Minutes 2004-03-09
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2004
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 EAST BRANCH STREET
ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor/Chair Ferrara called the ReguJar City Council/Redevelopment Agency meeting to
order at 7:20 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
City CounciJ: Council Members Runels, Dickens. Costello, Mayor Pro Tem Lubin,
and Mayor Ferrara were present.
RDA: Board Members Runels, Dickens, Costello, Vice Chair Lubin, and
Chair Ferrara were present.
City Staff Present: City Manager Adams, City Attorney CarmeJ, Director of Administrative
Services Wetmore, Director of Public Works Spagnolo, Community
DeveJopment Director Strong, and Associate PJanner Kelly Heffemon.
3. FLAG SALUTE
Members of Su Ro Li Sta, Camp Fire Club led the Flag SaJute.
4. INVOCATION
Pastor Robert Banker, Open Door Church, Oceano delivered the invocation.
5. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
5.a. Proclamation Recognizing March 18,2004 as Absolutely Incredible Kid Day.
Mayor Ferrara presented an Honorary Proclamation recognizing March 18, 2004 as
AbsoJutely Incredible Kid Day. Member of the Su Ro Li Sta Camp Fire CJub accepted the
Proclamation.
5.b. Proclamation Recognizing March as American Red Cross Month.
Mayor Ferrara presented an Honorary Proclamation recognizing March 2004 as American
Red Cross Month. Ben Hall, representing the American Red Cross, accepted the
Proclamation.
6. AGENDA REVIEW
6.a. Resolutions and Ordinances Read In Title Only
Mayor Pro Tem Lubin moved, Council Member Costello seconded, and the motion passed
unanimously that all resolutions and ordinances presented at the meeting shall be read in
title only and all further reading be waived.
7. CITIZENS' INPUT. COMMENTS. AND SUGGESTIONS
None.
CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES
MARCH 9, 2004
PAGE 2
8. CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Pro Tem Lubin requested that Item 8.d. be pulled for a separate roll-call vote.
Council Member Runels requested that Item 8.g. be pulled for questions.
Mayor Pro Tem Lubin moved, and Council Member Dickens seconded the motion to approve
Consent Agenda Items 8.a. through 8.1., with the exception of Item 8.d., with the
recommended courses of action. The motion carried unanimously on the following roll-call
vote:
AYES: Lubin, Dickens, Runels, Costello, and Ferrara
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
8.a. Cash Disbursement Ratification.
Action: Approved the listing of cash disbursements for the period February 16, 2004
through February 29, 2004.
8.b. Statement of Investment Deposits.
Action: Received and filed the report of current investment deposits as of February
29,2004.
8.c. Consideration of Approval of Minutes.
Action: Approved the minutes of the Special and Regular City Council Meetings of
February 24. 2004 as submitted.
8.e. Consideration to Approve Final Parcel Map AG 99-177; Subdividing One (1)
Parcel Into Two Residential Parcels Located at 1254 Poplar Street.
Action: Approved Final ParceJ Map AG 99-177, subdividing 0.50 acres into two (2)
residential lots, each approximately 10,000 square feet.
8.f. Consideration of Appointment to Senior Advisory Commission.
Action: Approved the appointment of Ross KongabJe to the Senior Advisory
Commission as recommended by Mayor Ferrara.
8.g. Consideration of Resolution Accepting Negotiated Exchange of Property Tax
Revenue and Tax Increment for Annexation No. 29 to the City of Arroyo Grande
(St. John's Church), Los Berros and Valley Roads.
Recommended Action: Adopt a ResoJution accepting negotiated exchange of
property tax revenue and annual tax increment between the County of San Luis
Obispo and the City of Arroyo Grande.
In response to a question by Council Member Runels regarding Item 8.g., Community
Development Director Strong clarified that a portion of the Los Berres creek channel east of
Valley Road to the boundary of the Church would be included in the proposed annexation;
however. there would be no City responsibility for maintenance of the creek.
