HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 11191985 - T.4 T.4
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on November 19, 1985 , by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Schroder, McPeak, and Fanden
NOES: Supervisor Torlakson
ABSENT: Supervisor Powers
ABSTAIN: None
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SUBJECT: Appeal of Donald J. Kalgaard & Alita C. Fisher from the
Board of Appeals approval with conditions of the applica-
tion filed by John Bessolo for LUP 2079-85 to establish a
24-unit apartment complex in the Rodeo area.
This being the time for hearing the appeal of Donald J.
Kalgaard & Alita C. Fisher from the Board of Appeals approval, with
conditions, of the application filed by John Bessolo for LUP 2079-85
to establish a 24-unit apartment complex in the Rodeo area; and
Harvey Bragdon, Assistant Director of Community
Development, reviewed the proposed project and advised that the pro-
posed 24-unit apartment complex would be a renovation of the pro-
perty known as the Kronick Hotel in the downtown Rodeo area, and
further advised that it had been approved, with conditions, by the
Zoning Administrator, appealed by Mr. Kalgaard and Ms. Fisher, the
appeal denied and the approval upheld by the Contra Costa County
Planning Commission sitting as the Board of Appeals.
The Chairwoman declared the hearing opened and the
following persons appeared and commented:
1 . Janet M. Hamley, 7 Avon Court, Danville, advised
that she is the design engineer who did the design for the office
building adjacent to the proposed project, and advised that in
her opinion the project was not in conformance with the 1984 general
plan.
2. Alita C. Fisher, 363 Virginia Street, Crockett, owner
of Mermaid Pool-Patio & Spa Center, 355 Parker Avenue, Rodeo,
opposed Mr. Bessolo' s proposed project, commenting that it would
have an adverse effect on her business which adjoins the proposed
project, that it does not comply with the general plan, and would be
a detriment to the County, and urged the Board to grant the subject
appeal.
3. Edwin A. Miller, P. 0. 475, Rodeo, President of the
Site Council of the Nutrition Project for the Elderly in Rodeo,
favored the project as an improvement in the area.
4 . Britt Habegger, 266 Grand Avenue, Oakland, attorney
for appellants, commented that the proposed project deviates from
the Rodeo General Plan and would negatively affect Ms. Fisher' s
business and recommended that the Board grant the subject appeal.
5 . Robert Johanson, 520 Second Street, Rodeo, attorney
for John Bessolo, applicant, commented that Rodeo needs more
development and urged the Board to deny the appeal, noting that the
Rodeo Chamber of Commerce also favors the development.
6 . Carl Bennett, 13 Pacific Avenue, Rodeo, advised
that he favors the project and urged approval thereof.
7 . Miles Berger, 14 Raccoon Lane, Tiburon, architect for
the project, explained the benefits of the project and urged denial
of the appeal .
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8 . Barbara Kirk, 160 Parker, Rodeo, advised that she
believes it would be in the best interest of Rodeo to have Mr.
Bessolo' s project approved.
9 . Karen Werth Crow, 842 Hawthorne Drive, Rodeo, owner
of a business one half block away, commented on the need to do
something with the Kronick Hotel building for the good of the
community.
10. John Bessolo, 849 Spruce Court, Rodeo, owner of the
Kronick Hotel and applicant for LUP 2079-85, explained his pro-
posed project and urged denial of the subject appeal.
11. Alan Mower, 810 Hawthorne Drive, Rodeo, commented
on a previous abatement hearing by this Board relating to the subject
building, and who urged denial of the subject appeal.
12. Steve Palmer, 1019 Seascape Circle, Rodeo, repre-
senting the Rodeo Chamber of Commerce and the John Swett School
Board, stated that the Chamber favors renovation of the building in
question, and that the school board also wishes to see the building
changed. Mr. Palmer further commented that, as a member of the
General Plan Review Committe, it was his understanding that the pur-
pose of the general plan was to promote growth, development, rehabi-
litation and betterment of the community within the broad parameters
of the general plan.
13 . Kim Whitlock, 136 John, #4, Rodeo, commented on
the need for rental units in Rodeo and the need for renovation of
the building in question.
14. Judy Voorhies, 315 Jackson Street, Crockett, urged
the Board to allow Mr. Bessolo to rennovate the Kronick Hotel
Building.
No one else having desired to speak, Chairwoman Fanden
closed the public hearing and commented on the history of the
Kronick Hotel Building, the previous abatement procedure, and the
various plans that had been proposed for rennovation, including
those of the Kalgaards.
Chairwoman Fanden commented that the project proposed
under LUP 2079-85 to establish a 24-unit apartment complex would not
create a nuisance for the Rodeo area, that it would not adversely
affect the policies and goals set by the General Plan Review
Committee and would not be a detriment to the health, safety nor
welfare of the County. She commented that Rodeo needs a shot in
the arm and the best way to do that is by an influx of people in
the downtown area, that downtown Rodeo needs sprucing up, and for
all those reasons, she would move for the denial of the subject
appeal.
Supervisor Torlakson expressed concern regarding the
actual text of the general plan with respect to mixing shelter with
retail and commercial activities, and since the zoning is retail for
one of the parcels, it seems too dense for the general plan, and
that he had concerns relating to traffic and parking and therefore could
not support the motion to deny.
,Chairwoman Fanden responded to Supervisor Torlakson' s
concerns and suggested that the Board must look at this from the
view of what is good for the community.
Mr. Bragdon advised that the general plan does provide
that residential development in and around the commercial core
would be acceptable and that it would bring vitality and life to
the area. He stated that at both the zoning administrator and
planning commission meetings a lot of testimony indicated that
there is no demand for commercial space and that the proposed
density should be the beginning of the core area in Rodeo.
Supervisor McPeak ascertained from staff that were no
further requirements for variances and that the proposal met the set-
t
back requirements without variances and that the general plan pro-
vided for residental development, and thereupon seconded Chairwoman
Fanden' s motion to deny.
IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the appeal of Donald J.
Kalgaard and Alita C. Fisher is DENIED.
I hereby certify that this is a truo and correct copy Of
an action taken and cratered on the minutes of the
Board of Supervisars on the data shown.
ATTESTED: q
CC: John Bessolo PHIL BATCHELOR, Clerk of ha poard
Donald Kalgaard of Supervisors and County Administrator
Alita Fisher r
Robert H. Johanson
Britt Habegger By YDeputy
Rodeo Chamber of Commerce
Rodeo Citizens Association
Community Development
County Counsel
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