PC Minutes 1976-09-07268
Arroyo Grande Planning Commission
September 7, 1976
The Arroyo Grande Planning Commission met in regular session with
Chairman Pope presiding. Present were Commissioners Gerrish, Mathews, Moots,
and Ries. Commissioners Cole and Hitchen were absent. Also present were
City Administrator Butch and Planning Director Gallop.
MINUTE APPROVAL
After hearing no additions or corrections, the Chairman approved
the minutes of the regular meeting of August 17, 1976, as prepared.
REVIEW'COMMITTEE'ACTIONS:
Lot'Split'Case No. 76 -248, Ruth Ann Way, Parcel 1 of Parcel Map
AG 74 -48 (McHariey) - Director Gallop reviewed the map of the proposed lot
split, noting that it is the last lot split in the Ruth Ann Way Assessment
District development. He added that there had been no conditions required
of the lot split, as the Assessment District was responsible for installing
all improvements. He stated that the Commission had also received a Request
for Negative Declaration and that the public must be given a chance for input.
Elizabeth Jackson, 208 Fairview, asked for clarification of the location of
these lots._. There being no further discussion, the following action was taken:
On motion by Commissioner Gerrish, seconded by Commissioner Mathews,
and by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
None
RESOLUTION NO. 76 -462 EIR
RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE ACCEPTING NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL
DECLARATION.
Commissioners Gerrish, Mathews, Moots, Ries, and
Chairman Pope
Commissioners Cole and Hitchen
the foregoing Resolution was adopted this 7th day of September 1976.
There being no additions or corrections, the Chairman ordered Lot Split
Case No. 76 -248 filed.
Lot Split Case No. 76 -249, Stagecoach Road (Kuden and Grant) - The
Planning Director noted that this is a parcel of property just north off of
Huasna Road, east of Terra de Oro Subdivision. He reviewed the recommended
conditions set by the Review Committee. He added that there was also a Request
for Negative Declaration on this lot split, and that public input must be con-
sidered.
There being no public input, after a short discussion, the following
action was taken:
RESOLUTION NO. 76 -463 EIR
RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE ACCEPTING NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL
DECLARATION.
On motion by Commissioner Gerrish, seconded by Commissioner Ries, and
by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: Commissioners Gerrish, Mathews, Moots, Ries, and
Chairman Pope
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioners Cole and Hitchen
the foregoing Resolution was adopted this 7th day of September 1976.
Arroyo Grande Planning Commission, 9 -7 -76 Page 2
Chairman Pope asked about street improvements down'to Huasna Road.
Director Gallop stated that these were, shown. on the development plan. The
Chairman stated he would like to see, these be a.:condition_.of the lot split.
On motion by Commissioner Gerrish, seconded by Commissioner.Ries, and unani-
mously carried, that the Review Committee Action be amended to :include the
Stagecoach Road improvement plans On' file, showing street improvements, in-
cluding curb and gutter on the ownership only and street improvements only
to Huasna' Road.
There being no further additions or corrections, the. Chairman ordered
Lot Split Case No. 76 -249 filed.
Architectural Review. Case. No. 76 -125, South. County Convalescent Hospital,
1212,Farroll, Expansion Director Gallop displayed . a -.plot plan of the.property...
He noted that they.had voluntarily-planned for screening the "hardware on.the;
roof. He reviewed_ all- the conditions --recommended by the:Review Committee..
After, a short ; discussion, there "-being .no additions : or correc.tionsthe:, Chairman
ordered Architectural Review Case No. 76- 125.filed
PUBLIC HEARING - VARIANCE CASE NO. 76 -56, CROWN STREET (RYZNER)
Chairman. Pope -announced that the scheduled public hearing had been
cancelled, as the variance request had been
Jim Porter, 544 -Crown Street, asked if this meant that the proposed
units would not be built, or"if - the petitioner had changed: his plans so that
a variance was not needed. Director Gallop explained that the plans had come
into the office while he was on vacation and one, staff had recommended,
an improper procedure. The property in question is zoned "R -_G" and the:develop-
ment the petitioner had in mind could be done without either a variance or a
use permit, but rather under the.options of the Architectural Review Committee.
