HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 12-07-10CI TY OF A TA SCA DERO
PLA NNING COMMISSION
ACTION MINUTES
Regular Meeting — Tuesday, December 7, 2010 — 7:00 P.M.
City Hall Council Chambers
6907 EI Camino Real, Atascadero, California
CALL TO ORDER - 7:02 p.m.
Chairperson Moreno called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. and Commissioner
Schmidt led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chairperson Moreno, Vice Chairperson Bentz, Commissioners
Colamarino, Schmidt, Sturtevant, and Ward
Absent: None
Others Present: Recording Secretary Annette Manier and Lisa Wise, Housing
Consultant
Staff Present: Community Development Director Warren Frace, Associate
Planner Callie Taylor, Assistant Planner Alfredo Castillo, and
Deputy Director of Public Works David Athey
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: By Vice Chairperson Bentz and seconded by
Commissioner Sturtevant to approve the agenda.
Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
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PLANNING COMMISSION BUSINESS
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF ACTION MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING ON NOVEMBER 16, 2010.
2. APPROVAL OF THE 2011 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE
MOTION: By Vice Chairperson Bentz and seconded by Commissioner
Sturtevant to approve the Consent Calendar.
Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORTS
None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. PLN 2008-1273, DRIVE-THRU RESTAURANT AMENDMENT TO RITE -AID
CENTER CUP AT 7055 EL CAMINO REAL
Property Owner:
Atascadero Prec., LLC, 5034 Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria, CA 93013
Applicant:
Thom Jess, 1540 Marsh Street #150, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Project Title:
PLN 2008-1273, Amendment to Conditional Use Permit 2008-0223 at 7055 EI Camino
Real (Former Rite Aid building)
Project Location:
7055 EI Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422
APN 030-081-041 (San Luis Obispo County)
Project
Amendment to CUP 2008-0223 to allow for the construction of an additional drive-thru
Description:
restaurant facility as a part of the redevelopment of the former Rite Aid building. The
applicant is proposing remodel and rehabilitation of the former Rite Aid building to include a
1,650 sf Starbucks Coffee Shop with drive-thru lane and outdoor patio space, retail space
totaling 13,850 sf for future tenants and an additional storage/service area of approximately
6,000 sf. The footprint of the building will not be increased with the exception of 40 sf for the
addition of a drive-thru window. Proposed improvements include architectural pop -outs,
new windows, metal awnings, decorative wall mounted light fixtures, stone veneers and
Spanish tile roofing, and additional landscaping.
Zoning: CR (Commercial Retail)
General Plan Designation: GC (General Commercial)
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Proposed Consistent with previously certified Mitigated Negative Declaration
Environmental State Clearinghouse Number (SCH) #2008021071
Determination:
Assistant Planner Alfredo Castillo gave the staff report.
DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS:
• Commissioner Schmidt sent an email to Assistant Planner Castillo regarding
some circulation concerns about the project, which Alfredo answered, and which
will be addressed again at tonight's hearing.
• Commissioner Ward had a telephone conversation with the Architect, Thom
Jess.
Assistant Planner Alfredo Castillo and Deputy Director of Public Works David Athey
answered questions from the Commission.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The following people spoke during public comment: Thom Jess, Arris Studio Architects.
Mr. Jess answered questions from the Commission.
Chairperson Moreno closed the Public Comment period.
Commissioner Colamarino asked that it be put in the record that drive-thrus (and the
appropriateness of them) should be considered carefully whenever the Commission is
looking at Conditional Use Permits.
MOTION: By Vice Chairperson Bentz and seconded by
Commissioner Sturtevant to adopt Resolution PC 2010-
0024 approving an Amendment to the Master Plan of
Development, Conditional Use Permit 2008-0223 to allow
an additional drive thru facility as a part of the
renovation and remodel of the existing 21,500 sf retail
building at 7055 EI Camino Real, based on findings and
subject conditions of approval and mitigation
monitoring, and consistent with the adopted mitigated
negative declaration.
Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote.
Chairperson Moreno recessed the meeting at 8:26 p.m. for a break.
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Chairperson Moreno called the meeting back to order at 8:36 p.m.
4. PLN 2009-1328, GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT, LAND USE
ELEMENT AND ZONING CODE/MAP UPDATE
Applicant:
City of Atascadero, 6907 EI Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422
Project Title:
General Plan Housing Element, Land Use Element, and Zoning Code/Map Update
PLN 2009-1328 / GPA 2009-0025 / ZCH 2010-0162
Project
Citywide
Location:
(San Luis Obispo County)
Project
An update to the Housing Element of the City of Atascadero's General Plan is proposed
Description:
as required by Government Code Sections 65580 — 65589.8. The draft Housing
Element provides implementation strategies for the 2007 - 2014 planning period to meet
RHNA and provide affordable and diverse, high quality housing opportunities to meet the
needs of all segments of the community.
Housing Element update efforts have been ongoing for the past several years, with
multiple hearings before the City Council and Planning Commission, public
workshops, completion of environmental documents, and review by the State
(Housing and Community Development). The City has received notice from HCD
that the draft Housing Element meets State requirements, and with official City
Council adoption, the Housing Element is ready for State certification.
General Plan and Zoning Ordinance updates are proposed in conjunction with the
Housing Element adoption in order to meet the City's current and unfulfilled Regional
Housing Needs Allocation and to comply with Housing Element Policy 1.1, Programs 1
and 2. The General Plan High Density Land Use Designation is proposed to be
increased from a maximum of sixteen (16) units per acre to a minimum of twenty (20)
units per acre. A corresponding Zoning Ordinance Text Change and Zoning Map update
are proposed to change the RMF -16 Zoning District is to RMF -20 (minimum 20 units per
acre proposed).
A second Municipal Code Text update is proposed to clarify definitions which relate to
housing. The City's outdated definition for "family" is proposed to be replaced with "single
housekeeping unit" for describing use of dwellings. This revised description is proposed
to comply with the law and use only nondiscriminatory occupancy standards to describe
an interactive group of persons jointly occupying a single dwelling unit.
Based on the Initial Study prepared for the project, a Negative Declaration is proposed.
Proposed
The Negative Declaration is available for public review at 6907 EI Camino Real,
Environmental
Community Development Department from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through
Determination:
Friday. The public review period is from November 2, 2010, through December 1, 2010.
DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS:
Commissioner Sturtevant recused himself from voting on the item, since he was
elected to City Council, and will be voting on this item at the Council meeting on
January 25, 2011.
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Associate Planner Callie Taylor gave the staff report and explained the Housing
Element Update Process. Since the Commission last saw the Housing Element update,
it went to the State Dept of Housing and Community Development, which deemed it
complete. In conjunction with the Housing Element update, staff is proposing a General
Plan and Zoning Ordinance update to allow a minimum of 20 units per acre in the high-
density residential zones. The RMF -16 zone would change to RMF -20. Staff is also
proposing to update the definition of "family" in the Zoning Ordinance. Ms. Taylor
introduced Ms. Lisa Wise, Housing Consultant.
Ms. Taylor stated that there is a modification in Resolution No. 2010-0028, 9-3.175
Density to clarify 20 units/ac as the minimum density in the Zone Text change.
Chairperson Moreno stated that on page 466 of the staff report, there is a typo in the
"single housekeeping definition." It should read landlord or property manager (instead
of landlord of property manager). Ms. Taylor was in agreement.
Ms. Wise, Ms. Taylor and Director Frace answered questions from the Commission.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The following people spoke during public comment: Jerry Rioux, Director of the SLO
County Housing Trust Fund.
Chairperson Moreno closed the Public Comment period.
