PC R 04-1916RESOLUTION NO. 04-1916
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE RECOMMENDING THAT
THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE GENERAL PLAN
AMENDMENT 03-003 AMENDING THE AGRICUTLURAL,
CONSERVATION AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT TO
REVISE OBJECTIVE AG1; GENERAL PLAN POLICIES
AG1-3, AG1-3.1, AG3-5, AG3-5.1, AG3-6, AND AG3-6.1
RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION
EASEMENT PROGRAMS; AND POLICY AG3-11
RELATING TO FARMWORKER HOUSING
WHEREAS, the City Council of Arroyo Grande adopted the updated General Plan on
October 9, 2001 and requires a comprehensive review and necessary revisions to the
Development Code and zoning map for consistency in accordance with Government
Code Section 65860; and
WHEREAS, the City has a responsibility to assure adherence to the General Plan in
meeting the needs and desires of the residents and the community; and
WHEREAS, on January 14, 2003, the City Council adopted Ordinance 536 which
established a moratorium on the acceptance of land use applications that seek to
develop parcels containing prime farmland soils and directed staff to prepare a study to
determine and assess the impacts of such conversion; and
WHEREAS, a public workshop was held on May 28, 2003 to solicit public input on the
preparation of the study; and
WHEREAS, on June 17, July 1, and July 15, 2003, public hearings were held by the
Planning Commission to receive public input on the Report on the Conservation of
Agricultural Resources for the City of Arroyo Grande (Agricultural Report).
WHEREAS, on July 22, 2003, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 3699, a portion
of which initiated the preparation of programs for facilitation of Agricultural Enterprise
and Agricultural Conservation Easement programs, among other recommendations
from the Agricultural Report; and
WHEREAS, on July 22, 2003, the City Council also engaged in substantial discussion
regarding modification of language for Objective Ag1 in the Agricultural Conservation
and Open Space Element; and
WHEREAS, on November 25, 2003, the City Council adopted an update to the Housing
Element of the General Plan which included an allowance of Farmworker housing on
Agricultural lands; and
RESOLUTION NO. 04-1916
PAG E 2
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has reviewed and considered the information and
public testimony presented at the public hearings, staff reports, and all other information
and documents that are part of the public record; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission determined that the following General Plan
Amendment findings can be made in an affirmative manner:
1. The proposed amendment land use designation provides consistency with the
goals, objectives, policies and programs of the general plan and remedies
internal inconsistencies within the plan; and
2. The proposed amendment conserves agricultural resources and will not
adversely affect the public health, safety, and welfare; and
3. The potential environmental impacts of the proposed amendment are considered
insignificant and a Negative Declaration was prepared.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission of the City of
Arroyo Grande hereby recommends the following amendments to the General Plan:
Ag 1 Avoid�e and/or mitigate loss of prime farmland soils and conserve
non-prime Agriculture use and natural resource lands.
Ag 1-3 Support existing programs and develop strategies to retain areas of
p�� farmland soils m fox agricultural use, and other Conservation/Open Space
(C/OS) areas in a natural, undeveloped state.
Ag 1-3.1 Encourage Williamson Act participation
by agricultural landowners. An inventory of
parcels under Williamson Act contract within
the City shall be maintained by the Community Development
Department and the status of those contracts/easexnents reported to the
Planning Commission and City Council. The City' s objective shall be
100% enrollment of statutory qualified parcels o.G
bearing an Ag designation. The City' s aim
shall be to maintain contiguity of Ag and C/OS parcels and avoid
fragmentation of areas having prime farmland soils or non-prime
Conservation/Open Space designation.
Ag 3-5 All Ag-designated lands shall be considered ' Agricultural Preserve' for
Land Conservation Act (Williamson Act) purposes and eligible to enter into
Williamson Act contracts to the extent that statutory qualifications are
satisfied Tha �itv �hall an�ni irana Anriri ilti iral C'nncarvatinn Facamantc fnr
RESOLUTION NO. 04-1916
PAG E 3
Ag 3-5.1 Promote Williamson Act contracts, ,
on Ag-designated properties within the City limits and in the City' s Area of
Environmental Concern. The City' s aim shall be 100% participation of
qualified Ag-designated properties that are otherwise not protected in
perpetuity.
Ag 3-6 Encourage lot mergers and consolidations,
, within the Ag district, and among
properties seeking inclusion into the Ag district, -
or meet minimum parcel size requirements for Williamson
Act participation and City standards for Agriculture uses.
Ag 3-6.1 Establish incentives for lot mergers and consolidations. The City' s
aim shall be 100% of Ag-designated properties to be qualified for Agricultural
Conservation Easement Program, or Williamson Act participation and compliant
with City standards.
Ag3-1 1 Allow residential density of no more than two primary dwelling units
on each legal parcel of 20 acres or larger within the Ag category. ��c:cessa�yc
nra^tar than �(1 arrac ciihiart tn nhtaininn a r�nrlitinna�icPTarmit A��OW Il0
more than one primary dwelling units on each parcel of less than 20 acres;
+' � alln�n�arl fnr f�rm �n,inrkar hni icin� Inratari nn nnn�nrima
On motion by Chair Guthrie, seconded by Commissioner Arnold, and by the following roll
call vote, to wit: .
AYES: Chair Guthrie, Commissioners Arnold, Brown and Keen
NOES: Commissioner Fowler
ABSENT: None
the foregoing Resolution was adopted this 2nd day of March 2004.
ATTEST:
�? �2�.�`�� -
LYN REARDON-SMITH,
SECRETARY TO THE COMMISSION
AMES GUTHRIE, CHAIR
ROB STRONG,
COMMUNITY DEVELOP ENT DIRECTOR
V