PC Minutes 1969-08-05Planning Commission
Arroyo Grande, California
August 5, 1969
The Planning Commission met in regular session with Chairman Moss presiding.
Present are Commissioners Bowles, McMillen, Porter, Sawyer and Strother. Commissioner
St. Denis is absent. Also in attendance are Mayor Thompson and Planning Director
Gallop.
MINUTE APPROVAL
On motion of Commissioner McMillen, seconded by Commissioner Sawyer, and
unanimously carried, the minutes of the regular meeting of July 15, 1969 were
approved as prepared.
AMENDMENT TO THE COASTAL VALLEY PLANNING COUNCIL JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT
Commissioner Bowles reported that the Coastal Valley Planning Council met last
night and formulated an Amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement. Director Gallop
advised the amendment will go to the Planning Commissions for their consideration and,
if they approve, it will then be submitted to the Board of Supervisors before it is
submitted to the City Councils. He explained that the Board of Supervisors objected
to the original membership as proposed and made a suggestion which was not acceptable
to the Council. Director Gallop stated this is a third proposal and, in his opinion,
provides better representation than the original. He explained it provides for each
of the four entities to have two members, with the 9th member to be selected by the
eight members of the Council.
Commissioner Strother asked for clarification regarding the appointment of
the representative -at- large. Director Gallop advised that any of the four juris-
dictions can make a recommendation, but it takes a majority vote of the eight members
of the Council to make the appointment, and he stated this point would be clarified
in the final form of the amendment. After discussion, the Commission indicated their
approval of the Amendment.
DISCUSSION RE UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITIES
Director Gallop advised a communication had been received from the California
Roadside Council in connection with undergrounding utilities. He advised that about
two months ago one of the members of the Public Utilities Commission and one of the
examiners for the Commission made a proposal to the P.U.C. in connection with under -
grounding utilities that when a street widening or reconstruction takes place in
local entities or state, and relocation of existing utilities are required, the
recommendation for policy when such relocation is required is utilities be placed
underground by that utility rather than local financing. He advised that various
cities are being requested to address a letter to the Public Utilities Commission
backing this recommendation.
Mr. Richmond, a representative of the Pacific Gas & Electric Company, was
present and stated he felt his company is as interested in undergrounding utilities
as anyone, however, one of the conditions set forth in the letter from P.U.C. was
that this would be contingent upon no change in rate, and this is not possible.
He advised that these proposals, if adopted, are not economically feasible; there
is only one source of income and that is the customers, and undergrounding of
utilities must be paid for by the rates. Mr. Richmond recommended that the
Commission investigate this thoroughly before offering a blanket endorsement.
Chairman Moss instructed Director Gallop to compile more information on
this matter and place it on the next agenda.
PUBLIC HEARING USE PERMIT CASE NO. 69 -143 FREE STANDING SIGN 611 GRAND AVE.
SANTA MARIA NEON (ART ° S SAN RAMON)
Director Gallop advised the request is for a non- flashing and non- revolving
sign. with a lantern type light fixture on the top of:the pole. Plans submitted
indicate a 12° clearance from grade; the sign face is 40 square feet in area, and
the sign is to be placed on the westerly side of the parking lot adjacent to Grand
Avenue. He stated the sign size and height are within the permissive limits of
the Highway Service District.
Upon being assured by Director Gallop that the Public Hearing for Use
Permit Case No. 69 -143, Free Standing Sign, 611 Grand Avenue, had been duly
published, posted and property owners notified, Chairman Moss declared the hear-
ing open.
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Planning Commission, 8 /5/69 Page 2
Mr. Laird, representing Santa Maria Neon, and agent for the petitioner, was
present and stated he had been advised by the Building Inspector that the sign falls
within the sign code as written, and that the sign is 8 °x5° and the pole would be
set in 8° from property line so that there would be no encroachment into the public
right -of -way.
