ARC 2019-10-21_8b Orchard Assisted LivingMEMORANDUM
TO: ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
FROM: ANDREW PEREZ, ASSISTANT PLANNER
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 19-002; ASSISTED
LIVING FACILITY WITH 78 ASSISTED LIVING AND 20 MEMORY CARE
UNITS, TOTALING 120 BEDS; LOCATION – 207 PILGRIM WAY
(ORCHARD STREET); APPLICANT – NOBLE VENTURES
PROPERTIES, INC.; REPRESENTATIVE – DAVID MI
D ATE: OCTOBER 21, 2019
SUMMARY OF ACTION:
Recommendation for future action by the Planning Commission will result in the
development of an assisted living facility on a vacant parcel.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
There is the potential for an increased costs associated with the anticipated number of
calls to the Five Cities Fire Authority typical of assisted living facilities..
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) review the proposed
project and make a recommendation to the Planning Commission.
BACKGROUND:
Location
The project site is located in the Public/quasi-public (PF) zoning district located between
Orchard Road and US Highway 101 right-of-way. An application for a lot line adjustment
approved by the Planning Commission on August 20, 2019 between 631 Arroyo Avenue
and 103 Pilgrim Way created the 2.8 acre project site (Attachment 1).
The project site is a vacant parcel that is relatively flat that abuts a parcel developed with
a religious facility and a single family residence to the north, and undeveloped parcels to
the south and east. A seasonal drainage channel is located between the project site and
the religious facility to the north. Approximately 300 feet south of the project site is the
next closest residential development. The project site is accessed from Orchard Street to
the west. Existing vegetation consists primarily of weeds and grasses with some trees
adjacent to Orchard Street.
Item 8.b - Page 1
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
CONSIDERATION OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 19-002
OCTOBER 21, 2019
PAGE 2
Pre-Application Review
The applicant processed Pre-Application 18-003 in July and August 2018 to obtain
preliminary feedback from the Staff Advisory Committee (SAC) on the project. The
comments from staff resulted in minor alterations to the unit mix, bed count, and parking
configuration. Staff provided direction about development standards applicable to the
project, particularly lot coverage, floor-area ratio and maximum height. Other issues
identified included emergency department access, water consumption and neutralization,
stormwater management, and flood hazard management. The applicant revised the
project based on these comments and subsequently submitted the application now under
consideration.
Staff Advisory Committee
The SAC reviewed the project on multiple occasions, most recently on October 9, 2019.
Items of discussion included the project’s fire access, site circulation, stormwater
management and conditions of approval relating to an anticipated increase in calls for
service to emergency medical services, particularly Five Cities Fire Authority, and cost
recovery for that anticipated increase. Members of the SAC were in support of the project.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
Project Description
The proposed project is described as a residential care facility for the elderly, licensed by
the State of California Community Care Licensing Division (Attachment 2). The facility will
consist of 78 assisted living units and 20 memory care units. Within the assisted living
portion of the facility, there are proposed to be 31 studios, 41 one-bedroom units, and 6
two-bedroom units. The memory care portion of the facility is proposed to consist of 10
single occupancy rooms and 10 double occupancy rooms. The maximum occupancy for
the entire facility would be 120 residents. The facility would also include a conference
room, reception area, and offices for sales, marketing, and management staff.
Each of the 78 assisted living units is proposed with private laundry facilities, private full
bathrooms, and kitchens with a sink, dishwasher, cabinets, microwaves, and ovens with
range tops. Residents would have access to three (3) daily meals plus snacks available
throughout the day in addition to other amenities such as exercise programs, a movie
theatre, an onsite beauty/barber shop, a gift shop, and entertainment and various
activities. There is also approximately 7,000 square feet of outdoor living space located
in the two (2) interior courtyards.
The residents of the memory care units would be served their meals in a communal dining
area, because these units will not have private kitchens. Residents in the memory care
wing of the facility would also have access to communal activities and living areas and
3,000 square feet of outdoor space located in an interior courtyard and the memory care
garden.
Item 8.b - Page 2
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
CONSIDERATION OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 19-002
OCTOBER 21, 2019
PAGE 3
General Plan
The General Plan land use designation for the subject property is Community Facility.
Community Facilities are defined as public or quasi-public uses that fulfill neighborhood,
community, or regional needs. The proposed assisted living facility meets General Plan
Policies LU9-1, and LU9-2 of the Land Use Element and Policy J.2 of the Housing
Element, which state:
LU9-1: The Community Facilities (CF) designation includes public or institutional uses
that provide a community facility or service. The uses allowed in this designation include
but are not limited to the following: cemeteries, churches, lodges, City Hall, city yard, fire
and police stations, places of general public assembly, senior centers, women’s centers,
museums, other facilities that are primarily contained within a structure, and public or
private schools, parks, playgrounds and sports complexes, South County regional center
and other public agency facilities.
