PC Minutes 2010-02-021
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CALL TO ORDER - The Arroyo Grande Planning Commission met in regular session
with Vice Chair Brown presiding; also present were Commissioners, Barneich, Keen
and Ruth. Chair Ray absent. Staff members in attendance were Community
Development Director Teresa McClish and Associate Planner Ryan Foster.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: None
AGENDA REVIEW: None
MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 2, 2010
6:05 P.M.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes of January 19, 2010 were approved as presented with a 4/0 voice vote.
I. A. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None
B. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS AFTER AGENDA PREPARATION:
The Commission received a letter on February 2, 2010 from Mark Vasquez
regarding Item II. A. Use Permit Request 09 -012 Concerns & Suggestions (AG
Police Station).
11. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS:
A. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 09 - 012; APPLICANT — CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE;
WEST BRANCH STREET AND RODEO DRIVE.
Associate Planner Foster presented the staff report and described the proposal to construct
a new police facility at the northwest corner of West Branch Street and Rodeo Drive.
Associate Planner Foster stated that there are two design options; stated that the
Architecture Review Committee (ARC) reviewed the proposed project in January 2010 and
preferred Option A with a couple of changes; ARC indicated that if Option B is pursued, they
would like to see the tower element reduced in height and requested to have the
opportunity to review final design plans and landscape plans before any building permts are
issued.
Associate Planner Foster indicated that staff and Architect Craig Atkinson had a meeting
with Mark Vasquez to discuss his letter received on February 2, 2010 and provided
comments on said letter.
The Planning Commissionners ensued comments /questions regarding the use of a metal
roof referring to grading; has there been a cost benefit analysis; and how much of building is
g
reen
Craig Atkinson, BFGC Architects, project representative, presented the project to the
Commission and provided comments on design of facilities, including landscape plans;
grading; driveways; emergency access into the site; berm area and bioswale; secured yard
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FEBRUARY 2, 2010
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for police vehicles; parking spaces; visual of prisoners adjacent to school; green building;
solar power /solar carports; enclosed generator, transformer and garbage container
locations.
The Commissioners comments included the bioswale; that the 6' wall along
Rodeo Drive is too prevalent and the 16' foot wall on the west side is too high; garbage
truck turn around and backing out is dangerous with pedestrians and traffic; steps to St.
Patrick's School are not acceptable for wheel chair access; support parking; the school and
police driveways are too close together.
Police Chief Annabali addressed the traffic going in /out of lot, stating the police officers are
driving around in the community and not staged at the facility; employees shifts are
staggered; majority of employees work 12 hour shifts; (6:00 am - 6:00 pm or 6:00 pm — 6:00
am)., which will not conflict with St. Patrick's School; with exception of events; queuing area
is important for traffic; the height of the walls are to block the view of police activity from the
children that were agreed to by the adjacent school and parents.
Vice Chair Brown asked for comment on Mark Vasquez's letter regarding fire access with
slope at Rodeo Drive. Architect Atkinson said there is an error on the plan that did not
correctly reflect the grade.
Architect Atkinson then presented the Grading Plan, along with the floor plan i.e. offices,
floors, windows, doors, cells, mechanical rooms, in the building; site elevations; slopes of
roof; and passed around the color boards of materials on building;
Chief Annabali said the cells are for short term holdings; the larger sign is preferred so
people can find the Police facility;
Commissioner Keen indicated he would like to see the detail of the Rodeo side emergency
access door when this project comes back before the Commission.
Vice Chair Brown opened the meeting for public comments and hearing none, closed the public
comment period.
The Commission made final comments.
Commissioner Barneich comments /questions ensued regarding the Mitigation Negative
Declaration extra water usage; clarified the typo on page 4 of 7 of the Resolution should read
"This approval revises and authorizes "...;
In answer to Commissioner Barneich's question, Chief Annabali said that a USDA loan would
pay off the bond for the fire station, the new bond would be extended and the tax rate would not
be raised.
Commissioner Keen supports the lighted sign and size of sign on the building; metal roof
design; A42 elevation; tower element (lower tower if possible); opposes glue on stone shown on
elevation 5.2 and clock on tower; and antennas need to be addressed.
