R 3739
RESOLUTION NO. 3739
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ARROYO
GRANDE APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 03-
003 TO AMEND THE AGRICULTURAL, CONSERVATION
AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT REVISING OBJECTIVE AG1
RELATING TO CONVERSION OF PRIME AGRICULTURAL
LAND; POLICY AG3-11 RELATING TO FARMWORKER
HOUSING; AND POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION
MEASURES FOR AG1-3, AG3-5, AND AG3-6 RELATING
TO AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION EASEMENT
PROGRAMS
WHEREAS, the City Council of Arroyo Grande adopted the updated General Plan on
October 9, 2001 and requires a comprehensive review and necessary revisions to the
Development Code and zoning map for consistency in accordance with Government
Code Section 65860; and
WHEREAS, the City has a responsibility to assure adherence to the General Plan in
meeting the needs and desires of the residents and the community; and
WHEREAS, on January 14, 2003, the City Council adopted Ordinance 536 which
established a moratorium on the acceptance of land use applications that seek to
develop parcels containing prime farmland soils and directed staff to prepare a study to
determine and assess the impacts of such conversion; and
WHEREAS, a public workshop was held on May 28, 2003 to solicit public input on the
preparation of the study; and
WHEREAS, June 17, July 1, and July 15, 2003, public hearings were held by the
Planning Commission to receive public input on the Report on the Conservation of
Agricultural Resources for the City of Arroyo Grande (Agricultural Report) attached
hereto as Exhibit "A" and incorporated herein by this reference; and
WHEREAS, on July 22,2003, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 3699, a portion
of which initiated the preparation of programs for facilitation of Agricultural Enterprise
and Agricultural Conservation Easement programs, among other recommendations
from the Agricultural Report; and
WHEREAS, on July 22,2003, the City Council also engaged in substantial discussion
regarding modification of language for Objective Ag1 in the Agricultural Conservation
and Open Space Element; and
WHEREAS, on November 25, 2003, the City Council adopted an update to the Housing
Element of the General Plan which included an allowance of Farmworker housing on
Agricultural lands; and
RESOLUTION NO. 3739
PAGE 2
WHEREAS, on February 3, 2004 and March 2, 2004, public hearings were held by the
Planning Commission to consider the information and public testimony and staff reports
and adopted Resolution No. 04-1916 by a 4-1 vote that recommended that the City
Council approve General Plan Amendment 03-003; and
WHEREAS, on March 23, 2004, the City Council has reviewed and considered the
information and public testimony presented at the public hearings, Planning Commission
recommendations, staff reports, and all other information and documents that are part of
the public record; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the following General Plan Amendment
findings can be made in an affirmative manner:
1. The proposed amendment provides consistency with the goals, objectives,
policies and programs of the General Plan and remedies internal inconsistencies
within the plan; and
2. The proposed amendment conserves agricultural resources and will not
adversely affect the public health, safety, and welfare; and
3. The potential environmental impacts of the proposed amendment are considered
insignificant and a Negative Declaration was prepared.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Arroyo
Grande hereby directs the Agriculture, Conservation and Open Space Element of the
General Plan to be amended as shown in Exhibit "A" attached hereto and incorporated
herein and adopts a negative declaration with respect thereto.
On motion by Council Member Dickens, seconded by Council Member Costello, and by
the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: Council Members Dickens, Costello and Mayor Ferrara
NOES: Council Members Runels and Lubin
ABSENT: None
the foregoing Resolution was adopted this 23rd day of March 2004.
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RESOLUTION NO. 3739
EXHIBIT "Au
The following objective. policies and implementation measures of Agriculture,
Conservation and Open Space Amendment of the General Plan shall be
amended accordingly:
Ag 1 Avoid and/or mitigate loss of prime farmland soils and conserve non-prime
Agriculture use and natural resource lands.
Ag3-11 Allow residential density of no more than two primary dwelling units
on each legal parcel of 20 acres or larger within the Ag category. Accessory
units for farmworker housing at a higher density may be allowed on parcels
greater than 20 acres subject to obtaining a conditional use permit. Allow no
more than one primary dwelling unit on each parcel of less than 20 acres;
exceptions may be allowed for farmworker housing located on non-prime
Agriculture designated lands subject to obtaining 'a conditional use permit.
Ag1-3 Support existing programs and develop strategies to retain areas of
farmland soils for agricultural use, and other Conservation/Open Space (C/OS)
areas in a natural, undeveloped state.
Ag1-3.1 Encourage Williamson Act participation and acquisition of agricultural
conservation easements by agricultural landowners. An inventory of parcels
under Williamson Act contract and those with agricultural conservation
easements within the City shall be maintained by the Community
Development Department and the status of those contracts/easements
reported to the Planning Commission and City Council. The City's objective
shall be 100% of either Williamson Act enrollment of qualified parcels or
agricultural conservation easement acquisition. The City's aim shall be to
maintain contiguity of Ag and C/OS parcels and avoid fragmentation of areas
having .prime farmland soils or non-prime Conservation/Open Space
designation. -.
Ag 3-5 All Ag-designated lands shall be considered 'Agricultural Preserve' for
Land Conservation Act (Williamson Act) purposes and eligible to enter into
Williamson Act contracts to the extent that statutory qualifications are
satisfied.. The City shall encourage agricultural conservation easements for
lands that are not eligible for Williamson Act contracts. .
Ag 3-5:1 Promote Williamson Act contracts, or agricultural conservation
easements, on Ag-designated properties within the City limits and in the City's.
Area of Environmental Concern. The City's aim shall be 100% participation of
qualified Ag-designated properties that are otherwise not protected in
perpetuity.
Ag 3-6 Encourage lot mergers and consolidations, within the Ag district, and
among properties seeking inclusion into the Ag district, or meet minimum
parcel size requirements for Williamson Act participation and City standards
for Agriculture uses, and encourage joint participation in linked agricultural
conservation easements.
Ag 3-6.1 Establish incentives for lot mergers and consolidations. The City's
aim shall be 100% of Ag-designated properties to be qualified Williamson Act
participation and compliant with City standards, or s~bject to agricultural
conservation easements.
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RESOLUTION NO. 3739
PAGE 3
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TONY M. F RA, MAYOR
ArrEST:
.
,DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES/
DEPUTY CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
~-t~. CITY MANAGER
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
.
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RESOLUTION NO. 3739
OFFICIAL CERTIFICATION
I, KELL Y WETMORE, Director of Administrative Services/Deputy City Clerk of
the City of Arroyo Grande, County of San Luis Obispo, State of California, do
hereby certify under penalty of perjury, that Resolution No. 3739 is a true, full,
and correct copy of said Resolution passed and adopted at a regular meeting of
the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande on the 23thday of March, 2004.
WITNESS my hand and the Seal of the City of Arroyo Grande affixed this 25th
day of March, 2004.
.~hL-
MORE, DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES/
DEPUTY CITY CLERK
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