PC 07.a. Approval of Minutes
Draft
ACTION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2016
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 EAST BRANCH STREET
ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA
1. CALL TO ORDER
Vice-Chair Keen called the Regular Planning Commission meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Planning Commission: Vice-Chair John Keen, Commissioners Glenn Martin, Terry Fowler-
Payne, and John Mack, were present.
Absent: Chair Lan George
Staff Present: Community Development Director Teresa McClish, Associate Planner
Kelly Heffernon, Associate Planner Matt Downing, and Secretary Jane
Covert-Lannon were present.
3. FLAG SALUTE
Vice-Chair Keen led the flag salute.
4. AGENDA REVIEW
Commissioner Martin moved to begin with Item 8.b. followed with Item 8.a. to accommodate the
applicant of 8.a. for a late arrival. Commissioner Mack seconded and the motion was approved by
a voice vote.
5. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
None
6. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
7. CONSENT AGENDA
7.a. Consideration of Approval of Minutes: Approve the minutes of the Regular Planning
Commission Meeting of December 1, 2015 and January 5, 2016 as submitted.
Action: Commissioner Mack moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Planning Commission
Meeting of December 5, 2015, as submitted. Commissioner Martin seconded, and the motion
passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Mack, Martin, Fowler-Payne, Keen
NOES: None
ABSENT: George
Action: Vice-Chair Keen moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Planning Commission
Meeting of January 5, 2016, as submitted. Commissioner Mack seconded, and the motion passed
on the following roll call vote:
PLANNING COMMISSION PAGE 2
MINUTES
JANUARY 19, 2016
AYES: Keen, Mack, Fowler-Payne, Martin
NOES: None
ABSENT: George
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.b. CONSIDERATION OF: 1) DRAFT HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE FOR THE 2014-2019
REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT (RHNA) CYCLE (GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT
14-002) AND NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND 2) ORDINANCE AMENDING PORTIONS OF
TITLE 16 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING EMERGENCY
SHELTERS AND SUPPORTIVE AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING (DEVELOPMENT CODE
AMENDMENT 14-006); CITYWIDE
Associate Planner Heffernon presented the staff report and recommended that the Planning
Commission 1) Review and receive public comment on the Draft Housing Element Update for the
2014-2019 Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) Cycle (General Plan Amendment 14-
002); Consider proposed amendments to portions of Title 16 of the Arroyo Grade Municipal Code to
allow emergency shelters as a permitted use in the Industrial Mixed Use (IMU) and Highway Mixed
Use (HMU) zoning districts pursuant to Housing Element Program K.2-1 and define supportive and
transitional housing as residential uses subject to the same standards that apply to other housing in
the same zone pursuant to Housing Element Program K.2-2 (Development Code Amendment 14-
006); and 3) Continue this item to a date certain of March 1, 2016.
Associate Planner Heffernon and Community Development Director Teresa McClish responded to
questions from the Commission.
Commissioner Mack asked if Emergency Shelters were restricted to 34 persons.
Associate Planner Heffernon stated that the restriction is consistent with the development standards
of residential care facilities but the Planning Commission has discretion to recommend a change to
this number.
Vice-Chair Keen asked how warming centers compare to emergency shelters or if they are the
same.
Associate Planner Heffernon stated that they are different; warming centers are subject to a
Temporary Use Permit (TUP) while emergency shelters require a Minor Use Permit as a permanent
facility.
Commissioner Fowler-Payne asked if there is currently a warming center at the Social Services
building on East Grand Avenue.
Associate Planner Heffernon stated that a warming center has been established at this location to
serve the homeless this winter.
Commissioner Martin stated that he is concerned about the lack of public comment on this process
as the only public workshop happened 14 months ago.
Community Development Director McClish said that Staff has the same concern and this is why it is
being rolled out again. Staff feels that it is important to do additional outreach to the public and that
is why staff is recommending a continuation until a date certain of March 1, 2016.
PLANNING COMMISSION PAGE 3
MINUTES
JANUARY 19, 2016
Vice-Chair Keen opened the public hearing. Hearing no public comments, Vice-Chair Keen closed
the public hearing.
Action: Commissioner Martin moved for a continuance to a date certain of March 1, 2016, and
Vice-Chair Keen seconded and the motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Martin, Keen, Fowler-Payne, Mack
NOES: None
ABSENT: George
8.a. CONSIDERATION OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 15-002; LOCATION-HUEBNER
LANE (RESERVOIR NO. 4); APPLICANT – VERIZON WIRELESS; REPRESENTATIVE – TRICIA
KNIGHT
Associate Planner Heffernon presented the staff report and recommended that the Planning
Commission adopt a Resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 15-002.
Associate Planner Heffernon and Community Development Director McClish responded to
questions from the Commission.
Commissioner Fowler-Payne asked if the Homeowner’s Association owned the open space parcel
adjacent to the water tank property. Commissioner Fowler-Payne also asked if there was an
easement, and if not, would an easement have to be obtained? Commissioner Fowler-Payne
asked about the existing lease agreement for this site.
