PC Minutes 1969-09-16242
The regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting of September 2, 1969 was cancelled
due to the passing of Wells C. Smith, City Councilman and former member of the Planning
Commission.
Planning Commission
Arroyo Grande, California
September 16, 1969
The Planning Commission met in regular session with Chairman Moss presiding.
Present are Commissioners Bowles, Porter, St. Denis, and Strother. Commissioners
McMillen and Sawyer are absent. Also in attendance are City Administrator Butch,
Councilman Wood and Planning Director Gallop.
MINUTE APPROVAL
Commissioner Strother corrected the 7th paragraph on Page 2 of the Commission
minutes dated August 19, 1969 to read "Commissioner Strother objected to No. 2 of the
staff recommendations on the grounds that he thought it was discrimination in favor
of the applicant ". On motion of Commissioner Bowles, seconded by Commissioner St.
Denis, and unanimously carried, the minutes of the regular meeting of August 19, 1969
were approved as corrected.
REQUEST TO AMEND RESOLUTION NO. 69 -116 U, FREE STANDING SIGN, TEXACO, 401 TRAFFIC WAY
Director Gallop reviewed that on January 21st, 1969 the Texaco Oil Company, through
its agent, Santa Maria Neon, requested a Use Permit to erect a free standing sign at 401
Traffic Way. At that time, a public hearing was held and a staff report given to the
petitioner and Commission members, and the Planning Commission approved the Use Permit
with the five conditions listed on the staff report as follows:
1. Sign to be placed after the installation of curb, gutter and sidewalk on the
Traffic Way and Allen Street frontages.
2. No encroachment into the public right -of -way.
3. Electrical wiring to be placed underground.
4. Landscape planter of not less than 20 square feet to be placed at the base of
the sign.::.
5. Permit contingent on Council's action on vacating a portion of 20' right -of-
way not needed for City streets. Sign to be placed on the northwest corner of Traffic
Way. and Allen Street within the new property line established by the vacation, or within
the existing property line.
Director Gallop advised the sign location was to be on the northwest corner of
thelproperty, or adjacent to the intersection of the streets. Since that time, Mr. and
Mrs. Cattoir have requested that the sign be relocated from the intersection corner
to the south property line, that they be granted an encroachment, and also they want
to be relieved of the requirement to put in curb, gutter and sidewalk.
Mrs.Cattoir read a prepared statement to the Commission, which was ordered filed
by the Chairman.
COMMISSIONER MC MILLER ENTERED THE MEETING DURING THE ABOVE DISCUSSION
Administrator Butch advised that one of the problems was the fact the property
had not been surveyed and there were property line problems involved, and at the
time it was determined there were utilities in the right -of -way and a survey by an
engineer would be required. The survey was authorized by the Council, with the sum
not to exceed $400.00. The cost of the surveying that had been done by the City
was pro -rated to all abutting property owners. At the Council meeting of October
26, 1969 the Council adopted a Resolution For abandonment of the property not needed
for!right -of- way "purposes, which required that this property be published in the
paper as available for bid. He advised that the adjacent property owners have the
first right to bid.
Director Gallop stated that in view of Resolutions and requirements on similar
Use'PerMi °ts in.the past, curb,_.gutter.and sidewalks have been standard requirements,
along with underground utilities, etc., and that he has discussed this with Public
Works Director Anderson and they are both of the opinion that if there are to be
deviations made, it should be restricted to the relocation of the sign and any
variance should be a matter of appeal to the City Council.
Planning Commission, 9 -16 -69 Page 2
Mr. Cattoir advised the Commission that they would like to install the sign and
then they will continue to go ahead and try to work out something on the curb and
gutter, but as it stands now, the plan is not workable and, therefore, not acceptable.
Director Gallop advised that the City specifications require sidewalk from the
back of the curb to the property line in all Commercial areas, and that any deviation
from City specifications would have to be granted by the Council and not by this
Commission. He advised the Cattoirs have two routes they can go. One, they can appeal
to the Council to grant them the right to put up the sign and delay the other.require-
ments of the Planning Commission until the time the additional property is acquired,
or the Council can rule on whether they must comply with the requirements of the Use
Permit or, two, they can apply for a Variance by the Planning Commission.
After discussion, the following action was taken:
RESOLUTION NO. 69 -135 U
RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE GRANTING MODIFICATION OF CONDITIONS
IMPOSED BY USE PERMIT CASE NO. 69 -136.
On motion of Commissioner McMillen, seconded by Commissioner Bowles, and by
the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: Commissioners Bowles, McMillen, Porter, St. Denis, Strother and Moss
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Sawyer
ti 3
the foregoing Resolution was adopted this 16th day of September, 1969.
