Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.2 Chevron Use Permit Appeal CITY OF DUBLIN AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: January 14 , 1991 SUBJECT: Appeal of PA 90-066 Chevron Conditional Use Permit/Site Development Review at 5933 Dougherty Road Dq-C REPORT PREPARED BY: Carol R. Cirelli, Associate Planner EXHIBITS ATTACHED: C� Exhibit A: Draft Resolution of Approval upholding the Planning Commission action denying the Conditional Use Permit/Site Development Review request Attachment 1 : Planning Commission Resolution No. 90-064 , Conditional Use Permit approval Attachment 2 : Minutes for the November 19 , 1990 Planning Commission meeting Attachment 3 : Letter of Appeal dated received November 26, 1990 Attachment 4: General Plan Land Use Designation RECOMMENDATION: 1) Open Public Hearing and hear Staff 2�L presentation 2) Take testimony from Applicant and the public 3) Question Staff, Applicant and the Public 4) Close Public Hearing and deliberate 5) Adopt Resolution (Exhibit A) denying Conditional Use Permit/Site Development Review and initiating General Plan Amendment/Specific Plan Study, or give Staff and Applicant direction and continue the matter. FINANCIAL STATEMENT: There would be costs associated with a General Plan Amendment and Specific Plan Study that are undetermined. Staff would need to prepare potential options and potential cost estimates for City Council review and approval. --------------------------------------------------- COPIES TO: General/Agenda File Address File ITEM NO. Project Planner DESCRIPTION: Background In August of 1990 , the Applicant submitted an application requesting Conditional Use Permit and Site Development Review approval to construct and operate a new 24 hour service station, including a food mart and car wash facility. On November 19 , 1990, the Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 90-064 (Attachment 1) denying, without prejudice, the Applicant's Conditional Use Permit and Site Development Review request, and recommending that the City Council initiate a General Plan Amendment and Specific Plan Study for the Scarlett Court area. By denying the project "without prejudice" , the Applicant will be allowed to submit the same application within one year from the date of denial of the project. On November 26 , 1990, the Planning Commission action was appealed by the Applicant who is not in support of the Commission's denial of the Conditional Use Permit and Site Development Review request. Analysis The Planning Commission denied the project based on the inability to make affirmative findings relative to the service station as a conditional use within a C-2 , General Commercial District zone. The following facts supported the denial of the service station use: 1. The project is not consistent with the General Plan land use designation for the site, which is Business Park/Industrial : Outdoor Storage, in that a service station is not a retail use which involves outdoor storage. 2 . There are currently 14 service stations in the City of Dublin. Before 1982 , 20 service stations were in existence. The number of service stations has been decreasing over time. Therefore, an additional service station in the City will not serve the public need. 3 . The proposed service station project may affect the health and safety of individuals residing or working in the immediate vicinity which utilize and dispense gasoline, a product which is highly flammable and explosive in nature. Since there is currently no service station at this location, the addition of this service station would increase the risks of an unauthorized release. In response to the statements made by the Applicant in the letter of appeal, the General Plan land use designation for the site allows retail uses which involve outdoor storage, such as the retail sales of mobile homes, construction material and automobiles. Although a service station is considered a retail use conducted outdoors , this -2- use does not involve any outdoor storage activity (see Attachment 4 General Plan Land Use Designation) . The number of service stations in Dublin has been decreasing over time and as a result, there is no indication that an additional service station in Dublin will serve the public- need. In regards to public safety, although service stations are now required to install equipment for the prevention of spills or leakages, there is still some potential for an explosion or toxic spill to occur. According to the Dougherty Regional Fire Authority, the addition of this service station at this site would increase the risk of an unauthorized release. The Dougherty Regional Fire Authority and the City Attorney have reviewed and concur with Finding "C" of the Draft Resolution. The finding that the project is not consistent with the General Plan land use designation for the site may also apply to other uses currently operating in the vicinity of Scarlett Court. In addition, existing land uses and property boundaries may change in the Scarlett Court area as the City acquires, or receives as dedication, property which is located within the adopted right-of-way alignment for the Dublin Boulevard Extension project. For these reasons, the Planning Commission and Staff recommend to the City Council that a General Plan Amendment and Specific Plan study be prepared to determine appropriate land uses and