CC 2021-03-09_08f General Plan Annual Report_2020
MEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: ROB FITZROY, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
BY: ANDREW PEREZ, ASSOCIATE PLANNER
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF THE 2020 GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL REPORT
DATE: MARCH 9, 2021
SUMMARY OF ACTION:
The General Plan Annual Report is an informational document identifying work completed
in the previous year to implement the City’s General Plan. It is an informational document
only and once received and filed by the City Council, it is filed with the Governor’s Office
of Planning and Research and California Department of Housing and Community
Development.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
Financial impacts include staff time and resources to prepare the Annual Report.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City Council review and accept the 2020 General Plan Annual
Report (the “Annual Report” or “Report”) and direct staff to forward the Report to the
Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and the Department of Housing and
Community Development.
BACKGROUND:
California Government Code Section 65400 requires all cities to file a General Plan
Annual Report with the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) by April 1.
The purpose of the Report is to monitor the City's implementation of the General Plan
over time, to help identify statewide trends, document progress in meeting the City’s share
of regional housing needs, and inform local decision makers. Prior to submittal to the
State, the Annual Report must be presented to the City Council for review and
acceptance.
The City's General Plan was adopted in October 2001. A number of activities have been
undertaken that implement the goals and policies of the General Plan since that time,
including the optional elements adopted by the City.
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CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF 2020 GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 9, 2021
PAGE 2
Planning Commission
The Annual Report was presented to the Planning Commission at its meeting on March
2, 2021. The Planning Commission recommended that the report be submitted to the City
Council for final acceptance.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
The Annual Report provides an overview of the activities completed or currently being
undertaken during 2020 to implement or update the General Plan. During the 2020
calendar year, no amendments to the General Plan were adopted. However, the vast
majority of work to update the Housing Element was completed in 2020. Leading up to
conditional certification obtained from the State Department of Housing and Community
Development (HCD) on December 10, 2020, the draft Housing Element was reviewed by
the Planning Commission in October, and again in January. City Council adopted the
Housing Element on January 26, 2021.
Work towards updating the Circulation Element continued in 2020. The Planning
Commission reviewed a background conditions report and draft Traffic Impact Analysis
Report guidelines during their November study session. Additionally, to maintain
compliance with State law, the City Council adopted a policy establishing thresholds of
significance for evaluating transportation impacts using vehicle miles travelled, rather
than level of service, as was previously used for evaluating impacts pursuant to the
California Environmental Quality Act. A draft of the Circulation Element is expected to be
released later this year. Staff also continued the update to the Parks and Recreation
Element by beginning the environmental review process and circulating an administrative
draft of the element for internal review and comment.
The City’s Annual Report is formatted into two (2) sections:
Section 1: Introduction, including the legal requirements of the Annual Report and
status of the adopted Elements of the General Plan; and
Section 2: Summary of Activity for 2020.
Please note that the tables reporting housing data are derived from spreadsheets
provided by the State, with limited formatting functionality. These digital spreadsheets will
be submitted in their native file format, resolving blurry image issues.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Commission’s consideration:
1. Accept the 2020 General Plan Annual Report and direct staff to forward the Report
to OPR and HCD; or
2. Do not accept the 2020 General Plan Annual Report and provide direction to staff
regarding modifications to the Report; or
3. Provide direction to staff.
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CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF 2020 GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 9, 2021
PAGE 3
ADVANTAGES:
The City will be providing the State with data in compliance with the California
Government Code.
DISADVANTAGES:
There are no disadvantages identified with filing the Annual Report.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA
Guidelines, it has been determined that this item is not subject to CEQA pursuant to
Section 15061(b)(3) of the Guidelines, regarding the common sense rule that where it
can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility of a significant effect on the
environment, an activity is not subject to CEQA.
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. At the time of report publication, no comments have
been received.
