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HomeMy WebLinkAbout PC Minutes 07-05-00CITY OFATASCADERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting July 5, 2000 — 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Carden called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Carden, Eddings, Bentz, Fonzi, Kelley, Jeanes and Norton. Absent: None Staff: Community & Economic Development Director Paul Saldana, Principal Planner Warren Frace, Assistant Planner Jamie Heltsley, and Recording Secretary Grace Pucci. PUBLIC COMMENT None CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Approval of minutes of the regular Planning Commission meeting of June 20, 2000. MOTION: By Commissioner Fonzi and seconded by Commissioner Bentz to approve the Consent Calendar. AYES: Commissioners Fonzi, Bentz, Eddings, Kelley, Norton and Chairman Carden. NOES: None ABSTAIN: Commissioner Jeanes. Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote with Commissioner Jeanes abstaining from the vote. City of Atascadero Planning Commission Minutes PUBLIC HEARINGS Regular Meeting July 5, 2000 Page 2 of 6 2. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2000-0006: GTE Wireless COMMUNICATION FACILITY (9230 VISTA BONITA {CHALK MOUNTAINI) The proposed project is a request to allow the establishment of a wireless communication facility consisting of above ground facilities and a 15 -foot tall monopole equipped with nine flush mounted antennas. The site has been previously approved as a co -location site for cellular facilities. The project site is a 1.84 acre parcel with a physical address of 9230 Vista Bonita, commonly known as Chalk Mountain. The project parcel has a General Plan Designation of MDSF (Moderate Density Single Family) and a Zoning District of RSF-Y (Residential Single Family, minimum lot size 1 acre with sewer and 11/2 acres without sewer). The proposed use is a conditionally allowed use in the RSF-Y Zone. (APN 030- 441-014). PROPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: NEGATIVE DECLARATION 2000-016: The Initial Study has determined that the proposed project will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment. A proposed Negative Declaration of environmental impact has therefore been prepared for the project in conformance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Staff Recommends: 1. Adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2000-037 certifying the proposed Negative Declaration; and, 2. Adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2000-038 approving CUP 2000- 0006, a request by GTE Wireless to establish a wireless communication facility at 9230 Vista Bonita. 3. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 2000-0009 — ALPINE PCS COMMUNICATION FACILITY (9230 VISTA BONITA {CHALK MOUNTAIN}) The proposed project is a request to allow the establishment of a wireless communication facility consisting of above ground facilities and a 17'-5" tall monopole and a 14'-5" tall monopole both equipped with two flush mounted antennas. The site has been previously approved as a co -location site for cellular facilities. The project site is a 1.84 acre parcel with a physical address of 9230 Vista Bonita, commonly known as Chalk Mountain. The project parcel has a General Plan Designation of MDSF (Moderate Density Single Family) and a Zoning District of RSF-Y(Residential Single Family, minimum lot size 1 acre with sewer and I'/2 acres without sewer). The proposed use is a conditionally allowed use in the RSF-Y Zone. (APN 030-441-014). City of Atascadero Planning Commission Minutes Regular Meeting July 5, 2000 Page 3 of 6 PROPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: PROPOSED NEGATIVE DECLARATION 2000-016: The Initial Study has determined that the proposed project will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment. A proposed Negative Declaration of environmental impact has therefore been prepared for the project in conformance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Staff Recommends: 1. Adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2000-037 certifying the proposed Negative Declaration; and, 2. Adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2000-039 approving CUP 2000-0009, a request by Alpine PCS to establish a wireless communication facility at 9230 Vista Bonita. Assistant Planner Jamie Heltsley provided the staff reports on items 2 and 3 and answered questions of the Commission. Commissioner Eddings questioned whether the Fire Department had water available to them on the site. Assistant Planner Heltsley stated that there are tanks up on the site at this time which are to be used for future single family residences, however, if there was a fire on the site the fire department would have to use water from their trucks. There was no condition on previous applications to require a water storage tank for the site. Commissioner Eddings asked about the size of the trees to screen the facilities. Assistant Planner Heltsley stated that they typically recommend 15 gallon for this type of screening trees. Commissioner Fonzi asked if there would be any architectural treatment required for the building. Assistant Planner Heltsley displayed an example of a similar facility currently in use by the company and indicated that there are no additional architectural features and the buildings are treated with muted colors in an attempt to blend in with the hillside. Commissioner Fonzi asked about additional grading on the site. Assistant Planner Heltsley responded that the only grading which will be required is the slight cut necessary for the GTE pole to bring it down to the 1223 elevation (about two feet on the hillside to create a notch). Commissioner