Planning Commission

Planning Commission — June 25, 2024

This was a regular meeting of the Petaluma Planning Commission, notable for a lengthy evening session that ran nearly five hours. All five commissioners were present: Chair Blake Hooper, Janice Cader Thompson, Jessica Mozes, Roger McErlane, and Darren Racusen.

Approval of Minutes — June 11, 2024

The Commission approved the minutes from its prior meeting without amendment. (Note: Chair Hooper verbally announced the vote as 4-0, but the roll call recorded five affirmative votes; the 5-0 roll call result is the accurate count.)

Vote: Carried 5-0 (Mozes, Hooper, Cader Thompson, McErlane, Racusen — all yes)

Scott Ranch Residential Project — Site Plan and Architectural Review (SPAR)

Senior Planner Mike Janusek presented this item, followed by a presentation from the applicant. The project proposes the construction of 28 single-family homes and associated site improvements at 1860 D Street (APNs 019-120-040 & 019-120-041). The project's environmental impacts were previously analyzed in a full Environmental Impact Report certified by the City Council on February 27, 2023, so tonight's review focused on site plan and architectural design rather than environmental re-analysis.

All five commissioners asked questions of staff before public comment was opened. Six members of the public spoke or submitted written comments on the project. Written comments were received from Peter Cohn, Susan Kirks, Nickola Frye, and Veronica Olsen. In-person speakers included Nickola Frye, Jared Emerson-Johnson, Greg Colvin, Karen Bergin, Carol Eber, and Frank Griffo. The minutes do not detail the substance of those comments, but the range of speakers — including several who also engaged on the General Plan later in the evening — suggests ongoing community interest in development in this part of the city.

Following public comment, the Commission deliberated and voted unanimously to recommend approval of the SPAR.

Vote: Carried 5-0 (Mozes moved, McErlane seconded; Mozes, Cader Thompson, Hooper, McErlane, and Racusen — all yes)

General Plan Update Study Session — Transportation, Parks, and Arts, Culture & Creativity Policy Frameworks

This was a non-binding study session; no formal action was taken. The purpose was to gather commissioner input on three draft policy frameworks being developed as part of Petaluma's ongoing General Plan Update. These frameworks will inform the eventual Land Use Framework and, ultimately, a full Environmental Impact Report for the General Plan Update.

Arts, Culture, and Creativity Framework: Consultants Ron Whitmore and David Plettner-Saunders of Raimi and Associates presented this framework. Commissioners Racusen, Cader Thompson, McErlane, and Hooper asked questions. One member of the public, Nickola Frye, spoke in person; no written comments were received on this section.

Transportation Policy Framework: Kelly Bond, a Senior Planner with Fehr & Peers, presented this framework. Commissioner Mozes and Chair Hooper, who serve on an ad hoc committee for the General Plan Update, also shared committee-level comments on transportation and parks topics.

Parks and Recreation Policy Framework: Megan McNulty, Senior Planner at Raimi and Associates, presented this framework. Again, Nickola Frye was the sole in-person public commenter, and no written comments were received.

Commissioners engaged in questions and discussion across all three frameworks. The session ran until nearly 11:00 PM, reflecting the depth of material covered. Because this was a study session, the commission's comments are advisory and nonbinding, feeding back to staff and consultants as they continue developing the General Plan Update.

Vote: No vote taken (study session only)

Key Takeaways