CC 2024-08-13_11a Vision Statement and Guiding Principles for General Plan UpdateItem 11.a.
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
FROM: Brian Pedrotti, Community Development Director
BY: Andrew Perez, Planning Manager
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Vision Statement and Guiding Principles for the
Comprehensive General Plan Update and Finding this Action is Not a
Project Under the California Environmental Quality Act
DATE: August 13, 2024
RECOMMENDATION:
1) Adopt a vision statement and guiding principles for the General Plan Update; and
2) Find this action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Section 15061(b).
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
The financial and personnel impacts associated with the adoption of the vision statement
are included in the budget for the Comprehensive General Plan Update.
BACKGROUND:
On March 28, 2023, Council approved a consultant services agreement with Mintier
Harnish, a planning consultant firm based out of Sacramento, to assist City staff with the
Comprehensive General Plan Update. The update is anticipated to take three years to
complete, and also includes an update to the Climate Action Plan, an Alternatives Report,
evaluation of development standards, an East Grand Avenue Corridor Overlay District,
objective design standards, development code update, retail market analysis, and market
demand study.
The project scope is divided among eleven (11) phases. The first three phases (Project
Initiation, Public Outreach Strategy, and Background Data and Ana lysis) are complete
and the visioning phase represents the fourth phase of the project. The vision statement
and guiding principles should reflect what community members value most about their
community and the shared aspirations of how they envision their community developing
during the lifespan of the General Plan. The vision statement should be inspirational and
set the key values and aspirations for the guiding principles. The guiding principles should
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Item 11.a.
City Council
Adoption of a Vision Statement and Guiding Principles for the Comprehensive
General Plan Update and Finding this Action is Not a Project Under the California
Environmental Quality Act
August 13, 2024
Page 2
provide more specific guidance that establishes the foundation for the General Plan’s
goals, policies, and programs.
A General Plan visioning workshop was held on February 28, 2024, to solicit information
from the public about their vision for their community. A series of interactive exercises
were designed to obtain community feedback, which was ultimately used to develop the
draft vision statements and guiding principles for consideration during the study session.
An online survey to gather community input on the draft vision statement and guiding
principles was active between June 17, 2024, and July 31, 2024. The survey garnered
189 responses. A summary of the responses is included as Attachment 1.
Feedback received from the public from February 2024 through May 2024 highlights the
community’s values, aspirations, and concerns, and provides a foundation for future
planning and development. An evaluation of the public comment revealed six (6) major
themes:
1. Preservation of Historic Charm and Community Identity
2. Recreation and Community Spaces
3. Inclusivity and Diversity
4. Infrastructure and Smart Growth
5. Economic Development and Local Business
6. Environmental Sustainability
The guiding principles for this project have been developed around these themes. The
input collected from the public workshop, online survey, and Planning Commission study
session should be considered by City Council, in the adoption of one (1) vision statement
and one guiding principle for each of the six (6) major themes. The feedback obtained
from the online survey are provided in Attachment 1.
Planning Commission Study Session
On July 2, 2024, a Planning Commission study session was held to receive public
comment and discuss the options presented for the vision statement and guiding
principles. For the purposes of the study session discussion, three (3) vision statements
and two (2) guiding principles for each of the six (6) major themes were provided for the
Planning Commission’s consideration. Minutes from that meeting are provided as
Attachment 2.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
After a robust discussion, including recognition of the preferences that came out of the
community survey, the Planning Commission revised staff’s recomme ndations, resulting
in one vision statement and six guiding principles being forwarded Council for its
consideration. Council can adopt the following statements as presented or revise them
as appropriate.
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Item 11.a.
City Council
Adoption of a Vision Statement and Guiding Principles for the Comprehensive
General Plan Update and Finding this Action is Not a Project Under the California
Environmental Quality Act
August 13, 2024
Page 3
Vision Statement
A vision statement is an aspirational description of what the community would like to be in
the future. It is a summary of high-level goals to be achieved by the updated General Plan.
The visioning process is valuable in identifying issues important to the community and in
providing early direction for alternative development and analysis.
During its discussion, Planning Commission identified three main priorities that need to
be included in the vision statement: revitalization of the East Grand Avenue corridor,
development of a range of housing options, and prioritization of infrastructure to facilitate
multi-modal transportation options. It was also noted by the Commission that a reference
to the city’s parks and recreation facilities should be included in the statement but did not
specify the exact language. The statement below includes a sentence added by staff
about these amenities that is intended to capture the sentiment of the Commission’s
discussion. The vision statement for Council’s consideration reads as follows:
The City of Arroyo Grande is a welcoming and vibrant community that takes pride
in its charming character while celebrating its citizens and valuing its visitors. The
City maintains public parks and recreational facilities to serve individuals of all ages
and abilities and is designed to be walkable and bike -friendly, reducing the need
for driving and promoting a healthier lifestyle. Arroyo Grande features a historic
Village and lively and accessible East Grand Avenue. The City’s dedication to
strategic growth ensures a diverse housing supply which complements market
demands while embracing people of all ages, incomes, and backgrounds.
