PC Minutes 1995-12-05ARROYO GRANDE PLANNING COMMISSION
DECEMBER 5, 1995
The Arroyo Grande Planning Commission met in regular session with Vice Chairperson Tappan
presiding. Present were Commissioners Beck, Carr, and Lubin. Commissioner Deviny,
Commissioner Soto and Chairperson Keen were absent. Current Planner Scott Spierling was
in attendance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - On motion by Commissioner Lubin, seconded by Commissioner
Carr, and unanimously carried, the minutes of the regular meetings of October 17 and November
7, 1995 were approved.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None
PUBLIC HEARING - None
NON - PUBLIC HEARING - REQUEST FOR INTERPRETATION REGARDING
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT CASE NO. 93 -508, 1203 GRAND AVENUE, BOB'S CAR
WASH
Current Planner Scott Spierling presented the staff report. The original CUP was for a self
serve car wash with one automatic bay. For the automatic bay to function satisfactorily, the
owner contends that it is necessary for a limited amount of hand prepping to be done; a letter
from the automatic bay manufacturer is included in the packet supporting this contention. The
Planning Commission had reviewed this Conditional Use Permit (CUP) in June of 1995 and at
that time there were no complaints regarding the operation. A recent complaint from an adjacent
business owner stated that the car wash was operating outside the scope of the CUP granted in
July of 1993. After staff review of the complaint, the owner was advised to apply to the
Planning Commission to have an interpretation of whether or not he was operating within the
scope of the original CUP. Staff advised the Planning Commission of their options and
suggested that they allow input from the owner regarding his operation.
Commissioner Carr inquired if all of the site drains go to the sewer system? Current Planner
Spierling suggested that the applicant would be able to address this concern in his presentation.
Commissioner Tappan asked if there had been a 15 month review of the water usage as indicated
in the original permit? Current Planner Spierling indicated that it had not been necessary as the
applicant had fulfilled his water mitigation requirements prior to construction.
Robert Baron, owner stated that he owned and operated the car wash for the past year and one
half without complaint and that it was his intention to continually improve his service. He
indicated a certain amount of hand prep work was required in order to provide his customers
with a thorough cleaning job as indicated in the letter from Big M Sales and Service, Inc. Mr.
Baron discussed the drainage process for the bays; his request for added signage; the operation
of the machines; how he attempts to assist his customers; some difficulties that have occurred
with a competitive business; and why he felt he was still within the scope of his original CUP.
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Arroyo Grande Planning Commission Page 2
December 5, 1995
John Belsher, representing Pat Devaney of Sunset North Carwash wanted to address the land
use issues. He indicated his client has no objection to the self serve concept but questions the
need for an interpretation. He felt it would be more appropriate for an amendment to the CUP
which would bring the issues of concern to a public hearing. He questioned the issues of
increased water usage; temporary certificate of occupancy issued to Bob's Car Wash; the
possibility of a second automatic machine being installed; and different standards for different
types of operations.
Robert Baron, owner replied that he had considered purchasing a second automatic machine
but intended to use it at his location in Grover Beach. He also discussed the issue of a
temporary certificate of occupancy and the fact that he was not at fault but there were other
persons who didn't complete their obligations in a timely manner. He stated that this issue has
now been resolved.
Commissioner Lubin stated that he reviewed the original CUP and did not find a prohibition on
prepping cars. Staff agreed that there appeared to be no intent to prohibit this activity.
Commissioner Lubin stated he understood that there had been no monitoring of the increased
water usage. Staff agreed that this was correct. Commissioner Lubin indicated that he had
taken his personal cars through both car washes over the weekend to observe the process.
Commissioner Carr stated that he felt it was appropriate to have a Planning Commission
interpretation to resolve this issue. He stated that he felt it wasn't clear in the original approval
whether hand prepping cars was allowed or not and the prep work is not a large change, if it
is a change at all, to a strictly self - service operation. He stated that he observed no prohibition
on car prepping in the original CUP. There was discussion with staff regarding need for a more
clearly defined project description in future CUP applications.
Commissioner Beck stated that she read the original CUP to determine if there had been a
deviation or violation but was unable to find one. She understood that there would be a certain
amount of hand prepping and did not feel that the business was being operated outside the scope
of the original CUP. She is concerned with the words "or wash" in the Resolution for approval.
The Commissioners discussed appropriate verbiage for the Resolutions and if there was a need
to define "prepping ". It was determined that each car required a different amount of prep work.
The prep work could be very minor with a clean car or extensive, if the car is very dirty.
The following action was taken:
Motion to approve the Resolution with the addition of the words "employee hand prepping of
cars is permitted" in the title after the case number and the deletion of the words "or wash" in
the "Now, Therefore,. ." paragraph.
RESOLUTION NO. 95 -1542
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE PROVIDING AN INTERPRETATION OF USES
PERMITTED PURSUANT TO CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT CASE NO.
93-508, EMPLOYEE HAND PREPPING CARS IS PERMITTED AT 1203
GRAND AVENUE
Arroyo Grande Planning Commission Page 3
December 5, 1995
On a motion by Commissioner Beck, seconded by Commissioner Carr, and by the following roll
call, to wit:
AYES: Commissioners Beck, Carr, Lubin, and Tappan
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Deviny, Soto and Keen
The foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this 5th day of December 1995.
Staff advised the audience of the appeal period on this interpretation.
PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Tappan indicated that he had been impressed by the Planning Commissioner
Workshop he attended in San Luis Obispo. He felt it was well worth the time.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
1. Notice of the Grant of a Minor Exception Case No. 95 -020;
Applicant: B & W Management, at 146 Traffic Way.
2. Fair Political Practices Commission Bulletin from the State of California Volume 21,
Issue 5.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, on a motion by Commissioner Lubin,
seconded by Commissioner Beck, and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15
P.M. to the next regular meeting on December 19, 1995.
ATTEST:
tkil'<\)
uc le Breese, Commission Clerk
AS TO CONTENT:
Doreen Libe to- Blanck, Community Development Director
William Tappan, Vice Chairperson
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