Minutes 1991-03-26
u.., - --. ---. Un_,_ _.U____~_'.n~._ -.----_,____u_____ _"U__. -- --.- . .-- , .-l
,-
369
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1991
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 EAST BRANCH STREET I
ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA I
,
The City Council of the city of Arroyo Grande met at 7:30
P.M., with Mayor Mark M. Millis presiding.
1. & 2. FLAG SALUTE AND INVOCATION
Mayor Millis led the Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag, and the
Rev. James Wickstrom of Berean Bible Church delivered the
invocation.
!
3. ROLL CALL
Present were Mayor Millis and Council Members A. K. "Pete"
Dougall, Gene Moots, Doris Olsen and B'Ann Smith. Staff Members
present were City Manager Chris Christiansen, City Attorney Judy
Skousen, city Clerk Nancy Davis, Planning Director Doreen Liberto-
Blanck, Public Works Director Paul Karp and Long Range Planner
Sandra Bierdzinski.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
PEDRO ARAYA of 357 Tally Ho Road requested that he be placed
on a future City Council agenda. He said that a portion of his
land had been taken by the City for road purposes by way of
surveyor's fraud.
Mr. Christiansen said the Council made a decision on the
matter several months ago, and had rejected two claims against the
City filed by Mr. Araya.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
It was moved by Dougall/Olsen, and the motion passed to
approve Consent Agenda Items 5.B. through S.D., with the
recommended courses of action.
,
5. B. March 6, 1991, Senior Advisory Commission Minutes.
Information.
S.C. Liability Claim, Kenneth M. Ursu. Claim Rejected.
5.D. Progress Payment No.1: Arroyo Grande Well No.8; Project No.
60-90-3. Approved.
Mayor Millis read the Item 5.A. Proclamation "Honoring the
Planning Commission and Planning Department Staff," March 26, 1991.
He presented proclamations to Robert Carr, Planning Commission
chairman, and Ms. Bierdzinski, Long Range Planner. Mayor Millis
also recognized Planning C~mmissioners Drew Brandy and Clark Moore,
who were in the audience.
r
6. REGISTER OF CHECKS
It was moved by Smith/Dougall, and the motion passed to
approve the cash disbursements in the amount of $310,094.58, as
contained in the March 20, 1991 Staff Report of Finance Director
David Bacon.
CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARING - APPEAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION
DETERMINATION THAT THE PROPOSED GARDEN ROOM AT 311 SHORT STREET IS
PART OF THE SECOND UNIT AND THEREFORE NOT PERMITTED BECAUSE IT
EXCEEDS THE 640 SOUARE FEET MAXIMUM AREA PERMITTED UNDER CITY
ORDINANCES: EDWIN THALMAN.
Mr. Christiansen said the applicant had met the requirements
for a "sun room." He said the Planning Staff had approved the
design.
After being assured that the public hearing had been duly
published and all legal requirements met, Mayor Millis declared the
1
I
-"-- -,
370 ...
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MARCH 26, 1991
hearing open and said all persons would be heard regarding the
matter.
MR. THALMAN of 311 Short street said he had agreed to the
city's requirements and asked for approval of the sun room.
ANNE REUDI of 317 Short street said the sun room would block
her view and cause her to lose more privacy.
When no one further came forward to speak, Mayor Millis closed
the hearing to the floor.
Ms. Liberto-Blanck explained that a second unit is limited to 1
640 square feet. She showed photographs and the new designs of the
proposed sun room to the Council.
There were Council questions and concern about the fact that
the Planning Commission did not review the new design.
It was moved by OlsenjMoots, and the motion passed to send the
matter back to the Planning Commission for review aMd determination
as to whether the sun room should be considered part of the second
uni t, and for an interpretation as to what should constitute
"living" space. It was decided by the Council that: if Mr. Thalman
should appeal the Planning Commission's decision on the matter, he
would not be required to pay another Appeal Fee.
7.B. CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARING - AMENDMENT TO MUNICIPAL CODE.
TITLE 9. PLANNING AND ZONING. BY ADOPTION OF A NEW DEVELOPMENT
CODE.
Ms. Bierdzinski referred to the March 26, 1991 S~aff Report of
the Planning Director, who wrote that Staff recommended that the
Council, (1) Review the Planning commission's and Staff's responses
to comments and letters received from the pUblic: (2) Give
direction to Staff on revisions to the Development Code, and (3)
Direct Staff to return on April 9, 1991 with, (a) Resolutions
certifying the EIR and making certain findings, and (b) an
Ordinance adopting the Development Code with amendments.
