PC Minutes 1983-07-05ARROYO GRANDE PLANNING COMMISSION
July 5, 1983
The Arroyo Grande Planning Commission met in regular session.
In the absence of the Chairman, Commissioner Moots was selected
to preside as Acting Chairman. Presenteare Commissioners Benhardt,
Carr, Fischer, Moore and Olson. Chairman Gerrish is absent. Also
in attendance are Planning Director Eisner and Public Works Director
Karp.
MINUTE APPROVAL
Upon hearing no additions or corrections, the minutes of the
regular meetings of June 7, 1983 and June 21, 1983 were approved
as submitted on motion by Commissioner Benhardt, seconded by
Commissioner Carr, and unanimously carried.
INTRODUCTIONS
Public Works Director Karp introduced Stanley Eisner, new
Planning Director, and newly appointed Commissioners Doris Olson
and Sharon Fischer.: to the Planning Commission.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1983 -84
Acting Chairman Moots opened nominations for Chairman.
Commissioner Benhardt nominated Commissioner Gerrish. Commissioner
Carr seconded the nomination. There being no further nominations,
Commissioner Moore moved that nominations be closed; motion second-
ed by Commissioner Olson. Acting Chairman Moots directed that the
records show that Commissioner Gerrish has been elected as Chairman
of the Planning Commission for the fiscal year 1983 -84.
Acting Chairman Moots opened nominations for Vice Chairman.
Commissioner Moore nominated Commissioner Moots. Commissioner
Benhardt seconded the nomination and moved that nominations be
closed; Commissioner Fischer seconded the motion. Acting Chairman
Moots directed that the records show that Commissioner Moots has
been elected as Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission for the
fiscal year 1983 -84.
Acting Chairman Moots advised that the various committee
appointments would be made by .the Chairman. On motion by Com-
missioner Olson, seconded. by Commissioner Benhardt, and unan-
imously carried, current committee appointments were extended
pending re- appointment by Chairman Gerrish.
PUBLIC HEARING - VARIANCE CASE NO. 83 -93, REQUEST TO REDUCE YARD
SETBACK REQUIREMENTS IN THE "R - ZONE, 668 GARFIELD PLACE.
(FRANK D. AMIAN) .
Planning Director Eisner referred to the staff report, dated
July 5, 1983. He advised that the house is situated on a corner
lot with. a rather steep drive leading to an existing garage.
The. Variance request is for a 5 ft. setback on one side and a
7.8 ft. setback on the other side; the Ordinance requires a 10 ft.
setback.. The applicant intends to construct a new garage with the
related driveway.
Upon being assured by Planning Director Eisner that public
hearing for Variance Case No. 83 -93 had been duly published and
property owners notified, Acting Chairman Moots declared the
hearing open.
Bart Morgan, 616 Victoria Way, stated he is opposed to the
Variance. He asked if there isn't a maximum coverage of property
on a given lot size. Mr. Eisner stated he would have to check,
however, he believes that the coverage provisions will meet with
this proposal. Public Works Director Karp pointed out that there
is already a paved driveway in the location of the proposed garage.
Mr. Morgan commented that the entry way to the garage is quite
steep, but not any steeper than some of the other garages along
Garfield Way and, in his opinion, to allow a second garage on a
given piece of property would be unfair to the other people in
the neighborhood.
ARROYO GRANDE PLANNING COMMISSION, 7 -5 -83 Page 2
Marie Bixler, 629 Victoria Way, stated the existing driveway
they have now is only 3 ft. away from her property, and the reason
they do not use the garage is because they have made it into a
rumpus room for their children. She further stated if they shorten
the driveway, the parking situation would be worse than it is now,
and it would also make a blind corner. Jim Waller, 628 Victoria
Way; Mr. Clinard, 676 Garfield Place; Mr. Peairs, 677 Garfield
Place; and William Davis, 644 Victoria Way, stated they are
opposed to the Variance. Mr. Davis stated he delivered 18 letters
to the Planning Department from property owners requesting that
the Variance be denied.
