HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 04-06-10CITY OF ATASCADERO
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
Regular Meeting - Tuesday, April 6, 2010 — 7:00 P.M.
City Hall Council Chambers
6907 EI Camino Real, Atascadero, California
CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 p.m.
Chairperson Moreno called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and Commissioner Bentz
led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chairperson Moreno, Vice Chairperson Bentz, Commissioners
Colamarino, Jack, Schmidt, and Sturtevant
Absent: Commissioner Ward (excused absence)
Others Present: Recording Secretary Annette Manier
Staff Present: Associate Planner Callie Taylor
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: By Commissioner Jack and seconded by Commissioner
Sturtevant to approve the agenda.
Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
Chairperson Moreno closed the Public Comment period.
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PLANNING COMMISSION BUSINESS
Chairperson Moreno asked Callie Taylor about the video-taping of the meetings and
asked staff for further direction and clarification from the City Manager and City Council.
Associate Planner Callie Taylor said she would check with Community Development
Director Warren Frace on the status.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING ON FEBRUARY 16, 2010.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING ON MARCH 2, 2010.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING
COMMISSION MEETING ON LA PLAZA ON MARCH 11, 2010.
MOTION: By Vice Chairperson Bentz and seconded by Commissioner
Colamarino to approve the Consent Calendar.
Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORTS
4. PLN 2010-1357, TREE REMOVAL PERMIT FOR 5715 SANTA CRUZ ROAD
Property Owner/
Hilltop Mobile Manor, 4425 N. 78 Street #267B, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Applicant:
Hilltop Mobile Manor, 5715 Santa Cruz Road, Atascadero, CA 93422
Certified arborist:
Steven Alvarez, A&T Arborists, PO Box 1311, Templeton, CA 93465
Project Title:
PLN 2010-1357 / Tree Removal Permit 2010-0139
Project
5715 Santa Cruz Road, Atascadero, CA 93422
Location:
APN 049-042-006 (San Luis Obispo County)
Project
Two trees on the property have been proposed for removal. The applicant's
Description:
arborist has determined that both trees are hazardous and in need of
removal. City staff approved immediate removal of the 40 -inch Live Oak on
March 15, 2010 due to its highly hazardous condition, as certified by the
arborist. The 45 -inch Live Oak on the property is also being requested for
removal. The Arborist Report states that this is a hazardous tree, but its
need for removal is less immediate. Planning Commission approval for
removal of the 45 -inch Live Oak is being requested.
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Associate Planner Callie Taylor gave the staff report and answered questions from the
Commission.
DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS:
None
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Chip Tamagni, A&T Arborists, explained that he had done a previous tree removal in
the past for the park, and the new trees planted are being monitored and are doing very
well. He explained how the new plantings will be well maintained and well monitored.
Mr. Tamagni answered questions from the Commission.
Chairperson Moreno closed the public comment period.
MOTION: By Commissioner Jack and seconded by Vice
Chairperson Bentz to adopt PC Resolution 2010-
0009 approving PLN 2010-1357, a Tree Removal
Permit to allow the removal of one (1) hazardous
45 -inch native tree located at 5715 Santa Cruz
Road subject to findings and conditions of
approval.
Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS
5. PLN 2009-1351, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR ACCESSORY
STRUCTURE AT 5095 MIRAMON AVE.
Property Owner/
Quentin and Nicole Thompson, 5095 Miramon Ave., Atascadero, CA 93422
Applicant:
Project Title:
PLN 2009-1351 / CUP 2009-0248
Project location:
5095 Miramon Ave., Atascadero, CA 93422
APN 028-093-035 (San Luis Obispo County)
Project
The proposed application consists of a request for a Conditional Use
Description:
Permit to construct an oversized detached accessory structure at the
subject property. The proposed detached garage and workshop is 990
square feet. The Atascadero Municipal Code allows accessory structures
larger than 50% of the primary residence through approval of a
Conditional Use Permit.
General Plan Designation: SFR -Y
Zoning District: RSF-Y
Proposed
Exempt per Section 15303: New construction or conversion of small
Environmental
structures including accessory structures.
