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PC Minutes 1978-06-20Arroyo Grande Planning Commission June 20, 1978 The Arroyo Grande Planning Commission met in regular session with Chairman Gerrish presiding. Present are Commissioners Harris, Moots, Ries, Simmons and Vandeveer. Commissioner Cole is absent. Also in attendance are Planning Director Castro and Planner Sullivan. MINUTE APPROVAL Upon hearing no additions or corrections, the minutes of the regular meeting of June 6, 1978 were approved as submitted. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA Planning Director Castro requested continuance of the following agenda items: Item 3. Continuation of Public Hearing - Proposed Zoning Ordinance Amend- ment - Non - Conforming Uses. Item 4. Sign Ordinance. Mr. Castro requested that the following item be added to the Agenda: Item 6. Exchange of Property by the City of Arroyo Grande for Ponding Basin Purposes. REVIEW COMMITTEE ACTIONS: ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW CASE NO. 78 -170 AND 78 -171, TWO FOUR UNIT APARTMENT COMPLEXES, SO. ELM STREET (ELMER AND ELVIN SMITH). Planner Sullivan reviewed the Architectural Committee Action and elevations of the proposed developments. He advised the elevations for both sets of duplexes are identical. There being no comments with regard to the proposed developments, Architectural Committee Action, dated June 14, 1978 was approved as submitted. REVIEW COMMITTEE ACTION: ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW CASE NO. 78 -172, ADDITION TO COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 1360 GRAND AVE. (FRADES). Planner Sullivan reviewed the Architectural Committee action and the plans for the proposed addition to a commercial building on Grand Avenue. Mr. Sullivan advised that there are two existing buildings on the property, and the proposed addition will encompass the two existing buildings and bring the entire develop- ment into a single structure. He further advised that the proposed parking is adequate for the development. There being no comments, Architectural Committee Action, dated June 14, 1978 was approved as submitted. REVIEW COMMITTEE ACTION: ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW CASE NO. 78 -173, PROFESSIONAL OFFICE BUILDING, 205 SO. HALCYON ROAD (DR. JENKINS). Planner Sullivan advised that the Architectural Review Committee recom- mended denial of the proposed development based on the parking arrangement, in that the arrangement of the structure and the parking simply would not work. The proposed arrangement would make it difficult to get into some of the spaces. Commissioner Ries corrected the Committee Action, stating from voting on the matter because of the fact he has worked with After a brief discussion, Architectural Committee Action, 1978 was approved as corrected. he abstained Dr. Jenkins. dated June 14, REVIEW COMMITTEE ACTION: ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW CASE NO. 77 -131, 141 SO. ELM STREET (GARING & TAYLOR). Planner Sullivan pointed out that the plans for the office building at 141 So. Elm Street had previously been approved by the Committee, however, since some minor changes have been made to the approved elevations, the matter was again reviewed by the Architectural Review Committee. After review it was the Committee's feeling that the proposed changes were not detrimental to the structure. OFFICE BUILDING, There being no discussion, Architectural Review Committee Action dated June 14, 1978 was approved as submitted. PUBLIC HEARING - ZONING MAP AMENDMENT, PHASE II (NORTH SIDE OF FREEWAY). Planning Director Castro reviewed the actions required in the second phase of the zoning plan, as noted in the staff report dated June 16, 1978, and pointed out on the map the properties that are being rezoned. Mr. Castro made the follow- ing comments on specific items where concerns and /or complaints have been made: Item 4. An Area South of East Cherry Avenue and East of Traffic Way - "RA -B3" and "H -S" District to "A" District. Mr. Castro reviewed that the staff had made a recommendation for a possible planned industrial development on the subject property, and there was considerable opposition from the adjoining property owners 001 002 Arroyo Grande Planning Commission, 6 -20 -78 Page 2 not only on the industrial designation, but also on some of the multiple develop- ment that staff was suggesting north of Cherry Avenue. Because no plans had yet been submitted for the property, staff decided to drop the matter, and the Commission felt that since the property was being used for agricultural purposes at that time, they recommended the "A" District, with the understanding that the "A" was not necessarily permanent but merely to reflect the existing land use, and at such time when the land owner feels that the land should be developed or a change of the land use takes place, the normal procedure for a General Plan amend- ment and zoning could be considered. He further advised that the Commission is more or less "locked" into the "A" District now, because the General Plan has :'been amendeddtoothe: "A Dis.trict:. He.: suggestedr:that :Mr.. and Mrs. .Williams; :.owners : :.of the.property, make their requests to the City Council when they review the General Plan in order to change the designation at that time. Item 5. An Area Between Poole Street and East Cherry Avenue, and Westerly of