[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:38] To the many commission, the city of one of the many commission meeting for June 17th. This is Planck Mission Chair Kirby Wells, like to make clear for the record that this meeting, and it should be reflected in the minutes of this Planck Mission of June 17th, 2021, will be conducted pursuant to the government, to Governor Newsom's executive order and 2920.
[1:06] And here's some of the ground rules.
[1:09] The meeting will be held via teleconference and plan commission members will participate via teleconference.
[1:14] These locations are not listed on the agenda and are not accessible to the public.
[1:19] The public is encouraged to listen to the plan commission meeting live on Woodland TV channel 20.
[1:25] And also by going to the city of Woodland website at www.cityof Woodland.org for slash meetings.
[1:33] If you want, wish to make a comment during the general public comment or on a specific
[1:38] agenda item for three ways to accomplish that.
[1:42] First, members of the public are invited to leave the voicemail message at 530-661-5500.
[1:50] Again, 530-661-5900.
[1:54] All voicemail messages received by 630 PM today will be played during a planning commission
[1:59] meeting as part of the record at the appropriate times.
[2:05] Second, any number of the public watching the live stream, who wishes to make a comment on an item as is being heard may submit an email to the following email address prior to public comment on the item.
[2:18] And that email address is planning commission meetings, again meetings is plural at city of woodland.org.
[2:26] So planning commission meetings at city of woodland.org.
[2:30] If you email, these include the agenda item in the subject line, and third, you can purchase
[2:37] paid via Zoom.
[2:38] You will find a link to the Zoom webinar meeting on the Planning Commission agenda that
[2:43] is posted online.
[2:44] I kind of want to link and to end the webinar.
[2:46] The webinar ideas listed on the web page as well.
[2:49] The webinar ID is 921, 7009, 586, or you may access zoom via phone by dialing 669, 900, 6833,
[3:19] and then
[3:21] 6833. Please note all comments are limited to no more than three minutes. This includes
[3:27] voicemail messages and email comments submitted to be read into the record. The email
[3:32] shall be read for no more than three minutes and this means if there's a longer email,
[3:37] we may not be able to read the full content within the three minute limit. Or if you've
[3:42] submitted both a voicemassage and an email, we will accept only one.
[3:46] Okay, to start, let's open the meeting and I would like to ask for a roll call, and so,
[3:57] Eric, I'm assuming that you are performing that this evening.
[4:01] Yes.
[4:02] Commissioner Harris.
[4:04] Here.
[4:06] Commissioner Holt.
[4:10] Commissioner Harris.
[4:11] Present.
[4:12] Vice Chair, Lisa Rogan.
[4:15] Present.
[4:16] Commissioner Lopez.
[4:17] This
[4:24] name is Toro Paz and Q,
[4:33] Mr. Lopez, okay he's waving, we can't hear you, and then
[4:38] chairperson Wells.
[4:41] Excellent.
[4:43] Okay, now I'd like to request that each member of the commission respond to the following
[4:48] questions, and I'm going to go down alphabetically, so, and the question to each commissioner
[4:55] here, can you hear me well?
[4:58] And so, first, Commissioner Harris, can you hear me well?
[5:02] Yes.
[5:02] Thank you, see you.
[5:05] Commissioner Harris, can you hear me well?
[5:14] I thought you said Steve, I can hear you.
[5:16] OK, good.
[5:17] Thank you.
[5:18] Vice Chair Liz Raga?
[5:20] Yes sir.
[5:21] Perfect.
[5:22] And Commissioner Lopez,
[5:30] can you see if...
[5:31] if Fresher's bonding?
[5:34] We can't hear you.
[5:36] Are you muted?
[5:39] Thanks from my side. It looks like your audio is not connected. You might need to click on the microphone in the bottom left corner and choose to commit your audio by a computer.
[5:55] If that doesn't work, you can dial in to the meeting with a telephone.
[6:17] Come back.
[6:17] If you could hear me, I'm actually going to email you.
[6:20] I'm going to zoom in when you can get in.
[6:22] Okay, okay, so let's take just a second lead Fred work that through so we can get him on the record is is
[6:31] hearing as for the
[6:34] Guidelines
[7:15] print it doesn't like your connection now, but and your microphone does not look like it's muted, but I do not dare you if you're talking
[7:24] No, we can't hear you my friend
[7:44] Okay. Jay, maybe you can get a call and we'll kind of start through the meeting. We'll come back and we can actually connect with them for that verbal.
[7:58] Okay, so my next question to each member is each member of the commission, and I know that this will show up on the screen in front of you, which will be a copy of the agenda for the meeting.
[8:13] And so, again, I'll go down through the list, Commissioner Harris, can you see the agenda
[8:19] or have you add access to it?
[8:22] Yes.
[8:23] Thank you.
[8:25] Commissioner Hurst.
[8:27] Yes.
[8:28] Thank you.
[8:29] Vice Chair, Liz Draga.
[8:37] Marquay, thank you.
[8:38] Maybe,
[8:43] go.
[8:44] I don't see you and you look muted.
[8:46] There we go.
[8:48] So Vice Chair, Liz Draga, if you have access to the agenda.
[8:53] job your muted so my friend. Yes, I do have a good day.
[8:58] There you go. Thank you. Thank you.
[9:02] Okay,
[9:06] Commission Secretary, Erica, have you posted the agenda at a location reasonably accessible to the public?
[9:15] Yes, I have. Thank you. The record should reflect that we have one, two, three, four.
[9:24] No, we have one, two, three, four, five members present, because I don't see the way
[9:30] I've fris in attendance this evening, is that your records that you show, Erica?
[9:38] Is that as correct?
[9:40] Okay.
[9:40] I just joined sorry commissioner Ross.
[9:43] Oh, press.
[9:44] Hey, welcome.
[9:45] Good to see you.
[9:45] Thank you.
[9:47] Okay, so, so amend that that we that we have six members of the commission attending this
[9:56] At this time, also Chris Wally, while you're there, let me ask you the two questions.
[10:02] Number one, can you hear me clearly?
[10:04] Yes, sir.
[10:05] And number two, have you had access to the agenda, whether it's on the screen or through
[10:11] the other mechanisms?
[10:12] Yes, sir.
[10:13] Thank you.
[10:14] Fred, can you hear your jet?
[10:16] Okay.
[10:17] We'll come back and I can see you're there, but we can't hear you.
[10:20] Okay.
[10:21] The next item is if this time I'd like to request that the other city officials in attendance introduced themselves and their positions so that the record can reflect their attendance.
[10:38] Even Chairman Wellesmembers, the Commission can hide, see Major for the city with us, President.
[10:44] Good evening, Ken. Welcome.
[10:46] Thank you.
[10:49] Good evening, Erica.
[10:53] Good evening, Erica. Thank you. And we have Brent with us.
[11:03] Good evening. This is part of the community development director and city and share.
[11:09] Wonderful. Welcome, Brent.
[11:11] I'd also like to acknowledge Jay Kamera, who's our IT gentleman who helps keep us all square to
[11:18] in this and as you can see these are not always perfect meetings
[11:25] and so it's always great
[11:27] to have somebody in the background to help us with stuff so Jay thank you for all your work.
[11:33] Now as we go through the agenda I like to request the before speaking you clearly identify yourself
[11:38] each time I know that this can be redundant but it is required for the record and that kind of process
[11:45] is this is Commissioner Harris, Commissioner Harris, etc.
[11:52] But the individual speak in pleasing an item
[11:54] or up, I'd also ask to the greatest extent possible
[11:59] that everybody mute their phones, cell phones,
[12:02] especially, or devices when not actively speaking.
[12:05] And I know that it's easy to forget to mute your self,
[12:09] but please try to remember how to do that.
[12:11] So we don't get unnecessary background noise.
[12:15] Now I'd like to advise all Commission members
[12:16] in the commission secretary, then he votes taken during a self-conference portion of this meeting
[12:21] must be taken by roll call. In point, tonight we will not have any motions that will require
[12:28] a vote, so this is, we'll have a couple of public meeting people, you know, open and closed
[12:36] public meetings on us, but there is no actions before the commission that require our vote tonight.
[12:42] So, at this point, I'd like to ask the Commissioner Harris, if everybody else would mute their
[12:53] microphones, if Commissioner Harris could lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
[12:58] Steve D. Glad to. I'd pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
[13:16] Thank you. Now before we move on to the items in the in the agenda tonight, I'd like to ask if there's if the if there any comments.
[13:29] The commissioners would like to make that are not specific to the items on the agenda tonight that would be for the benefits of the city of Woodland and so I'll start with commissioner Harris any comments.