study boundaries for the Scarlett Court area. A General Plan amendment could facilitate a transition of the area from industrial and outdoor storage type uses to retail/commercial type uses. A specific plan prepared for at least a portion of this area could set forth land use and development regulations compatible with the adopted right-of-way alignment for the Dublin Boulevard Extension and affected property boundaries. ' Two options are available for Council's consideration. The first option, which is Staff's recommendation, is for Council to uphold the Planning Commission action denying without prejudice the Conditional Use Permit/Site Development Review request and to initiate a General Plan Amendment and Specific Plan Study, and to further direct Staff to prepare a more detailed Staff Report identifying specific land use and study area boundary options. The more detailed Staff Report would be brought back to the City Council for review and approval . The second option is for Council to provide direction to Staff determining that a service station is in conformance with the General Plan land use designation and continue the Conditional Use Permit/Site Development Review request in order to provide Staff and the Applicant adequate time to complete the application process. Attached for Council consideration is a Draft Resolution (Exhibit A) which upholds the Planning Commission action denying without prejudice the Conditional Use Permit/Site Development Review request and initiates a General Plan Amendment and Specific Plan study for the Scarlett Court area. -3- RESOLUTION NO. 91 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN --------------------------------------------------------------------- UPHOLDING THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S ACTION DENYING WITHOUT PREJUDICE PA 90-066 CHEVRON CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT/ SITE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW AT 5933 DOUGHERTY ROAD WHEREAS, William T. Scudder, on behalf of Chevron USA Inc. , filed a Conditional Use Permit and Site Development Review application to construct and operate a gasoline service station, food mart and car wash facility at 5933 Dougherty Road; and WHEREAS, the Planning .Commission did hold a public hearing on said application on November 5 and 19 , 1990; and WHEREAS, proper notice of said public hearing was given in all respects as required by law; and WHEREAS, the application has been reviewed by the City in accordance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that CEQA does not apply to this project pursuant to Section 15270 of the State CEQA guidelines; and WHEREAS, the Staff Report was submitted recommending that the application be denied without prejudice; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission did hear and consider all said reports, recommendations and testimony hereinabove set forth; and WHEREAS, the proposed project is inconsistent with the City's General Plan land use designation for the site; and WHEREAS, on November 19 , 1990 , the Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 90-064 , denying PA 90-066 Chevron Conditional Use Permit/Site Development Review; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission action denying PA 90-066 Chevron Conditional Use Permit/Site Development Review was appealed; and WHEREAS, the City Council held a public hearing on the appeal on January 14 , 1991; and WHEREAS, proper notice of said public hearing was given in all respects as required by law; and WHEREAS, the Staff Report was submitted recommending that the City Council uphold the Planning Commission action denying without prejudice the Conditional Use Permit/Site Development Review request and initiating a General Plan Amendment/Specific Plan Study for the area; and WHEREAS, the City Council heard and considered all reports, recommendations and testimony hereinabove set forth. UMBIT A - 1 - NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE Dublin City Council does hereby find: A. The service station facility is not required by and will not serve the public need in that there are currently 14 service stations in the City of Dublin, whereas, before 1982 , 20 service stations were in existence. The number of service stations has decreased over time. B. The use will not be properly related to other land uses, transportation and service facilities in the immediate vicinity which are consistent with the General Plan, as the proposed use is not consistent with the General Plan land use designation for the site, which is Business Park/Industrial : Outdoor Storage. C. The use will have a cumulative effect on the health and safety of persons residing or working in the vicinity, will be materially detrimental to the public welfare and will be injurious to property or improvements in the neighborhood due to the existence of two service stations in the immediate vicinity which utilize and dispense gasoline and other gasoline products which are highly inflammable and explosive in nature.. Since there is currently no service station at this location, the addition of this service station would increase the risks of an unauthorized release. D. The use is contrary to the specific intent clauses and performance standards established for the district in which it is to be located, as the proposed use is not consistent with the City's General Plan land use designation for the project site, which is Business Park/Industrial : Outdoor Storage. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE Dublin City Council does hereby uphold the Planning Commission's action denying without prejudice PA 90-066 Chevron Conditional Use Permit/Site Development Review and does hereby initiate a General Plan Amendment and Specific Plan Study for the Scarlett Court area and with direction to Staff to prepare a more detailed Staff Report with land use and study area boundary options for future City Council review and approval . PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 14th day of January, 1991 . AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk 2 - RESOLUTION NO. 90 - 064 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN ------------------------------------- DENYING PA 90-066 CHEVRON CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT/ SITE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW AT 5933 DOUGHERTY ROAD WHEREAS, William T. Scudder, on behalf of Chevron USA Inc. , filed a Conditional Use Permit and Site Development Review application to construct and operate a gasoline service station, food mart and car wash facility at 5933 Dougherty Road; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission did hold a public hearing on said application on November 5 and 19 , 1990 ; and WHEREAS, proper notice of said public hearing was given in all respects as required by law; and WHEREAS, the application has been reviewed by the City in accordance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that CEQA does not apply to this project pursuant to Section 15270 of the State CEQA guidelines ; and WHEREAS, the Staff Report was submitted recommending that the application be denied without prejudice; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission did hear and consider all said reports , recommendations and testimony hereinabove set forth; and WHEREAS, the proposed project is inconsistent with the City's General Plan land use designation for the site; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE Dublin Planning Commission does hereby find: A. The service station facility is not required by and will not serve the public need in that there are currently 14 service stations in the City of Dublin, whereas , before 1982 , 20 service stations were in existence. The number of service stations has been decreasing over time . B. The use will not be properly related to other land uses , transportation and service facilities in the immediate vicinity which are consistent with the General Plan, as the proposed use is not consistent with the General Plan land use designation for the site, which is Business Park/Industrial : Outdoor Storage . C . The use will have a detrimental effect on the health and safety of persons residing or working in the vicinity, will be materially detrimental to the public welfare and will be injurious to property or improvements in the neighborhood due to the existence of two service stations in the immediate vicinity which utilize and dispense gasoline and other gasoline products - 1 AtU60 which are highly inflammable and explosive in nature. An additional service station would increase the risks of upset. D. The use is contrary to the specific intent clauses and performance standards established for the district in which it is to be located, as the proposed use is not consistent with the City's General Plan land use designation for the project site , which is Business Park/Industrial : Outdoor Storage. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE Dublin Planning Commission does hereby deny without prejudice Conditional Use Permit application PA 90-066 Chevron Conditional Use Permit/Site Development Review and does eerPlanmAmendmenttandCSpecificcPlanuStudyZforh initiation the Scarlett of a General Court area. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of November, 1990 . AYES: Commissioners Barnes , Burnham and Zika NOES : None ABSENT: None ABSTAINED:Commissioner Springer Planning Commission Chairperson ATTEST: YY ' Planning Directo - 2 - Langtry of TJKM indicated the 270 trips per day figure was bas on the consultant ' s standard study of on-site traffic counts . Mr. Coldwel ' ndicated that there were employees and trucks exiting and en ing the premises . He asked that the project be approved tonight th the traffic consultant re-evaluating the figures . Cm. Zika indicated that he as hesitant to approve the project without the traffic figures . e felt that the item should be postponed until the traffic figu s were looked into. Cm. Burnham felt that the traffic stu was not self-explanatory and suggested that TJKM should discuss th calculations with the Applicant. Mr. Tong suggested that the Commission continue th roject so that Staff, TJKM and the Applicant could review and c rify the traffic study information. The Planning Commission continued the item to the December 3 , 1990 meeting. SUBJECT: :PA'=90=:066::Chevron Conditional Use Permit/Site j Development' Review request to construct a new Chevron service station including a food mart/car wash facility at 5933 Dougherty Road (continued from the November 5 , 1990 Planning Commission meeting), Cm. Burnham opened the public hearing and asked for the staff report. Ms . Carol Cirelli presented the staff report to the Commission. She