Associate Planner Heffernon stated that the Homeowner’s Association does own the open space
area adjacent to the subject property and that all residents within a 300’ radius were notified,
including the Homeowner’s Association. Associate Planner Heffernon said that there is a public
utility easement along Huebner Lane. Associate Planner Heffernon said that the lease agreement
is currently being negotiated and is with the City Attorney’s office.
Commissioner Martin asked about how often the routine maintenance happens.
Associate Planner Heffernon said that it could be once a month or it could be a longer duration.
She suggested asking the Applicant’s Representative for a more definitive answer.
Tricia Knight, applicant’s representative, said that once they are on line that they usually perform
maintenance about once a year. Typically that is all that is required.
Commissioner Mack inquired how often the tanks are re-painted and who is responsible for the cost
of removing the telecommunication equipment in order to paint.
Associate Planner Heffernon said that it is the carrier’s responsibility to remove the equipment f or
painting and it is in the lease agreement.
Vice-Chair Keen opened the public hearing. Hearing no public comments, Vice-Chair Keen closed
the public hearing.
PLANNING COMMISSION PAGE 4
MINUTES
JANUARY 19, 2016
Action: Commissioner Martin moved to adopt a resolution entitled “A RESOLUTION OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING CONDITIONAL
USE PERMIT NO. 15-002, APPLIED FOR BY VERIZON WIRELESS, LOCATED ON HUEBNER
LANE”. Commissioner Mack seconded and the motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Martin, Mack, Fowler-Payne, Keen
NOES: None
ABSENT: George
9. NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEM
9.a. CONSIDERATION OF STAFF PROJECT 15-011; REVIEW OF PARKING STANDARDS;
LOCATION – CITYWIDE.
Associate Planner Downing gave the staff report presentation and recommended that the Planning
Commission review City Policies related to parking and provide further direction on specific areas of
parking concerns.
Associate Planner Downing and Community Development Director McClish responded to
questions from the Commission.
Vice-Chair Keen commented that every project has required parking. Even though the projects
meet the required parking, there is still not enough parking in town. He stated that his personal goal
is to try to correct some of the parking issues within the City. He said he would like to see an
equitable solution for what he sees as a big problem.
Commissioner Mack commented that he agrees with everything Vice-Chair Keen said. Commented
that his area of concern regarding residences is the number of bedrooms, which would dictate how
many cars could potentially be at one residence. Concern regarding commercial projects that meet
the parking standards, but then the tenant turns over and it turns into a different business which
would need more parking. He suggested that the City use a different way to determine parking
standards for restaurants. Do not do a broad spectrum study, but rather focus on deficiencies.
Commissioner Martin commented that the higher density residential projects where the parcels are
small are the highest priority with a large number of vehicles parked on the street. Commercially
there are issues, but the higher priority would be the higher density residential projects. Does not
want to spend a large amount of money on studies; would like to modernize the standards. He
would like more time to review and work with staff on this subject.
Commissioner Fowler-Payne said that she attended two meetings this week where parking issues
were the focus. She suggested that when the City evaluates the size of the projects that more
parking be required. She said that she has heard of parking issues in commercial/industrial and
residential areas.
Community Development Director, Teresa McClish said that the Commission’s comments are not
that dissimilar to those of Staff. The purpose of discussion is to hone the primary focus of the
study. The size of the City is challenging as it is not large enough to support robust transit systems.
Electric cars and Uber type ride systems will also be forthcoming.
PLANNING COMMISSION PAGE 5
MINUTES
JANUARY 19, 2016
10. NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS SINCE JANUARY 5, 2016
This is a notice of administrative decisions 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
PPR 15-016
& ASP 15-
018
Ken Starr 107 Nelson
Street
Establishment of a new
wellness group office
and signage
A S.
Anderson
PPR 15-018 Joseph &
Corinne
Mercadante
219 Miller
Way
Establishment of a 3
bedroom vacation rental
in a residential district
A S.
Anderson
11. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS
Commissioner Fowler-Payne said that she attended the HRC meeting and gave an update on the
projects reviewed.
Commissioner Fowler-Payne said she attended the East Branch Streetscape meeting and parking
came up specifically at Paulding Circle. There will be another stakeholders meeting on April 3,
2016.
Commissioner Martin said that there is a short time period between receiving the packets and the
meetings and requested additional review time when possible.
Vice-Chair Keen wanted staff to know that he really appreciates the PG&E installation of LED
lighting, that it is a huge improvement for the City, and that the City should try to install the same
type of lights on their street lights.
12. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Community Development Director McClish said that staff makes an effort to get the packet out by
Thursday prior to meetings, but staff will provide information earlier when possible.
Associate Planner Downing discussed the “Notify Me” feature of the City’s website, which can be
used for notification when an agenda is posted.
13. ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Commissioner Martin, seconded by Commissioner Fowler-Payne and unanimously
carried, the meeting adjourned 7:40 p.m.
ATTEST:
JANE COVERT-LANNON LAN GEORGE, CHAIR
SECRETARY TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION
(Approved PC Meeting )