[13:41] No, not at any. Okay, Steve, thank you. Commissioner Hold.
[13:46] No, sir.
[13:47] Thank you. Commissioner, first.
[13:51] Yeah, I'll try and make my comment brief from the other week when I was not able to see her through my very bad internet connection.
[14:00] It was just in response, I think, to the vote, that we had made about the locking to a property and how I think at the time I didn't make the comment,
[14:09] because I saw that I was very positive and favor of approving the project.
[14:16] But I had a lot of reservations about it, and I think moving forward, we should continue
[14:21] to have reservations about approving such a project, especially with a conditional user,
[14:27] something like that in our town, just because as we've seen with COVID and the pandemic
[14:34] and the fragility of our economy and our global health at this point.
[14:41] And it's already impacted our businesses.
[14:44] We had delayed some payments made by existing hotels
[14:49] that were already struggling under occupancy rates,
[14:52] really low occupancy rates in the city.
[14:56] And just adding another doesn't really make sense to me.
[15:00] And so I think, as we move forward, if there is another hotel project that, that is before the commission, we think long and hard about how this would actually positively contribute to our overall community, especially given the fact that, you know,
[15:30] is that we already have and how we could have maybe potentially used that property differently.
[15:34] I know that it's been a bit of a blight for a while. And obviously I have not been here as
[15:39] long as the rest of you and how you've been trying to work through these projects. I know it can be
[15:43] difficult. But to be honest, it was a little disappointing how easily everything went through.
[15:50] I guess I'm not as, yes it looked nice, I guess for a lucky tip, but I guess I'm just not as impressed
[15:57] with that stuff and trying to keep woodlands.
[16:02] I think true character shining, instead of continuing
[16:06] to sort of look like every other path
[16:09] through on the highway in that area.
[16:13] And so yeah, I would just put a note out there
[16:18] of caution and hesitancy and thinking twice
[16:21] about this project, so if we see them again.
[16:22] Good. Okay. All right. Thank you. Okay.
[16:28] Nice chair. Let's rock up.
[16:32] Marking. Okay. Thank you.
[16:36] Commissioner Lopez. If you can hear us yet, are you able to hear us my friend?
[16:43] Yeah. You can hear us. Can you speak?
[16:46] No sound for you. Okay.
[16:48] Okay. Well, if you get that figured out with Jayden, we'll, we'll, we'll be able to bring you in.
[16:55] Okay, the next item is, I have no comments, and so moving on to the next item.
[17:07] Do we have any communications from the public, Erica, that we need to provide to the board
[17:14] at all?
[17:17] We do not see any emails in that regard.
[17:21] I'll ask Jeff, he seems to anybody.
[17:24] No, I mean, that question would be just a stuff that's not before that's not going to be for the commission to speak.
[17:31] No, no, no, no, no.
[17:32] Relications on your side. Okay.
[17:34] We have no minutes to approve of the speeding.
[17:39] And the business item will have one business item on the agenda tonight.
[17:44] There's two portions of this agenda.
[17:49] One is a draft environmental impact report and then the second is the comment on a project that
[17:59] you know, staff will also make so for both of those. So at this point staff will first provide a presentation, both can hire
[18:08] Erica Bumbarner and rep Meyer and Matthew Birkin. I don't know if you had Matthew on here.
[18:17] Yes, he's on the top.
[18:18] Okay, good. So, Erica, take it away.
[18:22] Okay, I do see Marco. Don't you hear that? Say something. So, while I can, can you let me share my screen
[18:28] or do I just say yes? I'll take it up. Yeah, going to the video. I'll go ahead. Marco, go ahead.
[18:35] Yes, I have one question for Chairman. I'm sorry to interrupt.
[18:39] But do we have any shop community reports?
[18:42] I think if that's a community meeting.
[18:46] So I think we might have a subcommittee report.
[18:52] Let's go ahead and ask that question now.
[18:57] So Marco, do you have a subcommittee report on the cannabis issue?
[19:02] I think it might be Mr. Harris.
[19:05] OK.
[19:06] Steve?
[19:06] Today we were represented at the subcommittee by Valerie and myself, Marco had work issues, so he was not able to join us.
[19:19] A lot was done today, some really healthy discussion, Valerie, would you like to brief or would you like me to brief?
[19:29] I can add in as needed. I mean, we discussed.
[19:32] We haven't just, you do it and I'll fill in if I need to.
[19:36] Please do.
[19:37] We discussed if we would like to see a cap on the number of businesses retail outlets,
[19:47] potentially located within withland.
[19:51] I don't know if I want to say what we decided because we did decide on a second meeting
[19:57] to finalize those results, I think it's looking towards, we like the idea of retail, we like
[20:04] the idea of retail and delivery and we're also warmed the idea of a retail and distribution
[20:09] site within the city. We also talked about leaning towards tax tax rate that is ranging between
[20:21] 10 and 15 percent were thinking of around four locations total were sort of starting out slow
[20:30] because we'd like to see what interest we're getting, which does seem to be quite a bit,
[20:35] but we'd also like to see how everything fits and feels for our community and then we can always
[20:40] expand from there in terms of issuing additional permits for more businesses to step in.
[20:49] And we're looking, I, you know, I off the top of my head, I'm probably going to get the zoning
[20:55] names incorrect, but I don't know if we're looking at some downtown areas, some mixed
[21:05] commercial
[21:08] and light industrial flex. Is that correct, Steve?
[21:12] Did that pretty well, sounds enough?
[21:14] Yeah, yeah. Steve, I have one question and I'd like to put to the subcommittee
[21:20] And one of the items that we, that there may have been some confusion about Trump, as confused
[21:28] about whether or not, is that when we become linked into the retail cannabis, if we
[21:36] go that route, does a city of women have the ability to participate in the state of California's
[21:44] exercise tax on kind of that big bucket of tax money that is collected for retail sales
[21:52] or, you know, what's kind of the process.
[21:55] You need not have the answer to that tonight.
[21:56] No.
[21:57] I like that maybe for the next meeting.
[22:00] Commissioner, I can tell you that it was brought up.
[22:02] And I think Mr. Hyatt probably speaks best to that issue.
[22:07] Okay.
[22:07] Well, why don't we rather addressing that tonight?
[22:11] Why don't we bring that back to the next after you've had your next.
[22:14] committee commission meeting committee meeting and we can report back but that's when I don't that I'd like to have a response to
[22:23] Okay, you'll do any other questions from before we leave any other questions from the commissioners
[22:30] On the cannabis question for the subcommittee.
[22:39] Hearing none, we will move on.
[22:43] So, and then, Chris, any comment, any subcommittee reports on architectural activities?
[22:55] Not right at this moment, I do have a fresh housing in hand for approval.
[23:04] If you guys will remember, it's one out at the end of East Street near Sports Park area.
[23:09] It's very minor modification.
[23:11] I'm going to look at that and get back to making about that by the end of the week so that she can move forward with that.
[23:20] But nothing of no.
[23:21] Okay.
[23:22] Chris, thank you. Okay, once again, now we'll let's go back to the presentation. And so,
[23:29] Eric, I take it away.
[23:33] Actually, Trevor Wells, I go ahead and say a few brief words of the introduction and handed over to Eric.
[23:40] You know, in first just to say it's good to be back before the commission after what it's been about a four year process since the application first came in and about the end of the
[23:53] to be involved with, and as you recall, the general plan, one of the key themes of course was around economic development, job diversification,
[24:03] how do we leverage proximity to, you know, one of the world's best research institutes and food, and agriculture, animal health and whatnot.
[24:12] And as part of that, right, identified a particular area of the community, right around the 25A interchange, including this property as well as the property to the west side.
[24:23] of 11325A interchange as our key in really primary opportunity
[24:29] in the short run to capture some of that research
[24:32] innovation commercialization spin out.
[24:35] And then in the agenda plan, I identified the potential
[24:38] to create a research and technology hub at this location.
[24:42] So this project was really borne out of that general plan process.
[24:47] The last four years have been through a very lengthy process
[24:50] and very thoughtful process about how to craft a specific plan, development plan for 350 acres.
[24:59] Now, call the Woodland Research and Technology Park project. We release these specific
[25:04] plan document in November of last year for public clear view. Let's still in draft form and
[25:10] public comments. Are still welcome on that up until the beginning of July. The other important
[25:18] piece of the process for review and consideration is the draft environmental impact report,
[25:26] which was released on May 14th, and so tonight's meeting is really about two things.
