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PC Minutes 1993-01-05ARROYO GRANDE PLANNING COMMISSION JANUARY 5, 1993 The Arroyo Grande Planning Commission met in regular session with Chairman Soto presiding. Present are Commissioners Moore, Tappan, Carr, and Reilly. Planning Director Doreen Liberto -Blanck is in attendance, as well as Michael Multari of Crawford, Multari & Starr and Juan Torres. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None PUBLIC HEARING - HOUSING ELEMENT - HOUSING NEEDS IN THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE Planning Director Doreen Liberto -Blanck provided some opening comments, then introduced Mike Multari, CMS, to give an overview on the draft Housing Element, for the Commission to receive comments from the public, and for the Planning Commission to discuss the items in the draft and provide Staff with comments and direction. She recommended that this public hearing be continued to January 19. Mike Multari advised the Commission that Juan Torres was seated with the Spanish - speaking people in the audience and would be translating for them. Mr. Multari then gave an overview of the policies, and programs in the draft dated December 22, 1992, for the City of Arroyo Grande by his firm. He pointed out that the Housing Element Update is necessary, as it is required by State law and it is the only part of the General Plan that is reviewed by the State, and the only part of the General Plan that has a deadline. He further advised that without the Housing Element certified by the State, the General Plan is considered inadequate by the State. One of the consequences of that is that you may not be eligible for various kinds of State monies related to housing. He further stated that timeliness was important. After the Planning Commission had an opportunity to review it, it would then go to the City Council. However, before it can be adopted by the City, it must be submitted to the State. Mr. Multari pointed out that figures showing that rental housing was far more realistic than for sale housing. He further stated that the Fair Share amount given to the City by the State was unrealistic, and they could not reach it, but the City was expected to try. He then presented a summary chart on a screen and made comments. Chairman Soto opened the public hearing. Evelyn Cooper of Avila Beach, who is the Chairperson of the South County Coalition for Human Service Needs, first spoke commending the Commission for recognizing the need for low cost housing. She stated she felt it was advantageous for Arroyo Grande to cooperate with the cities of Pismo Beach and Grover Beach in this endeavor. She gave her appreciation of the notice being printed in Spanish and suggested in the future some of these notices be put in laundromats and grocery stores, and other places where the Spanish population would most likely see them. Ms. Cooper thanked the Staff for their cooperation, and the City Manager for allowing them to have their first meeting in Council Chambers. Juan Torres, interpreting comments from Spanish into English for several people in the audience, stated their concerns were in purchasing rather than renting and what could be done in this area. Also, what does one do to procure the low cost rentals. Mr. Multari stated the Housing Element being discussed at this time would take time in producing such housing and suggested that for the immediate they should contact People's Self Help Housing in San Luis Obispo and the San Luis Obispo Housing Authority, Section 8 Housing, which included Arroyo Grande. Ed Dorfman of Arroyo Grande said that he felt the increase in building fees only made housing more costly for everyone and was not a good solution to the problems. With no further comments from the public, Commission Soto closed the public hearing and the Commissioners discussed the plan at length, making inquiries and offering suggestions. 411 412 Arroyo Grande Planning Commission Page 2 January 5, 1993 It was brought out that in A11 -A13, it was not clear if these were accumulative. Mr. Multari stated they were not, but perhaps a statement needs to be added for clarification. The actual building of the low cost housing with the monies accumulated was of concern; it could take years, when the problem needs solving sooner. Multari responded that this was true and no solution seemed to be available, but in San Luis Obispo, where it had taken ten years in one case, it was accomplished and people were now living in them. A concern was brought out regarding the possibility of someone intentionally making small subdivisions to avoid the "fewer than 12 units" mentioned in Al 1. Mr. Multari said he felt the Staff would catch this on the on -set of approval of plans presented to them. However, he stated a statement could be added that small sub - divisions would not be tolerated. Where else can monies be obtained was considered and discussed by