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FEBRUARY 2, 2010
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Community Development Director McClish clarified that in the Conditions of Approval No. 36. of
the Resolution is a standard condition and suggested modifying to read "elevations and
landscaping shall be reviewed by ARC" and said this issue could come back to the Commission
as well.
Commissioner Ruth stated her support for Option B but need to work out some details, which
need to come back to ARC and Planning Commission; and Condition No. 9 construction hours
in Mitigated Negative Declaration should include Saturday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Commissioner Barneich supports Option B; land use is appropriate; appreciate working with St
Patrick's School; in favor of plant pallet and trees; does not like tower element; signage does not
fit, prefer spanish or mission style for the building.
In response to Commissioner Keen, Community Development Director said hours of work will
be Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Commissioner Keen stated he does not like stick on rock; roll up doors do not go with
architecture of wall and in favor of A4.2.
Vice Chair Brown prefers Option B but like to see reduction in the tower element by lowering the
profile of the building; please review comments received from Mark Vasquez includes wall
height; imperative that City do a cost benefit analysis; would like to see any ultimate design
before being built; and come back to the Planning Commission for design review.
Commissioner Barneich referring to Finding No. 2, supports concept but not the style of the
facility; spanish style is more appropriate; supports bioswale versus berm; final design needs to
come back to Planning Commission as well as ARC; retaining wall issue need to be reflected in
motion; correct typographical error on page 4.
It was the consensus of the Commission that one more architectural style be explored for the
exterior of the proposed building. Architecture Atkinson indicated that a lot of options have been
explored.
Commissioner Keen congratulated the Architect Atkinson on the design of Option B, which fits
in more with the City.
Commissioner Barneich made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ruth to recommend to the
City Council adoption of Mitigated Negative Declaration and approve Conditional Use Permit
09 -012; applied for by the City of Arroyo Grande; located at the northwest corner of West
Branch Street and Rodeo Drive, with the following modifications:
• Preference of Option B,
• The tower height be reduced;
• Condition of Approval No. 36 be amended to include Planning Commission review of
final design plans;
• Condition of Approval No. 9 be modified to indicate the correct construction hours;
• The bioswale is preferred over a berm on the West Branch Street elevation;
• Reduce retaining wall height on the Saint Patrick's side and break up or use different
material for walls on Rodeo;
• Garage door material be explored;
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FEBRUARY 2, 2010
Further, the Commission requested the Council get a third architectural design that is more
residential in nature, possibly spanish style.
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT A
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND APPROVE CONDITIONAL
USE PERMIT 09 -012; LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF
WEST BRANCH STREET AND RODEO DRIVE; APPLIED FOR BY THE
CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE
The motion was approved by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Commissioners Barneich, Ruth, Keen and Vice Chair Brown
NOES: None
ABSENT: Chair Ray
Vice Chair Brown thanked Police Annabali and Architect Atkinson for their time.
III. NON - PUBLIC HEARING ITEM:
None
IV. REFERRAL ITEMS FOR COMMISSION ACTION /NOTICES OF ADMINISTRATIVE
DECISIONS SINCE JANUARY 19, 2010:
Community Development Director McClish reported that the following projects were
administratively approved:
• TUP 10 -003; Valentine Flower Sales; 509 East Grand Avenue; February 12— 14, 2010
• TUP 10 -001; Valentine Flower Sales; 1139 East Grand Avenue; February 12— 14, 2010
V. DISCUSSION ITEMS:
None
RESOLUTION NO. 10 -2099
VI. PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS AND COMMENTS:
None
VII. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND FOLLOW -UP:
Community Development Director McClish reported that there was an additional Workshop by
the Cal Poly class working on the City's Conservation Element Update and General Plan; last
quarter they completed an Administrative Draft Existing Settings Report and will start work on
policies and recommendations; the next workshop is scheduled for February 24, 2010; and staff
is still reviewing the Existing Settings Report and asked for two volunteers from the Planning
Commission to aid in review of said report. Commissioner Keen volunteered. Vice Chair Brown
suggested to offer Chair Ray and if she declines Chair Brown will volunteer.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
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PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 2, 2010
ATTEST:
DEBBIE WEICHINGER
SECRETARY TO THE COMMISSION
AS TO CONTENT:
iVe)
TE
A McCLISH
CO ' MUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
(Approved at the 2/1 6/1 0 meeting)
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TIM BROW , VICE CHAIR