[25:31] One is to give the commission in the public an opportunity to provide additional comments
[25:37] or even ask questions around the specific plan, document itself, and things that you would
[25:43] to have considered as we finalize the specific plan to bring it back through for final hearings later this summer early fall.
[25:51] And then before that we are providing an opportunity for the commission to hear presentation on the findings of the draft environmental impact report
[25:59] give the commission a chance to weigh in on any comments they may have on the findings of the EIR as well as give the public an opportunity to provide comments to the
[26:10] interested. So without there's no formal action being asked of the commission this evening,
[26:16] we're just simply looking for an opportunity for, sorry I don't know if my internet
[26:23] connection is glitching and looks like it is on my end but apologize if it is. So no formal
[26:30] action from the commission, but just comments, questions are welcome, both from the commission
[26:35] the public. So with that, I was handed over to Erica to walk you guys through a presentation
[26:41] on where we're at in the process, some specific details around a specific planned document
[26:48] to EIRs as well. So look forward to hearing the commission's discussion this evening and bring
[26:54] back a final set of documents for your consideration in your near-charge. Great. Ken, thank you.
[27:01] Yeah, all right. Well, thank you. Good evening, Chairman Wells. Members of the Commission.
[27:07] So again, as Ken mentioned, the purpose of tonight's meeting is primarily to provide yet another opportunity for the public, as well as a plan and commission to provide comments on the draft specific plan and draft EIR.
[27:20] The draft specific plan has been before the Commission on a few separate occasions, so we'll try to keep my presentation somewhat brief.
[27:26] And then I'll be turning it over to Matthew Gergen with A.E. Com, our Environmental Consultant
[27:32] to provide an overview of the draft EIR and SQL process as it relates to the project.
[27:38] As Chairman Wells pointed out, following Matthew's presentation, we will ask that you open
[27:44] for a public comment period on the draft EIR specifically, comments received during that period
[27:51] We'll go into the record and we'll be formally responded to in the final EIR response to comments.
[27:57] And now people probably talk a little bit more about that in his presentation.
[28:01] Staff in the consultant team will not be responding to comments or questions on the draft EIR.
[28:05] Receive this evening as there is an administrative process for accepting and responding to comments on the EIR.
[28:12] But again, we'll be taking excellent notes and all comments we'll be responded to in the final EIR, which will be made available to the public.
[28:19] and will be presented at a public hearing of the Planning Commission and the City Council before final certification.
[28:26] If any member of the public wishes to have their comments accounted for verbatim in the final EIR,
[28:32] you will need to email me or mail me those comments directly otherwise any oral comments provided tonight will be summarized for that final document.
[28:42] And then following the public comment period on the draft EIR, we will then ask the chair to provide an opportunity for public and commission members to provide feedback on the specific plan itself.
[28:54] So there will be an opportunity for more general comment and discussion on the specific plan before we wrap up at the item this evening.
[29:02] So before jumping into the specific plan,
[29:05] as Penn noted, I wanted to provide the commission
[29:07] with a quick update on the schedule.
[29:10] Just looking quickly at where we've been,
[29:12] right, Council approve the development
[29:13] of the specific plan back in June of 2017 on the heels
[29:17] of the adoption of the Woodland General plan.
[29:20] Since that time preparation of the specific plan
[29:23] and environmental analysis has been underway.
[29:26] In November 2020, as Penn mentioned,
[29:28] the public green view draft was the specific plan was released and introduced out a meeting
[29:33] of the City Council and the Planning Commission.
[29:37] And then from that time, actually really beginning earlier, or the beginning part of this
[29:42] year, January February, a number of community and stakeholder meetings have been held to
[29:47] share the draft plan and obtain valuable public feedback to community presentations were held
[29:53] virtually in February with approximately 110 days at both meetings, we were able to address
[30:00] A lot of questions during those webinars and subsequently launched an FAQ page on the project website based on the 150 or so questions we received during those two presentations.
[30:13] The project was also shared with the Parks and Recreation Commission and with the Sustainability Commission focusing on relevant components of the plan.
[30:21] And then, between staff and the applicant team, the plan has been presented to several
[30:25] community and stakeholder organization, including local Rotaries, Coannas Chamber of Commerce,
[30:31] the Woodland Tech Alliance, and some regional groups and some UC Davis groups as well.
[30:38] And so, then, in May of the draft year was released, with the public comment period closing
[30:42] on July 2nd, on July 6th, we will be providing an update to the City Council on outreach
[30:49] and community feedback received to that point and get direction as we head into the preparation
[30:54] of the final documents and then following that meeting we will be working toward a financing
[31:01] plan in terms for the development agreements. We'll likely introduce those items to City Council
[31:07] in August, September, timeframe for initial feedback and direction and then we'll be heading into
[31:13] those final recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council on adoption of the plan,
[31:18] the final EIR around the September October time frame.
[31:24] So outreach to the community and stakeholder groups to take in many forms and in attempt to reach as many people as possible that may be interested in this project.
[31:35] A list of some of those methods are listed here on your screen.
[31:39] Without oversimplifying, I would say feedback we have received today has been overall positive and supportive of the plan.
[31:47] particularly the tech park jobs components. Also in just a moment to give you a quick summary of some of the more frequent questions.
[31:55] We've received in some of the areas of concern and how we plan to address those or how the plan addresses those particular concerns.
[32:03] So we did receive feedback from stakeholder groups as well as the Commission, the Planning Commission that maintaining a balance of jobs and residential development through the life of the plan is very important and we absolutely agree.
[32:19] This is a research and technology center first and foremost with housing to support those jobs.
[32:24] So the project financing plan and development agreements to be approved with the adoption of the specific plan will inform that specific tie between the residential and non-residential development to ensure that that balance is maintained through built out of the plan.
[32:42] We've also received quite a few comments around the development of a school site in the project.
[32:48] The plan area does allow for a 10 acre elementary school site and goes so far as to identify the preferred location in the plan just north of the 11 acre linear park and the school site is recognized in the draft EIR.
[33:04] The applicant team is the part of a school side of the project area and looks to this school district to determine the need.
[33:11] City staff and the applicant team as well as the school district are currently in discussion on that item to identify timing,
[33:18] need, and funding mechanisms, and how the project can support the district in this area.
[33:24] I've been in conversation with a few individuals and received some great written feedback as well on sustainability aspects of the plan.
[33:32] So the applicant team is looking to see where we can incorporate some of those suggestions
[33:36] as we finalize the document, to ensure that the project is a leader in sustainable design and resiliency.
[33:44] Parking also came up. It always managed to come up in one of the community presentations,
[33:50] housing, February. There is some concern that there may not be enough parking in the
[33:54] non-residential areas, resulting in possible parking still over into the residential neighborhoods.
[34:00] We took a look back at the parking standards and I'm positive that there will be ample parking.
[34:06] We'll be provided in both the private lots as well as on site and on street parking.
[34:14] But honestly, I don't want it to be too comfortable for folks as a key component of the plan is to get people out of the single occupant vehicles.
[34:22] We want them like walking and biking or taking alternative forms or modes of travel to work.
[34:29] And we want them utilizing the mobility hub and then cutting down on those large swaths of asphalt for parking, which we all know contribute to the heat urban hate island effect.
[34:41] And then lastly, one of the areas we here get more questions about is affordable housing.
[34:48] As the commission will recall the plan, promotes affordable housing opportunities in two ways.
[34:54] First, the project is subject to the city's affordable housing ordinance, which requires a percentage of being units to be developed, that are developed to be restricted at low and very low income levels, or that an in-movie be paid to support low income housing development, either in the plan area and throughout the city.
[35:12] And then secondly, the plan includes a variety of densities and housing types.
[35:18] Over half of the residential area in the plan is down for medium and high density housing,
[35:24] which supports the smaller lots, lots sizes and smaller housing units,
[35:30] allowing for some of that affordability by design that we've talked about.
[35:35] So I've mentioned the city prepared an FAQ page on the project website addressing many
[35:41] if not all of the comments we received today.
[35:44] Many more than I just covered but those were some of the more common area and more common
[35:48] questions.
[35:50] If people have concerns or questions about the plan, I would encourage them to start at the FAQ
[35:55] page.
[35:56] It's a great resource.
[35:57] And of course, I'm available or members of the applicant team are available by phone
[36:01] email anytime for questions my information is available on the website and it'll be on the
[36:08] end of this presentation as well. All right so I'm going to jump into a quick refresh on the
[36:14] specific plan itself. So the 350 acre plan area located just west of spring lake bound by
[36:22] Harry Lorenzo and Highway 113 on the eastern west, farmer central road on the north and then down
[36:28] just passed 25 to the South to the city's urban limit line.
