The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutPC Minutes 01-05-10CITY OF ATASCADERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting - Tuesday, January 5, 2010 — 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 Bentz 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 Senior Planner, Mimi Whitney. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: By Commissioner Bentz and seconded by Commissioner Sturtevant to approve the agenda. Motion passed 7:0 by a roll -call vote. PC Minutes of 1/5/10 Page 1 of 6 PUBLIC COMMENT Bob Lloyd, Chief Engineer with AGP Video, stated they have been having issues with the live broadcast with both Planning Commission and City Council meetings. He would like to solicit the public's help in resolving where they are having problems within the City. They are working closely with Charter Communications, and the problem appears to be specifically through the digital cable boxes. Their email address is agpvideo@agpvideo.com, and their phone number is 772-2715. He asked the public to give them a call if they are having any problems seeing the live broadcast. Chairperson Jack closed the Public Comment period. PLANNING COMMISSION BUSINESS None CONSENT CALENDAR None COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORTS None PC Minutes of 1/5/10 Page 2 of 6 PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. PLN 2009-1344, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND VARIANCE FOR 4255 EL CAMINO REAL Property Mission Community Bank, 581 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Owner/Applicant: Project Title: PLN 2009-1344 / Conditional Use Permit 2009-0246 / Variance 2009-0016 Project location: 4255 EI Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422 APN 029-261-021 (San Luis Obispo County) Project Description: The project consists of an application for a Conditional Use Permit to allow the reinstatement of a legal, non -conforming use (auto dealer/new and used) and a Variance to allow an auto dealer on a lot size of 0.22 acres, where 1 acre minimum is required. The project is brought forward for consideration because there was a gap in the period of time for continuing the use (more than six months.) General Plan Designation: General Commercial Zoning District: Commercial Retail Proposed Based on an analysis of the proposed use, the project will be Exempt from CEQA Environmental Section 15301 — Existing Facilities. Class 1 consists of the operation, leasing, or Determination: minor alteration of existing facilities, including minor repairs with little or no expansion of use. The prior use was an auto dealer; the same use as proposed. Mimi Whitney, Senior Planner, gave the staff report. Ms. Whitney and Director Frace answered questions from the Commission. DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS: • Commissioner Ward visited the property, saw no one, and spoke with no one. • Commissioner Colamarino visited the site and spoke with no one. • Commissioner Bentz visited the property, saw no one, and spoke with no one. • Chairperson Jack visited the site and spoke with no one. • Vice Chairperson Moreno visited the site. No ex parte. • Commissioner Sturtevant visited the site. No ex parte. • Commissioner Schmidt visited the site, and watched how traffic flowed. No ex parte. PC Minutes of 1/5/10 Page 3 of 6 PUBLIC COMMENT Anita Robinson, CEO of Mission Community Bank, explained that they inherited the property through foreclosure in May 2009. At that time, they did not realize that there would be a sunset clause on the Conditional Use Permit. All interest in the property was all from car dealerships. Planning staff was very accommodating in helping to determine if there might be an alternate use for the site. The consensus she came away with, was that because of the size of the lot, and challenges with ingress and egress, a conversion to retail or other use would not be feasible. She believes this to be a suitable use for the corner. She explained that her client, Mr. Rajah, is willing to come forward, and do we want with the property. She would like to appeal the request, however, to put trees around the planter. There is no water there now, so they would have to saw cut the concrete, and it would not be desirable to hand water. The trees also create a visibility issue, so she would like to request that the trees be eliminated. They will do nice landscaping instead which would be an improvement. She is anxious to hand this property to a viable business which would allow the City to collect sales tax. Ms. Robinson answered questions from the Commission. Harry Rajah, CEO and owner of Integrity Motors, explained that the property is very desirable for his business, the lot is in a great location, and will give his business better visibility, as well as generate sales tax for the City. He currently owns Integrity Motors in Atascadero and Santa Maria. This location will be the same business (Integrity Motors) and will allow him to park some of their cars at this new location. He is willing to make the site look its best; however, the trees will limit visibility, and may be a problem for him. Mr. Rajah answered questions from the Commission. Chairperson Jack closed the Public Comment period. MOTION: By Commissioner Bentz and seconded by Commissioner Colamarino to adopt PC Resolution 2010-0034 approving PLN 2009-1344, a Conditional Use Permit 2009-0246 to allow an auto dealer sales lot to be re-established and approve Variance 2009-0016 which would permit the continuing auto sales use on a lot less than 1 -acre, at 4255 EI Camino Real, based on findings and subject to Conditions of Approval. Commissioner Schmidt asked if the motion included the waiver of the trees. Discussion followed. Senior Planner Mimi Whitney and Community Development Director Warren Frace answered questions from the Commission and provided clarification. Commissioner Bentz withdrew his motion. Commissioner Bentz made a new motion. PC Minutes of 1/5/10 Page 4 of 6 MOTION: By Commissioner Bentz and seconded by Commissioner Sturtevant to adopt PC Resolution 2010- 0034 approving PLN 2009-1344, a Conditional Use Permit 2009-0246 to allow an auto dealer sales lot to be re-established and approve Variance 2009-0016 which would permit the continuing auto sales use on a lot less than 1 -acre, at 4255 EI Camino Real, based on findings and subject to Conditions of Approval. Condition #8 shall read that the trees be limited to 3 trees with the type, style, and location to be approved by the applicant and City staff. Motion passed 7:0 by a roll -call vote. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND REPORTS None DIRECTOR'S REPORT • Director Frace announced that the City Council is scheduled to do Strategic Planning this month. There will be a special meeting Thursday evening to discuss employee union issues. Next week, they will be discussing visions and goals. On Saturday, January 30, 2010, there will be a day -long Strategic Planning session. • Rite-Aid is going up quickly. • The foundation is being poured on the Colony Square Theatre project. • The Highway 41 interchange project is ahead of schedule, and is slated to be completed by this summer. • We are working with Tractor Supply to obtain their grading permit. • The La Plaza Theatre project is still out for corrections. • The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for January 19, 2010. • Commissioner Schmidt asked about the status on the Jack-in-the-Box downtown which closed. Director Frace explained that the City found out they were closing the morning they closed, and that the City has not had any formal discussions with the property owner on their long-term plan. This parcel was included with the La Plaza vision. Director Frace is confident that we will be able to find a new use for the parcel consistent with our downtown vision. • Commissioner Colamarino asked Director Frace if he had heard that the Carlton Hotel is being sold, based on an article he read in today's newspaper. Director Frace stated he has no additional information on this, other than what he also read in the newspaper. PC Minutes of 1/5/10 Page 5 of 6 ADJOURNMENT - 8:04 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for January 19, 2010, at City Hall, Council Chambers, 6907 EI Camino Real, Atascadero. MINUTES PREPARD BY: Annette Manier, Recording Secretary I1Cityha1hcdv1pmnt1- PC MinuteslPC Minutes 101PC Minutes 1 5 10.doc PC Minutes of 1/5/10 Page 6 of 6