Loading...
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