Attachment:
1. 2020 General Plan Annual Report
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Arroyo Grande General Plan Annual Report - 2020 Page 1
General Plan Annual Report
2020
ATTACHMENT 1
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CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE
City Council
Caren Ray Russom, Mayor
Jimmy Paulding, Mayor Pro Tem
Kristen Barneich
Keith Storton
Lan George
Planning Commission
Glenn Martin, Chair
Frank Schiro, Vice Chair
Jamie Maraviglia
Jim Guthrie
Ken Sage
Community Development Department
Whitney McDonald, City Manager
Bill Robeson, Assistant City Manager
Rob Fitzroy, Community Development Director
Andrew Perez, Associate Planner
Patrick Holub, Assistant Planner
Contact Information
City of Arroyo Grande
Community Development Department
300 E. Branch Street
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
Phone: (805) 473-5420
Website
www.arroyogrande.org
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Contents
Section 1 - Introduction .................................................................................................................. 4
A. Purpose of the Annual Report ................................................................................................ 4
B. Purpose of the General Plan ................................................................................................... 4
C. Status of the Adopted Elements of the City’s General Plan ................................................... 4
Land Use Element (Adopted October 2001) ............................................................................... 6
Circulation Element (Adopted October 2001) ............................................................................ 6
Housing Element (Adopted March 2016) ................................................................................... 7
Agriculture, Conservation, and Open Space Element (Adopted October 2001, Amended June
2007)............................................................................................................................................ 8
Safety Element (Adopted October 2001) .................................................................................... 8
Noise Element (Adopted October 2001) ..................................................................................... 8
Economic Development Element (Adopted October 2012) ....................................................... 8
Parks and Recreation Element (Adopted October 2001) ............................................................ 8
Section 2 – Summary of Activity – 2020 ......................................................................................... 9
Planning Commission .................................................................................................................. 9
Building and Life Safety Division ................................................................................................. 9
Planning Division ......................................................................................................................... 9
General Plan Policies and Programs .......................................................................................... 10
Appendix A – Housing Element Reporting Forms ......................................................................... 11
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Section 1 - Introduction
A. Purpose of the Annual Report
This report reviews the activities that took place to implement the Arroyo Grande General Plan
between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. This report fulfills the requirements of Section
65400 of the California Government Code, which requires the City to file an annual report
addressing the status of the General Plan and progress made toward goals and objectives. This
annual report provides a means to monitor the success of implementing the General Plan and
determine if changes need to be made in the plan or its implementation programs. The City is
required to file the annual report with the Office of Planning and Research (OPR), as well as to
their legislative bodies. The legislative body for Arroyo Grande is the City Council.
B. Purpose of the General Plan
The General Plan is the foundational development policy document of the City of Arroyo Grande.
It defines the framework by which the physical, economic and human resources of the City are
to be managed and utilized over time. The General Plan is available for public review at City Hall
and on the City’s website.
The General Plan acts to clarify and articulate the intentions of the City with respect to the rights
and expectations of the public, property owners, and prospective investors and business
interests.
C. Status of the Adopted Elements of the City’s General Plan
State law requires that the General Plan include seven elements. These mandatory elements
must cover the following topics: Land Use, Circulation, Housing, Safety, Noise, Conservation, and
Open Space. State law allows the City to adopt any additional general plan elements that the
City deems necessary. The City has adopted the Parks and Recreation, Agriculture, and Economic
Development Elements as optional elements, which have the same decision making weight as
the mandatory elements. Additionally, the elements of the general plan may combine elements
as it deems necessary. The City of Arroyo Grande General Plan combines Agriculture, Open
Space, and Conservation elements into a single element. The following is a breakdown of the
City’s General Plan:
Arroyo Grande
GP Elements
Required GP
Elements Examples of Topics Covered
Agriculture, Conservation
and Open Space Element
Agriculture
(Optional)
Define policy for the protection of significant
natural resources, providing the setting or
context for urban land use development and
incorporated City areas.
Conservation
Open Space
Fringe and Urban Area
Land Use Element
Land Use Provides for the types, density or intensity,
design and distribution of existing and potential
City areas.
Circulation/Transportation
Element
Circulation Identifies the street pattern and other
circulation infrastructure and transportation
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Arroyo Grande
GP Elements
Required GP
Elements Examples of Topics Covered
systems needed to support the uses identified
Land Use Element.
Housing Element Housing Identifies and provides an analysis of existing
and projected housing needs, an evaluation of
housing constraints, a statement of goals,
policies, quantifiable objectives and financial
resources, and scheduled programs for the
preservation, improvement, and development
of housing.
Safety Element Safety Provides for the protection of lives and property
from the adverse effects of natural and man-
caused hazards.
Noise Element Noise Identifies the sources and outlines policy to
protect land uses against adverse noise levels
associated with necessary circulation and
related activity.
Economic Development
Element
Economic
Development
(Optional)
Defines the objectives, policies and proposals
for improved employment, business retention
and expansion, and fiscal growth of the
community.
Park and Recreation
Element
Parks and
Recreation
(Optional)
Outlines these public facilities and services
desired to support the City and area residents,
businesses, and visitors’ leisure-time activities.
The City’s General Plan was comprehensively updated in October 2001. The City’s last major
update of the General plan was completed in January 2017, with the City’s approval of the E.
