| Time | Speaker | Text |
|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00.03 | Unknown | Thank you. Thank you. |
| 00:00:03.83 | Unknown | Half a love never appealed to me. If your heart Never would yield to me. Then I'd rather have nothing at all Oh, oh, oh, oh. Oh, nothing at all. If it's love, there is no in between. |
| 00:00:39.13 | Kristina Feller | Community Development Director Whalen, could you please call the roll? |
| 00:00:42.88 | Director Whalen | Good evening, Vice Chair Feller and Planning Commissioners, especially our new Planning Commissioners this evening, your first meeting. This meeting is being held pursuant to section three of executive order and 2920 issued by Governor Newsom on the 13th of this year. And all members are joining this meeting telephonically through Zoom, and I will now Call the roll. Commissioner Saad. Here. Fishner, Luxembourg. |
| 00:01:09.88 | Jeffery Luxenberg | here. |
| 00:01:10.96 | Director Whalen | Mission or ground. Commissioner Pierce. And based your filler. Here. All members are present and we have a quorum. Excellent. |
| 00:01:22.60 | Kristina Feller | So the next item on the agenda is the approval of the minutes. We have three of them this evening. November 4th, November 18th and December 2nd So I will first ask if we have any comments on any of those notes. Any edits? |
| 00:01:39.85 | Director Whalen | Thank you. Thank you. Thanks, Chair Fowler. I think we're on number two, the approval of the agenda and then public comments on items on the agenda. Okay. |
| 00:01:51.86 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 00:01:52.45 | Director Whalen | Thank you. Thank you. |
| 00:01:53.23 | Kristina Feller | Forgive me. Okay, so can I have a motion to approve the agenda? |
| 00:01:59.67 | Jeffery Luxenberg | So moved. |
| 00:02:01.03 | Kristina Feller | Second? |
| 00:02:01.68 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Second. |
| 00:02:03.39 | Kristina Feller | the |
| 00:02:03.45 | Director Whalen | We will. |
| 00:02:03.74 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 00:02:03.76 | Director Whalen | Thank you. Please call the roll. Commissioner said. Yes. Commissioner Luxembourg. |
| 00:02:10.32 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Thank you. |
| 00:02:11.20 | Director Whalen | Fish on our grass? |
| 00:02:12.35 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Yeah. |
| 00:02:13.33 | Director Whalen | Commissioner Pierce. |
| 00:02:14.36 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Yes. |
| 00:02:14.91 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 00:02:15.08 | Director Whalen | By Sherfella. Yes. Here's five zero. |
| 00:02:19.96 | Kristina Feller | Excellent. Now we can move on to the approval of the notes. And again, there are three of them to approve this evening. November 4th, November 18th and December 2nd. So I will first ask if any commissioners have any comments or edits to the notes. Commissioner Pierce. |
| 00:02:38.01 | Morgan Pierce | I only have one and that is for the minutes on number four regarding the items not on the agenda section, Michael Perlmutter's last name wasn't included and it's Perlmutter. |
| 00:02:49.91 | Kristina Feller | Excellent. |
| 00:02:54.49 | Kristina Feller | Yes, Commissioner Luxenberg. |
| 00:02:57.50 | Jeffery Luxenberg | I'm going to abstain because I wasn't on the commission at that time. |
| 00:03:01.32 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. Thank you. Any other comments? I'll do the same. I'll abstain as well. Thank you, Commissioner Saad. Commissioner Graff, do you have any comments? None. Excellent. Do I have a motion to approve with the edit mentioned by Commissioner Pierce? |
| 00:03:20.07 | Morgan Pierce | I'm a And I will second. |
| 00:03:23.16 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 00:03:23.26 | Director Whalen | Lily, could you call the roll? Commissioner Grass? |
| 00:03:28.08 | Richard Graef | Yeah. |
| 00:03:28.84 | Director Whalen | Commissioner Pierce. |
| 00:03:30.07 | Morgan Pierce | Thank you. |
| 00:03:30.09 | Richard Graef | Yes. |
| 00:03:31.22 | Director Whalen | by Cher Feller. Yes. |
| 00:03:32.89 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:03:32.93 | Director Whalen | Thank you. on that the commissioner side and luxembourg are abstaining and so that carries uh three 0, 2. |
| 00:03:40.99 | Richard Graef | for all three. Right. |
| 00:03:42.63 | Director Whalen | I'm sorry. |
| 00:03:42.68 | Richard Graef | All three. |
| 00:03:42.83 | Director Whalen | THE END OF |
| 00:03:43.41 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:03:43.52 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 00:03:43.64 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:03:43.66 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 00:03:43.74 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:03:43.91 | Director Whalen | Thank you. One, two, three. And then by Chair Feller, if we can just move back one more to the public comments on items not on the agenda. So this is the time to hear from citizens that matters that are not on the agenda, except in limited circumstances. The state law concludes the planning commission from taking action on or engaging in discussions concerning items that are not on the agenda. However, the commission may refer matters not on the agenda to city staff or direct subject to the agendas for future meeting And so video or audio participation is limited to three minutes per speaker. If you'd like to make a comment on an item not on tonight's agenda, please raise your hand in the Zoom application and you'll be called upon when it's your time to speak. To raise your hand from a phone if you're calling in you press star nine and if you could state your name for the record before beginning your comments that would be helpful. So at this time, if anyone has any items to speak on that are not on the agenda, please raise your hand. I am seeing none. Right now. |
| 00:04:43.26 | Kristina Feller | Amen. just give a moment Anyone to raise their hand? Deaf, I see none. |
| 00:04:55.09 | Director Whalen | I don't see any either. I think we're safe to move on. |
| 00:04:57.69 | Kristina Feller | Okay seeing none we'll close public comment and move on. And Director Whalen, if you could identify the next item on the agenda. Thank you. |
| 00:05:07.70 | Director Whalen | We're moving on to our business items here and the first item of business is item 5A and that's election of your chair and your vice chair if necessary. So we would normally solicit nominations for Um, chair. and have a vote on those nominations. |
| 00:05:30.98 | Morgan Pierce | And I would like to nominate Vice Chair Christina Feller for the position of chair. I will second that. |
| 00:05:39.15 | Kristina Feller | Thank you very much. |
| 00:05:42.71 | Director Whalen | Excellent, I will go ahead and take a roll call vote on that unless there's any other discussion. Commissioner said Yes. Missionar Luxembourg. |
| 00:05:52.42 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Yes. |
| 00:05:53.16 | Director Whalen | Can we turn our graph? |
| 00:05:54.29 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Yeah. |
| 00:05:54.61 | Richard Graef | Thank you. |
| 00:05:55.05 | Director Whalen | Is it a pierce? |
| 00:05:55.91 | Richard Graef | Yeah. |
| 00:05:56.13 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Thank you. |
| 00:05:56.23 | Director Whalen | Thank you. The cheerfeller. Yes. Cheerfeller. |
| 00:06:00.04 | Richard Graef | Yeah, now a chair. |
| 00:06:01.90 | Director Whalen | Thank you. Now we need a nomination for a vice chair. |
| 00:06:07.10 | Kristina Feller | I would like to make a nomination of Commissioner Graff for Vice Chair. |
| 00:06:11.21 | Morgan Pierce | I will second that. |
| 00:06:13.39 | Richard Graef | Well, OK. It's not my cup of tea, but that's probably not to too often that would happen. So all right, thank you. |
| 00:06:29.29 | Director Whalen | With that, if there are no other nominations, I will call the roll. Commissioner Saad? |
| 00:06:34.72 | Nastassya Saad | Yeah. |
| 00:06:35.53 | Director Whalen | Missionary Luxembourg. |
| 00:06:37.25 | Nastassya Saad | Thank you. |
| 00:06:37.57 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:06:37.66 | Nastassya Saad | Thank you. |
| 00:06:37.93 | Director Whalen | Commissioner Pierce? Yes. And Chair Feller. Yes. Okay, great. We have our new vice chair, Graff. |
| 00:06:49.03 | Morgan Pierce | Congratulations. |
| 00:06:50.23 | Director Whalen | Congratulations. |
| 00:06:50.62 | Morgan Pierce | Congratulations. |
| 00:06:51.97 | Jeffery Luxenberg | I'm not going to waste it. |
| 00:06:53.10 | Director Whalen | Thank you. So we could move on to the next item on our agenda here, which is 5B. And that is the adoption of your calendar for 2021. This is our last meeting of this year. And I put together a draft calendar for 2021. We typically base that on the Council's adopted calendar so that we don't have back to back. Council and Planning Commission meetings. We try to do the off weeks of the council meets. The Council so far has adopted their dates in January and February so those dates are set And then I projected out the dates of the council in the calendar for the rest of the year. So I'll be taking a look at those dates at the beginning of next year. And if there are any changes that would affect any adopted planning commission dates, I'd bring that back to you for discussion. |
| 00:07:47.28 | Kristina Feller | Excellent. Director Whelan. Any commissioners have any comments on the proposed calendar? Commissioner Pierce. |
| 00:07:55.75 | Morgan Pierce | I would just like to bring it to the commission's attention that there are two that happened on national holidays of sorts, both St. Patrick's Day and Cinco de Mayo, which we may want to consider in our assessment of this, uh, Uh, Sorry, calendar. Also, I will acknowledge that I do term out in May. However, should I still be serving in September for unforeseen circumstances, I will not be available September 1 for that meeting. |
| 00:08:29.23 | Kristina Feller | Excellent. Thank you. Any other commissioner have comments on the calendar as proposed? |
| 00:08:37.52 | Kristina Feller | I had one comment about the September date as well. Since Labor Day is September 6th, I propose that we move the September 1st until after Labor Day. and maybe shift to the eighth and 22nd to go back to back with city council on Theirs on Tuesday, ours on Wednesday. as consideration. |
| 00:09:05.67 | Morgan Pierce | And I see no challenge with that. okay with me Stay with me. |
| 00:09:11.86 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Thank you. |
| 00:09:12.15 | Kristina Feller | that works. Okay. So in regards to commissioner Pierce's comments regarding the two other holidays, Should we propose to approve January and February at this point and then have a closer look? at months later in the year to avoid any of those holidays? Director Whelan is that what you would recommend? |
| 00:09:45.10 | Unknown | Thank you. Thank you. I'm sorry, my internet is... |
| 00:09:46.05 | Lily Whelan | You can hear me. So sorry, my internet is dying here. |
| 00:09:51.20 | Kristina Feller | and I'm going to be here. Perhaps our city attorney Mary If Lilly is rebooting there, would there be any conflict with what we're proposing in terms of approving January and February? |
| 00:10:10.47 | Mary Wagner | In terms of the conflict with the council's schedule, you're asking, I apologize. |
| 00:10:15.58 | Kristina Feller | Cool. |
| 00:10:15.80 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:10:15.83 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 00:10:15.87 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:10:15.90 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. in terms of can we go ahead and approve the calendars for January and February and then have that gives us time to have a closer look at any other potential conflicts later in the year. we can approve the rest of the calendar in January when we reconvene. Okay. Do I have a motion then to approve January and February as it stands? and defer the rest of the month's approval till we reconvene in January. |
| 00:10:40.86 | Morgan Pierce | And to fuck. |
| 00:10:46.26 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Yeah. |
| 00:10:46.46 | Morgan Pierce | Thank you. |
| 00:10:46.63 | Jeffery Luxenberg | So, |
| 00:10:46.66 | Morgan Pierce | Thank you. |
| 00:10:46.70 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Thank you. |
| 00:10:46.75 | Morgan Pierce | Thank you. |
| 00:10:46.78 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Thank you. |
| 00:10:46.80 | Morgan Pierce | Thank you. |
| 00:10:46.85 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Thank you. |
| 00:10:47.49 | Kristina Feller | I'll second. |
| 00:10:48.10 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Second. |
| 00:10:49.97 | Kristina Feller | Excellent. Director Whalen, could you... Take the roll call. If I'm back. |
| 00:10:54.33 | Director Whalen | Thank you. Thank you. |
| 00:10:55.52 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 00:10:56.06 | Director Whalen | Thank you. Thank you. |
| 00:10:56.60 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 00:10:56.62 | Director Whalen | Commissioner Saad. Yes. Commissioner Luxembourg. |
| 00:11:01.08 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Thank you. |
| 00:11:01.09 | Morgan Pierce | Yes. |
| 00:11:01.94 | Director Whalen | Commissioner Graff? |
| 00:11:03.18 | Morgan Pierce | GO. |
| 00:11:04.42 | Director Whalen | uh, |
| 00:11:05.33 | Morgan Pierce | That's vice chair graph to you. |
| 00:11:07.08 | Director Whalen | Oh. I'll start with Commissioner Pierce. |
| 00:11:10.42 | Morgan Pierce | Thank you. Yes. |
| 00:11:11.84 | Director Whalen | Vice Chair Graff. Sarah Fowler. Great and I will if it's okay with the Commission i'll bring you back that calendar after the Council's taken action on the rest of their calendar if that makes sense to you, so we have those days. by the council. |
| 00:11:27.91 | Kristina Feller | Yes, thank you. Okay, Director Whelan, the next item on the agenda. is commissioner nuts and bolts. |
| 00:11:39.97 | Director Whalen | Perfect. Okay. So I hope that I am not going to have any more internet issues here. I am going to Share my screen. |
| 00:11:58.77 | Director Whalen | Hopefully everyone can see that. Yes, we can see. |
| 00:12:03.68 | Nastassya Saad | Thank you. |
| 00:12:04.14 | Director Whalen | Okay, perfect. |
| 00:12:04.86 | Nastassya Saad | Thank you. |
| 00:12:06.18 | Director Whalen | Okay, great. So I thought this was a good opportunity to take some time since we have two new planning commissioners here to do a little bit of a refresher on the planning commission and the role of the planning commission. that they play with a review of development projects and then review and and proposals for policy. for land use planning in the city of Sausalito. So I have an agenda here of the things that I'd like to I'm going to be talking a little bit about the Community Development Department Some planning commission basics, the role of the Planning Commission are key documents that the general plan, the manships and the zoning ordinance and then as well. Planning Commission review process, sorry, and procedures. So a couple of tips. some protocols and procedures, and then I'm going to be giving you a sneak peek of our upcoming priorities in terms of the major review projects and then long range planning projects. And then the next item on your agenda is a presentation from the city attorney and she'll be covering the Brown Act and touch on the Public Records Act, as well as conflict of interest. |
| 00:13:30.84 | Director Whalen | So the community development department is responsible for guiding, regulating and enforcing the physical development of the city. We have three divisions, the planning division, the building division, and code enforcement division and each division is tasked with different responsibilities, but all divisions are responsible for a core tenant. in providing public information to Sausalito homeowners, residents, architects, contractors, business owners, and current and prospective citizens. This chart, this is our organizational chart and it shows the structure of the Community Development Department on the planning side of things and who you'll see be seeing more. Most often we have our three city planners of senior planner Christie and then two assistant planners. Thank you. Mike. and Elena and Elena is officially now out on maternity leave. And so we have Larissa Alchin, who is our assistant planner filling in for Elena. And we also use cost recovery contract planning services with three planning firms to provide support on larger development projects. And this service is entirely paid for by the applicant and allows us to be nimble and use services when we're very busy, like we are right now, and then contract when we get slower. On the building side of things, we have our staff building inspector Kenneth and a permit tech Come on. And then Maria, who you know and is helping run the meeting tonight, provides administrative support for both planning and building functions. Oops. And I did not have I forgot I had the I put it in there. So I will leave those up for a minute so you can see their faces. |
| 00:15:06.20 | Peter Wardle | I'm not. |
| 00:15:14.72 | Director Whalen | This chart shows the volume of permits that Community Development Department takes in and issues on a fiscal year basis over the last few years, you can see there's a planning Commission column here. the volume of permits that have been issued by the Planning Commission. annually. and how it fluctuates. |
| 00:15:33.91 | Kristina Feller | Um, |
| 00:15:35.06 | Director Whalen | you know, from 35. A few years ago to 14 and then 24 for the last fiscal year. |
| 00:15:45.23 | Director Whalen | Getting into the Planning Commission basics, the Planning Commission is a five-member city resident body appointed by the city council to review and act on matters related to planning and development. The commission also advises the council on planning and development issues and acts and reviews development applications. The commission meets twice per month at 630 and we adopt our calendar annually, which is what we just did. A quorum of three members is required to hold a meeting and the commission's rules are a little bit interesting and different than other commissions in that they specify that a majority vote of the total membership of the commission which is three members. is required for any action that the commission takes. In terms of terms, each member serves a three-year term and a second Term is an option for a total of six years total. rules regarding attendance for boards and commissions are that Commission's commissioners may not miss three consecutive meetings or any four regularly scheduled meetings in a year and like unless they are excused by the Council. And the commission is also subject to the Political Reform Act, which we will discuss later tonight. |
| 00:17:05.56 | Director Whalen | So why plan? Why do any planning in a city? Planning is a proactive process that establishes goals and policies for directing and managing future growth and development. Local agencies plan to address fundamental issues such as the location of growth, housing needs, and environmental protection. And additionally, planning helps account for future demand for services including sewer, roads, and fire protection. It also establishes the ground rules for development and it sets those expectations, which ends up minimizing conflict in the end. planning processes such as the development of a general plan, provide a forum for seeking community consensus. It also ensures that architectural and aesthetic elements are incorporated into projects to connect people to their community and establish a sense of place. proper planning and design can make communities safer places to live, work, and travel. Planning can ensure that the burdens and benefits of development are fairly shared by all members of a community. And additionally property values are enhanced when a community plans for parks, trails, playgrounds, transit and other amenity. amenities. Planning also protects property values and properties by separating incompatible land uses. And lastly, planning helps to identify important natural and cultural resources and can channel development in a way that protects or augments those resources. The planning commissioners have several roles. First, the commission participates in the creation of creation process of future plans for the community. the Commission facilitates and in many cases is the conduit for community engagement in that process, an example of that. is the general plan effort that we're at the tail end of right now. The commission also participates in the adoption or approval process for those future long range plans by making recommendations to the council. And that is what the one task the planning commission will be undertaking in January. which is the final step in the general plan process. And then finally, the commission is intricately involved in the development review process where individual projects are reviewed for consistency with the general plan and the zoning ordinance Public hearings are held and decisions either approvals or denials are made by the Commission on a variety of projects. |
| 00:19:38.35 | Director Whalen | For the public's benefit these next few slides cover high level policy and regulation documents for the city. the |
| 00:19:46.02 | Lily Whelan | purpose. |
| 00:19:46.48 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 00:19:46.65 | Lily Whelan | of the general plan is to provide policies that will guide decisions. on future development and research conservation that's consistent with the vision community and sustainable Okay. general plan is a legal requirement. in California and it provides about year time I'll be there. future conservation and development. |
| 00:20:06.56 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. This makes... |
| 00:20:07.07 | Lily Whelan | me Thank you. |
| 00:20:08.84 | Kristina Feller | Lily, forgive my interruption. You're breaking up a little bit again. |
| 00:20:17.11 | Kristina Feller | Can you try to talk again and see if it's still breaking up. |
| 00:20:33.98 | Kristina Feller | We can hear you. It's breaking up a little bit. |
| 00:20:43.45 | Lily Whelan | Thank you. |
| 00:20:43.46 | Kristina Feller | I mean, |
| 00:20:43.82 | Lily Whelan | Thank you. |
| 00:20:43.89 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 00:20:43.94 | Lily Whelan | Thank you. |
| 00:20:43.95 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 00:20:43.99 | Lily Whelan | Thank you. Thank you. |
| 00:20:44.28 | Kristina Feller | I'm just gonna call in. |
| 00:20:44.97 | Lily Whelan | you |
| 00:20:45.04 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 00:20:45.17 | Lily Whelan | on my phone. |
| 00:20:45.46 | Kristina Feller | you |
| 00:20:45.74 | Lily Whelan | Thank you. |
| 00:20:45.81 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 00:20:45.83 | Lily Whelan | Thank you. |
| 00:20:46.50 | Kristina Feller | Okay, why don't you try to call in. We'll hold on for you. |
| 00:21:21.32 | Kristina Feller | Everyone could just sit tight for just a moment while director Whelan reconnects. |
| 00:21:35.37 | Director Whalen | I think I might be connected. |
| 00:21:36.82 | Kristina Feller | And that's it. Yeah, you're good, you're good. Okay, thank you. |
| 00:21:38.01 | Director Whalen | you. Thank you. |
| 00:21:44.20 | Kristina Feller | Right. |
| 00:21:44.43 | Director Whalen | I will have the number ready to go in case I Thank you. Get back to that. Okay, so I think I was getting into the goals for the in the general plan and how they're achieved and they're achieved in three ways. First is policies and provide the basis for zoning land subdivision design historic preservation. and other regulations. Findings of consistency with policies must be made when approving projects. That's the Planning Commission's role. to assure that day-to-day decisions on development applications and capital improvements are consistent with the general plan. And then there's also implementing programs that are identified in the general plan. when specific follow-up actions are needed. This slide shows the required general plan elements per state law. And then I'm going to flip to the next slide here, which shows the general plan elements that are currently proposed in our draft general plan. You can see that the current draft has eight proposed elements made up of housing, land use and growth management. circulation and parking. Environmental quality, which covers air quality, conservation, and open space. sustainability climate change mitigation and resiliency, which is an optional element. community design, historic and cultural preservation, which is also an optional element. health, safety, and community resilience, which covers noise and safety. and economic, which is also an an optional element. |