Mrs. Amian, petitioner for the Variance, stated that her
driveway is too steep causing her muffler and tail pipe to drag.
She. further stated that she has checked with engineers, and also
the City Engineer, to see if there is anything that could be done
so that she'could use the garage. She had been advised that nothing
could be done about the situation and, therefore, she applied for the
Variance. She further commented that the garage is still a garage
and it is not a playroom for her children. She stated she has 5
cars and does not like to have them parked on the street at night.
Public Works.Director Karp advised that when the contractor
built the. structure, the grading was not completed to an adequate
foundation level, and it is physically impossible to meet the
driveway standards with the structure at the elevation it was
and, in order to make it work, the slab.would have to be lowered
along with. the foundation approximately 1 to 3 ft.
Mary Walter, 628 Victoria Way, stated that this proposed
garage would spoil her view and would create a blind corner.
Mr. Davis, 644 Victoria Way, stated there are many children that
play on the sidewalks and any traffic hazard would be a hazard to
those children.
Upon hearing no further comments for or against the proposed
Variance, Acting Chairman Moots declared the hearing closed.
Commis.sioner Moore stated that,: in his opinion, it looks
like there were a few violations when the house was originally
built, and he is concerned about the matter of the lot coverage.
Commissioner Carr stated he questioned whether or not the 406
coverage would be exceeded by the proposed garage, and it sounds like
there - are some other violations of the ordinance of having the
patio extend to the property line. He stated he doesn't fee].
that the Variance should be granted to build a second garage
when there is an existing garage on the site. Also, he would
like to find out if there are other properties with that same
inclined driveway that are usable. Commissioners Benhardt,
Fischer, Olson and Moots indicated their concurrence with the
comments of Commissioners Moore and Carr. Commissioner Olson
further stated her concern about setting a precedent through-
out the City for other properties with steep driveways.
After further discussion, the following action was taken:
RESOLUTION NO. 83 -946
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE DENYING ZONE
VARIANCE APPLICATION NO. 83 -93, FILED BY
FRANK D. AMIAN.
On motion by Commissioner Benhardt, seconded by Commissioner
Moore, and by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: Commissioners Benhardt, Carr, Fischer, Moore,
Olson and Acting Chairman Moots
NOES: None
ABSENT: Chairman Gerrish
the foregoing Resolution was adopted this 5th day of July, 1983.
ARROYO GRANDE. PLANNING COMMISSION, 7 -5 -83
Planning Director Eisner announced that this matter is
finaled with the Planning Commission unless appealed within ten
(10) days. Q�
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW CASE NO. 83 -286, BANK OF AMERICA, WESLEY
AVENUE AND EAST AND WEST BRANCH STREETS. (ROSS, LEVIN & MCINTYRE,
ARCHITECTS).
Planning Director Eisner advised that a letter had been
received from the applicants requesting continuance of the matter.
He noted that staff will be meeting with the applicants to review
their proposals and, depending on the scope of what they submit,
the matter may be referred back to the Architectural Review
Committee.
COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Eisner expressed to the Commission his pleasure being
with them and the City of Arroyo Grande, stating he is looking
forward to a long relationship.
Commissioner Benhardt commended Public Works Director Karp
for his work. :as Acting Planning Director, stating he has done a
good job and deserves a lot of credit for his efforts.
Mr. Eisner suggested .to:theCommission that. :set aside
the 5t11)Tuesday in August for the purpose of holding a study
session to discuss various issues that are coming up.
Commissioner Olson stated she had a meeting scheduled for that
time. _Me rest of the Commissioners indicated they would be
able to attend. The study session was tentatively scheduled
M,
for 7:30 P.., Tuesday, August 30, 1983.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, the
meeting was adjourned at 8:30 P.M. by Acting Chairman Moots.
ATTEST:
• '
Secretary
Acting Chairman
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