Cherry Avenue Specific Plan project. The following is a list of updates to the General Plan since
the document’s adoption:
Amendment No. Date Type Project
GPA 02-001 November 2003 Land Use Map Parkside Residences
GPA 02-002 June 2003 Land Use Map Berry Gardens Subarea 2
GPA 03-001 April 2003 Land Use Map Village Core Extension
GPA 03-002 September 2003 Land Use Map Agriculture Designations
GPA 03-003 March 2004 AG/C/OS Conversion of Prime Ag
Land, Farmworker
Housing, and Ag
Conservation Easements
GPA 04-001 Withdrawn by
applicant
Land Use Map Alder House
GPA 04-002 August 2004 Land Use Map Noyes Road Properties
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Amendment No. Date Type Project
GPA 04-003 March 2005 Housing Element Housing Element Update
GPA 06-001 August 2006 Land Use Map Castillo Del Mar
GPA 06-002 November 2006 Circ & Parks and
Rec Elements
Bike and Pedestrian Plan
GPA 06-003 November 2007 Land Use Map S. Elm Multi-Family
Designation
GPA 06-004 February 2007 Land Use Map Sunset Drive
GPA 07-001 June 2007 AG/C/OS Creek Protection Policies
GPA 07-002 November 2007 Housing Element Affordable Housing
Requirements
GPA 07-003 Placed on hold due to
competing priorities
AG/C/OS Conservation Element
Update
GPA 09-001 September 2009 Land Use Map 2009 Land Use Map
Cleanup
GPA 09-001B October 2009 Land Use Map Pearwood Annexation
GPA 11-001 Withdrawn by
applicant
Land Use Map Hillcrest
GPA 11-002 October 2013 Housing Element 2007-15 Housing
Element
GPA 12-001 Withdrawn by
applicant
Land Use Map Alder House
GPA 12-002 July 2012 Circulation
Element
Bicycle and Trails Master
Plan
GPA 12-003 October 2012 Economic
Development
2012 Economic
Development Element
GPA 14-001 March 2014 Land Use Map Heights at Vista Del Mar
Annexation
GPA 14-002 October 2015 Land Use Element Courtland/Grand
GPA 14-003 March 2016 Housing Element 2014-19 Housing
Element
GPA 15-001 January 2017 AG/C/OS Creek
Map
Land Use Map
E. Cherry Avenue Specific
Plan
The following is a brief overview of actions taken in 2020 relative to each individual Element:
Land Use Element (Adopted October 2001)
No text amendments to the Land Use Element occurred in 2020.
Circulation Element (Adopted October 2001)
No text amendments to the Circulation Element occurred in 2020. The Community Development
Department is currently working with a consultant to update the Circulation Element. In
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November 2020, staff presented the Existing Conditions and Background Report, draft policies
and maps, including Traffic Impact Analysis Report Guidelines, to the Planning Commission in a
study session. The feedback from the public and the Planning Commission will be incorporated
into the public draft, which is anticipated for release in Spring 2021. City Council adopted a policy
establishing thresholds of significance for evaluating transportation impacts using vehicle miles
travelled as the metric, consistent with SB 743.
Housing Element (Adopted March 2016)
No text amendments to the Housing Element occurred in 2020, however, the City completed the
majority of the 6th cycle Housing Element update in 2020. In a letter dated December 10, 2020,
the Department of Housing and Community Development deemed that the draft Housing
Element would comply with state law once the element was adopted and submitted. The City
Council adopted the Housing Element update on January 26, 2021 and the adopted element was
submitted to HCD for its final 90-day review. Upon acceptance by HCD, the update will bring the
Housing Element into compliance through 2028.
Staff applied for grant funds to implement programs that result in accelerated housing
production. The City obtained $104,053 from the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) grant
program to be used towards drafting and adopting objective design standards for multi-family
housing. The City also partnered with the cities of Atascadero, Morro Bay, and Grover Breach to
submit a multi-jurisdictional application for REAP funding to develop a pre-approved ADU
program. Both programs will help implement programs identified in the 6th cycle Housing
Element.
Table 1 reflects the number of units that were entitled, permitted, and/or finaled in 2020. This is
compared to the number of units permitted in 2019. With changes in reporting requirements for
the State, future Annual Reports will have comparable data between the current and previous
years:
Table 1: Entitled, Permitted, & Finaled Units – 2019 vs. 2020
Income Level Entitled Permitted Finaled
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
Very Low 2 0 0 0 0 0
Low 4 0 31 0 4 20
Moderate 0 0 0 0 0 0
Above
Moderate 62 4 34 54 20 63
Total 68 4 64 54 24 83
The year 2020 was the first year of the 6th cycle for purposes of reporting progress towards the
Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). Table 2 reflects the number of units permitted during
2020 that count towards the 6th cycle RHNA.
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Table 2: 6th Cycle Regional Housing Needs Allocation
Income Level RHNA by Income Units Permitted 2020 – 2028
Very Low 170 0
Low 107 0
Moderate 124 0
Above Moderate 291 58
Total 692 58
Agriculture, Conservation, and Open Space Element (Adopted October 2001,
Amended June 2007)
No text amendments to the Agriculture, Conservation, and Open Space Element occurred in
2020.
