HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 02.19.08PC Minutes 02/19/08
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CITY OF ATASCADERO
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 – 7:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson O’Keefe called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and Commissioner Jack
led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Heatherington, Jack, Marks, O’Grady, Slane, Fonzi
and Chairperson O’Keefe
Absent: None
Others Present: Recording Secretary Grace Pucci
Staff Present: Community Development Director Warren Frace, Deputy
Community Development Director Steve McHarris, Associate
Planner Kerry Margason, and Associate Planner Callie Taylor.
Chairperson O’Keefe read the decorum guidelines.
PLANNING COMMISSION BUSINESS
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chairperson O’Keefe suggested changing the order of the agend a to hear Item #3 prior
to Item #2.
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MOTION: By Commissioner Jack and seconded by Vice Chairperson
Fonzi to approve the agenda as amended.
Motion passed 7:0 by a roll-call vote.
PLANNING COMMISSION BUSINESS
Commissioner O’Grady expressed his gratitude to the City Council for appropriating the
funds to repair Balboa Road to a serviceable condition as an escape route, and
commended Public Works Director Steve Kahn and his department for the excellent
report done on Balboa and Llano.
A. SELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON
The Commission will select a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.
MOTION: By Commissioner Jack and seconded by Commissioner
O’Grady to nominate Vice Chairperson Fonzi to the position of
Chairperson of the Planning Commission.
Motion passed 7:0 by a roll-call vote.
MOTION: By Commissioner Jack and seconded by to Chairperson Fonzi
to nominate Commissioner Slane to the position of Vice
Chairperson of the Planning Commission.
Motion passed 7:0 by a roll-call vote.
Chairperson Fonzi thanked the Commission for their vote of confidence.
DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS:
Commissioner Heatherington stated she received a phone call from Roger Tompkins
from the Las Lomas development and told him she would call him back if she had
any questions, which she did not.
Commissioner Marks stated he visited the site for agendized Item #2 and received a
call from Roger Tompkins, but had no discussion.
Vice Chairperson Slane stated he received a call from Roger Tompkins, which he
returned but was unable to meet with him.
Chairperson Fonzi stated she received a call From Roger Tompkins but did not meet
with him. She met with staff with questions on Item #2.
Commissioner Jack stated he met with Roger Tompkins who reviewed the history of
the project, and then went out and viewed the project.
Commissioner O’Grady stated he visited the Woodridge site, met with the
developers at their request and discussed the project.
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Commissioner O’Keefe stated she received a telephone call from Roger Tompkins,
but did not have any questions after reading the staff report, so she didn’t call him
back. She also spoke to staff on both agenda items.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Hans Drexler stated he attended a meeting regarding a Conditional Use Permit for a
residential drug treatment facility in his neighborhood, and explained why this use was
inappropriate for the neighborhood.
Chairperson Fonzi closed the Public Comment period.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING ON FEBRUARY 5, 2008.
MOTION: By Commissioner Heatherington and seconded by
Commissioner Marks to approve Item #1.
Motion passed 5:0 by a roll-call vote. (Jack, Slane abstained)
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORTS
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. PLN 2007-1256, 13545 OLD MORRO ROAD
Owner: Robert Davis, 13545 Old Morro Road, Atascadero, CA 93422
Project Title: PLN 2007-1256/CUP 2007-0220
Project
Location:
13545 Old Morro Road, Atascadero, CA 93422
San Luis Obispo County (APN 055-311-009)
Project
Description:
Minor Conditional Use permit for a garage which exceeds 50% of the size of the main
residence. The main residence is 796 sq ft. and the new garage is proposed at 626 sq. ft.
Section 9-6.106 of the Municipal Code allows detached accessory structures that exceed
size requirements subject to the approval of a Minor Conditional Use Permit.
General Plan Designation: Rural Estate (RE)
Zoning District: Residential Suburban (RS)
Proposed
Environmental
Determination:
Class 3 Categorical Exemption; exempts new construction or conversion of small
structures including garages.
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Associate Planner Callie Taylor gave the staff report and answered questions of the
Commission.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Robert Davis, applicant, explained why he was asking for the Conditional Use Permit
and answered questions of the Commission.
Chairperson Fonzi closed the Public Comment period.
MOTION: By Commissioner O’Keefe and seconded by Vice Chairperson
Slane to adopt Resolution PC 2008-0016 approving Conditional
Use Permit 2007-0220 based on findings and subject to
Conditions of Approval.
Motion passed 7:0 by a roll-call vote.
2. PLN 2007-1237, CIRUELA WAY, LOS OLIVOS CIRCLE, CIRUELA CT.,
DECHADO CT.
Owner: Woodlands Atascadero, LLC., PO Box 4013, San Luis Obispo, CA 93403
Project Title: Amendment to Specific Plan
Project
Location:
Ciruela Way, Los Olivos Circle, Ciruela Ct., Dechado Ct.
San Luis Obispo County (APN 045-311-011)
Project
Description:
An Amendment to Woodlands Specific Plan to allow residential second units in
conformance with the City’s Zoning Ordinance on the Specific Plan’s estate lots; amend
the Master Plan of Development to allow for more ownership housing; and approve a
vesting tentative tract map for condominium purposes.
