HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRC_2021-08-12_Minutess
�CT ` 2021
r
I CITY OF ATASCADERO
PLANNING CITY OF ATASCADERO
DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Regular Meeting — Thursday, August 12, 2021 — 2:00 P.M.
City Hall (Teleconference)
6500 Palma Avenue, Atascadero, CA 93422
CALL TO ORDER — 2:00 p.m.
Chairperson Newsom called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: By Teleconference
Chairperson Heather Newsom
Committee Member Emily Baranek
Committee Member Dennis Schmidt
Committee Member Jeff van den Eikhof
Absent: Vice Chairperson Susan Funk (excused absence)
Others Present: By Teleconference - Recording Secretary, Annette Manier
Staff Present: By Teleconference
Community Development Director, Phil Dunsmore
Public Works Director, Nick DeBar
Lori Azeem, Associate Civil Engineer
Deputy Director, Loreli Cappel
Senior Planner, Kelly Gleason
Assistant Planner, Mariah Gasch
Others Present: By Teleconference
Scott Martin, RRM Design Group
Various members of the public
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: By Committee Member van den Eikhof and
seconded by Committee Member Schmidt to
approve the Agenda.
Motion passed by 4:0 by a roll call vote.
DRC Minutes of 8/12/2021
Page 1 of 4
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
Chairperson Newsom closed the Public Comment period.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF THE JULY 15, 2021 DRAFT MINUTES
MOTION: By Committee Member van den Eikhof and
seconded by Committee Member Schmidt to
approve the Consent Calendar.
Motion passed by 4:0 by a roll call vote.
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT REVIEW
2. DESIGN AND NEIGHBORHOOD COMPATIBLITY REVIEW OF BARREL
CREEK PROJECT AT 6010, 6020, 6030 DEL RIO ROAD AND SAN RAMON
ROAD
The proposed project includes a Master Development Plan for a mixed-use
project including 53,500 square -foot retail/light industrial space, 40 apartment
units, 25 single-family parcels and a 120 -room hotel. The project includes a
General Plan Amendment, Zone Change, Master Plan of Development and
Tentative Tract Map.
Recommendation: Staff requests the DRC review the revised design concept
and direct the applicant to make any modifications to the site or building design
as necessary. (DEv21-0066)
Director Dunsmore gave a background on the project. Planner Gleason presented the
project, and she and Director Dunsmore answered questions from the Committee. This
project will go through a CEQA process, Planning Commission, and City Council for final
approval.
Scott Martin with RRM Design Group gave a presentation on the project. (Exhibit A)
PUBLIC COMMENT
The following members of the public spoke during public comment: Peter Laughlin,
Nicole Kudlac, and Geoff Auslin.
Emails were received prior to the meeting and distributed to the Committee and read by
Recording Secretary Manier. These emails will be entered into the record by Recording
Secretary Manier (see Exhibits B -C).
Recording Secretary read additional comments by BJ Morris (Exhibit D) as he was having
technical difficulties entering the Zoom meeting.
Chairperson Newsom closed the Public Comment period.
DRC Minutes of 8/12/2021
Page 2 of 4
Additional emails were received from BJ Morris, after public comment was closed,
therefore, they will be made part of this record (Exhibit E).
Staff answered questions raised during public comment.
The Committee agreed on the following recommendations:
• Site Circulation
The Committee recommended the applicant work with staff on how to limit traffic
on the San Ramon side of the project to impact that neighborhood as little as
possible, and would like the traffic to go back towards Del Rio. The main road
adjacent to the property could be separated more towards San Ramon, and have
some residential lots in-between the road and the Laughlin development (fixed
units/Laughlin's lodges) as a buffer. The Committee recommended collaboration
between the two properties (Laughlin, Barrel Creek).
• Location of Uses
The Committee recommended that the single-family residences and multi -family
uses could be used as a transition, with screening the higher use vs. the lower use
aspects of the project.
• Commercial plaza grade changes
The Committee recommended that the grade changes are something to keep in
mind and be aware of. The grade changes may help keep with the natural grade
of the land, and will be less impactful to the neighbors.
• Design theme
The Committee recognizes that neighborhood compatibility is key, and many
houses on San Ramon are different, so a more contemporary design for new
houses may not be compatible with the neighborhood. Agrarian is great for
commercial and a rural aspect (farm house) is good for the single-family
residences. The Committee agreed that the hotel may have too much of an
industrial -feel with too many hardscapes. The Committee would prefer to see a
more agrarian/rural community feel, so it can conform to the community around it.
Staff and the applicants might work on creating varying lot sizes.
• Building heights
The Committee recognized the concern for the height of the hotel adjacent to the
residential properties, and noted that this needs to be resolved as the project
moves forward. The hotel being pushed back on the site is close to residential and
poses a concern.