No further discussion for or against the proposed Use Permit, Chairman Moss
declared the hearing closed, and the following action was taken,
RESOLUTION NO. 69 -131 U
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE GRANTING A USE PERMIT,
CASE NO, 69 -143,
On motion of Commissioner Strother, seconded by Commissioner Bowles, and
on the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: Commissioners Bowles, McMillen, Porter, Sawyer, Strother and
Moss
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner St. Denis
the foregoing Resolution was adopted this 5th day of August, 1969,
PUBLIC HEARING - USE PERMIT CASE NO, 69-144. CONVALESCENT HOME 1210 FARROLL AVE, WYATT
Director Gallop directed attention to the plot plan and floor plan displayed
on the board. He advised that over a year ago this property was approved by the
Commission for Mobile Home Park use but not implemented. The property consists of
4 plus acres. The proposed facility is for a 67 bed convalescent home, and must
be approved by the Regional Health Planning Council if the developers are seeking
public monies to support or assist in the construction. However, this approval is
not necessarily required if private funds are used. He also pointed out that a few
years ago the Oak Sanitarium was granted approval by both this Commission and by
the Health Council for expansion of their facility, however, that approval has
lapsed and, under the new zoning, this expansion would no longer be permissible,
Upon being assured by Director Gallop that the Public Hearing for Use Permit
Case No. 69 -144, Convalescent Home at 1210 Farroll Avenue had been duly published,
posted and property owners notified, Chairman Moss declared the hearing open.
The petitioner, Mr. J. B. Wyatt, 2140 South Court, Visalia, Calif., was
present and spoke in favor of the Use Permit being granted. He stated'he _isa
contractor and is co -owner of three convalescent hospitals and is familar with all
of the rules and regulations, and that if the permit is granted, he is prepared to
meet all City requirements in the way of setbacks, sewer, curb, gutter and sidewalks,
etc., and he is also prepared to meet all of the requirements of the Regional Health
Planning Council,
Director Gallop advised the Commission that Mr. David J. Sieperman, 508
Carol Place, called the Planning Department this afternoon, and as spokesman for
the subdivision, advised there were no objections from the residents of the sub -
division.
No further discussion for or against the proposed Use Permit, Chairman
Moss declared the hearing closed.
Director Gallop pointed out that the Arroyo Grande Community Hospital has
a request before the Health Planning Council for a convalescent facility, but
they have not submitted or requested to initiate a zone change, which will be
necessary before they can be permitted to start. The Health Council has a large
demand for new beds in the entire county and it will be up to them to determine
who gets it and what the priority will be,'
Commissioner Strother moved the Resolution approving the Use Permit be
amended to clarify the fact that the Commission is approving this Use Permit
without prejudice. to any other application to be made. or granted. Motion lost
for lack of a second because it was the feeling of the Commission that all Use
Permits are granted without prejudice.
Planning Commission, 845/69
After a brief discussion the following action was taken:
RESOLUTION NO. 69-132 U
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE GRANTING A USE PERMIT,
CASE N0, 69 - 144.
On motion of Commissioner Sawyer, seconded by Commissioner McMillen, and on
the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: Commissioners Bowles, McMillen, Porter, Sawyer, Strother and Moss
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner St. Denis
the foregoing resolution was adopted this 5th day of August, 1969.
RE1UEST FROM TIME OIL CO, TO AMEND USE PERMIT
Director Gallop requested permission to introduce a non - agenda item. The
request is from Time Oil Company to amend Use Permit Case No. 68 -134 to allow an
addition to existing sign at 504 Grand Ave. On motion of Commissioner Strother,
seconded by Commissioner Sawyer, and unanimously carried,: permission was granted
to consider the TimeOil Company °s request.
Director Gallop advised the request is to add an additional sign to the
existing free standing sign which would be 12 square feet in size, containing
"per gallon gas price ". He advised that the addition of the small sign to the
existing sign would still be within the requirements of the Use Permit for the
District.
