PC Minutes 2008-08-19MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
AUGUST 19, 2008
6:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER - The Arroyo Grande Planning Commission met in regular session
with Chair Ray presiding; also present were Commissioners Barneich, Ruth and Tait;
Commissioner Keen was absent. Staff members in attendance were Community
Development Director, Rob Strong, and Associate Planner, Kelly Heffernon.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: None.
AGENDA REVIEW: No changes requested.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chair Ray made a motion, seconded by Commissioner
Tait, to approve the minutes of July 1, 2008 as submitted. The motion was approved by
a 4/0 voice vote.
A. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None.
B. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER AGENDA PREPARATION:
1. Correction to staff report for discussion item V.
II. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS:
A. PLANNED SIGN PROGRAM CASE NO. 08-002; APPLICANT — COAST SIGN,
INC/BANK OF AMERICA; LOCATION - 200 W. BRANCH STREET
Associate Planner, Kelly Heffernon presented the staff report for consideration of an
application to replace existing signage with a new design, add two (2) new wall signs,
and update regulatory and directional signage. She responded to questions about the
background color of the monument sign as presented at ARC, the ARC vote, and
lighting of existing signs.
Chair Ray opened the public hearing for public comment.
Steve Katz, Coast Sign, Inc. representative, noted that they failed to realize the ARC
proposal showed channel letters smaller than what currently exists, and Bank of
America would like to maintain existing letter size with internal illumination instead of
backlighting. The Bank also proposes the white background on the monument sign,
because they want a fresh, new look.
Commissioner comments:
Barneich
• She agreed with ARC on option 3, with one exception — she isn't in favor of
having a rear sign, because it doesn't serve customers (it's just residential behind
the bank).
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MINUTES
AUGUST 19, 2008
Tait
• He's okay with the rear sign and the 18" letters. Also, the gray monument
background blends better with the rock and is more subtle than white.
Ruth
• She agrees the rear sign is probably a good thing, and she prefers the existing
gray monument background, and 15" letters fit better with the Village.
Ray
• She's not concerned about the rear sign, other than it should be turned off at a
reasonable time for residents.
• 18" isn't appropriate, since it's changing from backlit to channel lit, which will
make up for the size difference.
• She would approve it as ARC suggested, and they can return (if desired) for
further ARC review of the white background.
Barneich
• Are existing letters 15"? Ms. Heffernon replied they're somewhere between 15
and 17':
Tait
• He agreed with turning lights off earlier near the residential area.
Barneich
• She thought the current letters were internally lit, not backlit. When they're
channel lit, it's a different look.
Commissioner Barneich made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Tait to approve
Planned Sign Program Case No. 08-002 with the following modifications:
• Option 3 is approved, as recommended by ARC.
• The sign facing the residential area on Larchmont shall be turned off by 10 pm
nightly.
Discussion: In response to commissioner questions about the monument sign
background color, Mr. Strong responded that if the applicant wished to return to ARC, it
would have to be reviewed as a new application (with the motion as is). Then, it would
be reported to the Planning Commission.
RESOLUTION NO. 08-2068
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING PLANNED SIGN PROGRAM CASE
NO. 08-002, APPLIED FOR BY BANK OF AMERICA, LOCATED AT 200
WEST BRANCH STREET
The motion was approved by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Commissioners Barneich, Tait, Ruth, and Chair Ray
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Keen
the foregoing Resolution was adopted this 19th day of August, 2008.
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AUGUST 19, 2008
PAGE 3
B. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT CASE NO. 08-002; APPLICANT — VCA
HOSPITAL; LOCATION — 205 EL CAMINO REAL
Associate Planner, Ryan Foster, requested continuation of this publicly noticed item to a
date certain of September 2, 2008.
There were no Commissioner questions or comments.
Chair Ray made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Tait, to continue Conditional Use
Permit Case No. 08-002 to September 2, 2008 as requested by staff.
