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CITY OF ATASCADERO
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 17, 2015 – 7:00 P.M.
Historic City Hall Council Chambers
6500 Palma Avenue, 4th Floor (Enter on Lewis Ave./Jr. High School Side)
Atascadero, California 93422
CALL TO ORDER
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call: Chairperson Dennis Schmidt
Vice Chairperson Mark Dariz
Commissioner David Bentz
Commissioner Duane Anderson
Commissioner Jan Wolff
Commissioner Vacant
Commissioner Vacant
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
PUBLIC COMMENT
(This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the Commission on any matter not
on this agenda and over which the Commission has jurisdiction. Sp eakers are limited to three minutes.
Please state your name for the record before making your presentation. The Commission may take action
to direct the staff to place a matter of business on a future agenda.)
PLANNING COMMISSION BUSINESS
A. ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE
Marcia Torgerson, City Clerk, will administer the Oath of Office to newly
appointed Commissioners.
B. ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON
The Commission will select a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.
City of Atascadero Planning Commission Agenda Regular Meeting, February 17, 2015
Page 2 of 5
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CONSENT CALENDAR
(All items on the consent calendar are considered to be routine and non -controversial by City Staff and will
be approved by one motion if no member of the Commission or public wishes to comment or ask questions.)
1. APPROVAL OF DRAFT ACTION MINUTES OF JANUARY 6, 2015
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORTS
2. PLN 2014-1523, TREE REMOVAL FOR 9025 COROMAR COURT
Property Owner: Jesse Brady, 9025 Coromar Ct., Atascadero, CA 93422
Applicant: MI West Front Village, PO Box 13, Pismo Beach, CA 93448
Representative: Daniel Ambriz, PO Box 13, Pismo Beach, CA 93448
Certified
Arborist:
William Van Horbek, Bunyon Bros. Tree Service, 5345 Davenport Creek Road, SLO, CA
93401
Project Title: PLN 2014-1523 / TRP 2014-0177
Project
Location:
9025 Coromar Court, Atascadero, CA 93422
APN 056-131-035 (San Luis Obispo County)
Project
Description:
The proposed project includes a request to remove one (1) 39.5” DBH Coast Live
Oak, located in the corner planter of Coromar Court development. The tree is
declining, thereby creating a potential hazard in a public right-of-way and to a
home within a residential multi-family zone, as certified by both the applicant’s
Arborist and the City’s Arborist. The Planning Commission continued this item from
its September 2, 2014 meeting.
General Plan Designation: Medium Density Residential (MDR)
Zoning District: RMF-10 / PD-23
Staff
Recommendation:
Staff recommends the Planning Commission approve the removal of one (1) 39.5-
inch DBH Live Oak, subject to replanting mitigation and conditions of approval.
3. PLN 2006-1133 ANNUAL GENERAL PLAN / HOUSING REPORT
The State of California requires all cities to file an Annual General Plan / Housing Report to the Department of
Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the State Department of Office Planning and Research
(OPR). The purpose of the Report is to monitor the implementation of the City’s General Plan Housing Element
and progress toward meeting the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), as well as review the
General Plan to ensure the City is meeting the goals and objectives established by the Plan .
City of Atascadero Planning Commission Agenda Regular Meeting, February 17, 2015
Page 3 of 5
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PUBLIC HEARINGS
DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS:
Prior to a project hearing Planning Commission Members must disclose any communications they have had on any
quasi-judicial agenda items. This includes, but is not limited to, Tentative Subdivision Maps, Parcel Maps,
Variances, Conditional Use Permits, and Planned Development Permits. This does not disqualify the Planning
Commission Member from participating and voting on the matter, but gives the public and applicant an opportunity
to comment on the ex parte communication.
(For each of the following items, the public will be given an opportunity to speak. After a staff report, the Chair will open the public
hearing and invite the applicant or applicant’s representative to make any comments. Members of the public will be inv ited to provide
testimony to the Commission following the applicant. Speakers should state their name for the record and can address the
Commission for three minutes. After all public comments have been received, the public hearing will be closed, and th e Commission
will discuss the item and take appropriate action(s).)
4. PLN 2014-1515 / DRC 2014-0057 / TPM 2014-0102 / AMENDMENT TO
CUP 2000-0014 TO ADD A DRIVE-THROUGH RESTAURANT
Property Owner: Atascadero 101 Associates, 2925 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Applicant: Garing Taylor & Associates, 141 S. Elm Street Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
Project Title: Home Depot Center Master Plan of Development Amendment
Proposed Drive-through Restaurant
Project Location: 805 El Camino Real , Atascadero, CA 93422, San Luis Obispo County (APN 049-045-022)
Project
Description:
An application to amend the Master Plan of Development for the Home Depot shopping center. The
north west parcel in Phase I (adjacent to Staples) was previously approved for an 18,000 sq. ft. retail
building, which has not yet been constructed. The Amendment proposes reducing the size of the
retail building to 10,000 sq. ft. and adding a 4,500 sq. ft. drive-through restaurant. A Tentative
Parcel Map is proposed to subdivide the existing lot into two (2) parcels.
General Plan Designation: Commercial Park
Zoning: Commercial Park with PD Overlay #9
Proposed
Environmental
Determination:
The proposed Amendment is consistent with the Mitigated Negative Declaration which was prepared
for the phased development of the Home Depot commercial center and certified by the Planning
Commission on March 16, 1999.
Recommendation: The Design Review Committee recommends the Planning Commission approve the proposed
Amendment to the Home Depot Master Plan of Development (CUP 2000-0014) and the proposed
Tentative Parcel Map, based on findings and subject to conditions of approval.
City of Atascadero Planning Commission Agenda Regular Meeting, February 17, 2015
Page 4 of 5
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COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND REPORTS
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
ADJOURNMENT
The next regular meeting will be on March 3, 2015 at City Hall Council Chambers, 6500 Palma
Avenue, Atascadero.
Please note: Should anyone challenge in court any proposed development entitlement listed
on this Agenda, that person may be limited to raising those issues addressed at the public
hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence delivered to the Planning
Commission at, or prior to, this public hearing.
City of Atascadero Planning Commission Agenda Regular Meeting, February 17, 2015
Page 5 of 5
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City of Atascadero
WELCOME TO THE ATASCADERO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
The Planning Commission meets in regular session on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at City
Hall, Council Chambers, 6500 Palma Avenue, Atascadero. Matters are considered by the Commission in the order of
the printed Agenda.
Copies of the staff reports or other documentation relating to each item of business referred to on the Agenda are on
file in the office of the Community Development Department and are available for public inspection during City Hall
business hours at the Front Counter of City Hall, 6500 Palma Avenue, Atascadero, and on our website,
www.atascadero.org. All documents submitted by the public during Commission meetings that are either read into
the record or referred to in their statement will be noted in the minutes and available for review in the Community
Development Department. Commission meetings are audio recorded, and may be reviewed by the public. Copies of
meeting recordings are available for a fee. Contact the City Clerk for more information (470-3400).
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in a City
meeting or other services offered by this City, please contact the City Manager’s Office or the City Clerk’s Office,
both at (805) 470-3400. Notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting or time when services are needed will
assist the City staff in assuring that reasonable arrangements can be made to provide accessibility to the meeting or
service.
