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PC Minutes 1994-12-06ARROYO GRANDE PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 6, 1994 The Arroyo Grande Planning Commission met in regular session with Chairperson Keen presiding. Present are Commissioners Tappan, Soto, Carr, Deviny, and Beck. Absent is Commissioner Hatchett. Planning Director Liberto - Blanck is in attendance. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Tracy Thomas, 1152 Outland Court, presented copies of her four -page letter with attachments to the Planning Commission. Ms. Thomas read her letter in which she stated errors she felt had been made concerning the Rancho Grande Park/Elder Plan project. PUBLIC HEARING - EXPANDED INITIAL STUDY AND MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION ON THE PROPOSED 10 ACRE RANCHO GRANDE PARK (ELDER PLAN), INCLUDING PLAY FIELDS, TENNIS COURTS, PLAY AREAS AND PUBLIC FACILITIES; RANCHO GRANDE PARK (ELDER PLAN) PROJECT APPROVAL LOCATED SOUTH OF JAMES WAY BETWEEN RANCHO PARKWAY AND RODEO DRIVE, APPLICANT IS THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE Planning Director Liberto - Blanck presented this item to the Planning Commission noting that there have been four Planning Commission public hearings and two City Council public hearings; with the City Council adopting a Resolution approving a mitigated negative declaration for the alternative Rancho Grande Park Plan in 1993. Since then, Ms. Liberto - Blanck stated, the City retained Ted Elder to modify this plan to implement the mitigation measures adopted by the City Council in 1993; this subsequent amended plan is now referred to as "The Elder Plan ". In addition, Planning Director Liberto - Blanck reported that the Parks and Recreation Commission held three public hearings and on May 18, 1994 they unanimously recommended The Elder Plan to the Planning Commission. Planning Director Liberto - Blanck mentioned various items that were eliminated, added, moved and improvements which are listed in detail in the Staff Report of December 6, 1994. Ms. Liberto - Blanck ended her presentation by apprising the Commission of the two alternatives of either continuing with the meeting or seeking direction from the new City Council. The Commissioners discussed the two alternatives. Commissioner Carr said The Elder Plan was a good compromise, but he supported alternative 2 due to the change in the City Council. He said his preference would be to ask the City Council to provide them with direction before a public hearing is conducted. At this time, Commissioner Carr continued, a public hearing would not likely serve a useful purpose. Commissioner Soto agreed that a public hearing would only be going over old ground and that the Commission needed direction from the City Council. Commissioner Tappan said that because this item was advertised as a public hearing, there might be someone present who might not be able to attend a later public hearing and speak. He also felt the Planning Commission might receive public input which would assist the City Council. Commissioner Deviny said he agreed with Commissioner Tappan, and wanted to hear from the public and perhaps receive new input. 1 1 1 1 1 1 Arroyo Grande Planning Commission Page 2 December 6, 1994 Commissioner Beck stated being new on the Commission she had not heard any previous testimony other than what she read and it might be useful for her, but she also felt the Commission needed to take into consideration the new City Council. Chairperson Keen said he agreed with Commissioner Carr that further direction from the new City Council was needed and no more staff time should be spent on this issue. He also stated the consultant was not present at this meeting, which could be a hindrance. On a motion by Commissioner Carr, seconded by Commissioner Soto, with a four to two vote, this item was referred to the City Council for policy direction. The consensus of the Commission was not to deliberate further on this item, but rather to send the whole package to the City Council. In response to a question from the audience, City Attorney Roger Lyon responded that because of the motion by the Planning Commission, there would be no public hearing this evening, but before the negative declaration could be considered for adoption, it will have to be re- scheduled and re- advertised for public hearing. NON - PUBLIC HEARING - PRE - APPLICATION REVIEW FOR SIX UNIT PLANNED DEVELOPMENT AT 260 ROBLES ROAD, APPLICANT IS PACE BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION Commissioner Tappan left the dais due to a conflict of interest. Planning Director Liberto - Blanck, gave an overview of this project. She pointed out issues such as the carports and parking requirements. Ms. Liberto - Blanck outlined on a posted map the consideration of a curved curb in lieu of curbs, gutters, and sidewalks in part of the frontage area. John Keisler, Director of Parks and Recreation, stated there were two oak trees; one would remain and one that was not healthy would be removed with the applicant supplying three 24" box oak trees as replacements for the one removed. Mr. Keisler also referred to the Morton Bay fig tree, which he believed was the only one of its kind in the City. Scott Pace, applicant, stated he was available to answer questions. Chairperson Keen said he would have preferred to see elevations of the roof design in order to address the carport design. He stated that there was no parking allowed on Robles Road; therefore visitor parking had to be inside the project. Another issue Mr. Keen pointed out was trash collection. Commissioner Soto expressed concern with P.U.D.'s as a policy issue, stating he feels the City Council should clarify some points on P.U.D's. He feels that the proposed RV Ordinance should address RV parking and storage in the Multi - family zone. He also questioned whether second units could be constructed in the Multi - family zone. Arroyo Grande Planning Commission Page 3 December 6, 1994 Commissioner Carr said he had some concerns regarding P.U.D.'s, though they were good for providing lower cost homes and suggested conditions might be added preventing satellite dishes, second residential units, and so forth. Mr. Carr also stated his concern regarding visitor parking. Commissioner Beck stated her concern about the narrowness of Robles Road and the added traffic in this area by having six units with three cars per unit. Mr. Pace responded that it was his understanding that the previous use was a house with four apartments in the back of the house. Commissioner Deviny agreed with Chairperson Keen that it was difficult to comment without being provided with more elevations; mainly the front of the units and the relationship between the carports and Robles Road. Mr. Deviny went on to say he was concerned with visitor parking and possible Fire Department access problems. Planning Director Liberto - Blanck read some preliminary comments from the Fire Department regarding this concern. Mr. Deviny ended by stating the project would be a good land use transition, if it is done right. Scott Pace expressed concern that his architect had about the six foot dedication for side walks, asking whether he could consider a six foot setback, bringing it to fourteen feet. Commissioner Carr responded that if the design was appropriate, he thought it could work. Mr. Carr asked how the Morton Bay fig tree fit into the area. Mr. Pace responded that the tree would be about eight feet from the sidewalk. Parks and Recreation Director Keisler said that there were some measures that were being considered to protect this tree. In summation, Commissioner Carr stated he agreed the Morton Bay fig tree should be saved; the oak tree replaced by three box trees; that the architectural style the Architectural Advisory Committee recommended was good; and there should be five units, not six. Mr. Pace responded that five units would increase the price per unit by an additional $20,000. Planning Director Liberto - Blanck reminded the Planning Commission that these were only preliminary comments, and no formal decision had been made. Commissioner Tappan returned to the dais. PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS AND COMMENTS Planning Director Liberto - Blanck asked the Planning Commission if they wanted to cancel the next regular meeting on December 20, 1994. On a motion by Commissioner Soto, seconded by Commissioner Tappan, with six approving and one no, the regular meeting of December 20, 1994 was canceled. 1 1 1 1 1 Arroyo Grande Planning Commission Page 4 December 6, 1994 WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Chairperson Keen noted the following handouts given at this meeting: ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, on a motion by Commissioner Soto, seconded by Commissioner Beck, and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M. ATTEST: Letter from Leona L. Lewis regarding Rancho Grande Park. Letter from Arthur and Marsile McCoubrey regarding Rancho Grande Park. Notice of a Public Hearing and an Initial Study from the City of Grover Beach on an application for a Zone Change and Tentative Tract Map located at 1900 -2000 Farroll Road. Nancy Brow ommission Clerk Joh een, Chain -rson 1 1 1