Guiding Principles
Guiding principles should express the key values and aspirations for Arroyo Grande’s
future and act as guideposts for the goals, policies, and implementation measures
contained within the General Plan. These principles expand on the main ideas contained
in the vision statement so that important concepts are given more weight. Guiding
principles are purposefully broad to guide the city throughout development of the updated
General Plan. All General Plan goals, policies, and implementation programs need to be
consistent with the Vision and Guiding Principles.
The Planning Commission’s recommendation for the six (6) guiding principles, one for
each of the themes identified during the evaluation of public comment, are provided for
the Council’s consideration. The options provided to the Planning Commission for
purposes of the study session discussion are also included in the following sections for
reference.
Guiding Principle #1: Preservation of Community Pride and Identity.
Planning Commission Options:
Option 1: Prioritize the preservation of historic resources and landmarks
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Item 11.a.
City Council
Adoption of a Vision Statement and Guiding Principles for the Comprehensive
General Plan Update and Finding this Action is Not a Project Under the California
Environmental Quality Act
August 13, 2024
Page 4
to recognize the unique history and character of Arroyo Grande. Promote
community events, education, and engagement to foster a strong sense
of pride. Encourage quality local businesses, restaurants, and cultural
events that balance the City’s small-town feel with the need for inclusivity,
equity, and growth.
Option 2: Maintain an historic charm by preserving and enhancing historic
landmarks and fostering a close- knit, welcoming community. Support the
development of a lively Village and East Grand Avenue with local businesses,
restaurants, and cultural events, creating social gathering places where neighbors
can connect and celebrate the City’s history.
The Planning Commission preferred Option 1 indicating that it struck a good balance
between the City’s history and its current identity, whereas Option 2 leaned too heavily into
the past. Agricultural heritage is an aspect of the community that the Commission wanted
included in this statement but did not provide specific language for its inclusion. Therefore,
the mention of agricultural heritage in the first sentence was an addition by staff to recognize
the intent of the Commission. The Planning Commission’s recommendation for this guiding
principle is:
Prioritize the preservation of historic resources and landmarks to recognize the
unique history, character, and agricultural heritage of Arroyo Grande. Promote
community events, education, and engagement to foster a strong sense of pride.
Encourage quality local businesses, restaurants, and cultural events that
incorporate the City’s small-town feel with the need for inclusivity, equity, and
growth.
Guiding Principle #2: Recreation and Community Spaces.
Planning Commission Options:
Option 1: Invest in public parks, community gathering spaces, and
recreational facilities to provide inclusive spaces for all ages. Expand and
maintain safe bike lanes and interconnected walking and biking trails to
promote healthy, active lifestyles and reduce car reliance.
Option 2: Support physical activity, social interactions, and events by
enhancing and maintaining public parks, recreation trails, and community
spaces.
The Planning Commission unanimously preferred Option 1 because of its emphasis on
parks and recreational facilities and promotion of multi-modal transportation options. The
Planning Commission’s recommendation for this guiding principle is:
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Item 11.a.
City Council
Adoption of a Vision Statement and Guiding Principles for the Comprehensive
General Plan Update and Finding this Action is Not a Project Under the California
Environmental Quality Act
August 13, 2024
Page 5
Invest in public parks, community gathering spaces, and recreational facilities to
provide inclusive spaces for all ages and abilities. Expand and maintain safe bike
lanes and interconnected walking and biking trails to promote healthy, active
lifestyles and reduce car reliance.
Guiding Principle #3: Inclusivity and Diversity
Planning Commission Options:
Option 1: Foster a welcoming community where all residents feel a sense
of belonging and inclusion and can be different together. Promote
diversity, equity, and inclusivity, and encourage a community where
everyone's voices are considered and valued.
Option 2: Promote diversity and equity across ethnic, cultural, and income
levels, and strive to create an inclusive environment where every resident
has equal opportunities to thrive.
The Planning Commission preferred Option 1 because it succinctly encapsulates the
City’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy. However, it is recommended that the phrase
“equal opportunities to thrive” is added to this guiding principle. The Planning
Commission’s recommendation for this guiding principle is:
Foster a welcoming community where all residents feel a sense of belonging and
inclusion and can be different together. Promote diversity, equity, and inclusivity,
and encourage a community where everyone's voices are considered and valued,
and every resident has equal opportunities to thrive.
Guiding Principle 4: Infrastructure and Smart Growth
Planning Commission Options:
Option 1: Protect scenic assets, including open space preserves,
recreational trails, hillsides, and waterways. Prioritize sustainable
infrastructure development, integrating practices and technologies to
minimize environmental impacts. Support the development of diverse
housing options that cater to different income levels and living situations.
Option 2: Implement strategies to balance economic growth opportunities
with the preservation of natural resources. Prioritize infrastructure
investment in roads, public transportation, and community facilities to
support community growth while enhancing quality of life for all residents.
Support diverse housing options, catering to different income levels and
family structures.
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Item 11.a.
City Council
Adoption of a Vision Statement and Guiding Principles for the Comprehensive
General Plan Update and Finding this Action is Not a Project Under the California
Environmental Quality Act
August 13, 2024
Page 6
The Planning Commission preferred Option #2 because of specific references to
infrastructure investments into roads and community facilities. Planning Commissioners
recommended that the statement incorporate efforts to mitigate extreme weather events as
part of future infrastructure investments. The Planning Commission’s recommendation for
this guiding principle is:
Implement strategies to balance economic growth opportunities with the
preservation of natural resources. Prioritize infrastructure investment in roads, public
transportation, and community facilities to support community growth and mitigate
extreme weather events while enhancing quality of life for all residents. Support
diverse housing options, catering to different income levels and living situations.