Ms. Bierdzinski referred to letters to the council dated March
25, 1991 from Coker Ellsworth and March 26, 1991 from the Arroyo
Grande Chamber of Commerce. She also discussed minor adjustments
made to the Development Code since the March 12, 1991 city Council
meeting, concerning street lighting, condominium conversions and
rules covering when conditional Use Permits are required. She said
other items before the Council were Byron Grant's request for
higher motel density, multi-family residential use in commercial
zones, sign regulations and a Development Code Enforcement Officer.
After being assured that the public hearing had been duly 1
published and all legal requirements met, Mayor Millis declared the
hearing open and said all persons would be heard regarding the
matter.
MIKE LADY of 730 Oak Leaf Circle spoke for the Arroyo Grande
Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He said the Chamber had
worked with the City staff on the Sign Ordinance and felt that the
use of neon signs is necessary for commercial businesses. He
suggested an amnesty period during which businesses not conforming
to the new Sign Ordinance could bring their signs into conformance.
He expressed the Chamber's appreciation for the City's cooperation
on the Sign ordinance and Development Code.
HARRY PAYNE of 477 Prince said he is past president of the
Lucky/payless Shopping Center merchants' association. He said
merchants at the center feel that neon signs should be allowed
2
- 371
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MARCH 26, 1991
inside and outside of the businesses.
BYRON GRANT of High Mountain Road spoke in favor of higher
motel density, and said there would probably be changes in the
Development Code since a lot of people do not realize how it will
affect them.
CHRIS WALLER of Shell Beach, land owner in Arroyo Grande,
asked the Council if the City were to use the Eminent Domain law to
obtain land, if it would pay what the land would be worth at its
~ highest use.
City Attorney Skousen said it would not be proper for the
Council to answer that question at this time.
TIM QUIGGLE of 358 Corbett Canyon Road discussed the high cost
of placing utilities underground.
Ms. Bierdzinski said placement of utilities underground will
not be required under the Development Code for single family
residences, remodelling projects or non-discretionary projects.
MELVIN JOHNSON, property owner at 535 Traffic Way, requested
that his Vagabond Mobile Home Park remain designated "Highway
Service/Mobile Home Park" rather than "Mobile Home Park." He said
his park is getting older and eventually he would like to do
something else with it.
MARK VASQUEZ of 345 Acero Place said that with the approval of
the Development Code, the moratorium on multi-fajllily building
should come to an end. I
I
When no one further came forward to speak, Mayor Millis closed
the hearing to the floor.
After questions of Staff, the Council reached the following
conclusions with regard to the Development Code:
1. Parking for Senior Independent Living residential uses -
add 0.5 space per unit for visitor parking.
2. The city will retain the existing sign ordinance but make
revisions that are necessary for it to be internally consistent
with the Development Code. The Council will hold a meeting to
study the sign code in the future.
3. The Council approved Staff recommendations with regard to
issues raised by members of the public at the March 12, 1991
r Council meeting on items "aB" through "JJ."
4. Concerning the issue in "II" permitting mUltifamily
residential uses located above a permitted commercial or office use
in all commercial zones, the council decided not to revise the
Development Code at this time, but direct Staff to develop some
performance standards and bring the matter up at the six-month
review of the new Code.
It was moved by SmithjMoots, and the motion passed to direct
Staff to return April 9, 1991 with Resolutions certifying the EIR
and making certain findings, and an Ordinance adopting the
Development Code with amendments.
7.8. CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARING - AMENDMENT TO MUNICIPAL CODE.
TITLE 9. PLANNING AND ZONING. BY ADOPTING A NEW DEVELOPMENT CODE.
Ms. Bierdzinski said the recommendation is to adopt
regulations allowing for the merger of contiguous parcels held
3
___U__ _..n __.___.._ _...
372 -.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MARCH 26, 1991
under the same ownership if at least one of the parcels is
undeveloped, by a structure that requires a building permit, or is
developed w1th only an accessory structure, or is developed with a
structure that is partially sited on a contiguous parcel, and one
of the parcels meets one or more of the conditions set forth in
Section 9-04 .150A. 2 . relating to lack of conformance with City
standards, General Plan, or health and safety requirements.
After being assured that the public hearing had been duly
published and all legal requirements met, Mayor Millis declared the
hearing open and said all persons would be heard regarding the -,
matter. I
MIKE ZIMMERMAN, representing the property owners of 1131 l
Farroll Road, said the owners want to be sure they can combine
their lots.
Ms. Liberto-Blanck said they could combine the lots under the
merger ordinance, but the owners would have to provide access and
utilities before developing the land.
Staff recommended that appropriate language be included to
insure conformance with development standards including access and
easements.
When no one further came forward to speak, Mayor Millis closed
the hearing to the floor.
It was moved by Moots/Smith, and the motion passed to direct
Staff to return April 9, 1991 with a merger ordinance to be adopted
as part of the Development Code, with necessary revfsions.
