PC Minutes 2013-10-01ACTION MINUTES
' REGULAR MEETING OF THE.PLANNING COMMISSION
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1,2013
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 EAST'BRANCH STREET
ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Ruth called the Regular Planning Commission meeting to order at.6 00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Planning Commission: Commissioners Kristen Barneich, John Keen, Jennifer Martin, Lisa
Sperow, and Chair Elizabeth Ruth were present.
Staff Present: Assistant Planner Matt Downing, Community Development
Director Teresa McClish, Deputy City Attorney Jon Ansolabehere,
and Secretary Debbie Weichinger were present.
3. FLAG SALUTE
Chair Ruth led the. Flag Salute.
4. AGENDA REVIEW
None
5. COMMUNITY`COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
'
None
6. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
The Commission -received the following material after preparation of the agenda:
1. A letter dated September 30, 20.13 from Ray Bunnell regarding Item 8.a. Conditional Use
Permit 12 -002, Variance Case No. 12 -004, Amended Vesting Tentative Tract Map 12 =001
(T2713).
7. CONSENT AGENDA
Action: Commissioner Barneich moved, and Commissioner Keen seconded, the .motion to
approve Consent Agenda Item 7.a. September 17, 2013 minutes, with the following
modification: page 3, 11. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS replace the word "out" with "from
home ". The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Barneich, Keen, Martin, Sperow, Ruth
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
7.a. Consideration of Approval of Minutes
Action: Approved the minutes of the Regular Planning Commission meeting of September 17,
2013 as modified
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1 8.a. Consideration of Conditional Use Permit Case No. 12- 002/Variance Case No. 12-
004 Amended 'Tentative Tract Map Case No. 12 -001; Construction of a 55,000
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
OCTOBER 1,, 2013
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square -foot memory care facility and eight (8) townhomes; Location — 880 Oak
Park Boulevard; Applicant — Russ Sheppel
Assistant Planner Downing presented the staff report°recommending the Planning, Commission
adopt a Resolution recommending 'the City Council approve
Conditional Use Permit Case No. 12 -002, Variance Case No. 12 -004, and Amended Vesting
Tentative Tract Map Case 12 -001. Assistant Planner Downing said that four Conditions of
Approval should be added addressing the concerns of the Fire Chief, including:
1. "The creek side of the care facility building is adjacent to wildland where the opportunity
for conflagration exists. The building shall be built'following the'Wildland;Urban Interface
requirements of the CBC Chapter 7A."
2. "The developer shall provide a fire hydrant on the James Way end of the property at the
location where the existing 8 inch ACP water main was to be abandoned. The Double
Detector Check Valve Assembly (DDCVA) and Fire Department Connection (FDC) shall
be located omthe James Way side of the building "
3. "The covered parking area must berfire sprinklered and sized to allow the,passage of 'a
fire apparatus 20 feet in width with 13 feet 6 inch minimum head clearance:"
4 "Provide a Fire Department turnaround or provide access through the hotel site subject
to approval by the Fire Chief."
Assistant, Planner Downing indicated that'the Commission received a letter dated September.
-30, 2013 from Ray Bunnell, owner, Best Western Casa Grande Inn, supporting the proposed
care facility use; expressed his concern with the proposed design being too large for the site,
and encroaching on his parking and ingress /egress easements.
Assistant Planner Downing and Community Development Director McClish responded to
questions from the Commission regarding the proposed project.
Chair Ruth opened the public hearing.
Russ Sheppel, Project Applicant, said he has an entitlement to build a mixed use project at the
site; there is no memory care facility in the Five. Cities area,; the proposed use is the least
impact on parking of anything he could come up with; discussed the travel direction that fire
trucks currently come on site; there is 'an easement, for parking spaces benefitting the hotel;
talked about the wetland mitigation plan; that the elderly are under served; and responded to
questions from the Commission regarding, the proposed project.
Steve Rigor, Project Architect, presented the proposed project and responded twquestions' from',
the Commission regarding the proposed project.
The Commission took a break at 8:03 pm and reconvened at 8:14 pm.
John Belsher, attorney representing applicant.Russ Sheppel, gave the history of'the easements
for the site and the approved project; and said there is a parking agreement between Mr.
Sheppel and Mr, Kennedy.