TO SPEAK ON SUBJECTS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA
Under Agenda item, “PUBLIC COMMENT”, the Chairperson will call for anyone from the audience having business
with the Commission to approach the lectern and be recognized.
1. Give your name for the record (not required)
2. State the nature of your business.
3. All comments are limited to 3 minutes.
4. All comments should be made to the Chairperson and Commission.
5. No person shall be permitted to make slanderous, profane or negative personal remarks conce rning any
other individual, absent or present.
This is when items not on the Agenda may be brought to the Commission’s attention. A maximum of 30 minutes will
be allowed for Public Comment Portion (unless changed by the Commission).
TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEMS (from Title 2, Chapter 1 of the Atascadero Municipal Code)
Members of the audience may speak on any item on the agenda. The Chairperson will identify the subject, staff will
give their report, and the Commission will ask questions of staff. The Chairperson will announce when the public
comment period is open and will request anyone interested to address the Co mmission regarding the matter being
considered to step up to the lectern. If you wish to speak for, against or comment in any way:
1. You must approach the lectern and be recognized by the Chairperson.
2. Give your name (not required).
3. Make your statement.
4. All comments should be made to the Chairperson and Commission.
5. No person shall be permitted to make slanderous, profane or negative personal remar ks concerning any
other individual, absent or present.
6. All comments limited to 3 minutes.
If you wish to use a computer presentation to support your comments, you must notify the C ommunity Development
Department at 470-3402 at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Digital presentations brought to the meeting should
be on a USB drive or CD. You are required to submit to the Recording Secretary a printed copy of your presentation
for the record. Please check in with the Recording Secretary before the meeting begins to announce your presence
and turn in the printed copy.
The Chairperson will announce when the public comment period is closed, and thereafter, no further public
comments will be heard by the Commission.
PC Draft Action Minutes of 1/6/15
Page 1 of 4
CITY OF ATASCADERO
PLANNING COMMISSION
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Regular Meeting – Tuesday, January 6, 2015 – 7:00 P.M.
City Hall Council Chambers
6500 Palma Avenue, Atascadero, California
CALL TO ORDER - 7:02 p.m.
Chairperson Schmidt called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and Commissioner
Anderson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Anderson, Bentz, Wolff, Vice Chairperson Dariz,
and Chairperson Schmidt
Absent: Vice Chairperson Dariz (Vice Chairperson Dariz arrived at 7:12 p.m.)
Commissioner Cooper (excused)
Commissioner Colamarino (excused)
Community Development Director, Warren Frace
Others Present: Recording Secretary, Annette Manier
Staff Present: Assistant Planner, Alfredo Castillo
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: By Commissioner Bentz and seconded by
Commissioner Anderson to approve the agenda.
Motion passed 4:0 by a roll-call vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
Chairperson Schmidt closed the Public Comment period.
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 1
DATE: 2-17-15
PC Draft Action Minutes of 1/6/15
Page 2 of 4
PLANNING COMMISSION BUSINESS
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR PLANNING
COMMISSION MEETING ON DECEMBER 2, 2014.
MOTION: By Commissioner Bentz and seconded by
Commissioner Wolff to approve the consent
calendar.
Motion passed 4:0 by a roll-call vote.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORTS
None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. PLN 2014-1532 AMENDMENT TO CUP 1988-003 FOR 5700 SAN BENITO RD.
Property
Owner/Applicant:
Michael L Fredrick, PO Box 573, Atascadero, CA 93423 (owner)
Robert Fisher, 8775 San Rafael Rd, Atascadero, CA 93422 (applicant)
Project Title: Amendment to Master Plan of Development – Michael Fredrick’s Paving
Project Location: 5700 San Benito Road (San Benito Road / El Camino Real), Atascadero, CA 93422
(APN # 049-201-040)
Project
Description:
Amendment to an existing Master Plan of Development (CUP 1988-003) to allow an
additional 4.950 square foot (sf) equipment storage shed within a CPK / PD-1 overlay
zone. Additionally, staff proposed modifications to the Master Plan of Development’s site
plan to match existing buildings on the proposed site, as well as elimination of proposed
future improvements that are no longer a part of the original approved Master Plan of
Development.
General Plan Designation: Commercial Park (CPK)
Zoning: Commercial Park (CPK) / Planned Development (PD-1)
Proposed
Environmental
Determination:
California Environmental Quality Act Categorical Exemption Class 3 pertaining to the
construction of a small structure not exceeding 10,000 square feet in floor area on sites
zoned for such uses (equipment storage) if not involving significant amounts of
hazardous substances where all the necessary public services and facilities are
available and the surrounding area is not environmentally sensitive.
Staff
Recommendation:
DRC recommends the Planning Commission approve Resolution PC 2015 -0001
amending CUP 1988-003 to allow for construction of a 4,959 sf equipment shed with
additional Master Plan of Development Amendments for consistency with existing site
conditions.
PC Draft Action Minutes of 1/6/15
Page 3 of 4
EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS
Commissioner Anderson – Reviewed this project at the DRC.
Commissioner Bentz – None
Commissioner Wolff – None
Chairperson Schmidt – None
Assistant Planner Castillo gave the staff report.
(Vice Chairperson Dariz arrived at 7:12 p.m.)
Vice Chairperson Dariz stated that he reviewed this project at the DRC meeting.
Although he arrived late, he feels he has adequate information to vote on the item.
Assistant Planner Castillo answered questions from the Commission.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The following members of the public spoke during public comment: Robert Fisher,
Architect for the project. Mr. Fisher answered questions addressed by the Commission.
Chairperson Schmidt closed the public comment period.
MOTION: By Commissioner Bentz and seconded by
Commissioner Anderson to approve Resolution
2015-0001 approving an site plan Amendment to
CUP 1988-003 (PLN 2014-1532) reducing the
number of parcels within the Master Plan of
Development to one (1), modifying the site plan to
correspond with existing permitted structures,
and allowing for the construction of a new 4,950
equipment shelter at 5700 San Benito Road.
Motion passed 5:0 by a roll-call vote.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND REPORTS
None
DIRECTORS REPORT
Assistant Planner Castillo stated that on January 12, 2015, Javier from Walmart
will be here visiting the Atascadero site for the anticipated Walmart project.
Assistant Planner Castillo gave updates on items going to City Council in
January.
Assistant Planner Castillo talked about upcoming items that will be coming before
the Planning Commission in February.
PC Draft Action Minutes of 1/6/15
Page 4 of 4
ADJOURNMENT – 7:30 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for January 20,
2015, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, Council Chambers, 6500 Palma Avenue, Atascadero.
MINUTES PREPARD BY:
_____________________________
Annette Manier, Recording Secretary
t:\~ planning commission\pc minutes\pc minutes 2015\pc draft actn minutes 1 6 15.am.docx
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2
DATE: 2-17-15
Atascadero Planning Commission
Staff Report – Community Development Department
Alfredo R. Castillo, AICP, 470-3436, acastillo@atascadero.org
PLN 2014-1523
Tree Removal Permit 2014-0177
9025 Coromar Court / West Front Village
(Brady / Twin Oaks Homeowners Association)
SUBJECT:
The proposed project includes a request to remove one (1) 39.5” DBH Coast Live Oak,
located in the corner planter of Coromar Court development. The tree has suffered a
major limb loss and is now un-balanced, thereby creating a potential hazard in a public
right-of-way and to a home within a residential multi-family zone, as certified by both the
applicant’s Arborist (Bunyon) and City’s Arborist. This item is a continued from the
September 2, 2014 Planning Commission Meeting.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff Recommends:
The Planning Commission adopt Resolution PC 2015-0002 to allow the removal of one
(1) dead/hazardous Coast Live Oak totaling 39.5-inches DBH, subject to replanting
mitigation and conditions of approval.
