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Home My WebLink AboutPC Minutes 01-06-09CALL TO ORDER CITY OF ATASCADERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting Tuesday, January 6, 2009 — 7:00 P.M. Chairperson Jack called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and Vice Chairperson O'Grady led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Heatherington, Moreno, Sturtevant, Bentz, Vice Chairperson O'Grady, and Chairperson Jack Others Present: Recording Secretary Susanne Anshen Staff Present: Community Development Director Warren Frace, and Associate Planner Callie Taylor APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: By Vice Chairperson O'Grady and seconded by Commissioner Bentz to approve the agenda. Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote. PUBLIC COMMENT None. Chairperson Jack closed the Public Comment period. PC Minutes of 01/06/09 Page 1 of 6 PLANNING COMMISSION BUSINESS None. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING ON DECEMBER 2, 2008. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING ON NOVEMBER 12, 2008. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING ON NOVEMBER 22, 2008. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING ON DECEMBER 17, 2008. 5. APPROVAL OF TIME EXTENSION ON TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 2003-0044, 9105 PRINCIPAL (PRINCIPAL PARTNERS, LP) Chairperson Jack pulled Item No. 1 and 4. Vice Chairperson O'Grady asked to pull Item No. 5 and another member of the Commission pulled Item No. 3. Chairperson Jack stated insofar as four of the five items have been pulled, he would discuss each item separately. As to Item No. 1, Chairperson Jack made a correction on page 4 of the December 2, 2008, minutes changing "lives next door" to "lives two doors down". MOTION: By Commissioner Heatherington and seconded by Commissioner Moreno to approve Item No. 1 on the Consent Calendar, Minutes of the Regular Planning Commission Meeting on December 2, 2008, as corrected. Motion passed 4:0:2 by a roll -call vote. (Commissioners Sturtevant and Bentz abstained.) As to Item No. 2, Commissioner Heatherington questioned whether she attended this meeting, but it was clarified she had attended. MOTION: By Commissioner Heatherington and seconded by Commissioner Moreno to approve Item No. 2 on the Consent Calendar, Minutes of the Special Joint Meeting on November 12, 2008, with no corrections. Motion passed 4:0:2 by a roll -call vote. (Commissioners Sturtevant and Bentz abstained.) PC Minutes of 01/06/09 Page 2 of 6 Community Development Director Warren Frace advised the Commissioners they need not have attended a meeting to vote on approval of the minutes. MOTION: By Commissioner Heatherington and seconded by Commissioner Moreno to approve Item No. 3 on the Consent Calendar, Minutes of Special Joint Meeting on November 22, 2008, with no corrections. Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote. Chairperson Jack stated he was, in fact, in attendance at the Special Joint Meeting held on December 17, 2008. MOTION: By Vice Chairperson O'Grady and seconded by Commissioner Moreno to approve Item No. 4 on the Consent Calendar, Minutes of the Special Joint Meeting on December 17, 2008, correcting the those present to include Sandy Jack. Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote. Commissioner O'Grady pulled Item No. 5 because of the extension and asked staff for a more detailed explanation why the project is not going forward. Associate Planner Callie Taylor stated the owners do not have the money to move forward at this time. MOTION: By Commissioner Bentz and seconded by Commissioner Moreno to approve Item No. 5 on the Consent Calendar, Approval of Time Extension on Tentative Tract Map 2003-0044, 9105 Principal (Principal Partners LP), with no corrections. Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORTS 6. PLN 2008-1309, TREE REMOVAL FOR 5171 VEGA AVENUE Owner/Applicant: Thomas & Gina Carter, 6201 Monterey Court, Atascadero, CA 93422 PLN 2008-1309 / TRP 2008-0123 Project Title: Tree Removal Permit for Single -Family Residence Project Location: 5171 Vega Avenue, Atascadero, CA 93422 (San Luis Obispo County) APN 030-161-002 The project consists of an application to construct a 3,034 square -foot single - Project family residence with a 624 square -foot attached garage and driveway on an Description: existing lot of record. An additional 1,024 square feet of storage area and a bathroom are located on the bottom floor under the residence. The lot is 2.23 acres with an average 14 % slope at the proposed building pad. An open area PC Minutes of 01/06/09 Page 3 of 6 DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS: • Commissioner Sturtevant spoke with Mr. Carter on this project. • Vice Chairperson O'Grady visited the site, but did not speak with anyone. Associate Planner Callie Taylor presented the staff report. Associate Planner Callie Taylor and Community Development Director Warren Frace answered questions of the Planning Commissioners. PUBLIC COMMENT: Tom Carter, applicant, spoke about his mitigation efforts toward limiting the number of trees to be removed as well as his concern of the dead wood and tree health. Mr. Carter indicated the in order to use the sewer system, they would need to pump uphill and, therefore, a septic system is advised for this parcel. Mr. Carter stated because of the 20 percent cut-off, the driveway off of Vega is the only possible driveway access. Tom Carter answered questions