Guiding Principle #5: Economic Development and Local Business
Planning Commission Options:
Option 1: Prioritize local businesses to enhance the city's economy and
create a vibrant hub of community activity through a mixture of
commercial and residential uses. Foster economic opportunities aligned
with the job and housing market to ensure economic diversity and vitality
for all residents.
Option 2: Support the local retail base and revitalize the East Grand
Avenue corridor to create a vibrant hub of community activity and diverse
housing opportunities, focusing on multi-family and missing middle
housing types. Enhance existing retail centers and attract diverse
commercial and housing options to ensure financial security for the city
and provide residents with access to a broad range of goods and
services.
The Planning Commission preferred Option #2 because of the emphasis on future
development of the East Grand Avenue corridor for generating tax revenue and a range of
housing options. It was also recommended that the statement reference visitors due to the
importance of tourism on the City’s tax base. The Planning Commission’s recommendation
for this guiding principle is:
Support the local retail base and revitalize the East Grand Avenue corridor to
create a vibrant hub of community activity and diverse housing opportunities,
focusing on multi-family and missing middle housing types. Enhance existing retail
centers, hospitality options, and attract diverse commercial and housing options to
ensure financial security for the city while providing residents and visitors with
access to a broad range of goods and services.
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Item 11.a.
City Council
Adoption of a Vision Statement and Guiding Principles for the Comprehensive
General Plan Update and Finding this Action is Not a Project Under the California
Environmental Quality Act
August 13, 2024
Page 7
Guiding Principle #6: Environmental Sustainability
Planning Commission Options:
Option 1: Protect scenic landscapes and natural resources from urban
sprawl to preserve the city’s natural beauty and agricultural heritage.
Balance resource conservation with economic growth and equity to
ensure that meeting today’s needs does not compromise the ability of the
community to meet future needs.
Option 2: Encourage sustainable practices in all community sectors,
including energy efficiency, waste reduction, and renewable energy use.
Balance resource conservation with economic growth and equity,
ensuring a sustainable future through municipal leadership and policy
commitments.
The Planning Commission preferred Option #2 because it more clearly states what the
City’s objectives are regarding sustainability and balancing current demands with future
needs. The Planning Commission’s recommendation for this guiding principle is:
Encourage sustainable practices in all community sectors, including energy
efficiency, waste reduction, and renewable energy use. Balance resource
conservation with economic growth and equity to ensure that meeting today’s
needs does not compromise the ability of the community to meet future needs.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council’s consideration:
1. Adopt the vision statement and one guiding principle from each of the major
themes;
2. Revise and adopt a vision statement and guiding principles; or
3. Provide other direction to staff.
ADVANTAGES:
Establishing a vision statement and guiding principles that align with the community’s
vision will become the overarching policy document that guides the development of the
General Plan update.
DISADVANTAGES:
None identified.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Adoption of the vision statement and guiding principles is not a project subject to the
California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because it has no potential to result in
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Item 11.a.
City Council
Adoption of a Vision Statement and Guiding Principles for the Comprehensive
General Plan Update and Finding this Action is Not a Project Under the California
Environmental Quality Act
August 13, 2024
Page 8
either a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change in the environment.
(State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060, subd. (b)(2)-(3)).
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
The Agenda was posted at City Hall and on the City’s website in accordance with
Government Code Section 54954.2.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Community Comments from Visioning Workshop and Online Survey
2. Minutes of the July 2, 2024, Planning Commission Meeting
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ATTACHMENT 1
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Vision Statements
1) The City of Arroyo Grande is a welcoming and vibrant community situated along California’s Central Coast. It is a
community that takes pride in its charming character while celebrating the different people that make it unique. The City
embraces its range of housing choices, diverse local culture and arts, historic Village, and a lively and accessible East
Grand Avenue. The City’s infrastructure supports reliable public facilities and services, an extensive park system, and
active transportation, ensuring that residents of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy healthy and active lifestyles.
2) Arroyo Grande is a vibrant, diverse City with a strong sense of identity that embraces its community spirit, diversity, and
inclusivity. Arroyo Grande takes pride in its extensive multi-modal transportation facilities, ample parks, and numerous
recreational opportunities. Arroyo Grande’s dedication to strategic growth ensures that housing supply complements
market demands, embracing people of all ages, incomes, and backgrounds. The city serves as a model for sustainable
growth, balancing development with the preservation of surrounding scenic landscapes and natural resources.
3) Arroyo Grande is a remarkable Central Coast community known for its historic Village, vibrant East Grand Avenue,
ample housing options, and welcoming community. Arroyo Grande is designed to be walkable and bike-friendly,
reducing the need for driving and promoting a healthier lifestyle. Public parks and recreational facilities serve individuals
of all ages, cultivating an inclusive setting where both residents and tourists can engage in recreational activities, and
the community can connect to one another and their environment in a meaningful way. Arroyo Grande’s pride lies in its
commitment to safety, sustainability, and celebrating differences.
