PC Minutes 2008-04-01MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
APRIL 1, 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, Keen, Marshall
and Tait. Staff members in attendance were Community Development Director, Rob
Strong and Assistant Planner, Jim Bergman.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: None.
AGENDA REVIEW: No changes.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of March 4 and March 18, 2008 were
approved on a motion by Commissioner Barneich, seconded by Commissioner Tait,
with the following requested corrections:
March 4
1. Page 1, Commissioner Marshall was absent at the meeting, so note
accordingly.
2. Page 2, Commissioner Tait's comments, 3� bullet, add, "Are there other cities
in the general area, besides Santa Maria, that have had similar concerns ..."
3. Page 7, 2" paragraph, add word, "Commission Tait asked how long..."
4. Page 7, 2" paragraph, add word, "Commissioner Tait referred to the fear ..."
March 18
5. Page 2, correct Planning Intern's last name to "Paulding".
6. Page 3, Commissioner Barneich's comments, 1 bullet, add "... wait until the
mansionization study is done ..."
7. Page 5, correct spelling in last sentence to "that".
The motion passed on a 5/0 voice vote.
A. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None.
B. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS AFTER AGENDA PREPARATION: None.
II. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS:
A. DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT CASE NO. 07-004, AMENDMENTS TO
TITLE 16 OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE
PERTAINING TO THE DESIGNATION OF HISTORICAL RESOURCES
Assistant Planner, Jim Bergman presented the staff report for consideration of the
Historical Resources Committee's recommended changes to Section 16.04.070 of the
Municipal Code related to definitions and Section 16.16.135 of the Municipal Code
related to the Historic Resource and Historic District designation process and criteria. In
reply to questions from the Commissioners, Mr. Bergman stated that the definition of
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APRIL 1, 2008
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"contributing property" would be used in the next step of establishing boundaries for a
historic district. Criteria wording can be standardized to state "one of° or "all"
throughout. The word "whether" can be deleted without a problem, and the term
"suspension of work" can be used instead of "moratorium". The term "outstanding"
historic resource was removed, because of the amount of protection offered to any
resource deemed to be historic. The same consultants will also be working with the
Historical Society. The definition for "contributing property" came specifically from other
standardized language, so it should probably stay linked with "and" instead of changing
to "and/or"; whereas the list under "Purpose and Intent" consisted of staff's wording and
can be changed to "and/or" more readily. The list of resources would be maintained in
the Community Development Department.
Chair Ray opened the public hearing for public comment.
Bill Hart, Historic Resources Committee (HRC) Chair, spoke in support of this
amendment.
Gary Scherquist, (134 Corralitos Rd. and) HRC member, spoke in support of this
amendment.
Chair Ray closed the public hearing for public comment.
Commissioner comments:
Barneich
• She's ready to approve the resolution, which was very well done by staff and the
consultants.
• This amendment was in response to the community's goals of protecting historic
resources as shown by references from the Design Guidelines for Historic
Districts and the General Plan. The Village is very important to the citizens of
Arroyo Grande.
Tait
• He appreciated these modifications to existing Development Code language.
• He agreed with the advantages as listed in the staff report to buyers, property
owners and the advisory bodies who will be using this section of code.
• He agrees with deleting the word "whether", and using "suspension of work"
instead of "moratorium."
Keen
• He's very concerned about cases of extreme hardship that will arise from certain
locations being deemed historic. In response, Mr. Bergman reminded him there
are many benefits associated with historic designation, and an "assistance fund"
hasn't been suggested before, but it could be part of future discussions.
• There may be an unequal cost burden between an individual nominating a
resource (for a fee) versus the City (at no charge).
• He's in general agreement with the amendment, but is concerned about some
properties and procedures.
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Marshall
• He's supportive of the proposal with the deletion of the word "whether", and using
"suspension of work" instead of "moratorium."
• In response to Commissioner Keen's concerns, this just lays out the process to
identify certain properties as historic resources. The criteria will be tested during
the full public hearing process, which will allow things to be worked out.
• The listing under "purpose and intent" should stay linked with "and", since it's just
a list of things we hope to accomplish with the program overall.
Ray
.
She agrees with deleting the word "whether."
In response to Commissioner Keen's concerns, she asked if the wording in E.5.a.
(under Extreme Hardship) should be changed to diminishing the value "a lot" or
"substantially" or "in half', instead of "no value". Mr. Bergman replied that is
standard wording to avoid the issue of "takings".
At a recent conference, she found out that LA County was trying to do a similar
amendment, and they spent millions of dollars, so a big thanks to the Historical
Resources Committee and consultants for their work.
She supports this amendment particularly because we can't maintain our quality
of life without protecting what's here and our past.
With the new era of global awareness and recycling bottles and cans, intangibles
should be recycled as well. This will help make sure we don't change things
without forethought.
Commissioner Marshall made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Barneich, to
approve Development Code Amendment Case No. 07-004, with the following changes:
• Page 4, paragraph starting "Significance", change to "Means a resource that has
been determined to be an historically important to the community by meeting any
of the criteria ..."
• Page 5, delete the word "Whether" from the start of criteria sentences numbered
1-9.
• Page 6, under item 2(List), add sentence "The list shall be available through
the Community Development Department."
• Page 6, under item 4.1 (Findings), change to "... the property meets e�►e any of
the criteria"
• Page 6, under item 5(Work Moratorium), change to "
Suspension of Work. While the planning commission's public hearing or the city
council's decision on appeal is pending, the city requires suspension of
development or building work �efa�er+a-� on the site proposed for designation."
and adopt:
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
APRIL 1, 2008
RESOLUTION 08-2058
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF ARROYO GRANDE RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL
APPROVE THE DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT CASE NO.
07-004 AND AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO
HISTORIC RESOURCES
The motion was approved on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Commissioners Marshall, Barneich, Keen, Ray and Tait
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
the foregoing Resolution was adopted this 1 St day of April 2008.
PAGE 4
B. DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT CASE NO. 07-001, AMENDMENTS TO
TITLE 16 OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE
PERTAINING TO UNDERGROUND UTILITIES; APPLICANT — CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE; LOCATION — CITY WIDE (continued from March 18,
2008 meeting)
This project was continued to a date certain of April 15, 2008 as recommended by staff
and approved by the Planning Commission.
III. NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS: None.
IV. REFERRAL ITEMS FOR COMMISSION ACTION/
NOTICES OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS: SINCE MARCH 18, 2008:
The Commission had no concerns regarding this item.
V. DISCUSSION ITEMS: None.
VI. PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS AND COMMENTS:
Chair Ray expressed her thanks for being sent to the League of Cities conference in
Sacramento. She also noted she would not be present at the May 6 meeting to hear
the item regarding Tract 1998/ PUD 01-001. Commissioner Tait added that he would
have to step down for this item. Mr. Strong stated that he would schedule that project
for another date, when four commissioners would be available.
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APRIL 1, 2008
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VII. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND FOLLOW-UP:
None.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
ATTEST:
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KATHY NDOZA FO; LYN REARDON-SMITH, CAREN Y, CHAIR
SECRETARY TO THE COMMISSION
AS TO CONTENT:
ROB STRONG,
COMMUNITY DEVEL- PMENT DIRECTOR
(Minutes approved at the PC meeting of April 15, 2008)
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