Council Member Runels moved to adopt Resolution No. 3737 as follows: A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE ACCEPTING
NEGOTIATED EXCHANGE OF PROPERTY TAX REVENUE AND ANNUAL TAX
INCREMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AND THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE. Council Member Dickens seconded, and the motion carried on the
following roll-call vote:
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CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES
MARCH 9, 2004
PAGE 3
AYES: RuneJs, Dickens, Lubin, Costello, and Ferrara
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Pro Tem Lubin declared a conflict of interest on Jtem B.d. due to reaJ property
ownership near the project and stepped down from the dais.
S.d. Consideration of Acceptance of the Rancho Grande Park Improvements,
Project No. PW 2002-03.
Recommended Action: 1} Accept the improvements construded by Herrera
Engineering, Inc. in accordance with the pJans and specifications for the Rancho
Grande Park Project; 2} Direct staff to file a Notice of Completion; and, 3} Authorize
reJease of the unencumbered portion of the firiaJ progress payment and 10%
retention, thirty-five (35) days after the Notice of CompJetion has been recorded if no
liens have been filed.
Council Member Runels moved to approve staffs recommendations for Item B.d., CounciJ
Member Dickens seconded, and the motion carried on the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Runels, Dickens, Costello, and Ferrara
NOES: None
ABSENT: Lubin
Mayor Pro Tem Lubin returned to the dais.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
9.a. Consideration of Appeal of Planning Commission Denial of Condition No. 43,
Tract No. 2275 Regarding Underground Utilities; James Dotson, Applicant.
Community DeveJopment Director Strong presented the staff report and recommended the
Council adopt a ResoJution denying the appeal and upholding the action of the Planning
Commission to require certain overhead utilities be pJaced underground for Trad Map 2275.
Diredor Strong responded to questions from the Council regarding the basis for the appeal,
whether the applicant accepted the condition in the originaJ Trad Map approvaJ, and
technicaJ questions regarding undergrounding of the poJes.
Mayor Ferrara opened the public hearing.
Jim. botson, applicant/appellant, explained why he was not present at the Planning
Commission hearing; stated that he wouJd be willing to remove one of the two poles, leaving
the utility poJe that presently supplies service to the Wildwood Ranch community; explained
that the price charged to remove this poJe was too costly; and requested the Council
consider waiving the requirement to remove said utility poJe. He referred to a letter and
accompanying photos from Nil<oJai Alexandrov, resident of Wildwood Ranch, (on file in the
Administrative Services Department) which stated that the power lines and poles do not spoil
the view he has from his property.
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CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES
MARCH 9, 2004
PAGE 4
Georae Roach, representing WiJdwood Ranch Homeowners Association (HOA), spoke in
opposition to the requested waiver and the applicant's new proposaJ to remove onJy one
poJe. He requested the Council uphoJd the originaJ requirement and reject the appeaJ.
Don Parker, PJata Road, stated unless there were some technicaJ reason for undergrounding
the utilities, that the poJes were not particularly noticeabJe and that the City should not require
the applicant to remove them.
Ron OJson, PJatino Lane, supported the applicant's request and stated he did not understand
why the applicant was required to remove the poles.
Upon hearing no further public cOmments, Mayor Ferrara closed the public hearing.
Council questions and discussion ensued regarding the City's policy for undergrounding
utilities; cJarification regarding the location of the two poles to be removed; and concerns
regarding the cost provided by PG&E to remove both poles. There was a suggestion to
direct staff to send a Jetter to PG&E to inquire if anything could be done to reduce the
applicant's cost to underground the poJe that serves the existing Wildwood Ranch
deveJopment.
City Manager Adams explained that staff was currentJy working on the establishment of an
Underground Utility In-Lieu Fee policy for future consideration by the CounciJ; however, he
stated that he did not think the proposed poJicy wouJd apply to this project.
