Name: Petaluma Planning Commission meeting, May 21, 2024
Start: 2024-05-21
Location: City of Petaluma

Planning Commission

Tue, May 21, 2024

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Meeting summaryAI-generated

Planning Commission — May 21, 2024

This was a regular Planning Commission meeting held at Petaluma City Hall. Six of seven commissioners were present (Commissioner Heidi Bauer was absent). The meeting ran from 6:00 PM to 10:50 PM and covered two substantive items: a recommendation on extending the Urban Growth Boundary and a study session on a proposed senior care facility.

Item 1: Urban Growth Boundary Extension — Recommendation to City Council

Special Projects Manager Heather Hines presented this item, which asks the Planning Commission to recommend that the City Council place a measure on the ballot for Petaluma voters. The proposed ordinance would do three things: extend the expiration date of the Petaluma Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) from its current end date to December 31, 2050; update language around potential expansion areas; and modify criteria related to Transit Oriented Development. Conforming amendments to the General Plan would also be made. Because the UGB is a voter-approved measure, any changes to it must go back to the voters — this Commission vote is a recommendation to the Council to initiate that process.

The Commission found the project exempt from CEQA review under Guidelines 15307 and 15308, which cover actions taken to protect natural resources and the environment.

All six commissioners asked questions of staff before the public hearing was opened. Written comments were submitted by Trish Durler, Susan Kirks, Cate Nelson, the Sierra Club, and William Ray Yeager. In-person speakers included Ann Hamilton, Teri Shore, and Calum Weeks. The minutes do not detail the substance of those comments.

After discussion, the Commission unanimously recommended approval.

Vote: Commissioner Racusen moved, Council Member Cader Thompson seconded. Carried 6–0 (Bauer absent). The recommendation now goes to the City Council, which would decide whether to place the UGB extension measure on a future ballot for Petaluma voters.

Item 2: Study Session — Gallaher Senior Living Residential Care Facility at 1221 Petaluma Blvd North

This was a non-binding study session, meaning no formal vote or approval was taken. The purpose was for the Commission to review a conceptual proposal and offer early feedback to the applicant, Gallaher Companies, before any formal application is filed.

Associate Planner Larissa Alchin and Planning Manager Andrew Trippel presented the staff report. The Gallaher Companies team — including Efran Carrillo (Site Acquisition and Development), Sam Faye (Executive Director), and Jennifer Limoli (Landscape Architect) — then presented their conceptual plans for a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) at 1221 Petaluma Boulevard North.

All six commissioners engaged in dialogue with staff and the applicants. Six written comments were submitted by Diane Judd, Susan Kirks, Veronica Olsen, Rich Mead, Ira Koren, and Sasha Butler, and Veronica Olsen also spoke in person. The minutes do not capture the specific content of commissioner feedback or public comments, but the session extended to nearly 11:00 PM, suggesting substantive discussion. No CEQA determination was required and no discretionary action was taken.

Vote: None — study session only. Commissioner feedback was non-binding guidance to the applicant ahead of any future formal application.

Key Takeaways

The Planning Commission unanimously recommended (6–0) that the City Council place a measure before Petaluma voters to extend the Urban Growth Boundary through December 31, 2050, a roughly 26-year extension from the current expiration.

The UGB extension also includes updates to Transit Oriented Development criteria and potential expansion area language, with conforming General Plan amendments.

The Commission reviewed a conceptual senior care facility proposed by Gallaher Companies on Petaluma Boulevard North — no decisions were made, but commissioner input at this early stage will shape whether and how a formal application moves forward.

The UGB item drew multiple public comments, including from the Sierra Club, signaling community interest in the boundary extension ahead of any voter consideration.

The meeting was notably long, adjourning just before 11:00 PM, reflecting the depth of discussion on both items.

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

Agenda items (2)

Public Hearing

1Public HearingPublic Hearing – Resolution of the City of Petaluma Planning Commission Making Findings of Exemption Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines 15307 and 15308 and Recommending that the City Council Order the Submission to the Qualified Electors of the City an Ordinance to Modify Existing References to Specific Potential Expansion Areas, Modify Criteria Specific to Transit Oriented Development, and Extend the Expiration Date of the Petaluma Urban Growth Boundary through December 31, 2050, and Make Conforming Amendments to the General Plan.THIS MEETING ITEM WAS PUBLISHED ON THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024.

The Planning Commission recommends that voters decide whether to extend Petaluma's urban growth boundary (which limits where the city can expand) through 2050 and make updates to growth rules for transit-oriented development. The city would need environmental review approval before the measure goes to voters.

2Public HearingStudy Session – Recommendation to the City of Petaluma Planning Commission to Conduct a Study Session to Solicit Input and Provide Nonbinding Comments on a Conceptual Proposal from Gallaher Senior Living to Develop a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly Located at 1221 Petaluma Blvd North; APN: 006450001; City Record No. PLPR20240002. No discretionary action is requested during this study session; therefore, no CEQA determination is required at this time. THIS MEETING ITEM WAS PUBLISHED ON THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024. COMMITTEE COMMENT STAFF COMMENT

The Planning Commission will hold a discussion session to hear a proposal from Gallaher Senior Living to build a residential care facility for seniors at 1221 Petaluma Blvd North, with no formal decision being made at this stage.

