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PC Minutes 1993-10-19ARROYO GRANDE PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 19, 1993 The Arroyo Grande Planning Commission met in regular session with Chairman Carr presiding. Present are Commissioners Soto, Reilly, Deviny, and Keen. Absent are Commissioners Tappan and Hatchett. Planning Director Doreen Liberto- Blanck and Current Planner Scott Spierling are in attendance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of October 5, 1993 minutes was continued to the special meeting on November 2, 1993 at 7 :00 P.M. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None PUBLIC HEARING - LOT MERGER CASE NO. 93-510 AND LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT CASE NO. 93 -511 AT 1014 ASH STREET, APPLICANT IS CHARLES BLANKEN Commissioner Soto left Council Chambers due to a conflict of interest. Current Planner Spierling gave an overview on this item to the Commissioners. By using the overhead projector, he explained how the requested merger and line adjustment would affect this property. He gave reasons for recommending that Item 6 of the General Conditions requiring underground utilities be deleted and that the Resolution then be adopted. Chairman Carr opened the public hearing. There being no response from the audience, Chairman Carr closed the public hearing. After a brief discussion by the Commissioners, the following action, with the deletion of Item 6 under General Conditions, was taken: RESOLUTION NO. 93 -1437 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING LOT MERGER CASE NO. 93 -510, LOCATED AT 1014 ASH STREET, APPLIED FOR BY CHARLES BLANKEN On notion by Commissioner Reilly, seconded by Commissioner Deviny, and by the following roll call vote, to wit: AYES: Commissioners Reilly, Deviny, Keen, and Chairman Carr NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioners Tappan, Soto and Hatchett 1 1 1 1 1 1 Arroyo Grande Planning Commission Page 2 October 19, 1993 Then the following action was taken: RESOLUTION NO. 93 -1438 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF TILE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT CASE NO. 93 -511 LOCATED AT 1014 ASH STREET APPLIED FOR BY CHARLES BLANKEN On motion by Commissioner Reilly, seconded by Commissioner Deviny, and by the following roll call vote, to wit: AYES: Commissioners Reilly, Deviny, Keen, and Chairman Carr NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioners Tappan, Soto and Hatchett the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this 19th day of October 1993. PUBLIC HEARING - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT CASE NO. 93 -511, LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT, CASE NO. 93 -509, VARIANCE CASE NO. 93 -180, VARIANCE CASE NO. 93 -181, VARIANCE CASE NO. 93 -179, AND PLANNED SIGN PROGRAM CASE NO. 93 -109 AT 1650 GRAND AVENUE, APPLICANT IS THE VONS COMPANY Current Planner Spierling made a presentation on this item, indicating on several slides the various aspects of this project. He explained the reasons for the requested items for approval and how they related to the present City codes. Current Planner Spierling advised the Commission that the environmental study was not yet complete and, although any community concerns or questions from the Commissioners and /or the public were welcome, Staff was not prepared to make a presentation on the environmental issues at this time. He ended his presentation by recommending that, after concerns and comments were made, this item be continued. Chairman Carr opened the public hearing, inviting applicant to speak. Tom Courtney stated he appreciated the constructive criticisms Vons received at various City meetings, and that they utilized these in their plans. As Mr. Courtney said he felt Current Planner Spierling gave a thorough presentation, he would briefly point out various aspects of the project, which he did. Raymond MacKenzie, 1911 Moss Beach Court, Grover Beach, said he wanted to see the oak trees preserved. He presented 35 signed petitions from neighbors desiring to protect the oak tree. He also presented 65 signatures he obtained from customers of the existing Williams Brothers Market who were expressing their desire to save this same tree. Mr. MacKenzie said he felt that if the trees did have to go, much more could be done than the present mitigation. Arroyo Grande Planning Commission Page 3 October 19, 1993 He suggested that Vons sponsor an acorn seeding program because, according to the people he talked with, oak trees grown from potted plants are not nearly as long lasting, nor do they grow to the height and girth of the ones grown from acorns. He also suggested that the City publicize in the newspaper the landmark tree ordinance to inform people about it and then possibly the Planning Department obtain brochures from the University of California system to provide people with information on how to care for their oak trees. Mr. MacKenzie also expressed concern about added traffic causing danger to children residing in the area of Courtland and Brighton. He suggested that Vons consider moving their proposed building and truck turnaround to avoid traffic going in and out of the residential area. He brought out that at the time of consideration for the bowling alley, someone suggested that some posts be put up to cause traffic to go to Grand, rattier than go up Courtland. Ann Steele, 873 Saratoga, Grover Beach stated she was concerned with this project. She pointed out the traffic congestion that would occur and accidents increase during heavy rains. Another issue she raised was the lack of open space in this area and how a long row of buildings would make the area extremely commercial looking and not conducive to a liveable lifestyle. Ms. Steele raised concern about diesel exhaust causing pollution for the adjacent residents possibly causing health problems. She ended by stating her concern the removal of the oak trees. Ken Watson of 230 Fallen Leaf Drive