Determination:
Associate Planner Callie Taylor gave the staff report and answered questions from the
Commission.
DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS:
• Chairperson Moreno — None
• Vice Chairperson Bentz — None
• Commissioner Colamarino — None
• Commissioner Jack — Visited the site but spoke with no one.
• Commissioner Schmidt — None
• Commissioner Sturtevant - None
PUBLIC COMMENT
Quentin Thompson, applicant, said the driveway to the garage is already existing. He
also explained he had discussed the water retention system requirement with Public
Works. He is only adding 500-600 sq. ft. of impervious surface (existing shed to be
removed), so a detention basin will not be required. Taller doors are needed on the
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proposed garage to fit the travel trailer currently parked outside. The house is 16-17' tall
so the accessory structure isn't that much taller. The neighbor who owns the empty
open lot is considering building a similar structure. Mr. Thompson answered questions
from the Commission.
Aaron Jones, neighbor on Sycamore, spoke in opposition to the project. He said he
shares a fence with the applicant. They have owned their home for 11 years, and thinks
this will be a life -altering structure because of its large size. He feels the structure will
overcrowd the backyard. It will make them lose the open feeling they have now, and
will diminish their sunlight. He is also concerned about noise.
Chairperson Moreno closed the Public Comment period.
Commissioners had discussion regarding height restrictions, setbacks, slurry seal, and
consistency with the neighborhood. Staff confirmed that the structure does meet all
required setbacks. Staff also explained that although the structure is taller than a
standard detached garage, the structure could be considered to be consistent with the
general character of the neighborhood; however, neighborhood compatibly is subject to
Planning Commission interpretation. The condition regarding slurry seal or overlay of
the road frontage is a Public Works standard in the Municipal Code and can not be
waived. Frontage improvements are only required if the proposed project exceeds the
25% valuation threshold based on the appraised value of the property.
Chairperson Moreno re -opened the Public Comment period.
Quentin Thompson, applicant, explained that the only way to make the building shorter
would be to flatten the roof which would affect the trusses. He said that he had already
discussed the frontage improvement requirements with Public Works. The proposed
garage will not exceed the valuation threshold, and therefore, he will not have to do the
frontage improvements. If he did have to overlay the road, it would not be cost effective
for the project. The garage will be used to park the trailer and keep other belongings
inside. There may be days when he will be working in the garage. He has no plans to
pursue activities that are unusually noisy in the garage. The building has 6" thick walls
and is insulated, so it will be quiet. They will not be running a business.
Aaron Jones, neighbor, suggested that Mr. Thompson order shorter trusses to make the
building shorter. He does not appreciate that the building is 20' tall.
Chairperson Moreno closed the Public Comment period.
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MOTION: By Vice Chairperson Bentz and seconded by
Commissioner Colamarino to adopt PC Resolution 2010-
0008 approving PLN 2009-1351, a 990 -sq. ft. accessory
structure which exceeds 50% of the size of the main
residence located at 5095 Miramon Ave. subject to
findings and conditions of approval.
Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND REPORTS
Commissioner Schmidt stated he is concerned with signage around town, including the
former Denny's site. He would like to know if it is compliant with the Sign Ordinance to
have a real estate sign on the Highway. The same company also has one on the road
by Santa Lucia Bank. On the west side of the highway, there is a commercial sign on
residential property. Are commercial signs allowed to be placed in residential zones?
Associate Planner Callie Taylor answered Commissioner Schmidt's questions and said
she will follow-up.
Commissioner Jack asked about election signs, in particular a Matt Kokkonen sign that
has already been put up west of Atascadero Avenue on Highway 41. We are not at the
60 -day point yet. He would appreciate it if the City Clerk would take some sort of action.
Associate Planner Callie Taylor said she would follow-up.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT - NONE
ADJOURNMENT - 7:58 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for April 20, 2010,
at City Hall, Council Chambers, 6907 EI Camino Real, Atascadero.
MINUTES PREPARD BY:
Annette Manier, Recording Secretary
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