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CITY of ATAscADERo CITY OF A TASCADERO
PLANNING DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Regular Meeting — Wednesday, September 9, 2020 — 2:00 P.M.
City Hall, 6500 Palma Avenue, Atascadero, CA
(Meeting held by teleconference)
CALL TO ORDER — 2:00 p.m.
Chairperson Fonzi called the meeting to order at 2:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chairperson Roberta Fonzi
Committee Member Duane Anderson
Committee Member Mark Dariz
Committee Member Emily Baranek
Committee Member Heather Newsom
Absent: None
Staff Present: Community Development Director, Phil Dunsmore
Senior Planner, Kelly Gleason
Associate Planner, John Holder
Assistant Planner, Mariah Gasch
IT Director, Luke Knight
Others Present: Neil Trent, CEO, Woods Humane Society
Heather Lewis, Animal Arts Architecture
Jeffrey Warren
Kindra Cooper-Okas
Greg Ravatt
Gina
Thom Jess
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: By Committee Member Newsom and seconded
by Committee Member Anderson to approve the
Agenda.
Motion passed by unanimous consent.
DRC Minutes of 9/9/2020
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PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
Chairperson Fonzi closed the Public Comment period.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF DRAFT MINUTES OF AUGUST 12, 2020
MOTION: By Committee Member Newsom and seconded by
Committee Member Dariz to approve the Consent
Calendar.
Motion passed by unanimous consent.
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT REVIEW
2. PRELIMINARY DESIGN REVIEW OF A PROPOSED EXPANSION AT 2300
RAMONA ROAD. The proposed project includes the preliminary review of
the proposed expansion of an existing animal housing and veterinary facility to
accommodate a new facility for dogs adjacent to the existing cat facility and
the addition of administrative offices and site improvements. The proposed
project includes animal shelter areas and veterinary services for Woods
Humane Society.
• Recommendation: Staff requests the DRC review the proposed design and
direct the applicant to make any modifications to the site or building design as
necessary. (PRE20-0058)
Director Dunsmore gave a brief background on the project and said a topic of discussion
is land use definition, and the Public Zoning District.
Ex Parte Communications
Committee Member Dariz met with Neil Trent and Marcia Torgerson to tour this facility.
Commissioner Anderson spoke to Marcia Torgerson.
Planner Holder gave a presentation on the project, and he and Director Dunsmore
answered questions from the Committee. Planner Holder stated that a new site design
was emailed out prior to the meeting from Woods (Exhibit A).
An email was received from Jeff and Barbara Warren prior to the meeting and was
distributed to the DRC (Exhibit B) and was read into the record by Recording Secretary
Manier.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The following members of the public spoke during public comment: Neil Trent, CEO of
Woods Humane Society, and Heather Lewis, Animal Arts Architecture. Mr. Trent and Ms.
Lewis addressed questions raised by the Committee members.
Chairperson Fonzi closed the Public Comment period.
DRC Minutes of 9/9/2020
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DRC ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION;
The Committee made the following recommendations:
Land Use
The Committee recommended that an Amendment to the CUP would be appropriate to
amend this land use to include services for dogs. The Committee felt that the shelter does
not meet kennel definition. (Dogs will be sheltered indoors at night and during the day, so
the concern that this is a kennel and could cause significant noise does not apply.) The
applicant stated that the facility will have a limited number of dogs, and dogs will be under
supervision whenever they are outside. The Committee agreed that the facility seemed
very well planned and organized.
Wastewater Treatment
The Committee agreed that the applicant would work with the Public Works Department
to determine if the septic tank is suitable, or if the site has sewer feasibility.
Site Design
The Committee was in agreement with the revised site plan (Exhibit A).
Setbacks
The Committee agreed that the applicant would coordinate with staff to address any
setback concerns.
Fencing and Screening, and Landscaping
The Committee recommended that the facility should be a clearly separated from the
residential zone, especially on the south side of the property. The applicant could remove
some parking and add additional landscaping. The applicant will work with staff to provide
adequate privacy and screening. The tree line in the front keeps with the rural nature of
the area and the Committee hopes this does not change. The Committee recommended
no storage of items along the back fence line. Because the finished grade is above the
houses, a CMU concrete masonry wall or similar noise barrier is recommended to prevent
or minimize sound from affecting the residential area.
Sound
The Committee recommended that the applicant design the building exterior wall to be a
sound barrier.
Architectural Design
The Committee was in agreement with the recommended architectural design on the
second rendering.
This item will come back before the DRC before it moves on to the Planning Commission
for final approval.
DRC Minutes of 9/9/2020
Page 3 of 5
3. DESIGN REVIEW OF A MIXED-USE BUILDING AT 5802 TRAFFIC WAY
The proposed project includes design review of a new mixed-use building on a
vacant lot. The proposed three-story building will have a total of 10 dwelling units
on the 2nd and V floors and one commercial space on the 1St floor. The dwelling
units will be for rent and parking is accommodated on a surface parking lot in the
rear.
Recommendation: Staff requests the DRC review the proposed design and
direct the applicant to make any modifications to the site or building design as
necessary. (PRE20-0063)
Director Dunsmore introduced the project, and stated that there is an affordable unit, so
the applicant can have some exceptions in detail.
Planner Gasch gave a presentation on the project. Planner Gasch stated that after talking
to the applicant, and after publication of the staff report, staff is now recommending
softening the appearance of the retaining wall with plants and/or painting the wall a darker
color. The applicant is proposing to fully enclose the trash room in the building's footprint,
so it will be hidden from Traffic Way.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The following members of the public spoke during public comment: Thom Jess who gave
a presentation on the project, Kindra Cooper-Okas (who sent an email which was
distributed to the Committee as Exhibit C), Greg Ravatt (who sent an email which was
distributed to the Committee as Exhibit D), Gina (neighbor), and David Wilson.
Applicant Thom Jess said he is willing to plant shrubs instead of oak trees would not grow
to block the view. He also intends to paint the retaining wall medium -gray with anti -graffiti
paint.
Chairperson Fonzi closed the Public Comment period.
DRC ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
The Committee made the following recommendations:
Overall Site Design
The Committee recognizes that this site is challenging, and asked the applicant to work
with staff to redesign the project with the following recommendations:
• This mixed-use development should have more mixed use commercial space, and
the architectural design should be more compatible with the character of the
downtown.
• The commercial area could have some outdoor dining areas.
• The applicant should revisit increased parking, including accessible parking.
• The applicant should look at some additional storage, and some open space.
DRC Minutes of 9/9/2020
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The applicant should work with staff on site distance and safety issues onto Traffic
Way, by possibly setting the lower level back, making the sidewalk wider, so the
2nd floor cantilevers over the building while meeting setbacks.
Remove cedar and add brick for building material; make the entire building
compatible (i.e. all stucco or all brick.)
This item will come back to the DRC for review.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS AND REPORTS
None
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Director Dunsmore stated that the next meeting is scheduled for September 23, 2020, but
currently there are no items ready for that meeting.
ADJOURNMENT— 4:49 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the DRC is scheduled for September 23, 2020.
MINUTES PREPARED BY:
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Annette Manier, Recording Secretary
Administrative Assistant
Adopted 10/14/2020
The following exhibits are available in the Community Development Department:
Exhibit A
— Email from Neil Trent, new site plan
Exhibit B
— Email from Jeff and Barbara Warren
Exhibit C
— Email from Peter and Kindra Okas
Exhibit D
— Email from Greg Ravatt
DRC Minutes of 9/9/2020
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