in Santa Maria spoke. He stated he was the owner of the vacant lot on the North side of the project, paralleling Brighton, and that he also has an oak tree on his property. He wanted to know how the crib wall might affect the life of his tree. Mr. Watson also wanted to know how high the crib wall would be, what the hours of the operation of this store would be, how long would the signs be on at night, when would deliveries be made in the back (because of the noise impact), and how the height of the building would affect the view from his side. Mr. Watson further stated that, as a handicapped person, he was also interested in Vons' compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Nel Langford of 871 Stratford, Pismo Beach, felt the oak trees should be saved, suggesting Vons build around them. She further stated that if the trees had to be chopped down, they should do a lot more to make up for it than what they were proposing. Walt Weidman, Peace Lutheran Church, wanted to know how the 41 foot height elevation would affect their buildings. Chairman Carr said that at this time the Commission was not prepared to answer that question, but would be at the next meeting. Current Planner Spierling showed on a slide what the view impact would be. John Keen stated that the elevation of the finished floor is 99 feet and he would like to know what the elevation is at the center of Brighton Street behind it and also the floor of the church. Bob McGraw, 1921 Moss Beach Court, Grover Beach, stated that he was supportive of trying to save the oak trees. He was very concerned about the amount of variances for signs, landscaping, height of the building, etc. that were requested. He pointed out that the City makes plans and sets rules and regulations for people to comply with and that Vons was aware of these when they began planning this project. He pointed out that the large trucks coming out of Lucky's many times have to drive onto the sidewalk because of the small turnaround. Mr. McGraw ended by saying that what is built is often very different from what was presented originally and asked that this be taken into consideration. 1 1 1 1 1 1 Arroyo Grande Planning Commission Page 4 October 19, 1993 With no further comments from the audience, Chairman Carr closed the public hearing, inviting Mr. Courtney to answer any of the comments presented by the public or that the commissioners bring out. Commissioner Soto stated he envisioned two more meetings; one because of the missing information regarding height, traffic, etc. He also wanted to know the width of Oak Park Boulevard by Grand Avenue and how many lanes of traffic Grover Beach is proposing. That first meeting would be to review the information and then the next meeting for the finalization. Commissioner Keen said he needed to see the expanded study, stating he believed a lot of his concerns and questions would be answered in that study. Commissioner Deviny was in agreement with Commissioner Keen regarding the need for the study. He expressed his concerns about the drainage retention. Will it be free draining with no possibility of turning stagnant? Commissioner Reilly stated the landscaping was well designed, but expressed her concern about the variance; i.e. what if Courtland is widened in the future. She suggested the possibility of blocking off Courtland and it become a dead end street at Brighton. Commissioner Reilly pointed out that at the initial meeting someone stated that although the Lucky's trucks were not supposed to go that way, they did. She discussed the variance for the sign -- a 233 square foot sign rather than the Development Code maximum size of 70 square feet -- is a big change. She wondered what the size of Lucky's and the existing Williams Bros. on Elm were in comparison to the 233 square foot sign requested. Commissioner Reilly further stated that the height request also troubled her, pointing out that the store would readily be seen without the necessity of such a large sign. She questioned if the drainage, which was going to be perpendicular to Grand Avenue rather than parallel, counted as part of the landscaping. Commissioner Reilly felt the tree was beautiful and it would be wonderful if it could be saved. She did state, however, that she did not believe it would be aesthetically pleasing to have the building close to Grand Avenue. She ended by inquiring what Vons' long -range plan is regarding the Elm Street store after this one opens, and what kind of influence Vons will have on the decision as to what will be done on that site. Commissioner Soto pointed out that though several people brought out the number of variances requested, what needed to be put in perspective was how many business could have been put on this site and then how many signs would be needed. He felt everyone needed to keep in mind that this was, in fact, a huge project and their request for variances was because it is a single business. Commissioner Soto also pointed out that the Arroyo Grande hospital tried to save several oak trees by building around them without much success. He stated that though he too would like to see oak trees saved, the success ratio when trying to do this needed to be considered. He then inquired about the City requiring street trees and was this site under that requirement. He pointed out that the public is not aware that the City is very concerned about trees and that John Kejsler, the Director of Parks and Recreation, is a certified arborist. He indicated that perhaps the public should be enlightened of these facts. Arroyo Grande Planning Commission Page 5 October 19, 1993 Chairman Carr said he felt that they had received excellent public testimony. He recalled that sotneone stated there were 300 to 400 signatures on a petition regarding the bowling alley and he did not recall that it was that many, saying this should be checked into. He further stated that as he remembered the oak trees were not involved, because they were not going to be removed. Chairman