Upon request by a member of the audience, Mayor Ferrara reopened the Public Hearing.
Georae Roach, representing Wildwood Ranch HOA, reiterated its opposition to allow the
existing power lines to remain above ground at Tract 2275 and urged the CounciJ to require
the power lines be pJaced underground as was original~y approved.
Upon hearing no further public comments, Mayor Ferrara closed the public hearing.
Following further discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Dickens moved to adopt a Resolution as
follows: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE
DENYING THE APPEAL AND UPHOLDING TflE ACTION OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION TO REQUIRE CERTAIN OVERHEAD UTILITIES BE PLACED
UNDERGROUND FOR TRACT MAP 2275, LOCATED AT 801 HUASNA ROAD, APPLIED
FOR BY JAMES DOTSON. Council Member Costello seconded the motion, and on the
following roll-call vote:
AYES: Dickens, Costello, Ferrara
NOES: RuneJs, Lubin
ABSENT: None
There being 3 A YES and 2 NOES, the motion is hereby declared to be passed.
10. CONTINUED BUSINESS:
10.a. Consideration of Status Report on the Courtland-Arroyo Grande, L.P. Senior
Affordable Housing Project. [COUNCIURDA]
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CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES
MARCH 9, 2004
PAGE 5
City Manager/RDA Executive Director Adams presented a status report on the Courtland-
Arroyo Grande, L.P. Senior Affordable Housing Project.
Mayor Pro TemNice Chair Lubin commented that the originaJ project had been approved in
March 2002, and a significant amount of funds from the City's Affordable Housing In-Lieu
Fee fund had been committed to the project. He commented that aJthough he continued to
support the project, he expressed concerns about the progress of the project and.requested
that staff keep the Council apprised regarding the issuance of the bonds and the status of the
developer's financial commitments. He thanked staff for the status report.
Mayor Ferrara acknowledged that the financial aspects of the project have been very
compJex; however, all the stakeholders associated with the project have done their best to
bring to fruition an affordable senior housing project to meet the City's needs.
The report was received and filed.
11. NEW BUSINESS:
11.a. Consideration of Pre-Application Review Case No. 04-003; Proposed Mixed-Use
Planned Unit Development on the Former Loomis Property Consisting of the
Two (2) Existing Residences, the Loomis Feed Warehouse, a New OffIce
Building and Twelve (12) Duplex Residential Lots; 415 East Branch Street,
DB&M Property, LLC.
Associate Planner Heffernon presented the staff report and requested the Council review the
project and provide direction and comments to the applicant.
Jn response to a question by Mayor Ferrara, Associate PJanner Heffemon provided
cJarification on the road abandonment issue relating to a portion of Le Point Street.
Council Member Dickens inquired whether the revised project design would include a
parkway/pedestrian access formerly referred to in the previous design as Tally Ho Creek
Park. Associate Planner Heffernon stated that the applicant no Jonger has access to the
property immediately adjoining the creek; however, there are opportunities within the project
for providing an open space area near the residential portion of the project.
Joe Baud, Joseph Boud and Associates, gave a brief overview of the project and spoke of
site constraints incJuding floodway setbacks, utility easements, the steep topography along
Crown Terrace, and the retention of the historic resources. He also .commented on the
residentiaJ and commercial components, circuJation and access through the project, and
addressed the partiaJ abandonment of Le Point Street.
Council Member Dickens commented that the. previous project incJuded more commerciaJ
and office use than' residential and this proposaJ has substantially more residential than
commercial and office use. He inquired where the focus shouJd be for the Village Core.
Staff responded that there is no General Plan policy related to what specific mixed uses
shouJd be considered. He stated there was flexibility for determinations on a case-by-case
basis.
