HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC_2002-05-21_MinutesCALL TO ORDER
CITY OF ATASCADER 0
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Regular Meeting
May 21, 2002 — 7:00 P.M.
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JUN - 4 2002
CITY OF ATASC�
PLANNING
Chairman Bentz called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. and Commissioner Kelley led the
Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Jones, Kelley, O'Malley, Norton, Fonzi and Chairman Bentz
Absent: Commissioner Eddings
Staff: Community Development Director Warren Frace, Assistant Planner Glenn Rider,
Planning Services Manager Steve McHarris and Recording Secretary Grace
Pucci.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING ON MAY 7, 2002.
Commissioner O'Malley requested a correction to the Minutes of the Regular Planning
Commission Meeting on May 7, 2002 on page 3 changing "Chairman" O'Malley to
"Commissioner" O'Malley.
MOTION: By Commissioner Jones and seconded by Vice Chairman Fonzi to approve the
Minutes of May 7, 2002 as corrected.
AYES: Commissioners Jones, Fonzi, O'Malley, Kelley and Chairman Bentz
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Norton
Motion passed 5:0 by a roll -call vote.
City of Atascadero Planning Commis -in Minutes
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Regular Meeting May 21, 2002
Page 2 of 6
2. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2001-0039: CARLTON TELE-
COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY, 6005 EL CAMINO REAL.
Applicant:
Sprint PCS / Tacit Communications
Project Title:
Condition Use Permit 2001-0039: Carlton Telecommunications Facility
Project location:
6005 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA
Project
Installation of an unmanned wireless communications facility on the
Description:
roof of a commercial building under construction, including two (2)
equipment cabinets, three (3) PCS panel antennas, related cabling and
ancillary equipment. Three antennas are proposed as part of the
project, at 40 -feet, 145 -feet, and 310 -feet respectively. Each antenna is
blended in to the roofline by using a combination of horizontal
placement and concealment in existing towers. All equipment cabinets
proposed will be screened or blended with the existing architectural
elements of the building.
General Plan Designation: Downtown
Zoning District: Downtown Commercial
Proposed
PROPOSED NEGATIVE DECLARATION 2002-0013:
Based on the findings of the initial study, the Community Development
Environmental
Determination
Department recommends that the Planning Commission find that no
significant harm would come to the environment from approval of this
project. The proposed Negative Declaration is available for public
review at 6500 Palma Avenue, Community Development Department,
Room 104, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Assistant Planner Glenn Rider provided the staff report and answered questions of the
Commission.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Gordon Bell, Tacit Communications, representing the applicant Sprint PCS, spoke about the
extensive analysis done by Sprint PCS to determine the best site for this facility. Mr. Bell stated
that this is not an equipment shelter, but rather a screening wall around the equipment, that flat
panel antennas will be used and that one will be mounted at each location. Mr. Bell answered
questions of the Commission.
Commissioner Kelley expressed concern with the third antenna size and visual impact. He
questioned whether it could be incorporated into the Carlton Hotel sign. Mr. Bell stated that
they had tried to work with the hotel owners in an attempt to try to incorporate the antenna into
the sign, however they were not successful.
City of Atascadero Planning Commis—on Minutes Regular Meeting May 21, 2002
Page 3 of 6
Debra Robinson, Sprint PCS RF Engineer, indicated that they had looked at incorporating the
antenna into the sign, but the sign had been taken down and set aside because it is a historical
feature of the building, and for this reason, they could not modify the sign.
Commissioner Jones commended the applicant on the design work for this project and indicated
that he has no objection to the third antenna.
Eric Koberl, Carlton Hotel, stated that they are striving to re-establish the hotel to its former
glory and at the same time to make it a luxury boutique hotel. It is important to the owners that
nothing interferes with this objective and therefore great care has been taken in regard to the
antennas. Mr. Koberl said that the sign is important from a historic and marketing perspective
and the antenna will not interfere with it in any way.
Chairman Bentz closed the Public Comment period.
Commissioner Kelley commented that given the new set of pictures and the improved
perspective on the antennas, he feels he can support the request.
MOTION: By Commissioner O'Malley and seconded by Commissioner Jones to adopt
Resolution 2002-0027 certifying the proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration
2002-0013, and approving Conditional Use Permit 2001-0039, a request to
establish a telecommunication facility and related equipment on APN 029-342-
023.
AYES: Commissioners O'Malley, Jones, Norton, Kelley, Fonzi and Chairman Bentz
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote.
3. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2002-0056: AMENDMENT OF CUP 97002:
NORTH COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY 2300 RAMONA ROAD.
Applicant:
North County Humane Society
Project Title:
Conditional Use Permit 2002-0056: Amendment of Conditional Use Permit 97002
Project
2300 Ramona Road, Atascadero, CA (San Luis Obispo County)
Location:
APN 049-141-043
Project
The proposed project consists of an amendment to Conditional Use Permit
Description:
97002 to change the Master Site Plan to allow an additional 2160± square foot
building at the rear of the site. The proposed structure will be located in a flat
area next to the main building. The building will be used to shelter domestic cats
(no dogs or other larger animals will be kept).
General Plan Designation: Single Family Suburban (SSF)
Zonin District: Residential Suburban (RS)
City of Atascadero Planning Commis—on Minutes
Regular Meeting May 21, 2002
Page 4 of 6
Proposed The Environmental Coordinator is recommending that the Planning Commission
Environmental re -certify the Negative Declaration that was prepared for CUP 97002 in March
Determination 1997.