| 00:23:33.99 | Director Whalen | The general plan is a long-range plan that describes broad policies that will be implemented by other area plans codes ordinances and policy documents under California state law the general plan is the policy foundation for all other planning documents and many objectives and policies will be directly implemented by the general plan. Others work in concert with existing regulations, plans and regional and state directives. Specific plans set planning policies and regulations for a specific area and the zoning ordinance sets regulations citywide consistent with the general plan and also implemented through general plan policies. And this figure on the screen here kind of shows that hierarchy of the general plan, specific plan and the zoning ordinance. The Marinship specific plan is another policy document as a policy document and a regulation document that the planning commission works with. was adopted in 19. |
| 00:24:35.12 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:24:35.24 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 00:24:35.39 | Unknown | THE END OF THE END OF THE |
| 00:24:36.85 | Director Whalen | 1988? And the general intent is to promote the waterfront area and promote diversified water dependent uses. Also to promote the development of other lands in the Marin ship with industrial uses and uses compatible with an industrial area. The Marin ship specific plan covers the area bound by Napa and the northern city limits bridgeway and Richardson. |
| 00:25:03.85 | Director Whalen | The zoning ordinance implements the general plan and provides prescribed allowed and conditionally allowed land uses and development standards including uses, building size, like height, lot coverage setbacks, landscaping, signs, parking requirements, and then a variety of other standards. Traditional zoning which Sausalito implements focuses on uses, intensity of building and setbacks. And then there's also form-based zoning, which is based on building form and design. and the relationship of the development to public space. |
| 00:25:44.35 | Director Whalen | There are other relevant plans and documents that come into play with the planning commissions review and decisions, including two voter initiatives are historic design guidelines, climate action planning, age friendly planning and the strategic plan. |
| 00:26:02.94 | Director Whalen | The California Environmental Quality Act or CEQA is a state law requiring evaluating and disclosing potential environmental implications of proposed actions before the city commits to them. There are projects that are exempt from CEQA and projects that are subject to CEQA. Most of, on the whole, most of the projects that the Planning Commission and makes decisions on are categorically exempt from CEQA although there are projects that you will see that will be subject to CEQA and go through one of the processes that's on the right hand side of the screen. Staff will provide a recommendation and all staff reports regarding if a project is exempt or not exempt |
| 00:26:47.04 | Lily Whelan | to see you guys. |
| 00:26:50.97 | Lily Whelan | This one shows the planning review process and who is on first. to do what. The staff's role is to identify relevant report. Am I breaking up again? me. |
| 00:27:04.00 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 00:27:04.01 | Lily Whelan | Thank you. |
| 00:27:04.03 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. Bye. forgive my interruption again uh you're breaking up again unfortunately |
| 00:27:32.36 | Kristina Feller | If I could just ask everyone to hold on just a moment while Director Whelan gets reconnected here. |
| 00:27:51.62 | Mary Wagner | And Chair Feller, if I could make a suggestion while we're waiting for Lily, if she continues to have trouble, although it looks like she might be back. We could jump to the Brown Act presentation whenever you're ready. |
| 00:28:04.95 | Kristina Feller | I think that's a great idea. Director Whelan, can you? Hear us that you connected. |
| 00:28:15.16 | Kristina Feller | Okay, Mary, I think perhaps your recommendation might be best. in consideration of everyone's time here. So for the public who is listening and attending this meeting we are going to temporarily suspend 5C unless Director Whelan are you back? |
| 00:28:35.54 | Jeffery Luxenberg | You're muted. |
| 00:28:43.42 | Kristina Feller | Maria, could you assist Director Whalen in unmuting her? There we go. Director Whalen, are you there? |
| 00:28:53.97 | Kristina Feller | Hello. Yeah. |
| 00:28:58.16 | Lily Whelan | Thank you. you |
| 00:28:59.03 | Peter Wardle | Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. |
| 00:28:59.39 | Lily Whelan | Thank you. |
| 00:28:59.76 | Peter Wardle | Thank you. you You can press star six. |
| 00:29:02.98 | Kristina Feller | Okay. |
| 00:29:07.56 | Kristina Feller | I think we are going to temporarily suspend 5C your presentation. and we're going to skip to the next item on the agenda, which is a presentation on the Brown Act. by Mary Wagner. |
| 00:29:22.81 | Director Whalen | I'm not. Sorry, can you hear me now? Yes. care. Yes. Yeah, okay, great. So I'm calling in on my phone. So I think that works. Okay. |
| 00:29:35.67 | Kristina Feller | Yeah. |
| 00:29:35.92 | Director Whalen | Bye. |
| 00:29:35.97 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 00:29:36.02 | Director Whalen | We can- |
| 00:29:36.26 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. Thank you. |
| 00:29:36.83 | Director Whalen | I'm gonna turn off my video too. So, and then I'm going to share my screen. So we should be okay now. I'm so sorry everyone for the technical difficulties here. |
| 00:29:43.38 | Kristina Feller | Okay. We are going back to the presentation. |
| 00:29:49.25 | Director Whalen | SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE ABLE TO |
| 00:29:50.47 | Kristina Feller | and finish that up with Director Whalen. |
| 00:29:54.40 | Director Whalen | So sorry, everyone. Okay. So we were, everyone can see my screen. Yes. Yes. Great. So as I was saying, fast roll is, to identify the local regulations that the planning commission and needs to look at for project applications, work with applicants to comply with those regulations, work with other departments and agencies to ensure that their comments are incorporated into a project prepare a professional analysis and recommendation, monitor project implementation. and then holds consensus-building meetings on controversial projects. The Commission's role is to balance staff analysis, including agency goals and policies, make a decision based on findings of facts. make recommendations to the governing body on policy matters. evaluate land use aspects of projects and leave the more technical issues for staff review and implementation. City Attorney's role is to answer legal questions. to advise on relevant legal considerations. but she does not give policy direction or advice. And then finally, the city council's role is to balance staff analysis planning commission decisions and, as well as agency goals. |
| 00:31:22.35 | Unknown | you |
| 00:31:26.22 | Director Whalen | Great. This graphic shows the different groups that the commission works with. ISTOP is a resource to the Commission in terms of technical policy and process knowledge in addition to providing assistance identifying solutions. We are also a resource to ask questions. The community is an excellent resource to the Commission in terms of their knowledge, including undocumented local knowledge ideas for practical implementation, information gathering. And then additionally, the commission has an opportunity, an important opportunity to provide education on the planning process and how to comment effectively at public meetings. |
| 00:32:03.16 | Janelle Hinton | like, |
| 00:32:05.70 | Director Whalen | Working with our elected officials is important to understand what their, to understand their policy and what the drivers are to their decisions. when there are opportunities. I think. to discuss ideas that will work in the community. There's opportunities for commissioners and electives to interface in that way. And then it's also important that staff keeps you in the loop on decisions by the Council that impact the Commission. And then finally, working with your fellow commissioners, each of you as a resource to each other for past decisions. and you bring your unique perspectives to bear in discussions and actions. |
| 00:32:45.02 | Director Whalen | This slide, I'm not gonna go into detail at all really on this slide except for the planning commission side of things here. So this slide shows the various types of applications considered by |
| 00:32:47.20 | Kristina Feller | AT ALL. |
| 00:32:55.33 | Director Whalen | different reviewing bodies. The Planning Commission is charged with any appeals filed of zoning administrator and community development director decisions. Additionally, you reveal and act on design review permits, conditional use permits, variances, non-conformity permits, fine permits, condo conversion permits. and tree permits and you're also charged with making recommendations on encouragement agreement. And this is just the development review side of things here. So it's also important to touch on noticing as well, so you know what's legally required. Staff is in charge of noticing for a variety of projects for zoning amendments are legal requirements for noticing that include publication of newspaper notices, mail notices, and notices posted on the project on any sites affected by the |
| 00:33:42.97 | Unknown | Yeah. |
| 00:33:45.45 | Director Whalen | Amendment. For discretionary permit or development review notices are required to be mailed 10 days in advance of a hearing to all property owners and residents within 300 feet of a project location. |
| 00:33:55.78 | Sylvia Fung | Thank you. |
| 00:33:55.81 | Unknown | you |
| 00:33:57.23 | Director Whalen | in addition to posting the notice on the site. And in cases where there's math and bulk that's added. story polls are also required to be installed and certified on the site. The story polls provide a visual showing the location and massing of the proposed project. all the time. obviously, but also they serve as another method of notice. the community and in some cases a very prominent method of notice for the community. |
| 00:34:28.38 | Director Whalen | The next few slides provide some tips in your role as planning commissioner. And so some tips for successful meeting preparation include reading the staff report, reviewing project materials, asking staff questions and advance the meeting. reviewing public comments, understanding the findings that you need to make for certain projects, visiting the site. and keeping an open mind. And then some helpful maybe hopefully questions to ask yourself when looking at a project It's the project in compliance with compliance being consistent with the general plan, and the zoning ordinance. Is the analysis thorough and correct? Can the findings be made for the entitlement are the conditions that are being suggested appropriate or are there others needed for the project? and then find out what's the best for the community. |
| 00:35:23.41 | Director Whalen | You are the, as Planning Commissioners, you are the decision maker for the types of applications under your review. And it's important to have confidence in your decision. You have a unique source of local knowledge and knowledge of prior decisions. and approaches that have worked in the community. You also have the ability to identify, to staff and approach All right. when something needs to change. as well. Some successful commissioner qualities include An open mind. and ability to see both the strengths and weaknesses of proposals. critical thinking skills and a focus on finding solutions when working with other willingness to spend the time required to study materials and attend regular meetings. commitment to making the process fair to all. not taking things too personally. That's an important one when things get heated. Willingness to solve problems by listening to others, considering alternatives, and arriving at consensus. And then knowing your community and then bringing each of you has something really that. special and special expertise and bringing that to the commission as a whole is invaluable |
| 00:36:39.26 | Director Whalen | So, just repeating a little bit into the Planning Commission protocols and procedures. The Commission adopted a site visit policy in 2010 to address the challenges that arise when conducting site visits. Visits are important to understand the context of the project site and neighboring properties they foster, inform, decision-making by facilitating a better understanding of the project and its associated impact. However, the site visits provide a potential for inappropriate expertise conversation. and Those types of conversations don't exist during formal hearings held by the Planning Commission. So there's three different levels of site visits and starting from the most preferred is the individual site visit. and staff will help arrange for these site visits. We're also responsible for sending a copy of the site visit policy to the project applicant in advance of the visit. Is the proper project sponsor applicant property owner or resident is present the conversation during that visit must be limited to the project and its relationship to the physical characteristics of the site. And, not have a discussion of the merits of the project. The next desirable site visit is a formal special site visit meeting with the entire um, and it's publicly noticed at Publicly notice meeting at the site. This type of visit has its challenges as commissioners are required to move about the site as a group. and avoid |
| 00:38:13.93 | Unknown | Yeah. |
| 00:38:15.22 | Director Whalen | private conversations among themselves and the public and the applicant And as the meeting is public, the property owner is also required to allow any member of the public to join the meeting on the site. And so sometimes that becomes challenging. |
| 00:38:25.63 | Director Whalen | the meeting. |
| 00:38:30.25 | Director Whalen | The least desirable site visit is a group site visit, a small group site visit where commissioners visit the site in Tunes. This is the least preferred as the individual groups may be informed about different aspects of the project. in the site. And the process could be perceived as not providing a fully transparent process that our planning commissioners. Aspire. |
| 00:38:58.50 | Director Whalen | This is listing the typical order of commission agendas, where we start with the call to order, public comments on items not on the agenda, the minutes, our public hearings and our business items and then we end with any communication items. reported out and then we adjourn. With regard to the public hearing items, we typically have an oral staff report from staff and then an opportunity for commissioner questions. an opportunity for the applicant to give a presentation that is limited to 15 minutes and they can hold some of that time for rebuttal at the There's an opportunity then for commissioner questions of the applicant. We opened it up to public comment. The public has three minutes each. to speak. And then we closed with planning commission comments and then action. And your options for action. I don't have this on the screen, but the options are either to approve approved with conditions. deny. or you can also continue the item for additional information. Thank you. Mary Wagner, our city attorney, will be providing a presentation on the Brown Act, as I mentioned earlier. and also touch on the Public Records Act and Conflict of Interest Regulations. So I will... move on to the next slide. Here. And so coming to you. and all these animations. So coming to our last few slides here, I wanted to provide some information on upcoming department priorities over the next two fiscal years. In terms of the whole department, I'm focused on rebuilding and training our new team here. Most of our team members are brand new and were hired during COVID-19. And my role is to make sure that they have the tools that they need to do their job. We are also in the middle of a massive project to visualize thousands of project plans and documents from our archives, our hard copy archives, which will result in immediate access to digital files in the public record. touchless access to finals during COVID-19, more efficient staff review, more efficient use of space in City Hall, and then also preservation of the public record. Not projects. to be completed in the spring for staff use and testing and then it'll be rolled out to the public. We'll also be looking at our physical office space at City Hall and how it can be utilized more efficiently when we're back in the office. And especially with rolling out all of those old plans and materials, we will have some space there to do something well. |
| 00:41:35.54 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 00:41:36.67 | Director Whalen | with regard to technology. Everyone in the world has had to shift, whether they're ready or not, to an all-electronic and virtual world this year. And so we're still having some growing pains with that and adjusting our normal business practices. And so I'm looking at technology upgrades that we could do Thank you. Thank you. that would help the department. We are also looking at the public service counter and the opportunity COVID has presented to us with thinking about how we structure the public service counter when we eventually do open back up to in-person services. And then we're also... exploring shared service opportunities with other jurisdictions in particular on the concept of a one stop shop for both planning and building services in Marin County. |
| 00:42:20.66 | Lily Whelan | Thank you. |
| 00:42:22.42 | Director Whalen | And those conversations are continuing. A little bit of an overwhelming slide. This is my last slide here though. And this shows the planning division's upcoming priorities in terms of both current and advanced planning for next year. And I. for it. development side. So these are a listing of just a bigger major project. of basically new structures in the South Salido and projects that we have in the pipeline. that are anticipated to come before the commission in the new year. a new 19 unit condo development on Bridgeway. a variety of new single family homes with ADUs. A new three unit condo building on Benita. three new single-family homes on Varda Landing, New single-family homes on South St. Louis Boulevard and Wolfpack. and a new duplex unit on 4th Street. We also have four major commercial projects. three new industrial buildings on Liberty Shipway. a new mix use commercial and residential building on Bridgeway. and two new art and industrial buildings in the Marin ship. and a replacement and reconfiguration of the dock set clipper. In terms of long range planning, looking towards the second half of the current fiscal year, The Commission will be making a recommendation on adoption of the final general plan update in January. making a recommendation on adoption of the development agreement zoning ordinance amendment staff will also be kicking off the housing element update the Objective Design and Development Standards Zoning Ordnance Amendment. implementation of the general plan And then also we're working on an inclusionary residential in Luffy or and or commercial linkage zoning ordinance amendment. then the commission will also have an opportunity to review capital improvement projects before the budget is adopted in june So I know that was a lot of information. I don't know. I'm here for any questions that you might have. as a commission tonight and available also offline if you have any detailed questions. I also wanted to mention I think it might be safe for me to turn my video on. I wanted to mention that my team is here too. My planning team is here. as well. And so maybe they can just turn their screens on. and say something real quick to bring them up to the top and so you can just, |
| 00:44:57.89 | Lily Whelan | Thank you. |
| 00:44:58.21 | Director Whalen | see their faces and meet them as well. of, Thank you very much for your time and indulgence. |
| 00:45:07.34 | Kristina Feller | Thank you so much, Director Whalen. your team and staff here as well. and I'm going to be here for all you do and all you do to support us and the Sausalito community. So thank you very much. Commissioners, are there any questions for Director Whalen? at this time. |
| 00:45:29.44 | Nastassya Saad | Thank you. just wanted to say as a new commissioner thank you. It's a really helpful presentation. for someone in my position. So thank you for the time to do that. |
| 00:45:40.48 | Kristina Feller | Thank you, Commissioner Saad. Yes, Commissioner. |
| 00:45:43.80 | Nastassya Saad | Thank you. |
| 00:45:43.82 | Jeffery Luxenberg | uh yeah uh i just wanted to thank lily as well i thought that was very thorough and very helpful it very broad perspective on everything that's going on. So that's very helpful. Thank you very much. |
| 00:45:55.33 | Kristina Feller | Yes, Commissioner Pierce. Oh, you're on mute there, Morgan. |
| 00:46:02.08 | Morgan Pierce | Yes, thank you very much, Lily. And I just wanted to ask a quick question, whether or not it would be also appropriate if new commissioners were interested in reaching out uh, veteran commissioners independently for any questions. or inspiration as to what happens behind the scenes of planning commission. |
| 00:46:26.63 | Kristina Feller | Director Whalen, that's a good question and it also starts to lead into Mary Wagner's presentation on Brown Act. So that's an excellent segue, Commissioner Pierce. I just want to ask real quick, Commissioner or Vice Chair Graff, do you have any questions or comments for Director Whelan before we move to the next agenda item? No, I don't. Thank you. Thank you. Great, well with that, Director Whelan, do you want to present the next item on our agenda? Thank you. |
| 00:46:57.73 | Director Whalen | Sure, thanks. I think I'm frozen again, but I'm glad I've called in here. |
| 00:46:59.66 | Kristina Feller | I'm not sure. |
| 00:47:03.22 | Director Whalen | I'm happy to present to you, Mary Wagner, our city attorney, and she will be I'm giving you her excellent presentation on the Brown Act with some highlights for 2020. and go into some of the other items that I discussed during my presentation. |
| 00:47:19.86 | Mary Wagner | Thank you. |
| 00:47:19.89 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 00:47:20.09 | Mary Wagner | Thank you. |
| 00:47:21.29 | Kristina Feller | Excellent. Thank you. |
| 00:47:23.42 | Mary Wagner | Great, thanks. Thank you, Lily. Thank you, Chair. fellow members of the Planning Commission. As Lily indicated, I'm Mary Wagner. I'm your city attorney. Um, and that was a tough act to follow with Lily. That was a ton of information. Um, And too bad you guys aren't gonna have anything to do next year after that last slide, I think. I think your plates are gonna be full. Let me share my screen here. Oh, that's not the one. Bear with me. There we go. I think I didn't have anything crazy open. Can you all see my screen? Yes. I'm going to go in here. So as Lily indicated, I'm here to talk to you about the Brown Act, something that I'm sure you're all familiar with. I mean, the basic tenant of the Brown Act is that all meetings of legislative bodies are open in public and everybody is permitted to attend. except in very limited circumstances. And I think it works great if this presentation is interactive. If you have a question on a particular slide, please feel free to interrupt me. There will, of course, be an opportunity for questions at the end. So the Brown Act defines what a legislative body is. Clearly the planning commission is a legislative body as is obviously the city council. And all other boards and committees that are appointed by Council and that applies whether they're permanent or temporary. decision-making or advisory. I'm going to go back real quick. I mean, sometimes I think that that's a distinction that... you |
| 00:49:00.85 | Morgan Pierce | Are your slides supposed to be advancing because we still see the opening slide? |
| 00:49:04.80 | Mary Wagner | They are, shoot. Sorry. Any better? |
| 00:49:11.50 | Morgan Pierce | Still the entry slot. |
| 00:49:15.92 | Director Whalen | Mary, press the little slideshow button at the bottom right-hand corner. Do you see where the Zoom slider is? if you press the um, |
| 00:49:25.34 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 00:49:26.54 | Director Whalen | It looks like. Just like a Amen. It's supposed to be a screen on a stand. I just read that. you |
| 00:49:38.20 | Kristina Feller | It's directly to the left of the minus sign at the bottom right. |
| 00:49:43.85 | Mary Wagner | Okay, apologies. This is the night for technical difficulties. Mary. |