Page 3
Commission members were given a copy of the plans for the sign. Commissioner
McMillen noted the sketch indicated only one price and inquired if Time Oil would be
selling two grades of gasoline and,' if so, the State law requires that both grade .
prices be shown.
Mr. Laird, Santa Maria Neon, stated that Time Oil Company does have two
grades of gasoline and the sketch only shows the one price, but the intention is
to have two signs showing the two prices.
After discussion, - on motion of Commissioner_Porter, seconded by Commissioner
McMillen, and unanimously carried, that the requested amendment be resubmitted to
comply with the State law.
CONS I DERAT I ON i OF THE..S;LGN ORDINANCE : Director Gallop reviewed that two years ago a Sign Ordinance was recom-
mended by the Commission and adopted by the City Council. One of the provisions
made the ground signs or "billboards" non - conforming in most districts in the City
and gave a period of two years for correction of these signs. The effective date
for correction was July 27th, 1969. The owners of these signs were notified by
certified mail two years ago concerning this action of the Council and the con-
ditions, and at that time nothing was done by either owner of four affected signs.
Several weeks ago, both owners appeared before this Commission requesting consider-
ation of the requirement, and were referred to the City Council. The City Council
took no direct action other than refer the matter back to the Commission for a
recommendation and comments, with the suggestion to meet with the owners of the
signs to consider amendment to the Ordinance or other action, and report back to
the Council.
Mr. Odum, of the Ryan Outdoor Advertising Co., was present and requested .
consideration of an amendment or amendments to the Sign Ordinance which would .
legalize ground signs or billboards. Director Gallop advised that in talking to
Mr. Shipsey, City Attorney, it was his opinion that the Ordinance is non -
discriminatory and he felt it was a legal Ordinance. Director Gallop advised the
Commission they would have two alternatives: (1) Acting as a Committee as.a
whole or select a committee to work on a possible amendment to the Sign Ordinance
or, (2) a statement that the Commission feels that the Ordinance adopted reflects
the intention of the Commission and refer the matter back to the Council for their
action.
Mr. Gallop advised the Ordinance was prepared by the International
Conference of Building Officials, and adopted by the City with amendments.
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Planning Commission, 8/5/69 Page 4
Mr. Odum stated the Ordinance that Mr. Gallop refers to as the suggested code
by the Builders does not separate and define this type of structure. There are
certain aspects about these structures that require them to comply with a more rigid
code whereas a ground sign may not have to have a building setback on private property.
We feel that by meeting with a Committee we can proceed in such a way that you would
have the decided control on our industry and you could specifically apply our type
of structure to any zone that you wish.
Commissioner McMillen inquired as to why, since there are no "M" Districts in
the City, the sign companies have not applied for a zoning change to an "M" District.
Director Gallop advised anyone is free to apply for a zone change but since the
ground on which their signs are located is, probably leased, the property owner would
have to file the application. Mr. Harris, Manager of Sambo °s Restaurant, stated this
had been their intention, but the owner of the property on which their sign is located
is now in Europe and nothing can be done until he returns.
After discussion, on motion of Commissioner McMillen, seconded by Commissioner
Bowles motion carried with one "no" vote, that a committee of two members of the
Planning Commission be appointed to meet with Mr. Harris and Mr. Odum and study the
Sign Ordinance for a possible amendment or reaffirm the Commission's stand.
Commissioners McMillen and Bowles were appointed to the Committee to study the Sign
Ordinance, and report their findings back to the Commission.
Chairman Moss requested Director Gallop to write to the City of Newport Beach
for a copy of their Sign Ordinance.
REQUEST FOR ENFORCEMENT OF SPEED LiMiT ON WALNUT STREET
Commissioner McMillen requested that the Police. Department be informed of
the speeding automobiles on Walnut Street, and recommended that the sp limits be
enforced.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was
adjourned at 8 :29 P.M.
ATTEST:
Secretary Chairman