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Vision Statement: Write-in Responses/Comments
• Arroyo Grande is a welcoming small town community that protects its historic charm, and resists growth that does not first improve
upon what is already here. Its vision refers to the most recent survey done years ago, to measure what has been done and assess
what still needs to be done to honor that vision and the investment already made toward that effort. It does not push for growth,
development and expansion just for the sake of those things. It does not seek to be anything bigger than what it is, in order to retain
the qualities that have drawn its residents living here already. It seeks not to ruin its charm at the expense of growth it cannot afford,
and without the sound foundation of essential availability of water. It promises not to go broke (as many other cities are) due to lack
of sound, responsible, logical planning. Conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion are kept out of the plan because level-
headed leaders honor that these divisive topics of today are better left in the privacy of one's home and not in a city plan.
• Use option 3 and eliminate the last line about celebrating differences. We should be celebrating unity and common denominators,
not b.s. propoganda that divide us along race, religious, gender, or political lines. We are sick of celebrating differences!!!!!
• The City of Arroyo Grande is a welcoming and vibrant community situated along California’s Central Coast. It is a community that
takes pride in its charming character. The City embraces it’s local culture and arts, historic Village, and a lively and walkable East
Grand Avenue. The City’s infrastructure supports reliable public facilities and services, an extensive park system, and active
transportation, ensuring that residents of all ages can enjoy healthy and active lifestyles.
(Welcoming means welcome to everyone. Repeatedly using words like inclusivity and diversity isn’t necessary, and makes whoever
wrote this sounds like an imbecile).
• Protect the small town feeling and charm. Keep the village and parks clean and family friendly. Encourage mom and pop unique
businesses to thrive.
• The City of Arroyo Grande is a welcoming and vibrant community situated along California’s Central Coast. It is a community that
takes pride in its charming character and celebrates all of the wonderful, friendly people that make it unique. The City embraces its
range of housing choices, diverse local culture and arts, historic Village, and a lively and accessible East Grand Avenue. The City’s
infrastructure supports reliable public facilities and services, an extensive park system, and active transportation, ensuring that
residents of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy healthy and active lifestyles.
• Arroyo Grande is a welcoming Central Coast community that enjoys its proximity to the Pacific coast, fresh ocean breezes, beautiful
rolling hills and fertile valleys. The town strives to retain its village charm, historic architecture, and sustain the beauty and appeal of
the town by protecting its natural resources and effectively planning for the future and healthy economic growth.
• The City of Arroyo Grande is a welcoming and vibrant community situated along California’s Central Coast. It is a community that
takes pride in its charming character. The City embraces its range of housing choices, its local culture and arts, historic Village, and
a robust East Grand Avenue business thoroughfare. The City’s infrastructure supports quality public facilities and services, an
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extensive park and recreational system, and active transportation, ensuring that residents of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy
active lifestyles.
• The City of Arroyo Grande is a welcoming and vibrant community situated along California’s Central Coast. It is a community of
charming character and friendly people. The City embraces its range of housing choices, unique local culture and arts, historic
Village, and a lively and accessible East Grand Avenue. The City’s infrastructure supports reliable public facilities and services, an
extensive park system, and active transportation, ensuring that residents of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy healthy and active
lifestyles.
• The city of Arroyo Grande is a community that embraces its dynamic and diverse population without sacrificing, the rich agricultural
heritage upon which it was founded. Through thoughtful development it responds to the demands of an expanding population, while
preserving its historical character. A variety of spaces dedicated to public gatherings and events, fosters caring and close knit
neighborhoods where one generation passes the torch to the next as stewards of the environmental treasures of the fertile valleys
and foothills of the central coast.
• Nice town, normal people
• Our city is committed to preserving heritage, fostering community, embracing diversity, and providing sustainable, responsible,
growth.
• The City of Arroyo Grande is a welcoming and vibrant community situated along California’s Central Coast. It is a community that
takes pride in its charming character and hard working people that make it thrive. The City embraces its local culture and work
ethic, historic Village, art, and a lively and accessible East Grand Avenue. The City’s infrastructure supports reliable public facilities
and services, small business friendly community, an extensive park system, and active transportation, ensuring that residents of all
ages and families can enjoy healthy and active lives.
• None of the three addressed added housing without money for infrastructure. None really say anything specific. Please make your
plan more specific and try again. We so appreciate being included in the decision making, and miss having one of you in a booth
during a public day downtown. As we grow you are becoming less accessible. We appreciate you, but want to know what your
plans are. Option 2 frankly seems risky "balancing development" to gain added funds for existing infrastructure while creating the
need for additional infrastructure.
• I like option one the best of the three but there should be something that includes agriculture. All three statements seem to
purposefully exclude Ag, visitors and potential residents should know and appreciate that Arroyo Grande embraces its rural roots
and we have no desire to become SLO or Santa Barbara.
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• The City of Arroyo Grande is a welcoming, family-oriented, and safe community situated along California’s Central Coast. It is a
community that takes pride in its smalltown character but also its commitment to sustainability in housing, energy, parks, and more.