After .furtfi er `.discussion, on motion of Commissioner McMillen, seconded by
Commissioner Strher, and unanimously carried, that a. recommendation be made to the
City Council to .Allow City Neon to install a free standing sign, and delay the other
conditions of Use Permit Case No. 69 -136 until such time that the right -of -way and
sidewalk problems have been resolved.
ROBISON LOT SPLIT CASE NO. 68 -90, SO. TRAFFIC WAY EXTENSION
Director Gallop advised that this matter is before the Commission because of the
Lot Split Committee action requiring ran dffer of dedication of easements for right-of-
way purposes. The property is located -at the southerly end of South Traffic Way
Extension. There have been a number of splits on this property over a number of years,
and easements and deeds recorded and unrecorded to the point where there was utter con -
fusion of the total area. The staff and Committee feel that these easements should be
increased from 20' to 30' on each side of the center line, and a recorded offer of dedi-
cation be made to the City, which would mean that these streets could be accepted into
the City street system when and if they are developed to City specifications. Mr.
Robison sold property, recorded the deeds, and under. the Parcel Map Act, these are
illegally recorded deeds. In trying to resolve the problem a number of conditions were
approved by the Committee. Director Gallop indicated he had the unofficial approval of
the purchaser that he will go along with these easements.
On motion of Commissioner McMillen,- seconded by Commissioner Strother, and unanimously
carried, that the Planning Commission accept the recommendation of the Lot Split Committee.
PROPOSED SERVICE STATION, FRONTAGE ROAD AND 18TH STREET, ABANDONMENT OF RIGHT-OF -WAY
Director. Gallop advised the request is for a proposed service station at the south-
west corner of the intersection of 18th Street and Frontage Road, and that part of the
proposed site is within the Arroyo Grande City Limits and the other side is in Grover City.
The petitioners are requesting a recommendation from this Commission that the City
Council would dispose of any portion of this right-of-way within the red area indicated
on the map not necessary for right -of -way purposes, with disposition to the Mobil Oil
Company for development of this service station. The development of this property
would require a tremendous amount of fill and would have to be done in accordance with
grading specifications. He stated that this Commission must determine, in initiation of
the abandonment of any right -of -way, that this would bbe a reasonable use of the property.
He stated that Grover City would have.to take similar action, and the Public Works
Directors of Grover City and Arroyo Grande have recommended recovering this waste land
and making it productive to both cities.
0 motion of Commissioner Bowles, seconded by Commissioner Strother, and unanimously
carried, that a recommendation be made to the City Council for the abandonment of a
Planning Commission, 9 -16 -69
Page 3
,pkirtion of' 'the ri ghto.f -way; Within the City of Arroyo Gran i ntersect of 18th
Streetkand as depicted on the engineering map on file.
ADVERTISING BALLOON - FOLKERTS INTERIORS
Commissioner McMillen inquired as to the legality and safety of the balloon
flying over Folkerts Interiors on Grand Avenue. Mr. Butch advised he had contacted
the F.A.A. in Santa Maria, and.was,advised. the :.balloon does not violate their regu-
lations. Director Gallop stated it would be a reasonable request for the Commission
to .consider an amendment to the Sign Ordinance regarding this. No 'action was taken'
_GULF STATION ON GRAND AVENUE
Commissioner Moss asked the status of the placement of curb, gutter and sidewalk
at the Gulf Station on Grand Avenue, stating this is the only place between Highway 101
and Halcyon Road that does not have curb and gutter. Mr. Butch advised that a letter
had been received from the Gulf Oil Co. last week, indicating they had no intentions
of making these improvements. Mr. Butch stated, after learning this, a letter was
mailed to Mr. Polin, owner of the property, seeking his cooperation in putting these
improvements in, otherwise the City would proceed with a 1911 Improvement ACt,.Shout'3
Form.
VACANT LOTS ON FAIR OAKS AVENUE i8"
Commissioner Bowles stated there were some vacant lots on Fair Oaks Avenue that
are piled with junk, such as lumber, cans and debris. One in specific is the vacant
property behind the Arroyo Grande Hospital. He asked if anything could be done to
clean up these lots. Director Gallop advised that they could request the Fire Chief
to check into the matter to see if there is a fire hazard involved.
PARKING OF SEMI TRUCKS AND TRAILERS IN PUBLIC RIGHT -OF -WAY
Commissioner Moss asked the status regarding the problem of semi trucks and
trailers being parked in the public right -of -way overnight. Director Gallop advised
that this Commission had recommended to the City Council that an Ordinance be passed
prohibiting such parking. Administrator Butch advised the matter had been referred
back to the Planning Commission.
ADJOURNMENT
As there was no further business, Chairman Moss adjourned the meeting at 9:05
P.M.
ATTEST:
.�
Secretary
Chairman