indicated that Staff was recommending denial "without prejudice" due to the inability to make affirmative findings for the project, and recommended that the Commission request the City Council to initiate a General Plan Amendment Study for Scarlett Court. Cm. Springer stated that he would need to abstain because of possible conflict of interest on the proposed project. Mr. Harvey Levine, 7020 Koll Center Parkway, indicated that he was unhappy with the recommendation of denial; however he understood Staff ' s position. He introduced Mr. Scudder and Mr. Wahlen, the Applicants . Mr. Wahlen described the proposed service station and indicated that he was available to answer any questions that the Commission might have . Mr. Levine passed out documentation to the Commission regarding his comments and concerns . He indicated-that-the iite was Regular Meeting PCM-19907114 November 19 , 1990 [ 11-19min] appropriate for a service station because it was connected with a major commuter intersection and there were no residential neighborhoods in the area. The lease for the property would be up in two years and he felt that a service station would be appropriate for the site . Mr. Levine disagreed with the Staff ' s findings . He indicated that there was a need for an additional service station because there would be more cars in the future commuting from the East Dublin area. He felt that the new station would not result in health or safety hazards because the fuel tanks are required to be double walled and were much safer than the old designs . He stated that the area is designated as Business Park Industrial/ Outdoor Storage and that the project is not inconsistent with the General Plan because service stations are considered an outdoor retail related use . Mr. Tong directed the Planning Commission' s attention to page 5 of the Dublin General Plan. Copies of page 5 were distributed to the Planning Commission and Applicant. He said that the General Plan clearly considers service stations as retail uses and includes "service stations" as a specific example in the "Retail/Office ' description. They are outdoor retail uses, just as drive-in restaurants are considered outside retail uses . Retail uses conducted outdoors should not be confused with "outdoor storage" uses . The General Plan describes "Business Park/Industrial : Outdoor Storage use to include 1) mobile home ) storage, 2 construction material storage, 3 ) automobile dealerships , and similar uses where goods or materials are stored outdoors . The General Plan designation for the proposed site is "Business Park/Industrial : Outdoor Storage" , so the proposed service station would be inconsistent with the General Plan. If the General Plan was amended so that the proposed site was designated "Retail/Office" , a service station use could be consistent . All existing service stations in the City are located in areas designated in the General Plan for "Retail/Office" or "Retail/Office and Automotive" use . Mr. Tong also restated that there was less need overall for another service station and that there were two service stations in the immediate vicinity handling highly flammable and hazardous liquids . Adding a third service station would increase the potential for a hazardous spill or accident . Mr. Tong recommended that the Commission adopt the resolutions denying the proposed development and request the City Council to initiate a General Plan Amendment for the Scarlett Court area so that Staff could study the retail potential for the area or other appropriate uses . ------------------------------------------------------- Regular Meeting PCM-1990-115 November 19 , 1990 [ 11-19min] Cm. Burnham closed the public hearing. Cm. Zika agreed with Staff ' s recommendations ; however did not agree that the service station would cause any significant safety hazard. He suggested that Staff discuss the situation with DRFA. Cm. Barnes concurred with Staff ' s recommendations . Cm. Burnham agreed that there is a decline in the amount of existing service stations in the city; however disagreed that the proposed station would be a safety hazard. He suggested a thorough study be done of the vicinity. Mr. Tong indicated that the City Attorney reviewed the findings and deemed them legally adequate . The proposed General Plan Amendment could be completed in approximately one year. Staff was recommending denial of the proposed project, without prejudice . The Applicant could come back after the General Plan Amendment within the year with the same proposal . On motion from Cm. Zika, seconded by Cm. Barnes , and with a vote of 3-0 (one abstained) , the Commission adopted RESOLUTION NO. 90-064 DENYING PA 90-066 CHEVRON CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT/ SITE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW AT 5933 DOUGHERTY ROAD SUBJECT: PA 90-074 Chrysler Realty Corporation Auto Sales and Service Conditional Use Permit to allow the operation of an auto sales and service facility located at 6451 Scarlett Court (continued from the November 5 , 1990 Planning Commission meeting) Cm. Burn h opened the public hearing and asked for the staff report . Ms . Carol Cirelli resented the staff report to the Commission. The proposed constr ion of the Dublin Boulevard Extension would have a severe im ct on the use of the proposed project; therefore, Staff is recom nding only a one-year