| 00:49:48.36 | Director Whalen | Mary, I can also try to run your presentation too. |
| 00:49:51.80 | Mary Wagner | you want. That would be great, Lily, if you don't. |
| 00:49:54.06 | Director Whalen | You don't know. Thank you. |
| 00:49:56.03 | Mary Wagner | I don't, let me pull it up. I don't mind trying one more time. I don't know. why this is problematic. My apologies. This is the night for technical difficulties and it may amuse you to know that we had a staff meeting earlier And one of the things we had to do was share interesting stories during COVID. So this could have been ours had it occurred before tonight, apparently. Lily, are you able, do you need me to stop screen sharing? Thank you. I will just take over. |
| 00:50:23.96 | Director Whalen | in a minute here, just pulling it up here. I was just going to say this is the icing on the 2020. COVID cake. |
| 00:50:33.18 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:50:33.21 | Kristina Feller | that's, that's, |
| 00:50:33.28 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:50:33.31 | Kristina Feller | Exactly. |
| 00:50:33.72 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 00:50:35.95 | Kristina Feller | And while Lily is pulling that up, Mary, As you go through these slides, we can also address the excellent question that Commissioner Pierce asked about new commissioners reaching out to commissioners or other commissioners on this body and how that's done and how that's done properly. That would be helpful. |
| 00:50:56.65 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 00:50:56.67 | Mary Wagner | Sure. |
| 00:50:56.95 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 00:50:58.91 | Mary Wagner | So, Lily, are you able to screen share or no? |
| 00:51:02.47 | Director Whalen | I think I will be able to. I'm just grabbing the presentation real quick. I didn't have it up. Why don't I keep... |
| 00:51:06.76 | Mary Wagner | Bye. I will. |
| 00:51:07.96 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 00:51:08.01 | Mary Wagner | Why don't I keep talking? I mean, I think that these literally are just words on the page that I'm trying to |
| 00:51:14.44 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 00:51:14.45 | Mary Wagner | but the next thing I wanted to talk to you about, I think kind of plays right into your question. about having new commissioners interact with existing commissioners or or commissioners to kind of get the lay of the land. um i mean basically you know all meetings have to be open in public we talked about that Clearly, you guys are a legislative body. And then this is where we get into the definition of a meeting. and what that means. So it's any congregation of a majority of the members at the same time and place to hear, discuss, deliberate, or take action upon any item that is within your subject matter jurisdiction. And I think it's important to understand that it is hear, discuss, deliberate, or take action. Oftentimes people seem to think it only applies, the Brown Act only applies if you're taking action, but it really is any kind of conducting of business that's within your subject matter jurisdiction. There are some exceptions that allow for individual contacts, conferences, community meetings, meetings of other legislative bodies, which is a question that comes up frequently. PB Sarah Silver, You know, a majority of the planning Commission could attend a notice public meeting of another city body or another city's body so not even just las alito, but you could all, for example, go. and attend a city council meeting. But you can only discuss business that's on that noticed agenda. You can also attend standing committee meetings I don't believe that the planning Commission really has standing committees, the Council has more of those such as the finance committee. and there is an opportunity for other members to attend those meetings, but there's a weird A weird twist to that is if there's a two member standing committee notice public meeting, a third member of that body could attend, but they can't participate. They can only listen. And of course you can go to social or ceremonial events. Any luck screen sharing, Lily, or no? |
| 00:53:22.37 | Kristina Feller | It's up here. |
| 00:53:23.73 | Mary Wagner | So. So now I'm on the exception to the exception. And I'll stop looking at my own slides so I can see what slide you're saying. Okay, there we go. So as I talked about a majority of the members, you can't discuss among yourselves anything that's other than what's on the notice agenda for the other members. for the other body. A lot of times people will recommend that you don't sit together. I mean, in Zoom world, it's not such a problem, but if you were to go to an in-person meeting and sit together and be conversing in the audience, people might think you're actually talking about something amongst yourselves, that would be a violation of the Brown Act. So next one, please, Lily. |
| 00:54:08.89 | Mary Wagner | Thank you. |
| 00:54:08.97 | Director Whalen | Yeah. |
| 00:54:09.03 | Mary Wagner | were you able to |
| 00:54:09.97 | Director Whalen | THE FAMILY. |
| 00:54:10.04 | Mary Wagner | advance slowly. |
| 00:54:10.70 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 00:54:11.68 | Kristina Feller | Yeah, there we go. |
| 00:54:12.91 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 00:54:12.97 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 00:54:12.99 | Mary Wagner | Thank you. |
| 00:54:13.19 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 00:54:13.26 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 00:54:14.07 | Mary Wagner | So this then I think kind of feeds into the question that you asked about kind of reaching out to other commissioners. The Brown Act prevents serial meetings, and that's any, using any kind of series of communications to discuss, deliberate, or take action on any item of business. So I often tell, members of a legislative body In your case, you're a five member body, so a quorum is three. So you get to pick one other person on the commission that you can talk to about any particular subject. So say, for example, the general plan is a good one to use. Chair Feller and former chair Kelman were your appointees to the working group on the on the general plan update, they had each other to talk to, but they couldn't then go to another one of you and say, hey, what do you think about this particular issue that's coming up with the general plan? other than during a notice public meeting. Can you advance, please, Lily? There are exceptions. It seems like the Brown Act has exceptions to the exceptions to the exceptions. Communications with staff are okay to answer questions, provide information, But we couldn't then communicate to you comments of other members of your body. So you will see us often send out one-way communication, please don't reply all. because we're just trying to allow information to go forward. I often get asked by members of a legislative body, well, what if I want to send stuff out to everybody? Can't I just say, hey, don't reply to me? It's really better that those communications go through staff because the Brown Act specifically says that staff can provide you with these one-way types of communications. Next slide, please. So these are kind of the pitfalls of a serial meetings. They call it the daisy chain and the hub and spoke where one person becomes a center of communication and imparts information out to everybody else, or it goes from one person to the next person to the next person, much like that old game of telephone. Go ahead, Lily. I think I covered the rest of that already. So you're all familiar with teleconferencing. It's all we do these days. And there are rules that apply to teleconferencing. I'm not gonna go through each one of them. They're pretty specific. And if when we get back to in-person meetings and we want to hold a teleconference meeting, we'll make sure to dust this off and remind you of the things like a posting agenda at your location. We've often had members of a legislative body who are at a work conference or a work meeting and out of town, and we would literally contact their hotel and post in a public area where other people could attend. Go ahead, Lily. |
| 00:57:06.43 | Mary Wagner | But as you all know, the governor with the onset of COVID issued an order that allowed us to have these types of meetings where the rules that typically apply to teleconferencing don't apply right now. So you all don't have to be in Sausalito or a majority of you don't have to be in Sausalito to participate in a teleconference meeting. We don't have to post each location. We don't have to note your location on the agenda. Your location obviously does not have to be accessible to the public. Um, and people don't have to come in and have the opportunity to address you at that location, And you don't have to post the agenda. What we do have to still do, as you guys have been doing very well, is take every vote by roll call. Next one, please. These are standard agenda requirements, as you well know, we have before a regular meeting, we have to post your agenda 72 hours in advance and it's 24 hours for a special meeting. Agendas for regular meetings have to include an opportunity for members of the public to speak to you on items that are within your subject matter jurisdiction, but that are not on your agenda. You don't have to include that during special meetings, only regular meetings. Next slide, please. |
| 00:58:24.95 | Mary Wagner | So as you know, and as you see me pop on screen every once in a while to remind us all, you can't take action or discuss items that aren't on your agenda. There are exceptions to this as well. We can give a brief response to issues that are raised during the public comment time. You can ask questions for clarification. We can give a brief announcement or report of activity. You can reference someone to staff or some other resource to get their issue addressed. And you can obviously request us to come back and agendize an item for your future consideration. And we've done that a few times lately. Next one, please, Lily. |
| 00:59:07.39 | Mary Wagner | So the public participation is paramount. You have to allow the public an opportunity to speak on items not on the agenda, as we just discussed at regular meetings. And at all meetings, the public must be given an opportunity to speak on items on the agenda before or during consideration of that item. So that's why you see the typical flow of an item is to have your staff report, excuse me, allow the committee members, the planning commission members, an opportunity to ask questions of staff, get public comment, and then return back to your deliberations. Next slide, please. |
| 00:59:47.01 | Mary Wagner | So this is what's new coming your way in 2021, that the Brown Act was recently amended to actually specifically address social media. So members of a legislative body and you as planning commissioners can communicate with members of the public on social media, so long as those platforms are open and accessible to the public. So things like the obvious cast of characters, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and any other online service that allows for public interaction, like chat rooms, forums, comment sections, blogs, online media, all those things. There are things I'm sure my children could add to that list that I don't even know about. And they seem to come up daily. But now that they're older, I don't have to worry so much about that. Um, But what you shouldn't do is directly respond or react to anything posted or shared regarding the agency's business by another member of the same legislative body. So one of the commissioners were to post something on social media about an item that's within your subject matter jurisdiction. you shouldn't respond or react to that, but you can interact with members of the public. Next slide, please. So what's allowed? So answering questions from the public, providing information to the public through social media, or asking the public for information, for them to provide you with information. Provided a majority do not use social media to discuss your agency's business, you know, including commenting or replying or sharing, reacting, or emojis, which is, it's interesting that this is how the Brown Act is evolving now with our social media. Next slide, please, Lily. So, you know, you all know this, but the typical remedies for Brown Act violations are first invalidation of whatever action occurred that was in violation of the Brown Act. There are also civil actions and penalties to prevent few that are civil actions to prevent future violations. costs and attorney's fees can be awarded, and in truly egregious cases, criminal sanctions could even apply for knowing intentional violations of the Brown Act. That gets me to the question section on the Brown Act. Lily did also ask me to touch briefly on the Public Records Act and the conflict of interest rules. I did have some slides for that that I prepared today that Lily doesn't have. And since I can't really screen share, unfortunately, That doesn't do you any good, but I can. walk through those. Chair Feller, would you like me to pause first to see if there's anything on the Brown Act and then we can touch briefly on the Public Records Act and the Conflicts of Interest Rules? |
| 01:02:28.74 | Kristina Feller | Thank you so much for your presentation. get a refresher and appreciate the new and upcoming Brown Act issues regarding social media. So thank you for going through that. for all of us and certainly that benefits the public as well. With that do any of the commissioners have any questions regarding Brown Act at this time? Yes, Commissioner Saad. |
| 01:02:53.03 | Nastassya Saad | I just saw it. I have one question. Mary thanks because I know I saw this at the Historic Preservation Commission but now that My last meeting in particular I couldn't I had to recuse myself because I was within the 500 feet of a project which I think is going to also come up before this commission. How does that work to be a member of the public to join in on a meeting that I'd have to recuse myself Would I be able to join as a member of the public Do I have to maybe state that I'm on a commission. How does that work? |
| 01:03:29.11 | Mary Wagner | Sure, so that's a great segue if there are no questions on the Brown Act, right? Straight into the conflict of interest provisions. And I do apologize that you can't see the brief slides that I prepared, Chair Feller, shall I go ahead and dive into that? And then we can always return to other questions on the Brown Act if there are any. |
| 01:03:45.16 | Kristina Feller | Let's do that. Thank you, Mary. Yes. |
| 01:03:48.34 | Mary Wagner | So the conflict of interest regulations that are set out in the Political Reform Act and in the rules that were promulgated by the FPPC pursuant to the act, are really, sort of dense and their word dense and their definition dense. And they're very kind of, you have to really walk through I call it like a 12 step process to get to the answer. um, But the basic rule is a public official, of which you all are public officials. you will have a disqualifying financial interest in the decision if it will have a reasonably foreseeable material financial effect distinguishable from its effect on the public generally, directly on you or on your immediate family. So you then have to parse that definition out into various pieces to determine if a conflict actually exists. And this is something that if it's coming up that you and I and Lily could work through, we always have the opportunity to contact either you directly or through me, if you would like, the FPPC for advice. We can call them, we can ask them for informal advice via email, but the more time and notice we have the better because it does take some time to work through their process. And then there are also opportunities to get formal written advice from them. You see that often when you know that there's kind of a blanket area that someone may have a conflict on that they would like an answer to. For example, we've had commissioners or council members who lived close to city owned property that had a lot of issues coming before the Council, so we would reach out to the FBPC on that. You also see it a lot with real estate agents who do work in their jurisdiction because so many planning commission decisions involve real property. So that comes up quite frequently. Um, The kind of the buckets of conflict of interest or financial interests are business entities in which you have a direct or indirect interest of $2,000 or more. So if a business entity were to be coming before the commission, we would look at that. The most common is real property that you own, and it's most common that it's your home, although some of you also may own businesses or other properties in town. And again, it's real property in which you have an interest or your immediate family has an interest of $2,000 or more. That's a drop in the bucket for real estate in Marin and in Sausalito. So it's pretty clear that if you own some property, you're going to have that type of an interest. The others are sources of income, business entities, and anyone who's given you gifts of $500. So I know this is a lot of information and I'm just giving you the very nutshell kind of high level view of it, but we can get more into it as things come up specifically. HAB-Charlotte Pitts, But real quickly on the real property interest if you are within 500 feet of a project that's coming before you you're presumed that you have a conflict. HAB-Charlotte Pitts, So you know we do these concentric circle maps that that the planners will share with you and that they look at when a project is coming up so that we can let you know if you may have a potential conflict. The rules changed a few years ago. It used to be more than 500 and less than 500. Now it's 500 or 500 to 1,000. in between 500 and 1,000 feet if you're within that length from a project. there's a conflict if the decision would change certain characteristic of your property. It's development potential, it's income producing potential, it's highest and best use, it's character by looking at things like substantially altering |
| 01:07:17.80 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:07:18.62 | Mary Wagner | or its market value. So if that comes up and it's gonna, it has come up already for some of you that you're within that zone of the unclear zone, we then would walk through those criteria to try and determine if there's a conflict or not. And depending upon the project, you know, we, it's sometimes very easy to tell and sometimes a little bit more difficult to kind of parse out. If you're more than a thousand feet away from a project, you're presumed not to have a conflict. um, And then specifically, Commissioner Saad, to your question about, well, what do I do if I have a conflict? Um, The the political reform act specifically lays out the process that you would follow, which is you publicly identified the financial interest that gives rise to the conflict. So for example, it's your home, you would say, hey, I live within 500 feet of that project. You don't have to give your address, but you do have to kind of indicate that it's your home. If it's something else, you would just say, hey, the person who is in front of us right now has been a donor to me or gave me a gift of more than $500 or whatever it is. You would actually recuse yourself at the beginning of the item before the staff report and you would leave the room. So in the world of Zoom, you turn off your camera. In the world of in-person meetings, you literally leave the room to a point where you're not, you can't be seen by the other commissioners because there are, those kinds of egregious cases, right. That make these laws where people were standing in the back of the room, making faces or, um, you know, clearly indicating their preference or their disdain for the conversation. And then they were influencing the decision that was being made by their fellow commissioners. So you recuse yourself, you leave the room, and then you can return and participate during public comments. So you literally would just turn your camera back on. And if you wanted to speak, you'd be given the same amount of time that other members of the public are given. And then when public comment is over and the item returned back to the commission for deliberation, you would turn your camera back off until that item is over. it's kind of very prescribed by the political form act, what you're supposed to do now. Let me pause there. That also is a lot of information. And for lawyers, it's fascinating, you know, to piece out the statute and figure out which definitions apply and how to walk through it, but maybe not so fascinating for everybody else. So let me stop there and see if there are any other questions I can answer. Excuse me. |
| 01:09:39.23 | Richard Graef | I have a question. I think it's good. Yes. Um, It has to do, and this came up several times with Commissioner Nichols, where She lived within 500 feet of a project, she did not own the property she was renting. And so she did not have to . out. Um, So, I'm looking at a future here where I live at Galilee Harbor. I do not own the property. I rent a birth there. and we're going to have a project right next door to us. Um, I'm assuming that I would not have to recuse myself. Is that right, Mary? |
| 01:10:34.15 | Mary Wagner | Well, vice chair, that's something that we definitely should talk about offline. I think it depends on the nature of the rental. So the rules are are very specific about leasehold interests. And just like the other rules, they're kind of dense and we have to parse them out. and look at the nature of your leasehold interest and then apply the rule to that There are things like if you're a month-to-month tenant, I believe it's not considered to be a conflict, and that may have been the situation with some former commissioners. It also, I think it depends on the nature of the rental interest. |
| 01:11:07.70 | Richard Graef | We should get together some other time now. |
| 01:11:10.40 | Mary Wagner | Absolutely, that'd be great. |
| 01:11:11.78 | Richard Graef | Okay, thank you, Murray. |
| 01:11:13.20 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. Thank you, Vice Chair. Commissioners, any other questions for Mary on any of this material that she's presented with us this evening. |
| 01:11:26.74 | Mary Wagner | Quickly Chair Feller, community development director Whalen did ask that I touch briefly on the public records act. This is another big piece of legislation or statutory rules that provide that the vast majority of documents that are in the city's control are public documents. What's come up most recently in the past couple of years or so are emails. And I did want to remind the commissioners that your emails are public records. when you're dealing with city business, even if you're using your personal email accounts. And that if we receive a request, for emails. you would likely, and it would affect your communications, you would see an email from someone on staff asking you to search your own email addresses and your in and out boxes and provide us with any responsive documents that we then would provide to the the requester we have timeframes that we have to act within you have to respond within 10 days to let a requester know if we have documents that are responsive and then work diligently to get them those documents. that may come up more and more in the future. The next phase of that is texts. You know, texts are viewed as more transitory perhaps, but those two I think are gonna be discoverable eventually if they're not already as public records. So it's important that you retain them in accordance with the city's schedule so we can work with you on what that actually means since I don't believe that you have Sausalito email addresses. I can work with Lily on that to get you more information. MR. that we could send out as a one-way communication and not violate the pronouns. That's it unless you guys have other questions for me. And thank you for your indulgence and I apologize for the technical difficulties. |
| 01:13:17.57 | Kristina Feller | Not at all. Thank you so much, Mary. Really appreciate that. I see Vice Chair Graf has a question. |
| 01:13:23.93 | Richard Graef | Yes, regarding emails. There's so much email going on. back and forth now. Do we have to? save all of that. Email, I mean, I delete a lot of emails. when the list starts getting so long. don't need it anymore. So what should we do? |
| 01:13:44.93 | Director Whalen | I'm sorry. |
| 01:13:48.55 | Mary Wagner | Well, let me work with the city clerk and with the community development director to give you the parameters of what it is that you're using your personal email addresses to conduct your business as commissioners what it is that we need you to retain and for how long. |