Arroyo Grande takes care to protect the natural environment within and around it such as the historic Arroyo Grande Creek. Arroyo
Grande is designed to be walkable and bike-friendly, reducing the need for driving and promoting a healthier lifestyle. Public parks
and recreational facilities cater to all ages, fostering an inclusive environment where residents and tourists can recreate, families
play, and sports enthusiasts gather. Arroyo Grande is welcome to all people and celebrates and studies its history and the culture
that formed as a result.
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Guiding Principle #1: Preservation of Community Pride and Identity.
1) Prioritize the preservation of historic resources and landmarks to recognize the unique history and character of Arroyo
Grande. Promote community events, education, and engagement to foster a strong sense of pride. Encourage quality local
businesses, restaurants, and cultural events that balance the City’s small-town feel with the need for inclusivity, equity, and
growth.
2) Maintain an historic charm by preserving and enhancing historic landmarks and fostering a close- knit, welcoming
community. Support the development of a lively Village and East Grand Avenue with local businesses, restaurants, and
cultural events, creating social gathering places where neighbors can connect and celebrate the City’s history
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Community Pride and Identity Write-in Responses/Comments
• Keep small town charm. Safe quiet and family friendly village and parks . Encourage unique mom and pop business to thrive.
• Enhance the town's charm by preserving its historic architecture and landmarks, and cultivating its welcoming and friendly
community. Support the thoughtful development of a thriving Village and the Grand Avenue corridor populated with local
businesses, restaurants, and cultural events, creating attractive community places where neighbors can connect and celebrate the
City’s heritage.
• Prioritize the development of quality local businesses, restaurants, hotels, and cultural events. Promote and preserve the City's
historic landmarks and emphasize its existing identity as a welcoming community with small-town appeal.
• Prioritize housing so those that grew up here can afford to stay.
• Guiding Principle:** Honor and preserve Arroyo Grande's historical landmarks and cultural heritage, ensuring new development
complements the city's unique character.
Implementation:** Develop heritage preservation guidelines and incentives for property owners. Support community events that
celebrate local history and traditions.
• Maintain an historic charm by preserving and enhancing historic landmarks and fostering a close- knit, welcoming community.
Support local businesses through the development of a lively Village and East Grand Avenue with restaurants, and cultural events,
creating social gathering places where neighbors can connect and celebrate the City’s history.
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Guiding Principle #2: Recreation and Community Spaces.
1) Invest in public parks, community gathering spaces, and recreational facilities to provide inclusive spaces for all ages. Expand
and maintain safe bike lanes and interconnected walking and biking trails to promote healthy, active lifestyles and reduce car
reliance.
2) Support physical activity, social interactions, and events by enhancing and maintaining public parks, recreation trails, and
community spaces.
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Recreation and Community Spaces Write-in Responses/Comments
• Invest in public parks, open space, hiking trails surrounding the urban areas, and recreational facilities to provide opportunity for
residents to stay active and healthy. Expand and maintain bike lanes and dirt bike trails in surrounding open space to promote
healthy and active lifestyle. Preserve our farming heritage and incorporate open spaces and bike trails though the beautiful farming
areas of Arroyo Grande.
• Invest in public parks, community gathering spaces, recreational facilities and services to promote healthy, active lifestyles by
providing attractive, healthy and safe venues for all ages and abilities.
• Maintain focus and educate the public on budgetary priorities needed to maintain existing public parks, recreation trails and
recreational services. Promote a volunteer coalition to create any expansion of biking trails, recreation trails, and other
nonmandated City public services.
• Guiding Principle:** Enhance access to parks, trails, and recreational facilities that promote health, well-being, and community
interaction.
Implementation:** Invest in maintenance and expansion of parks and recreational areas. Foster partnerships with community
organizations to provide diverse recreational programs. Otherwise- I like option 1 better
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Guiding Principle #3: Inclusivity and Diversity
1) Foster a welcoming community where all residents feel a sense of belonging and inclusion and can be different together.
Promote diversity, equity, and inclusivity, and encourage a community where everyone's voices are considered and valued.
2) Promote diversity and equity across ethnic, cultural, and income levels, and strive to create an inclusive environment where
every resident has equal opportunities to thrive.
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Inclusivity and Diversity Write-in Responses/Comments
• Remove this from the conversation. It is divisive rhetoric that follows current culture and does not belong in public planning
conversations. Leave it alone. A sense of belonging and inclusion are personal responsibilities. If one does not feel either, it is a
personal growth journey for each individual that a city should not be responsible for. Sacramento politicians and liberal values are
seeding this conversation. Please stop.
• Don't go there. Quit putting us into groups that highlight our differences. Focus on humanity as one entity, not groups.
• Eliminate this because it’s ridiculous woke jargon and makes no sense.
• Pushing diversity and inclusivity isn’t going to make housing more affordable in AG.
• Be kind to all , sincere , engaged. Not the job of the city
• this section is not needed
• Promote a well-maintained, friendly, thriving community, where every resident has opportunities to thrive.
• Engage a welcoming community where everyone feels a sense of belonging and inclusion. Encourage a town where everyone's
voices are heard and valued and where each person has the opportunity to thrive and contribute.
• The City of Arroyo Grande is proud of its over 100-year history of being a welcoming and supportive community where every
resident has equal opportunities to excel. It has a unique historic heritage that celebrates the City's founding members who include
Japanese, Portuguese, Philippine, and Mexican immigrants.
