PC Minutes 1996-10-01ARROYO GRANDE PLANNING COMMISSION
OCTOBER 1, 1996
The Arroyo Grande Planning Commission met in special session with Chair Tappan presiding.
Present were Commissioners Deviny, Lubin, Keen, and Titus. Community Development
Director Doreen Liberto -Blanck was in attendance.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Will Schaetle, 794 Via Bandolero - inquired about the status of the GenCom, Inc. project.
Chair Tappan replied that the issue would be addressed later in the agenda.
PUBLIC HEARING (Continued) - LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT TO REDUCE 54 EXISTING
LOTS (SOME FRAGMENTS) TO 33 LOTS RANGING IN SIZE FROM 2,189 SQ. FT.
TO 5,337 SQ. FT.; LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT CASE NO. 96-531; APPLICANTS - PETER
KEITH AND LARRY GIN; LOCATION - 543 SOUTH ELM STREET
Community Development Director Doreen Liberto -Blanck stated that the applicants have
requested a continuance of this item to the meeting of October 15, 1996. The applicant's have
appealed the Planning Commission's interpretation of the floor area ratio requirements as set
forth in the Development Code. The City Council determination could affect the final design
of the project.
On a motion by Commissioner Deviny seconded by Commissioner Lubin, and unanimously
carried, this item was continued to the October 15, 1996 Planning Commission meeting.
NON - PUBLIC HEARING - REQUEST FOR FINDING OF CONFORMANCE WITH
CONDITION OF APPROVAL NUMBER 39 REGARDING REMOVAL OF FIVE OAK
TREES; CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT CASE NO. 94-528 (PUD PERMIT); LOT LINE
ADJUSTMENT CASE NO. 94-521; APPLICANT - FARROLL ROAD GROUP (MORNING
RISE); LOCATION 1131 FARROLL AVENUE
Community Development Director Doreen Liberto -Blanck presented the staff report.
She informed the Planning Commission that there are five (5) oak trees remaining that have to
be relocated to allow the project to go forward. Two of the trees ( #542 & 545) have structural
defects and should be removed rather than transplanted; tree #538 was originally scheduled for
removal; tree #543 should be replanted as scheduled; and tree #643 is healthy but so large that
no one has been located who is willing to move it. Staff has met with the applicant and the
arborist regarding the trees in question. John Keisler, Park and Recreation Director has
exhausted his options in locating a tree moving company willing to relocate tree #643. The
applicant will be required to mitigate the trees that are removed and to pay all street tree and
tree mitigation fees before issuance of the first building permit.
Chair Tappan invited the applicant to address the Planning Commission.
Ed Dorfman. 289 La Cresta - discussed the issues addressed in his letter to the Planning
Commission; stated that they have attempted to locate a company to move tree #643 and have
been unsuccessful; requested relief from paying tree mitigation fees prior to issuance of any
building permits but requested payment be made as the homes are built; and stated that they had
originally wanted to develop an island to keep the large oak but the Fire Chief had opposed the
suggestion.
The Commission agreed that they were opposed to destroying a healthy tree, but felt that good
faith attempts had been made to locate a company to move tree #643; discussed timing of paying
fees by the applicant; expressed agreement with separating mitigation fee from street tree fee but
wanted a specific time frame for payment; discussed Howland Family Trust agreement regarding
trees; discussed need for tree removal plan; and directed staff to pursue an alternative means of
handling the method of payment for tree mitigation fee.
Arroyo Grande Planning Commission Page 2
October 1, 1996
Mr. Dorfman asked the Commission to consider allowing the building permits for the three (3)
models to be issued with the tree mitigation issue resolved prior to the issuance of the fourth
building permit. The Commission concurred.
On a motion by Commissioner Lubin seconded by Commissioner Deviny, and unanimously
carried, the Commission found that the applicant is in substantial conformance with Condition
of Approval #39; staff suggestion #1 had been complied with; and directed staff to negotiate with
the applicant regarding a method of payment for staff suggestion #2.
Chairman Tappan commended Mr. Dorfman on the tree removal prior to the development of
the property.
PLANNING COMMLSSION /COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR ITEMS AND
COMMENTS
A. Cancellation of November 5. 1996 Meeting - The Commission agreed to cancel the
November 5 meeting. Staff requested Commission concurrence with holding a special
meeting on October 29 if necessary.
B. Short Range Improvements on Brisco Road - Identified mitigation measures that
GenCom, Inc. was required to perform as conditions of approval. They are listed in the
memo prepared for the Commission. Director Liberto -Blanck indicated that to the best
of her knowledge the project was moving forward.
C. Update of Projects -
• The fiscal analysis for the James Way annexation was submitted to the City and
is out for comments. If the area is annexed to the City, it is projected that the
City will break even; if not, there is a project cost to the City of $11,850 per
year.
• Staff is working on a Planned Unit Development (PUD) Ordinance which they
will present to the Planning Commission at an upcoming meeting.
• Director Liberto -Blanck stated that the purpose of the 227 Alignment Study
subcommittee was to answer questions regarding the Omni - Means Study. She
stated that the City had recently received a copy of the San Luis Obispo Council
of Governments (SLOCOG) Major Investment Study and noted that there were
conflicts regarding this and the City study. The City had based it's study on
having a Highway 227 alternative as an option to six (6) lanes on Highway 101
and this was the concept that was utilized by Omni -Means in their study. The
SLOCOG study focused on Highway 101 being developed to six (6) lanes.
Commissioner Keen asked about the continued need for a Congestion
Management Plan (CMP). Steve Devencenzi of SLOCOG addressed the
Commission and informed them that the State had recently passed legislation
allowing an area to not have a CMP but to incorporate the same concerns in other
documents. He stated that this alternative would have to be approved by a
majority of cities in the region and the Board of Supervisors. He noted that it
would be a lengthy process. Mr. Devencenzi noted that the Major Investment
Study was reviewed by SLOCOG in late summer but it was a draft document and
not ready for public review. He apologized to the Commission for any
misunderstanding and stated that his agency wanted to work with the City to a
resolution of their differences.
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October 1, 1996
The Commission discussed lack of communication between SLOCOG and the
City regarding the study; the need for added lanes on the freeway; the time frame
for required improvements; the issue of contested numbers from the traffic
studies; the idea of funding determination; the issue of the El Campo interchange
funding; and, Highway 227 not being considered as an alternative to the widening
of the freeway.
• Chair Tappan asked about the Von's project. Director Liberto -Blanck replied that
staff had met with representative of Von's and they intend to go forward with
development on the vacant site but it would not be a grocery store. She stated
that the Von's at Grand and Elm will be closed and that Von's is looking at
potential uses for the center. The Commission concurred that a market is needed
in the area.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
1. Agenda Item NO. 1TI.A. - Memo to Howland Family Trust from John Keisler, Parks and
Recreation Director and an Agreement.
2. Memo from Doreen Liberto - Blanck, regarding Update on SR 227 Realignment Study
with Attachments.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, on a motion by Commissioner Keen,
seconded by Commissioner Lubin, and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40
p.m. to the regular meeting on October 15, 1996 at 7:30 p.m.
ATTEST:
O
e Breese, commission Clerk
A$+ TO CONTENT:
Doreen Libertb- Blanck, Community Development Director
0-
William Tappan, Chair