Planning Commission

Mike Haycock stated that the Technical Review Committee reviewed this project on 1/4/22 and found it to be in compliance with City ordinances. The property located to the South is owned by the Catholic Diocese. Chairman Jeff Loris stated that Shadow Canyons is to the north and on the east is Desert Breeze. It has high density with the mobile home park to the east as well. R-1-10 fits in that area and is zoned that way. The detention storm basin is very large. Larger than this subdivision would require. Was that a request by our City engineers? There is a lot of flooding in this area, but the applicant doesn't look like they asked for any sort of density bonus by giving up this much land. Mike Haycock stated that Chuck Gillette analyzed it and found that size to be necessary. They did not ask for a bonus. That area typically has flooding. Chairman Jeff Loris stated if it was his subdivision he would have asked for a higher density based on how much they had to sacrifice with half of the road, probably 50-60 ft of their land that was taken with this requirement. Other subdivisions asked for a density bonus when that happens. Commissioner Pam Gardiol inquired if the setback for the detention basin is in alignment with the other development? Mike Haycock stated it wasn't necessarily looking for alignment. It was more about public safety and having a detention basin that was necessary for the City and the neighborhood to prevent our storm drains from causing problems in that area. Commissioner Pam Gardiol inquired because the detention basin is quite large, is there any liability if that pond fills and someone falls in or is injured? Mike Haycock stated that there were easements used, and there is always a liability when property is City-owned, but has been addressed between the City and the landowner. He believes this is a HOA maintained area. Commissioner Doug Clifford stated he didn't notice how large it was, but the basin can be used as a park or open area for kids to play. That is a use of their land as well. Chairman Jeff Loris stated this is not a retention basin so during a storm event it would fill up with water and not overtax our storm system. Commissioner Pam Gardiol stated she was going through the General Plan and assumes every development we have is in alignment with the General Plan. She noticed that there are multiple places in the General Plan that talk about ensuring vistas and the majesty that we have here. She respects that the Technical Review Committee reviews and finds it to be in compliance with ordinances. A question she would like to throw out for possible future consideration is where walls block vistas. In Santa Clara they are building a wall at the standard height but the fencing gives the ability to still see through it? She would like to consider that going forward and how do we make the safety features something that allows us to see the vistas we talk about so frequently in the General Plan. Dale Coulam stated that the General Plan is an advisory guide. The zoning ordinance and subdivision ordinances are law and we are required to follow those, which this does. Looking at future changes may require some changes to those ordinances. Pools may require additional fencing for safety, but this complies with what is required under the subdivision ordinance. Mike Haycock stated we continue to look at fence heights and building heights as per our ordinance during the building permit process. We look at those during inspections also. We step our larger retaining walls back further to protect views, without making land unusable. Chairman Jeff Loris stated that there is a conflict between a 6 ft privacy and a wrought iron fence to allow vistas and is see-through. It is a matter of choice. We can't enforce something that would take from someone else. Commissioner Pam Gardiol stated that she understands the balancing act is always there and that the General Plan is an advisory document, but she would like to throw out some ideas to ask different kinds of questions. Chairman Jeff Loris stated this meets guidelines and no conflicts or issues that would make us deny this recommendation.

Chairman Jeff Loris	AYE
Commissioner Pam Gardiol	AYE
Commissioner Doug Clifford	AYE
Commissioner Dave Robinson	AYE

Chairman Jeff Loris	AYE
Commissioner Pam Gardiol	AYE
Commissioner Doug Clifford	AYE
Commissioner Dave Robinson	AYE

Chairman Jeff Loris	AYE
Commissioner Doug Clifford	AYE
Commissioner Dave Robinson	AYE
Commissioner Pam Gardiol	ABSTAIN

Chairman Jeff Loris	AYE
Commissioner Pam Gardiol	AYE
Commissioner Doug Clifford	AYE
Commissioner Dave Robinson	AYE