PC Minutes 1988-09-06474
ARROYO GRANDE PLANNING COMMISSION
September 6, 1988
The Arroyo Grande Planning Commission met in regular session with Chairman Soto
presiding. Present are Commissions Flores, Moore, Scott, Boggess and Gerrish.
Absent is Commissioner Olsen. Also in attendance are Planning Director Liberto-
Blanck, Current Planner Lanning, Long Range Planner Bierdzinski, and Public Works
Director Paul Karp.
MINUTE APPROVAL
Hearing no additions or corrections, the minutes of the Planning Commission
meeting of July 19, 1988 were approved as submitted, on motion by Commissioner
Gerrish, seconded by Commissioner Moore, and unanimously carried.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS WAS CONTINUED until a full Commission is present.'
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING - GPA 88 -3 AMENDMENT TO THE CIRCULATION ELEMENT AND
REZONING CASE NO. 88 -207 TO AMEND PD ORDINANCE 140 C.S. REALIGNMENT OF WEST
BRANCH STREET THROUGH AN EXISTING DRAINAGE FACILITY /AMEND ORDINANCE 140 C.S. TO
REZONE PORTIONS OF OAK PARK ACRES TO ALLOW A ROAD THROUGH AN AREA DESIGNATED OPEN
SPACE.
Keith Gurnee, RRM Design Group, representing Pete Miller, spoke regarding the
report that was distributed to the Commissioners and Planning Department.
Mr. Gurnee gave a summary of the report. Two new alternatives were added to the
report for evaluation - Alternatives 1 -C and alternative 3. He stated there are
three alternatives that can work, given certain considerations.
Ken Anderson, Omni Means, stated he worked jointly on this project with Steve
Jepson, DKS and Associates. Mr. Anderson went through the six (6) alternatives
that exist, using the overhead projector, including the completion and widening
of the West Branch Street, closure of the southbound Oak Park ramps, the
construction of the 12th Street hook ramps with widening of El Camino Real
between Oak Park and the ramps, widening to six lanes the Oak Park overcrossing,
eventually the construction, Brisco Road undercrossing, widening of El Camino
between Brisco and the Halcyon ramp with the intent there to also realign El
Camino to reconstructing southbound on and off ramps at that location. These
improvements are all part of the six alternatives that are available. The total
price for the alternatives range from the low of roughly 15.2 millon to roughly
20 million dollars.
Chairman Soto asked for comments and any open discussion.
Commissioner Gerrish had questions regarding Alternative 2b and other questions
regarding reverse curves.
Ken Anderson went over the 3 alternatives that appear to show promise and what
the constraints are associated with each one.
Public Works Director Paul Karp and Commissioner Gerrish both had questions
regarding alternative 3 and the fact that this alternative was being recommended
according to Page 67 of the Report.
Keith Gurnee stated that no recommendations are being made this evening.
Bill Summermeyer, Civil Engineer - stated his concerns regarding the financing
of the alternatives and making sure that the choice of alternatives is not
substandard.
Ella Honeycutt, 560 Oak Hill Road - stated her concerns on how we have all these
problems, when they were all supposed to have been addressed 10 or more years
ago under CEQA.
Planning Director Doreen Liberto - Blanck reviewed the staff report giving a little
historical background. This item was continued from June 21 and July 5 by the
Planning Commission at that time you wanted to receive the traffic report that
you have before you tonight. On August 17, 1988, a joint meeting between
Pismo Beach and Arroyo Grande was held to receive further technical information
regarding the project.
Basically after looking at all the information that has been presented, staff
cannot recommend a Negative Declaration on this item. We still feel that there
are at least two problems that must be highlighted; No. 1, the realignment of
West Branch, the potential safety problems with the realignment as proposed, and
No. 2, the problem that Department of Fish and Game has not indicated that the
proposed pond should be drained at any particular time.
Arroyo Grande Planning Commission, 09/06/88 Page 2
Dave Watson, Director of Public Services stated Pismo Beach believes that the
northbound ramps to replace the Brisco Road interchange must occur north of that
undercrossing. He also discussed points in his letter, the DKS report, and staff
report.
Austin Carlton - Assistant Planning Engineer from Caltrans stated that Caltrans
is in favor of Alternate 2 -A, and he explained why. He also spoke on financing.
Chairman Soto asked Mr Carlton if the relocation of West Branch Street was
required in order to keep that northbound and southbound on and off ramp.
Mr. Carlton stated that it is required because the way the geometics are now it
would be intolerable in the future, when you have full traffic build out in that
area. In speaking on finances, Mr. Carlton stated that as it stands now they
are doing very little interchange financing. He did state that he assumed that
they still have money for Oak Park. He briefly discussed hook ramps.