General Plan Designation: HDR
Zoning District: SP1
Proposed
Environmental
Determination:
Proposed finding that the project is consistent with Mitigated Negative Declaration 2003 -
0026.
Associate Planner Kerry Margason gave the staff report, reviewed changes and
corrections to the staff report, and answered questions of the Commission.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Bob Fowler, applicant, explained why he was making this request, addressed several
issues previously raised by the Commission, and answered their questions.
Monty Claus stated he lives in this neighborhood and has been pleased with the
developers’ efforts to place the right type of units in the project. He stated he was also
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pleased that the application was in the direction of more sale units, but expressed
concern with placing this much density in a very rural area that is so far from the core of
the City.
Chairperson Fonzi closed the Public Comment period.
Commissioner O’Keefe commented that a lot of thought went into this specific plan, and
the 100 apartments were put in to provide a more affordable housing product for some
individuals. She had no problem with the proposal for second units, but the
condominium conversion idea did not fit with the General Plan, which states the
proportion of low and moderate housing should not be significantly reduced.
Commissioner O’Grady stated he was struggling with the issue of sacrificing
apartments.
Commissioner Jack indicated he initially had similar concerns with the loss of rental
units, but within the context of the current real estate environment it was important to be
sensitive to the needs of the developer. He would rather see the project moving forward
and some sales taking place than putting the project on ho ld.
Commissioner Heatherington said she was having a problem going against a
moratorium, and to change to condominiums at this point is not a necessity. She
suggested that if the apartments are built one or two buildings at a time, they can be
changed to condominiums at a later date if there is a surplus of apartments.
Commissioner Marks commented that the Commission should stay aware of
commercial development and zoning in this area. He further stated that this project is
the antithesis to smart growth, i.e. high density away from an urban core.
Vice Chairperson Slane stated he liked the project and would support it. He said that as
the economy changes the Commission must be flexible to assist the community and
developers. He saw this as an opportunity for ownership at an affordable level.
Chairperson Fonzi stated that apartment units have a great deal of overhead and in this
area they don’t pencil out for the owner. She was concerned that this might lead to an
empty building surrounded by condominiums. She was also concerned that the
Commission doesn’t have figures on the excess or shortage of apartments and/or
condominiums. She suggested it would be helpful to continue this item to allow staff to
compile the figures on existing condo and apartment percentages and vacancy factors.
MOTION: By Commissioner O’Keefe and seconded by Commissioner
Heatherington to adopt Resolution No. PC 2008-0013
approving the Amendment to the Woodlands Specific Plan
allowing residential second units on the SFR-3 Estate Lots in
accordance with the regulation of the City’s zoning ordinance,
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with the amendment that the applicant pay the pro rata share
of fees for the interchange.
Motion passed 7:0 by a roll-call vote.
MOTION: By Commissioner Heatherington and seconded by
Commissioner Marks to bring Items No. 2 and 3 back to the
Commission with the following requested information:
1) Whether the housing stock is in balance or out of balance
in terms of percentages for vacancy rates and the amount
of units for both apartments and condominiums, and
2) Staff to research for consistency with the General Plan
whether the proposed conversion is a threat to existing
rental, and
3) Staff to address the five additional units the applicant
offered to set aside as affordable.
Motion passed 6:1 by a roll call vote. (Jack opposed)
Commissioner Jack stated for the record that he voted against the motion because he
did not think it fair to penalize the applicant by having to endure the additional financial
hardships because the Commission didn’t have the information to more accurately
make a decision.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND REPORTS
4. PLN 2008-1276, REVIEW AND DISCUSSION ZONING ORDINANCE USES
The Planning Commission will review and discuss the current zoning and
land use definitions of the Zoning Ordinance. No action will be taken.
Community Development Director Warren Frace answered questions of the
Commission.
Commissioners raised the following issues for further consideration:
Consistency of zoning use definitions for drive-through’s, apartments,
condominiums, and bed and breakfasts.
Should alcohol be differentiated in a zoning use definition of eating and drinking
places?
Downtown uses versus other uses in the code.
Update of appearance review guidelines.
Creek setbacks not included in setback list.
Expand and clarify “residential care” definitions.
Standards for farm labor quarters.
Research expansion of the cemetery.
Definition of “sales lots” is overly broad.
Accessory uses in residential areas.
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Expand definition of mobile homes.
Simplify “accessory storage” section.
Clarify definition of “group homes”.
Guidelines for accessory buildings.
The Commission thanked Commissioner O’Keefe for her leadership as Chairperson
during the past year.
Commissioner Heatherington reported that CEQA now requires consideration of global
warming impacts and asked staff for information on the topic. Community Development
Director Frace stated that there are no guidelines from the state at this time. This will
be an evolving issue over the next year and staff will keep the Commission informed.
Commissioner O’Grady commented that the revised draft Environmental Impact Report
for the Santa Margarita Ranch is posted on the county website and there is a section on
global warming included.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Community Development Director Warren Frace reported that on February 28 th at 6:00
p.m. there will be a joint study session between the City Council and Planning
Commission consisting of an overview and discussion of housing issues in Atascadero.
The goal of the session is to develop a policy that the City can use as a guideline for
how it will spend housing money.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson Fonzi adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled
meeting of the Planning Commission on March 4, 2008.
MINUTES PREPARED BY:
___________________________
Grace Pucci, Recording Secretary
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