The motion was approved by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Chair Ray, Commissioners Tait, Barneich and Ruth
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Keen
C. DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT CASE NO. 08-003; APPLICANT — CITY
OF ARROYO GRANDE; LOCATION - THE VILLAGE D-2.4 HISTORIC
CHARACTER OVERLAY DISTRICT. (Continued from the July 1, 2008
meeting.)
Associate Planner, Teresa McClish, requested continuation of this item to the Planning
Commission meeting of September 16, 2008 to give time for further revision by the
Architectural Review Committee.
There were no Commissioner questions or comments.
Chair Ray made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Tait, to continue Development
Code Amendment Case No. 08-003 to September 16, 2008 as requested by staff.
The motion was approved by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Chair Ray, Commissioners Tait, Barneich and Ruth
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Keen
III. NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS: None.
IV. REFERRAL ITEMS FOR COMMISSION ACTION/
unT1f%00 nr Ar%RA1K11CT0ATI\/C n=r1C1nM4Z- ClMrl= _1111 V 1-S; 7nnR'
1. ARC 08-006 Marla Shelton 130-154 W. Change of awning color A. E. Diaz
Branch St scheme.
2. TUP 08-012 Patio Outlet 1107 EI Camino Weekend BBQ at Patio Outlet A R. Strong
Real thru December 2008
3. TUP 08-014 Donna's Interiors 1069 E Grand Ave Donna's Tent Sale A. E. Diaz
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
AUGUST 19, 2008
PAGE 4
4. PPR 08-006
Beth Johnson
428 Bakeman
95 sq. ft. residential addition
A.
J. Bergman
Lane
5. VSR 08-007
J & A Harrison
699 Equestrian
1,061 residential addition
A.
J. Bergman
Way
6. PPR 08-007
Michael Cohen
814 E. Grand Ave
Operation of a retail fish
A.
J. Bergman
market
Item No. 1
Mr. Strong responded to Commissioner Tait's questions about what the new color
scheme would be.
There were no questions on items No. 2-5.
Item No. 6
Mr. Strong responded to Commissioner Barneich's question about the fish market being
located inside the building (not from a truck as currently exists on Brisco) and that it is a
retail store (not a fish and chips restaurant).
The Commission had no further questions or comments.
V. DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. Schedulinq for preparation of the Conservation and Open Space Element Updates
Mr. Strong presented the staff report for scheduling preparation of the Conservation and
Open Space Element Updates. In response to Commissioner questions, he responded
that the policies and programs will not likely be lengthy, but there will probably be
extensive cross-reference material for review and discussion; the schedule can be
changed later; ICLEI is an international association of local governments and national
and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to
sustainable development; this budget year won't accommodate any paid consultant
assistance, so we'll do our best; the County's timetable for a draft would probably be in
January 2009; and Natural Communities is more appropriate under the Conservation
Element than Open Space (if they're separated).
Commissioner Tait requested adding "biologic integrity" to the list of issues that need to
be addressed in open space (attachment 1).
Chair Ray felt the schedule is fine as proposed, and can be changed later as needed.
VI. PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS AND COMMENTS:
Commissioner Tait announced there will be a workshop on LEED for Homes
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) on September 9 (flyer available at
Community Development Department).
In response to Commissioner Barneich's questions, Mr. Strong described the progress
on the circulation project on Rancho Grande (near Trader Joe's/Albertson's).
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Commissioner Barneich suggested that progress on the changes should be reported in
the "Stagecoach Express" as a way to inform all residents.
VII. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND FOLLOW-UP:
Mr. Strong described upcoming changes to department staffing.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. on a motion by Chair Ray.
ATTEST:
u22�_A�
KATHY M NDOZA for L REARDOWSMITH,
SECRETARY TO THE COMMISSION
AS TO CONTENT:
ROB STRONG,
COMMUNITY DEVEL PMENT DIRECTOR
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