[36:34] The specific plan will implement the goals and policies of the city's general plan for
[36:39] new growth areas as P1A, which is defined in the general plan as a mixed residential district
[36:45] anchored by a research and technology business park, providing a prime opportunity for job
[36:50] creation and diversification within woodlands.
[36:53] So to that, Andy will find in the first couple of chapters of the draft specific plan, the project
[37:00] skyding, principles and policies derived from the general plan that shaped the overall
[37:05] development framework around land use, sustainability, circulation and economic development.
[37:11] And of course, it is an vision that the plan area will develop as a state-of-the-art
[37:15] innovation center campus for technology, R&D and office uses, including opportunities for
[37:21] existing companies to grow and expand the locally.
[37:26] The planned area was conceptualized.
[37:30] Being comprised of three core districts, the technology park, the village center in the villages or residential districts, from which the underlying zoning and development standards were developed.
[37:42] The technology park district is approximately 120 acres and size located along the western boundary of the plan area and will accommodate about 2.2 million square feet of business park and commercial uses through integrated and well connected campus environment.
[37:57] The residential or village district, approximately 135 acres and located along the eastern boundary immediately adjacent to spring lake.
[38:09] The village district will accommodate about 1600 residential units of a variety of types and densities, as I mentioned.
[38:16] But we'll transition to those lower densities as you approach the eastern boundary to allow for a seamless transition to the existing spring lake community.
[38:26] And then we have the Village Center, which is approximately 45 acres in size and it's really
[38:31] that heart of the plan area, it's centrally located between the tech park and the village's
[38:37] woe consists of a dynamic mixed-use town center, the mobility hub and a levonic or linear
[38:44] park.
[38:45] And the Village Center keeps saying right provides that central gathering place for employees,
[38:50] residents and visitors to relax and connect and importantly for the innovation component will provide
[38:55] that opportunity for some informal networking as well. And then within this specifically and document
[39:02] the district concepts allow to highlight and guide the development objectives with each individual
[39:07] within each of those individual districts, the unique aspects of the tech park versus the village
[39:13] center in the residential areas. And then sub districts within those three core areas allow for
[39:18] or green discussion and guidance of important transitions, and relationships between each of the districts
[39:26] as reflected in the design and development standards, and in the land use or permitted use tables.
[39:31] And then collectively, all three of those districts work together to create a unique,
[39:36] work-led play environment that we believe will attract the high quality companies,
[39:40] drawn by the project location, and amenities for employers and employees alike.
[39:54] So, a key objective of that plan area is environmental sustainability, both the plan level and
[40:00] not the individual project level, development requirements outlined in chapter 3 of the plan
[40:05] include project consistency of the city's climate action plan, which will help the city
[40:09] reach into the greenhouse gas reduction targets.
[40:13] The specific plan is leaning toward all electric, you will see solar panels, you will see
[40:17] EV charges, and the project will also upon adoption developed what's called the transportation
[40:23] management or TBM program that will achieve a minimum of 10% reduction in vehicle miles traveled
[40:30] meaning a reduction in car trips. And this is really in addition to some of the foundational
[40:35] elements of the plan design as a mixed use community with a focus on the alternative transportation
[40:42] that will allow encourage more people to walk to work or utilize alternative modes of travel.
[40:50] So then on the transportation and circulation, the plan area, again, is built on a concept
[40:57] of enhanced and prioritized pedestrian connectivity, rather than on auto-dominance and
[41:03] or auto-dependence.
[41:04] The map on your screen shows the active transportation network, as described in chapter
[41:09] 4, the plan, the project area at Build Out will incorporate nearly five miles of phosphon, pedestrian
[41:15] in bike facilities, meaning the tensile wide, off-street, green belts and multi-strails and
[41:21] in additional 3.5 miles of class 2 on street bike lanes, encouraging walking and biking
[41:27] rather than dependence on auto-trips.
[41:34] The mobility hub located along road B and the village center will serve as the core of the alternative
[41:41] transportation system providing that integrated access to transit service including an
[41:46] eventual connector to UC Davis and the type park the hub will offer multiple like
[41:52] last mile connectivity your rideshare over share to scooter share amenities
[41:58] and then right the location of the mobility hub at the village center was really intentional
[42:04] with the idea that amenities in the village center like the cafes the market co-working spaces
[42:10] will enhance that hub as a place of connection and will encourage alternative transportation use,
[42:15] it's not really your typical kind of boring, secluded bus stop.
[42:22] So, home stretch guys,
[42:23] hang in there. So, some key roadways in roadways in spring-like specifically Parkland Avenue,
[42:30] and Marston Drive will connect into the tech part to further enhance the connectivity
[42:35] to the business part campus, the village center and the linear part. However, buffered
[42:40] and off-street class one-by-class on both of these roadway extensions
[42:44] between Harry Lorenzo and Robby will support pedestrian and bite connectivity.
[42:50] Parkland Avenue will eventually extend west over Highway 113,
[42:53] but that over-pass extension is planned with the future SP1B
[42:57] development on the west side of 113.
[43:00] And then all segments of county road 25A between 102 and 113 will completed,
[43:05] But we'll be completed with the specific clean build out,
[43:08] like the first half of the build out,
[43:11] including the extension of that urban forest trail
[43:13] on the north side of 25A.
[43:17] Circulation planning within the tech park
[43:19] to, you know, possible concerns around increased traffic volume
[43:23] in spring light into consideration very early
[43:26] in the planning stages, where existing roadway networks
[43:29] within spring light were designed to extend
[43:32] into the tech park plan area,
[43:34] like Parkland and Marston, roadway design,
[43:38] particularly for those clean extensions
[43:40] incorporate a variety of design features
[43:42] and traffic calming measures,
[43:44] including traffic circles, signalized intersections,
[43:48] narrow roadway widths, enhanced pedestrian crossing,
[43:51] non-street parking bike lanes,
[43:53] that all have the effect of reducing the at goal speeds.
[43:58] A traffic study was completed by the city
[44:00] that's looked at roadway segments and intersections
[44:03] through out spring lake. I'm going to ask Brett Meyer, the city's KD development director and
[44:10] city engineer to take over real quick and give a brief update. Hi, level overview on the results
[44:16] of that traffic study. And when he's done, we'll go ahead and transition right into Matthew Gorkin
[44:22] to give a brief overview on the draft EIR.
[44:27] Great. Hello, everyone. Let's see, Arthur. Can you go
[44:31] next slide please.
[44:35] Okay, so a little bit of background on the traffic study. It was very
[44:39] comprehensive. You can see another number of study intersections here was very comprehensive. So
[44:46] you can see all the way up to East Main Street. There were five intersections studied on East Main Street
[44:52] far north of the project site, significant amount of intersections looked at within the tech park
[44:59] as well as in spring.
[45:00] Like, and then north of spring lake, and then covering four, well, technically five different
[45:07] inner changes within the city. So, very comprehensive, a little bit of background on traffic
[45:13] cities in general in California. Traditionally, we've looked at level of service, which is a
[45:20] measure of delay within roadways and intersections. More recently, the state has moved to VMT,
[45:28] which is vehicle miles traveled, the issue is that level of service tended to cause cities
[45:35] and counties to increase the size of roadway infrastructure, focusing on the roadway
[45:41] itself and not as much on other modes of transportation, vehicle miles traveled, focuses
[45:47] more on reducing overall use of autos and it also results in more mixed use of development
[45:55] and a compact development as a host or urban sprawl.
[46:00] So, technically we did look at vehicles miles traveled as part of SQL.
[46:05] There were no, let's see, I believe there were no impacts.
[46:10] Found was a result of that, because level of service is still a concern for residents.
[46:16] We are concerned about how traffic will function within the tech park and areas surrounding it within the city of Woodland.
[46:24] we did look at level of service. Generally speaking, let's see, look at my notes here.
[46:34] We didn't
[46:34] have any significant issues with level of service except for roadways that were already
[46:39] aware of level of service issues. So for example, if you look at, can you see my cursor here
[46:45] on my, I guess I have a different view? Okay, I'm up here at East Main Street. So historically speaking,
[46:53] And when we've looked at traffic studies anywhere in the city, any time you look at East
[46:57] Main Street and I-5 East Main Street and I-113, we're taking on freeway to freeway traffic
[47:04] in that area and generally speaking those intersections in the general plan time horizon
[47:09] are looking at level of service E or F which is basically very bad level of service delays
[47:15] in the 90 to 100 seconds for intersection that doesn't really change with or without this project.
