PC 07.a. 11-03-15 Minutes Draft
ACTION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 EAST BRANCH STREET
ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair George called the Regular Planning Commission meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Planning Commission: Commissioners John Keen, Glenn Martin, Terry Fowler-Payne, John
Mack, and Lan George were present.
Staff Present: Community Development Director Teresa McClish, Associate Planner
Kelly Heffernon, Associate Planner Matt Downing, and Secretary
Debbie Weichinger were present.
3. FLAG SALUTE
Commissioner Fowler-Payne led the flag salute.
4. AGENDA REVIEW
None
5. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Patty Welsh, spoke in support of John Mack to stay on the Planning Commission.
Robert Johnson, East Cherry Avenue, presented a report dated November 1, 2015 from the
Neighborhood Committee of East Cherry Avenue to the Planning Commission regarding
development of the lands southeast of Traffic Way and East Cherry Avenue.
6. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
The Commission received the following material after preparation of the agenda:
1. A memo dated November 3, 2015 from Associate Planner Kelly Heffernon regarding the
resolution for Item 8.a.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
7.a. Consideration of Approval of Minutes.
Recommended Action: Approve the minutes of the Regular Planning Commission Meetings of
September 15, 2015 and October 6, 2015, as submitted
Action: Commissioner George moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Planning
Commission Meeting of September 15, 2015, as submitted. Commissioner Keen seconded, and
the motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: George, Keen, Martin, Mack, Fowler-Payne
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Action: Commissioner Keen moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Planning Commission
Meeting of October 6, 2015, as submitted. Commissioner Martin seconded, and the motion passed
on the following roll call vote:
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MINUTES
NOVEMBER 3, 2015
AYES: Keen, Martin, Fowler-Payne, Mack
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: George
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.a. CONSIDERATION OF DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT NO. 15-002 TO AMEND CHAPTER
16.84 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING WATER EFFICIENT
LANDSCAPE REQUIREMENTS; LOCATION – CITYWIDE; APPLICANT – CITY OF ARROYO
GRANDE
Associate Planner Heffernon presented the staff report and recommended that the Planning
Commission adopt a resolution recommending the City Council approve the proposed Ordinance
amending Chapter 16.84 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code and adopting by reference the
Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance of the State of California.
Associate Planner Heffernon responded to questions from the Commission.
Chair George opened the public hearing.
Speaker (no name stated), suggested staff looks at having commercial businesses and farmers
participate in mandatory water conservation.
Hearing no further comments, Chair George closed the public hearing.
Action: Commissioner Martin moved to adopt a resolution entitled “A RESOLUTION OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE RECOMMENDING THAT THE
CITY COUNCIL AMEND CHAPTER 16.84 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE
REGARDING WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE REQUIREMENTS; DEVELOPMENT CODE
AMENDMENT NO. 15-002; LOCATION CITYWIDE”, as modified to adopt the Model Water
Efficient Landscape ordinance of the State of California by reference and to include greywater
reuse for all new residential and mixed-use developments. Commissioner Mack seconded and the
motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Martin, Mack, Fowler-Payne, Keen, George
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
8.b. CONSIDERATION OF LOT MERGER NO. 15-002 AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 15-
006; CONSTRUCTION OF AN APPROXIMATELY 45,000 SQUARE-FOOT, THREE-STORY
MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING; LOCATION – NORTHWEST CORNER OF FAIR OAKS AVENUE
AND WOODLAND DRIVE; APPLICANT – TRIPLE P, LLC; REPRESENTATIVE – STUDIO
DESIGN GROUP
Associate Planner Downing presented the staff report and recommended that the Planning
Commission adopt a Resolution recommending the City Council approve the project.
Associate Planner Downing responded to questions from the Commission.
Nate Stong, Omni Means, explained the traffic study for the proposed project and responded to
Commission questions.
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NOVEMBER 3, 2015
Will Drake, representative, Studio Design Group Architects, Inc., presented the project and
responded to Commission questions.
Russ Garrison, principal engineer, Bethel Engineering, discussed slope, grading, stated dirt is being
removed to keep floor level low, and responded to questions from the Commission.
Chair George opened the public hearing:
Ed Cox, asked that staff revisit the lighting in the parking lot and requested that consideration be
given to monument lighting for the proposed project.
Jeanie Downer, Creekview Court, presented pictures of the street grade and gate. She expressed
her concern with traffic and opposed opening the gate.
Gerald Yops, Thunder Gulch, opposed opening the gate, said there will be cut through traffic, and
excessive speed.
Ken Dalebout, Hospital Administrator, Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, spoke in support of the
proposed medical building, stated the hospital will share reciprocal access through the parking lot,
does not want to increase traffic through the hospital parking lot, does not support the pedestrian
trail, addressed access to the hospital, and responded to Commission questions.
Monette Crank, Creekview Court, discussed mail retrieval for Walnut Grove being in the street,
there is excessive traffic on Woodland, and discussed street parking on Woodland.
Jerry Carrasco, Creekview Way, expressed his concern with the lights, supports monument lights,
stated Fair Oaks Avenue has excessive traffic - making it difficult to pull out, added drivers do not
pay attention, vehicles park on both sides of Fair Oaks Avenue and asked where will the employees
park.
Diane Yops, Thunder Gulch, inquired about how many parking spaces are handicap and stated
there will be a lot of pedestrian traffic.
Colleen Martin, Olive Street, spoke in support of the medical office, but is concerned with the
massiveness of the building, concern with opening Woodland, stated Fair Oaks should be looked at
during school peak hours, safety is a concern if the gate is open, questioned if this is a phased
project in the mixed use, why is it not designed to be more similar between the two phases.