LU9-2: Community facilities other than schools, parks and recreation areas may also be
conditionally permitted in any other land use designation based on the specific function
of the facility, compatible with the site and environs. Schools, parks and recreation
facilities may be conditionally permitted in or adjoining residential neighborhoods or mixed
use areas where the facilities are intended to serve the areas in which they are located.
LU11-2: The City shall permit larger group housing for seniors in appropriate multiple-
family or mixed-use locations, subject to discretionary review.
Development Standards
The subject property is zoned PF. The primary purpose of the PF district is to designate
land for the conduct of public, quasi-public, and institutional activities, including the
protection of areas needed for such future facilities. The proposed project qualifies as a
recreational use, per the Municipal Code, and is allowed with the approval of a Conditional
Use Permit. The development standards for the PF district and the proposed project are
identified in the following table:
Table 1: Site Development Standards for the PF Zoning District
Development
Standards
PF District CUP 19-002 Notes
Maximum Density N/A 98 units total
35 units/acre
No max. density for
this type of project.
Maximum size is
dependent on meeting
all site development
standards.
Minimum Lot Size 25,000 sq. ft. 122,000 sf (approx.)
2.8 acres
Code Met.
Minimum Lot Width 140 feet 288 feet Code Met
Item 8.b - Page 3
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
CONSIDERATION OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 19-002
OCTOBER 21, 2019
PAGE 4
Development
Standards
PF District CUP 19-002 Notes
Front Yard Setback 20 feet 49 feet Code Met
Rear Yard Setback 10 feet 79 feet Code Met
Interior Yard Setback 10 feet 25 feet Code Met
Street Side Yard
Setback
20 feet N/A N/A
Building Size Limits N/A 47,153 sf No max. building size
in this zone. Maximum
size is dependent on
meeting all site
development
standards.
Max Building Height 30 feet 36 feet Building height above
30’ allowed through
the CUP process
Site Coverage 45% 37.68% Code Met
Floor Area Ratio 0.50 0.43 Code Met
Off-Street Parking Covered in Table
2 below
Access and Parking
The project site proposes a single public access point from Orchard Street. An island and
monument sign divide the ingress and egress lanes of the driveway. Parking areas
surround the proposed structure on the north, east, and west sides, and an emergency
access road encompasses the entire project site. A porte cochere covers an unloading
area near the main entrance on the north side of the facility.
A total of 69 parking spaces are required for the proposed project. The parking rate for
assisted living facilities, per Section 16.56.040 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code, is
one (1) parking space for every three (3) resident beds and one (1) space for every
employee on the largest shift. Employees will work one of the three (3), 8-hour shifts with
an anticipated maximum of 29 employees during the busiest shift. These requirements
are broken down in Table 2 below. Development Code Section
Intentionally left blank.
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ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
CONSIDERATION OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 19-002
OCTOBER 21, 2019
PAGE 5
Table 2: Parking Calculations
Resident Parking Employee Parking Total
Development
Code
Requirements
1 parking space/ 3 resident
beds (120 beds proposed)
One space per
employee on the
largest space (29
employees on the
largest shift)
Total
Required: 40 spaces 29 spaces 69 spaces
Proposed
Parking 67 standard spaces, and 3 ADA spaces 70 spaces
Architecture
The architectural character of the development resembles a Mediterranean style, utilizing
a mix of exterior colors and materials as listed in Table 2 (Attachment 2). The resident will
primarily be located around the perimeter of the building, with the communal areas and
two (2) courtyards located in the center. The building design features a hipped roof and
a tower element that rises above the roofline.
The exterior walls of the structure are proposed with a stucco finish proposed with a base
color named “Hollywood Golden Age”, which is a yellowish-beige color. A brown color,
called to as “Calico Rock” is proposed as an accent color and to break up the massing,
and for the fascia and trim. The wood shutters are proposed to be painted a greenish-
gray color, called “Marsh Maverick”. The design incorporates a number of decorative
elements throughout the design, such as the aforementioned shutters, Juliette balconies,
and gable feature consisting of a stucco ring with perpendicular iron bars. The window
and door frames are proposed to be an anodized bronze, and the Juliette balconies would
be a crimson red. A charcoal colored asphalt shingle roof is proposed for the entire
structure.