• Acknowledge and respect diversity and equity across ethnic, cultural, and income levels, and strive to create an inclusive
environment where every resident has equal opportunities to thrive without unjustly or disproportionately infringing on the rights and
opportunities of others.
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• I don’t think it’s warranted for the city to fund/encourage events for different genders or religions. This usually just creates divisions.
Celebrating cultures (ethnic or regional) would be a more appropriate way to encourage unity. Both statements above are poor.
• DEI is the application of post-modern neo-Marxian ideology (Critical Theory) to break Western culture and values. Really. It’s part
of a larger Orwellian language game of manipulation. Please understand how these benign terms can be weaponized. Feel free to
call if you wish to discuss.
• Foster a welcoming community where all residents feel a sense of belonging.
• Provide a community in which all people can thrive by ensuring that individual liberties are protected and the rights of all citizens are
respected.
• We honor our Constitution, which says that all people are created equal, with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
• Respecting other’s opinions and focusing on what we have in common. Not having too much diversity or inclusion that it dilutes who
we are and our history. Not changing our identity in the moment to fit it with our current culture. Standing firm in who we are; a
farming town full of loving people who create beautiful things.
• Foster a welcoming community by ensuring that all residents have access to housing and business growth, opportunities, and
promote an environment in which citizens and visitors thrive.
• Guiding Principle:** Embrace diversity as a strength and ensure all residents feel valued and included in community life.
Implementation:** Implement inclusive policies in housing, employment, and public services. Support cultural events and initiatives
that celebrate diversity and foster understanding. Otherwise- I like both option 2 slightly more than option 1
• Foster a welcoming community where all residents feel a sense of belonging and community among one another. Encourage
residents to participate in a community where everyone's voices are considered and valued.
• How about we leave that out. Because having different beliefs is what makes us unique. Inclusion means if you disagree with
someone’s beliefs they are considered not inclusive. Let’s focus on keeping AG from gong under financially.
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• Both 1 and 2 should be considered by the city council. Why is it that we keep thinking you are asking for permission to bulldoze and
build apartments for added city income? This is not a plan, it's a non-specific vision. What are you asking us to get into?
• Promote a family friendly community for all ages and backgrounds where diversity and inclusivity is tolerated but not promoted.
• Promote equal opportunities, NOT equity!
• Support a community where anyone 8 to 80 years old, of all backgrounds and abilities can navigate and experience arroyo grande
and all it has to offer.
• Neither option.
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Guiding Principle 4: Infrastructure and Smart Growth
1) Protect scenic assets, including open space preserves, recreational trails, hillsides, and waterways. Prioritize sustainable
infrastructure development, integrating practices and technologies to minimize environmental impacts. Support the
development of diverse housing options that cater to different income levels and living situations.
2) Implement strategies to balance economic growth opportunities with the preservation of natural resources. Prioritize
infrastructure investment in roads, public transportation, and community facilities to support community growth while
enhancing quality of life for all residents. Support diverse housing options, catering to different income levels and family
structures.
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Infrastructure and Smart Growth Write-in Responses/Comments
• Support and improve upon the existing infrastructure. We do not need expansion we cannot afford nor support with a lack of
something as essential as water. This will ruin the charm and simplicity of a town that has attracted more than enough people in the
last four years, and kept life-long residents here. We do not need to grow. Traffic is already awful and ruining that which was so
attractive about living here in the first place. Don't make it something it was never meant to be.
• Implement strategies to balance economic growth opportunities with the preservation of natural resources. Prioritize infrastructure
investment in roads, public transportation, and community facilities to support community growth while enhancing quality of life for
all residents.
• Keep AG the way it is and simply improve on what’s already there. Packing low income housing isn’t going to make AG a desirable
place to live like it is now
• Maintain existing infrastructure
• Implement strategies to balance economic growth opportunities with the preservation of natural resources. Prioritize infrastructure
investment in roads, public transportation, and community facilities to support community growth while enhancing quality of life for
all residents.
• Implement strategies to balance economic growth opportunities with the preservation of natural resources. Prioritize infrastructure
investment in roads, public transportation, and community facilities to support community growth and prosperity for all residents.
Support diverse housing options, and traditional family structures.
• Implement strategies to balance economic growth opportunities with the preservation of natural resources. Prioritize infrastructure
investment in roads, public transportation, and community facilities to support community growth while enhancing quality of life for
all residents.
• Protect scenic assets, including open space preserves, recreational trails, hillsides, and waterways. Prioritize sustainable
infrastructure development, integrating practices and technologies to minimize environmental impacts. Prioritize the development of
higher density apartment complexes and affordable home ownership opportunities for first time home buyers and low income wage
earners.
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• Implement strategies to create economic growth opportunities with the preservation of natural resources. Prioritize infrastructure
investment in roads, public transportation, and community facilities to support community growth while enhancing quality of life for
all residents. Support housing options that cater to different income levels and family structures.
• Recognize the area has limits to growth and build quality infrastructure to serve the area efficiently. Add a third lane in both
directions to the US 101 to enhance quality of life, public safety, and reduce pollution.
• Protect scenic assets, including open space preserves, recreational trails, hillsides, and waterways. Focus on maintaining current
infrastructures, roadways and buildings.