[47:23] Other intersections that are historically going to problem, as spring-like to build
[47:28] route is Pioneer and Gibson, and then here are the Renzo Avenue and Gibson.
[47:36] And part of that's just a function of the geography.
[47:38] We only have two nor south roads.
[47:40] At this point, we only have Pioneer that actually goes through.
[47:43] And so you get over to 102, and that's just because of the presence of 113, and the further
[47:51] significant size of the community college, county jail, complex, and pioneer high school.
[47:58] So those are still bad intersections from a traffic delayed perspective with and without this project.
[48:08] But other than that, generally everything is within the city's level of service standards, although it's not a secret standard, we still have a level of service standard that we adhere to just in terms of having reasonable traffic flow.
[48:26] Let's see here.
[48:29] My note, so somewhere is a few key improvements.
[48:33] Let's see, is that the next slide or two back, Erica?
[48:37] Good.
[48:37] Okay, thank you.
[48:38] So at the intersection of 25A and 113 interchange,
[48:43] we'll have a expanded interchange.
[48:47] We're currently working with CalTrans proposing roundabouts
[48:50] at the two offerings, both northbound and southbound offerings.
[48:55] provides adequate level of service for the growth of SP1A or the tech park and also growth
[49:01] that's planned on the west side of the freeway.
[49:06] So, and it's relatively affordable compared to other types of interchange improvements.
[49:13] Some of the other big ones roundabouts will continue putting in roundabouts as we have in
[49:19] brain lake 25A and road D is one and then north of that most in and road D is also going to
[49:26] be around about the other row around about as shown in the drawing that are more at interface
[49:33] of private development and roads you can see enhanced crossings so probably the most significant
[49:41] And we're showing one here at the intersection on road B, across the street from the yard
[49:49] and the commercial development, or business park across the street from there, there may
[49:56] be more than one in between the two intersections of Marston and road E. Then also at road E
[50:04] and road D intersection, which is also where we have a green ball extending into spring
[50:10] like anticipate that, having enhanced crossing, and then
[50:14] Marston here, Lorenzo Avenue.
[50:16] So if you notice the east side of the specific plan
[50:19] is a green belt that kind of buffers or is a transition
[50:24] from spring like to the tech park.
[50:27] And so at the crossing, there at Marston
[50:29] will need to have an enhanced crossing.
[50:31] Crossing at Parkland is actually going to be a signalized
[50:34] intersection.
[50:35] What also note at the north end of the project site?
[50:39] is the, we call it the sports park dive pedestrian over crossing, that project is planned
[50:47] for construction actually this fall and the tech park is contributing, dedicated in the
[50:54] land for the east landing of the pedestrian over crossing. So exciting, that will actually
[51:02] be hopefully in place before construction starts or development starts for the tech park.
[51:07] Um, and that's, uh, that's in the mud presentation.
[51:15] All right.
[51:15] Thanks, right.
[51:16] So with that, Matthew, if you are ready.
[51:22] Thank you, Erica.
[51:23] Thank you, Brad, uh, Chairman, we're all as members of the Planning Commission.
[51:29] Thanks for indulging us for our presentation about the environmental side of the project.
[51:33] I will outline briefly what we study, what our key findings were, and what the next steps
[51:43] are.
[51:45] So, starting with the type of secret document, California Environmental Quality Act requires
[51:50] local governments when making discretionary decisions to consider environmental effects.
[51:56] And we have to first step is what type of document.
[51:59] And this is an environmental impact report, EIR, as Eric mentioned, it is tiered from the
[52:08] analysis that we already did for your recent general plan update.
[52:13] Turing means that we use useful information from that previous document and make a more
[52:21] efficient analysis in certain mitigation measures, because we've already studied the
[52:27] and up to your level.
[52:30] The general plan included and identified this specific plan area for development consistent with what is proposed within the draft specific plan and so we have made use of that analysis in this environmental impact report.
[52:45] We've studied alternatives to the design that is before you this evening, and we have supported the analysis in the IR with a series of technical studies on cultural resources, biological resources, transportation analysis, utilities and service systems, and other topics.
[53:08] Please.
[53:12] Thank you.
[53:13] I mentioned that California Environmental Quality Act requires a disclosure of environmental
[53:19] effects.
[53:20] It also requires, to us to evaluate alternatives to the proposed project, those that would
[53:26] reduce environmental effects, to identify significant effects in feasible mitigation to reduce
[53:32] those effects, and to consider input, especially from other responsible agencies or trust
[53:40] agencies involved with the ultimate approval of the physical changes included in a project.
[53:47] The environmental part of the equation is not about approval or denial of the project,
[53:53] not really about the merits of the specific planet itself.
[53:56] It's more of a legal disclosure document that the EIR handles.
[54:08] So on to some of the key findings here, I just wanted to summarize what's called in the document
[54:16] significant and unavoidable environmental effects. This is part of what we're required to disclose.
[54:24] Those impacts where despite the incorporation of feasible mitigation strategies,
[54:30] These, including some of the ones that Eric went over and brought one over about producing
[54:35] vehicle miles traveled and associated air quality greenhouse gas emissions, despite the
[54:40] inclusion of those feasible mitigation measures, we still have these five areas on this slide
[54:48] where there are significant unavoidable effects for aesthetics, visual resources, any project
[54:55] that changes from an open space agricultural environment
[54:59] to develop urban setting changes the visual character.
[55:04] So we have a significant unavoidable effect there.
[55:07] With agricultural resources, the city's agricultural preservation
[55:14] ordinance will be applied to this project.
[55:17] And one to one mitigation required the county's agricultural
[55:20] conservation ordinance also applied to the areas of the
[55:24] project that are outside the city limits for three to one in mitigation, but that doesn't
[55:30] create new agricultural land, it just preserves agricultural land in a pro-Rata way relative
[55:37] to the aglan that is lost, so we have a significant unavoidable effect there.
[55:43] With air quality, for a plan of this size and scale operational effects, ozone precursors and
[55:51] find us is pretty much unavoidable for a project that is this large, similarly for short-term
[56:01] air quality effects with the conservative assumptions that we've made about the pace of
[56:06] possible development and its specific plan, it's very difficult to mitigate short-term
[56:12] construction related air quality effects for a project like this. For cultural and tribal
[56:18] cultural resources. This is a based on consultation with the Native American community
[56:25] and our own research. This is a low to moderate sensitivity area. However, there is
[56:33] also, there is always the potential in excavation and earth movement that resources could
[56:40] be disturbed. So, there again, it's very difficult for unknown cultural resources,
[56:46] significant cultural resources to completely avoid the potential for a significant effect.
[56:53] And then finally, with respect to noise and vibration, this specific plan will be phased,
[57:00] and so there is the possibility that an earlier occupied phased of the project could be affected
[57:11] by construction of later phases, and so that's considered a significant effect in this
[57:18] And then finally, with regard to transportation delays, also for playing this large, there are often effects along roadways, transportation added traffic volumes added along roadways, that might have some sort of noise sensitive uses along them.
[57:37] With this plan, most of the areas where
[57:40] transportation noise would increase are areas
[57:42] where there won't be noise instead of uses,
[57:44] but there is that possibility.
[57:47] So that's the final area of significant unavoidable effects
[57:51] that are disclosed in the draft environmental impact report.
[57:55] So this extremely dense slide gives you
[57:58] an idea of the comprehensive nature of our analysis.
[58:03] We had looked at every topic that is relevant under the California Environmental Quality
[58:09] Act, as you see in the bottom part of the slide here looked at every issue, in tandem with
[58:16] the analysis that was just done for the general planning IR, and we focused on disclosing
[58:21] impacts that are peculiar to this particular specific plan in area that weren't already addressed
[58:26] as part of the general plan general plan IR.
[58:29] Welcome,
[58:34] I should mention that the public review period continues through July 2, this slide represents guidance to anybody that is interested on how to direct comments on the brassity of the analysis mitigation alternatives presented in the drafting AR provide comments each comment on the draft JAR what about an environmental issue will have a written response that will be brought before this body
[59:03] as well as councils prior to consideration of approval of the specific planet itself.
[59:14] Documents are available in the locations presented on this slide, but I guess we're
[59:22] physically with each other to some extent again, so here's the address, the document's
[59:27] physical documents available for a view, as well as the online versions at the URLs that are
[59:34] listed on this slide.