Elizabeth Jackson, 208 Fairview, asked if the applicant had withdrawn his
original application. Director Gallop explained that the application was based
on erroneous information given to the applicant. Mrs. Jackson stated it was her
understanding once a legal notice has.- been.published,:the public hearing
must be held unless the variance was...,withdrawn. She - asked for an opinion from
the City Attorney.
Madeleine Steele, 1598 Hillcrest, asked..i-f the - proposed development could
be built with a zero setback, without a variance. Director Gallop stated this
was correct, if the Architectural Review :Committee•approved.the plans.
. Allen Jackson, 208 Fairview, asked. if. there,wouid be a. retraction of,the.
public hearing in..the
REQUEST FOR NEGATIVE DECLARATION- PIKE; ANNEXATION NO 1
Director Gallop stated that at their las.t.:regular. meeting, the Planning
Commission had recommended approval of The Pike Annexation No. 1 to the City
Council, and that the matter has been referred to LAFCo_by the City Council.
One of the requirements by -LAFCo ds that of a :Request.for Negative Declaration.
He stated that, as" Env -ironmenta1 CoordinatorThe was fecommending'Negative -.
Declaration on the proposed annexation be granted. However, he questioned
the statement in: the request that -says .i.t. is.: prop-. osed,.-to..develop;lots for
detached 'or -semi- detached single.,familY= residences within- a: - Planned Develop-
ment. He stated that until development plans. ::are approved," there is .no .way .....
of determining how many units will. :b .a-llowed. ; _He"..:s.tated this :could be ,changed
in the resolution, if the Negative Declaration were a`rcep The Commission.
agreed- this would - bee"a
input:-:: There
being none, after a short discussion, the following action was,taken:
RESOLUTION NO 76 -464 EIR
RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE ACCEPTING NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL
DECLARATION.
On motion `by''Commissiener' Moots econded by COMai ssioner °.Mat ews - , -and ,
by the following roll call vote,' to
ABSENT: Commissioners Cole and Hitchen
AYES: Commissioners Gerrish, Mathews,. .Moots, Ries, and Chairman
Pope
NOES: None.
269
270
Arroyo Grande Planning Commission, 9 -7 -76 Page 3
the foregoing Resolution was adopted this 7th day of September 1976.
REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF TIME - TENTATIVE TRACT NO. 538, TERRA DE ORO,
SECOND UNIT
The Planning Director stated that action was no longer necessary on
this matter, as all the paperwork on the subdivision had been completed on
Friday, September 3, 1976.
REQUEST FOR ABANDONMENT OF ALLEY ON CROSS STREET (PACE)
Director'Gallop stated that several years ago, a'portion of this
alley extending to Pacific Coast Railway Place had been abandoned. Since
that time, this_ property has been acquired by a developer and he is requesting
abandonment of this portion of the Cross Street alley. Director of Public
Works Anderson had written a letter to the City Council stating that this
alley is of no use to the City, and recommending abandonment. Commissioner
Moots asked about what happened to the alley if it was abandoned. Director
Gallop stated that normally the property is split down the middle, with
each abutting property owner getting half. After a short discussion, on
motion by Commissioner Mathews, seconded by Commissioner Moots, and unanimously
carried, the Commission recommended to the City Council .that the requested
abandonment of a portion of the alley on Cross Street be granted.
DISCUSSION OF LAND USE ELEMENT
Chairman Pope stated that this matter regarding the agricultural lands
in the City had been referred to the Planning Commission from the City Council.
He stated that Commissioner Cole had suggested that the farmers in the City be
contacted for their opinions. He said he felt the Commission was inept at
making a decision on the matter on their own and that they needed guidance
from the farmers, the Concerned Citizens, and the public. He proposed that
he be authorized to get a task force going to come up with concrete hard de-
cisions to be put into the General Plan. He suggested a group composed of two
members of the Commission, two members of the Concerned Citizens, two farmers,
and one citizen at large. He stated he would be the first to disband the group
if it appeared that it was not going to work out at the first meeting.