Situation and Facts:
1. Property Owner: Jesse and Anna Garcia Brady
9025 Coromar Court, Atascadero, CA 93422
2. Applicant: Twin Oaks Homeowners Association
P.O. Box 13, Pismo Beach, CA 93448
3. Project Address: 9025 Coromar Court (APN 056-131-035)
Atascadero, CA 93422
4. Certified Arborist: William J. Van Horbek, Bunyon Bros. Tree Service
5345 Davenport Creek
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2
DATE: 2-17-15
4. General Plan Designation: MDR (Medium Density Residential)
5. Zoning District: RMF-10 (Multi-Family Residential)
Planned Development #23 overlay (PD23)
6. Existing Use: Corner planter along residential neighborhood
corridor
BACKGROUND:
Subject tree removal is located within Tract 2621 (West Front Village) and was
approved as a residential unit planned development in 2004 and amended in 2013.
One of the features of the development is the project entry, which preserves a large
existing oak tree on the corner of Coromar Court and Portola Road . The Oak tree is
considered hazardous as a large 26-inch limb failed. Three limbs remain on the tree. but
the project arborist is concerned with additional failure that may cause property damage
or be of risk to residents. The applicant requested an emergency tree removal and the
City’s Arborist reviewed the tree’s condition. Emergency tree removal has been defined
in Atascadero’s Municipal Code as:
Emergency situations which cause hazardous or dangerous conditions that have
serious potential to cause immediate damage to persons or improvements on real
property. Such situations must be reported to the City within forty-eight (48) hours;
Both the applicant’s arborist and the City’s Arborist determined that the tree be removed
as soon as possible, however, an emergency removal was not warranted.
The Planning Commission was presented this item for their approval on September 2,
2014. The Commission voted 5-2 to continue the item and directed staff to research and
provide additional analysis on the following items:
Does the Homeowners Association have legal standing to remove the tree;
Has an easement been placed to maintain future tree mitigation plantings;
Work with the new property and the Homeowners Association in regards to the
proposed removal.
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2
DATE: 2-17-15
ANALYSIS:
An application has been submitted by the Twin Oaks Homeowners Association for the
removal of one (1) 39-inch Live Oak. One of the tree’s branches growing at the street
corner of Portola Road and Coromar Court thought to have contained 50 %of the live
canopy fell from the tree in early Fall 2014. The remaining scaffold limb is growing
towards the house located at 9025 Co romar Court. An Arborist has assessed that the
remaining major scaffold limb will now be more exposed to direct wind conditions that
may increase the chances of potential branch failure due to the unbalanced weight
distribution of the tree. In addition, the City Arborist noted that there were pockets of
decay on branches of the remaining branch , and concluded wind exposure to be a
factor that may lead to the decline of the newly exposed branch.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on September 2, 2015 on the proposed
native tree removal. At this meeting there was confusion in regards to the whom had the
proper legal standing to remove the oak tree. At the time of application submittal, the
applicant was the developer (Central Coast Builders), however at the time of the
hearing, Mr. and Mrs. Brady (current property owner) had closed escrow on the subject
property and had not been informed of the proposed removal by the ap plicant, the Twin
Oaks Homeowners Association / Central Coast Builders (applicant) or the developer.
The project’s amended conditions of approval #11 (Master Plan of Development)
included the following language in regards to the location of the proposed tree removal:
The applicant has modified the development Covenants Conditions & Restrictions
(CC&Rs) to reflect a maintenance responsibility, but did not record an easement against
the property. Because of this discrepancy, the new property owner was not fully aware
of the Homeowners Association (HOA) responsibility. Staff directed the property owner
and the HOA to work on an easement or agreement consistent with the project
approvals, as well as, have the property owner sign on the permit application to bring
the tree removal back to the Planning Commission.
The property owner and the HOA have worked together to fulfill the conditions of
approval and have signed and recorded a licensed agreement for the landscaped area,
as well as, agreed on removal of the hazardous oak tree. Staff has reviewed the
agreement as well as the proposed area where mitigation plantings are proposed. The
applicant and the property owner have agreed to move the existing f ence to provide
additional rear yard to the property owner in exchange for an easement area to be
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2
DATE: 2-17-15
maintained by the HOA and provide the development a project entry. Consistent with
Condition of approval #3 of the master plan of development, staff does have the
authority to approve minor changes to the project site plan that “result(s) in a superior
site design or appearance” (2013 Amendment to CUP 2003 -0108). Staff has included a
finding in the attached resolution.
Proposed Fencing / Landscaping Area
Tree Mitigation
The Atascadero Municipal Code requires m itigation for all trees approved for removal.
The Tree Ordinance allows for either replanting of new native trees, or payment of
mitigation fees to the tree fund. Given the location of the proposed removal, staff
recommends that the applicant mitigate by replacing the tree in the corner planter with
three 15-gallon Native Coast Live Oak Trees and re-landscaping of the entry feature
with native shrubs and flowers. Additional 5-gallon plantings maybe located on site or
mitigation fees are to be paid to the City.
Based on the 39-inch DBH size of the tree to be removed, the required replanting would
be 13 five-gallon native trees. The Tree Ordinance allows multi-family and
Commercial/Roads projects to plant larger size specimens to reduce the quantity of
replacements required. Instead of planting a high number of small trees, Staff is
recommending a minimum of three (3) 15-gallon trees with additional six (6) five-
Proposed
new Fence
Proposed
Landscaping Area
Existing
Fence to be
removed
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2
DATE: 2-17-15
gallon plantings or pay the remaining portion in mitigation fees. The City Arborist
recommends the use of 15 gallon trees over larger 24 -48 inch boxes due to the lower
establishment rate of a tree’s root system with the larger box trees. This mitigation
remains the same from the previously proposed mitigation for the tree’s removal.
Evergreen Native Trees (inches)Deciduous Native Trees (inches)Totals
dbh notes dbh notes
1 39-inches Coast Live Oak 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5
6 6
Total 39-inches Total 0-inches 39-inches
Mitigation Requirement
req'd tree replacements:13 five gal trees req'd tree replacements:0 five gal trees 13 five gal trees
Proposed Replanting 7 five gal trees Proposed Replanting 0 five gal trees 7 five gal trees
0 box trees (24'')0 box trees (24'')0 box trees (24'')
Remaining Mitigation 6 five gal trees Remaining Mitigation 0 five gal trees 6 five gal trees
Tree Fund Payment:650.00$ Tree Fund Payment:-$ 650.00$
*Note: Remaining Mitigation / Tree Fund Payment assumes the planting of three (3) 15-gallon
native trees.
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2
DATE: 2-17-15
FINDINGS:
In considering any tree removal request, at least one of the required findings must be
made. Staff has identified the following finding as appropriate for the application
request.