the Commission. With many people renting out rooms in their homes, it was brought out that perhaps in some way these could be considered as low cost rentals. The building of new sites which would include grannies on the property to cover the builder's responsibility was considered. For Policy All -A13 a sliding scale was suggested, rather than the percentages. Staff will look into this with Mr. Multari. It was pointed out that we need a program to give guidance for the utilization of the fees. Concern regarding the monies needed for implementing the programs was expressed by the Planning Commission. Mr. Multari stated there really was none available until we got our first CDBG monies and could probably use some of it for implementation programs. Mr. Multari also stated the City would have to get outside help as the existing Staff was not large enough to do all the work. Chairman Soto suggested to Mr. Multari that he discuss the secondary unit item with someone like Mr. Dorfman to get a developer's point of view. Chairman Soto commended Mr. Multari for the presented plan, stating that there was much information in very few pages; and it was well done. On a motion by Commissioner Carr, seconded by Commissioner Moore, and unanimously carried, it was agreed to continue this item at the January 19, 1993 meeting. NON - PUBLIC HEARING - REQUEST FOR INTERPRETATION OF THE PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR A SECOND STORY WORK/STORAGE AREA AT 106 WEST BRANCH STREET, APPLICANT DAVID SEHER/VILLAGE DESIGN GALLERIES Planning Director Doreen Liberto -Blanck stated that at their recent meeting the Business Improvement Area Advisory Board had reservations, but said it might be appropriate. Applicant David Seher stated his reasons for needing to use the upstairs for his office and one other person; perhaps later applying for retail use upstairs. He further said he did not want to go through with a variance because of the cumbersome forms he was asked to fill out. Planning Director Doreen Liberto -Blanck asked him to come in and they would assist him with it. After a discussion by the commissioners, there were reservations about approving this item. It was therefore decided to present this to the public for their input. The following action was taken: RESOLUTION NO. 93 -1402 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE PROVIDING AN INTERPRETATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT CODE SECTION 9- 12.060, OFF STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR 106 WEST BRANCH STREET Arroyo Grande Planning Commission Page 3 January 5, 1993 On a motion by Commissioner Tappan, seconded by Commissioner Carr, and by the following roll call vote, to wit: AYES: Commissioners Moore, Tappan, Carr, Reilly, and Chairman Soto NOES: None ABSENT: None the foregoing #2 Resolution was passed and adopted this 5th day of January 1993. PLANNING DIRECTOR/PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Soto brought the first item to the commissioners attention regarding the Memorandum from the Public Works Director, and proposed the Resolution be adopted and sent on to the City Council. During the discussion of this item, Commissioner Carr suggested that on page 5, a period be inserted after "guidelines" and the rest of the sentence be deleted. The following action was taken: WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None ATTEST,. RESOLUTION NO. 93 -1403 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE ESTABLISHING POLICIES AND GUIDELINES REGARDING PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL AYES: Commissioners Moore, Tappan, Carr, Reilly, and Chairman Soto NOES: None ABSENT: None On a motion by Commissioner Carr, seconded by Commissioner Tappan, and by the following roll call vote, to with: the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this 5th day of January 1993. After it was agreed to approve the Resolution and send it to the City Council, with further discussion the Commission approved an addition presented by Commissioner Carr, as follows: "Approval with the added direction to the Staff that an outline of a process be developed and presented to the City Council that would indicate that the affected Department Head would meet with the Planning Director to make a determination whether proposed change would have a significant environmental impact and whether the change is within the scope of the condition and, if either of them don't concur in that, that the item would be brought back to the Commission or the City Council or that the Applicant would be asked to request a change." Planning Director Doreen Liberto -Blanck stated that Items B, C and D were self - explanatory. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, on a motion by Commissioner Carr, seconded by Commissioner Tappan, and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 10:10 P.M. Nancy Bro yh, Commission Clerk o oto, hairman 4.13;