[59:38] So, the next step, generally speaking,
[59:43] at least on the environmental side, review and respond
[59:46] to comments received on the draft IAR on textual environmental effects associated with the implementation
[59:51] of this specific plan.
[59:54] And then we respond, then we revise if necessary, the IAR to create a final IAR.
[1:00:01] And then the plan of commission, and ultimately the council can consider a certification of the GIR as well as the adoption of the specific plan.
[1:00:13] This point, I'll pass it back to Erica and note that it would be appropriate to provide comments on the draft GIR.
[1:00:23] I understand that there was also a summary of the draft specific plan itself, so I'm not sure how we want to catalog or
[1:00:32] Characterize comments on specific plan versus the environmental impact.
[1:00:40] Matthew, thank you.
[1:00:42] Erica?
[1:00:43] Yeah, thank you.
[1:00:44] I appreciate it.
[1:00:47] So now would be the appropriate time.
[1:00:51] Chairman Wells to open for public comments,
[1:00:54] specifically on the drafts EIR.
[1:00:59] And then once we've taken any phone calls or emails,
[1:01:02] I do believe I have at least one, and then any members of the public who have joined the meeting,
[1:01:09] Jake can help us with that, once we've taken all comments on the EAR, we'll close that particular
[1:01:15] portion of the public comments, and then we can open for a more general discussion and public
[1:01:22] comment period for the specific planet itself. Great, Erica. Thank you so much, and thank the entire staff,
[1:01:29] both Erica and Ken Brent and Matthew.
[1:01:34] Great overview review of the fantastic project has been all thought out.
[1:01:40] Thank you for the presentation.
[1:01:42] Again, as Erica mentioned, we'll hold two separate public comment periods on the specific item.
[1:01:49] We'll first open for public comments, the draft environmental impact report.
[1:01:55] During this time, the public may provide comments on the EIR specifically, staff and consultant team will not be responding to comments as noted during the presentation.
[1:02:07] All speakers will have the three-minute timeframe to make their comments.
[1:02:10] The staff noted, Jake Romera, our IP manager will manage the three minute clocks you'll see that on your screen.
[1:02:21] The public may also make her comments and writing directly to the project staff lead, Erica Bungarner, at the address email on the screen.
[1:02:30] So with that, let's open the public hearing on the draft environmental impact report.
[1:02:41] And at this time, we will open that for public comment.
[1:02:46] And so, Erica, you mentioned that we may have some individuals on either the phone or
[1:02:52] comment received.
[1:02:53] Could you open those fours?
[1:02:56] Sure.
[1:02:56] Yeah, I have one email. I'll read that into the record. It is from Bryan Coward. Good evening,
[1:03:03] Chairman Wells, planning commission members and cities staff. I would like to submit my,
[1:03:08] my own. I would like to submit my public comment in regard to item J1 subject,
[1:03:15] public review draft within research and technology parks specifically and in draft environmental
[1:03:19] impact report on the agenda tonight. My main concern, the formal inclusion of a school in the land
[1:03:26] and zoning maps of the Woodman Research and Technology Park specific plan.
[1:03:31] I and others in the community have been in communication with city and Woodland Joint Unified School District Staff Council in the School Board since 2018,
[1:03:40] raising a red flag over the lack of planning for the elementary age children in the spring lake in future tech park area.
[1:03:46] I have attached a petition with signatures, comments, and details supporting evidence.
[1:03:51] Please take the time to review the petition and you will see what one is in dire need of an elementary school and while the district works out the details of financing we must have the land use in zoning for a school settled.
[1:04:04] All efforts should be made to allow the district time to plan finance and construct the school as it is critical to a healthy and vibrant community.
[1:04:11] I would like to express the positive aspects of pursuing neighborhood schools from the city's
[1:04:16] perspective.
[1:04:18] I understand that the district is a separate entity from the city, but the impacts of supporting
[1:04:22] them in every manner necessary to achieve an elementary school in the tech park would benefit
[1:04:27] the entire city.
[1:04:29] By formally planning for the inclusion of a school in the land use and zoning maps, I'm
[1:04:33] the specific plan.
[1:04:34] We take some pressure off of the district by allowing them to not have to compete with
[1:04:39] the developers and builders for the critical infrastructure
[1:04:41] our community will need to be a vibrant and successful
[1:04:44] addition to the woodland community.
[1:04:47] And neighborhood school would also alleviate traffic
[1:04:49] congestion and the wear and tear on our roads
[1:04:51] in the transportation of children to schools outside of our neighborhood.
[1:04:56] We now throw the district's own studies
[1:04:57] that will be 1,000 elementary age students
[1:04:59] in the spring lake and type park area.
[1:05:02] But if there is no elementary school built,
[1:05:04] we'll require a car in order to get to school
[1:05:07] cross town or in Davis. In neighborhood school allows their children to stay local, walk, and
[1:05:12] ride to school. Spring Lake and the Tech Park have in our plan to have a really magnificent
[1:05:18] set of green belts. These trails connect our community, get us to move our bodies making us
[1:05:23] healthier and provide a safe means for our children to get to school with minimal interaction with
[1:05:28] automobiles. I would also be remiss if I didn't bring attention to climate change. We know
[1:05:34] common emissions are contributing to the extreme droughts, the dying of our forest, and ultimately
[1:05:38] fire season.
[1:05:40] The city has its own climate action plan, which should not only, which should not be only
[1:05:46] attribute to our children's future.
[1:05:50] We cannot afford to build our communities in a way that continues to facilitate our dependency
[1:05:54] on fossil fuels by not providing the essential services needed where we need them, proximity
[1:05:59] matters, land use matters. Please plan the formal inclusion of a school in the land use and
[1:06:04] zoning maps of the Woodland Research and Technology Park specific plan. It's step 1, sincerely
[1:06:08] bring Howard.
[1:06:12] That's the only written public comment I've received. Jay, do you have any
[1:06:19] voice mail messages? There are no voice mail. Currently nobody is raising their hand.
[1:06:28] It's
[1:06:29] you can chose please press the raise-amps button and then we can allow you to talk
[1:06:38] about the
[1:06:39] sign there or not.
[1:06:41] Okay.
[1:06:42] Thank you.
[1:06:43] That was a very well written comment and it goes along with so many of the other great comments
[1:06:51] in community involved discussions about this project which I think staff have done an amazing
[1:06:59] job in incorporating.
[1:07:01] So now that we have heard from the public, I will close the comment period and open a separate comment period for any member of the public.
[1:07:16] Oh no, one on second.
[1:07:19] So pardon me.
[1:07:20] So now that we've closed the public section, I'm going to come back to the commission members and I'm going to go down.
[1:07:25] after that actually so that we, so that we can.
[1:07:30] Have any of the commissioners either ask, put the comments in or to ask questions. And so at this time, I'll ask Commissioner Harris, any comments or questions on the EIR specific.
[1:07:45] The EIR draft plan.
[1:07:48] Steve,
[1:07:51] your muted at this time, my friend.
[1:07:55] That ought to be better.
[1:07:57] There we go.
[1:07:57] Now at this time regarding I do not have any comments, okay. I've had questions of the staff as we've gone along and I serve on the subcommittee. So the staff has been so forthright and any questions that I have. We've been answering them all along in at this stage. I'm very comfortable.
[1:08:18] Perfect. Steve, thank you. Commissioner Holt.
[1:08:23] Hi, this is Commissioner Holt. Thank you, Chairman Wells.
[1:08:28] I agree with Paris that Commissioner Holt said I've had a lot of questions answered along the way,
[1:08:33] but one did come up and it is somewhat of a clarification.
[1:08:37] Maybe Matthew can help me out with this.
[1:08:40] We talk about alternative three and four in the EIR.
[1:08:44] And unfortunately, as an architect, I'm a slave to visual representation, were there any visual representations of those alternatives that were developed during your analysis that we could look at, or is it really just a kind of a text and conceptual modeling exercise?
[1:09:09] through the chair. I'll respond briefly. Okay, thank you. Yeah, sometimes we do develop diagrams.
[1:09:20] First specific plans or general plan alternatives or other sorts projects. In this case, it was more of a narrative description.
[1:09:28] Although, I'll admit, we did have sketches, just draft internally that we're using to organize our thoughts along those lines,
[1:09:37] but nothing that made the test,
[1:09:47] but I completely understand.
[1:09:49] Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much.
[1:09:53] Commissioner Hurst, Valerie, any questions of staff on the draft EIR?
[1:09:59] Not at the moment. Okay.
[1:10:02] Vice Chair, Luzeraga.
[1:10:04] I'm happy with what we've done so far.
