PC 2016-09-20_07a Approval of Minutes
ACTION MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
SOUTH COUNTY REGIONAL CENTER
800 WEST BRANCH STREET
ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair George called the Regular Planning Commission meeting to order at 6:07 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
Matt Downing, Interim City Engineer Jim Garing, Contract Planner
John Rickenbach, Traffic Consultant Nate Stong, 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
Caren Ray stated she is hosting the bake off at the Harvest Festival, providing categories and
encouraged participation. She also noted that Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 6:00 pm is the
Candidate Forum.
Bob Lloyd, Chief Technician of AGP Video, stated the Commission meeting will be rebroadcast on
Charter Cable Channel 20.
6. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
The Commission received the following material after preparation of the agenda:
1. Email dated September 02, 2016 from Linda Keating regarding Agenda Item 8.a.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
7.a. Consideration of Approval of Minutes.
Recommended Action: Approve the minutes of the Regular Planning Commission Meeting
of July 19, 2016 as submitted.
Action: Commissioner Mack moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Planning Commission
Meeting of July 19, 2016, as submitted. Commissioner Martin seconded, and the motion passed on
a 4-0 voice vote, with Keen abstained.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.a. CONSIDERATION OF THE EAST CHERRY AVENUE SPECIFIC PLAN PROJECT (GENERAL
PLAN AMENDMENT 15-001; DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT 15-001; SPECIFIC PLAN
15-001; VESTING TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 15-001; CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 15-004;
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 16-001) AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT; LOCATION –
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MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
EAST CHERRY AVENUE AND TRAFFIC WAY; APPLICANTS – SRK HOTELS, MANGANO
HOMES, INC., AND ARROYO GRANDE VALLEY JAPANESE WELFARE ASSOCIATION
Community Development Director McClish stated that the site was not properly posted according to
City Policy and recommended the project be continued to a date certain of September 20, 2016 at
the Arroyo Grande Woman’s Club and Community Center, located at 211 Vernon Street, Arroyo
Grande. Director McClish stated that public testimony can be made.
Commissioner Mack asked if the staff report could be presented to the Commission and the public.
Commissioner Martin stated he would like to hear the proposed project tonight. In answer to
Commissioner Mack’s and Martin’s questions, Director McClish stated all legal noticing
requirements were met and the item could be heard this evening or presentations made and then
continued if directed by the Planning Commission.
Action: After discussion, Chair George moved that 8.a. be continued to a date certain of
September 20, 2016 and stated the Commission will take public testimony.
Commissioner Martin stated if the Commission hears public comment on the item, the community
needs to hear the staff report.
Action: Chair George amended her motion that 8.a. be continued to a date certain of September
20, 2016; and that public testimony and staff report is heard.
Action: Chair George again amended her motion, and Commissioner Mack seconded the motion
that 8.a. be continued to a date certain of September 20, 2016, public testimony, staff report and
applicant are heard on the following roll call vote:
AYES: George, Mack, Keen, Fowler-Payne
NOES: Martin
ABSENT: None
Consultant John Rickenbach presented the staff report.
Consultant Carol Florence presented the proposed project and recommended that the Commission
up hold staff’s recommendation and adopt a Resolution approving the proposed project.
Chair George opened the public hearing:
Alan Bowles, La Quinta representative, spoke in support of the project and stated he wants to be
part of the community.
Ronald Gottesman, Garden Street, stated there has been no discussion of impacts to his area; the
hotel is not consistent with Arroyo Grande; likes the idea of widening E. Cherry Avenue; people will
use their garage for storage; would like to see AG Valley Japanese Welfare Association removed
from this project and approved; and new residents will park on E. Cherry Avenue.
Kent Zammit, Huasna Road, stated many of the elements do not fit in Arroyo Grande; supports the
AG Valley Japanese Welfare Association; the size of hotel does not fit the character of the City; a
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SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
two story or boutique is more in character with this community; Traffic Way/East Cherry traffic has
not been addressed; and the water for the hotel and ag land needs to be addressed.
Jack English, expressed concern with water and traffic congestion; spoke in support of the AG
Valley Japanese Welfare Association; and suggested to enact a moratorium due to the drought.
Trish Avery Caldwell, Trinity Avenue, stated she has not heard from anybody regarding this
development; expressed concern with water and traffic; the 3-story hotel is too big; asked that the
project be denied; and said she is in support of Subarea 3.
Kenneth Price, talked about the issue with biking and walking and stated there is a need for better
biking infrastructure; suggested designing a bike lane along the curb to make it safer for the
bicyclist not to be “doored”.
Dr. Alice Addison, Allen Street, expressed concern with potential flooding issues; excessive traffic
at Fair Oaks; concern with traffic from on ramp/off ramp at Traffic Way; conflicts with the hotel and
the neighborhood; and noise from the people at the hotel will affect the quietness in the area.
Peggy Coon, asked that the proposal be rejected on the basis of water, traffic impact, density of
houses, and loss of character of Arroyo Grande; said the project should have been compared to
Cherry Creek Estates; the restaurant is too big for this area; and spoke in support of the AG Valley
Japanese Welfare Association.
