HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 01-20-09CALL TO ORDER
CITY OF ATASCADERO
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 — 7:00 P.M.
Council Chambers - 6907 EI Camino Real
Atascadero, California
Chairperson Jack called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and Commissioner Bentz
led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Moreno, Sturtevant, Bentz, Vice Chairperson
O'Grady, and Chairperson Jack
Others Present: Board Secretary and City Clerk / Assistant to the City Manager
Marcia McClure Torgerson and Recording Secretary Susanne
Anshen
Staff Present: Community Development Director Warren Frace and Associate
Planner Callie Taylor
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: By Commissioner Bentz and seconded by Vice Chairperson
O'Grady to approve the agenda.
Motion passed 5:0 by a roll -call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT: - None.
PLANNING COMMISSION BUSINESS
PC Minutes of 01/20/2009
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A. ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE
Marcia Torgerson, City Clerk, administered the Oath of Office to new Planning
Commissioners Dennis Schmidt and Chuck Ward.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING ON DECEMBER 16, 2008.
Vice Chairperson O'Grady pulled Item No. A-1 from the Consent Calendar for
discussion on the omission of Commissioner Comments in the minutes as to Items Nos.
1 and 2. He explained that there was lengthy Commissioner discussion on the items
listed in the minutes, but the minutes do not reflect the discussions. He stated that he
feels the minutes should not only show the vote for the record, but should also show the
questions asked of staff and the answers given to the Commission. On Item No. 2, Vice
Chairperson O'Grady had asked if a condition preventing the removal of trees until
construction was ready to begin would be appropriate.
Vice Chairperson O'Grady stated that similarly on Item No. 1, there were Commissioner
questions about creek setbacks, the difference between a minor CUP as opposed to a
major one, the number of accessory units allowed on a site, whether the HVAC was
allowable, and what the impacts of fire line construction might be on trees, as well as a
discussion on gutters and what constituted the attic.
Commissioner Bentz asked Community Development Director Warren Frace if the City
Attorney would be willing to comment to the Commissioners as to what should be
included in the minutes. Community Development Director Warren Frace stated the
City Clerk defines the policy and asked the City Clerk / Assistant to the City Manager
Marcia McClure Torgerson to comment.
City Clerk / Assistant to the City Manager Marcia McClure Torgerson stated the law
requires only to list who is present at the meeting, what the item is that is voted on, and
the end vote, and only requires to list the names of the public who spoke in favor or
against under Public Comment. The City Clerk stated if a Commissioner votes against
an item or if the staff's recommended motion is changed, either by wording or conditions
added, those Commissioner Comments would be included as a means of clarifying the
reasoning behind the change or opposition. The City Clerk stated if a Commissioner
states "for the record", those comments are included in the minutes.
Vice Chairperson O'Grady stated he noticed a distinct difference since Grace Pucci
prepared the minutes which seems to him to be a change in policy.
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City Clerk / Assistant to the City Manager Marcia McClure Torgerson stated that there
has been no change in policy and each person has slightly different style.
Vice Chairperson O'Grady stated he wants the minutes of tonight's meeting to note his
objection to the total absence of Commissioner comments on Item Nos. 1 and 2 (from
the December 16, 2008 meeting), and he feels that is inappropriate and inaccurate way
in which to prepare the minutes.
MOTION: By Commissioner Bentz and seconded by Commissioner
Moreno to approve Item No. A-1, the Minutes of the Regular
Planning Commission Meeting of December 16, 2008, as
presented.
Motion passed 4:1:2 by a roll -call vote. (Vice Chairperson
O'Grady opposed; Commissioners Ward and Schmidt
abstained.)
MOTION: By Vice Chairperson O'Grady and seconded by
Commissioner Schmidt to include a brief summary of each
agenda item including Commissioner comments in all future
minutes.
Commissioner Sturtevant agreed with the City Clerk in including exactly what is required
and feels staff is doing a fine job and expressed his support.
Commissioner Moreno agreed with Commissioner Sturtevant and stated she would trust
staff that they are doing what our policies require.
Chairperson Jack stated the City Clerk has been quite clear about what is required; and,
if there is something that a Commissioner wants included in the minutes, they need only
to request those comments be included.
City Clerk / Assistant to the City Manager Marcia McClure Torgerson told the
Commissioners they can always call staff for a clarification on minutes before they
reach the Planning Commission for approval. The City Clerk stated we are always
trying to streamline and cut costs.
Commissioner Bentz stated over his long tenure in municipal government, the only
requirement is to record the action taken, which he supports.
Vice Chairperson O'Grady stated his only request was for a brief summary of the
reasons why commissioners voted a certain way.
Commissioner Bentz stated he felt Vice Chairperson O'Grady was asking to clarify his
own position and not to clarify the Planning Commission's position.
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City Clerk / Assistant to the City Manager Marcia McClure Torgerson stated most cities
that are going to action minutes only are doing so because the meetings are televised
(video recorded) and digitally recorded and the public can access the meeting on video
from the website or from tapes and our meetings are also recorded digitally and on
video.
Commissioner Ward called for the vote.
Motion failed 1:6 by a roll -call vote. (Commissioners
Sturtevant, Ward, Moreno, Schmidt, Bentz, and Chairperson
Jack opposed.)
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORTS
2. GENERAL PLAN INFORMATION OVERVIEW STUDY SESSION
Community Development Director Warren Frace and Associate Planner Callie Taylor
gave a comprehensive presentation on the Atascadero General Plan to the Planning
Commission and answered questions of the Planning Commissioners.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - None.
DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS: - None.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND REPORTS
• Commissioner Schmidt asked about the large boxes Commissioner Moreno had
inquired about previously along the highway near San Anselmo Road, and stated
his experience has been they are typically used to store grading materials when
striping roads.
• Chairperson Jack recalled last meeting having a discussion on prioritizing
training and has updated the goals, which he handed out to the Commissioners.
(Exhibit A) Community Development Director Warren Frace stated the next
meeting will cover some training on these items.
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DIRECTOR'S REPORT
• Community Development Director Warren Frace referenced a notice of meeting
next week on a proposed amendment to the Dove Creek Development where
Tractor Supply Company wants to include a store in this project; and due to the
Brown Act, it would be best not to attend and staff will update you on the
neighborhood concerns. This issue will be on the February 17, 2009, agenda.
• The Planners' Institute is scheduled for March 25 -27, 2009.
• Commissioner Bentz asked about the January 27, 2009 City Council meeting
wherein the Wal-Mart project will be discussed and asked if the Commissioners
should attend. Community Development Director Warren Frace stated it would
be fine to attend as it will be an interesting discussion and there are no Brown
Act issues there to be concerned about.
ADJOURNMENT
The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for February 3,
2009, at City Hall, Council Chambers, 6907 EI Camino Real, Atascadero, California.
MINUTES PREPARED BY:
Susanne Anshen, Recording Secretary
The following exhibits are available for review in the Community Development Department:
Exhibit A — 2009 Planning Commissioners' Training Priority Report Dated 1/20/09.
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