of the Planning Commissioners regarding the location of the solar panels, reasons for placing the driveway on Vega Avenue, and location of the utilities alongside the driveway. Steven Alvarez, applicant's arborist, discussed the changes they made in order to mitigate the impact upon the parcel from the need to remove trees and the improvement to the fire hazard on the parcel. Chairperson Jack closed the Public Comment period. Vice Chairperson O'Grady asked Associate Planner Callie Taylor questions in regard to the Native Tree Ordinance removal criteria. PC Minutes of 01/06/09 Page 4 of 6 is proposed to be graded at the top of the driveway for additional parking, storage, and RV parking. The proposed project will require approximately 968 cubic yards of cut and 887 cubic yards of fill. The proposed residence will take access from Vega Avenue and will be served by an on-site septic system. Thirty (30) native Blue Oaks, Valley Oaks, and Live Oaks totaling 297 inches DBH are proposed for removal. General Plan Designation: SFR -Z Zoning District: RSF-Z Proposed Based on the Initial Study prepared for the project, a Mitigated Negative Environmental Declaration is proposed. The Mitigated Negative Declaration is available for Determination• public review from 12-18-08 through 1-6-09 at 6907 EI Camino Real, Community Development Department from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS: • Commissioner Sturtevant spoke with Mr. Carter on this project. • Vice Chairperson O'Grady visited the site, but did not speak with anyone. Associate Planner Callie Taylor presented the staff report. Associate Planner Callie Taylor and Community Development Director Warren Frace answered questions of the Planning Commissioners. PUBLIC COMMENT: Tom Carter, applicant, spoke about his mitigation efforts toward limiting the number of trees to be removed as well as his concern of the dead wood and tree health. Mr. Carter indicated the in order to use the sewer system, they would need to pump uphill and, therefore, a septic system is advised for this parcel. Mr. Carter stated because of the 20 percent cut-off, the driveway off of Vega is the only possible driveway access. Tom Carter answered questions of the Planning Commissioners regarding the location of the solar panels, reasons for placing the driveway on Vega Avenue, and location of the utilities alongside the driveway. Steven Alvarez, applicant's arborist, discussed the changes they made in order to mitigate the impact upon the parcel from the need to remove trees and the improvement to the fire hazard on the parcel. Chairperson Jack closed the Public Comment period. Vice Chairperson O'Grady asked Associate Planner Callie Taylor questions in regard to the Native Tree Ordinance removal criteria. PC Minutes of 01/06/09 Page 4 of 6 MOTION: By Commissioner Bentz and seconded by Commissioner Moreno to adopt resolution PC 2008-0056 to allow the removal of 30 native trees totaling 297 inches DBH subject to conditions of approval. Vice Chairperson O'Grady stated General Plan requires the City to review fees on a regular basis, and tree removal fees have not been reviewed since 1999; and he expressed his concern over the low per tree fee the City currently charges which is not indicative of the real value of trees. Chairperson Jack called for the motion. Motion passed 5:1 by a roll -call vote. (Commissioner Heatherington opposed.) PUBLIC HEARINGS: • None. DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS: 5111110,01 rem COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND REPORTS • Vice Chairperson O'Grady restated his request for City Staff to look into the pile of light poles on Highway 41 east of San Gabriel, as the poles are still on that location. Community Development Director Warren Frace indicated staff has been in contact the Granite Construction (owner of the poles) and Caltrans to get them removed. • Vice Chairperson O'Grady asked staff about the reappearance of a bail bond sign on a vehicle at the EI Mariachi Restaurant, and staff indicated it has already been removed. • Commissioner Moreno asked if the large boxes on Highway 101 southbound, north of Traffic Way have been addressed. Community Development Director Warren Frace said he would check with Public Works. • Chairperson Jack discussed training goals for the Planning Commission, and handed out packet to the Commissioners and asked the Commissioners to prioritize the listed goals and return the list to him. PC Minutes of 01/06/09 Page 5 of 6 DIRECTOR'S REPORT • Planners Institute will be held March 25 -27, 2009, in Anaheim by the League of California Cities, and there are funds available to have all the Commissioners attend this training. • Two at -large positions on the Planning Commission will be filled by Dennis Schmidt and Chuck Ward; and he further stated tonight is Commissioner Pamela Heatherington's last meeting. • The agenda for the next meeting of the Planning Commission on January 20th is very light. The Planning Commissioners thanked Pamela Heatherington for her service to the Planning Commission. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Jack adjourned the meeting at 8:12 p.m. to the next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for January 20, 2009, at City Hall, Council Chambers, 6907 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA. MINUTES PREPARED BY: Susanne Anshen, Recording Secretary \\Cityhall\cdvlpmnt\— PC Minutes\PC Minutes 09\PC Minutes 01 06 09.doc PC Minutes of 01/06/09 Page 6 of 6