8.A. HOOK RAMPS AT CAMINO MERCADO
No Report.
S.B. UPDATE ON COUNTY PROJECTS AFFECTING THE CITY
Ms. Liberto-Blanck reported that she had met with Mr. Karp and
Supervisor Ruth Brackett to discuss concerns about water use,
contamination of ground water and traffic caused by development on
the fringe of the city. Mr. Karp reported that application will be
made for a state grant to study ground water contamination by
septic tanks on the city's fringe. '
9.A. SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE ADOPTING A NEGATIVE DECLARATION.
INSTRUCTING THE CITY CLERK TO FILE A NOTICE OF DETERMINATION. AND
APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE NO. 420 C.S. ON PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 1400 FARROLL AVENUE. APPLIED FOR BY HERB PHILLIPS: OKUI
PROPERTY
It was moved by Smith/Dougall (5-0-0, Smith, Dougall, Olsen,
Moots and Millis voting aye) to approve Ordinance No. 437 C.S. l
Adopting a Negative Declaration, Instructing the city Clerk to File
a Notice of Determination, and Approving an Amendment to Ordinance
No. 420 C.S. on Property Located at 1400 Farroll Avenue, Applied
for by Herb Phillips.
10.A. REOUEST TO AMEND MAINTENANCE REOUIREMENTS FOR GREENBELT ON
OAK PARK BOULEVARD AT TRACT 1158: VICINITY OF WELL NO. 9 AT MEADOW
LARK LANE
Mr. Christiansen referred to the March 19, 1991 Staff Report
of Mr. Karp, and said that the maintenance of the green belt was a
condition of approval of the subdivision. He said the homeowners
have been maintaining the green belt and paying the associated
costs. He said the city has placed a well on the property, and now
the homeowners are requesting the city to pay for watering the
grass and electricity used in connection with that. He said costs
are about $1,000 per year. He recommended that the Council deny
4
--------------..-
... -- --- ~._. - ..-. - - ---.......-- -----..- ~---_._---_..- -.'- --~-.--.,,-_..--_._-- -----..-. - -.. .---------
373
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MARCH 26, 1991
the request.
JIM SIMMONS of 860 Robin circle referred to a March 18, 1991
letter from Thomas Thompson, president of the Oak Park Home owners
Association, requesting the City share in the responsibility of
maintaining the green belt. DR. THOMPSON also spoke at the
meeting.
Council Members said the conditions of approval of the
development had not been changed with the placement of the well on
the green belt, and changing the conditions now would be setting a
precedent.
In answer to city Council questioning, Mr. Karp said there are
other locations in the City where the property owners are
maintaining City property, such as those people owning property
along Arroyo Grande Creek.
After further discussion, it was moved by Dougall/Olsen, and
the motion passed to deny the request of the homeowners to amend
the green belt maintenance conditions.
10.B. BASKETBALL HOOP. 138 WHITELEY STREET: TY PRINCE
Mr. Christiansen said neighborhood complaints had been
received with regard to a basketball hoop erected in the City right
of way at 138 Whiteley. He said the owner of the property has
asked for a hearing before the Council. He said if the ,Council
approved the children using the hoop and playing in the street, it
would be condoning an unsafe practice.
TY PRINCE of 138 Whiteley asked the Council to consider that
the hoop is located at the dead end of the street, and he could not
see how playing basketball there differed from skateboarding or
bicycling in the street.
Also speaking was VERINA ARITA of 317 Nelson, who said when
the Prince family had their basketball hoop mounted on their
garage, the ball kept hitting her house.
MRS. JODELL PRINCE referred to a petition signed by residents
of the neighborhood stating that the basketball hoop was in no way
bothersome. She said there is a lack of adolescent facilities in
the community and that the children had been playing at the dead
end of the street for years.
Council Members said if they condoned children playing I
basketball in the street, the City could be found by a court to be i
liable for any injuries which took place there. I
r- A neighbor in the audience asked the city to repair potholes
in the street, saying they are a greater danger than the basketball
hoop. Mr. Karp said he had made a note to repair the potholes.
It was moved by smith/Olsen, and the motion passed to deny the
request by the neighbors to keep the basketball hoop in its present
location at 138 Whiteley street.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS I
Mayor Millis suggested that the Council write a letter of
commendation to Fourth District Supervisor Ruth Brackett for her
position against SB 2557, which would allow the County to collect
booking fees from the Cities.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
5
~~'-~-'-'~~~-'-'~- -~- ~-~-~-'~- " "~.- -'-'.~.~
374 -,
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MARCH 26, 1991
CLOSED SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by SmithjMoots, and the motion passed to adjourn
the meeting at 10:07 P.M.
A~
. k" A,~
M. MILL S, MAYOR l
ATTEST:
"""
I
!
6