[1:10:07] Okay, good, good. Thank you. Um, and um, his friend, it would have, uh, they're working
[1:10:15] out. There we go. Hi, friend. I think you're working. So I got two questions for you.
[1:10:23] One, can you hear me clearly? I think I can. Okay, and number two, have you had access to be
[1:10:29] agenda for the meeting? Uh, I have. That's the most, most of today. Okay. I do just want to make
[1:10:36] One brief comment that the one written for a read into about the schools, I do believe that
[1:10:48] that gentleman has a valid concern.
[1:10:54] It's in a lot of time for players who've been laid out and mysteriously something just
[1:11:01] never takes place and something gets left out.
[1:11:04] So it's always been either a park or a school or a farm department.
[1:11:09] So yeah, the guy has a valid reason to write that letter and state that, you know, he wants that area designated and then it's up to the school district and everybody else to do their part.
[1:11:20] But in my opinion, some of the issues that we go face on this,
[1:11:28] Even with the limited, I know that the traffic is going to be a situation there, but I know
[1:11:36] the Pioneer School, we were supposed to have everything dialed in, there's certain
[1:11:39] times of the day you go to that intersection and it starts.
[1:11:44] So putting in the amount of housing that you're going to put in there, the amount of businesses,
[1:11:49] I really hope that you guys really look over this traffic situation and make sure that it's
[1:11:52] flow otherwise you're going to have people going through those neighborhoods to get in and out of there
[1:11:58] when they're very, very congested. So I suggest that you, you know, you like they, like the
[1:12:04] carpenter says, you know, measure 10, 10 times and cut once. So that's, that's about what I am on that.
[1:12:11] Okay, great. Thank you. Okay. I don't believe I missed any commission members. That is complete
[1:12:19] then we're going to close that item for discussion.
[1:12:23] And so those comments, if they need to be
[1:12:28] responded to, but it certainly can be included in the record.
[1:12:33] I will now open the comment period on the project itself.
[1:12:39] And so that will be our second comment period.
[1:12:43] And so let's open that at this point.
[1:12:46] And, Erica, do we have any public comments for our second item?
[1:12:54] No, I do not.
[1:12:56] And, Jay, do we have anybody that's raising her hand or on the phone?
[1:13:04] Currently we do not, and there are no new email either.
[1:13:07] Okay, so hearing none and having no people online or raising their hands through the meeting,
[1:13:18] we will close the public comment portion of that, and once again, I will bring it back
[1:13:24] to the commission for any comments on the plan itself.
[1:13:28] I think that Fred's comments about the school probably already go to that item, but just
[1:13:34] to get in for the final cut commissioner Harris in the any comments on the project itself.
[1:13:44] Well, I'm on record for being for this project. I think it's been conceived well and
[1:13:52] the work that's been put in is so good. I do have one concern in that is for our community in general
[1:14:00] And it basically is how the business and tech is built in correspondence with the homes.
[1:14:12] And I've had discussions with the staff and they've worked with me along the process.
[1:14:19] And at this stage, I'm happy.
[1:14:21] My main concern at the end of the day is one that I know others have,
[1:14:27] and that is that this does not turn us into a bedroom district.
[1:14:31] These jobs to me are the key to building the houses.
[1:14:36] We don't want to build the houses to draw people without jobs.
[1:14:42] So, you know, and those concerns have been taken seriously
[1:14:45] by the city and staff and the developer.
[1:14:49] And so I think it's being worked out to my satisfaction.
[1:14:53] And then those that from the get go has been my biggest concern about the project.
[1:15:00] Steve, thank you. Commissioner Holt.
[1:15:05] Yeah, I have a couple of comments on the questions though.
[1:15:10] And in no need to take notes, I will provide a pretty substantial email to Eric to distribute to the full team.
[1:15:21] And I'll keep it brief. I'm not going to go through all of them.
[1:15:23] I do want to kind of sort of release this date and support our city managers comments in the beginning.
[1:15:32] This has been a long four years, but I remember many of you who were on the planning commission back in the general plan.
[1:15:42] We really went round around about this and Mr. Hodgson has stayed with us the entire time and has brought back a really great project.
[1:15:52] So first and foremost, I'd like to just say that's really awesome to see, sometimes these things get victimized by the economy or things like that, but this one has done really well.
[1:16:07] My biggest concern and I'll put this into my comments.
[1:16:12] I've looked through all of the residential design standards, all of the commercial design standards, and I think they're really clean and really concise.
[1:16:21] But my concern is really two-fold.
[1:16:25] One, the village center mixed use area is kind of small.
[1:16:30] I believe it's three and a half acres.
[1:16:32] And I know that we struggled really badly in spring
[1:16:35] like with things of about that same size,
[1:16:37] about three to five acres.
[1:16:40] I think this is a little different situation.
[1:16:42] This is not strictly residential area right across the way.
[1:16:46] It is a lot of other business.
[1:16:47] So I think that may be it's saving grace here,
[1:16:51] but I know we struggle getting developers
[1:16:53] to come in and build actual commercial on a small site like that.
[1:16:57] It was very challenging.
[1:17:00] The other item is, and I continue my research in this realm,
[1:17:05] is how to write good, non-subjective, rather, objective,
[1:17:12] design standards based on the state of California's laws regarding housing development.
[1:17:20] How we maintain high quality design while still remaining objective.
[1:17:25] I think that the language in here has done a really good job, but I'll definitely watch this
[1:17:32] as we continue along to see if anything comes up to challenge that.
[1:17:36] So, thank you very much.
[1:17:37] I think the team's done a great job.
[1:17:39] I'll provide a more extensive list of comments to Erica.
[1:17:44] Good. First, thank you. And as always, we greatly appreciate your professionalism and your expertise.
[1:17:50] You have a lot to our commission. And I think you add a lot to the city of Woodman for Henry Vier over site.
[1:17:57] And I really appreciate all that you do. So thank you for those comments. Next Commissioner Hurst.
[1:18:07] Hi, yes. I do have some comments. I think one of the first things that stands out to me is
[1:18:16] the drive-through and gas station location in the southwest portion of this plan. I think we
[1:18:26] talked a lot about the climate action plan. I think we talked a lot about trying to walk the walk
[1:18:35] when it comes to this sort of thing and when I see a drive through integrated into a specific plan
[1:18:43] I think are we encouraging healthy habits? Are we encouraging increased miles traveled in a car?
[1:18:52] Are we encouraging that sort of transient nature as well?
[1:18:57] I would like to see something different and or nothing. There may be more green belts. There's something
[1:19:05] that does not include the drive through.
[1:19:09] Similar for the gas station,
[1:19:11] I would like to see a little bit more reason
[1:19:13] as to why we need a designated gas station there,
[1:19:16] is it because that we think there will be increased traffic flow
[1:19:21] that are other gas stations that are in really near proximity
[1:19:25] actually along our sort of mixed commercial districts
[1:19:29] adjacent to this property,
[1:19:31] can they not handle that flow of traffic? I see an area of sort of concern in that corner.
[1:19:43] In terms of landscaping, I think I liked what I saw from the native grasses and the drought tolerant
[1:19:50] landscape. Maybe, you know, since we had specific language in there, of encouraging something,
[1:19:55] pollinators are also a great thing to include in landscaping plans and it speaks to also
[1:20:03] woodlands place in agriculture. I did have a question for, I don't know if Erica could take this,
[1:20:12] the hotel, I see the hotel in B&B portion of the plan. It looks like the B&B is going to be a
[1:20:22] And I will subject to a city-wide ordinance being implemented.
[1:20:29] What is that going to take or do you see that not being able to be implemented?
[1:20:37] So that it's not B&B, I think it's Air B&B is probably what the ordinance was referring
[1:20:43] to.
[1:20:44] And as opposed to a bed and breakfast type of bootie type hotel, the city does not currently
[1:20:51] have an ordinance around just as the temporary like VRBO type rentals. So I think that was
[1:21:00] acknowledging is that the plan would be consistent with an ordinance that eventually
[1:21:04] is opted for this city. So it's not referring to a bed and breakfast like an actual business
[1:21:10] is referring to an Airbnb situation in the second. What page have you happened to be looking at?
[1:21:18] but I'll just confirm that we articulated that correctly.
[1:21:21] Yeah, it is on page, 71, I believe.
[1:21:26] I can follow up with the aftersling.
[1:21:29] Yeah, we can follow up and talk about it.
[1:21:30] I just noticed something there and it seemed
[1:21:32] it definitely didn't articulate Airbnb.
