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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 08-04-09CITY OF ATASCADERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting - Tuesday, August 4, 2009 — 7:00 P.M. City Hall Council Chambers 6907 EI Camino Real, Atascadero, California CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 p.m. Chairperson Jack called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and Commissioner Schmidt led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson Jack, Vice Chairperson Moreno, Commissioners Bentz, Colamarino, Schmidt, Sturtevant, and Ward Absent: None Others Present: Recording Secretary Annette Manier Staff Present: Community Development Director Warren Frace, Deputy Director of Public Works/Engineering David Athey, and Associate Planner Callie Taylor. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: By Commissioner Bentz and seconded Chairperson Moreno to approve the agenda. Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote. abstained) PC Minutes of 08/04/09 Page 1 of 4 by Vice (Schmidt PUBLIC COMMENT - None Chairperson Jack closed the Public Comment period. PLANNING COMMISSION BUSINESS - None CONSENT CALENDAR 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING ON JUNE 16, 2009. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING ON THE HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE ON JUNE 16, 2009. MOTION: By Commissioner Bentz and seconded by Commissioner Sturtevant to approve the Consent Calendar. Motion passed 7:0 by a roll -call vote. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORTS 3. PLN 2009-1334, TREE REMOVAL PERMIT FOR 9305 PISMO AVE. Property owner: City of Atascadero, 6907 EI Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422 Certified Arborist: A&T Arborists, PO Box 1311, Templeton, CA 93465 Project Title: PLN 2009-1334 / Tree Removal Permit 2009-0132 Project Location: 9305 Pismo Ave., Atascadero, CA 93422 APN 031-362-003 (San Luis Obispo County) Project Description: A request to remove two (2) valley oaks and two (2) black walnuts totaling 76 inches DBH to assist renovations to the Atascadero Zoo entrance and general facilities. Associate Planner Callie Taylor gave the staff report. Associate Planner Callie Taylor and Deputy Director of Public Works/Engineering David Athey answered questions from the Commission. PUBLIC COMMENT Steven Alvarez, 1565 EI Camino Real, A&T Arborists, explained that he developed the tree protection plan and answered questions from the Commission regarding the removal of the trees in regards to the proposed improvements at the zoo. PC Minutes of 08/04/09 Page 2 of 4 Chairperson Jack closed the Public Comment period. MOTION: By Commissioner Bentz and seconded by Commissioner Ward to adopt PC Resolution 2009-0026 to allow the removal of 4 native trees for a total of 76" DBH. Motion passed 7:0 by a roll -call vote. 4. SOLAR POWER FINANCING PROGRAM STAFF PRESENTATION Community Development Director Warren Frace explained that this was put on the agenda at the request of the Planning Commission. The Planning Department staff, specifically Associate Planner Callie Taylor, has been working on this project, so he turned the presentation over to Callie who explained how the voluntary program would work. Associate Planner Callie Taylor explained that there is a national push for renewable energy, and Atascadero is in a good location for solar power because of our warmer climate. AB 811 is a clean energy financing program which would provide funding for property owners to install solar systems and other energy efficiency retrofits. The program will use municipals bonds through an assessment district and property owners can join voluntarily. She explained how the process would work if the City moves forward with it. On May 26, 2009, the Atascadero City Council adopted a resolution to create a clean energy program. The City is looking for a consultant to create and administer a self funding program so that the program does not create additional costs which would be incurred by the City. A request for proposals was sent out in June and responses are currently being reviewed. Commissioners asked a lot of questions, had a good deal of discussion, and asked for clarification on many different topics related to the program. Community Development Director Warren Frace and Associate Planner Callie Taylor answered questions of the Commission. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND REPORTS Commissioner Schmidt asked about oak trees on Traffic Way and stated that several trees have died and have been removed. Community Development Director Warren Frace explained that the City was forced to complete the work because the developer failed to complete it. The City did not have standard maintenance bonds to get the landscaping completed. There is no short term plan to replant the trees. It may be possible, however, to do replanting through the Native Tree Mitigation Program and use this site as a native tree replanting site. PC Minutes of 08/04/09 Page 3 of 4 Commissioner Schmidt complained about phone books being left on the side of the road, and asked if the City could do anything about it. Community Development Director Warren Frace will do some research and talk to Code Enforcement. Vice Chairperson Moreno asked about the policy for AGP Video and asked for clarification. Community Development Director Warren Frace said the policy hasn't changed. Staff makes recommendations to broadcast meetings depending on the contents of the agenda. DIRECTOR'S REPORT • Community Development Director Warren Frace announced that the next meeting is scheduled for August 18, 2009, and the Commission will be making a recommendation to City Council on the draft Housing Element as well as reviewing a Zoning Code Text Amendment. • The Colony Square project is moving forward with Galaxy Theatres as the new operator. The property owners and Galaxy Theatres are in the process of working out their agreements and financing. • The plans for the historic City Hall building (6500 Palma Ave.) came in on August 4, 2009. The construction will be in three phases; Phase 1 — deconstruction, Phase 2 and Phase 3 - reconstruction. By the time reconstruction begins, the City hopes to have the FEMA financing settled. • Commissioner Ward stated that he was at a Historical Society meeting and noticed the CCC crew has cleared the overgrowth in Atascadero Creek and invites anyone to go back there and see how nice it looks. Having said that, 2 months ago, he sent an email to City Council with digital photographs about a property off of EI Camino Real opposite Miners Hardware that needs attention. ADJOURNMENT - 8:16 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for August 18, 2009, at City Hall, Council Chambers, 6907 EI Camino Real, Atascadero. MINUTES PREPARD BY Annette Manier, Recording Secretary IlCityhalllcdvlpmnh- PC MinuteslPC Minutes 091PC Minutes 08 04 09.doc PC Minutes of 08/04/09 Page 4 of 4