PC Minutes 1994-11-011
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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.
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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
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