[1:21:36] It was sort of threw me off there.
[1:21:40] Masonry Wals was another one.
[1:21:42] I think visually, I'm also, I mean,
[1:21:45] the visual of the masonry wall in the specific plan that I saw, I believe on page 173.
[1:21:52] I don't know, it sort of looked like any other masonry wall that we could kind of have
[1:21:57] going any place else. It tends to make things look stark and I know in the plan I really do acknowledge
[1:22:04] the fact that the language in this plan is trying to avoid the look of starkness and sort of bear
[1:22:12] and a lot of other locations, especially in the more industrial park area, I think we should
[1:22:20] follow through with that on the masonry walls. Can we make that, can we make a couple of them
[1:22:25] at least maybe more living walls, sort of tiered walls with
[1:22:30] Glasses and plantings, so that it's nice for the homeowners, it's nice for pastors by, it just doesn't look like any other residential establishment development that you're seeing.
[1:22:44] This is sort of our crown jewel why not follow through on the details. I think in terms of those retention walls along the corridors. That's it.
[1:22:55] Great.
[1:22:56] Valerie, thank you.
[1:22:57] Well thought out.
[1:22:57] Good comments.
[1:23:00] Um, vice chair Liz Raga.
[1:23:03] No, I'm a happy guy with everything.
[1:23:05] I agree with that.
[1:23:06] Most of the comments.
[1:23:08] And there is.
[1:23:09] They're concerned that evolves had with any kind of planning because I did planning before
[1:23:13] I did my young days.
[1:23:15] That was a long time ago.
[1:23:18] Um, it's a concerns, you know, it's like what happened with spring late.
[1:23:21] We've planned everything for the last thing, everything, but the economy becomes, you know,
[1:23:28] and falls in top of it.
[1:23:29] And we need the only concern that I've ever had, but it's that's uncomfortable and I think
[1:23:34] this should be conscious of that.
[1:23:37] And the only blame that we could put on the ad is that we live in a system, because something
[1:23:42] doesn't.
[1:23:43] But I will be excited and hoping for the success of this positive because it looks great.
[1:23:50] Marco, thank you and finally, Commissioner Lopez.
[1:23:58] There we go.
[1:24:00] Actually, Valerie hit on something that I was kind of looking at.
[1:24:06] We do have a lot of wall section going up.
[1:24:12] It would be very nice if we were to either either have some patterns incorporated
[1:24:17] into just some of the blind walls to accentuate the fact that that technology park and that
[1:24:25] old development is supposed to be kind of like a beacon for this area and you're going to
[1:24:32] have a lot of surface area where you can express some of the you know some of the uniqueness
[1:24:38] of what we're you know trying to develop there. I just hope that they can look at some of that
[1:24:46] And incorporate some of that into some of the areas where you have large surfaces that are,
[1:24:51] you know, either adjacent to the freeway or, you know, in the neighbors that we just
[1:24:55] add something more than, you know, tan center block 10 foot high, you know, so I've got a
[1:25:03] chance to see some stuff that, like in Las Vegas, they have some very unique construction
[1:25:09] on their walls, the designs, if you go through Phoenix, they have a lot of natural animation
[1:25:21] on their freeway stuff, but it's actually really beautiful, so I think there has to be
[1:25:27] something that we can come up with that and kind of incorporate some of that into these, you
[1:25:33] know, whether it's just like I said, just a plain wall of concrete, so that's one of my
[1:25:38] concerns. I know Chris's head is probably swollen around with ideas of what we could do, but
[1:25:46] I just think that there's between the creativity that we've had in this planet commission and staff
[1:25:52] open-mindedness to just really do the best that they can. I'm pretty sure that we think of
[1:25:57] something that would just really stand out and be a benefit to the tech part and woodland in general
[1:26:06] So that, you know, when you came into the area, it was actually something very visually stunning
[1:26:11] that kind of draws you in as well as what's there, not just, you know, some, you know,
[1:26:17] three story buildings with a lot of glass on them and, you know, a couple of trees here and there.
[1:26:21] Now, we just really need to make something happen there. So, you know,
[1:26:25] you know, it doesn't put any undoed pressure on anybody, but, you know, we just really need to,
[1:26:30] you know, wait something super nice, sir. So, that's it on that.
[1:26:36] So I'll run my comments to this one.
[1:26:42] I really want to express to the staff to can in the entire city staff and to the developer
[1:26:50] on this, what a great job the team has done, not only in the design and the result,
[1:26:58] but in their communication, communication with our board, communication with subcommittee and communication
[1:27:05] with the public because I think at the end of the day we can look at this project and really see
[1:27:12] just a very, very high level, quality of work that is unique to the entire region and maybe
[1:27:23] to the state. I mean, this is really an amazing opportunity for the city of Woodland. I think
[1:27:29] that the staff deserves and the developer, like Marco has said, and you guys stayed with
[1:27:39] us even though the ups and downs of the economy were going there and you stayed true to
[1:27:44] plan. I would also say that I'm in support of the gas station on the intersection. That's one
[1:27:54] of the things about woodlands we have one 13 going through our city and essentially if somebody
[1:28:00] needs to get off and get gas at a peak time you've got that and only adds to that traffic problem
[1:28:08] whether they're getting off,
[1:28:10] getting some and trying to get to the Bellaire,
[1:28:14] whether they're trying to go downtown,
[1:28:16] and get on Main Street, it is very difficult,
[1:28:20] and there's no signage.
[1:28:21] So I think that the city of Woodland loses
[1:28:25] opportunity for tax revenue and income jobs
[1:28:28] and business opportunities.
[1:28:31] And those cars are, those are not all Woodland cars
[1:28:33] that go down in 2013, but we're still going to need,
[1:28:37] also feels for a while until there is truly a true electric opportunity for our country.
[1:28:46] And with that, those are all my comments I would ask that the staff incorporate what I think
[1:28:51] are great comments from all of our commission members, and also I would ask that we do put
[1:28:57] the focus on the school that the gentleman expressed to make sure that we do commit to working
[1:29:03] with the school district to get, you know, to make sure that we provide those opportunities
[1:29:09] for those families, you know, what a great thing to be able to have your kids be able to
[1:29:15] bike or walk to school with their friends. So really, really good. And with that, I'm going to
[1:29:22] close this item. And then I'm just going to finish up and just real quickly ask if anyone has any
[1:29:28] comments that is not regarding these these items, and so I'm going to go through quickly.
[1:29:37] Harris, any other questions not regarding this?
[1:29:45] Steve?
[1:29:46] Yeah.
[1:29:47] He got to remind me.
[1:29:48] There we go.
[1:29:49] I know.
[1:29:49] Chris, I will, I mean, we're almost done with these, aren't we?
[1:29:54] But anyway, no, I don't have any comments.
[1:29:57] Everything's good.
[1:29:58] Good.
[1:29:59] Commissioner, hold anything.
[1:30:00] Other than that we've already talked about? No sir, no comments. Thank you. Commissioner Hurts, Valerie, any other items
[1:30:07] if we would like to discuss before we close our meeting? No, I just think that Commissioner Lopez made a great
[1:30:14] point. I think we deserve some quality from developers. I don't think it's asking too much. It looks like we're on the right path,
[1:30:25] But I think that something like good masonry walls,
[1:30:30] unique masonry walls, unique visual contrast
[1:30:33] is what we deserve in this case,
[1:30:35] and what this project should be accomplishing.
[1:30:37] So, yeah.
[1:30:38] Good, good.
[1:30:39] Vice Chair Lazraga.
[1:30:43] I think I said just about everything.
[1:30:48] And finally, Commissioner Lopez, nope.
[1:30:53] Yeah, I'm mute, my brother.
[1:30:54] Yeah, no, I'm good.
[1:30:56] last time. So again, thank you, everybody. Now, I want to ask, Commissioner Lizaraga,
[1:31:04] would you be willing to make a motion that we need to turn the meeting?
[1:31:08] I am anxious to make the worst into a hearing.
[1:31:12] Thank you.
[1:31:12] Yeah, exactly. By Commissioner Lopez, everybody, thank you for wonderful job. Can love to see you
[1:31:18] here. Great job. And, you know, maybe we can put a food front thing up on our Masonry wall thing
[1:31:23] or something like that.
[1:31:26] And with that, I adjourn the meeting.
[1:31:29] Thank you, everybody.
[1:31:30] Erica, thank you, great presentation.
[1:31:33] Everybody good night.
[1:31:34] Good night.
[1:31:37] Good night.
[1:31:39] Thank you everyone.