Short Street - "R -3" and "R -1" to "H-S" District. Planning Director Castro read a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Fernamburg, 302 Short Street, indicating they have been out of town since May 3rd and would protest any immediate change in zoning before they have an opportunity to study the situation. Mr. Castro again sug- gested that the Commission proceed with the consistency of the General Plan and zoning at this time, and let the matter be reviewed in more detail by the City Council, and perhaps changed by the Council at that time. Item 7. An Area Between Nelson and Ide Streets Between One Lot West of Whiteley Street and the End of the Cul-de-sac of Nelson'Street - "R -3" to "R -1" District. Mr. Castro read a letter from Mr. Coker Ellsworth, dated June 15, 1978, regarding his property at 213 Whiteley Street, requesting that his property be retained in the "R -3" District. After review of the 11 areas proposed for rezoning, and upon being assured by Planning Director Castro that public hearing for Zoning Map Amendment, Phase II, has been duly published and property owners notified, Chairman Gerrish declared the hearing open. Mr. Myron Williams, 537 Orchard Avenue, spoke with regard to Item No. 4, which is proposed to be rezoned from "RA -B3" and "H -S" to "A" District. He stated he and his wife own 14 acres in this area and it is their feeling that this area is now ripe for development and certainly should not be rezoned to Agricultural District. Mrs. Olive Williams, 537 Orchard Avenue, stated that she and her husband have owned this land for approximately 30 years, feeling that at sometime in the future it would increase in value and they would be able to enjoy it. She pointed ' out that the property is located in the center of town and is surrounded by businesses. Mrs. Williams urged the Commission to recommend that this land be put in the Highway Service District. Mrs. Sonia Wagner, 509 Ide Street, Chairman of the Business Development Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, stated they feel there is a very strong need in this community for industrial development and for jobs. She stated it is obvious that the community is going to grow and if we maintain strictly a bedroom community, we are losing valuable tax dollars to other areas. She further stated that the Williams property is a prime area that can be developed in a decent way, resulting in a strictly clean, well controlled industrial area, and the Business Development Committee would like to see this zoned as Highway Service for use as an industrial park. Mr. Lou Caballero, representing the First Presbyterian Church and the Central Coast Christian Academy at 227 Traffic Way, stated they are in opposition to the rezoning from "H -S" to "R -3 ". He further stated it is their feeling that if, at all, it should be rezoned, it should be zoned Professional Office District. Nick Roselle, 139 E. Cherry Avenue, stated he is representing his mother - in -law and her mother who, together, own the property behind Loomis' property, which is Item No. 9 of the staff report. He advised they would rather have the zoning remain as it is now or changed to a lower medium density. They have rough plans now for one or two duplexes on the property and if it is rezoned to what the City proposes, then they wouldn't be able to put any kind of living quarters in there. Arroyo Grande Planning Commission, 6 -20 -78 Page 3 Mr. Jim Vetten, Santa Barbara, Vice President and General Manager of Solar Air of California, stated that his firm is interested in the area that Mr. and Mrs. Williams own as a site for a factory to manufacture their solar system, which would be an assembly line type of operation and would provide 35 or 40 jobs for the area. Mr. Vernon Wolfe, 211 Allen Street, stated there is too much traffic on Allen Street right now, and a business in there would put more traffic on the street. He didn't feel that that part of town was ready for manufacturing. Mr. Bob Fernamburg, 895 So. Halcyon Road, stated he would like to reiterate his parents' position on the rezoning of their property on Short Street from "R -3" to "R -1" and "H -S" District. Chairman Gerrish advised Mr. Fernamburg that the Planning Commission previously approved the Land Use Element of the General Plan, and are now finishing up the Zoning Map amendments to make it conform to the Land Use Element of the General Plan. The entire package will now go to the City Council for their action. He further advised that the City Council will also hold public hearings on the Land Use Element and the Zoning Map amendments, at which time property owners can again voice their concerns. There being no further comments on the proposed changes to the zoning map, Chairman Gerrish declared the hearing closed. Planning Director Castro pointed out that the Commission does have the option to go back, but it would mean that all of the actions taken by the Com- mission on the north side of the freeway on the General Plan and Zoning would have to be re- advertised and amended. He further advised that the City Council has the option to change the proposed amendments and, in all probability, would refer those changes back to the Commission for confirmation. Commissioner Vandeveer stated, in his opinion, if there have been some mistakes made on the general assessment of the land use, they should be straightened out now