| 01:14:02.53 | Kristina Feller | Excellent. All right. Mary, if you could do so and then maybe issue that one way uh, communication to us with any, any directives or statute on, uh, how long we need to keep those emails and file those that would be really |
| 01:14:17.58 | Director Whalen | Absolutely. |
| 01:14:17.97 | Kristina Feller | Absolutely. Thank you. And I think Commissioner Luxenberg has a question, yes. |
| 01:14:23.00 | Jeffery Luxenberg | I had asked Lily, and she was pursuing this, if we could get.gov email addresses to solve the problem of mixing them with the personal. And I think it's a licensing issue and that type of thing. But if that could be pursued, that might. then you wouldn't have to delete stuff from your personal email. You could just leave it in the.gov account. |
| 01:14:46.81 | Kristina Feller | Okay. I will leave that with Mary and Director Whalen to advise us through a one-way communication on the best way to do that and take that into consideration as well. Thank you. |
| 01:15:00.04 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Thank you, Chair Feller. |
| 01:15:02.69 | Kristina Feller | Any other commissioners have any questions at this time? for Mary or Director Whalen on their presentations. Great, thank you both so much. I appreciate the information and the presentations. And with that I will ask Director Whalen to please read the next item on our agenda today. |
| 01:15:26.80 | Director Whalen | Chair Filler, just to clarify, did we take public comment on those items? |
| 01:15:31.15 | Kristina Feller | I didn't think we had to take public comment on this. We hadn't identified that we needed to take public comment |
| 01:15:37.08 | Mary Wagner | We do. |
| 01:15:37.19 | Kristina Feller | do. In our script. |
| 01:15:38.98 | Mary Wagner | Thank you. |
| 01:15:39.00 | Kristina Feller | Okay. |
| 01:15:39.02 | Mary Wagner | Okay. That's an admission on our own staff's part. We do. |
| 01:15:42.41 | Kristina Feller | Okay, then forgive me, I retract that and and open this up for public comment. And if I could ask Director Whalen to advice the public one more time how to do so through the zoom application Thank you. |
| 01:15:57.14 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 01:15:57.16 | Kristina Feller | that's the first time. |
| 01:15:57.21 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 01:15:57.23 | Kristina Feller | Sure thing. |
| 01:15:57.34 | Director Whalen | Sure thing. things chair feller i'm not going to um risk my luck here and turn on my video. But if there's any members of the public who would like to provide any public comment on those last two items to the presentation I gave on the nuts and bolts of planning commission, or on the presentation that our city attorney gave on the Brown Act. The other items she discussed, now is the time to do so. and you raise your hand in the Zoom application and we'll call on you when it's your time to speak. You'll have three minutes to speak. Please state your name. for the record and if you're calling from a phone please press star nine Is there anyone from the public who would like to provide public comment at this time on either of those two items? |
| 01:16:42.62 | Kristina Feller | I, uh... I do not see any raised hands at this time. If I could ask the Zoom team just to confirm. Do you see any raised hands from the public? |
| 01:16:54.57 | Director Whalen | I'm not seeing any either, Chair Phillips. So I think we could probably move on to our next agenda item here. |
| 01:17:02.40 | Kristina Feller | Excellent. |
| 01:17:02.57 | Director Whalen | It's a good |
| 01:17:04.37 | Kristina Feller | Let's close public comment and yes, please do it. Next item. |
| 01:17:09.64 | Director Whalen | Great. Thank you Chair Feller. Is there a next item here? is a study session item, study session for a design review permit, true mobile permit, encouragement agreement. have four. a project at 654 Sausalito Boulevard. And this is an item |
| 01:17:25.43 | Sylvia Fung | I don't know. |
| 01:17:26.19 | Director Whalen | that the commission heard as a public hearing item, I'm not remembering the month at the moment here, and I directed that we organize a study session for the Commission to work out |
| 01:17:40.43 | Sylvia Fung | Thank you. |
| 01:17:42.24 | Director Whalen | and to look at some different design and project details. And so I have Brad Evanson here, our contract planner, and he will be giving the staff report on this item. |
| 01:17:55.39 | Brad Evanson | All right good evening commissioners. My name is Brad Evanson. I'm contract planner with the Community Development Department. And this is a study session for design review Uh, . that my mouse isn't working, so hey, the technical stuff continues, I guess. Um, But this project was before the planning commission on September 16th of this year. And at that time, after going through staff presentation, applicants presentation, public comment, The Planning Commission voted to to enter into a study session. to go over design concepts, design options, modifications to the project to . There was a path to help address the concerns raised during the public hearing in September. while still satisfying the goals of the owners in undertaking the project in the first place. And so I'm going to go ahead and share my screen if the technical issues will allow that. And then I will go ahead and give a presentation on that. And then I will probably be followed by after questions, the applicant will give their presentation And, uh, they will have a lot more detail to say on what all they are considering. See if I can share this screen. |
| 01:19:28.48 | Unknown | And |
| 01:19:29.21 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:19:29.26 | Brad Evanson | Thank you. |
| 01:19:33.38 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:19:33.40 | Brad Evanson | Here we go. |
| 01:19:38.15 | Brad Evanson | Okay, can everyone see this? |
| 01:19:40.21 | Unknown | Yes. |
| 01:19:40.80 | Brad Evanson | Okay, great. |
| 01:19:40.82 | Unknown | Yeah. |
| 01:19:42.14 | Brad Evanson | Okay, so this is 654 Sausalito Boulevard. design review permit, tree removal permit, encroachment agreement, 2019-00184. And, uh, This is a request to demolish an existing single family residence. It's a little over 2000 square feet. I'll remove several heritage trees from the site and construct a new three story residence with an attached two car garage. There would also be a building pad created for a swimming pool in the rear yard. And the encroachment agreement would facilitate constructing new driveway and entrance improvements within the Sausalito Boulevard right of way. the current driveway and entranceway elements of those are already within the right-of-way The new construction, the applicants would be reconfiguring that a little bit and so we would be or seeking to legitimize those improvements within the right-of-way through the encroachment agreement process. This project is located 64 Sausalito Boulevard. It's on the southeast side of Sausalito Boulevard between Sunshine and Spencer Avenues. And the existing residence is a small single story. It cantilevers over the down slope. There's minimal improvements in the rear yard. So it's really not all that usable. It's fairly sloped. overgrown with vegetation. The existing residents has dark wood siding. kind of a weathered appearance. the process of the process The age of this residence dictated that when it came when it was first submitted in that under had to go for a historic preservation review. And during that review process, it was described as an unremarkable Uh... older residents with a hodgepodge of styles, varying roof lines, Um, uh, buildings seem to have almost been designed or constructed in kind of a modular adding on spaces sort of event and in September of 2019 the Historic Preservation Commission did determine that it was not a historic resource. um, In September 16th of this year, this project did come before the planning commission applicant presented a relatively modern rectilinear |
| 01:22:01.07 | Sylvia Fung | or allegedly |
| 01:22:03.31 | Brad Evanson | 3600 square foot gross or gross square foot single family residence with a two car attached garage. The residence was to include three stories projecting downslope and would have presented as a two-story from the Saucyuta Boulevard right-of-way. portions of the backyard were to be graded to create yard space and room for a pool. At that time, the project configuration identified eight heritage trees, oaks that were identified for removal. and they were to be replaced as part of a comprehensive landscaping plan that would include larger more mature replacement trees to attempt to provide screening and privacy between the applicant's property and the adjacent properties including the property immediately downslope at 44 Sunshine. And the following images reflect the architectural design and site layout presented to the planning commission on September 16th. This was the original design concept. The southwest perspective shows the rear yard with the three stories going down slope. The left image there showed a rendering of what the streetscape, the street view would look like. Here is a copy of the site plan for the configuration presented in September. um, The neighbors surrounding the survey property have expressed a variety of opinions and concerns regarding this project and this has gone on During the staff review, the applicants have reached out to the applicants or to the neighbors several times engage with them and and try to address concerns and win them all over. Concerns raised by the neighbors include concerns of the scale of the residents overwhelming adjacent homes 678 Sausalito Boulevard, which is immediately to the I believe it's the northeast. If you're looking, if you're in Saucyuta Boulevard, looking to the left, and then 44 Sunshine Avenue, which is downslope immediately behind the subject property. There were concerns about shading impacts to solar panels on 678 Sausalito Boulevard. concerns about impacts to views of Angel Island and other viewpoints out in the Bay from 652 Sausalito Boulevard. and concerns about loss of privacy due to removal of trees and downslope mass of the residents to 678 Sausalito and 44 Sunshine. And in this case with the trees, the neighbors did retain an arborist to review the applicant's arborist report. Ultimately the planning commission voted to continue the hearing on the project and the applicant agreed to conduct a planning commission study session at a future meeting, which turned out to be tonight. I'm sorry. In the interim, The applicants did conduct a neighborhood virtual meeting. On November 10th, they set up a Zoom meeting, invited everyone that had surrounding neighbors, people that had commented previously, Um, to present some They were pursuing a couple of preliminary drawings of modifications of the project to see if they could get feedback from the neighbors as to whether The design options they were considering would have resolved any of the concerns I'm not sure. that sort of thing issues discussed and the preliminary images shown I'm not sure. to the neighbors in November. including shifting the footprint of the residents closer to Sausalito Boulevard changing the color palette to reduce the brightness of the large walls, reducing the size of the pool. preserving additional oak trees and planting additional mature replacement trees. I'm not sure. Now after that the applicant took the commentary received at that and prepared the presentation and the the concept designs for tonight's study session. that. There have been several different elements, not a full set of plans because this is not an action item. but several plan excerpts I guess. THE CITY IS A CITY IS A CITY demonstrating different design options for site layout, landscape concepts, things of that nature. THE FAMILY IS to show the planning commission What... they are pursuing in an attempt to address the concerns raised while still achieving the property owner's goals. in the images that were included with your staff report and that I'll be showing shortly. Uh, they've got two different site layouts that shift the house footprint closer to Sausalito Boulevard. to reduce the viewshed and privacy impacts to the neighboring residences on Sausalito Boulevard. Also, it would be intended to reduce massing I'm not sure. perceived by 44 Sunshine and other residences down on Sunshine Avenue. They proposed changing the color palette materials from a primary pale gray wall color to a natural wood siding to reduce the brightness of the building walls. They've also worked on revising the landscape plans to preserve more of the heritage oak trees and include additional mature replacement trees to restore privacy screening between the properties. A specific number of trees to be preserved or removed has not been finalized yet. That will be dependent on what the applicant ultimately pursues as a final and a final footprint configuration of the residents. So we are working on a kind of a hypothetical TBD on the number of trees at this point in time but When the application does come back in for formal consideration, they will have a formal landscape plan that identifies x number of trees to be removed and x number of trees to replace them Well, The design options are shown in the following slides. This image shows the September 16th footprint in white. with two options for shifting it closer to Sausalito Boulevard, uh shown in yellow and then in green The sight lines, the kind of squiggly lines show view lines from 652 Sausalito Boulevard out towards Angel Island. Um, It's a little hard to explain in this image and when the African gets on to give their presentation, they will probably be able to give a much better explanation of what this is supposed to indicate but as i understand it this is to demonstrate where the view sight lines are and how the shifting of the footprint as shown in the green and yellow configurations helps reduce the encroachment into those view corridors. THESE are representative examples of the the change in the color and materials palette that the applicant is considering. Um, It would be again, kind of a natural wood siding is what they've expressed as their . option for that. These are some examples of what is under consideration. Here we have a conceptual landscape plan. I know there's not a lot of context. progress. It does show The line of screening trees at the back shows larger trees that are being preserved, larger trees that would be replacements, And here is an additional landscape reference. The image on the left shows I'm cross section of what the streetscape looks like to the left with the existing trees. and how they would help screen the bulk of the residents. and then in the back, Um, that shows the preserved or the retained and then the replacement trees. and the overall landscape concept as an attempt to screen between the subject property and the neighboring properties. Oh, I'm sorry, and the image on the right shows actual that the applicants have intended or have stated that that's what they would be planting in as replacement trees. So you can see that they are. substantial mature trees that aren't just the the little sapling with a couple of guy lines in a 24 inch box holding it up. So, uh, That's what they have expressed an intention to do. The Afghan has prepared a comprehensive response to the issues raised during both the September 16th public hearing and the November 10th neighborhood meeting. Their response highlights the various design options and concepts they've submitted. and how each one attempts to resolve or reduce the concerns raised during both meetings while still meeting the property owner's goals for the project. The applicant is prepared to give a detailed presentation on these design concepts. explain the thought process behind them and ultimately seek input from the commissioners and the public on these design options with the goal of preparing a final design review proposal for consideration by the planning commission. Staff does recommend that the planning commission conduct a study session on the applicant's design concepts and consider all public testimony and then that the planning commission offer input observations and comments on the project and the design concepts to the applicant. and staff is available if you've got any questions. |
| 01:31:40.64 | Kristina Feller | Great, thank you so much. Thank you. |
| 01:31:46.18 | Kristina Feller | I am going to open it up to the Commission. and see who wants to start us off with any questions specific to staff. Commissioner Luxenberg, yes. |
| 01:31:59.15 | Jeffery Luxenberg | This is a technical question because I haven't been on the Commission before so it may be to Brad or maybe to other Commission members. I want to understand the difference because I went through the backup from the September meeting. between design review finding number D4 and heightened design finding D3. Because they both talk about views and views appear to be a critical issue in this project. And so, Brad, do you need me to read you the, I have it in front of me, do you want me to read you the wording? on the... |
| 01:32:35.01 | Brad Evanson | I love you. |
| 01:32:35.38 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Thank you. |
| 01:32:35.40 | Brad Evanson | Yeah, if you could, I'm pulling up the zoning ordinance right now, so I'll get that. |
| 01:32:42.98 | Jeffery Luxenberg | I can just read it. D4 says the proposed project has been located and designed to minimize obstruction of public views and primary views from private property. And E3 says the site will be developed in a manner that minimizes the obstruction of views from surrounding properties and public vantage points with particular care taking the primary views. and my reading the words, it seems that the heightened review takes other views into account. But I would like to know either from other commissioners if this has come up before, how the difference between those two is interpreted. |
| 01:33:25.28 | Brad Evanson | Through the chair. it's just a little bit. It's I mean, they are similar views and I mean, Lily or Mary may have a little bit more detailed offer, but the heightened review is a process undertaken when certain criteria typically like floor area ratio or things like that approach 80% of the maximum allowed in a zoning district for a proposed project. And basically it just becomes a more intensive review So in the case of the view findings So, instead of just As D4 says, where it's just located and designed to minimize obstruction of the views. the heightened review, states that It really focuses on impacts to primary views from surrounding residences which are defined in the in the definition section of the zoning ordinance. Those are typically... primary rooms in a residence like a master bedroom, a living room, rooms like that where a view impact would be prominently Um, noticed, I guess. out. I would defer if Mary or Lily wants to offer any further input. But it's really just taking an extra look at how surrounding residences are affected as opposed to just making the effort to minimize any intrusion into a view corridor. I hope. I hope that helps clarify it. |
| 01:35:09.59 | Kristina Feller | Yeah, and I will say that. |
| 01:35:09.87 | Brad Evanson | Yeah. |
| 01:35:11.12 | Kristina Feller | I think one more thing that although this is a study session and there's no action to be taken this evening this project and this application is subject to heightened design review. And I would ask Director Whalen if she has anything else to add to Brad's discussion of this particular question. |
| 01:35:32.52 | Director Whalen | Thank you, Chair Feller. I think it's a good question because it's a very It's very subtle, the difference between the two, but I think it is important In the normal, the regular design review findings, And for specific to say that the project has been designed and located to minimize Two things, one is obstruction of public views, And the other is primary views from private property. The difference when you look at the heightened design review findings is that the first part of the sentence and the finding says that it's kind of a blanket, minimizes the obstruction of views from surrounding properties and public vantage points. So that, opens up the and we're going to have the analysis of the views to not just primary views and but also potentially secondary views or other views on private property. And then it goes on to say, with particular care taken to protect primary views. Thank you. |
| 01:36:39.82 | Director Whalen | I think that |
| 01:36:40.58 | Director Whalen | The subtle difference there is that the, standard design review findings really focus on public views and then also primary views on private property. and the heightened design review findings really do have us look at, um, all of the views. Um, or you know, we're looking at minimizing obstruction of views in general with particular care on those primary. protecting those primary views. Does that help with the difference between the kids. |
| 01:37:10.56 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Yes, that helps. That's the way I saw it as well. But I wanted to know what, based on past practice, if that was the case. But that appeared to me. The intent was as well. |
| 01:37:22.97 | Kristina Feller | Right. Thank you for the question. uh, uh, Any other commissioners have any questions at this time for staff? |
| 01:37:33.29 | Kristina Feller | No. No. Okay. I had a couple questions if I could Brad. And that is are you aware if the arborist report on the applicant um, looked into if they were to move the building the home forward towards Sausalito Boulevard what impact or constraints they might have on the redwoods and the redwood roots on that part of the property that might extend into their property. Do you know if that was looked at? |
| 01:38:13.52 | Brad Evanson | I'll let the applicant give further detail on that, but because they have not finalized a design yet that would that would exactly how far towards the redwoods the house might move. I don't believe they've prepared an updated Arborist report yet. |
| 01:38:32.98 | Kristina Feller | Okay. I understand that there are neighbors that also have their own arborist report. Yeah. |
| 01:38:39.83 | Brad Evanson | Yeah. |
| 01:38:39.97 | Kristina Feller | Yes. Have you reviewed that information? |
| 01:38:43.43 | Brad Evanson | I have not looked at it in detail. I understand that it was done with the presence of the applicant that the applicant and Scott Couture met on the project site with the architect that Scott has been working with. I have not looked at it yet in detail again because I was focused on other parts of this, but because they're this is not an action item and, and, proposal that they have not come up with yet. wasn't a priority in my getting my stuff together for this presentation tonight. |
| 01:39:25.28 | Kristina Feller | Sure, of course. In my last question is, I know that there was some late correspondence that did come in on this topic on our agenda this evening. and it came in to us just before, um, Oh. getting on for this evening. I have not reviewed in detail some of that very late correspondence. I had a look at it and opened it but I did not read it in any detail. Could you just for the purposes of this hearing sort of go through the not read any of it, but just identify what parts of late mail we have received so we understand on the record what is to be viewed. And just like that. |
| 01:40:09.67 | Brad Evanson | Sure. Grab that real quick. Okay. It doesn't show there, unfortunately. Okay. From what was on the agenda as I see it right now, the agenda on from the link on the city's webpage goes up through attachment nine. which was the last comment was, The Arborist report that Scott Couture had submitted Following that, there was the request that had come in to have individual versions of the applicants plans reposted for better legibility. So that was done. And then after that there were two separate attachments that came in. an email with several attachments from Stu White. It was a summary of the design review findings and some of the neighbors' concerns about that. Um, And, uh, a lot of statements that I think have been discussed previously and they, uh, wanted to get them back onto the record. And then there was another late public comment from an email from Carol Baker. that I didn't see on the agenda, but did get uploaded. And, um, that was a and I'm not expressing additional questions about how the property would be configured. Just some additional comments to read and they may have some relevance and may influence things further they have been provided to the applicant so the applicant does have copies of these comments so they will be able to review them as they prepare a final submittal in the future. Um, look at those and then take whatever I'm not sure. God. efforts to address them that they can. |
| 01:42:10.45 | Sylvia Fung | Okay. |