extension of the Conditional Use Permit for t s site. Tom Sholes , Applicant, referred t Condition #1 and inquired whether this was a factual statement . On Condition #15 he requested a longer extension period fo he Conditional Use Permit . Cm. Zika asked Staff if there would be relocati fees for the new tenant . Cm. Burnham asked Staff if Condition #15 could be rewor d to allow the use until the Dublin Boulevard Extension was constructed. Regular Meeting PCM-1990-116 November 19 , 1990 [ 11-19min] Hallgrimson, Wong, Miller & Relyea Attorneys at Law STEVEN L.HALLGRIMSON ERIC WONG 7020 KOLL CENTER PARKWAY,SUITE 142 60 S.MARKET STREET,SUITE 900 HOWARD S.MILLER PLEASANTON,CALIFORNIA 94566 SAN JOSE,CALIFORNIA 95113.2303 JANE P.RELYEA PHONE(415)462-2424 FAX(415)462-1818 PHONE(408)275-6600 HARVEY E.LEVINE FAX (408)275-0315 RONALD .RAINEY JO ANN DERUVO DONNA L.BECKER R E C E 1 V E p MARK L.HIRSCH THOMAS D.MURTHA JQV i NANCY L.BRANDT C� n STEVEN D.LEVERE " ° I WILLIAM F.BURNS WAYNE T.WONG DUBLIN PLANNING November 26, 1990 C476-001 VIA TELEFAX AND HAND-DELIVERY Mr. Laurence Tong Planning Director City of Dublin 100 Civic Plaza Dublin, CA 94568 Re: Appeal of PA 90-066 Chevron SDR/CUP Dear Mr. Tong: On behalf of Chevron USA Inc. , I am appealing the ruling of the Planning Commission regarding the above listed application of Chevron. As you know, we feel the staff position, as adopted by the Planning Commission, is in error legally and factually as follows: (1) The proposed use is not inconsistent with the General Plan; (2) The proposed use is not a health and safety concern; and (3) The proposed use is needed by Dublin' s existing community; certainly needed by the future development approved, but not yet built; and will be needed by the planned development to the east. Aside from the stated staff position for denial, it is clear that staff desires more planning done in the area, which could result in the General Plan classification being amended to Retail/Office. We would object to holding this small project hostage to the replanning of the entire area. Atb*M 3 Mr. Laurence Tong November 26, 1990 Page 2 In summary, please set our appeal for hearing before the City Council . Respectfully, HALLGRIMSON, WONG, MILLER & RELYEA 2 le By :�' Harvey E. Vvine, Esq. HEL/aln cc: Bill Scudder Pat Bitz W13c,cN 6eJeAAL ?LAN lAND US ��SCcztbra 5 �xcERPTs Residential: Medium Density (6.1 to 14.0 units per gross residential acre) . The range allows duplex, townhouse, and garden apartment development suitable for family living. Except where mixed dwelling types are designated, unit types and densities may be similar or varied. Where the plan requires mixed dwelling types, listed policies specific to the site govern the location and distribution of dwelling types. Assumed household size is two persons--per unit. Recently reviewed projects in the medium density range include-Parkway Terrace (7.8) and Amador Lakes west of the Dougherty Hills (13.5) . Residential: Medium-High Density (14.1 to 25.0 units per gross residential acre) . Projects at the upper end of this range normally will require some under-structure parking and will have three or more living levels in order to meet zoning ordinance open space requirements. Assumed household size is two persons per unit. Examples of medium-high density projects include The Springs (17.8) and Greenwood Apartments (19.8) . Commercial/Industrial Retail/Office. Shopping centers, stores, restaurants, business and professional offices, motels, service stations,..and-sale of auto parts are included in this classification. Residential"use"--is- excluded except in the Downtown Intensification Area. Retail/Office and Automotive. This classification includes all retail/office uses and adds auto dealerships, auto body shops, and similar uses. Residential uses are not permitted. Business Park/Industrial. Uses are non-retail businesses (research, limited manufacturing and distribution activities, and administrative offices) that do not involve heavy trucking or generate nuisances due to emissions, noise, or open uses. Residential uses are not permitted. Maximum attainable ratios of floor area to site area (FAR) are controlled by parking and landscaping requirements and typically result in .35 to .40 FAR's. Examples: Clark Avenue, Sierra Court. Eman ss Park/Industrial: Outdoor Storage. In addition to the Business --� ndustrial uses described above, this classification includes retail and r cturing activities conducted outdoors such as mobile home or construction als storage. Exampl e: Scarlett Court. Public/Semi-Public Public/Semi-Public Facilities. Uses other than parks owned by a public agency that are of sufficient size to warrant differentiation from adjoining uses are labeled. Development of housing on a site designated on the General Plan as semi-public shall be considered consistent with the General Plan. Determination as to whether housing should be permitted on a specific semi-public site and the acceptable density and design will be through review of a Planned Unit Development proposal under the Zoning Ordinance. Examples: Public and private schools, churches. . Parks/Public Recreation. Publicly owned parks and recreation facilities. Open Space. Included are areas dedicated as open space on subdivision maps, slopes greater than 30 percent, stream protection corridors, woodlands, and grazing lands. 5 � t 4