MOTION: By Vice Chairperson Bentz and seconded by
Commissioner Colamarino to adopt Resolution PC 2010-
0025 recommending that the City Council certify
proposed Negative Declaration 2010-0005 prepared for
the proposed General Plan Housing Element, Land Use
Element/Map and Zoning Code/Map Update (PLN 2009-
1328 / GPA 2009-0025 / ZCH 2010-0162) and;
To adopt Resolution PC 2010-026 recommending that
the City Council adopt General Plan Amendment 2009-
0025 (PLN 2009-1328) for the 2007-2014 Housing
Element adoption based on findings with a change to
Policy 13. Timeframe: to change to "within one year of
Housing Element adoption" and would extend it to all
units.
To adopt Resolution PC 2010-0027 recommending that
the City Council approve General Plan Land Use
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Element Update and General Plan Land Use Diagram
Update (PLN 2009-1328 / GPA 2009-0025) to allow a
minimum density of 20 units per acre in the high density
residential land use designation and;
To adopt Resolution PC 2010-0028 recommending that
the City Council introduce an ordinance for first reading
by title only to approve zoning code and zoning map
updates PLN 2009-1328/ZCH 2010-0162 to change RMF -
16 to RMF -20 and update Zoning Ordinance definitions
related to housing based on findings. 9-6.180 (c) shall
read twenty (20) units per gross acre. 9-9.102 shall read
landlord or property manager, (rather than landlord of
property manager).
There was Commission consensus that a fee study or investigation is a priority
item and should be completed within one year.
A modification was made to the draft Housing Element text to change the
timeframe for completion of Policy 1.1 Program 13 from three (3) years to one (1)
year.
There was Commission consensus to direct staff and the consultant to
investigate the possibility of including a maximum density with the proposed
RMF -20 zoning district. Findings regarding potential maximum density to be
presented to City Council for consideration.
Motion passed 5:0 by a roll -call vote. (Sturtevant abstained)
Commissioner Sturtevant rejoined the meeting at 9:35 p.m.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND REPORTS
Vice Chairperson Bentz talked about timeframes for processing permit applications and
its relation to housing needs. He would like to have a study done to see how staff can
speed up in-house processing.
Commissioner Schmidt attended a public hearing in Grover Beach and the City has
been inviting a student from the school district to do the pledge of allegiance. He said
we might consider this at Planning Commission and City Council meetings.
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Commissioner Schmidt congratulated Commissioner Sturtevant on his appointment to
City Council. Commissioner Sturtevant said it has been an honor to work on the
Commission.
Chairperson Moreno said this will be her last meeting as well, and it has been a
pleasure. She thanked staff for their work, reports, calls, etc.
Commissioner Colamarino announced that it is also his last night. It has been a
pleasure, and he also wished Commissioner Sturtevant well. He looks forward to
working together on matters that arise in the City.
Commissioner Ward wished Commissioner Sturtevant well, and said the City will be
well -served with Brian Sturtevant on the City Council.
Commissioner Ward said the entire attitude of how the City handles builders and
developers is better and he has received positive feedback. He is very proud to serve
on the Planning Commission, and hopes to serve another 2 -year term.
Vice Chairperson Bentz commented to all commissioners that he knows the
commissioners care a lot about our City, and as a result of their caring, he is a better
person. As for staff, there is none better. He thanked the Commission for allowing him
to be a part of this program.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
• Director Frace announced that there will be no meeting will be on December 21,
2010, or January 4, 2011 due to possible lack of quorum. The next meeting will
be held on January 18, 2011.
• Director Frace gave an update on the Eagle Ranch and Walmart projects.
• Director Frace gave an economic update: Autozone has submitted a permit to
move into the Hollywood Video building; the Colony Square and Galaxy Theatre
project is moving ahead quickly, Carrow's Restaurant will be remodeled to be
Coco's Restaurant.
ADJOURNMENT - 9:50 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for January 18,
2011, at City Hall, Council Chambers, 6907 EI Camino Real, Atascadero.
MINUTES PREPARD BY:
w
Annette Manier, Recording Secretary
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