Community Development Director Warren Frace provided the staff report and answered
questions of the Commission.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Alicia Morin, Director of Development and Operations North County Humane Society,
responded to several questions raised by the Commission: 1) Current occupancy is
approximately 110 cats with an additional number in foster homes, 2) soil tests were done this
week and the site passed, 3) the litter used at the shelter is rabbit pellets which are biodegradable
and disposed of in the dumpster, and 4) with the addition of the new structure the cat population
will be increased by 50%. Ms. Morin answered additional questions of the Commission and at
Commissioner O'Malley's request related a brief history of the organization.
Commissioner Jones commended the organization and thanked them for the work they are doing.
Commissioner Kelley also commended the organization for its efforts and stated he had visited
the site and found it to be clean and odor free.
Chairman Bentz closed the Public Comment period.
Commissioner Norton stated that she thinks the facility is an excellent one and is supportive of
this request.
MOTION: By Commissioner Norton and seconded by Commissioner Jones to adopt
Planning Commission Resolution 2002-0028 approving Conditional Use Permit
2001-0056, a request to allow a 2160± square foot modular building to be added
to the North County Humane Society Master Site Plan subject to findings and
conditions at 2300 Ramona Road.
AYES: Commissioners Norton, Jones, O'Malley, Kelley, Fonzi and Chairman Bentz
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote.
4. ROAD ABANDONMENT 2001-0008 / LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT 2001-0034,7955
SAN ANDRES AVE.
Applicant: Dwayne & Cheryl Burbach
City of Atascadero Planning CommiS_.on Minutes
Regular Meeting May 21, 2002
Page 5 of 6
Project Title:
Road Abandonment 2001-0008 / Lot Line Adjustment 2001-0034
Project Location:
7955 San Andres Avenue, Atascadero, CA
Project
A request for a Road Abandonment as part of a Lot Line Adjustment in the vicinity of
Description:
Morro Road and Atascadero Avenue. The applicant is requesting that unused portions
of San Andres and Atascadero Avenue right-of-way be abandoned and revert back to
the underlying property owner. The right-of-way has not been used since Caltrans re-
aligned the intersection to eliminate a 5 -way intersection. The project will return the
road area to the applicant and will allow the parcels to be reconfigured with a Lot Line
Adjustment.
General Plan Designation: Commercial Retail
Zoning District: Retail Commercial
Proposed
PROPOSED CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION CLASS 5C:
The proposed project qualifies for a Class 5c exemption under CEQA. The Class 5c
Environmental
Determination
exemption pertains to minor land divisions and lot line adjustments in accordance with
the Subdivision Map Act.
Assistant Planner Glenn Rider provided the staff report and answered questions of the
Commission.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Duane Burbach, 12605 Santa Ana Road, applicant, stated that he and his wife initially purchased
the two lots, and to avoid any potential problems with the road abandonment they subsequently
purchased the third lot. This request would give them an opportunity to better develop this land
in the future.
Chairman Bentz closed the Public Comment period.
MOTION: By Commissioner Kelley and seconded by Commissioner Jones to adopt
Resolution PC 2002-0026, recommending that the City Council summarily vacate
a portion of Atascadero Avenue colony right-of-way as conditioned and subject to
the appropriate findings.
AYES: Commissioners Kelley, Jones, O'Malley, Norton, Fonzi and Chairman Bentz
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORTS
Community Development Director Warren Frace introduced Planning Services Manager Steve
McHarris to the Commission. Director Frace, in response to Commissioner Kelley's request to
have a presentation with informational training by an arborist, stated that the Atascadero Native
Tree Association (ANTA) is interested in cooperating in this effort and have a number of
City ofAtascadero Planning Commit—on Minutes Regular Meeting May 21, 2002
Page 6 of 6
arborists available. Mr. Frace asked for the Commission's preference as to the type of meeting
for this presentation. There was Commission consensus to schedule the meeting after a regular
Planning Commission meeting. Director Frace stated that the Commission would be looking at
the General Plan update later in June.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS & REPORTS
Commissioner Kelley commended staff on the way they worked cooperatively with the North
County Humane Society on their request.
Commissioner Fonzi asked for clarification on whether state law mandates that a set percentage
of guesthouses be allowed in a community, and the difference between a granny house and a
guesthouse. Director Frace gave the Commission a brief overview of the issue.
Commissioner Jones stated he is concerned about the guesthouse/second unit issue given the
aging of the population and the desire to keep families with elderly members together. He would
like to see something from staff that would discuss this issue and set forth possibilities to address
it.
Chairman Bentz agreed with Commissioner Jones' comments.
Commissioner O'Malley asked if there would be an opportunity to incorporate these concerns
regarding guesthouses/second units during the upcoming General Plan meetings. Director Frace
indicated that when the General Plan comes back to the Commission, their role will be to make a
recommendation to the City Council and that can take whatever form the Commission desires,
including specific recommendations about guesthouses and second units.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Bentz adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m. to the next regular meeting of the Planning
Commission on June 4, 2002.
MEETING RECORDED AND MINUTES PREPARED BY:
Grace Fucci, Recording Secretary
Cdvlpmnt/PC Minutes 05-21-02.gp.doc
Adopted 6/4/02