George Curtis, resident of Oak Park Leisure Gardens, voiced his concerns in
regards to the retention ponds.
Ron DiCarli advised that funds are still programmed for Oak Park about 2.6
million. He suggested that decisions be made only after going over the new
additional information.
Public Works Director Paul Karp reviewed what has been proposed over the years
since 1977 until now. He stated that he still cannot recommend approval of an
offset at West Branch Street.
Marie Cottoir, 195 Orchid Lane, stated that she feels there is no such thing as
a negative declaration and voiced her concerns on how things had been done and
were now being done.
Edward Gordon, new resident (from Orange County), stated it is his understanding
that in Orange County the developers are paying for a very large part of the
planned freeways.
There being no further comments from the audience Chairman Soto declared the
public hearing closed.
Chairman Soto commented that in past few weeks they have had all kinds of
information given to them. The basic decision to be made is what are we going
to do with the proposed West Branch Street realignment.
Commissioner Clark Moore stated that he wants to see a frontage road developed
in Pismo Beach. He also voiced his concerns about the ponds.
Commissioner Boggess agreed with Commissioner Moore in regards to the frontage
road and the ponds. Commissioner Boggess also stated his concerns with the
double reverse curve and this reduced speed and signalization.
Commissioner Gerrish, Scott and Flores also agreed with most of Commissioner
Moore's comments.
Commissioner Boggess stated that there seems to be some difficulties on how we
review EIR's individually and how we lack cumulative data on the impact of
various projects. His main concern in regards to West Branch is the safety
element.
After further discussion, the following action was taken:
RESOLUTION NO. 88 -1200
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF ARROYO GRANDE RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL
DISAPPROVAL OF GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. GPA 88 -3
AND PD REZONING CASE NO. 88 -207 RELATING TO THE
REALIGNMENT OF WEST BRANCH STREET
On motion of Commissioner Gerrish, seconded by Commissioner Flores, and
by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: Commissioners Scott, Flores, Boggess, Moore, Gerrish and Chairman
Soto
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Olsen
the foregoing Resolution was adopted this 6th day of September 1988.
475
476
Arroyo Grande Planning Commission, 09/06/88 Page 3
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING - REVISE ARTICLE 41 OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE DEALING WITH
THE VIEWSHED REVIEW PERMIT PROCESS.
Long Range Planner Bierdzinski advised this item was before the Planning
Commission on August 16, 1988 and at that time staff requested direction from
the Planning Commission on how to handle simplifying the Viewshed Review Permit
process. Staff has provided three Attachments, A, B, and C. It is proposed that
the Planning Director review all the Viewshed Review Permits and be allowed to
approve the permits in cases where there is no obvious obstruction of view and
there is no adverse comments from adjacent property owners. Notices of the
intent to construct would be sent to property owners within 150 feet rather than
the 300 foot radius. The initial fee for a Viewshed Review Permit is reduced
from $100.00 to $50.00. If a public hearing is necessary before the Planning
Commission, then an additional $50.00 fee will be charged. Applicants would be
required to supply three (3) copies of site plans, elevations, and sections
instead of the ten (10) now required.
Upon being assured by the Commission Clerk that the above item had been properly
advertised and property owners notified, Commissioner Soto opened the public
hearing for testimony.
With no comments from the audience for or against the revision, Chairman Soto
declared the public hearing closed and limited comments to the Commission.
Planning Director Liberto - Blanck stated that after sending out notices to the
adjacent property owners, if somebody indicated that there were concerns, staff
would attempt to work with them. If staff could not resolve those concerns, the
matter would be scheduled for Public Hearing. The reason that this is being
brought before you is that there are projects coming in that are minor projects
in nature, they are small but they still come under the Viewshed Review process.
The applicants are attempting to pull building permits and are concerned about
the time to process their applications. This, matter was referred to the
Planning Commission by the City Council.
Commissioner Gerrish stated that he feels we need a system that if there was
some public objections that the Planning Commission would get a written report
of some type.
Planning Director Liberto - Blanck assured the Commission that they would be
receiving a copy of the Notice of Intent; it would be implemented and be in the
ordinance.
After further discussion, the following action was taken:
RESOLUTION NO. 88 -1201
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY
COUNCIL ADOPTION OF A NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND
ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE 41 OF
CHAPTER 4 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE (ZONING ORDINANCE)
TO ALLOW THE PLANNING DIRECTOR TO APPROVE VIEWSHED
REVIEW PERMITS AND TO REDUCE THE APPLICATION FEE.