| 01:42:12.83 | Kristina Feller | And then the, um, And I, we can get into this with the applicant as well, but just while we still have you, Brad, The the new design or the new studies for a new design. are the same size and square footage as the hearing that we had in September. There's no change to the programmatic size. |
| 01:42:36.35 | Brad Evanson | That is not been determined in talking with the applicant. Some of the shifting of the footprint would have involved slight reductions in the overall floor area. But again, because they don't have a formal, here's what we're doing. We do not have a formal assessment of what the square footage is, when the applicant does make their presentation, they will be able to tell you this option here. does retain the same footprint as what was presented in September, whereas this option here involves a 10% reduction or bringing the side property line or the side wall two feet further in So I'll defer to the applicant on that one. |
| 01:43:21.88 | Kristina Feller | Okay. Perfect. Thank you. Any other questions, commissioners? . Seeing none. in the audience, are they ready to give their presentation? |
| 01:43:39.48 | Brad Evanson | That would be Mason. I see he's muted. |
| 01:43:47.80 | Brad Evanson | Mason, are you there? |
| 01:43:54.08 | Kristina Feller | or are the okay he has his hand up can we give him Can we unmute him and... Thank you. allow him to put his camera on. |
| 01:44:09.33 | Kristina Feller | Zoom team. |
| 01:44:11.19 | Mason | I think I'm unmuted now. There we go. And I don't... Ah, there you are. All right. Um, Should I dive right in or is there? |
| 01:44:28.64 | Kristina Feller | I write in this is your time for your presentation. Yes, definitely. |
| 01:44:33.55 | Mason | Thank you very much. Thank you to Brad and staff for the presentation and thank you commissioners, particularly the new ones welcome, but thank you for reviewing this. We did, uh, So we've from our last meeting with you guys, Brad summarized it pretty well. We've done several, looked at several changes. We've met with the neighbors over Zoom and I've also met with the majority of them in person to see the potential impacts from their subject properties. Um, And so we tried at this point to make an effort to incorporate as much as possible changes that would mitigate a lot of their concerns. We're at a point now where we feel it was appropriate to solicit additional input from commissioners as well as a pretty good understanding of what the neighbors are looking for. To answer some of your questions, For the sake of these exhibits, we used the floor plan and footprints of the previous version. That is not to say we are suggesting we move forward with that in its entirety. But again, we wanted to solicit input before we make further revisions. But that is something we will be looking at. following this meeting. But again, for the sake of the exhibits that does show the existing Um, I will, if I'm allowed, I think share my screen here. Um, |
| 01:46:14.14 | Unknown | Which... why can't I... That's bizarre. Well, let's share my entire screen then. |
| 01:46:29.01 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:46:29.02 | Mason | Um, for whatever reason, it's not letting me share individual applications, but So these are the plans we had come up with. In our initial version, we had slid it down based on previous meetings and discussions with the neighbors, we had slid it down to try to lower the overall height But based on our last meeting and subsequent discussions we felt it would be easiest to mitigate a lot of the concerns by moving the building up. So we have a couple different versions here. They are really, really, as you can see from this one where they're overlaid, they are pretty similar. The intent with the second version was to try and rotate it this side over here as much up to this proper line as possible. We have consulted, we have two arborists actually, and we have consulted, which the reason this is not too much of a twist is because this does start approaching those redwoods. on the city property and while those routes are primarily go more downward than outward. They wanted a reasonable buffer as those are some pretty large trees. These are pretty similar, but that was kind of the intent. We also noticed as we twisted it based on this line, It dropped a lot of this down, so it didn't help much as it was. These particular floor plans are overlaid on a graphic that was presented to us by Scott Couture, the consultant for both 652 Sausalito and 44 Sunshine. The orange obviously shows their primary view and then these orange The lines here shows the secondary of Angel Island. He had presented these blue lines as this lower one as the main floor ideal kind of limits. And this second one is the upper floor ideal. As we pushed it up again with the same floor plan, we were able to pretty much hit that main floor We are over it a bit on the upper, but again, some of this upper floor would be an open pass-through as its patio space. He had also discussed with us the possibility of keeping this tree here. Our initial thought from the beginning was, Both of our arborist reports showed that the trees were in poor structure and poor health. The bulk of the trees were not actually to be removed due to impacts by the house, but more just health and safety as well as the opportunity to bring in more mature larger trees while the house was down. gives us rather than say down the road where there's less access and smaller trees brought in. So, In looking at that and discussions with them, we maintained, I think we added two of the original that we had suggested for removal and so we suggested to keep those. Those ones appeared to be the healthier of the bunch. Our new number is now three we are looking to remove. We do still contend that they are in poor health and poor health. or structure. Um, So that was our intent there. We feel that this mitigates a good portion of the impacts from 652 as far as their view blockage. I think the trees are going to make a lot of people happy with keeping the majority of that canopy. We felt moving this building up the hill is going to, I know some of the concerns from the neighbors at 678 was their view, they have some windows out here. So we felt moving it up was gonna, again, lessen that impact as much as possible, more so than moving it down. And then we have our landscape architect here as well to go over some of his stuff, but it also allowed us to do Some more things with the pool and the hardscape landscape down below. I'm As we pushed it up the hill as close as we could with the zero setbacks, in discussions, we don't have revised grading and drainage plans yet but we have been involved with our civil engineer who is available for any questions. But from preliminary look we are able to maintain the previous floor heights by pushing it forward a pretty decent amount. And so we'll obviously have steeper driveways but it seems like we should be able to keep the height we had. on the floor height and again whether or not we're the previous versions or excuse me, the subsequent versions may look at altering some of the roof shapes and all that to more accomplish some of those goals. Um, As he said, Brad said, the siding, you know, that was obviously a major contention with some of the neighbors. So. We are switching to a more natural wood siding. that will Well, I should say we're proposing this. This is our preferred site. I'm certainly open to hearing comments. Um, So again, we feel this will more blend in with the natural landscape. and just be more to the neighbors and sun reflecting off of it. I will now defer to Brian, who was our landscape architect. And we also, as I said, have our civil engineer, are the We have a lot of our owners are here as well as our attorney, great buddy. If we wouldn't mind unmuting Brian Koch. And then we'd like to leave a few minutes for a rebuttal as well, if that's okay. |
| 01:52:36.70 | Mason | looks good. |
| 01:52:36.97 | Brian Koch | he's unmuted |
| 01:52:37.84 | Mason | Thank you. |
| 01:52:37.96 | Brian Koch | that. |
| 01:52:38.28 | Mason | Thank you. Thank you. |
| 01:52:38.72 | Brian Koch | All right. Thank you Mason. Good evening chair fellow and fellow commissioners appreciate it. As Mason stated I'm Brian Koch I'm a landscape architect working with our clients and Mason on revising the plan to better suit the feedback that we received back in September. Mason did do a great job of summarizing a couple of things I wanted to make note. Mason, if you could highlight the canopies of the existing heritage oaks we're now preserving in that lower right-hand corner There's a sort of a light shading you can see. He's highlighting it with his mouse. One of the comments we received back was the canopy and preserving the canopy. So we went out and mapped the actual canopy and were able to portray it onto this plan. As you can see, it's quite expansive and I think should should really help address a lot of the concerns. And like Mason said, We do believe the trees are in their later stages of life. And so in mature or whatever appropriate sizes are deemed by the team and by the by the neighbors uh we feel that we can get a good sustainable sort of a succession plan in place. So in addition to preserving the trees, we've also added some new oak trees to hopefully the older ones as we expect their lifespan to come to an end. The second thing that we have to was really important to neighbors was the loss of privacy. In all honesty, there's no real privacy to begin with right now because the canopy of the existing trees is up so high However, we do feel that a perimeter screening plan is in order and our previous plan had it. However, we didn't have the pictures of the intent. And so this section does a better job of portraying what the views would be, you know, sort of here looking like east-west. and as you can see in the pictures on the right, those are current nursery stock images we retrieved in the last month or so of available plant material which our clients are ready and willing to secure now so that way we can get the almost immediate screening will be in place at the time of probably before most of the foundation work is done. It's an aspect of the scope we can do early because it's at the perimeter. I think that's about it for now. So thank you for my time. Oh, this is overall planting character that we wanted to convey with existing trees and hedge material. |
| 01:55:49.38 | Mason | Um, and I believe we'll, uh, save the remainder of our time for rebuttal, if that's okay. |
| 01:55:57.02 | Kristina Feller | Absolutely. Thank you both so much for for your presentations and walking us through We are going to start some questions. We are going to start some and probably a lot of what you wanted to present might be answered with some of our questions but i'm going to open this up to the Commissioners. to ask any questions of yourself, Mason or Brian, you regarding the landscape. So who would like to start us off this evening. Yes, Commissioner Luxenberg, please. |
| 01:56:29.45 | Jeffery Luxenberg | I just have a quick question. There was a projection in the previous perspectives above the roof that looks like either a clear story or a skylight. I just want to understand what that is, because it obviously projects into the view corridors. |
| 01:56:47.61 | Mason | I can answer that. I'm assuming we're answering as they come. Is that the best way to do this? |
| 01:56:54.87 | Unknown | Yes. |
| 01:56:55.27 | Mason | Oh, wow. Yeah, so that was, again, we wanted to show as accurate as a depiction, and we had some concerns on getting duct work to appropriate duct work to all of the rooms in the upstairs. Ideally, that would go away, and whether that's looking at different structural systems, whether it's a floor truss system or something, we would look at removing that, but I didn't want to not show it and have you guys see it down the road and say what the heck is this. Ideally that would go away, but that was kind of additional Uh, case way for duct work for heating and cooling. Okay, thank you. |
| 01:57:41.02 | Kristina Feller | Okay. Yes, Vice Chair Graff, please. |
| 01:57:44.23 | Richard Graef | Thank you. I'm looking at the landscape plan and first question, Is this plan Does this plan reflect the the concept of moving the building towards of South Slater Boulevard. Yes, it does. |
| 01:58:04.83 | Unknown | Yes, it does. |
| 01:58:06.08 | Richard Graef | Go ahead. Okay. And then the second part of that was, it looks like, I mean, in so doing that you might've been able to get more room in the back. or you know, and been able to maybe move to pool. forward with warehouse and allow for you know, more screening. |
| 01:58:29.32 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 01:58:30.11 | Richard Graef | opportunities. on the low end of the site. Um, But it looks like the pool is in pretty much the same position that it was shown And earlier plans. Is that true? |
| 01:58:48.37 | Brian Koch | I believe it has shifted slightly. We were allowed a little bit more room Uh, But it also presented some grading challenges with existing grade and making sure Um, you know, the impact to the site was not too great. So there was a slight shift uphill towards Sausalito Boulevard. Thank you. Thank you. |
| 01:59:13.83 | James McNair | Bye. |
| 01:59:14.19 | Brian Koch | Thank you. And it did allow for more planting between the pool and the property line. Oh, okay. |
| 01:59:20.97 | Richard Graef | Um, But this one doesn't, this plan doesn't show the rotated uh, . right? moves it straight up So to speak. Right? |
| 01:59:38.03 | Brian Koch | that this landscape plan reflects option A and option B. They're really close. Mason, I'm pretty sure it reflects option A is what it does. Thank you. |
| 01:59:52.66 | Mason | Correct. That is our, we looked at rotating it, but I think option A was our preferred and we feel that the, the impacts both There are no more or less additional impacts with either version. So our preferred version, I think, is A. So for the purposes of Brian's exhibits, we move forward with that. Got it, okay. |
| 02:00:17.98 | Richard Graef | Thank you very much. |
| 02:00:22.70 | Kristina Feller | Any other questions? Commissioner Pierce. Thank you. |
| 02:00:26.28 | Morgan Pierce | Yes, thank you, Chair Keller. And thank you, applicants, for for the updates and general movement in the right direction. I'm pleased to see further reduction of loss of the oaks to three from the previous eight. And I recall I think three of the highlights of our concerns from the September 16th meeting. or preservation of that existing canopy to the Best. to a possible extent. Obviously minimizing privacy impacts on adjacent neighbors as well as minimizing view disruptions to the neighbors. So we spoke about the canopy. Regarding the privacy impacts on adjacent neighbors, it was mentioned I believe by your landscape architect that the loss of privacy is minimal. relative to the existing house. Well, that's kind of a, uh, David Myers, kind of an inaccurate claim because it really wasn't any active. program space down below that existing house adjacent to the Now, by putting a swimming pool, which is very active, immediately adjacent to it, that changes the dynamic. significantly. It seems like the pool may be smaller from the last iteration, but I'm wondering is there still possibility to move it further away from that property line and increase the density of this planted border that you're offering? Because it seems like that would, again, help minimize the impact to the neighbors down below. And I was wondering if you considered that option. |
| 02:01:59.98 | Mason | Thank you. So I'm going to, I don't know if I'd agree, but maybe disagree with how he stated it. I don't think we disagree that much, but I would say it's actually a dramatic improvement on the privacy. I don't know how many, I know, I believe you, Commissioner Pierce, went to the site on Monday. I don't know if you went to the backyard. But the oaks we're proposing for removal, in our opinion, provide very little privacy. Because of the years of topping and all that, there is a canopy at the top, but the underside is some trunks and a few branches, but it provides actually very little privacy as it currently is. So, My opinion is we're actually increasing the privacy quite a bit from its current standing. And so as far as the location, I'll let Brian maybe follow up on that. Thank you. |
| 02:03:00.28 | Brian Koch | Yeah. So, um, Uh... Commissioner Pierce, thank you for your comment with regards to to moving it a little bit further towards Sausalito Boulevard. When the privacy screening goes in place, it's going to go in directly adjacent to the property line on basically all three sides of the backyard, which will provide a slight noise as well as visual barrier on those three sides. And I do think like looking at existing and natural grades is important when we place elements |
| 02:03:40.91 | Unknown | them. |
| 02:03:41.56 | Brian Koch | And I'm not sure if Mason, you're, it's actually um, it's hard to really tell in the in the section but we did a study on existing grade versus versus where the pool is going to go and so if you move it closer. up closer towards the house you're digging deeper into into the hillside and sinking it a little bit more which sort of narrows the elevation from the house to the pool so. I think the consideration could be made if if the if we feel like the neighbors you know, really feel that that would help our applicants and help our application. I think we've really tried to come to the table with a design and a plan that really can suit everyone's needs and Obviously, We want to appease the neighbors, but we want to do it tastefully and to make sure it's successful. It's a successful design. So I think... I think It'd be great to hear a little bit more feedback and we can adjust and see what what our parameters are with adjustment. Thank you. |
| 02:04:54.12 | Morgan Pierce | Thank you for that. And I'm really just trying to offer perspective, understanding the concerns that the commission had last time. as well as the public and obviously any maneuvers that the applicants can make in terms of mitigating those questions we had last time. obviously will help. when you go to submit this the next time. |
| 02:05:11.06 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 02:05:13.86 | Morgan Pierce | I just want to make sure that's out there and it will be interesting to hear what other commissioners have to say about that as well as members of the public. I did have another question. So minimizing privacy impact on adjacent neighbors, I'm still concerned about, without having the benefit of new story polls, Thank you. for the new proposed outlines, but I am concerned about the proposed impact at the second level to the master bedrooms at right now, I think you had shown a covered balcony at that corner, which you claimed was going to minimize the impacts If you're intending on having a balcony there, I would actually recommend it to be not covered to further minimize the constriction of that view if you're going to do it, because I think that is a major point of contention for all of the commissioners and for the neighbors. So I think that's worthy of consideration. And I would say the third thing, there was some commentary about the existing home Um, What was it? It had varying roof lines and was hodgepodge. I think it was sort of a subjective take on what some might consider unappealing but at the same time that actually worked very well with the existing topography, the existing context. and did not restrict any views on the adjacent properties. So with that in mind, in spirit, Did you consider a that was less rectilinear, less rigid that did respond to these view corridors and other sites facets that maybe a less regimented form would adhere to a little bit more positively. |
| 02:06:53.42 | Mason | Yes, I mean, we've looked at all sorts of options, and again, we want to try and avoid the 10 steps forward, 8 steps back, so we're kind of looking to bring it here to get some additional feedback before we take additional steps. but that's certainly something that was on the table. To be honest, we felt at the current design or I guess the previous design, while it could use some changes to appease and mitigate some of the neighbors we didn't feel it was as far off as far as mitigating some of that as more to do with the placement and color and all of that. So there's nothing off the table at this point, but we felt we could still accomplish the bulk of their requests and issues without basically starting back from square one on the design. |
| 02:07:55.94 | Morgan Pierce | Right. I was just curious relative to the |
| 02:07:56.08 | Mason | I was just... |
| 02:07:58.32 | Morgan Pierce | the constraints of the site and all of the, uh, the potential impacts on neighbors may be something that was less of, regular. Right. |
| 02:08:06.61 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 02:08:06.63 | Mason | provides more opportunities. |
| 02:08:06.97 | Unknown | Welcome. |
| 02:08:07.25 | Morgan Pierce | Thank you. story. |
| 02:08:07.89 | Mason | And we have, and, you know, I, again, we're, We've, I'm sure you can imagine we have looked at other while we're presenting this now we've not just stopped here and not considered others and you know we are looking certainly at some articulations in the walls and all that I mean I know aside from just the what the bright white color that reflecting light and all that, which I think we've hopefully mitigated with, with the new color palette, you know, just breaking up the massing is, is certainly well, while the overall shape might, might be similar, I think, articulations with the wall. So again, the, the neighbors at 679 and 652, are not looking at a flat wall the whole way, but that's certainly something we were, we're looking through. Yes. |
| 02:08:56.38 | Morgan Pierce | Those are the only questions I have right now. |
| 02:08:57.98 | Kristina Feller | thing. |
| 02:08:58.52 | Morgan Pierce | Thank you. |
| 02:08:58.89 | Kristina Feller | Thank you, Commissioner Pierce. Commissioner Saad, did you have any questions for the applicant? |
| 02:09:04.44 | Nastassya Saad | I had a general question and you know this being my first time to this I think I remember it from the historic preservation commission but from a new perspective Just from the increase in the floor area, because it is on that slope, There's quite a drop. Is there any concern on the grading or on the foundation for 44 Sunshine down below? um, to add in such a massive an increase in the area on the foundation. I don't know if that's maybe probably a question for the engineer, but are there any concerns there for either of option A or option B? |
| 02:09:38.73 | Mason | engineer. |
| 02:09:43.90 | Mason | No. So, and then actually our overall footprint is shrinking from the current, the current floor plan is, or current house is more sprawling. And, and as, as Brad said, it's, it's kind of been, uh, added on in, in various phases. And so, uh, the original house was built, I believe in the thirties, so 90 years old. And, and so, uh, Whatever we would be doing, in my opinion, I feel confident in saying it, is going to be an impact on the current stability. We have a soils report. We will be certainly enhancing the stability of the hillside and the structure as a whole with anything we're doing. not a soils engineer or civil or structural so I don't want to overstate but I suspect with current building codes and the additional consultants anything we'll be doing will be a dramatic improvement from the current home. |
| 02:10:40.44 | Nastassya Saad | Okay, that was my main question. I think we covered everything else from the tree perspective that I had. |
| 02:10:46.38 | Kristina Feller | All right, thank you, Commissioner Saad. I had a couple questions that I wanted to toss out. I wanted to start sort of maybe on the macro and I'm looking on another screen here at your options. Um, The view corridors are certainly a very major concern. Those primary view corridors from the neighbor at 652. but I'm also equally as curious about that the height of either of these options relative to what was proposed the last time you were in front of the commission and also how it affects the solar panels and the neighbor on the other side which I want to say is 678 if I'm getting that address correct. So can you maybe talk about how you've addressed some of those issues as well and what that what you're thinking in terms of the overall height might be and how that's relative to the last proposal? |
| 02:11:43.51 | Mason | Yes, so as I mentioned previously, we kind of maintain or we used for the purpose of these the previous version. So as it's shown in the section and the layout, the height has is we pushed it further in the hill so it has not raised as we've come up the hill. Well, excuse me. additional changes which we are going to look at subsequently at its current level. We stand by our previous one where we don't feel the impacts of the solar are as significant or as the neighbor at 678 does. We are still well the neighboring house at 652 and in line with basically all the other houses on the south end of the street barring 678. So again, we're not done refining it and we're certainly going to look at dropping particularly on the side of 678 but for the purposes of this, it's showing us the same amount. |