Table 3: Building Materials and Colors
Color Scheme
Asphalt Shingles Charcoal
Stucco “Hollywood Golden Age”
Trim & Base Elements Calico Rock
Windows & Doors Frame Anodized bronze
Shutters “Marsh Maverick”
Juliette Balcony “Deep Crimson”
Trees and Landscaping
As identified previously, the site is relatively devoid of vegetation with the exception of
weeds and grasses throughout the site and nine (9) pepper trees near the Orchard Street
right of way. Three (3) of these trees are proposed to be removed, while the other six (6)
will remain. The landscape plan proposes a wide variety of trees to be planted throughout
Item 8.b - Page 5
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
CONSIDERATION OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 19-002
OCTOBER 21, 2019
PAGE 6
the site including Redwoods, Liquidambar, California Sycamore, Cottonwood, Japanese
Flowering Cherry, and Crepe Myrtles. The landscape plan also includes a number of
shrubs, grasses and succulents around the perimeter of the building. Each of the
courtyards will include numerous trees and potted plants, and the memory care garden
will include a turf area, surrounded by groundcover and shrubs. The landscape plan
currently complies with the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. The
landscape plan proposes low-voltage light fixtures to provide uplighting around the facility
for aesthetic purposes and illuminate walking paths for safety. Additional exterior lighting
is provided through decorative light fixtures affixed to the building.
Signage
The application also proposes the installation of a monument sign at the vehicular
entrance to the facility. The monument sign would be installed on an island between the
entrance and exit lanes. The exact dimensions and colors are to be determined, but the
sign would sit on a concrete base, and include name of the facility.
AD VANTAGES:
The proposed project will develop a vacant site with an assisted care facility that will
provide housing for seniors consistent with the General Plan. The design of the
development respects neighboring church facility and nearby residential neighborhood
and lessens impacts to those properties with extensive landscaping buffers between the
properties.
DISADVANTAGES:
Due to the nature of the proposed project, it is likely to increase the number of calls of
service to the Five Cities Fire Authority, which in turn may increase the City’s costs for
service.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The proposed project is being reviewed under the California Environmental Quality Act.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENT:
The Agenda was posted at City Hall and on the City’s website in accordance with
Government Code Section 54954.2. No comments have been received.
Attachments:
1.Location map
2.Licensing and Operations
3.Color and Materials
4.Project plans
Item 8.b - Page 6
ATTACHMENT 1
Project Site
Item 8.b - Page 7
LICENSING AND OPERATIONS
The entirety ofWestmont's Arroyo Grande project will be licensed by the State of California
Community Care Licensing Division-Department of Social Services (DSS) as a residential care
facility for the elderly (RCFE). The retirement community is a 24-hour per day operation.
Westmont Living's typical resident age is 80-years or older, single, with either a desire for a
socialized environment and the convenience of dining, activities and amenities immediately
available, or experiencing a growing need for personal assistance with daily activities.
Approximately 10% of residents will be couples. Services onsite will include three meals per
day plus snacks available to all residents as required by licensing (and included in the monthly
fee). Additionally there will be entertainment, and onsite activities/exercise programming, a
movie theatre, an onsite beauty/barber shop, a gift shop that will sell various sundries, as well as
transportation to various activities within the greater community of Arroyo Grande.
Each of the 78 assisted living units contains its own stackable washer/dryer and private full baths
with handicap accessible shower enclosures. The 41 one bedroom and 6 two-bedroom units
contain kitchens with a sink, dishwasher, cabinets, microwaves, and ovens with range tops.
Westmont' s experience in their other retirement communities has taught them that apartments
are more marketable to the adult children of resident seniors and to the seniors themselves if they
contain kitchens and stackable laundry equipment. By giving residents the choice of doing their
own laundry or preparing a meal, independence is reinforced, although most take advantage of
the convenient and personalized services offered onsite . By providing the services and
conveniences of home within the community, the program also helps to smooth the transition
process for residents into higher levels of care when those services become necessary.
Westmont Living's memory care neighborhood is located on the first floor (west wing), and
contains 20 units and a large communal dining, activities and living area. The units each have
their own full baths but do not contain kitchenettes or stackable washer/dryers. The memory
care neighborhood will also be fully licensed by the State of California Community Care
Licensing-Department of Social Services (DSS) and will have a secured perimeter, offering
superior individualized care for residents suffering from Alzheimer's Disease or other age
related dementias.
Westmont Living will staff the community 24-hours per day, using three three employee shifts (7
AM - 3 PM, 3 PM -11 PM and 11 PM - 7 AM). The daytime shift will have the maximum total
staffing and will include 29 employees (assisted living and memory care combined). Licensing
regulations do not specify staffing requirements for assisted living facilities. Title 22 regulations
do require that the project has a State certified Executive Director, one awake staff member
during nighttime hours, one activities person for the assisted living building and for the memory
Westmont Living at Arroyo Grande Assisted Living Page 1
ATTACHMENT 2
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ATTACHMENT 3Item 8.b - Page 10