Planning Commission

# MINUTES OF THE AUBURN CITY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING April 7, 2015

The regular session of the Auburn City Planning Commission meeting was called to order on April 7, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. by Chair Luebkeman in the Council Chambers, 1225 Lincoln Way, Auburn, California.

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Amara, Dowdin Calvillo, Luebkeman, Vitas, Willick

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:

STAFF PRESENT: Reg Murray, Senior Planner

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Planning Commission minutes of February 17, 2015 were approved as submitted.

III. PUBLIC COMMENT

None

## IV. PUBLIC HEARING

A. VARIANCE – 143 CEDAR STREET (SWETT RESIDENCE) – FILE VA 15-1. The applicant requests approval of a Variance to allow an addition to the residence at 143 Cedar Street.

Planner Murray presented the staff report, reviewing the history associated with the property, the scope of the request, the need for the variance, and the findings supporting the request.

Planner Murray responded to Commissioner questions regarding required findings for a variance and options for the addition that would avoid a variance.

Chair Luebkeman opened the public hearing.

Joe Looney, neighbor at 100 Merrow Street, indicated his support for the proposal.

Chair Luebkeman closed the public hearing.

The Commission discussed the proposal and the variance findings.

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Commissioner Vitas MOVED to adopt Resolution 15-1 approving a Variance to allow a room addition which encroaches into the rear yard and street side yard setbacks at 143 Cedar Street.

Commissioner Dowdin Calvillo SECONDED the motion.

AYES: Amara, Dowdin Calvillo, Luebkeman, Vitas, Willick NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None

The motion was APPROVED.

B. VARIANCE – 105 TERRACE STREET (CARNAHAN SECOND UNIT) – FILE VA 14-7. The applicant requests approval of a Variance to allow a detached second unit which encroaches into the rear yard and side yard setbacks at 105 Terrace Street.

Planner Murray presented the staff report, reviewing the history of the property and the accessory structure, the code enforcement complaint, the scope of the request and the need for the variance.

Questions from the Commission included: History of the property and the structure; City development standards; written notification provided to the applicant; options for the structure and potential variance requirements; improvements to the structure and building permit history; and allowable uses of the structure, including as a short-term rental.

Jon May, Building Official, commented on the permit history for the structure.

Jennifer Solomon, Code Enforcement Officer, reviewed the code enforcement history of the property.

Chair Luebkeman opened the hearing to the public.

Alexandra Carnahan, applicant, reviewed the history of the structure, past situations about her property, and opportunities to use the structure for her family and as a short term rental unit.

Chair Luebkeman and Commissioner Dowdin Calvillo asked if staff informed her in the past about the limitations on the use of the structure and the need for a variance.

Ms. Carnahan stated she was made aware of the limitations and requirements.

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Commissioner Dowdin Calvillo asked of her intentions for the structure if the Commission approved the variance.

Ms. Carnahan stated she would use it for her family and as a short term rental unit.

Commissioner Amara asked what changed between the initial improvements to the structure and now.

Ms. Carnahan stated that there were changes in family and employment situations.

Commissioner Dowdin Calvillo asked the code enforcement officer what prompted the complaints.

Ms. Solomon stated that the complaint was about the general use of the structure without permits and that there was no specific complaint, such as noise created during its use.

Commissioner Vitas asked the applicant why she didn’t follow the rules.

# AGENDA OF THE REGULAR SESSION CITY OF AUBURN PLANNING COMMISSION 1225 LINCOLN WAY, AUBURN, CA 95603

April 7, 2015 6:00 PM

## Planning Commissioners City Staff

Roger Luebkeman, Chair Reg Murray, Senior Planner Sandra Amara Alice Dowdin Calvillo Fred Vitas Nick Willick

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 17, 2015

## IV. PUBLIC COMMENT

This is the time provided so that persons may speak to the Commission on any item not on this agenda. Please make your comments as brief as possible. The Commission cannot act on items not included on this agenda; however, the items will be referred to City staff automatically.

## V. PUBLIC HEARING

A. VARIANCE – 143 CEDAR STREET (SWETT RESIDENCE) - FILE VA 15-1. The applicant requests approval of a Variance to allow a room addition which encroaches into the rear yard and street side yard setbacks at 143 Cedar Street.

B. VARIANCE – 105 TERRACE STREET (CARNAHAN SECOND UNIT) - FILE VA 14-7. The applicant requests approval of a Variance to allow a detached second unit which encroaches into the rear yard and side yard setbacks at 105 Terrace Street.

## VI. COMMISSION BUSINESS

A. Annual Planning Commission priorities list discussion

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## VII. STAFF FOLLOW-UP REPORTS

A. City Council Meetings B. Future Planning Commission Meetings C. Reports

## VIII. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS

The purpose of these reports is to provide a forum for Planning Commissioners to bring forth their own ideas to the Commission. No decisions are to be made on these issues. If a Commissioner would like formal action on any of these discussed items, it will be placed on a future Commission agenda.

## IX. FUTURE PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA ITEMS

Planning Commissioners will discuss and agree on items and/or projects to be placed on future Commission agendas for the purpose of updating the Commission on the progress of items and/or projects.

## X. ADJOURNMENT

Thank you for attending the meeting. The Planning Commission welcomes your interest and participation. If you want to speak on any item on the agenda, as directed by the Chairman, simply go to the lectern, give your name, address, sign in and speak on the subject. Please try to keep your remarks to a maximum of five minutes, focus on the issues before the Planning Commission and try not to repeat information already given to the Commission by a prior speaker. Always speak into the microphone, as the meeting is recorded on tape. It is the policy of the Commission not to begin consideration of a project after 10:00 PM. Such projects will be continued to the next meeting.

Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the Planning Commission after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the Community Development Department during normal business hours.

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# MINUTES OF THE AUBURN CITY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING February 17, 2015

The regular session of the Auburn City Planning Commission meeting was called to order on February 17, 2015 at 6:27 p.m. by Chair Luebkeman in the Council Chambers, 1225 Lincoln Way, Auburn, California.

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Dowdin Calvillo, Luebkeman, Willick

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Amara, Vitas

STAFF PRESENT: Reg Murray, Senior Planner

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Planning Commission minutes of January 20, 2015 were approved as submitted.

## III. PUBLIC COMMENT

None

## IV. COMMISSION BUSINESS

A. Annual Planning Commission Priorities Discussion

Planner Murray presented the staff report and reviewed the Planning Commission’s past priorities, the projects list, and the Commission’s review of its priorities.

The Commission discussed their priorities and whether to keep or remove the hillside development guidelines and the landscape guidelines from their priorities list.

Commissioner Dowdin Calvillo asked about the intent behind the task to establish grading guidelines and how staff addresses grading for residential lots.