| 02:13:03.26 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. Okay. Um, And If I could then jump if you don't mind to the landscape, and the property line that is shared with 44 Sunshine. . Could Brian perhaps this is for you. Could you just talk a little bit about about the species that you've identified And how those are appropriate to create more of, I'll call it a landscape wall there and how those plants don't get too leggy and they're appropriate for the space and what you were thinking of for that area and how to shield the privacy of 44 sunshine. |
| 02:13:45.90 | Brian Koch | Yes, thank you, Commissioner Feller, or Chair Feller. Yes, so if you notice on the section we provided that showed the actual images of the different types of plant material, we are proposing two varieties of plants because given in that backyard, you have sort of two microclimates. You have the understory shade component that is on the lower right-hand corner of the backyard or the South, sort of two microclimates you have the understory shade component that is on the lower right hand corner of the backyard or the south sort of the southeast corner. |
| 02:14:17.42 | Unknown | it. |
| 02:14:17.74 | Brian Koch | And as you move into the upper sort of northeast corner, you're actually getting a lot of sun exposure and direct sunlight and so So for the for where 44 sunshine is that majority of those plants will be the of the podocarpus variety which is a shade tolerant It's a plant that typically gets leggy It takes maintenance really well. In fact, both plants that we have recommended, if you look at the attached images, You have a nice manicured look. They're both dense in their habitat. And I feel pretty confident. that that it would be pretty immediate, at least in my conversations with our clients and the applicants, you know, There... willing to invest and and this is a big this is a big item uh to invest in significant mature plant material for hedge for hedge material is i think especially early on in a project is is a is a appropriate in this case and and very generous i think the neighbors at 44 sunshine will will be pretty pleased um if you you would take the lower right hand image of the section we produced that has the pictures of the plant material. |
| 02:15:42.29 | Unknown | Mm-hmm. |
| 02:15:42.88 | Brian Koch | That look could be achieved, oh thank you. that Yeah, the lower right-hand corner. That could be achieved in approximately two to three years with some... |
| 02:15:50.05 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 02:15:58.18 | Brian Koch | with some regular maintenance. |
| 02:16:01.76 | Kristina Feller | I am looking at the cross-section here as well. Um, Can you speak a little bit about how you are grading and filling that backyard? So what I'm getting at and what I want to try to understand is where you're proposing that these mature species are being planted, is that at the current Um, and height as it stands today? Or are you sort of reengineering that back area? to a different- |
| 02:16:34.06 | Brian Koch | different. It's a great question. So we really cannot manipulate existing grades as you get close to the property lines. So in this particular case, the trees are going to be planted really close to where existing grade is now. And when I mean really close, it could be four to six inches from where existing grade is currently located. So, yeah, so to answer your question, if you were to go stand and walk that perimeter, the plants would be planted pretty much at existing grade. |
| 02:17:07.69 | Mason | If I could supplement his answer a little bit back to the privacy. This is a picture taken from our backyard where this oak tree on the left and on the right, you can see that they're not actually providing much, if any, privacy right now. The bulk of this canopy and foliage is actually trees that are already on 44 Sunshine Avenue. So these are two of the oaks we're proposing for removal and we're trying to infill a lot of this basically this hole. Because again, why we feel aside from their health that these trees are not actually serving a purpose as far as privacy. |
| 02:17:49.34 | Kristina Feller | I appreciate the clarification and I'm glad you brought up those two trees. One of the things to consider or we all have to consider Uh, regarding the proposed design here. is the building will be, significantly taller than the existing structure that is on 654 today. And so you've talked about how the canopy is not shielding much and yes there is this hole here but when you have structure that's higher than what's currently on that property this canopy is actually pretty important to shield that so I'm curious how you can continue to look for ways to preserve these heritage trees. And I know that there are varying arborist reports and I don't purport to be an arborist just to be very clear. but I think we need some clarity on that and whether there be clarity or for their health and the property or if they're being cleared for I want to understand that better myself. So as this is a study session I hope that we can dive into those details a little bit more And certainly once you actually propose the design or the redesign that we can really get down to the nitty gritty on that as well. |
| 02:19:23.23 | Mason | Right. Just to answer surface level before not diving too deep into it. But in my, I, like I said, visited with, with the Hinton's, we're not actually, but I visited with their consultant Scott Couture and looked at the, the backyard and the inside, the views from there. And, and again, From their standpoint, I have some pictures. I mean, there's the hole there, but you can see the bulk of the foliage of trees on their property is actually, and even you can see there's a large hole as this comes over to here, and then this one is over here. These, from their standpoint, are not providing, even as we're only adding one additional story. And we will be presenting in our ultimate design review submittal photo simulations from off-site everywhere, not just from 44 Sunshine. |
| 02:20:22.21 | Unknown | But we're going to be |
| 02:20:22.31 | Mason | but we feel that the existing canopy of trees on their property as well as ours as well as what we're supplementing it with will will mitigate i i don't feel I don't want to. I don't feel that these are providing much shelter or much privacy from even if we add in the upper story as it's already blocked from trees on their property. |
| 02:20:52.58 | Kristina Feller | Sure. And I think that probably the better perspective is from their property looking back up to the property that this photo was taken on. And certainly this looks much more I do have a lot of- |
| 02:21:06.71 | Unknown | I do have |
| 02:21:07.77 | Kristina Feller | There you go. That structure is going to be taller, I was there yesterday and some of these species lose their leaves. So I think it's important to get a photo in another week when they are completely all gone. Again, we are just trying to put this in context and make sure that contextually this is working for the proposal that you do come back with. these things are important to consider now. |
| 02:21:45.11 | Mason | Absolutely. That's our intention and the buttles value their privacy as well. So they're looking for that from their standpoint. And so we certainly learned a lot from the first go around on the design review planning commission. So we fully intend to provide much more offsite photo simulations, what have you, to kind of |
| 02:21:45.18 | Kristina Feller | Oh, I'm... |
| 02:22:08.18 | Mason | hopefully give a clear indication of the hopefully minimal impacts. |
| 02:22:14.44 | Kristina Feller | Excellent. And I appreciate your attention to this. And you know, diving in with neighbors and ensuring that there is a richness of association with whatever the design is that you come up with here. I'm not sure. I wanted to go back and question you a little bit more in terms of your thoughts and ideas And direction you're going in in terms of The primary views from from 652. Is there some pretty big potential impacts there? |
| 02:22:45.73 | Sylvia Fung | I'm sorry. |
| 02:22:50.93 | Kristina Feller | And I want to understand sort of the Is there a disagreement with what those view corridors are? Is there a disagreement with what those impacts are? Or is it something that you are you worked through with the neighbor and you are coming up with a solution that can address that appropriately. |
| 02:23:12.76 | Mason | So I feel as we have it positioned in both our options, we've, you know, met pretty close their ideal line for the main floor. And while I acknowledge we come over a little bit on the upper floor of their ideal, I mean, It's my opinion it's a give and take. Not everyone is going to necessarily get their ideal. I think as you look out their window there's no way to build a home here that will have a net zero impact on them. I mean short of doing something underground. I feel I certainly understand their concerns and we've tried to mitigate them the best we can, but we feel we're at a certain point and we're by no means done tinkering and adjusting our plans. But at a certain point, there's, you know, there's also the property rights of, you know, the bottles to consider as well. So we we we don't again, we're trying to to. |
| 02:24:10.43 | Sylvia Fung | We have a great day. |
| 02:24:10.49 | Unknown | you can see. |
| 02:24:15.10 | Mason | hear them and listen to them to the extent, but it's got to work with our program as well. Thank you. |
| 02:24:19.34 | Morgan Pierce | Well, I will add to Commissioner Felder's statement that remember that you are in the hardened or heightened review. And so we are going to scrutinize these. even more carefully than if you weren't. And you are asking for a lot of concessions by uh just the basic size and amount of program on this site which one could look at and say that you're asking for too much so i want you to make sure you take that into account very carefully as you pursue this. Thank you. |
| 02:24:43.03 | Mason | Yeah. Absolutely. |
| 02:24:45.83 | Kristina Feller | Were there any other... comments or issues that were raised at your outreach that you didn't agree with or that there was a fundamental problem or disagreement with that, that are, you're having issues resolving that, that you want to bring before us so we can. Um, help guide you. |
| 02:25:11.63 | Allie | I would like to say something. |
| 02:25:12.51 | Kristina Feller | Yeah, it was just |
| 02:25:14.15 | Allie | Real quick. Hi, everyone. We're the owners of the property. I'm Allie. |
| 02:25:14.35 | Kristina Feller | Yes, please. |
| 02:25:18.70 | Kristina Feller | Thank you all. |
| 02:25:18.70 | Allie | Thank you all for your time. And thank you, Chair Feller. And welcome to the new commissioner's. So, What we have noticed, to answer your question, is the more outreach we do, the more new problems arise. It seems that we mitigate one problem in one direction and some other neighbor has a new problem going the other one. It becomes a game of ping pong back and forth And, We feel a little, I don't want to say taken advantage of, but I think we're doing an excellent job of listening to your and the public's Um, very valid . complaints and worries. Um, but you know, it seems as soon as we address a primary view issue, then someone has a secondary view issue. Then not even a third you know, tier view issue. And it just is getting a little frustrating As we go along doing these study sessions and we did a group Zoom just to talk and It's a new issue every time. be, I want to just really point out that no complaint is invalid. It's just the fact that they keep coming up and opposing each other. That becomes frustrating. So that in and of itself is our only problem. And we very much, as we've mentioned before, want to be welcomed into the neighborhood and there have been some pretty nasty comments made saying we don't understand why you want to live here, you're too young, you're changing too much, We are trying very hard to, within our rights, we're getting a little we sort of don't know what to do anymore. without... we're trying to stay within our rights and be neighborly and it's getting it's getting hard. So that's my long-winded answer to your question, Chair Feller of what we're noticing that's frustrating. |
| 02:27:20.41 | Mason | after two. |
| 02:27:21.03 | Allie | Thank you. Yeah. And let's not let's not forget this has been |
| 02:27:21.23 | Mason | Thank you. |
| 02:27:25.97 | Allie | We bought this house- Two years and two months ago. Two years and two months ago, we've been at this. |
| 02:27:25.99 | Unknown | We bought it. |
| 02:27:27.07 | Mason | Thank you. |
| 02:27:27.09 | Unknown | to your guests. you. |
| 02:27:32.00 | Allie | So. That's where we are. Thank you so much. |
| 02:27:34.68 | Mason | Thank you. To follow up on that as far as some of the specifics, I mean, I, I, we certainly disagree with with some of them. I mean, I think some of the concerns are like she said they're they're all certain level of balance. I mean, there's some some drainage concerns which we feel, you know, this, this property has been very little improved over 90 years and so I think from anything new we're doing is going to dramatically improve the drainage. As far as the massing and the height, I feel like you know. Realistically, I don't think Everyone knows this. |
| 02:28:13.39 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 02:28:14.12 | Mason | All these houses are going to have a two-story street appearance whether it's now or later. So I think as far as the massing, we're within the zoning, we're within the the same rules as everybody else as well as the previous version or height is the same as all the other houses enjoy. I'm not saying they are invalid but I think we disagree as to the impact and what's It's not to say we're not listening and trying to accommodate, but At the same time, it's got to suit our our needs and our We are looking to enjoy the same rules and rights as everyone else. |
| 02:29:01.03 | Kristina Feller | Sure, sure. And obviously, we appreciate that. But as this is a study session, this is also your opportunity that If you feel that there is some sort of a or anything like that that know can we can assist in in helping guide you because this is a heightened design review So I know Commissioner Pierce and I keep banging this drum a little bit but |
| 02:29:23.88 | Sylvia Fung | Bye. |
| 02:29:24.03 | Unknown | All right. |
| 02:29:28.82 | Kristina Feller | those view corridors, it's not about the height or it's the height of your home that you're designing is the same height as the neighbor. It's primary view corridors. And at least here in Sausalito, those are really quite sacred. So we want to make sure that the result of the study session and the in a constructive manner to design that, you know, yes, there might be concessions. Yeah, we're as commissioners, we're well aware we don't make people happy all the time. But we will be fair and we will be consistent with that fairness with any applicant. |
| 02:30:11.57 | Unknown | Right. |
| 02:30:18.62 | Mason | Yeah. I appreciate that. And I don't feel that there's a particular issue where we disagree. I think it's just the level to which I don't know that it's something that you could address without seeing the full detailed plan and story pulls up. It's just to the level at which we are you know as the wording even in the heightened was just to minimize it it doesn't say completely preserved. It says to minimize the impact. I don't know that, I mean, we understand that it's a, you know, it's a delicate balance. And again, we're, we're trying to appease everyone. I don't know that there's any specific, uh, specific. issue that It's kind of the I think the gray area as to. It's not that there's a clear answer I think we're looking for from you guys. Um, Again, it's just a balance by what we think is appropriate versus what they do so. . know how better to answer that than what I've said. |
| 02:31:28.11 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 02:31:28.99 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 02:31:29.01 | Morgan Pierce | Permissioner Pierce, did you have a comment? Well, I was just going to build on that. And again, you know, I think we're all sort of talking in the same direction of what we're trying to achieve here. And what we're trying to point out for you through the study session is, is where the big hurdles for us as a commission are obviously we take every consideration in aggregate relative to the, |
| 02:31:46.19 | Sylvia Fung | Thank you. |
| 02:31:46.22 | Mason | to me. |
| 02:31:46.59 | Sylvia Fung | Thank you. |
| 02:31:50.84 | Morgan Pierce | what a seemingly minor concern from a neighbor up the hill to what might be insignificant to a neighbor impact below but what we might consider significantly impactful, we are trying to balance all of those out and give you guidance of where we see the big hurdles being so you can work towards mitigating them. The smaller hurdles You know, I think obviously there's going to be some hurt feelings in the long run. You're not going to get everything you want. we want, the neighbors are not going to get everything they want, but we are going to push for the best possible outcome. But so with that in mind, we're just trying to show you what we think are the biggest ones. Because as we chip away at those, that makes everything else a little bit more digestible. |
| 02:32:37.17 | Mason | Absolutely. I appreciate that. |
| 02:32:40.49 | Kristina Feller | in. |
| 02:32:40.66 | Morgan Pierce | Thank you. |
| 02:32:40.69 | Mason | Thank you. |
| 02:32:41.30 | Kristina Feller | Great. Thank you. Uh, Yes, Ali. Can the Zoom team please unmute the owners? The applicant. Thank you. |
| 02:32:53.58 | Allie | Bye. Can you hear me? Hi. So I just want to clarify something with everyone. We're talking a lot about primary and secondary view impact. As far as I understand, And. Mason and Ray, our attorney, can back me up on this. The view impact to the Wardles is not a primary view impact. It is a secondary view from a guest room |
| 02:33:06.46 | Director Whalen | and |
| 02:33:20.28 | Allie | partially blocking Angel Island. And . presented our plans. The house had a wall on our balcony, which we thought they would want for privacy, which we then have since removed to open up that view line more. So I just, when we start talking about primary and secondary view corridors, I want to emphasize the fact that we are not blocking anybody's primary view corridor. We have one portion where we're blocking their secondary view from their mass guest room of part of Angel Island. That is mine. We have been in their home. We have been in that room. We have seen that view. Am I wrong, Mason Ray, am I wrong here? |
| 02:34:03.35 | Unknown | And, just along those lines when our plans, you know, we're not asking for any variances at all. I just wanna keep everything in context as we go through all of this you know, you know, go through with our lawyers and everyone else in terms of spending money to go through all these things. I just wanna make it clear to everyone, we're asking for no variances. Everything we're asking for is within our property rights as owners in the town of Sausalito. We're working as hard as we can with everybody on all these issues, as you mentioned. We don't want to make sure that was heard. |
| 02:34:38.18 | Allie | Yes, but I just want to clarify the primary secondary view. situation. Mason, can you please clarify which views we are obstructing? |
| 02:34:44.13 | Mason | It's good. |
| 02:34:48.54 | Mason | Yes, that is a secondary view. And so I realize that the heightened findings take into account more. the bulk of it is is a secondary view which we've already again tried to minimize to the uh with the correspondence with with their consultant and and their request as their ideal and while they're slightly over the line on their upper floor ideal it's you know this is a secondary view in our opinion that |
| 02:35:15.92 | Sylvia Fung | Thank you. So, |
| 02:35:16.18 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 02:35:16.23 | Sylvia Fung | Thank you. |
| 02:35:25.51 | Mason | Again, we're the impacts we've done and we're not done making in our opinion, mitigated. |
| 02:35:35.85 | Allie | Thank you for clarifying that. Perfect. confirming that. Thank you. |
| 02:35:44.51 | Kristina Feller | Um, can I, I would like to ask the commissioners if there are any additional questions here for the applicant at this time. |
| 02:35:54.20 | Morgan Pierce | I did want to make a clarification. Because I feel like the applicant feels like that Question is put to bed. I completely disagree with that assessment and I will be standing by that when we review the project next. So I would take that into account in your further development. |
| 02:36:11.97 | Kristina Feller | I'm fine. |
| 02:36:12.95 | Morgan Pierce | Thank you. |
| 02:36:12.96 | Kristina Feller | Agreed. |
| 02:36:13.43 | Morgan Pierce | Thank you. |
| 02:36:14.41 | Jeffery Luxenberg | I have some comments in that regard, but I'll leave that to after the public comment when we made comments at that point. |
| 02:36:22.73 | Kristina Feller | After we have public comment we will bring it back up here to the virtual dais. If there are no more questions for the applicant and the applicant team at this time. Um, seeing none. I think we can open it up for for public comment at this time. And I'd like to ask Director Whalen if she could one more time to the public here how to raise your hand virtually |
| 02:36:51.64 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 02:36:54.93 | Kristina Feller | for public comment. |
| 02:37:00.03 | Director Whalen | Sure, thanks. Chair Feller. members of the public now. I will speak on this item. if you'd like to provide a public comment. you can raise your hand in the Zoom application. If you're on a phone, Star nine. |
| 02:37:22.24 | Kristina Feller | Great, thank you. So I see raised hand at this time from Scott Couture. You have three minutes for public |
| 02:37:34.50 | Scott Couture | Thank you. Good evening. My name is Scott Couture. I'm here representing the Wardles. We live at 652 South Salud Boulevard and Hinton's who own 44 Sunshine. I, you know, it's hard to kind of evaluate the project because there really is no house proposed with the study session. It's really kind of a footprint on a site plan. I'll start with the view blockage issue. If If the house is the same as it was before, it's been slid up further up the hill, which I think is an improvement. But I do think I still think there will be some significant view blockage from that upper bedroom. Heightened review. does not differentiate between primary and secondary, uh, spaces. Um, I think, uh, commission appears was leading on that. That's a pretty clear usage of the code on that. I think the upper, um, downhill corner on the southwest side is an issue I think it needs to step back there I think Both sides of this home should have some articulation to them. The change of the wood side I think is a help, but Even a flat wood sided building in the sunshine is very visually bright. what is needed in both to shape the view quarters is to kind of break the Madison down and I also think to to create a building that's far less visible, visually bright, is to add some articulation, some shade and shadow on there. privacy second issue. You know, we've been talking about the existing holes that are there. And is there a big privacy issue between existing house and 44 sunshine? And it's really not a fair comparison because the new home is drastically different. It's a story higher. It has a lot more windows. The living areas of that are set forward. There's not a big large deck in front of it. and I think the portocarpus screen at the bottom is gonna do a fabulous job screening the yard to yard privacy issue. There's a bigger issue above that from the upper two floors of the proposed home, and from the upper floor of 44 sunshine and perhaps the lower floor of 44 sunshine I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME SORT OF STUDY DONE TO SITE TO SITE SECTION THAT SHOWS THE RELATIVE ELEVATIONS OF THOSE AND SEE EXACTLY HOW HIGH THAT SCREEN WILL GO. THE THIRD ISSUE IS THE TREES. THEY'RE HERITAGE OAKS. THERE'S A REASON SAUSELETO HAS NAMED THEM HERITAGE OAKS. THEY'RE VERY VALUABLE. They do provide a lot of privacy up at the canopy level. for the upper levels of the two homes. And if you look at this home as a heightened review, heightened review is heightened on view blockage, privacy issues, and saving existing trees and landscape. And all of these things are affected with this proposal. Thank you. |
