PC Minutes 1987-12-01386
Arroyo Grande Planning Commission
December 1, 1987
The Arroyo Grande Planning Commission met" in regular session with Chairman Carr
presiding. Present are Conn issioners Moore, Olsen, Soto, Gerrish, and Boggess. Commissioner
Flores is absent. Interim Planning Director Rogoway is also in attendance.
After roll call, the meeting was adjourned to the City Hall at 214 E. Branch Street. The
meeting was called to order by the Chairman with all members present as reported in roll call.
Commissioner Flores is also in attendance.
MINUTE APPROVAL
On motion by Commissioner Gerrish, seconded by Comni.oner Moore, and unanimously
carried, the minutes of the regular meeting of October 20, 1987 were approved as prepared.
CONTINUATION — ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW CASE NO. 87-384, GUIDEITI SQUARE
RETAIL CENTER, WEST BRANCH STREET AND WESLEY AVENUE IN THE CENTRAL
BUSINESS DISTRICT. (J: AND J. GUIDETIZ/RICHMOND, ROSSI AND MONTGOMERY).
Interim Planning Director Rogoway reviewed the 'elevations presented by the applicant, and
noted that when the Planning Caranission originally looked at the application, the matter was
continued to the December 1st meeting so that the applicant could prepare additional
renderings. He noted there was some comments as to whether or not the project was consistent
with the character of the Central Business District. Mr. Rogoway briefly reviewed the original
recommendation and conditions of approval. He stated that the proposal calls for the primary
ingress and egress on Wesley Avenue. With regard to the recommended conditions of approval,
he stated that the applicants have not expressed any objections to them.
Mr. Keith Gurnee, R.R.M. Design Group, stated they have beeen working with the
applicants, the neighboring properties and the Downtown Design Group, and have endeavored to
prepare a rendering that better expresses the colors and design of the project. He stated the
biggest issue that seemed to come out of the last meeting was that without a perspective, it was
very difficult to understand the building. • Also, the issue of colors was discussed, and they are
showing a color scheme they feel is more compatible with the Village area. He noted that each
of the individual shops could have their own color according to the color swatches. Mr. Gurnee
pointed out that they have hired consultants to handle the issue of the drainage and traffic
concern. He commented, it is hoped by the applicants, that any action the Commission might
take regarding drainge, would allow some flexibility to handle the drainage on site if, for sane
reason, they are not able to work a solution out with the church.
In conclusion, Mr. Gurnee stated they have worked a long time on this project; they have
reviewed the Village Design Standards, and the only area where they are at a variance is that
they have not set it up to the street. He commented that they feel the project responds to
the design guidelines and they hope it responds to the Commission's concerns. He further
stated they are in agreement with all of the conditions listed in the staff report.
Amanda Lambert, member of the Downtown Design Review Group, stated they
participated in the .major. decisions approving the architecture and, in her opinion, the design
enhances and compliments the church.
Commissioner Boggess referred to Page 5 of the Design Guidelines, stating he would like
to see some brick and a little wood used on the buildings. Mr. Gurnee stated they could work
some brick into the lower portions of the building. He pointed out that because of the color
scheme they are using, they felt it is compatible with some of the buildings in the downtown
area. Commissioner Soto stated he preferred the natural materials as opposed to metal roofs.
Commissioner Flores commented that by tieing the architecture into Amanda's, this becomes a
design standard for the Village. Commissioner Soto suggested that perhaps canvas awnings
would look better than the metal. He further stated that this project was discussed by the
Long Range Planning Committee, and one of the concerns was traffic going through Hart Lane.
Commissioner Gerrish stated he would prefer to see a flat roof rather than a metal roof.
Also, he would like to see the stucco broken up with either masonry, wood or some other
material. Commissioner Soto commented that caning from Traffic Way onto Branch Street, it
will look like one big roof there from the ground level. Mr. Gurnee commented that there are a
number of pitched roofs in the downtown area.
Chairman Carr inquired about a sign plan.. Mr. Gurnee advised that the signs will only
be placed on the awnings, with the exception of a couple of monument signs. Interim Planning
Director Rogoway pointed out that the Sign Ordinance requires a sign plan program for
Commission approval where there are more than three uses on the property. Chairman Carr
stated he has some concerns about the height of the buildings and the parking requirements.
He commented that the parking layout is the same basic design they have at the small shopping
center at the corner of Grand and Halcyon and, in his opinion, it is difficult to get in and out
of those parking spaces.
Arroyo Grande Planning Ooini sign, 12 -1 -87 Page 2
Dennis Law, of Andre, Morris and Buttery, one of the applicants in the project, stated
regarding ' cumients on the roof that, basically, the problem is that you have a split level
structure, and the structures on the street level are going to be subgraded, and that is the
reason for the height.
Can issioner Gerrish stated, in his opinion, the applicants 'are taking that corner and
are trying to make a bold architectural statement, and it would be his preference that the
architects tone that down so it doesn't make that bold statement. Chairman Carr stated he
agrees with Commissioner Gerrish in that all of those levels should be toned down and, in his
opinion, the proposal is too much for the size of the village.
After considerable discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission that the height
should be reduced to comply with the ordinance, and they would like to see a variety of
materials used on the structures.
Mr. Gurnee requested the Commission grant schematic approval as called out in the
Architectural Guidelines, stating general agreement with the site plan and an overall statement
of agreement, but the need for more refinements.
On motion by Camrnissioner Soto, seconded by Commissioner Flores, and carried,
schematic review approval of the site plan was granted, subject to refinement and response to
the concerns expressed by the Commission.
Chairman Carr referred to a letter received from a resident on Larchmont Drive
expressing his concerns about the traffic. He requested the letter be placed in the
Commissioner's agenda packets when this item is again before the Conmission.
PUBLIC HEARING - (CONTINUATION) REZONING CASE NO. 87 -202, PROPOSED
AMENDMENT TO REZONE TWO (2) ACRES OF LAND IN THE RANCHO GRANDE
PROPERTIES FROM UNPLANNED "P-D" PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT TO PLANNED
"P-D" PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT SPECIFYING RESIDENTIAL AND BED AND
BREAKFAST INN USES, 1190 WEST BRANCH STREET. (WESLEY AND DONNA CARLSON).
Chairman Carr advised that the applicant is requesting continuance on this item. On
motion by Commissioner Boggess, seconded by Con missioner Soto, and unanimously carried,
Rezoning Case No. 87 -202 was removed from the agenda. Also, the Con agreed that that
the rezoning and use permit fees 'be waived when the applicant is ready to proceed with the
rezoning and use permit applications.
COMMENDATION - NANCY IVERSEN, LONG RANGE PLANNER.
Chairman Carr advised that Nancy Iversen is leaving the City of Arroyo Grande and he
recommended the Planning Canrmission take action commending Nancy on her dilligence and hard
work while working for the City.
After a brief discussion, the following action was taken:
RESOLUTION NO. 87 -1140
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE COMMENDING
NANCY IVERSEN FOR HER OUTSTANDING SERVICE
TO THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE.
On motion by Commissioner Soto, seconded by Carmissioner Olsen, and by the following
roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: Carmissioners Olsen, Moore, Boggess, Flores, Gerrish, Soto and
Chairman Carr
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
the foregoing Resolution was adopted this 1st day of December 1987.
Chairman
387