Item 2. Chair Hooper Joined the meeting late. Director of Community Development Brian Oh, Raimi and Associates Ron Whitmore, and Rincon Consultants Della Costa continued to present on Meeting Item 2. Chair Hooper opened Meeting Item 2 to questions for staff. Council Member Cader Thompson Commissioner Racusen Commissioner Mozes Chair Hooper Chair Hooper opened Meeting Item 2 to public comments: Emailed: - Katherine Rinehart - Susan Kirks In Person: - None

Chair Hooper closed public comment. Chair Hooper brought the item back to the Commission for discussion. Raimi and Associates Ron Whitmore and Sebastian Bertsch, and Rincon Consultants Josh Carmen continued to present on Meeting Item 2. Chair Hooper opened Meeting Item 2 to questions for staff. Commissioner McErlane Commissioner Bauer Commissioner Racusen Council Member Cader Thompson Chair Hooper Chair Hooper opened Meeting Item 2 to public comments: Emailed: - Katherine Rinehart - Susan Kirks In Person: - None Chair Hooper closed public comment. Chair Hooper brought the item back to the Commission for discussion. Commissioner Racusen presented on Meeting Item 2. A 5-minute break was taken. The Commission discussed Meeting Item 2. Chair Hooper opened Meeting Item 2 to public comments: Emailed: - Katherine Rinehart - Susan Kirks In Person: - Duane Bellinger Chair Hooper closed public comment Chair Hooper closed Meeting Item 2 and continued with the agenda. 3. Meeting Item 3 – Administrative Action – Recommendation to the City of Petaluma Planning Commission to Approve A Resolution Amending Section 3.303 of the Planning Commission Rules and Regulations to Allow Chair and Vice-Chair Officers of the Commission to Serve a Maximum of Two (2) Consecutive Officer Terms, Introduced for Consideration on April 9, 2024. Amending the Rules and Regulations is not a “project” pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section 15378, as the action is considered administrative. THIS MEETING ITEM WAS PUBLISHED ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2024.

Chair Hooper Introduced Meeting Item 3. Chair Hooper announced this item was a public hearing requiring disclosure of any ex-parte communications. Commissioner Racusen and Chair Hooper disclosed ex-parte communications. Special Projects Manager Heather Hines presented on Meeting Item 3. Chair Hooper opened Meeting Item 3 to the Commission to questions for staff. Commissioner Mozes Commissioner McErlane Chair Hooper Commissioner Bauer Commissioner Racusen Council Member Cader Thompson Chair Hooper opened Meeting Item 3 to public comments: Emailed: - None In Person: - Nickola Frye - Alex Decarli Chair Hooper closed public comment. Chair Hooper requested a motion to vote on Meeting Item 3. Council Member Cader Thompson motioned for a vote, and Commissioner Racusen seconded the motion. Chair Hooper requested a roll call vote. A roll call vote was taken: Vote: Carried 6-0 Yes: Bauer, Cader Thompson, Chair Hooper, McErlane, Mozes, Racusen No: None Absent: Whisman Abstained: None Chair Hooper announced that the motion was carried by a vote of 6-0. Chair Hooper closed Meeting Item 3 and continued with the agenda. COMMISSION COMMENT – (10:36 PM) Council Member Cader Thompson Commissioner Mozes STAFF COMMENT – (10:41 PM) Heather Hines, Special Projects Manager ADJOURNMENT Chair Hooper adjourned the meeting at 10:57 p.m.