• Implement strategies to balance economic growth opportunities with the preservation of natural resources.
• Prioritize infrastructure investment in roads for cars because that is how people transport. Only invest in public transportation if it
can financially sustain itself. Support housing options if they can blend in with the layout of our city without turning it into any other
town without identity. Catering to young family structures with yards and space. No high apartments packing people in. It doesn’t
mesh with our vibe.
• Guiding Principle:** Support responsible, sustainable growth that enhances quality of life and minimizes environmental impact.
Implementation:** Develop infrastructure plans that prioritize walkability, public transit, and green building practices. Adopt zoning
regulations that encourage mixed-use development and minimize urban sprawl. otherwise- I like Option 2 better than option 1-
though both are good
• Implement strategies to balance economic growth opportunities with the preservation of natural resources. Prioritize infrastructure
investment in roads, public transportation, and community facilities to support community growth while enhancing quality of life for
all residents. Support growing residential and family housing needs, catering to different income levels and family structures.
• Development other than infill housing will destroy the unique character of AG. We cannot make the freeway like L.A. be any less
crowded by adding more commuters in the mix. We cannot improve our schools by adding more portables. In some cases small
town may have its advantages. Please, city council be careful what you wish for
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Guiding Principle #5: Economic Development and Local Business
1) Prioritize local businesses to enhance the city's economy and create a vibrant hub of community activity through a mixture
of commercial and residential uses. Foster economic opportunities aligned with the job and housing market to ensure
economic diversity and vitality for all residents.
2) Support the local retail base and revitalize the East Grand Avenue corridor to create a vibrant hub of community activity and
diverse housing opportunities, focusing on multi-family and missing middle housing types. Enhance existing retail centers
and attract diverse commercial and housing options to ensure financial security for the city and provide residents with access
to a broad range of goods and services.
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Economic Development and Local Business
• Support the local retail base and look into revitalizing the East Grand Avenue corridor to create an appropriate "small-town" hub of
community activity. Improve the housing that exists without imposing growth that ignores a clean-up effort of what is already here.
Don't sell the city up the river by forcing growth. Assess what is currently being spent on what. Survey residents to assess services
most needed. Improve upon existing retail centers to insist on financial solvency within the city's existing budget.
• Does whoever wrote this know any others words besides diverse
• Enhance existing retail centers and attract commercial and housing options to ensure financial security for the city and provide
residents with access to a broad range of goods and services.
• Prioritize local businesses to enhance the city's economy and create a vibrant hub of community activity through a mixture of
commercial and residential uses. Foster economic opportunities aligned with the job and housing market.
• Tap into regional and local resources, such as the university, to work with a coalition of entrepreneurs, to create strategies to spur
economic development citywide. Support the local retail base and revitalize the East Grand Avenue corridor to create a vibrant hub
of community activity. Enhance existing retail centers and attract diverse commercial and housing opportunities to ensure the
financial viability of the city and provide residents and visitors with access to a broad range of goods and services.
• I like option 1 without the word diverse included in the statement. You can replace the word “Diverse” with “equality”.
• Prioritize local businesses to enhance the city's economy and create a vibrant hub of community activity through a mixture of
commercial and residential uses. Foster economic opportunities aligned with the job and housing market to ensure economic vitality
for all residents.
• Prioritize local businesses by creating financial incentives and removing laws/resolutions that hinder business success. Separate
commercial from residential uses.
• Foster a local business collection designed for people, not cars.
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Guiding Principle #6: Environmental Sustainability
1) Protect scenic landscapes and natural resources from urban sprawl to preserve the city’s natural beauty and agricultural
heritage. Balance resource conservation with economic growth and equity to ensure that meeting today’s needs does not
compromise the ability of the community to meet future needs.
2) Encourage sustainable practices in all community sectors, including energy efficiency, waste reduction, and renewable
energy use. Balance resource conservation with economic growth and equity, ensuring a sustainable future through
municipal leadership and policy commitments.
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Environmental Sustainability
• Encourage sustainable practices in all community sectors, including energy efficiency, waste reduction, and renewable energy use.
Focus on improving what exists today rather than adding more without first cleaning up what is.
• Encourage sustainable practices in all community sectors, including energy efficiency, waste reduction, and renewable energy use.
Balance resource conservation with economic growth.
• Protect scenic landscapes and natural resources from urban sprawl to preserve the city’s natural beauty and agricultural heritage.
Never sacrifice farmland nor our sensitive environment to the dubious benefits of growth.
• this section is not needed
• Protect scenic landscapes and natural resources from urban sprawl to preserve the city’s natural beauty and agricultural heritage.
Balance resource conservation with economic growth, ensuring that meeting today’s needs does not compromise the ability of the
community to meet future needs.
• Preserve the city’s natural beauty and agricultural heritage. Balance resource conservation with economic growth to ensure that
meeting today’s needs does not compromise the ability of the community to meet future needs.
• Protect scenic landscapes and natural resources from urban sprawl to preserve the city’s natural beauty and agricultural heritage.
Balance resource conservation with economic growth to ensure that meeting today’s needs does not compromise the ability of the
community to meet future needs.