On motion of Commissioner Gerrish, seconded by Commissioner Moore, and by
the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: Commissioners Scott, Flores, Boggess, Moore, Gerrish and Chairman
Soto
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Olsen
the foregoing Resolution was adopted this 6th day of September 1988.
PUBLIC HEARING - BONITA HOMES INC. LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT 88 -464, ADJUST LOT LINES
ON LOTS 31 TO 43 OF TRACT NO. 741 (WILDWOOD RANCH)
Current Planner Lanning advised the applicant is proposing to adjust the lot
lines of thirteen (13) lots in order to preserve some existing oak trees. Lot
numbers will remain the same. The revised plan allows for the preservation of
approximately eighteen (18) oak trees above and beyond the existing approved
plan. No significant changes to grading or off street parking are anticipated.
Arroyo Grande Planning Commission, 09/06/88 Page 4
Staff does not anticipate any significant impact to the environment from the
result of this proposal. It is the recommendation of Staff Advisory Committee
that the Planning Commission give favorable consideration to this request.
Upon being assured by the Planning Commission Clerk that Lot Line Adjustment
88 -464 had been duly published and property owners notified Chairman Soto opened
the public hearing for testimony in favor of or against the revision.
With no comments from the audience for or against the proposal, Chairman Soto
declared the public hearing closed and limited comments to the Commission.
After discussion, the following action was taken:
RESOLUTION NO. 88 -1202
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF ARROYO GRANDE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF LOT LINE
ADJUSTMENT CASE 88 -464, LOTS 31 TO 43 OF
TRACT NO. 741 "WILDWOOD RANCH ".
On motion of Commissioner Gerrish, seconded by Commissioner Boggess, and
by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: Commissioners Scott, Flores, Boggess, Moore, Gerrish and Chairman
Soto
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Olsen
the foregoing Resolution was adopted this 6th day of September 1988.
PUBLIC HEARING - AMEND THE STREET NAMES TRACT 1390, ROYAL OAKS ESTATES
Current Planner Lanning requested that this item be continued for two weeks to
work out some additional concerns regarding the duplication of street names.
After a brief discussion, the matter was continued for two weeks.
PUBLIC HEARING - AMEND ZONING AND SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE DELETING OPTIONAL DESIGN
AND IMPROVEMENT STANDARDS.
Planning Director Liberto - Blanck advised that the City Attorney has expressed
concerns about the Optional Design and Improvement Standard. He contacted us
on Thursday and requested that we continue this matter for two weeks so he can
do more work on it.
On motion by Commissioner Gerrish, seconded by Commissioner Flores, and
unanimously carried, it was approved that the proposed amendment be continued
for two weeks.
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW CASE NO. 88 -416, REMODEL OF EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY HOME INTO
OFFICE, 145 BRIDGE STREET (RALPH BUSH).
Current Planner Lanning advised that the applicant is proposing to rehab and
restore the homes at 137 and 145 Bridge Street. The home at 137 Bridge Street
will remain as a residence. The home at 145 Bridge Street would be converted
to an office building under this proposal. The applicant is making some
improvements to the structure and adding about 180 square feet on the second
floor to provide for office space at that level. More than the required amount
of parking in provided. They are proposing a one way loop system. The proposed
colors have been illustrated on a color and materials board. The colors consist
of pink for the redwood siding, fuchsia for the fencing and corner posts, white
for doors and window trim and blue for the shingle rounds. The color scheme is
best illustrated by the structure at 137 Bridge Street which has already been
painted in this style.
Ralph Bush, applicant, stated that he has been a restoration contractor and he
has done research on Victorian paint schemes and reviewed how old the dwelling
is and what the originals colors were etc.
After discussion, in regards to standard Village type sidewalks, the Planning
Commission decided to delete condition number 8.
On motion by Commissioner Moore, seconded by Commissioner Gerrish, and
unanimously carried, Architectural Review Case No. 88 -416 was approved, subject
to the conditions listed in the staff report, with the deletion of condition
No. 8.
477
478
Arroyo Grande Planning Commission, 09/06/88 Page 5
PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT /DISCUSSION
Planning Director Liberto - Blanck advised that the Long Range Planning Report
will be going to City Council for Public Hearing September 13, 1988. Also, staff
has been talking to the County about a project off of Branch Mill Road (south
side). The proposal is for nine lots with one large agricultural lot. This
will be reviewed by the Staff Advisory Committee and then on to the Board of
Supervisors. Our concerns are drainage, traffic, and water.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was
adjourned by the Chairman at 10:30 P.M.
ATTEST:
e'ha1rm