Elizabeth Jackson, 208 Fairview, stated she felt he was to be commended
for getting both sides of the issue. She added that with all the strikes and
the close - downs, the farmers have to have consideration and they should be
heard. Madeleine Steele, 1598 Hillcrest, and Bill McCann, 428 Tanner Lane,
stated they agreed with Mrs. Jackson.
Tom Runels, Valley Road, stated he felt the City already had a vehicle
for the farmers in the Agricultural Preserve program. This gave the individual
the right to decide. He added that 90% of the land in the City and some sur-
rounding the City, had been owned by the same people for three generations
and those people don't want to sell and develop it. However, sooner or later,
the point will be reached where they will be forced out. He stated that a
person can have the best agricultural land in the world and if it doesn't
have water available, then that person doesn't have anything. He thought that
perhaps a committee such as Chairman Pope proposed would be a good idea.
Bill McCann asked if there would be a public hearing before a final
decision is reached. Chairman Pope stated that the Committee would bring back
a written recommendation and that the Commission would have to hold a public
hearing before anything is decided. He stated the meeting dates of the Com-
mittee would be noticed in the paper.
GENERAL PLAN ELEMENTS REVIEW (NOISE, SAFETY, AND PUBLIC SERVICES)
Director Gallop stated that the public hearings on the Noise and
Safety Elements had been set for the regular meeting of September 21. The
Public Services Element will follow at a later date.
He stated that, in regard to Mrs. Jackson's question at the last meeting
regarding the oil lines on Grand Avenue, Tom Sullivan, the Planning Aide, had
researched the matter and that they are shown on the Safety Element's map and
also referenced in the text. The Area Planning Council Coordinator did not
feel that the lines were a severe safety hazard. The material in the lines is
crude oil, which is hard to ignite. Mrs. Jackson asked if there were any rules
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Arroyo Grande Planning Commission, 9 -7 -76 Page 4
governing that it will always be crude oil or could it be changed. City
Administrator Butch stated that it is a franchise and the lines were con-
structed for crude oil and not high octane.
Commissioner Ries asked why the Police Department wasn't mentioned
in the Safety Element. He felt they would be crucial in an emergency.
Director Gallop stated that the City does have a Civil Defense Plan which
does mention the Police. The two go hand in hand and one recognizes the
other.
Director Gallop stated that there had been some mention of the truck
routes through the City and that Planning Aide Sullivan was in the process
of putting these on the Noise Map so that it is reflective of current noise
levels with regard to the truck routes.
Tom Runels, Valley Road, stated that there was a lot of talk about
locking the agricultural lands into farming. However, the equipment necessary
for farming often caused complaints about noise from neighboring residential
areas. Elizabeth Jackson, 208 Fairview, stated she thought the developers
should have to put walls around their developments at their own expense to
keep the noise out.
WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE
Director Gallop stated the Commission had received copies of an open
letter written to the Commission and the City Council from Bonanza Realty
concerning Oak Park Acres. He also noted that the Housing Activity Report
had been amended; a copy had been sent to the School District and copies
were available to interested persons.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Bill McCann, 428 Tanner Lane, asked about the City policy concerning
flag lots. Director Gallop stated that, to his knowledge, there had never
been any discussion regarding getting rid of flag lots. He felt they could
be used advantageously in eliminating pockets of property. Mr. McCann stated
he remembered some discussion about years ago on this matter, but that no
action was taken. He did not feel that it was a good practice to allow them
in creating new subdivisions. He felt that often the flag portion of the lot
was not kept up. Chairman Pope stated that it is City policy that the access
to flag lots be paved. Mr. McCann felt that perhaps the City should consider
not allowing flag lots in new subdivisions.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, on a motion by Commissioner Ries,
seconded by Commissioner Moots, and unanimously carried, the Commission
adjourned at 8:30 P.M.
ATTEST:
Secretary
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