Mr. Bunnell, owner of Best Western Casa Grande Inn,,,gave additional history of the, easements,
information on the disconnect of his emergency access easement, the hotel was built in 1984;
agreed previously with Mr. ,,Sheppel on going straight out using lower (easterly)' driveway to
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
OCTOBER 1, 2013
PAGE 3
' James Way, only agreed to the quit claim in the past; feels Mr. Sheppel wants to over build and
encroach upon his easements; trucks and buses go in and out using the lower driveway; agreed
to the lower,access ih,the past; indicated he is in favor of the•care facility,'the plan is too.big of a
footprint; explanation of previous adjustments to the. upper driveway easement; the proposed
townhomes wipe out his parking, easement,due to townhome driveways; he presented a copy of
a drawing showing an easement which shows a common driveway;, should stick with the
approved plan; the easement is for ingress /egress not just for emergency use; wants parking
easement to stay the way it is for his employees as buses on his motel site take up more
parking spaces, and responded to questions from the Commission regarding the proposed
project.
Kevin Kennedy, owner of Kennedy Club Fitness, gave additional history of the property,
indicated some of the parking spaces are non exclusive; supports the care facility; is concerned
about,the condominiums; is worried about the non exclusive spaces and development phasing
of new spaces, he has agreements with the motel and church for his employees to park;
concern with employee parking; parking is a nightmare; would like to see non exclusive parking
spaces approved; for the last 11 years the easement has gone straight out the lower driveway;
and responded.to questions from the Commission regarding the proposed project.
Mark Pazell, General Manager of Kennedy Club Fitness, said the fire department parks in front
of the front door during emergency responses.
' It was the consensus of Mr. Bunnell, Mr. ,Kennedy, Mr Sheppel and Deputy City Attorney Jon
Ansolabehererto meet'regarding +the parking,and easements.
There were °no further comments received, and the public comment period was closed.
The Commission provided the following comments: add LED lights in the Mitigated Negative
Declaration; change the tandem garage.to single and move wall back so there is parking in front
of the door; the care facility is needed, maybe townhomes could be reworked; one parking
space in the garage; the legal documents have to be figured out; improve landscaping for new
townhomes; tree species can be discussed when the project comes back before the
Commission; the architectural is beautiful; concern with fire access; not convinced that a truck
could make the proposed turn, the suggested lower driveway ingress only is an issue; suggest
City Engineer look at the turning radius; before the next Planning Commission meeting; not in
support of tandem garages; would like to see how the building looks 'in respect to slopes and'
surroundings; would like to see the slopes graphically; concern with the density; the easements
need to be worked out by the parties, concern about the townhomes and need to show
elevations next to the hotel; slope of parking stalls and width of the throat of the driveway
between upper and lower accesses to James Way; would like to see a full size preliminary
grading plan;' the multi - family needs more privacy; want Fire Chief concerns addressed;
condominiums might not work apartments may be better; and cannot recommend the project at
this time, as it is, and the item should be continued to allow the applicant time to clarify
easements and address other comments:-
Action: Commissioner Barneich moved to continue to a date',uncertain Conditional Use Permit
' Case No. 12- 002Nariance Case No. 12 -004 Amended Tentative Tract Map Case No. 12 -001;
Construction of a 55,000 square -foot memory care facility and eight (8) townhomes; Location —
PLANNING COMMISSION
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OCTOBER 1, 2013
PAGE 4
880 Oak Park Boulevard; Applicant — Russ Sheppel. Commissioner Martin seconded, and the
motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Barneich, Martin, Keen, Sperow, Ruth
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
9., NON - PUBLIC HEARING ITEM
None
10. NO.TICE.'OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS SINCE "SEPTEMBER 17, 20.13
This is a notice of administrative decision for Minor Use Permits, including any approvals,
denials or referrals by the Community Development Director. An administrative decision must
be appealed or called up review by the Plannin Commission by a majorit vote
Case No.
A liTant
I Address
Description
Acton
i
I Planner
MEX 13 -004
S &S Homes
314 Stillwell
Drive
Reduction of front setback
for new residence
A
A. Nygaard
11. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS
None
12. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS'
None
13. ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Commissioner Keen, seconded by Commissioner Sperow and unanimously
carried, the nieeting:adjourhed . at 9:50 p.m.
f / LAG - t C e
DEBBIE WEICHINGER
SECRETARY TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION
(Approved at PC Mtg October 15, 201-3)
ELIZABETH S. RUTH, CHAIR