Gloria Telecky, Woodland Drive, stated with the two schools and hospital, traffic will impact Fair
Oaks and Woodland and expressed her concern with parking.
Beatrice Spencer stated the project is under parked, does not see a need for seven motorcycle
parking spaces, suggested two more handicap spaces, does not feel two dumpsters is adequate,
opposed opening gate.
Gary Reinhart, Creekview Court, expressed concern with traffic, noise, lights, too many motorcycle
parking spaces, the trash containers will cause a lot of banging, and safety is an issue.
Hearing no further comments, Chair George closed the public hearing.
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NOVEMBER 3, 2015
Commissioner Fowler-Payne provided the following comments: concern with circulation coming out
on the short existing side of Woodland and asked if there could be another access point on the
northerly property boundary of the hospital that would eliminate traffic on Woodland Drive,
expressed concern with lighting for adjacent neighbors and concern with trash enclosure.
Commissioner Martin provided the following comments: opposed the gate being opened, supports
removing Condition of Approval No. 32 requiring pedestrian access and Condition of Approval No.
84 be amended to be dedicated to the existing six feet wide easement.
Commissioner Keen provided the following comments: supports the project, not fond of the height
but willing to accept it, likes the architecture, concern with driveway off Fair Oaks being too sharp of
a turn and that it needs to be moved up, does not feel the need for seven motorcycle spaces, would
rather see two more vehicle parking spaces, supports the lighting as the lighting will not be 24 hours
like the hospital, Condition of Approval No. 32 decision should be made by City Council as the
pedestrian paths are done with the Master Plans, and the 6 foot PUE meets the code and should be
sufficient.
Commissioner Mack provided the following comments: having trouble with the bulb out on
Woodland, not in favor of creating pedestrian link going back behind the parking lot, modify
condition of approval 32 to abandon easement, improve the connectivity to the hospital, trash
container may need to be bigger, Condition of Approval No. 19 put height limit on lights, the gate
should stay closed, installation of traffic signal should be opened for discussion, there is room to
bring building down in height, not in support of motorcycle parking stalls, and would like no parts of
the building to exceed 45 feet in height.
Chair George provided the following comments: she is in favor of the project, likes the architecture
and does not feel the medical facility needs to match Phase I, does not feel the need to open the
gate on Woodland, the lower driveway on Woodland should align with the Walnut Grove driveway,
in favor of adding an electric vehicle charging station, do not need the easement mentioned in
Condition of Approval No. 32, remove Condition of Approval No. 84, add ARC review of Conditions
10, 19, and 24, the left hand turn out of Woodland onto Fair Oaks may be brought back if it is a
public concern, suggested having a study there to see if feasible to put a signal, opposed seven
motorcycle parking spots, and suggested looking at permit parking for Woodland Drive.
Community Development Director McClish explained that the motorcycle parking stalls were
calculated and required according to the Municipal Code.
Action: Commissioner Martin moved to adopt a resolution entitled “A RESOLUTION OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE RECOMMENDING THAT THE
CITY COUNCIL ADOPT A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND APPROVE LOT
MERGER 15-002 AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 15-006; LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST
CORNER OF FAIR OAKS AVENUE AND WOODLAND DRIVE; APPLIED FOR BY TRIPLE P,
LLC.”, as modified to include the lower driveway on Woodland shall be aligned with the driveway
coming out of Walnut Creek, an electric vehicle charging station shall be included, omit Condition of
Approval No. 32, Condition of Approval No.’s 10, 19, 24 are amended to include ARC review,
Condition of Approval No. 84 in the first sentence be reworded “Dedicated to the existing 6 feet
wide adjacent to all public streets”, and remove minimum ten feet wide. Commissioner Keen
seconded and the motion passed on the following roll call vote:
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NOVEMBER 3, 2015
AYES: Martin, Keen, Fowler-Payne, George
NOES: Mack
ABSENT: None
Action: Commissioner Keen moved to recommend keeping the access gate closed on Woodland
Drive. Commissioner Mack seconded and the motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Keen, Mack, Martin, Fowler-Payne, George
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Commissioner Keen moved to continue the meeting past 10:00 pm. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Martin and unanimously carried.
9. NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEM
9.a. CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENT TO COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT PANEL
Community Development Director McClish presented the staff report and recommended that the
Planning Commission appoint one Commission Member and one alternate to serve as a
representative on the Community Service Grant Panel.
Commissioner George nominated Commissioner Keen to serve as a representative on the
Community Service Grant Panel. Commissioner Martin seconded and the motion unanimously
carried. Commissioner Fowler-Payne volunteered to be an alternate.
10. NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS SINCE OCTOBER 20, 2015
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
TUP 15-020 Saint Patrick
School
900 W. Branch
Street
Xmas tree sale Dec 4 –
6, 2015
A S.
Anderson
In answer to Commissioner Fowler-Payne, Associate Planner Downing stated the annual event
occurs for three days only.
11. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS
Commissioner Mack stated that the parking standards need to be reviewed. Community
Development Director McClish stated that staff has scheduled a meeting to start the review.
12. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
None
13. ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Commissioner George, seconded by Commissioner Keen and unanimously carried,
the meeting adjourned 9:59 p.m.
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NOVEMBER 3, 2015
ATTEST:
DEBBIE WEICHINGER LAN GEORGE, VICE-CHAIR
SECRETARY TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION
(Approved at PC Meeting December 1, 2015)