PC 07.a. 07-19-16 Draft Minutes
DRAFT
ACTION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016
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 Terry Fowler-Payne, John Keen, John Mack,
Glenn Martin, and Lan George were present.
Staff Present: Community Development Director Teresa McClish, Planning
Manager Matthew Downing, City Engineer Matt Horn, Planning
Technician Sam Anderson, and Secretary Debbie Weichinger
were present.
3. FLAG SALUTE
Chair George led the Flag Salute.
4. AGENDA REVIEW
None.
5. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Linda Drummy, presented a letter dated June 16, 2016 addressed to the City of Grover Beach
from the City of Arroyo Grande regarding a proposed project adjacent to the City of Arroyo
Grande. She expressed concern with the increased parking and traffic the project located in
Grover Beach would create for the Berry Gardens neighborhood.
6. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
7.a. Consideration of Approval of Minutes.
Action: Commissioner Keen moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Planning
Commission Meeting of July 5, 2016, as submitted. Commissioner Martin seconded, and the
motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Keen, Martin, Fowler-Payne, Mack, George
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.a. CONTINUED CONSIDERATION OF VARIANCE CASE NO. 16-001 & VIEWSHED REVIEW
CASE NO. 16-001; CONVERSION OF EXISTING HOME TO SECONDARY DWELLING UNIT
AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW TWO-STORY SINGLE FAMILY HOME, THREE (3) CAR
GARAGE, FIVE FOOT (5’) SOUTH SIDE YARD SETBACK REDUCTION, AND EIGHT FOOT
(8’) WEST REAR YARD SETBACK REDUCTION; LOCATION – 190 SOUTH ELM STREET;
APPLICANT – DANTE TOMASINI; REPRESENTATIVE – DOUGLAS R. FANER
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JULY 19, 2016
Planning Technician Anderson presented the staff report recommending that the Commission
adopt a Resolution approving Variance 16-001 and Viewshed Review 16-001 and responded to
questions from the Commission regarding the proposed project, including location of emergency
access, landscaping, open space, setbacks for Multi-Family, arborist report, two car garage, and
survey for setbacks for neighborhood.
Planning Manager Downing and City Engineer Horn responded to questions regarding the
proposed project, including the setbacks for both Single-Family and Multi-Family zones,
affordable housing, vehicle back-up standards, size of off-street parking stall, and the guest
stall.
Doug Faner, representative, and Dante Tomasini, applicant/property owner, addressed
questions from the Commission, including fire access, garage location/entrance, planting of
trees, existing oak tree size, parking in the back-up area, size of guest stall, property line
dimensions, and site plan survey.
Chair George opened the public hearing. Hearing no public comments, Chair George closed
the public hearing.
Commissioner Mack provided the following comments: the design has issues; does not like to
see impacts of a design that may not work; expressed concern with the variance and the guest
parking stall; said the oak tree may be impacted with the drainage, concern with reversing
straight back from the second car garage, and he cannot support the rear variance and guest
stall as designed.
Commissioner Fowler-Payne provided the following comments: there are alternative designs
for better circulation and expressed concern with parking.
Commissioner Martin spoke in support of the proposed project as submitted.
Commissioner Keen stated the City Council passed Resolution 4052 to change the density and
not accepting these variances is going against said resolution, moving the project back is not
going to impair or hurt that property, and thinks this project is entitled to these variances.
Chair George concurred with Commissioner Keen and is in support of the proposed project.
Action: Chair George moved to adopt a resolution entitled “A RESOLUTION OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING VARIANCE
16-001 AND VIEWSHED REVIEW 16-001; LOCATED AT 190 SOUTH ELM STREET;
APPLIED FOR BY DANTE TOMASINI”. Commissioner Martin seconded, and the motion
passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: George, Martin, Keen
NOES: Fowler-Payne, Mack
ABSENT: None
The Commission took a break at 7:07 pm and reconvened at 7:14 pm.
9.a. CONSIDERATION OF STAFF PROJECT 16-003; EAST BRANCH STREET
STREETSCAPING ALTERNATIVES; LOCATION – EAST BRANCH STREET BETWEEN
MASON STREET AND PAULDING CIRCLE; APPLICANT – CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE
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JULY 19, 2016
Planning Manager Downing presented the staff report recommending that the Commission
review the project alternatives for the East Branch Streetscaping project and advise the City
Council on a preferred alternative. Mr. Downing introduced Nate Stong, Consultant, Omni-
Means. Mr. Stong introduced Todd Tregenza, Consultant, Omni-Means.