| 02:40:36.99 | Kristina Feller | Thank you very much. Let's see. I see a raised hand from a BJ Wasserman. |
| 02:40:50.54 | Kristina Feller | if the Zoom team could unmute this member of the public. And if you could please state your name for the record Yeah, good evening, everyone. |
| 02:41:00.36 | BJ Wasserman | Yeah, good evening, everybody. My name is BJ Wasserman. I don't have a very stable connection, so I'm going to keep the video off. Can you hear me OK? |
| 02:41:01.25 | Sylvia Fung | BUSINESS. |
| 02:41:10.13 | BJ Wasserman | Yes. Excellent, thank you. So I'm actually currently residing in the home, the subject property at 654 Sausalito Boulevard, I've been there for a few months now. and I haven't heard every point made on this call. But I did want to just say for the record, because I know a lot of the notes speak to Why don't we just leave the home as it is and and why build a new home, and I understand and respect all the concerns, and simultaneously, I felt important that I share that the house right now, there's a few significant concerns, certainly living there, that I've gotten to experience. One is that the house literally is tilted. The foundation is not stable. A lot of the sliding doors don't even close completely. There's an insane amount of wood rot and potential mold. The basement downstairs leaks. And in terms of privacy, you know, my the bedroom that I'm staying in is near the White's. And I know Mr. White. We speak all the time. We get along beautifully. And frankly, when he's watching the news at night, I can hear it as if he's in my bathroom. It's very close. We speak all the time. We get along beautifully. And frankly, when he's watching the news at night, I can hear it as if he's in my bathroom. It's very close. And when I'm on the deck, you know, I can look right directly into the kitchen of the home below me. So just the privacy concerns, the home itself, I think is beyond repair being however old it is. And I really wanted to chime in and share that. And I can see the amount of time and effort that you're all putting into this and truly wish you all a good outcome. And I'm complete with that. |
| 02:42:54.99 | Kristina Feller | Thank you so much, Mr. Wasserman. I appreciate your comments. Um, Zoom team, I do not see anybody else's hand raised. Do you see anybody in the audience that would like to comment? |
| 02:43:13.07 | Director Whalen | We don't see any other hands raised. Oh, one just popped up. |
| 02:43:19.19 | Director Whalen | is |
| 02:43:20.10 | Kristina Feller | Yes. |
| 02:43:21.47 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 02:43:21.49 | Director Whalen | I'm not going to be able to do that. |
| 02:43:21.77 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 02:43:22.13 | Kristina Feller | Bye. Yes. If you could state your name before you... |
| 02:43:28.03 | Sylvia Fung | Thank you. |
| 02:43:28.05 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. Thank you. |
| 02:43:28.67 | Sylvia Fung | Thank you. |
| 02:43:29.18 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. Thank you. |
| 02:43:29.55 | Sylvia Fung | For the right there? Hi, my name is Sylvia Fung and we're the property owners of 640 and 644 Sausalito Boulevard. 640 South of the Boulevard is also known as 84 Sunshine. So we were at the last public commission meeting and we raised our concerns basically as a result of the removal of the heritage tree of course the privacy our view and potential noise. So currently we look out to this beautiful canopy of trees Totally. total privacy from our bedroom, our living room. our dining room, and kitchen. So, I understood that Mason had already revised the plan and pushed back the footprint a bit, which we appreciate very much. However, we're not architects. And so it's really difficult for us to see anything. So we really would like to have the story pull up so that we can really have a better judgment of that. Also, there's also the pool. So as I said, currently we enjoy this uninterrupted canopy of trees. Um, And we don't really know what how the placement of the pool versus the tree is going to impact on our privacy. So that will be very clear, important to us. |
| 02:44:55.02 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 02:44:55.08 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 02:45:03.60 | Sylvia Fung | Um, And And in terms of the primary and secondary view, I want to say something about 644 South Little Boulevard. the view in the living room as the original design would have been impacted impacting the primary view, because that's the living room view of at least 40 to 50%. So that's clear primary view of concern. Um, and I think that I also just wanted to shout out that, in fact, reaching out to neighbors is helpful. because before that we were very against the whole project development. We want to be. having open arms for the new neighbor. We want to welcome them to the neighborhood. And so, in fact, we're very happy that Mason reached out to us for the first time and visited us on December 10th. So that's what we would like to offer. And thank you for listening. |
| 02:45:59.59 | Kristina Feller | Thank you, Ms. Fong. I see Sue White with her hand raised, if we could unmute her. Thank you. And if you could turn your camera on. I have. State your name for the record if you could. |
| 02:46:14.98 | Chris White | Okay, let's see. We're in good shape now? |
| 02:46:19.96 | Kristina Feller | Yes, we can see and hear you, yes. |
| 02:46:21.98 | Chris White | Okay, first of all, I'm Chris White. My wife is right here with me, Sue White. We had a great deal of difficulty trying to connect because of the unmuting, but be that as it may, First of all, After listening to the first hour and 20 minutes of the meeting, I sincerely want to thank all the commissioners for what they do. I understand your volunteers, how anybody in their right mind would volunteer all their time and effort for something like this is just amazing. So again, thank you for all that you do. Coincidentally, the house that's in question was formerly occupied by our neighbor, Chuck Ruby, who served on the Planning Commission for many, many years. So we certainly got from Chuck the immense amount of work that you guys do. Having said that, let me come out of the gate with a few things. First of all, There was a mention of a meeting on November 10th This is the first time we have ever heard of that meeting. We obviously did not get any notice. Otherwise we would have been on that meeting. And secondly, we keep in pretty close contact with all of our neighbors, the Wardles, Janelle, my wife is very good in following up, as I think the commissioners know. But this meeting of November 10th is a myth. We never heard of it. On number two, We have taken it upon ourselves to reach out very quickly. I think as you know, Commissioner Feller, after the last meeting in September, Sue was the first to write within 24 hours of reaching out to the bottles and saying, We want to meet with you. do whatever is necessary to try to resolve this in an amicable way. We have never heard anything from them. We've never seen them since that meeting, since that meeting. But we did have, just a couple of days ago, a very, very pleasant meeting with Mason, the architect. He seemed to be very empathetic to our problems. And let me state, reference our problems and contrary to what Ali mentioned a little while ago, Our issues have never changed. They have always been from day one the blockage of the solar panels a blockage of a master bedroom lighting facility and the concern of the privacy because of the pool. And fourthly, the heritage trees. We are lucky enough to have three heritage trees in our backyard. And when anybody comes to visit us and looks from our deck, that's the first thing we talk about. My God, it's such a pleasure and such a joy. So to see any a heritage trees chopped down would just be absolutely criminal. But the real key for us is the height of the house. And I'm glad to hear that you personally, as well as the other commissioners, have recognized this. We have nothing against big, tall houses. I think many of you know that Chuck Slaughter, who used to own our house at 678, built this gigantic house just to the northeast of us. But there's 30 feet separating our house with a bunch of oak trees and beautiful foliage. And you'd never know there was a house that's quite frankly bigger than the 654 that's proposed. So nothing against that except the wall that they're talking about is literally six feet from the front of our house. Having said that and without belaboring this anymore, It's just, I was the one that personally went around and got the 40 signatures and all of our neighbors love the view from Sausalito Boulevard and not to be overshadowed by this big house, quite frankly. The Boodles have a wonderful house, but it needs to be on a different lot to satisfy their needs. It's just too massive for this current lot. |
| 02:50:24.17 | Kristina Feller | Thanks, thank you. |
| 02:50:24.61 | Chris White | Oh. |
| 02:50:25.49 | Kristina Feller | Thank you, Mr. White and Mrs. White. And unfortunately your three minutes is is up but appreciate your participation, your comments, as I do the rest of the public here. We still have a couple hands up I have a James McNair If you could unmute and turn your camera on, you are next. |
| 02:50:51.04 | James McNair | Oh, good evening, members of the Commission. I'm James McNair. I'm a consulting arborist. worked for decades in Sonoma, ran a lot of places. I was asked by Janelle Hinton to review the the previous arborist reports and also address, she's very concerned about the trees on her property. that are close to the property line. So I'd like to first say that I really disagree with the two other arborist reports that characterize the number of these trees in poor condition. Um, I think it's important to understand When you're evaluating trees like this, You need to look at health and structure as two separate issues. So you can have a healthy tree with some structural problems. It doesn't mean the tree's unhealthy, it just means it has some structural problems. And all of these trees, the six heritage oaks that I looked at just last week, they were all healthy. They were all growing normally. And no dieback. bright green foliage, all the indicators I look for I'm not sure. So they were in actually good health. Now, The three trees that are being proposed for for the future and the proposed pool site. Um, They structurally, they have some issues. So they're in an area where I think a very large oak had been removed. So they had been shaded as they developed. So they tended to have asymmetrical structures. And one tree had a second trunk that was removed and there is some decay at the base. But- I found all the trees stable in the sense of no severe decay, I used a sounding hammer to look for internal hollows. And found the trees to be You know, the worst one I rated as unfair The others were moderate to low to good for preservation. The characteration, I think, I just don't agree with them that they are unhealthy. I'm not sure. Thank you. Next thing, given my limited time, I'm concerned about the hedge planting along the property line. I'm not sure. Ms. Hinton's trees are very close to that far edge below the pool. And by the size of the, and I submitted a report, but I didn't realize that they were planting such big trees along that property line. Well, those trees are going to constitute essentially a trenching operation And The size boxes that are using, those are like 34 inches deep typically. So I'd be very concerned about the root impacts on those from that planting and also the species they're using you know, they want to get 50, 60 feet. So they're either gonna have to be hedged constantly and plus they're gonna be throwing roots, growing roots into her property. that are gonna compete with those nearby oaks. Those are my concerns. Additionally, her trees overhang the property line. So a number of those extensions are right over the pool area. And I'm not sure if that was ever analyzed. I think I spend my time. |
| 02:54:09.55 | Kristina Feller | Thank you very much. |
| 02:54:10.48 | James McNair | quick. |
| 02:54:10.53 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. Yeah, I appreciate your input and your comments. Um, I. also have a a CB I'm not sure the initials who that might be who is intending to raise their And Could you unmute and turn on your camera and introduce yourself please? |
| 02:54:29.30 | Carol Baker | Bye. |
| 02:54:29.58 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 02:54:30.26 | Carol Baker | Yeah. Yeah, sorry, for some reason I can never. I have to rename myself and sometimes it works on my zoom and sometimes it doesn't. Anyway, I'm Carol Baker and I live at 645 Sausalito Boulevard. And I did just write, you know, some of my questions earlier to Brad because I had listened to the September you know, long meeting and the presentation and I did I notified Brad before that I wanted to be called into any neighbor study session just a couple of my views. So that could have taken into consideration but I didn't know that there was something on I was never notified about November 8 so. only at the last minute did I offer my, questions today. So really just I just wanted to say I understand there's like a lot of work that's been done, but I and I really appreciate the commissioners, though, Understanding that Sausalito is a very special place. And to me, the block between Spencer and Sunshine and this little area here is particularly special. It has a lot of historic and natural tone to it. And I know last time we talked about that as some of the commissioners talked about that tone. So I appreciate that some like that that we can now understand a little bit that there's a wood siding considered versus like a white stucco house that helps with the tone. I am disappointed that we don't see any elevation as to what it looks like from the street, even particularly now that it's being moved up closer to the street. Because as we all know, when we come down Spencer and we turn that house is like the number one thing you see on that corner. So it's, you know, Now you can see and you can see the headlands view beyond that and I understand when the story polls go up some of that will be blocked. What I don't want to do is come down and see a big white or lighter house than any of the other neighbors which are more in tone with the trees. And I don't want to look into someone's living room or bright you know block of white lights so that's my concerns that I just wanted to stress out and it's not you know Mason and Ali that we're trying to like renegotiate this, I think it's just understanding how Sassolito is and that it's a unique place and that fitting in the environment is really key and to all of us neighbors and those of us living So I just wanted to reiterate my questions that I posed today. Thanks. |
| 02:57:05.32 | Kristina Feller | Thank you very much. Thank you. Any questions? other members of the public I see Scott Couture has raised your hand again. Um... but you've already had your public time, was there something else with you or did you raise your hand by mistake? in the application. |
| 02:57:30.22 | Scott Couture | Yes, there's Jody Wattle wants to participate, but you can't find the raise a hand button. Can you allow her to speak? |
| 02:57:40.09 | Kristina Feller | Absolutely. Yes, thank you. Thank you. |
| 02:57:40.14 | Scott Couture | Absolutely. |
| 02:57:43.41 | Kristina Feller | Welcome Jody if you want to unmute and turn your camera on the floor is yours you have three minutes if you could announce yourself at the beginning of your your time. There we go. Thank you. |
| 02:58:01.60 | Peter Wardle | Hi, I'm Peter Wardle. Jody wanted me to do this short presentation. I first wanna thank Christina Jeff. And Morgan. for the time they spent coming over to our house and sizing up our situation. I hope you enjoyed your tour. given by Scott. The height of the, I'm going to make four points. The first point is the height of the new house is a problem for us right next door where we live at 652 South Slito Boulevard. We want the massive wall lowered. The walls, three stories. block the view from our second bedroom, the space that I use all day is an office. My computer and printers are in that place. And so it may well be designated a secondary view, but we do, use probably more, almost any other, more than any other room of the house with the exception of the kitchen. we will lose approximately one third of our view from that room. And that view includes Angel Island the bay and Raccoon Straits. The view also includes the Heritage Oaks next door. My second point. the number of oak trees to be removed will mostly eliminate a canopy of oaks that would that add beauty to the entire neighborhood Oak trees are supposed to enjoy special protection in Sausalito. This oak grove is part of a diminishing feature of our village that should not be lost or sacrificed. We want the six or so oak trees to be preserved. Point number three, how can we agree that the footprint, the new proposed footprint is acceptable until we know what will happen to the bulk of the house. We request a redesign of the building to provide alternative solutions to our issues. And finally, point number four, Our concerns have been presented for long ago. And I don't believe that most of them have been satisfied. Thank you very much. |
| 03:00:28.60 | Kristina Feller | Thank you very much, Mr. and Mrs. Wardle for your time. Bye. Let's see. Janelle. If you could unmute and turn your camera on and announce yourself, please. You've got three minutes on the floor. |
| 03:00:50.18 | Janelle Hinton | Hello, hi. Janelle Hinton. So I'm sitting at a visual, which you've seen previously, which is the breakfast nook looking behind the property of Sausalito. sunshine and it kind of shows you the magnitude of what the house could potentially look like. after all the trees are removed and there's nothing, kind of separating between the two properties. And As I kind of listened through this entire conversation and I've made note after note after note, I want to thank everyone for coming out to Sunshine, seeing the property, evaluating, including Mason. So I appreciate, you know, all of that. One of the things that's kind of coming to mind is that The conversation about views is beyond just the Wardles view out to the Bay or the whites views or other surrounding neighbors. It's the view from the backside of our property. It's the view from the upper floor of the property. I mean, the view conversation can encompass a lot of ground. And it's also the view of the tree canopy below from the neighbors up above and the tree canopy from our property looking up. I just wanna make a comment that I think the views are kind of all encompassing. for everyone and I am concerned about the removal of the heritage heritage Oaks and I think we really need to get to the bottom of how healthy those trees are or not. I very much appreciate the conversation about landscaping between the two properties from our perspective I think that that's a big component. But at the same time, we have to choose the right type of hedge grove. because it sounds like there are certain types that are going to infiltrate the root system. And at the end of the day, destroy the heritage trees on our property. So I have some other concerns about drainage, about the stability of the hillside, et cetera. But at the end of the day, I really would like to have a win-win-win among all of us, because I think there are definitely some efforts being made And Mason, I think you're putting your best foot forward and trying to accommodate what that might look like. But I think we just need to get to the win-win-win. So that's really where we're coming from in terms of our family and what we're looking for I want to stand on the backside of 44 sunshine has been part of our family for over 40 years and I want to be excited about what's taking place behind the home. And, you know, that's something else to consider. You have to realize that People have owned... these properties for 40 plus years. The wortels have been in their property for over 35 years. So to have some, perspective and emotion and comments around it and passion about our properties, I think needs to be valued. THE FAMILY. |
| 03:04:16.70 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate your comments. And thank you for participating. Thank you. Let's see. If there are any other hands raised, I will ask Zoom team to help verify if they see any Any other hands for public comment? |
| 03:04:41.51 | Kristina Feller | Seeing none, I'm going to close public comment at this time. and bring the conversation back up to our virtual dais. to our our commissioners Who would like to start us off |
| 03:04:57.18 | Mason | Sorry to interrupt. Do we get a rebuttal time or is that... I believe we have some time. |
| 03:05:01.42 | Kristina Feller | We'll see you next time. Pardon me if I made a mistake here, but was there time left on the clock? |
| 03:05:07.44 | Unknown | I'm, |
| 03:05:07.83 | Kristina Feller | Bye. |
| 03:05:07.85 | Unknown | I believe we have a few minutes. |
| 03:05:07.90 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. We had a few. Thank you. Thank you. They had sex matched. Oh, forgive me, Mason. Thank you for correcting me. |
| 03:05:12.08 | Unknown | I'm not sure. |
| 03:05:16.81 | Kristina Feller | if we could put the comment clock back at the proper time. And I will hand it over to you, Mason, and the applicants team. |
| 03:05:29.78 | Mason | Yeah, I'll, we shouldn't even need the six minutes. We'll, we'll keep this fairly brief. I just wanted to bring up a couple of points. You know, we, we intentionally came, came here with, with what we, I know a lot of the comments were, were dealing with the height and all that. I certainly mentioned that we for the sake of the exhibits have kept it but we would, as I said, we are not done tweaking it. You know, hopefully we're looking forward to getting the story pulls up when we come with our ultimate design as I, you know, I hope and think we can mitigate a lot of these concerns. So, you know, I think a lot of these comments dealt with the previous just from that's the information they had as far as the elevation. So we would, you know, request or just hope that when we get to that more complete submittal that we would make everyone happy. Some of the other things we had an issue with a couple of comments. Chris White and his wife Sue were not only were they invited to the November 10th meeting, they were at the meeting. It was the Zoom meeting. I think Brad and Lily were there and can attest that they were there as well. Again, not that that necessarily matters, but we want to at least let it be known that we are trying to include it. We have tried to include everyone and not always the case that's being reflected. Additionally, we certainly understand all their concerns and are aiming to address them. back to some of the other things somewhat of a moving target on some of them in our conversation We certainly understand all their concerns and are aiming to address them. Back to some of the other things, somewhat of a moving target on some of them where in our conversations with Scott, he presented us with an exhibit to keep this one free and that would alleviate a lot of their concerns. We do that plus another and they ask for additional. That's where we are coming from as far as some of this where we try to accommodate them and then they ask for more. Again, that's not to belittle any of their other comments, and we'll certainly work towards addressing them as best we can, and we look forward to bringing forward a more complete package. So thank you, and thank you to all the commissioners for your time and consideration. |
| 03:07:51.30 | Kristina Feller | Thank you very much, Mason. Thank you very much. Okay. With that, now I will bring it back up to the virtual dais and thank you, Mason, for correcting me there. Who would like to start us off? Commissioner Luxenberg, would you like to start off? |
