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Home My WebLink AboutPC Minutes 10-21-08CALL TO ORDER CITY OF ATASCADERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting Tuesday, October 21, 2008 — 7:00 P.M. Chairperson Fonzi called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and Vice Chairperson Jack led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Moreno, Jack, Marks, O'Keefe, and Chairperson Fonzi Absent: Commissioner Heatherington and O'Grady (excused) Others Present: Recording Secretary Susanne Anshen Staff Present: Community Development Director Warren Frace, Deputy Community Development Director Steve McHarris, Community Services Director Brady Cherry, and Interim Deputy Public Works Director Geoff English APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: By Vice Chairperson Jack seconded by Commissioner Marks to approve the agenda. Motion passed 5:0 by a roll -call vote. PC Minutes 10/21/2008 Page 1 of 6 PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Mike Brennler stated that he did not want to speak on issues of planning or land use, but he wanted to speak to the issue of honesty and integrity and to defend his character. Mayor Brennler explained that he was referring to an email, dated June 8, 2008, from Al Fonzi, that was sent to a reporter. Mayor Brennler read a portion of the email to the Commission in which Mr. Fonzi states that Mayor Brennler uses physical intimidation to make a point, and that he has done this to his wife on one occasion. Mayor Brennler requested a public repudiation of the allegations in the email. (Exhibit A) Jim Shannon spoke of his disappointment with a member of Commission who needs to step down before accusing City staff of wrongdoing. Mr. Shannon said this Commissioner represents the City and her actions are an embarrassment to the community. Jim Shannon asked the Commissioners to express what they feel their responsibilities are to the community, as he is very concerned with the bitterness and hatred. Chairperson Fonzi closed the Public Comment Period. Vice Chairperson Jack spoke to Mr. Shannon's comments and stated he is only interested in what is best for the City, his personal agendas are set aside, and he listens to the public and the applicants. Vice Chairperson Jack spoke about his obligation to the citizens to do what is right in his service to the City of Atascadero. Chairperson Fonzi asked Mayor Mike Brennler to speak to her after meeting regarding his email, as this was not the proper venue for this discussion. PLANNING COMMISSION BUSINESS DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS: • Vice Chairperson Jack meet with Bob Friedrichsen, the applicant on Item No. 2 on Santa Cruz Road and would suggest after visiting property and with what has been going on in the county in regard to the water, each Commissioner should go out and look at the property because it is unusual and raises some issues. • Commissioner O'Keefe visited the property, but the gate was locked. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2008. PC Minutes 10/21/2008 Page 2 of 6 MOTION: By Vice Chairperson Jack seconded by Commissioner Moreno to approve the Minutes of the Regular Planning Commission Meeting of September 16, 2008, as amended. Motion passed 5:0 by a roll -call vote. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. PLN 2008-1299, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR 8600 SANTA CRUZ RD. Property Owner: Robert & Johanna Friedrichsen, 8600 Santa Cruz Rd., Atascadero, CA 93422 Project Title: PLN 2008-1299 / Conditional Use Permit 2008-0231 Project 8600 Santa Cruz Rd., Atascadero, CA 93422 Location: APN 050-081-015 (San Luis Obispo County) Project The proposed project includes an application to construct a 1,976 square -foot garage with Description: loft area which exceeds 50% of the size of the main residence. General Plan Designation: Rural Estate Zoning District: Residential Suburban Proposed Class 3 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Section 15303, New Environmental Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) exempts construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures, including accessory structures such Determination: as garages. Community Development Director Warren Frace indicated Item No. 2 would need to be continued to a date uncertain. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORTS 3. CITY PARK AND TRAIL SYSTEM BRIEFING Community Development Director Warren Frace introduced Community Services Director Brady Cherry, who gave a presentation on the parks, recreation facilities, and trails available in Atascadero and answered questions of the Commissioners. PUBLIC COMMENT: Tom Johnson asked about overflow basin in Colony Park. Community Services Director Brady Cherry indicated occasionally the overflow basin comes into play, and a new basin is being engineered. Interim Deputy Public Works Director Geoff English stated when the affluent flows into the overflow basin, gravity feeds it back into the system. It is currently unlined and the new system will be lined. PC Minutes 10/21/2008 Page 3 of 6 Chairperson Fonzi closed the Public Comment Period. Commissioner O'Keefe questioned whether the Yellow Star Thistle is overtaking the creek and the need for control measures as well as the use of herbicides in the creek area. Interim Deputy Public Works Director Geoff English stated staff is aware of a substantial Star Thistle problem, but does not have sufficient resources at this point to manage it, and it will be a focus of the trail planning. Further, the City specifically does not use herbicides as it is near the creek. In regard to the open space at Las Lomas, it has not yet been turned over to the City, but will eventually be in a Landscaping and Lighting District. Chairperson Fonzi asked about possible easements over private property. Community Services Director Brady Cherry said he is unaware of any plans for such easements. Chairperson Fonzi asked about youth volunteers to perform creek clean up, wherein Community Services Director Brady Cherry indicated they have plans for high school and court appointment referrals to do clean up as well as Eagle Scouts, Boy Scouts and Cal Poly students. Chairperson Fonzi asked whether the trails between EI Camino Real heading down toward the river would be established in a Creek Reservation Area or on private property. Community Services Director Brady Cherry stated all the contemplated trails would be in the right-of-way and there are no plans to use private property easements in completion of western reach of these trails. PUBLIC COMMENT: Jim Shannon commended staff on their report and hard work. He asked about safety issues and costs for maintaining the trails because the overflow during storms will wipe out the trail. He also stated with people walking along the trail, there will be a trash problem as well as animal waste and wondered how that will be handled. Mr. Shannon is concerned about violent crimes and the homeless problem. Chairperson Fonzi closed the Public Comment Period. Community Services Director Brady Cherry answered Mr. Shannon's concerns stating staff has no funding for maintenance and has told the City Council it will cost $30,000 per year for maintenance. Mr. Cherry stated staff is requesting the City Council address funding to cover maintenance of those projects being passed. PC Minutes 10/21/2008 Page 4 of 6 COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND REPORTS: Commissioner O'Keefe asked Community Development Director Warren Frace about Kennedy Motorcycle's move and when the CUP expires. Community Development Director Warren Frace stated the CUP runs with the land and he will check on the expiration issue and report back to the Commission. Commissioner Moreno asked staff about a public workshop for the Basin Plan before the hearing of the Water Quality Control Board and if a date has been set. Community Development Director Warren Frace indicated a tentative date for the week of November 10th has been discussed. Chairperson Fonzi asked Commissioner O'Keefe if this Saturday is the Day of the Oak. Commissioner O'Keefe stated the Atascadero Native Tree Association and the City of Atascadero will host the program called the Day of the Oak at the Atascadero Lake Pavilion which starts at 9:00 a.m. and the public is invited. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: • Community Development Director Warren Frace stated the November 4, 2008, meeting is cancelled as it is election night; and the next meeting will be November 18, 2008 however, at this point, there are no items on the agenda. • Mr. Frace stated staff is working on the workshop for discussing the Basin Plan and working with the Regional Board on the Storm Water Management Plan and have asked for additional time beyond the deadline of the end of November for the purpose of some public outreach. • Community Development Director Warren Frace updated the Commission on on-going projects such as Sylvester's Burgers which has all their building permits in place and is under construction; Rite Aid's project is close to being ready; the Carl's Jr. as well is nearly ready to start construction; and the Jack - In -The -Box by the Holiday Inn Express has submitted their building permits which are in plan check. • As for the Colony Square project, Community Development Director Warren Frace stated staff is working with their architects on some revisions on the theatre. PC Minutes 10/21/2008 Page 5 of 6 ADJOURNMENT: Chairperson Fonzi adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission on November 18, 2008. MINUTES PREPARED BY: Susanne Anshen, Recording Secretary The following exhibits are available for review in the City Clerk's office: Exhibit A — Copy of an email from Ms. Velie (velie .uncoveredslo.com) dated June 8, 2008, from Al Fonzi and forwarded to Mayor Brennler (brennbo(a-)aol.com) by Ms. Velie. \\Cityhall\cdvlpmnt\- PC Minutes\PC Minutes 08\PC Minutes 10-21-08.doc PC Minutes 10/21/2008 Page 6 of 6