Minutes for September 20, 2018
- Call to Order Chairperson Vicky Farrow called to order the regular meeting of the Dry Creek Valley Citizens Advisory Council at 6:02 pm.
- Roll Call Present Councilmembers: Vicky Farrow, Bill Smith, Ruth Wilson, Jenny Gomez, and Mike Tierney.
- Approval of Minutes On a motion by Councilmember Bill Smith, seconded by Councilmember Ruth Wilson, the June 21, 2018, Dry Creek Valley Citizens Advisory Council meeting minutes were approved. The motion carried on a voice vote, (5‐0).
- Public Comments on Non - Agenda Items ‐ None
- Correspondence ‐ We received two legal notices since our last meeting: The first was for PLP17‐0029 Notice of Public Hearing related to the project for the Dry Creek Store, on UPE17‐0028, that the council heard in July of 2017; this hearing was scheduled to be held July 19, 0218, at 2:00 pm at the Sonoma County Permit and Resource Management Department Hearing Room, 2550 Ventura Avenue, Santa Rosa. The second was a Waiver of Legal Hearing for PLP18‐0009 for Steven Deutsch, which the council reviewed in March of this year.
- Councilmember Announcements and Disclosures:Information only ‐
Councilmember Mike Tierney disclosed that his winery (Taft Street) has done business with the Mauritsons for years.
Concilmember Ruth Wilson communicated via email with Hannah Spencer at the County of Sonoma regarding the Z overlays.
Council Chair Vicky Farrow informed those present that she lives across the street from the Mauritsons, so she will be recusing herself from the discussion and voting on this referral.
Councilmember Bill Smith also communicated with Hannah Spencer, at the county, for information related to this referral that he requested be circulated to the council members through Secretary, Sharon Pillsbury.
As Council Chair Vicky Farrow had recused herself for this referral, Ruth Wilson, the Council Vice Chair, assumed duties for this referral. - Referrals from PRMD ‐
Referrals from Sonoma County PRMD–
File Number: ZCE18‐0014
Applicant Name: Munselle Civil Engineering, Attn: Gillian Hayes
Owner Name: Robert and Deanna Mauritson Tr
Site Address: 3319 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg
APN: 090‐150‐041
Project Description: Request for Zone Change to remove the Z (Accessory Unit Exclusion) Combining District zoning designation from a 20.45 acre parcel.
Gillian Hayes of Munselle Civil Engineering represented the property owners for this presentation. She presented some background information on the property and a site map for councilmembers to review. The site currently has the Z overlay, which prohibits an additional dwelling unit on the property. They are currently allowed only 2 dwelling units. Because the parcel is 17.5 acres, it does not meet the current 20 acre minimum, and the county informed them that they would not qualify for an additional dwelling unit. They are requesting that the county remove the Z overlay. The county is currently working on getting Z overlays removed, a process that is taking some time. The Muaritson’s do not want to wait any longer for this process. They are seeking to build another accessory dwelling unit. - Questions
Councilmember Mike Tierney expressed his sympathy for dealing with the county. His personal property currently has three dwelling units. The county had incorrect info on his property that indicated there was only one accessory unit, and showed that it had burned down.
Councilmember Jenny Gomez addressed the lack of information regarding this particular situation in our Guidelines document. She asked Gillian if neighbors had been notified. Gillian assured her they had notified neighbors.
Councilmember Ruth Wilson mentioned that Hannah Spencer at the County of Sonoma had explained the history of the Z overlays. They were originally added to areas where there were concerns about water and traffic. The focus has switched, and now the county is more concerned with adding additional housing. She clarified that we did hear a previous Z overlay removal for a property on Westside Road. - Statement of Motion: On a motion by Councilmember Jenny Gomez, seconded by Councilmember Mike Tierney, the council recommends approval of this referral. The motion carried on a voice vote, 4‐0.
- Discussion Items Vicky rejoined the council for a discussion of the progress on our Guidelines document. She and Ruth met with Ariel Kelley and James Gore. Cameron Mauritson was scheduled to meet with them as well, but was unable to attend because of harvest duties. James said they would like to bring our Guidelines up at a Board of Supervisor’s meeting, in the near future, in order to add the document to our Blue Book. Ruth believes it will be heard in October before the Board of Supervisors and asked the councilmembers to be prepared for questions and the possibility of some opposition. James expects the addition of the Guidelines document to our Blue Book to be approved. She clarified for Jenny, that James had originally directed our council to come up with this Guidelines document as a test case. The hope is that other CACs will be able to do this for their areas, as well. Vicky also gave an update on the referrals that we received communication on since our last meeting. She knew that the Dry Creek Store referral had passed at the county level, but was unaware if there had been any appeal of the decision. She also mentioned that in spite of the Waiver of Public Hearing for Steven Deutsch of Grist Vineyards, the county had received two letters of complaint, and a hearing was held. The council had a brief discussion about the benefits of our Guidelines document and how they have been helpful to the council and applicants alike.
- Agenda Items for future meetings Any new referrals Ongoing discussion of the Guidelines document progress
- Adjournment There being no other Council business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 6:31 pm; on a motion by Councilmember Jenny Gomez, seconded by Councilmember Ruth Wilson. The motion carried on a voice vote, (5‐0).