by the Planning Commission instead of passing it on to the City Council for them to straighten out. The majority of the Commissioners were in favor of refer- ring the entire package to the City Council for their action. After further dis- cussion, the following action was taken: RESOLUTION NO. 78 -624 Z A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE PLANNING COMMISSION ADOPTING PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ZONING MAP, PHASE II, AND RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THEIR ACTION AND ADOPTION. On motion by Commissioner Harris, seconded by Commissioner Ries, and by the following roll call vote, to wit: AYES: Commissioners Harris, Moots, Ries, Simmons and Chairman Gerrish NOES: Commissioner Vandeveer ABSENT: Commissioner Cole the foregoing Resolution was adopted this 20th day of June 1978. CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARING - PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT - NON- CONFORMING USES. Planning Director Castro requested continuation of the public hearing to the next Planning Commission meeting of July 18, 1978, at which time a study session date will be set on the matter. SIGN ORDINANCE At the request of Planning Director Castro, discussion of the Sign Ordinance was continued to the next Planning Commission meeting of July 18, 1978. REFERRAL BY CITY COUNCIL - ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION ON TALLY HO DRAINAGE REPORT Planner Sullivan reviewed the project at this stage, advising that at this time the project is only an engineering report, however, the Fish and Game Depart- ment and City Council have become increasingly aware that some Environmental Determination should be made on the project. From an environmental point of view, the project involves a 60 ft. right of way along the Tally Ho Creek area, with a minimum of 20 ft. on the bottom channel, two to one side slopes, 6 ft. deep, and potentially there could be significant environmental impacts. Staff's recommendation to the Commission in the Request for Negative Declaration is that the Request be denied and a Focus Report be ordered. The Focus Report would cover physical environ- ment, ecology, wildlife, etc. along the creek area. 003 00 Arroyo Grande Planning Commission, 6 -20 -78 Page 4 Commissioner Harris stated, in his opinion, regardless of the cost and the time involved, this proposal fits squarly with what the original purpose of the Environmental Impact Report was intended for; that is, action by a governmental agency which significantly affects the environment, and it is his feeling that an Environmental Impact Report should be required. Commissioner Simmons stated she didn't feel a full blown EIR was required; that this is a large project but, basically, it only affects about 40 individual properties and she would go along with the Focus Report. She further stated that an Environmental Impact Report would tie the project up for months, and that area cannot afford to sit for that long. Chairman Gerrish asked for any public input; there being none, the follow- ing action was taken: ATTEST: RESOLUTION NO. 78 -625 EIR RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE DENYING NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT DECLARATION AND REQUIRING A FOCUS REPORT. On motion by Commissioner Vandeveer, seconded by Commissioner Ries, and by the following roll call vote, to wit: AYES: Commissioners Moots, Ries, Simmons, Vandeveer and Chairman Gerrish NOES: Commissioner Harris ABSENT: Commissioner Cole the foregoing Resolution was adopted this 20th day of June 1978. REFERRAL FROM THE CITY COUNCIL - EXCHANGE OF PROPERTY BY THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE FOR PONDING BASIN PURPOSES. Planning Director Castro read a letter from City Administrator Butch, dated June 15, 1978, with regard to exchange of property for ponding basin purposes. He also read a letter from Public Works Director Anderson on the same subject, dated February 24, 1978. Mr. Castro referred to the map and outlined the proposed ex- change. He advised that the Council had reviewed the matter at their regular meeting of June 13, 1978, but before they can take action, they need a review and recommendation of the Planning Commission. Councilman de Leon was present and spoke on the matter. He advised that the City needs the drainage pond and there is no other place to proivide for that drainage. He stated that the City will deed its property to Mr. Carmichael for the use of his land as long as it is needed for ponding purposes. After considerable discussion regarding the proposed exchange of property with Mr. Carmichael, it was the feeling of .ome of the Commissioners that they did not have enough information to make an adequate recommendation to the City Council. The Commission requested continuance of the matter to the next meeting of July 18, 1978, and that copies of the proposed agreement be provided for their review. They also requested that Public Works Director Anderson attend the meet- ing to review the proposed property exchange. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Harris requested that a meeting be held on the regular meeting date of July 4th, or that an alternate be considered. After a discussion, a vote by the Commission members resulted in the meeting of July 4th being cancelled, and the next regular meeting to be held on July 18, 1978.