The tree is interfering with existing utilities and/or structures, as certified by a report
from the site planner;
CONCLUSIONS:
A Certified Arborist has determined that the subject 39.5-inch DBH Coastal Live Oak
tree creates a potential hazard. Based on the Arborist’s evaluation and above analysis,
findings can be made to approve the requested removal, subject to the required
mitigation. In addition, the property and the applicant have recorded agreements for
maintenance and removal of the tree. The property owner and applicant have re -
submitted an application and corresponding material that satisfies the Commission’s
request for additional information on the project from its September 2014 meeting.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The Commission may approve the project with additional or revised project
conditions.
2. The Commission may deny the project if it is found that the required findings cannot
be made. The Commission’s motion to deny must include a finding basis for denial.
3. The Commission may continue the hearing and refer the item back to staff for
additional information or analysis. Direction should be given to staff and the
applicant on required information.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 – Location Map (Zoning)
Attachment 2 – Aerial Photo
Attachment 3 – Site Photos (August 2014)
Attachment 4 – License Agreement
Attachment 5 – HOA Letter
Attachment 6 – Draft Resolution PC 2015-0002
Bond payment for tree #31, impacted 45% :
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2
DATE: 2-17-15
ATTACHMENT 1: Location Map (Zoning Map)
PLN 2014-1523/TRP 2014-0177
Location of 39-inch Live
Oak proposed of removal
General Plan Designation: Medium Density Residential
Zoning Designation: Residential Multi-Family (RMF-10) / PD-23
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2
DATE: 2-17-15
ATTACHMENT 2: Aerial Photo
PLN 2014-1523/TRP 2014-0177
Location of 39.5” Live
Oak proposed of removal
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2
DATE: 2-17-15
ATTACHMENT 3: Site Photos (August 2014)
PLN 2014-1523/TRP 2014-0177
Looking Northeast to the subject tree.
One branch has already been removed.
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2
DATE: 2-17-15
ATTACHMENT 3: Site Photos
PLN 2014-1523/TRP 2014-0177
View of decayed branches.
View of decaying branches
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2
DATE: 2-17-15
Potentially hazardous branches hanging over residence.
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2
DATE: 2-17-15
ATTACHMENT 4: License Agreement
PLN 2014-1523/TRP 2014-0177
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2
DATE: 2-17-15
ATTACHMENT 4: License Agreement
PLN 2014-1523/TRP 2014-0177
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2
DATE: 2-17-15
ATTACHMENT 4: License Agreement
PLN 2014-1523/TRP 2014-0177
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2
DATE: 2-17-15
ATTACHMENT 4: License Agreement
PLN 2014-1523/TRP 2014-0177
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2
DATE: 2-17-15
ATTACHMENT 5: HOA Letter
PLN 2014-1523/TRP 2014-0177
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2
DATE: 2-17-15
ATTACHMENT 6: Draft Resolution PC 2015-0002
PLN 2014-1523/TRP 2014-0177
DRAFT RESOLUTION NO. PC 2015-0002
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF ATASCADERO APPROVING
PLN 2014-1523 / TRP 2014-0177, TO ALLOW THE REMOVAL OF ONE (1)
HAZARDOUS COAST LIVE OAK TOTALING 39.5 INCHES DBH
LOCATED ON COROMAR COURT
(BRADY / TWIN OAKS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION)
WHEREAS, an application was received from Jesse & Ana Brady (Property Owner),
9025 Cormar Ct, Atascadero, California 93422, and Twin Oaks Homeowners Assocation, PO
Box 13, Pismo Beach, CA 93448, (Applicant) and for a Tree Removal Permit to remove one (1)
hazardous Coastal Live Oak totaling 39.5 inches DBH; and,
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed the proposed Tree Removal Permit
application on September 2, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. and considered testimony and reports from staff,
the applicants and moved for a continuance of the item to obtain additional information from
Staff; and,
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed the additional information, including
license agreements that show a dedicated landscaped area and enlarging of the rear portion of the
property located at 9025 Cormar Court (APN 056-131-035) and the proposed landscaped area
acts as an entry feature for the project and is considered a minor change that results in a superior
site design or appearance, consistent with the amended Master Plan of Development (CUP 2003 -
0108); and,
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed the proposed Tree Removal Permit
application with additional supplemental information on February 17, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. and
considered testimony and reports from staff, the applicants and the public; and,
NOW THEREFORE, the Planning Commission of the City of Atascadero, California
takes the following actions:
SECTION 1. Findings for tree removal. The Planning Commission finds as follows:
The tree is interfering with existing utilities and/or structures, as certified by a report
from the site planner;
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2
DATE: 2-17-15
SECTION 2. Approval. The Planning Commission of the City of Atascadero, in a
regular session assembled on February 17, 2015, resolved to approve Tree Removal Permit
2014-0177, subject to the following:
EXHIBIT A: Conditions of Approval
EXHIBIT B: Tree Mitigation Fee
EXHIBIT C: Proposed Entry Feature / Mitigation Planting Area
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2
DATE: 2-17-15
On motion by Commissioner ____________________, and seconded by Commissioner
_________________________, the foregoing resolution is hereby adopted in its entirety by the
following roll call vote:
AYES: ( )
NOES: ( )
ABSENT: ( )
ADOPTED:
ABSTAINED:
CITY OF ATASCADERO, CA
_________________________________________
Planning Commission Chairperson
ATTEST:
___________________________________
David Muehlhausen
Planning Commission Secretary
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2
DATE: 2-17-15
EXHIBIT A: Conditions of Approval / Mitigation Monitoring
PLN 2014-1523/TRP 2014-0177
Conditions of Approval
PLN 2014-1523/TRP 2014-0177
West Front Village Tree Removal (9025 Coromar Ct)
Timing
FM; Final Map
BL: Business License
GP: Grading Permit
BP: Building Permit
FI: Final Inspection
TO: Temporary Occupancy
FO: Final Occupancy
Responsibility
/Monitoring
PS: Planning Services
BS: Building Services
FD: Fire Department
PD: Police Department
CE: City Engineer
WW: Wastewater
CA: City Attorney
1. The approval of this application shall become final, subject to the completion
of the conditions of approval, fourteen (14) days following the Planning
Commission approval unless prior to the time, an appeal to the decision is
filed as set forth in Section 9-1.111(b) of the Zoning Ordinance.
Tree removal
PS
2. The applicant and/or subsequent owners shall defend, indemnify, and hold
harmless the City of Atascadero or its agents, officers, and employees
against any claim or action brought to challenge an approval by the City, or
any of its entities, concerning the proposed development.
Ongoing PS
3. The applicant shall mitigate the tree removal by replanting on site. The
applicant shall replant according to one of the following options:
- Thirteen 5-gallon native oak trees; or,
- A minimum of three (3) 15 gallon native Oak trees with additional
six (6) five-gallon plantings or equivalent of fees ($658.33)
15 gallon trees must be placed at corner entry.
Tree removal PS
4. Irrigation shall be provided to the new mitigation plantings until the trees
become established.
5. An addendum to the approved landscaping plan must be submitted and
approved for entry corner feature landscaping and mitigation plantings.