| 03:08:10.00 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Sure, I'll try this out since I haven't done this before, but I thought this study session was a good idea. I hope that the applicants and their architect and landscape architect can take some suggestions that come from tonight and come up with a revised design that can address the concerns raised. If that can happen, I mean hopefully this project's been going on for 18 months, which is I'm sure unsettling both for the applicants as well as all of their abutters. So hopefully this can, with a revised design, can come in and be done timely. For me, I think there are issues laid out in seven areas that if they can address in their revised submission, that would be good. The first for me, and I think I concur with Commissioner Pierce on this, the view impacts as well as the height and bulk and the facade articulation and the building wall offsets all relate to the fact that They have a design that they're trying to slide around. I think they need to go back and look at the site, and the design has to come from the site. And they're just taking the existing design and sliding it and turning it is not really what needs to happen. And I think the bulk is an issue and the height is an issue. And especially with the heightened review and the vote because there are both primary and secondary impacts. So that's my first thing. The second is on the facade. I think the front facade of the is it was not bad last time. I think that they the stucco is bright and I think that was an issue but I didn't I don't have an issue with the stucco. I also don't have an issue with I think it's a distinctive creative solution. So I think it can be It doesn't have to be the exact same that's all in the area. However, if they go to the wood, I would suggest that the Uh... they're showing pictures with wood that's in a vertical direction on a project they want to minimize the height on. So I think they should be in a horizontal direction, not in a vertical direction, to minimize that. I also think that it would be helpful for the next time that they show the redwoods from the perspective from the northwest, because from the northwest, I think the building will be, some of those trees block the view, and I think that it looks more stark than it is on that side. I think that's not true from the 44 sunshine. I think that the height is an issue from that regard. The third area, the trees. Can everybody hear me okay? |
| 03:11:01.94 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 03:11:01.97 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 03:11:01.99 | Kristina Feller | Yes. |
| 03:11:02.31 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 03:11:02.83 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Okay, for the trees, I... I appreciate the fact that they're going to save trees three and four. I think that's very important. I tend to agree with the arborist's concern of them being fair to moderate and do concur with the applicant's original concept that if you're going to change them, especially trees, I guess it's five, six, and seven, and the time to do it would be before they build, that it's part, six, and seven. The time to do it would be before they build, it's part of the initial process. So I think that saving the ones on one part are important and the other ones that are in worse condition, this might be a time to do that shift, at least from my perspective. But I'm not an arborist as well. So I leave it to the arborist to determine the best solutions to replace and how they would do that. My fourth issue has not been raised, but as I viewed the site from the abutters and on Sausalito Boulevard, that is not a very safe corner from traffic point of view. Cars come from both directions and you come out of the Sacramento walkway. and there is like a refuge area that is in essence like a sidewalk. and between where the trees are and where the parking would be in front of the house. So I think they should look at the landscape plan, make sure that that paving stays so you could use it as a sidewalk, and maybe they show it in some way and look at it as they connect the driveway and the new walkways and show that on future plans. The fifth area is the area of noise. I think they really need to make sure that any pool equipment is well shielded and how the fencing and landscape absorbs the sounds of that pool are important. The sixth is obviously the solar impact on those. whatever solar impact is on the adjacent solar panels. And seventh, once we get to that point, I think the construction management plan of how you deal with traffic during construction is very important. I also concur with there is a difference, at least as I'm reading the code and I'm new, between a heightened review. And so although they're building what they're allowed by code, they're allowed that by code because it goes into the heightened review. If they did not have a heightened review, they would have less square footage, which means they'd have less heightened bulk. So I just raise that issue for everybody. But again, That was a little long wind bed, so I apologize. So thank you all. |
| 03:13:48.83 | Kristina Feller | Oh, it was, it was excellent. And thank you for. organizing your thoughts and comments so succinctly. Thank you very much, Commissioner Luxenberg. Commissioner Saad. |
| 03:14:05.84 | Nastassya Saad | I just wanted to say you know I don't know in terms of process what the next steps are for the story polls. I've seen some others around town and they do help And I think a lot of the concern was to get that perspective from the neighbors. So if that can be a next step that would be a a great next step just from from a visual standpoint for everyone to be on the same page. Outside of that, I think just from an empathy statement across the board I think you can hear the frustration in the applicants I understand it's been a long process. I think that we have to be able to you know, everyone does have a right to their concerns and there's a lot of valid concerns on the table. So, you know, we are here to do the best for the city and for the applicant and for the neighbors. And I think just wanna make sure that everyone's aware that that's our goal as well. I'm not sure. Outside of that I do think it's an interesting project to say the least. And I do think that the height is concerned. So based on the feedback, I would agree with my fellow commissioner. I think the rotation perhaps is is not necessarily the best approach. another, you know, it's a big onus on the, and the applicant for a redesign but I just think in terms of being open to that it may actually end up being the best the best bet. down the line to be able to to ultimately get what you want and then accommodate accommodate your neighbors as well. um so looking forward to the next steps but just wanted to say Say that. |
| 03:15:49.79 | Kristina Feller | Thank you, Commissioner Saad. Just a quick note regarding the story polls. I think the applicant needs to develop a design, a new design, and then put the story pulls up so we can actually understand what it is that they're proposing. because this is just a study session, they really haven't proposed a design. They're soliciting our feedback and we are discussing the input that they've gotten from their community outreach and stuff so so I'm sure in the not so near future we will be seeing new story polls on this property. and a new design proposed. Thank you. |
| 03:16:28.89 | Nastassya Saad | Okay, that's great to know. And then actually, you know, I did have one because I think there was quite a bit of concern around the privacy from the swimming pool. And I'm wondering from the applicants standpoint. if they have concerns. about, their own privacy. I'm not sure. from the swimming pool. We I didn't think I heard the reverse there. to be able to see you in that space and manner. |
| 03:16:58.13 | Kristina Feller | I believe the architect did mention that just as much as they're interested in preserving privacy of neighbors, they want to be private as well. I did hear that comment from from the applicant or the applicant Amen. Thank you. Thank you very much. Commissioner Graff, Vice Chair Graff. |
| 03:17:22.97 | Richard Graef | OK. that. I, My notes are not quite so organized, but... Where should I start? Well, I guess I have to be voiced my concern also about the height of the structure. Um, I don't know. um, with the current design concept. how much leeway there might be given the site. and the number of levels that they're proposing. But I feel like, I think height is still an issue of the overall structure. No. And I think the street elevation from South Seattle Boulevard I think that's one that that where that height is going to be that's pretty So I think Um, Uh... any effort to reduce the height of the building would be A good idea. |
| 03:18:30.79 | Sylvia Fung | I'm not sure. |
| 03:18:33.21 | Richard Graef | Thank you. the And also I think articulating the walls to eliminate as much as possible large expanses of of with the flat wall. would be a real, Yeah. I think the wood concept, the, the, some of the examples that they've shown. I think are to me very nice. I think that the the design concept that they have would be pretty well articulated with that approach. And I think that would go a long way to mitigating the brightness factor. Um, Let's see. I think. Um, Well, The plan, the site plan, and I thought maybe there was some some hope there when they began to think about rotating Bye. site plan. And I'm looking at the landscape plan right now and everything is so rectilinear. And I kind of wonder given the location of the heritage trees, all of which would be great to say if they, the whole the plan concept might be a little more organic somehow, including where the cool is and the relationship of the pool. Everything is oriented to that hard a rare property line. And so, My sense of this is that that Um, that the whole design approach of the site and the building could be could flow a little better. But having said that, there's a lot about the design that I do like. I think there's some very interesting interior spaces and some, kind of uh you know, nice articulation of the building here and there. Um, So perhaps that style Uh, Good. Um, could be made to work. Um, Let's see, mass pool. Yeah, I think if, yeah, I think if the, if the poor could somehow be fit into that backyard without having to take out more trees. That would be I'm not sure. A good idea. Those are my main concepts. comments. I certainly appreciate the effort that's going into this. And I think there's a lot of, very positive design uh, has gone into it. but I feel like there's still a ways to go. And once a more fully realized design concept gets articulated, then the story polls will go up and everybody will be able to see really what the impact is gonna be. So, It's all pretty conceptual at this stage. So I hope that the design team. Uh, and move forward with all the comments. That's about, yeah. for me right now. Thank you. |
| 03:22:16.97 | Kristina Feller | Thank you, Vice Chair Graff. Thank you. |
| 03:22:18.84 | Morgan Pierce | Commissioner Pierce. Thank you, Chair Feller. And thank you to my fellow commissioners. I think you all articulated some very valid points regarding this project. And I I agree wholeheartedly. I guess I would just summarize mine just to hit some of those highlights. I think the keys are obviously the mass and configuration of this thing and how it impacts not only its appearance from a size and bulk perspective, but how it also impacts views from neighboring properties. And I think, as was mentioned by my fellow commissioners, with some simple articulation, I believe the clients can achieve their programmatic needs and also satisfy the needs of their neighbors. Thank you. as was mentioned by my fellow commissioners with some simple articulation, I believe the clients can achieve their programmatic needs and also satisfy the needs of their neighbors. So I wholeheartedly encourage them to pursue an avenue that allows them to, I think as Ms. Hinton said, look for the win-win-win. And I think that's definitely achievable. Obviously, privacy is a big concern. And whether that is through preserving the other heritage jokes and figuring out some other creative ways beyond just a singular hedge to create privacy at the ground playing between 44 Sunshine and this property as well as at the upper levels so that we're not leaning from bedrooms to bedrooms through some more mature, taller canopy-oriented trees. could be helpful. Hope they'll explore that a little bit more. privacy, tree preservation, materials, materials. I think the bright white elements were a little, a little stark when I originally saw them. I really have no interest in helping them specify material, whether they'd like a wood product or stucco, but I think a softer tone would certainly be, be helpful. Um, and, um, Yeah, I think with all of that, we could probably achieve a pretty successful solution. The one thing that Commissioner Vice Chair Graff mentioned about maybe applying a little bit more of an organic lens to this, you look at this and it's almost trying to squeeze a square box into a very non-square configuration between the existing redwoods and the existing oaks, the topography a little articulation in the building and maybe a little bit, uh, less restraint and less regimented approach to the landscape can solve all those problems. So I think the applicants have some great feedback from us and from their neighbors. And hopefully they'll come to us. soon with a great solution. I look forward to it. |
| 03:24:50.55 | Kristina Feller | Thank you, Commissioner Pierce. Um, I will just add a couple items that haven't already been addressed by my fellow commissioners that I thought articulated the issues quite soundly. And of course, there's not a design here that we're actually We are providing additional feedback to what we have seen before. And then of course, some of these site studies and some of the ideas for your finishes. in relation to what we had seen before as well. in regards to the height of the home that you're designing. I don't have an issue with the height per se. I have an issue with the view corridors. and where the height of the building, the height of the home is obstructing those views. if it is not obstructing those views and it works within The restrictions and the height restrictions of the site, I don't have an issue with that. So I wanna make sure that that point is very clearly articulated There's not a wholesale problem with the height of the home. It's the view corridors. And in heightened design review, we will be very, very laser focused on that. I hope that as you take in some of these comments that absorb the input that that really is a number one priority in what you're what you will ultimately come back to this body with. as it relates to the landscape, Um, I appreciate the the revisions to the landscape and what has been proposed and discussed today. The one thing that I would ask that the applicant come back and the applicant's team come back with once there is a final design is a real discussion and demonstration that whatever landscape is being proposed Um, that it, that it is compatible. with the existing surroundings of other landscape that will stay in place whether it's on the property or not I think that's an important consideration. Um. It appears to me that although I know the applicants, as my fellow commissioner Saad has mentioned, the applicant seems a little frustrated. I can appreciate that. However, I'll point out that I think that this neighborhood and community is also really rooting for you too. They're hoping that they can welcome you into the neighborhood. And I know they have been very responsive it seems to your architect reaching out or hosting or helping to host these outreach. So. I think that's excellent, excellent progress. And I think that has made quite a difference here. So I think that's an important step in this whole process. in regards to comments I don't feel strongly that I need to go back over what my commissioners have already said I would Again back to the landscape regarding the redwoods wherever you end up citing this home. whatever that design might be. Again, if you when you do come back to this commission with a design that the due diligence is done to ensure that none of that existing . impacted in a negative way with whatever new new building you're planning on. So would appreciate that a lot. That's all in terms of my comments. I Director Whalen, could I... defer to you for just a moment. I just want to make sure that the applicant, um, understands the comments that this commission has made here without any doubt whatsoever with you know so for any avoidance of that doubt I want to make sure that they understand the comments that we've made here. |
| 03:29:29.02 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 03:29:29.04 | Kristina Feller | Yes, vice chair. |
| 03:29:29.05 | Director Whalen | Yes, Vice Chair. Get the applicant. |
| 03:29:32.18 | Kristina Feller | Unmuted. Here. I don't want to enter into a discussion or debate I just want to make sure that There isn't anything that this commission said or the comments provided that is confusing or they didn't understand what we were saying for any reason. |
| 03:29:54.94 | Mason | Um, I don't know. |
| 03:29:55.50 | Allie | We, we, from, from Jackson and my perspective, we fully understand. |
| 03:29:56.81 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 03:30:01.47 | Allie | all the comments and appreciate them. Thank you. I know this is an exhaustive process, and we thank you all and all of our neighbors for the time put in. And yes, we fully understand all the comments. Thank you so much. |
| 03:30:16.42 | Mason | you. |
| 03:30:16.49 | Allie | Thank you. |
| 03:30:16.52 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 03:30:16.81 | Mason | Thank you. Thank you. I second that comment and again, thank you for your time and we look forward to presenting. a more complete project that hopefully everyone's happy with. |
| 03:30:27.85 | Kristina Feller | Great. Great. Thank you. Thank you both. Appreciate it. Vice Chair Graff. |
| 03:30:36.20 | Richard Graef | Thank you. last thing and I think this might have come up in our previous discussion the last time around. that it would be really helpful to see a site section that goes all the way maybe from above. Sausalito Boulevard through Sausalito Boulevard down through the site and through the site on, sunshine below. the relationship of all those parts and heights. even with some indication of where the trees and tree canopies are. I think that would be very helpful. Um, And also the street elevation Somebody else mentioned this and I thought it was a really good idea. And that is to show the elevation whatever it ends up being with its context. That is the large redwoods out in front and some of the other foliage and really see it in context. rather than just kind of an isolated image. would be very helpful and I think it will go a long way to helping to visualize Um, how the structure of the settles into the site. |
| 03:32:02.04 | Unknown | Okay. |
| 03:32:02.65 | Richard Graef | And that's it. |
| 03:32:04.94 | Unknown | That was a good point. |
| 03:32:07.86 | Richard Graef | I think. |
| 03:32:08.03 | Unknown | Thank you. |
| 03:32:08.42 | Richard Graef | Thank you. |
| 03:32:09.01 | Unknown | Okay. |
| 03:32:10.92 | Kristina Feller | Okay, I think unless there are any other comments from any commissioner regarding this study session, We will. We'll close this item on the agenda. |
| 03:32:26.00 | Kristina Feller | And Director Whalen? that I ask that you please read The next item on the agenda. |
| 03:32:35.51 | Director Whalen | Thank you, Chair Feller. or we're moving on. |
| 03:32:37.97 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 03:32:38.04 | Director Whalen | to our public hearing items. |
| 03:32:39.64 | Director Whalen | Thank you. and Thank you. |
| 03:32:40.58 | Director Whalen | This is the continuation of the zoning ordinance amendment regarding development agreements that you heard at your last meeting continues this meeting And our recommendation is to continue to take public comments. and to continue. |
| 03:32:59.03 | Director Whalen | you. |
| 03:32:59.59 | Director Whalen | hearing. |
| 03:33:00.02 | Director Whalen | with our |
| 03:33:00.55 | Director Whalen | I'm not sure. |
| 03:33:00.60 | Director Whalen | for staff presentation. to the first meeting in January, which is your January Thank you. meeting. |
| 03:33:10.08 | Kristina Feller | So, so are you suggesting that we just continue this item in its entirety or take public comment? |
| 03:33:17.78 | Director Whalen | for. |
| 03:33:18.03 | Director Whalen | We're recommending that you |
| 03:33:20.04 | Director Whalen | that we give no staff presentation, we take any public comment if anyone would like to make any, and then the commission continues. |
| 03:33:28.14 | Director Whalen | the item to that January 6th meeting date. |
| 03:33:32.51 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 03:33:32.53 | Kristina Feller | Okay, okay. So with that, we will open up this item for public comment. |
| 03:33:44.42 | Kristina Feller | And If you could, Director Whelan, please. remind people how to do so. how to make their public comment. |
| 03:33:56.25 | Director Whalen | Sure, so if you have any public comment on this item, please raise your hand in the Zoom application. We're calling you when it's church. |
| 03:34:04.03 | Director Whalen | turn to speak |
| 03:34:04.89 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 03:34:04.91 | Director Whalen | Thank you. And if you are on a phone, you can press star nine. I am not seeing any hands raised. |
| 03:34:12.92 | Kristina Feller | I am not seeing any either. seeing none. We will close this item and is there a motion to continue this to the January 6th. Commission meeting. |
| 03:34:27.32 | Jeffery Luxenberg | I move we continue this to the January meeting. |
| 03:34:31.01 | Kristina Feller | Okay, can we take a roll call there, Director Whalen? |
| 03:34:36.47 | Director Whalen | or Commissioner Luxembourg. |
| 03:34:39.07 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Yes. |
| 03:34:41.21 | Director Whalen | from the seminar side. Thank you. |
| 03:34:42.90 | Sylvia Fung | Thank you. |
| 03:34:43.00 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 03:34:45.22 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 03:34:45.24 | Director Whalen | Commissioner Pierre. |
| 03:34:45.97 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 03:34:46.35 | Sylvia Fung | Yeah. |
| 03:34:46.59 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 03:34:46.67 | Sylvia Fung | Thank you. |
| 03:34:48.19 | Director Whalen | Vice Chair of Congress. Filler. |
| 03:34:52.65 | Kristina Feller | Yes. |
| 03:34:54.20 | Director Whalen | That carries five zero. Thank you. |
| 03:34:56.02 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 03:34:56.72 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 03:34:59.80 | Director Whalen | our next item on the agenda |
| 03:35:01.96 | Director Whalen | is our communication sections. where staff or planning commission can provide any communications just wanted to finally the meeting saying again welcome to our new commissioners and i'm very excited to work with all five of you in the new year. So thank you for all the work that you do. |
| 03:35:23.26 | Kristina Feller | Thank you very much. And Happy New Year. |
| 03:35:23.82 | Director Whalen | Happy New Year. |
| 03:35:25.17 | Kristina Feller | I'm not sure. Welcome. So if those, if, Exactly. And the communications any other communications from any other commissioner. |
| 03:35:39.39 | Unknown | you |
| 03:35:40.15 | Kristina Feller | No. Well, then I guess it's that wonderful time to adjourn. Do I have a motion to adjourn? |
| 03:35:46.14 | Morgan Pierce | Motion to adjourn. |
| 03:35:47.76 | Kristina Feller | Second. Good. |
| 03:35:49.72 | Morgan Pierce | Thank you. |
| 03:35:49.74 | Kristina Feller | All right, all in favor? I think it's a good thing. I. There you go. Thank you everybody welcome new commissioners and have a happy holidays. |
| 03:36:00.07 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Thank you. |
| 03:36:00.17 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 03:36:00.47 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Thank you. |
| 03:36:00.60 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 03:36:00.62 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Thank you. |
| 03:36:00.66 | Director Whalen | Thank you. Happy holidays to you as well. Happy New Year, too. Thank you all. Happy New Year. Bye. |
| 03:36:01.31 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Thank you. Thank you. |
| 03:36:02.04 | Kristina Feller | Happy New Year, too. |
| 03:36:03.34 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Thank you. |
| 03:36:04.91 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 03:36:05.03 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Yeah. |
| 03:36:05.57 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 03:36:05.60 | Jeffery Luxenberg | I'm sorry. |
| 03:36:05.80 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 03:36:06.16 | Director Whalen | Thank you. |
| 03:36:06.21 | Kristina Feller | Thank you, Lily. |
| 03:36:07.54 | Director Whalen | See you next year. |
| 03:36:07.59 | Kristina Feller | the answer. |
| 03:36:08.59 | Jeffery Luxenberg | Thank you. Thanks, Lily. Thank you. |
| 03:36:09.82 | Richard Graef | Yeah. |
| 03:36:10.17 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 03:36:10.34 | Richard Graef | Thank you. |
| 03:36:10.39 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 03:36:10.48 | Richard Graef | Okay. |
| 03:36:10.97 | Kristina Feller | Thank you. |
| 03:36:11.08 | Richard Graef | Bye. |