Eddings questioned whether the road, which is visible from the 101 freeway, is for these facilities or for the single family residences. Assistant Planner Heltsley stated that the road is for these facilities and a road behind the hill will access the single-family homes. City of Atascadero Planning Commission Minutes Regular Meeting July 5, 2000 Page 4 of 6 Commissioner Eddings expressed concern regarding the visibility of these facilities given the prominence of the hillside on the south entrance to the community, and he would like to see more of an enhanced landscaping plan that would screen everything that is being done on the hillside. Commissioner Kelley inquired whether tall trees planted around the towers would interfere with the quality of the communications. PUBLIC COMMENT David Nevin who works for JM Consulting Group spoke on behalf of Alpine PCS. In answer to Commissioner Kelley's question, Mr. Nevin stated that when trees reach the level of antennas they do cause interference. Therefore, the antennas must be above the level of the treetops. Commissioner Eddings inquired if Mr. Nevin was opposed to more and larger trees for the screening. Mr. Nevin responded that they are not opposed to adequate screening to cover the ground equipment, but felt that neither company would wish to be forced to put in extensive landscaping due to the cost factor. Commissioner Eddings stated that he is disappointed with the way the hillside looks and would like to see the entire landscaping issue rethought before any more facilities are approved to go on the hillside. Commissioner Kelley recommended the planting of a vine on the chain link fence surrounding the facility so that it would better blend into the surroundings. Commissioner Fonzi asked when construction would take place if the request were approved. Mr. Nevin stated that construction would begin very quickly after they receive land use approval. Commissioner Fonzi inquired about a source of water for the site if they were to require landscaping. Assistant Planner Heltsley commented that the project has been conditioned that if the landscaping isn't done by the time the rainy season begins, the applicants can provide a bond for the landscaping and come back and do it at a later time. Commissioner Eddings expressed concern regarding the lack of a water storage tank for the site. Assistant Planner Heltsley stated that it was not conditioned on the original application. Principal Planner Frace indicated that both the Fire Chief and Fire Marshal reviewed the applications and did not recommend any further fire suppression or water storage measures. City of Atascadero Planning Commission Minutes Regular Meeting July 5, 2000 Page 5 of 6 Chairman Carden closed the hearing to public comment and a lengthy discussion ensued regarding the issues of water and landscaping of the site. Commissioner Jeanes felt it was necessary to reevaluate the water issue before requiring additional landscaping that would need water. Commissioner Eddings felt strongly that water should be required at the site for irrigation and screening. Chairman Carden stated that while he agrees that the road did leave a scar on the hillside, at tonight's meeting the Commission must address the incremental impact of the facilities and how to minimize that impact. Commissioner Bentz would support additional drought tolerant vegetation that would screen the chain link fencing as well as a color for the facility that would cause it to blend with its surroundings, but not vegetation that would interfere with the communication antennas. Commissioner Kelley suggested since the applicant is willing to landscape the facility, perhaps the applicant could put up a bond to landscape when water is available on the site. Assistant Planner Heltsley stated that they could condition the project to bring a landscaping plan that would additionally investigate the availability of water back to the Commission as a consent item. MOTION: By Commissioner Jeanes and seconded by Commissioner Eddings that the Commission adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2000-037 certifying the proposed Negative Declaration for CUP 2000-0006 and CUP 2000- 0009; and, adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2000-038 approving CUP 2000-0006, a request by GTE Wireless to establish a wireless communication facility at 9230 Vista Bonita, and adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2000-039 approving CUP 2000-0009, a request by Alpine PCS to establish a wireless communication facility at 9230 Vista Bonita with an additional condition that a landscape plan, that provides additional screening and addresses irrigation options, come back to the Planning Commission for approval as a consent calendar item. AYES: Commissioner Jeanes, Eddings, Kelley, Norton, Bentz, Fonzi and Chairman Carden. NOES: None City of Atascadero Planning Commission Minutes ABSTAIN: None Motion passed by a 7:0 roll -call vote. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORTS Regular Meeting July 5, 2000 Page 6 of 6 Community and Economic Development Director Paul Saldana announced that there will be a special Planning Commission meeting next Wednesday evening, July 12th at 7:00 p.m. This will be a public hearing to take the actions relative to the downtown revitalization plan. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS & REPORTS None. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Carden adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m. to a Study Session. The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission will be Tuesday, August 1, 2000. MEETING RECORDED BY AND MINUTES PREPARED BY: Grace Pucci, Recording Secretary