Additional drought tolerant shrubs must be planted alongside mitigation
plantings.
BP PS
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2
DATE: 2-17-15
EXHIBIT B: Tree Mitigation Fee
PLN 2014-1523/TRP 2014-0177
Evergreen Native Trees (inches)Deciduous Native Trees (inches)Totals
dbh notes dbh notes
1 40-inches Coast Live Oak 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5
6 6
Total 40-inches Total 0-inches 40-inches
Mitigation Requirement
req'd tree replacements:13 five gal trees req'd tree replacements:0 five gal trees 13 five gal trees
Proposed Replanting 7 five gal trees Proposed Replanting 0 five gal trees 7 five gal trees
0 box trees (24'')0 box trees (24'')0 box trees (24'')
Remaining Mitigation 6 five gal trees Remaining Mitigation 0 five gal trees 6 five gal trees
Tree Fund Payment:658.33$ Tree Fund Payment:-$ 658.33$
*Note: Remaining Mitigation / Tree Fund Payment assumes the planting of three (3) 15-gallon
native trees.
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2
DATE: 2-17-15
EXHIBIT C: Proposed Entry Feature / Mitigation Landscaping Area
PLN 2014-1523/TRP 2014-0177
Bond payment for tree #31, impacted 45% :
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3
DATE: 2-17-15
Atascadero Planning Commission
Staff Report – Community Development Department
Alfredo R. Castillo, AICP, 470-3436, acastillo@atascadero.org
General Plan & Housing Element
Annual Progress Report 2014
(PLN 2006-1133)
RECOMMENDATION:
The Planning Commission recommends the City Council submit the attached 2014
Annual General Plan and Housing Report to the State of California.
DISCUSSION:
Background:
The State of California requires all cities to file an Annual General Plan Progress Report
to the Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and an annual Housing Element
Progress Report to the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
The purpose of this report is to monitor the City’s implementation of the City’s General
Plan including the City’s Housing Element, one of the required elements that make up
the General Plan.
General Plan Background:
California planning law requires the City to adopt a “comprehensive, long-term General
Plan for physical development” (Government Code 65300). The City’s General Plan
was adopted in 2002 after a two-year long public outreach and input effort by the City
Council, Planning Commission, City staff and its consultants.
The 2025 General Plan expresses the City’s goals for the distribution and character of
land uses and development. The General Plan is comprehensive in terms of issues
addressed and includes the City’s entire physical development areas. Planning activities
including zoning approvals and amendments, subdivision approvals, capital
improvements, and redevelopment activities need to be consistent with the City’s
General Plan. The General Plan goals, policies, and programs guide short- and long-
range decision making.
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3
DATE: 2-17-15
Development Activities for 2014:
The Community Development Department provides development services in concert
with other departments such as Public Works and the Fire Department. The Department
has two divisions: Planning and Building. The Planning Division received a total of 77
applications for various permits including tree removals, Design Review Committee
Reviews, Conditional Use Permit Amendments, Administrative Use Permits, Subdivision
Maps, and new Conditional Use Permits. Major development approvals in 2014
included the following:
General Plan Map Amendment for old Atascadero Library Site;
Zone text change modifying requirements for 3F-Meadows;
Approval of the Highway 41 Multi-Use Trail;
Approval of a Conditional Use Permit for the on-site meal program at the El
Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO);
DRC approval of a new Korean BBQ restaurant in the Downtown;
DRC approval of revised architecture for West Front Village restaurant pad.
In addition to processing new applications, the planning division also has more long
term projects that are currently in certain stages of the development review process in
2014 including the following:
Eagle Ranch Specific Plan;
Del Rio Road Commercial Area Specific Plan (Walmart / Annex) development;
Housing Element Update;
Dormant Permit Program projects;
Atascadero Groves / Halcon Road General Plan Amendment.
Additionally, the Planning Division Staff provides the following services:
Fields daily calls and counter visits for questions geared towards planning such
as new home construction, native trees, setbacks, and fencing;
Provides at no cost on-site field visits for new business interested in starting or
re-locating to the City;
Provide at no cost pre-application review of entitlement projects to provide a
more efficient project review;
Reviews new business licenses and provides zoning clearances;
Providing records of planning projects and entitlements through the City’s Public
Records Request process;
Provides inspection services for major commercial and subdivisions.
The Building Division of the Community Development Department handles building
permits and other related services. The Building Department received 1,084 building
permit applications and issued 1,080 building permits in 2014. Of these applications,
711 permit applications were completed “in-house” and not sent to the Department’s
building permit review contract. Through the in-house plan check process, the
department was able to keep over $110,200 in revenue was retain versus utilizing the
City’s Building Plan Check services vendor.
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3
DATE: 2-17-15
The Building Division “finaled” or completed 712 building permits within the past year
and completed a total of 5,035 inspections with only 3 building inspectors on staff,
including the Chief Building Official. In addition to processing, issuance of Building
Permits, and inspections to ensure consistency with building plans, the Building Division
also provides the following services:
Fields daily calls and counter visits for questions geared towards building permits
such as Building Code questions;
Provides at no cost on-site field visits for new business interested in starting or
re-locating to the City;
Reviews new business licenses and performs on-site inspections;
Providing records of planning building plans through the City’s Public Records
Request process;
Code enforcement services;
Training services to contractors / professionals to better understand California
Building Code requirements.
General Plan Updates and Maintenance:
City staff has reviewed the policies and programs (the implementation tools) of the
City’s General Plan. At this time, the City has implemented many of the programs called
out for in the 2025 General Plan. Many of the programs are labeled “on-going”. This
signifies that City staff is continually performing these tasks on an as needed basis. In
January 2015, the City Council adopted the 2014-2019 Housing Element and
corresponding Safety Element updates. Those updates are not reflected in Attachment
1 as the project approvals occurred in 2015.
Items of note that need to be updated when funding is available (to implement the City’s
General Plan) are the City’s Appearance Review Manual and the Circulation Element.
The Appearance Review Manual was expected to become a major implementation tool
as a part of the adoption of the City’s General Plan, however, due to significant budget
constraints, no major amendments or overhaul of this manual has been completed to
date other than reformatting and additional images and sketches. The Planning
Commission and City Council should provide staff input and direction on these
programs that direct Staff to implement changes to the Appearance Review Manual.
The City’s Circulation Element has not been revised since adoption. In 2008, the State
of California passed legislation known as the “California Complete Streets Act.”
Commencing in 2011, any major revision to the Circulation Element will need to include
a “plan for a balanced, multimodal transportation network that meets the needs of all
users of the streets, roads, and highways for safe and convenient travel in a manner
that is suitable to the rural, suburban, or urban context of the general plan.” Although no
major revisions are planned, City staff will need to evaluate when an update should be
undertaken to remain competitive for grant funding provided by the State. This may be
more imperative as the City will seek funding for various capital improvement projects
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3
DATE: 2-17-15
with the elimination of Redevelopment funds. The El Camino Real, specifically north of
Highway 41 is a prime candidate for the City to be competitive in receiving grant funding
for a corridor study that implements a “complete streets” program. Cities throughout the
State have completed corridor plans that service as economic development tools to
upgrade landscaping, streetscape, and other corridor “facelift” items to improve existing
business along corridors.
