Minutes 2004-09-22 SP
MINUTES
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
CITY COUNCIL and PLANNING COMMISSION
Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - 6:30 p.m.
City Council Chambers, 215 E. Branch Street
Arroyo Grande, California
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Tony Ferrara called the Special Joint Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Ferrara Jed the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL:
Cltv Council Plannina Commission
Tony M. Ferrara, Mayor Jim Guthrie, Chair
Sandy Lubin, Mayor Pro Tem Tim Brown, Vice Chair
Thomas A. RuneJs, Council Member Ed Arnold, Commissioner
Jim Dickens, Council Member Nan C. Fowler, Commissioner
Joe Costello, Council Member John Keen, Commissioner
4. CITIZENS' INPUT. COMMENTS. AND SUGGESTIONS
None..
5. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. Economic Development Strateav - Hotel/Motel.
Community DeveJopment Director Strong provided an overview on the City's Economic
DeveJopment Strategy for attracting additional hotels/motels to the City. He presented a map
which identified six potentiaJ locations/sites and expJained that the focus on hoteVmoteJ
development was intended to increase the City's Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenues and
capture a greater share of regional visitor service and retail sales income. He recommended
the Planning Commission and City Council discuss the six potential sites and provide direction
regarding economic development strategy.
Discussion and comments ensued regarding site-specific opportunities and constraints of
identified locations. The City Council and PJanning Commission provided the following
comments:
. Suggested including the Frederick/Williams property in the list of potential sites as it is
within the City's Sphere of Influence;
. Request for a market analysis to determine the demand for lodging in the City;
. Concerns regarding access issues, creek, and traffic constraints on Site 2 (East Grand
Avenue and West Branch Street);
. Concerns about circulation issues around Site 3 (EI Camino Real near Halcyon Road),
Site 4 (East Grand Avenue at Barnett Street and Site 5 (East Grand Avenue near Bell
Street);
. Sites 1 (Traffic Way and Cherry Avenue) & 6 (Camino Mercado and West Branch Street)
are most Jogical for immediate hoteVmotel location; however, traffic and circulation
issues will be a concern with Site 6;
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SPECIAL JOINT MEETING MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 22, 2004
PAGE 2
. Favored mixed use project with incorporation of agriculture component on Site 1 (Traffic
Way and Cherry Avenue); and
. Continue to encourage hoteVmoteJ deveJopment; however, do not precJude
consideration of any other allowed or conditionally permitted uses on these sites.
There was no formaJ action taken on this item.
b. Televisina of Plannina Commission Meetlnas.
City Manager Adams presented the staff report and recommended the City Council and
Planning Commission discuss the alternatives for cablecasting of Planning Commission
meetings.
Council comments included recognition of having received positive feedback about the teJevised
Council meetings; making more effort to provide the public with greater access to public
meetings; having an opportunity to educate the public about what occurs at the PJanning
Commission level; a suggestion for putting guidelines in pJaceto allow PJanning Commission
iterT1s to be heard in a timeJy manner; agreement that General Fund monies should not be used
to fund the project; acknowJedging that the PJanning Commission meetings involve more
technical and detail oriented discussion and deliberations; and a request for more information
on fixed equipment and costs.
Planning Commission comments included agreement that no General Fund monies should be
used to fund the project; strong concerns that the casuaJ workshop style of the Planning
Commission deliberations would not be appropriate for television; placing more stress on
applicants who already feel uncomfortable stepping up to the podium to address the
Commission; and the ability to accomplish more without being in a formaJ atmosphere.
Comments also included acknowledgement that there is a Jot of PJanning Commission business
that should be available to the public and that teJevising the meetings was another way to inform
the public.
Mayor Ferrara stressed the importance of serving and educating the public on City issues. He
suggested teJevising the PJanning Commission meetings on a triaJ basis.
Mayor Ferrara opened up the item for public comment.
Steve Mathieu, AGP Video, spoke in support of televising public meetings, highlighted his nine
years of experience taping government meetings throughout the County, and gave an overview
of his positive experience filming Planning Commission meetings in other jurisdictions. He
further indicated that once installed, the fixed equipment would provide the City with the
flexibility to televise other meetings and events at minimal cost.
Hearing no other public comments, Mayor Ferrara cJosed the public comment period.
Following further discussion, there was consensus to direct staff to proceed by requesting AGP
Video to submit a formaJ proposaJ for televising PJanning Commission meetings and pJacing the
issue on a future City Council agenda.
There was no formal action taken on this item.
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 22, 2004
PAGE 3
c. City Water Use and Supplv Issues as Thev Relate to Land Use Plannlna and
Decisions.
Director of Public Works Spagnolo presented the staff report and recommended the Council
discuss and provide direction on: 1) the development and adoption of a landscape ordinance
that restricts water use for new development; and 2) continuing land use strategies to
encourage higher density housing where appropriate.
Discussion and comments ensued regarding the City's existing plumbing retrofit program, as
well as other water conservation methods such as a proposed Jandscape ordinance that
restricts water use for new development. Council and Planning Commission comments
included stressing the importance of public education efforts regarding water conservation
programs and/or changing the City's water rate structure; acknowledging the City's
responsibility for providing an adequate water suppJy; and acknowJedging the challenges facing
the City for providing water. There was aJso acknowJedgment of the City Council's recent
direction to staff to pursue severaJ alternatives for both water conservation and increased water
suppJy, such as pursuing an agreement to utilize groundwater from other agencies participating
in the Groundwater Management Agreement on a temporary basis; considering a change to a
tiered water rate structure; proceeding with selection of a design consuJtant for Well No. 10
located on Deer Trail Circle; pursuing an agreement with Plains ExpJoration and Production
company for Reclaimed Price Canyon Oil FieJd Water; pursuing further discussions on a
groundwater study; pursuing further discussions on the Nacimiento Water Project; and pursuing
further discussions regarding potential purchase of State water. There was also discussion
regarding the use of non-potable water in certain Jandscaping areas and the use of recJaimed
water and a suggestion to research a program instituted by the City of ScottsdaJe, Arizona. Jt
was acknowledged that more information regarding previousJy identified water conservation
alternatives would be. forthcoming to the Council in November for further discussion and
consideration.
Following further discussion, staff was directed to include the development of a landscape
ordinance that restricts water use for new development into the water conservation work plan for
consideration at a future Council meeting.
There was no formal action taken on this item.
6. CITIZENS' INPUT. COMMENTS. AND SUGGESTIONS.
None.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ferrara adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m.
Recorded by:
~t1c iJ.JL~'u.-
Kelly W tmcle
Director of Administrative Services/Deputy City Clerk
(Approved at CC mtg /0,21ro'O