Carr asked for a more definitive response as to why the building could not be placed closer to Grand Avenue. He had some concerns about the parking lot at the corner of Grand and Oak Park in that people would not park that far away to go to the store. He was further concerned about the viewshed from the church and how the design will deal with someone living in an apartment behind the store and looking at the roof of the building, including the view of the back of the store. He said he drove behind the existing store and saw what the people at the church viewed and was concerned with what the new market would produce. His other concerns included whether Oak Park will be widened and will Courtland be widened. He wondered, as Commissioner Reilly had suggested, what the impact would be if Courtland was closed off. Chairman Carr further stated that idling diesel trucks presented a problem and should be limited. He questioned how the existing sloped retaining wall behind the existing store would be handled in the new project. Other than landscaping, could something else be done architecturally to break it up. The last cotnment Chairman Carr raised was the oak tree issue, saying that he felt an oak tree mitigation like planting acorns and working with UC was a good suggestion. He stated he did not feel it would be very costly. Commissioner Reilly inquired about the hours of delivery at the existing store. Mr. McIntyre of Vons responded that he did not know at this time, but that they would cooperate with the City on this. Ann Steele then presented the question of what the proposed hours would be at the new store. Tom Courtney again spoke in rebuttal to several of the concerns presented regarding such the architectural design, oak trees, etc. Jim McIntyre, representing Vons, spoke regarding the different placements of the building they had considered and why they were not feasible. A smaller store, he continued, would not allow them to compete with Smith's. An arbor in the middle of the store with the oak trees within it was considered, but the cost was prohibitive. Then they learned about the declining condition of the trees. Regarding the maintenance behind the present store, he felt it was not a fair evaluation to compare that to the type of maintenance they do with their Vons' designed present stores. He said they will have an enclosed trash compactor that is accessible only from the interior of the store. The refuse is placed on a belt from the interior of the store, which pumps it into an enclosed tank, which is on a trailer. It is sealed, then picked up and removed. He added that they do not put anything in the back except for some pallets in the dock area, but pointed out that the dock area is enclosed. The only access to that dock area is from the back of the trucks and they will be sealed up against the dock openings. Mr. McIntyre said that because of the above, the back should be kept clean and, if it is not, they would be sure to take appropriate action. He then said that Mr. Courtney would discuss the height elevations along Courtland Street, stating that their building is recessed at the very back portion, i.e. 18 to 20 feet below the property to the rear. Regarding the store's hours he said that was up to operating management and they most likely would like to have it at least as many as Lucky's present hours. 1 1 1 1 1 1 Arroyo Grande Planning Commission Page 6 October 19, 1993 Chairman Carr then closed public response. He then asked Staff for closing comments. Current Planner Spierling responded that of the issues raised, most were environmental and he did not feel that the environmental studies would be available by November 2nd. On a motion by Commissioner Keen, seconded by Commissioner Reilly, and unanimously carried, this item will be continued to the special meeting on November 16, 1993. PUBLIC HEARING - AMEND THE DEVELOPMENT CODE TO CLARIFY TABLE 9- 07030 AND ADD A NEW SECTION IN CIIAPTER 9 -07 EXPLAINING WHEN A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT IS NEEDED (REZONE CASE NO. 93 -001), APPLICANT IS THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE Planning Director Liberto - Blanck explained the many people believe, after looking at Table 9- 07.030-A, all commercial uses require a Conditional Use Permit. This is not the case though. As part of the Economic Development Committee, she has been working with Gee Gee Soto and David Loomis on a better way to present when a Conditional Use Permit is required. Discussion was held by the Commissioners and the consensus was that Table 9- 07.030 -A needed more clarification. Chairman Carr made some suggestions and Planning Director Liberto - Blanck said she would implement these and present a revised table to the wording Commission. Chairman Carr opened the public hearing. With no comments from the audience, Chairman Carr closed the public hearing. On a motion by Commissioner Deviny seconded by Commissioner Reilly, and unanimously carried that this item be continued to the special meeting on November 2, 1993 in order to give Staff an opportunity to present this amendment incorporating suggestions made by the Commissioners. PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS AND COMMENTS A brief discussion was held about the memorandum from the City Manager Chris Christiansen on the St. Patrick's Festival. Planning Director Liberto - Blanck informed the Commission that in the future they would be required to procure a Temporary Use Permit for this function. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS The Commissioners briefly discussed items that had been presented to them, including a letter from Barbara Jacobs regarding the Vons project. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, on a motion by Commissioner Deviny, seconded by Commissioner Reilly, and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 9:55 P.M. to the special meeting of November 2, 1993 at 7:00 P.M. ATTEST: Nancy Bro�sion Clerk Robert W. Carr, Chairman