Major Project Updates:
The following is an update of the major projects that are currently under construction or
entitlement review:
Del Rio Road Commercial Area Specific Plan
Approved in 2012, the Del Rio Road Commercial Area Specific Plan is projected to
contain a 123,100 sf Walmart Supercenter on approximately 26 acres. The Annex
component will contain approximately 121,000 sf of commercial uses including general
retail, food and beverage and drive-through uses on 13 acres. The project has
successfully gone through litigation and can move forward for building permit review,
issuance, and construction. The City is currently working with a consultant and Caltrans
on the Project Study Report (PSR), as well as, working with SLOCOG on obtaining
additional funding for the interchange, which is a key component for the annex portion
of the project to move forward. City Staff recently issued a building permit to demolish
existing structures and tree removals on the annex property (2014-12049). This project
is a priority project within the department.
Eagle Ranch Specific Plan
The Eagle Ranch Specific Plan is currently being analyzed as a part of the
environmental review process with a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Draft
Specific Plan due out this year. The Draft EIR and Draft Specific Plan has experienced
some delays as technical studies continue to properly analyze traffic and fiscal impacts.
Hoff Property Mixed-Use
Approved in the summer of 2013, a Master Plan of Development included 26,500 sf of
new commercial retail, restaurant, and offices spaces in three new buildings in the heart
of Downtown Atascadero. The site is currently being marketed for development and
Blades on Ice is using the site for a temporary ice rink. The temporary indoor recreation
use will expire March 2015 per the amended conditional use permit.
Springhill Suites Hotel
As a part of the Home Depot Center, Phase II was amended to include construction of a
Hotel (Springhill Suites) and two (2) stand-alone retail buildings. Construction of the
hotel commenced in the fall of 2013, and is expected to be completed by late Spring
2015. Springhill Suites is now taking reservations to stay at the facility beginning June 1,
2015.
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3
DATE: 2-17-15
ALPS Three Bridges Trail
In January 2015, the City Council authorized City Staff to enter into a memorandum of
understanding to fund a loan to the Atascadero Land Preservation Society (ALPS) to
construct a trailhead / trail at the three bridges area near Atascadero Creek. The City
will take the lead on construction and administration of the trailhead parking lot.
Corporation for a Better Housing – Atascadero
Located at the intersection of El Camino Real and Avenida Maria, Corporation for a
Better Housing, a non-profit corporation, has submitted an application to construct 86
affordable housing units. The company located out of Woodland Hills, CA, has
completed numerous affordable housing units throughout the State. The Atascadero
project was recently awarded over $3 million dollars in USDA loans and the company is
currently construction projects in Solvang and Santa Paula. This item is scheduled to go
before the DRC later this spring.
2014 Housing Activities and Report:
The 2nd section of the yearly General Plan review is the Housing Element Report. The
purpose of the Housing Report is to monitor the implementation of the City’s General
Plan Housing Element and progress toward meeting the City’s Regional Housing Needs
Allocation (RHNA). The allocations are targets for the production of affordable housing
for various income groups throughout the City.
Table 1
State of California Income Level Definitions
Very Low Income Lower Income Moderate Income Above Moderate
50% of County
Median
80% of County
Median
120% of County Median Greater than 120% of
County Median
San Luis Obispo County Median Income for a Family of Four (4): $77,000 for 2014
These regional housing allocations are required to be used by the City when updating
the Housing Element. They are the basis for assuring that adequate sites and zoning
are available to accommodate at least the number of units allocated. These housing
allocation numbers are not housing unit quotas that the City must achieve within the
time frame of their next Housing Element update, but housing targets that the City must
provide zoning for and reduce obstacles to development.
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3
DATE: 2-17-15
2014 Housing Production:
For 2014, the City issued building permits on 185 new residential units. Table 2 shows
the breakdown of new residential units for 2014 that were issued by income type. The
185 residential building permits issued represents a 7% increase in production over
2014.
Table 2
2014 New Residential Housing Units Building Permits Issued
Very Low Low Moderate Above Moderate Total 2014 Permitted Units Issued 2 1 79 95 178
Secondary Units Issued 0 0 8 0 7
Total 2 1 87 95 185
As of January 1, 2014, a new reporting period has started for the 2014-2019 Housing
Element cycle. Table 3 shows the percentage that the City has met for each income
category for the new reporting period. These percentages only reflect units that have
been issued a building permit and do not reflect entitled units or the units from the
various projects that have been approved. The City has met is target of moderate
income housing for the reporting period.
Table 3
RHNA Totals By Percentage 2014-2019
Very Low Low Moderate Above Moderate Total
Percentage of Target Goal 2% 1% 126% 60%
Total Units Issued 2 1 87 95 185
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3
DATE: 2-17-15
The City’s Dormant Permit Program, approved by the City Council in 2008, continues to
account for the bulk of development. Of the permits issued in 2014, over 95% of the
total permits are residential units that were a part of the Dormant Permit Program.
Normally, these permits would have been canceled, requiring developers start from
scratch on bankrupt projects. The implementation of this program has afforded
developers an opportunity to pick-up where these permits last left with minor
modifications, thus expediting this portion of the process.
2014 Affordable Housing Production
Of the total building permits issued, a total of 90 units were considered affordable. The
majority of these affordable units were located at the Villages at Oakhaven, Dove
Creek, and Sycamore Place. Similar to the previous reporting period, permits that were
issued for these previously approved projects have sales prices that fall below the
“moderate” income group maximum sales price for both 3 bedroom and 4 bedroom
units established by San Luis Obispo’s County’s Previously Approved Project Formula.
Staff has deemed these units as moderate. The largest project undergoing construction,
Vista Dorado (Las Lomas/Woodridge Specific Plan Area) contained housing units that
were considered above moderate or market rate.
The median home selling price in Atascadero for a new or existing home or condo in
2014 according the California Realtors Association was $350,450. If the increase in
home values continue, homes may soon become unaffordable for those that are at a
moderate income level.
2015 Housing Production Projections:
The City expects housing production levels are expected to remain constant or drop
slightly in 2015 as the dormant permit program has come to a close and the projects
that have been previously entitled have either wrapped up construction or will be
finishing this year. Dove Creek’s housing units have been completed and the residential
portion wrapped up in the summer of 2014 . Construction will continue at Las Lomas /
Woodridge Specific Plan with projects finishing up at both Estancia and Vista Dorado,
while the Townhome portion (35 units) will be issued permits sometime this year .
Construction will wrap up at the, Sycamore Place and West Front Village Villages and
potentially at Oakhaven Village. Projects that were “shelf ready” have been either
constructed, or have been amended are underway.
The City has quite a few large dormant permit projects that have not yet started with
tentative subdivision maps that have not expired including the Acacias (41 units) mixed-
use development and Emerald Ridge (total of 134 units) and many smaller projects that
have been previously entitled. Staff anticipates that these projects will be picked up and
developed if the market conditions continue on its current trajectory.
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3
DATE: 2-17-15
Content of the 2014 General Plan Annual Report:
The City’s Annual report is formatted into three sections:
Section 1: Legal Requirements of the Annual Report
Section 2: Review of implementation programs that further the goals, objectives,
and policies that are identified in the General Plan.
