PC Minutes 2017-02-07 ACTION MINUTES
MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2017
ARROYO GRANDE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
215 EAST BRANCH STREET
ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair George called the Planning Commission meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Planning Commission: Commissioners Terry Fowler-Payne, John Mack, Glenn Martin,
Frank Schiro, and Lan George were present.
Staff Present: Community Development Director Teresa McClish, Planning
Manager Matt Downing, Public Works Director Geoff English,
Maintenance Worker III/City Arborist Pete McClure, and Secretary
Debbie Weichinger were present.
3. FLAG SALUTE
Commissioner Martin led the flag salute.
4. AGENDA REVIEW
None
5. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
None
6. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
Public Works Director English invited the Commission to the Council Chambers Open House
for the new Accessibility and Audio Visual Improvements on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 from
5:00 pm. to 5:45 pm.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
7.a. Consideration of Approval of Minutes
Recommended Action: Approve the minutes of the Special Planning Commission
Meeting of December 20, 2016 as submitted.
Action: Commissioner Mack moved to approve the minutes of the Special Planning
Commission Meeting of December 20, 2016. Commissioner Schiro seconded, and the motion
passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Mack, Schiro, Fowler-Payne, Martin
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: George
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
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9. NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEM
9.a. COSIDERATION OF TREE REMOVAL TIMELINE FOR TRACT 3054; LOCATION — 1029
ASH STREET
Commissioner Fowler-Payne stepped down from the dais due to a potential conflict of interest.
Public Works Director English presented the staff report and recommended the Commission
review the tree removal timeline for Tract 3054; 1029 Ash Street. Mr. English introduced the
City's Arborist Mr. McClure to the Commission. Mr. English passed out to the Commission
comments from the developer in regard to the Timeline of Tree Removals document prepared
by City staff. Mr. English, Mr. McClure, Mr. Downing, and Ms. McClish responded to questions
regarding potential suspension of license of tree contractors for unauthorized work; standards
for pruning; penalties for unpermitted pruning; posting of performance bonds; clarifying who
pruned the trees; permit for pruning; if the tree was a landmark; how to distinguish enforcement
for a homeowner versus developer; zones and tree type that the City regulates; Code violation
for noncompliance; the cost of replacing an oak tree; Contractor permitted by City to do tree
removal; ratio of tree removals; and if Condition #21 of Resolution No. 15-2224 is complete;
and requirement of a tree mitigation plan.
Individual Commissioners provided the following comments: the original drip lines should be
recognized pending construction on the site; the value of the tree may not be adequate as
currently imposed; the City arborist should oversee the pruning; pruning guidelines should be
included in the Arborist Report; the Code needs to be revisited/modified; the requirements are
falling through the cracks; and a change in ownership is not an adequate excuse to cut/trim
trees that were required to be saved.
Chair George invited public comment.
Gary Axelson, property owner, stated they tried to work around the trees and the tree removal
was not malicious.
Upon hearing no further comments, Chair George closed the public comment period.
Individual Commissioners provided the following additional comments: staff should take
corrective measures and add conditions to the Tree Ordinance; does not believe that the
project site could accommodate 45 replacement trees; the oak drip lines should be re-
evaluated; and no additional pruning should occur for the duration of this project.
Chair George called for a break at 8:03 pm and reconvened at 8:08 pm.
It was the consensus of the Commission that the following recommendations be made for the
Tree Ordinance review: have an independent arborist on site during pruning for crucial projects
(not selected by the developer); placement of a fence to protect tree prior to any work on the
site; hold tree removal companies accountable (companies need to be informed in writing);
support of higher replacement value for tree if staff finds that there is malice.
The Commission continued to make the following comments: identified ways to notify
businesses to be in compliance of tree cutting/pruning in the City; add pruning to the Tree
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FEBRUARY 7, 2017
Ordinance; require a performance bond for the tree being protected; include a mitigation fee for
the City's Arborist time during the duration of pruning process; and give the Public Works
Director the flexibility to select a replacement tree.
Director McClish stated staff will come back to the Commission with a draft modification to the
Tree Ordinance for their review at a future meeting.
10. NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS SINCE JANUARY 3, 2017
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 for review by the Planning Commission by a majority vote.
Case No. Applicant Address Description Action Planner
VSR 16-007 Donna Verbeckmoes 1144 Vard 298 square foot second A S. Anderson
Loomis Lane story expansion
PPR 16-024 Misael &Angela Ortiz 1009 E. Grand Establishment of a new A S. Anderson
MEX 16-011 Avenue business and reduction of
three(3) required parking
spaces
TUP 17-001 Sheila Gable 268 Tally Ho Temporary trailer A S. Anderson
Road residence from January
20, 2017 to April 1, 2017
ARCH 16- Bill Creger 1440 W. Architectural treatments A S. Anderson
019 Branch Street for new slope stabilization
feature
In response to Commissioner Schiro's question, Planning Manager Downing explained what
triggered the need for a parking reduction for PPR/MEX 1009 E. Grand Avenue.
11. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS
Commissioner Martin thanked the City for paying for the Commission attendance for the
"Planning Commissioners Academy".
Chair George welcomed new Commissioner Frank Schiro. Chair George recognized Mr.
Keen's service on the Planning Commission.
12. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Director McClish presented an update on the Halcyon Road Complete Streets Project.
13. ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Chair George, seconded by Commissioner Schiro and unanimously carried, the
meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
ATTEST:
DEBBIE WEICHINGER LAN (• • �l, CHAIR
SECRETARY TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION
(Approved at PC Meeting February 21, 2017)