• Equity is equality of outcome. It mandates a central authority to redistribute share. Marx applied this to economics. Modern social
justice applies the same principle to the cultural realm.
• Please remove Diversity, Equity and Inclusion language.
• Protect scenic landscapes to preserve the city’s natural beauty and agricultural heritage. Balance resource conservation with
economic growth to ensure that meeting today’s needs does not compromise the ability of the community to meet future needs.
• Support the development of clean energy and environmental policies that maximize environmental effectiveness as opposed to
conservation of what currently exists.
• Question for the city: please define equity as used multiple times in several of these statements. I would appreciate an email with
your definition as it applies to the your guiding principles.
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• Guiding Principle:** Commit to environmental stewardship and conservation of natural resources for future generations.
Implementation:** Adopt policies and initiatives to reduce carbon footprint and promote renewable energy. Preserve open spaces
and natural habitats through land use planning and conservation efforts. Otherwise, I also like Option # 2
• Protect scenic landscapes and natural resources to preserve the city’s natural beauty and agricultural heritage. Balance resource
utilization with economic growth and to ensure that meeting today’s needs does not limit the ability of the community to meet future
needs.
• Encourage sustainable practices in all community sectors, including energy efficiency, waste reduction, and renewable energy use.
Balance resource conservation with economic growth, ensuring a sustainable future through municipal leadership and policy
commitments. Encourage and allow greater density and reduced parking requirements near the village core and East Grand
Corridor.
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ATTACHMENT 2
1
ACTION MINUTES
MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
July 2, 2024, 6:00 p.m.
Hybrid City Council Chamber/Virtual Zoom Meeting
215 East Branch Street, Arroyo Grande
Commission Members Present: Chair Jamie Maraviglia, Catherine Sackrison,
Bruce Berlin, Vice Chair Virginia Roof
Commission Members Absent: Kevin Buchanan
Staff Present: Planning Manager Andrew Perez, Associate
Planner Patrick Holub, Community
Development Director Brian Pedrotti
This meeting was conducted in a hybrid in-person/virtual format.
_____________________________________________________________________
1.CALL TO ORDER
Chair Maraviglia called the Planning Commission meeting to order at 6:00pm.
2.ROLL CALL
Commissioner Buchanan absent.
3.FLAG SALUTE
Commissioner Berlin led the flag salute.
4.AGENDA REVIEW
None.
5.COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Chair Maraviglia opened the public comment period.
A member of the public spoke about the lighting in the Village and asked that additional lights be
provided.
Ethan Barnes spoke thanked staff for soliciting input regarding the General Plan Update.
Gaea Powell thanked staff for their work on the General Plan Update.
Hearing no further public comment, Chair Maraviglia closed the public comment period.
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ATTACHMENT 1
2
6. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
One supplemental memo was received regarding item 9.a.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner Berlin identified a typo in the minutes for approval.
7.a Approval of Minutes
Moved by Bruce Berlin
Seconded by Catherine Sackrison
Approve the Minutes of the May 7, 2024 Planning Commission meeting with the correction of
one typographical error.
Passed
7.b Consideration of Time Extension 24-002 for CUP 19-002 and Finding that this Action is
Not a Project Under CEQA Section 15061; Location – 207 Pilgrim Way; Representative –
Warren Hamrick
Vice Chair Roof stated her support for the project.
Moved by Bruce Berlin
Seconded by Catherine Sackrison
1) Adopt a Resolution approving Time Extension 24-002; and
2) Find the action to be exempt from California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section
15061.
Passed
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
9. NON-PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
9.a General Plan Study Session to Discuss Draft Vision Statements and Guiding Principles
Planning Manager Perez introduced the item and introduced the City's Consultant.
Michael Gibbons, consultant, presented the staff report and responded to Commissioner
questions regarding: outreach efforts; feedback received; and survey results.
Chair Maraviglia opened the public comment period. Speaking from the public were: Gaea
Powell, Michael P., Shannon Kessler, Kay Lawton; Ethan Barnes, Liz Worthen, Jared Worthen,
Alexandria Davis, Judy Cecchetti; Glenn Martin; and Mike Harris.
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ATTACHMENT 1
3
Community Development Director Pedrotti provided direction to the Commission regarding the
discussion and addressed comments received regarding diversity, equity, inclusion and justice.
Chair Maraviglia called for a ten minute break at 8:01pm.
The Commission reconvened at 8:11pm.
The Commission made the following comments regarding the draft vision statement and guiding
principle options:
Discuss the draft vision statements and guiding principles for the General Plan Update, receive
public comment, and recommend that Council adopt a vision statement and guiding principles
for the comprehensive General Plan Update.
10. NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS SINCE MAY 7, 2024
Received.
Commissioner Berlin asked a question about the location of the project on Cobble Creek Way that was
answered by Associate Planner Holub.
11. COMMISSION COMMUNICATIONS
Commissioner Sackrison wished staff, the Commission and the public a happy Fourth of July.
12. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
Community Development Director Pedrotti thanked the Commission for their work and wished them all
a happy Fourth of July and responded to a question from the Commission regarding firework
regulations.
13. ADJOURNMENT
The Meeting adjourned at 8:53pm.
_________________________
Jamie Maraviglia, Chair
_________________________
Patrick Holub, Associate Planner
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