Section 3: Review the progress and implementation of the City’s adopted
Housing Element.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
ATTACHMENTS:
1 2014 General Plan Annual Report
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3
DATE: 2-17-15
General Plan Annual Report
2014
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3
DATE: 2-17-15
CITY OF ATASCADERO
CITY COUNCIL
Tom O’Malley, Mayor
Heather Moreno, Mayor Pro Tem
Brian Sturtevant, Councilmember
Roberta Fonzi, Councilmember
Bob Kelley, Councilmember
PLANNING COMMISSION
David Bentz, Commissioner
Charles Bourbeau, Commissioner
Jerel Seay, Commissioner
Mark Dariz, Commissioner
Jan Wolff, Commissioner
Duane Anderson, Commissioner
Dennis Schmidt, Commissioner
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
David Muehlhausen, Deputy Director
Callie Taylor, Senior Planner
Alfredo R. Castillo, AICP
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3
DATE: 2-17-15
Section 1
A. Purpose of the Annual Report
Section 65400 of the California Government Code requires the City to file an annual
report addressing the status of the General Plan and progress made toward goals and
objectives. This annual report provides a means to monitor the success of implementing
the General Plan and determine if changes need to be made in the plan or its
implementation programs.
The City of Atascadero held a publicly noticed meeting to discuss the findings of the
General Plan Annual report with the Planning Commission on February 17, 2015. The
City Council accepted this report and adopted resolution 2015-0__ on March ___, 2015
for submittal to both the Office of Research and Planning (OPR) and Housing and
Community Development Department.
B. Purpose of the General Plan
The General Plan serves two primary functions. First, the General Plan provides
information. Second, it states the community's goals, objectives, policies, and
implementation measures (i.e., ways to achieve the goals and objectives). The General
Plan is available for public review at the Front Counter at the Community Development
Department, the San Luis Obispo County Atascadero Branch Public Library and also on
the City’s website. Each member of the City Council and the Planning Commission has
a copy of the General Plan, as well as each City department.
As an informational document, the General Plan describes existing conditions, makes
projections, and establishes a vision for the community's future. The General Plan
provides the public with information about the City and the direction that it seeks to
move. It also provided the public with a blueprint for how, when and where will the City
grow through 2025.
As a policy document, the General Plan establishes goals and policies for decision
makers. Using these policies, the City Council and Planning Commission take steps
toward achieving the larger goals of the City. The City focuses implementation
programs contained in the General Plan through day to day operations of the City.
C. Status of the Adopted Elements of the City's General Plan
State law requires that the General Plan include seven elements. These elements must
cover the following topics: Land Use, Circulation, Housing, Safety, Noise, Conservation,
and Open Space. State law also allows the City to adopt any additional general plan
elements that the City deems necessary. The City of Atascadero General Plan
combines the Land Use, and Open Space and Conservation elements into one singular
section. The following is a breakdown of the City’s General Plan:
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3
DATE: 2-17-15
Atascadero
GP Elements
Required GP
Elements
Examples of Topics Covered
Section II
Land Use, Open Space &
Conservation Element
(Includes Recreation and
Economic policies)
Land Use Development patterns, residential neighborhoods, community
character, recreation, public facilities and recreational facilities and
standards.
Open Space
Conservation
Open space, hillside development, water quality, riparian areas,
endangered plants and animals, greenbelt, agriculture, historic
resources
Recreation
(optional)
Parkland location and standards, facility needs, coordination with land
use issues
Economic
Development
(optional)
Commercial and industrial land uses, economic diversification, job
opportunities, tourism
Section III
Circulation Element
Circulation Traffic, street network, parking, transit services, bike routes
Section IV
Safety & Noise Element
Noise
Safety
Development in hazardous areas, wildfire protection, hazardous waste
management, seismicity, flood control, noise
Section V
Housing Element
Housing Population, employment, income, housing needs, rehabilitation need,
affordable housing development potential
The City’s General Plan was adopted in June 2002. The City’s last major update of the
General Plan was undertaken in February 2011 with the City’s adoption and certification
of the 2007-2014 Housing Element Update. The 2014-2019 Housing Element has been
recommended for approval by the Planning Commission in October 2014, and is
expected to be approved by the City Council in early 2015 with certification by the
Department of Housing and Community Development in early Spring 2015. The
following is a list of updates to the General Plan since the document’s adoption:
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3
DATE: 2-17-15
Amendment No. Date Type Project
GPA 2003-0003 March 2003 Land Use Map Curbaril Ave
GPA 2003-0004 March 2003 Land Use Map Principal / Las Lomas
GPA 2003-0005 September 2005 Land Use Map West Front Village
GPA 2003-0007 March 2004 LOC Element Text ECOSLO Settlement
GPA 2003-0008 October 2004 Land Use Map Westpac Mixed Use
GPA 2003-0009 March 2004 Land Use Map Pine Mountain TDR
GPA 2003-0010 June 2004 Land Use Map Parriza Ct. PD
GPA 2003-0011 March 2004 Land Use Map K-Jons Mixed Use
GPA 2004-0012 June 2004 LOC / HOS Element 2nd Unit Update
GPA 2004-0013 July 2004 Land Use Map Matthews Mixed Use
GPA 2005-0014 September 2005 Land Use Map Marchant Condos
GPA 2005-0015 February 2006 Land Use Map 4705 El Camino Real mixed use
GPA 2005-0016 November 2007 Land Use Map Eagle Creek
GPA 2007-0019 February 2007 Land Use Map / Text Atascadero Ave. Triangle
GPA 2009-0024 May 2009 Land Use Map Stadium Park Project
GPA 2009-0025 February 2011 Housing Element Housing Element Update
GPA 2007-0020 June 2012 Land Use Map Del Rio Road SP / Wal-Mart
GPA 2007-0021 June 2012 Land Use Map Del Rio Road SP / Annex
GPA 2014-0029 December 2014 Land Use Map Former Atascadero Library GPA
Following is a brief overview of actions taken in 2014 relative to each individual
Element:
Land Use Element / Open Space and Conservation (Adopted June 2002)
The Land Use Map was amended in December of 2014, changing the designation of
the former Atascadero Library site located near the corner of Morro Road (Highway 41)
and Atascadero Avenue. The approved designation now consists of a mix of High
Density Residential (HDR) and General Commercial (CR) with the sites Public (P)
designation being eliminated.
Circulation Element (Adopted June 2002)
No text amendments to the Circulation Element occurred in 2014.
Noise & Safety Element (Adopted June 2002)
Although no Safety Element or Noise elements were approved in 2014, the City Council
is expected to adopt Safety Element updates in early 2015.
Housing Element (Adopted on February 2011)
The 2014-2019 Housing Element was recommended by the Planning Commission for
adoption by the City Council. It is anticipated that the Housing Element update will be
adopted in early 2015 with HCD certification by spring 2015.
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3
DATE: 2-17-15
Section 2
The City of Atascadero policies and programs identified in the General Plan include
tools already in place and used on a day-to-day basis in the City. Some of the various
tools available to further the City's goals and objectives include the Budget/Capital
Improvement Program, Specific Plans and Master Plans of Development, Zoning and
Subdivision Regulations, Growth Impact Mitigation (AB1600) Fees, CDBG/HOME
Funds and Grants, etc.
