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PC Minutes 1994-11-011 1 1 ARROYO GRANDE PLANNING COMMISSION NOVEMBER 1, 1994 The Arroyo Grande Planning Commission met in regular session with Chairperson Keen presiding. Present are Commissioners Tappan, Soto, Carr, and Hatchett. Absent is Commissioner Deviny. Current Planner Scott Spierling is in attendance. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None APPROVAL OF MINUTES On a motion by Commissioner Carr, seconded by Commissioner Tappan, and unanimously carried, the minutes of September 20, 1994 with two minor corrections and the minutes of October 4, 1994 were approved. PUBLIC HEARING - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT CASE NO. 94 -525 TO CONVERT 2266 SQUARE FEET OF STORAGE AREA IN AN EXISTING BUILDING TO RETAIL LEASE SPACE AT 106 WEST BRANCH STREET, APPLICANTS ARE DUANE ASHTON AND DON CHRISTIANSON Current Planner Spierling showed on the overhead projector the area that was presently used for storage and was now being proposed for retail use. He went on to explain the parking requirements and the request submitted by the applicant. Chairperson Keen opened the public hearing. Mark Vasquez, representing the applicants, stated that they were agreeable to the conditions and that he was there primarily to answer any questions. With no further comments from the audience, Chairperson Keen closed the public hearing. Commissioners asked about the 70% ratio for common parking allowed in the Development Code and what that actually meant in spaces on this particular project. Current Planner Spierling stated that the 70% amounted to 23 -1/2 spaces and that the applicant now had 21 -1/2 spaces. If the applicants were required to provide a minimum of 70% shared parking, they would have to reduce the area of their proposed retail use area by 600 square feet; the equivalent to 2 parking spaces. After further discussion by the Commissioners on this item, the following action was taken: RESOLUTION NO. 94 -1488 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT CASE NO. 94-525, AT 106 WEST BRANCH STREET; APPLIED FOR BY DUANE ASHTON AND DON CHRISTIANSON; ADOPTION OF A NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND INSTRUCTION THAT THE SECRETARY FILE A NOTICE OF DETERMINATION Arroyo Grande Planning Commission Page 2 November 1, 1994 On motion by Commissioner Carr, seconded by Commissioner Soto, and by the following roll call vote, to wit: AYES: Commissioners Tappan, Soto, Carr, Hatchett and Chairperson Keen NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Deviny the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this 1st day of November 1994. PUBLIC HEARING - ADOPT DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR HISTORIC DISTRICTS IN THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE, APPLICANT IS THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE Current Planner Spierling presented this item to the Commission, pointing out that there are three distinct areas involved as historic districts and that these are handled separately in the guidelines. He also informed the Commissioners that these guidelines had been reviewed by the Chamber of Commerce, the Arroyo Grande Parking and Business Improvement Area Advisory Board, the Village Improvement Association, and the Architectural Advisory Committee, the latter critiquing these guidelines several times. Current Planner Spierling discussed how these guidelines would be used in existing and new structures in the future. He then showed the three different areas on the overhead projector. Current Planner Spierling stated that the project had been advertised in the newspaper and only one response has been received from the public, namely Mark Vasquez, but that his comments would not necessitate changes in the guidelines, but perhaps might prompt changes in the Development Code. He ended by stating that Staff recommended approval of the Resolution before them repealing the current guidelines and adopting the new Design Guidelines for Historic Districts. Chairperson Keen opened the public hearing. Mark Vasquez, 307 Mason Street, began by saying the Design Guidelines were very good, but that he had a few items to present. He stated that he had some concerns that are in the Development Code and that these new Design Guidelines brought them out. Mr. Vasquez went on to say that one of these was the 14 -foot height limit on a detached garage, which is encouraged by the Design Guidelines. Another difficulty he pointed out was that with property of a narrow width a five foot setback is difficult and suggested that in some cases a three foot setback would be better. The last item of concern Mr. Vasquez mentioned was the driveway access to the rear in that the 12 -foot requirement was a good width, but on a small scale situation, it presents difficulties. He ended by suggesting that perhaps the Planning Staff could have more flexibility in these issues that come up in the Village area, rather than the necessity of obtaining a variance which is costly and time consuming. Chairperson Keen stated his concern about only a 3 -foot setback because if two garages were side by side it could be a fire hazard as many fires seem to be in garages. Mr. Vasquez responded that perhaps some fire protection requirements could be required as a trade off if the 3 -foot setback were allowed. 1 1 1 1 1 1 Arroyo. Grande Planning Commission Page 3 November 1, 1994 With no further comments from the audience, Chairperson Keen closed the public hearing. Commissioner Tappan said he felt the guidelines were just that -- guidelines and if specific problems came up there were avenues available to rectify that problem. He also stated that he was pleased with the guidelines presented. Commissioner Carr stated that the guidelines looked fine to him, but was interested to hear what Scott might comment regarding what Mark Vasquez had presented. He also suggested that as time allows perhaps the Development Code could be reviewed so it would more readily accommodate these guidelines and as Mr. Vasquez suggested, perhaps these items he presented need to be looked at citywide. Current Planner Spierling responded that Mr. Vasquez's remarks were well taken and that the modern standards might not be workable in these historic areas. Commissioner Soto then brought up the possible necessity of a new code section to which Mr. Spierling stated that there is the Village zoning and in Village Commercial and Village Residential Districts the setbacks could be decreased. Current Planner Spierling said he would first want to discuss these possible changes with the other City departments to be sure there were no problems. Commissioner Hatchett asked if we had a master plan to show what Arroyo Grande would look like in 20 years using an example of a landscaper having a plan of what the end product would look like, though done in bits and pieces. Current Planner Spierling said that this was outlined in the General Plan of the City, and refined in the Development Code and Design Guidelines. Chairperson Keen agreed that the guidelines were well done and that he was in agreement with Commissioner Carr's suggestions that the Development Code should be modified to meet some of the needs that these guidelines set forth in historic districts. The following action was then taken: RESOLUTION NO. 94 -1489 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL REPEAL THE 1985 "DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR THE ARROYO GRANDE VILLAGE" AND ADOPT THE "DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR HISTORIC DISTRICTS" On motion by Commissioner Soto, seconded by Commissioner Tappan, and by the following roll call vote, to wit: AYES: Commissioners Tappan, Soto, Carr, Hatchett and Chairperson Keen NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Deviny the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this 1st day of November 1994. Arroyo Grande Planning Commission Page 4 November 1, 1994 NON - PUBLIC HEARING - SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY MASTER PLAN TO REDUCE DRUG AND ALCOIIOL ABUSE Chairperson Keen reported that the Planning Commission have asked the Arroyo Grande Police Department for their comments, but they were not ready at this time. Therefore this item would be continued. PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS AND COMMENTS Current Planner Spierling stated that during the approval process for People's Self -Help Housing there was some discussion about observing some of their projects either by a field trip or a list provided for observation on an individual basis. After discussion among the Commissioners, it was decided that Staff would arrange for a field trip and also a list with a map would be provided for the Planning Commission members to use if they so choose. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Chairperson Keen noted the following handouts at this meeting: 1. City Council Minutes, October 11, 1994 meeting. 2. Legislative Bulletin from League of California Cities dated October 18, 1994. 3. Memorandum from SLOCOG dated October 26, 1994. 4. New Project referral for Bartleson Ranch Golf Course - County of San Luis Obispo ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, on a motion by Commissioner Soto, seconded by Commissioner Carr, and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 P.M. to the regular meeting on November 15, 1994. ATTEST: nos, Nancy Bro n, Commission Clerk J n Keen, Orperson 1 1