3B Public Hearing 2012 0221 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes December 15, 2011 Agenda No. II -I2 Page 8 of 9 CUP process is the best way to control uses in the future, and we should be more thoughtful about deciding where conditional uses are allowed or prohibited. Commissioner Fitzsimons agreed, adding that with a conditionally permitted use, an application cannot be turned down "just because." He also agreed that a more targeted approach makes sense, and if the City Council wants to pursue the matter, staff could be directed to take that approach. Because the issue doesn't seem pressing at this time, he said that he'd want a clear demonstration as to why Commercial Recreation and Entertainment Activities would be incompatible with industrial uses before he could recommend eliminating them. Commissioner Rennie suggested that the City Council could direct staff to revisit the issue and develop a more nuanced approach to proposals regarding Commercial Recreation and Entertainment Activities as conditionally permitted uses in the Industrial Districts. Commissioners agreed to take two votes, one to deal with staffs recommendation and the other in the vein that Commissioner Rennie proposed. Motion to Adopt Staffs Recommendation to City Council to Eliminate Commercial Recreation and Entertainment Activities As Conditionally Permitted Uses in Industrial Zones IG, IL and IP Crow/Dlugosh: 0 Aye, 7 No — Motion Failed Commissioner Crow said he doesn't want to send any recommendation to City Council that would restrict any Commercial Recreation or Entertainment Activities uses in the City. Chair Collier said it would be difficult and time- consuming to separate sections from within the IG District to target for either exclusion or inclusion of uses. She also pointed out that the City Council will receive the Planning Commission's input via the minutes anyway. Commissioner Fitzsimons said he agrees with Commissioner Rennie's suggestion and also agrees with staff to the extent that he does not want to see San Leandro's industrial base eroded. He also stated that rather than replace industry, Commercial Recreation or Entertainment Activities in industrial areas should enhance amenities for the businesses and employees there. He suggested that perhaps particular conditions could apply to such uses in industrial areas. It's important to be careful about protecting the industrial areas, he emphasized, while at the same time permitting compatible uses that complement the industrial sector and help it grow. He said he voted against the staff recommendation because it's so black- and - white, and it's important to give the Council another option to consider. Commissioner Rennie said that specific conditions might be one approach to Commercial Recreation and Entertainment Activities. Another, he said, might be to look at interfaces, buffers or certain corridors between lighter and heavier industrial uses. He suggested that another possibility is to limit the total number or total square footage of non - industrial uses allowed in the IG District. He said that a number of different tools in the zoning palette could be employed to add flexibility while retaining the industrial base. Vice Chair Abero said that another part of the solution might be to more clearly define Commercial Recreation and Entertainment Activities within the context of Industrial Districts. Noting that adult- oriented businesses are subject to requirements and limitations prescribed in Section 4 -1683 of the Zoning Code, Commissioner Crow asked whether the additional regulations apply in any zoning district. Assistant City Attorney Pio Roda confirmed that those regulations would apply in any location. In response to a follow -up question, he said that regulations also could be written to apply solely to uses in particular zones.