Consultants Tregenza, Stong, City Engineer Horn and Planning Manager Downing gave a
presentation to the Commission regarding the East Branch Street Streetscaping Alternative
1 and Alternative 2 and responded to questions from the Commission.
Commissioner Fowler-Payne stated she is a member of the Stakeholders Group for the
East Branch Streetscaping project and they were in support of Alternative 2, as the y thought
the need for parking was greater, the bulb outs were placed in an area to be safe for
existing driveways, were in favor of Option A for the fencing due to lack of maintenance and
could have information engraved on the panels.
Chair George invited public comment.
Jeffrey Kime, Corbett Canyon, Lea Brooks representing Bikes SLO County, and Myron
Amerine spoke in support of Alternative 1 as it is the safest for bicyclists.
Commissioner Fowler-Payne said the Stakeholders Group considered bicyclists along with
children bicycling to Paulding School.
Commissioner Mack said parking and bike and pedestrian safety is important, spoke in
support of Alternative 1, spoke in support of Option B for the fencing, and suggested that
fencing be standardized for the Village.
Commissioner Keen spoke in support of Alternative 2 and provided the following comments:
that coming from the north the bulb outs do not restrict the site distance; left turns should be
permitted out of Paulding Circle, does not support the flashing lights in the ground, and
spoke in support of raised flashing lights for the crosswalk.
Commissioner Fowler-Payne stated that the stakeholders were in support of fence Option A
as it was less maintenance, did not support Option B due to concerns regarding climbing,
Option C resembled a jail, and the bulb outs were to keep visibility.
Commissioner Martin spoke in support of Alternative 1 and stated it is a long range solution
that should be closely considered as the City decides how much to support alternate forms
of transportation.
Chair George supports Option A for fencing, suggested coming up with guidelines for
fencing in the Village, likes the idea of different colored pavers instead of a single color,
would like the bulb outs not to be cluttered so people can stand, likes the new crosswalk,
speed reduction needs to be a big consideration and is support of Alternative 2.
City Engineer Horn stated that staff started with Alternative 1 and then came up with the
additional Alternative 2.
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JULY 19, 2016
Action: Commissioner Martin moved that the Planning Commission recommend to the City
Council Alternative 2. Commissioner George seconded, and the motion passed on the following
roll call vote:
AYES: George, Fowler-Payne, Keen
NOES: Martin, Mack
ABSENT: None
Action: Commissioner Mack moved that the Planning Commission recommend to the City
Council fence Option B with the change of the material from wood to metal to coincide with the
Bridge Street Bridge project or develop guidelines for fencing to be used in the Village.
Commissioner Martin seconded.
Chair George suggested eliminating the first part of the motion. The Commission discussed
different options. Community Development Director McClish suggested staff investigate fencing
guidelines to be used for various projects in the Village.
Action: Commissioner Mack modified his motion that the Planning Commission recommend to
the City Council to develop guidelines for fencing to be used in the Village. Commissioner
Martin seconded and the motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
In answer to Commissioner Fowler-Payne, Planning Manager Downing stated that the
Architectural Review Committee preferred fence Options A and B.
10. NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS SINCE JULY 5, 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 16-011 Steven Wood 400 Traffic Way Honey sales through
December 31, 2016
A P. Holub
In answer to Commissioner Martin, Planning Manager Downing stated that the Municipal Code
allows a TUP for sales for six months with the discretion of the Director. The permit will expire in
December.
11. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS
Commissioner Mack, referencing speaker’s concerns under public comment, stated that this is
something the City should be concerned about and that cut through traffic and speed is an
issue. Community Development Director McClish stated staff will provide an update to the
Commission on the concerns.
In answer to Chair George’s question, Community Development Director McClish suggested if a
citizen speaks under public comment, the Commission can let them know their concern may be
placed on a future agenda.
12. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Community Development Director McClish requested a member of the Planning Commission sit
on the Halcyon Road Complete Street Project Stakeholders Advisory Group. Commissioner
Martin volunteered to be a member of the Group. Chair George volunteered to be the alternate
for the Group.
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JULY 19, 2016
In answer to Commissioner Mack, Planning Manager Downing stated that a link to the
Development Code will be provided on the Planning Division’s webpage.
In answer to Commissioner Mack, Planning Manager Downing said staff has prepared draft
parking surveys for the parking standards update.
13. ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Commissioner George, seconded by Commissioner Keen and unanimously
carried, the meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
ATTEST:
DEBBIE WEICHINGER LAN GEORGE, CHAIR
SECRETARY TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION
(Approved at PC meeting )