Additional votes recorded in minutes

Recommend UGB Ordinance Extension to City Council

aye 6 · absent 1

Blake Hooperaye

Darren Racusenaye

Heidi Bauerabsent

Janice Cader Thompsonaye

Jessica Mozesaye

Rick Whismanaye

Roger McErlaneaye

Verbatim transcript available

3 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 21, 2024 CALL TO ORDER – (6:00 PM) ROLL CALL PRESENT: Blake Hooper, Darren Racusen, Janice Cader Thompson, Jessica Mozes, Rick Whisman, and Roger McErlane ABSENT: Heidi Bauer 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). Chair Hooper opened general public comment. - None Chair Hooper closed general public comment. Chair Hooper closed the Meeting Item and continued with the agenda. PRESENTATIONS – (6:01 PM) Chair Hooper announced there were no presentations during this meeting. Chair Hooper closed the Meeting Item and continued with the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – (6:01 PM) Chair Hooper announced there were no minutes during this meeting. Chair Hooper closed the Meeting Item and continued with the agenda. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION – (6:02 PM) 1. Meeting Item 1 – Public Hearing – Resolution of the City of Petaluma Planning Commission Making Findings of Exemption Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines 15307 and 15308 and Recommending that the City Council Order the Submission to the Qualified Electors of the City an Ordinance to Modify Existing References to Specific Potential Expansion Areas, Modify Criteria

Specific to Transit Oriented Development, and Extend the Expiration Date of the Petaluma Urban Growth Boundary through December 31, 2050, and Make Conforming Amendments to the General Plan. THIS MEETING ITEM WAS PUBLISHED ON THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024. Chair Hooper introduced Meeting Item 1. Chair Hooper announced this item was a public hearing requiring disclosure of any ex-parte communications. No ex-parte communication disclosures were made. Special Projects Manager Heather Hines presented on Meeting Item 1. Chair Hooper opened Meeting Item 1 to questions for staff. Commissioner Whisman Commissioner Racusen Council Member Cader Thompson Chair Hooper Commissioner McErlane Commissioner Mozes A short break was taken due to technical issues due to our streaming services. Chair Hooper opened Meeting Item 1 to public comment: Emailed: - Trish Durler - Susan Kirks - Cate Nelson - Sierra Club - William Ray Yeager In Person: - Ann Hamilton - Teri Shore - Calum Weeks Chair Hooper closed public comment and the public hearing. Chair Hooper brought the item back to the Commission for discussion. Chair Hooper requested a motion to vote on Meeting Item 1. Commissioner Racusen motioned for a vote, and Council Member Cader Thompson seconded the motion. Chair Hooper requested a roll call vote. A roll call vote was taken: Vote: Carried 6-0

Yes: Cader Thompson, Chair Hooper, McErlane, Mozes, Racusen, Whisman No: None Absent: Bauer Abstained: None Chair Hooper announced that the motion was carried by a vote of 6-0. Chair Hooper closed Meeting Item 1 and continued with the agenda. A short break was taken. 2. Meeting Item 2 –Study Session – Recommendation to the City of Petaluma Planning Commission to Conduct a Study Session to Solicit Input and Provide Non-binding Comments on a Conceptual Proposal from Gallaher Senior Living to Develop a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly Located at 1221 Petaluma Blvd North; APN: 006- 450-001; City Record No. PLPR-2024-0002. No discretionary action is requested during this study session; therefore, no CEQA determination is required at this time. THIS MEETING ITEM WAS PUBLISHED ON THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024. Chair Hooper Introduced Meeting Item 2. Chair Hooper announced this item was not a public hearing and did not require disclosing any ex-parte communications. Associate Planner Larissa Alchin and Planning Manager Andrew Trippel presented on Meeting Item 2. The applicant Gallaher Companies (Efran Carillo, Site Acquisition and Development, Sam Faye, Executive Director, and Jennifer Limoli, Landscape Architect) presented on Meeting Item 2. Chair Hooper opened Meeting Item 2 to the Commission to questions for staff and applicants. Commissioner Mozes Commissioner McErlane Chair Hooper Council Member Cader Thompson Commissioner Racusen Commissioner Whisman Chair Hooper opened Meeting Item 2 to public comments: Emailed: - Diane Judd - Susan Kirks - Veronica Olsen - Rich Mead - Ira Koren - Sasha Butler In Person: - Veronica Olsen Chair Hooper closed public comment. Chair Hooper closed Meeting Item 2 and continued with the agenda. COMMISSION COMMENT – (10:45 PM) Commissioner McErlane Chair Hooper Council Member Cader Thompson Commissioner Racusen STAFF COMMENT – (10:48 PM) Andrew Trippel, Planning Manager ADJOURNMENT Chair Hooper adjourned the meeting at 10:50 p.m.