• Drainage crossing_ design
The Committee recommends keep the existing bridge across Graves Creek at Del
Rio Road.
DRC Minutes of 8/12/2021
Page 3 of 4
• Stormwater basin landscaping
The Committee recommended that the applicant work on design details for an arch
culvert for the drainage swale and agreed that culverts can be positive features.
• Walls or fencing adjacent to Del Rio Road
The Committee recommended that this site should use walls and fencing that
complement or match adjacent sites. The Committee is in agreement with what is
proposed, and agreed that the wall could match the Apple Valley block walls along
the single-family residential area. A Noise Analysis will be part of the CEQA review,
which will further aid in the design.
The Committee agreed that staff can make the determination if the project needs to come
back to DRC; otherwise, staff can implement comments made today into the design
moving forward, and will work with the applicant.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS AND REPORTS
None
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Director Dunsmore stated that we don't have another item scheduled for the next hearing
date, but we will see an expansion of the Wood's Humane Society at some point in the
future.
Director Dunsmore asked the Committee members if they would prefer to continue virtual
hearings, or have in-person meetings. The Committee agreed on virtual meetings until
the end of the calendar year. At that time, this topic will be revisited.
ADJOURNMENT— 4:04 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the DRC is scheduled for Thursday, September 16, 2021 at
2:00 p.m.
MINUTES PREPARED BY:
Annette Manier, Recording Secretary
Administrative Assistant
The following Exhibits are available in the Community Development Department:
Exhibit A — Presentation from RRM Design Group
Exhibit B - Courtney Rossi Wagoner
Exhibit C, D and E — BJ Morris
Adopted 10/14/21
DRC Minutes of 8/12/2021
Page 4 of 4
i
MW �
T H
yy h
atYt
YrYwYw+.tMr,l�lii�♦iia+MAw-
1 L � •rYYt — _ i
104
p
W
z
su
lu SL
uj
z
Ne
u
jX L
u
U
Z
3
ffi Ell I o�
F_Og�
N
u
W
1
{U
x
W
W
U
_j
W
19CIO
Q
H
0
I—
Q
O
V
Z
h
W
J
U
J
U
A
11,
W
NJ
�a
�z
uQ
�
_o
oc
'u'
z
�o
s
Ua
-jgm
W
(�
DC
;
mU
A
11,
0�■.
W
09
4.
ma
z
W
a
z
u
�IiIK
u
X w
0
uj
re +,
V)
z
r
A
c
�
a
i
R
O
T
Cc
n
� 'p
uy
fL�
■!
Vt
15
d
f
w
m
aY
ti
O
ii
t
u
LU
x`
0�■.
W
09
4.
ma
z
W
a
z
u
�IiIK
u
X w
0
uj
re +,
V)
z
r
A
Mo
rlr,7 IL
0
W
W
W
J
H
z
Q
d
a
0
z
d
W
f -
h
Q
W
R
T
0
Q
0
m
W
0
a
z
0
a
FL
N
W z
N
� H
W 0
x Ix
� H
W
W
U
...1 W
W 1-
U U
Q�
mQ
J
I
�c
In0
uj ca
LLJ ui
I.—
uj
V)Lu
LU (000)
z
0 49
—0
LL X
iL
(4
z
ui —
LLI t400)
W 1�—
U Z
LU
—j :*
LLJ F --
W ix
CL
E al 03-
0
- O�
�Vlm
A
6
0
I- i r
AL
�1 Yu u i
a
i J I■ 1 TM v,
po. TL -
'�1.i-
t
•.'
N
W
C_
I--
,0) N
W
OC
x
W
I-
Q
a
W
oe
O
w
W
x
W
z
0
X30
Ili o
3f
0
Zi
a5
U
i LL
O
O
O
�w
U
O
U
y
LU
X
W
08
a
W
W Q
W Z
Xo
G �
� m
W '
W y
OC �
UW
W
Q CL
ma
W
W
S
U
H
oc
0
J
0
Z
Z
0
N
CO
X
W
N
J
Q
W
H
0
W
W
H
x
W
V)
W
IL
H
W
OC
F
x
W
F
N
J
Q
W
I.-
0 0
ad
W
1--
X
W
a
d
O
z'
f
T
LO
N
Q
cn
W
1�
x
W
I --
ad ad
h
J
Q
W
I-.-
0 U
Ltd Z
Q
W m
5X
W J
ui Q
�U
Im
,J W
61.1
� O
CIO
`
N
L
00
N
Z� Q
�Z
BOLL
�2
Q �R
N
Q a
Qa
C z
O
Z ~
po
5
u
0
V
0
8
w�
U�
z�
za
w
z
q�
�m
az
Oz
ma
Z<
0.