Safety Element (Adopted October 2001)
No text amendments to the Safety Element occurred in 2020. The City is part of a countywide
team, which successfully obtained grant funding to produce a countywide Hazard Mitigation
Plan. The Plan was adopted by City Council in September. The Plan will be incorporated into the
Safety Element; however, the timeframe for doing so has not been established.
Noise Element (Adopted October 2001)
No text amendments to the Noise Element occurred in 2020.
Economic Development Element (Adopted October 2012)
No text amendments to the Economic Development Element occurred in 2020. The City is
currently working on the East Grand Avenue Master Plan in order to increase implementation of
the plan and investment by property owners.
Parks and Recreation Element (Adopted October 2001)
No text or map amendments to the Parks and Recreation Element occurred in 2020.
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Section 2 – Summary of Activity – 2020
The City of Arroyo Grande policies and programs identified in the General Plan include tools
already in place and used on a day-to-day basis in the City. Some of the various tools available to
further the City’s goals and objectives include the City Council’s annual goals and priorities,
Budget/Capital Improvement Program, Specific Plans and Master Plans of Development, Zoning
and Subdivision Regulations, CDBG Funds, etc.
Planning Commission
The City of Arroyo Grande Planning Commission is designated as the "Planning Agency", as
authorized by Section 65100 of the Government Code. The Commission has the discretionary and
advisory responsibilities that are authorized by Chapters 2.18, 16.04, and 16.08 of the Arroyo
Grande Municipal Code.
During 2020, the Planning Commission took action on the following:
• One (1) conditional use permit;
• Five (5) time extensions;
• Two (2) lot line adjustments; and
• One (1) certificate of compliance.
Building and Life Safety Division
The City’s Building and Life Safety Division reviews project plans, issues permits, and provides
inspection services for compliance with California's building, fire, mechanical, electrical,
plumbing, energy, and disabled access codes, as well as City ordinances.
In 2020, the Building Division received 565 building permit applications and issued 548 building
permits. During the past year, City building inspectors made 2,065 construction and safety-
related inspections associated with building permit activity. The Building Division finaled and
completed 428 building permits in the same period.
Engineering Division
The City’s Engineering Division ensures all construction in the public right-of-way related to land
development entitlements comply with adopted codes and engineering standards. Additionally,
the Engineering Division, in partnership with the Public Works Department, is responsible for
coordinating the implementation of the City’s Stormwater Management Program.
In 2020, the Engineering Division received 145 applications for encroachment permits, 15 grading
permit applications, and 58 stormwater permit applications for a total of 218 permit applications
received, and 221 permits were issued. Major work efforts include the Brisco Interchange Project
and environmental review and Bridge Street Bridge and Traffic Way Bridge rehabilitation and
replacement projects, and Circulation Element update.
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Planning Division
The Planning Division assists the community, the City Council, and the Planning Commission in
preparing for the City's future growth and development, as well as reviews current development
plans for consistency with local ordinances. The Planning Division administers the Development
Code and deals with transportation, housing, community facilities, public safety, open space,
design, and the use of land.
The Planning Division provides support staff to the Planning Commission, Architectural Review
Committee, and Downtown Parking Advisory Board. Administrative functions include the
scheduling of meetings, preparation of agendas, posting of hearing notices, and preparation of
minutes.
The Planning Division provides land use analysis, environmental review as required under the
California Environmental Quality Act, and prepares staff reports for the aforementioned
Commissions and Committees, including the City Council. In 2020, the Planning Division received
96 applications for various land use entitlements (permits), including, land divisions, Conditional
Use Permits, Minor Use Permits, and Sign permits. In 2020, the Planning Division spent time
working on a number of work items. These work items included:
• 6th cycle Housing Element update;
• Submission of applications for Regional Early Action Planning and Local Early Action
Planning grant programs to provide financial assistance to accelerate housing production
and implement Housing Element programs;
• Permitting of a 120-bed assisted living facility for seniors;
• Participation in a regional effort to develop a stock accessory dwelling unit program; and
• Participation in the Regional Housing Action Team working group.
General Plan Policies and Programs
Community Development Department staff is currently working on a number of items specifically
related to the General Plan, as referenced above. Prioritized work efforts for the General Plan
include the Circulation Element Update, the East Grand Avenue Master Plan (ED7-1.1, LU5-7),
the Halcyon Road Complete Streets Plan, and the Economic Development Strategic Plan (ED6).
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Appendix A – Housing Element Reporting Forms
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Table A
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Table A2 (Part 1)
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Table A2 (Part 2)
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Table A2 (Part 3)
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Table A2 (Part 4)
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Table B
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Table D
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Summary
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