Mike Susank, Principal of Mission College Prep High School, spoke in favor of the project and sees
the project as a good partnership with the City.
Brian Pedrotti, Village Court, referred to an August 8, 2016 letter he wrote to the City; stated the
collector street should be shown on the Circulation Element; there was no review of traffic and
noise impacts resulting from the stub; suggested eliminating the collector, relocate further east, or
use it as a bike/pedestrian path connector; and expressed concern regarding additional traffic.
Judith Bernstein, Courtland Street, is concern with water, traffic and size of hotel; stated the hotel is
too big physically and too big for the market; suggested less rooms for the hotel; the City needs
affordable housing; more than 10 senior units is needed in Subarea 3 to effectively serve senior
needs; and if the hotel and restaurant is approved, a percentage should be required to include solar
panels.
Linda Osty, Cherry Avenue, expressed concern with traffic on collector road; likes the bulb outs;
likes no two story houses on Cherry; concern if there is enough parking for the hotel and restaurant;
and expressed concern with pitch/flat hotel roof.
Richard Waller, spoke in support of farming; does not support conversion of prime farm land in
general, but the land is no longer economically sustainable; not comfortable with the density of the
development, in support of a more rural development; grey water should be an integral part of any
project that occurs; in support of the AG Valley Japanese Welfare Association; and a trail head at
the end of the collector should be considered as part of the development. Mr. Waller presented a
map showing a proposed trail.
Shirley Gibson, Halcyon, spoke in support of Subarea 3; encouraged the development to come
back with better plans for subarea 1 and 2; stated Subarea 2 is over developed and under parked;
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SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
the project is too dense; there are traffic issues at Allen Street/East Cherry; adding a traffic signal at
Fair Oaks/Traffic Way will not help with adding a 100 room hotel; is opposed to a 3-story hotel; and
the design is over scale, generic and corporate.
Tim Brown, stated the drawing is deceiving as it does not accurately show a 3-story hotel behind
the restaurant and suggested staking to show actual height; questioned if Subarea 2 alley is wide
enough for the Fire Department; disagrees with there being enough water due to irrigation of
mitigation land; and the collector road is a back door way to try to develop property further south
and suggested making the collector road a regular size road.
Janis Reed, stated the project density will affect air quality; the hotel and restaurant is too big for a
residential area and the City; and the freeway on/off ramp will be impacted.
Diane Ulibarri, Tar Springs, spoke against the project stating the height of the project is out of
character for the City.
Paris Johnson, owner of the Vagabond Mobile Home Park, suggested putting in trees that are
green year around and will not lose leaves; is against the 3-story hotel; and suggested a smaller
hotel.
Deborah Love, stated she has been in two vehicle accidents on Traffic Way; is concerned with the
on/off ramp being too close to the project; does not support the renderings of green lawns due to
drought; and suggested lower density housing.
Upon hearing no further comments, Chair George closed the public hearing.
Community Development Director McClish stated he next meeting is scheduled for September 20,
2016 and will be held at the Woman’s Club and Community Center.
9. NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEM
None.
10. NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS SINCE AUGUST 16, 2016
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
PPR 16-011 Robert
Anderson
200 Traffic Way,
Unit F
Tenant improvements of 925
square feet for residential
use.
A P. Holub
PPR 16-007
& MEX 16-002
Abigail Will 308 Whiteley
Street
Remodel and expansion of
an existing residence and
reduction of the requirement
for one (1) off-street parking
space.
A P. Holub
TUP 16-018 Sonya Yokes 140 Traffic Way BBQ Fundraiser for Boy
Scout Troop 489 on
Saturday, September 24
from 11 AM to 3 PM.
A S.
Anderson
TUP 16-015 Frank Lara,
Southern
California
St. John’s
Lutheran Church.
959 Valley Road
Use of an existing asphalt
paved lot for contractor
staging yard and temporary
A P. Holub
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SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
Gas
Company
placement of two (2) office
trailers.
TUP 16-016 Frank Lara,
Southern
California
Gas
Company
789 Valley Road Use of an existing asphalt
paved lot for contractor
staging yard.
A P. Holub
Commissioner Keen referred to PPR 16-007 & MEX 16-002 expressing concern about taking
parking away in the Village. Director McClish stated the site includes a single car garage. Planning
Manager Downing said the ARC made a recommendation due to the circumstances of the property
lines in that area.
11. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS
Commissioner Fowler-Payne reported the commercial vehicle that was brought up at a previous
Commission meeting is still parked on Ash Street. She said there are three flatbed trailers and a
commercial truck also parked on Ash Street. Planning Manager Downing stated that Neighborhood
Services was contacted on the issue and said he will give an update to Neighborhood Services.
In answer to Commissioner Mack’s request about the standards of the parking study, Director
McClish reported that staff is re-scoping for consultant assistance and at the next Commission
meeting, staff will give an update on the schedule.
12. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Director McClish reported that there will be a Stakeholders meeting next week; and staff is hosting
two community charrettes on September 14 and September 15, 2016 at 5:30, at Harloe Elementary
School Cafeteria, 901 Fair Oaks Avenue, and encourage the community to attend.
13. ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Chair George, seconded by Commissioner Keen and unanimously carried, the
meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.