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CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES
MARCH 9, 2004
PAGE 6
Jn response to concerns expressed relating to the partiaJ abandonment of Le Point Street,
Director Spagnolo explained that the City would like to retain the easement, which includes a
70-foot right-of-way, from Highway 227 to Tally Ho Road. He indicated that there could be a
partial abandonment of up to 10 feet of the right-of-way.
Council Member Dickens referred to the Pacific Coast Railroad right-of-way and stated it was
considered an historic element and asked what efforts have been made to preserve the
existing rail bed. Director Strong stated that the alignment of the utility easement and
driveway coincide with the railway aJignment and that a design treatment could be added
identifying this historic eJement.
Council Member Runels commented that the project would enhance the area more than
anything he has seen proposed to date and that the project preserves the historical
structures on the site. He supported retaining the right-of-way for future roadway; and
supported the residentiaJ and commercial components. He supported the proposed project
concept.
Council Member Costello commented that the proposed project comes a Jong way in
resolving some of the issues on the site, such as preserving the historic structures; he
favored preserving the existing right-of-way; favored the concept of controlling the traffic flow
with a gate within the project; liked the multiple Jevel buildings situated against the hillside;
favored one large commercial building; favored the concept of more residentiaJ, however, he
expressed concern with a 420 square foot residential unit as being too small; and he does
not favor locating a driveway between the warehouse and house. Overall, he expressed
support for the proposed project concept.
Mayor Pro Tem Lubin supported retaining the right-of-way and did not oppose reducing it to
a 60-foot width; liked the increase in the residentiaJ component and sees it as in-fill; stated he
was not opposed to the small units as they are defined as "studios"; favored the design
concept that bJends with the historicaJ units; supported the shared parking concept;
expressed some concern with access through the project and proposed traffic patterns; liked
the idea of the creek side improvements that wouJd be maintained by a Homeowners
Association; and stated he was very impressed with the proposed project concept.
Mayor Ferrara favored retaining the existing right-of-way and would support a 6o-foot right-
of-way; he would like to see some improvement on the circulation plan through the
development; acknowJedged the easement and the need to be cognizant of potential future
use; acknowledged the Pacific Coast Railway and that it needs to be recognized with an
identification marker; supported the 12,000 square foot commercial building with a tiered
effect; acknowledged the preservation of the historic structures; favored promoting additionaJ
residentiaJ opportunities near or close to the Village Core; commented that this was a
pedestrian friendly project and that most of the commerciaJ use wouJd front on E. Branch
Street. He further encouraged rehabilitation of the historic buildings to encourage
commercial occupancy.
Upon conclusion of Council comments, Mayor Ferrara ensured that the applicant had
received sufficient feedback and direction with regard to the proposed project.
There was no action taken on this item. r
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CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES
MARCH 9, 2004
PAGE 7
12. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS:
None.
13. CITY MANAGER ITEMS
None.
14. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
In response to a request from CounciJ Member Dickens, Director Strong provided a status
update on proposed County Tract 1798 and reported that staff would be providing written
comments in response to the draft Environmental Impact Report regarding potential
drainage, grading, and circulation impacts. Council Member Dickens requested that staff
provide copies of the letter to the Council.
15. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
City Manager Adams announced that future public workshops would be held as follows: City
Hall Complex Feasibility Study and Needs Assessment Workshop, March 25"', 6:30 p.m. in
the Council Chambers, 215 E. Branch Street; and a workshop on potentiaJ future land uses
in the City's Sphere of Influence, March 30"', 6:30 p.m. at the City of Arroyo Grande and
Woman's Club Community Center, 211 Vernon Street.
16. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Steve Ross, Arroyo Grande, commented that he had attended a meeting regarding the
County Tract located by Vista del Mar and commented on issues relating to the EJ Campo
Road access off of Route 101.
17. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor/Chair Ferrara adjourned the meeting at 9:40 p.m.
~/UL-
Kelly Wetm e. rector of Administrative Servicesl
Deputy City Clerk/Agency Secretary
(Approved at CC Meetlng3-JJ-O~
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