�0
�z
N
W
H
x
W
H
06
H
Q
W
Q
m
=j Z
1 �
ui co
X
i 1
W
W Q
VIm
V
J W
W
� Q
mV
A
tN'
L
1,
M
� 1
aL
A
LU
V
z'
jo
0\
W
=
w
Z
H W
'
ui
W ce
ix
LU
W gg
UJ
f
U=
V
� 1
t
W
LU
�/
ifs
k
—
•l .l�
Elo
+�
0)
Y,'y!
%,.qm
Exhibit B
DRC Meeting of 8-12-21
From: Courtney Rossi Wagoner � _
Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2021 9:18 AM
To: DRC Public Comment
Subject: Barrel Creek Planned Development
Dear Design Review Committee,
This letter is in regards to the proposed Barerel Creek Planned Development.
My family has owned property off Del Rio for over 100 years. Those of us who have decided to live in
this area purposely chose a specific way of life. The quiet, less cars, the sound of frogs and crickets is
the only sound at night.
My husband and I purchased a home in April 2020 that directly backs up to Del Rio. This proposed
development is everything we don't want across the street from us. This development feels like a slap
in the face, like a middle finger, saying that no one cares about our quality of life and the reasons we
chose to live away from cars and apartments and noise in general. I am extremely concerned about
noise and adding apartments. Cramming so many buildings/apartments/etc into such a petite plot of
land is the exact opposite of this area, and it will change this area and not for the better. I am very
worried about my day to day quality of life if this is built, and the noise at night and extra traffic.
Please do not let this development happen. It will change all our property values, and our quality of
life, all while ignoring the reasons why everyone who lives in the neighboring area have chosen to live
here.
Very Concerned,
Courtney Rossi Wagoner
Get Outlook for iOS
ATTENTION':
This email originated from outside the City's network. Use cautiori when. openinglinks-and attachments.
AUG 12 2021
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
TED
BJ MORRIS - 9305 CORONA ROAD - ATASCADERO, CA 93422
August 11, 2021
Dear Atascadero Design Review Committee;
Exhibit C
DRC Meeting of 8-12-2
The design of the existing Home 2 hotel is apparently excused for not conforming with the style of the
commercial buildings in the rest of the City of Atascadero because it is set apart from downtown. That should
not relieve it from the same charm and design requirements of the rest of the town's new development. The
west side neighbors are very concerned. It is a fear that upcoming projects will have the same lack of design
concept and are just being built to provide revenue at the cost of aesthetics. That hotel's design proves to be a
bad precedent and future projects need to have a more pleasing design aesthetic to fit into the upscale
community that borders Templeton. We want to follow the guidelines of good taste that they have proven to
have at the Trader Joe's site and the neighboring single family home community across the Del Rio and San
Ramon intersection. This would include adherence to "Dark Sky" lighting plans.
Design is a key factor in the desirability of the neighborhood, home sale values and quality of life for those
who live near the project. The traffic pattern and overloaded intersection is a major concern. Gridlock
resulting from residents and tourists on a one lane intersection who are attempting to shop or commute
through the intersection is not the sleepy village feel that we want to maintain.
The eyesore of the Home 2 hotel's design is proven to conflict with the Atascadero general plan in that
excessive the height and poor design and coloring do not reflect the Spanish history and other designs nearby.
I'm asking that the Design Review Committee think carefully prior to approving another mistake like the Home
2 project. Invite the local neighbors to see and weigh in on the plans before pushing through amendments
without research proper notice to the residents.
Yours respectfully,
BJ Morris -1
AUG 12 2021
COMMUNITY MUNITY DEVELOP
C LD eb
Exhibit D
DRC Meeting of 8-12-21
From: Bj.morris
Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2021 2:36 PM
To: DRC Public Comment
Subject: Re: Meeting lockout
Also, the webinar ID is not being accepted by Zoom.
Thank you to the committee for discussing traffic problems and lighting.
We do not want more traffic lights, a hotel that ends up abandoned, low end retail.
We on the west side do not want to lose the small bridge over the creek and do not want increased traffic in that area.
Too many residences are proposed and we want to keep excess traffic off Del Rio and the little bridge.
> Sent from my iPhone
ATTENTION:
This email originated from outside the City's network. Use caution when opening links and attachments.
Exhibit E
DRC Meeting of 8-12-21
From: Bj.morrisi
Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2021 3:25 PM
To: DRC Public Comment
Subject: Re: Meeting lockout
I agree with the overall design concepts but there are going to be too many apartments and the increased traffic will be
a problem due to that part of the plan.
Why couldn't all the traffic for the apartments be directed mainly from San Ramon Road and not Del Rio in order to split
up the traffic impact.