A. Planning Commission
The City of Atascadero Planning Commission is designated as the "Planning Agency,"
as authorized by Section 65100 of the State Government Code and Section. The
Commission has discretionary and advisory responsibilities that are authorized by
Chapter 2-9 of the Atascadero Municipal Code and delegated under Titles 9 (Zoning
Ordinance) and 11 (Subdivision). During the last year, the Commission held 13 public
meetings and 1 Study Session.
The Planning Commission approved the following:
Seven (7) Tree Removal Permits (TRP);
Four (4) new Conditional Use Permits were approved;
Four (4) Conditional Use Permits were amended;
Two (2) Tentative Parcel Maps were approved; and
Two (2) precise plan (PPN) were approved.
One (1) Variance was approved
In the advisory role, the Planning Commission forwarded recommendations to the City
Council that included three (3) zone changes and two (2) General Plan Amendments.
B. Zoning Text Amendments
The City Council adopted one (1) zoning code text amendment in 2014 that included the
following:
3F Meadows zone text change for its Planned Development overlay (PD-11)
modifying off-site improvement requirements along Morro Road (Highway 41);
C. General Plan and Zoning Map Amendments
The City Council adopted one (1) General Plan Map Amendment and two (2) Zoning
Map amendments that included the following:
A new planned development overlay zone for 10380 El Camino Real (4-unit PD);
General Plan Map amendment for the former Atascadero Library site;
Zoning Map amendment for the former Atascadero Library site for consistency
with the General Plan Map amendment.
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3
DATE: 2-17-15
D. Building Division
The Building Division is responsible for administration and enforcement of State, local
codes, ordinances and regulations dealing with the construction, alteration,
maintenance and use of privately owned structures, and appurtenances. These
regulations include the building, housing, unsafe building, mechanical, electrical,
plumbing, swimming pools, etc. that require a building or grading permit.
In 2014, the Building Division received 1,084 building permit applications and issued
1,080 building permits. During the past year, City building inspectors made 5,035
construction and safety-related inspections associated with building permit activity. The
Building Division “finaled” or completed 712 building permits.
E. Planning Division
Planning Division activities include administration of the City's General Plan,
development and subdivision review, preparation of zoning ordinances, processing
planning related applications include Lot Line Adjustments, Administrative Use Permits,
Tree Removal Permits and additional actions that require entitlements. Additionally, the
division conducts environmental review and informs the public of the City's land use
policies and development ordinances. The Planning Division reviews federal, state, and
county legislation, projects of concern to the City, and responds to surveys from the
State.
The Planning Division provides support staff to the Planning Commission.
Administrative functions include the scheduling of meetings, preparation of agendas,
posting hearing notices, and preparation of minutes. The City posts Planning
Commission meeting agendas and minutes on the City’s website. Also, the City has
provided a social media pages to give residents additional updates through both
Facebook and Twitter.
Planning staff provides land use analysis, environmental review as required under the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and prepares staff reports for the Design
Review Committee, Planning Commission and City Council.
The Planning Division received 77 applications for various permits including tree
removals, Design Review Committee Reviews, Conditional Use Permit Amendments,
Administrative Use Permits and Conditional Use Permits.
F. General Plan Policies and programs
The City’s General Plan Policies and programs are broken down in the next section.
These pages include the City’s Policies, programs, and status of the program.
\\cityhall\cdvlpmnt\- 06 plns\pln 2006-1133 annual housing report-general plan\annual gp-housing report 2013\pc-sr-2013.apr-ac.doc
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3
DATE: 2-17-15
Attachment
2025 General Plan Policies and Programs Review – Section F
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
Land Use Element / Open Space and Conservation
Policy 1.1. Preserve the rural
atmosphere of the community and assure
“elbow room” in areas designated for
lower density development by guiding
new development into the Urban Core to
conform to the historic Colony land use
patterns of the City and to respect the
natural environment, hillside areas, and
existing neighborhoods
1. Atascadero should retain its overall character and rural atmosphere with the
long-term protection of the environment as primary guiding criteria for public
policy decisions.
On-going
2. Concentrate higher density development downtown and within the Urban
Core, and focus master planned commercial uses at distinct nodes along
arterial corridors.
On-going
3. Require residential densities to decrease as distance from the Urban Core
increases.
Implemented through
zoning ordinance.
4. Outside of the Urban Core and Single Family Neighborhoods, maintain lot
sizes of 2.5 to 10 acres based on performance standards and natural
constraints including slope, distance from the center of the community,
average neighborhood lot size, soil percolation capability, and adequacy of
access,
On-going and
implemented through
zoning ordinance.
5. Update and maintain the Appearance Review Manual to include provisions
for incorporating local cultural and architectural themes into site and
building design that are appropriate for each land use designation.
Appearance Review
Manual updated in 2011
with new images.
Allocation of funds/staff
needed to incorporate
additional criteria.
6. Update and maintain the Zoning Ordinance to address the size, use, and
appearance of accessory structures to ensure neighborhood compatibility.
Zoning Ordinance
updated in 2010 that
addressed accessory
structures size and use.
7. Within the Urban Core encourage infill development or the revitalization or
reuse of land already committed to urban development where utilities and
public services exist.
On-going
8. Appropriate land use and corresponding lot size and density shall be
determined by site conditions, slope, neighborhood characteristics, and
proximity to the Urban Core rather than by the availability of sewer.
On-going
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
9. Require the approval of specific plans consistent with Government Code
Section 65450 for single family residential project of 100-units or greater.
On-going; Specific Plans
approved for Las Lomas
/ Woodlands; Master
Plan adopted for Dove
Creek.
10. Require the comprehensive master planning of large development projects
to minimize environmental impacts and maximize community compatibility.
Projects identified shall be required to have an approved Master Plan of
Development prior to any site development. The Master Plan of
Development may be approved in the form of Conditional Use Permit,
Planned Development, or Specific Plan.
On-Going; Dove Creek
and Del Rio Road
Commercial Area
Specific Plan have
implemented this
requirement.
Policy 1.2: Ensure the rural character
of Atascadero is preserved by respecting
the historic Colony boundaries and
cooperate with the County on regional
planning issues surrounding the Colony.
1. The ultimate General Plan development boundary shall be the Urban Reserve
Line. The Urban Reserve line approximates the historic 1913 Atascadero
Colony boundary and is recognized as the ultimate boundary for the City of
Atascadero, expansion beyond this boundary is inconsistent with the General
Plan.
Complete.
2. Develop agreements with the County to maintain rural residential,
agricultural and open space uses beyond the Urban Reserve Line, including
continuation of existing agricultural uses.
On-going
3. Work with the County to maintain a greenbelt and rural land use patterns
outside the Urban Reserve Line and to create an agricultural buffer around
the original Colony boundary.
On-going
4. In cooperation with the County, consider establishing a greenbelt or other
type of buffer between Atascadero and Templeton.
On-going
5. Oppose any land use changes east of the Salinas River that would result in
more intensive or higher density development.
On-going
6. Oppose any land use changes by the County within unincorporated portions
of the Colony that would result in more intensive or higher density
development.
On-going
7. Execute a Memorandum of Understanding whereby the County seeks City On-going
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
comment on development proposals in the area between Vineyard Drive and
Cuesta Grade, between the ridges east of the Salinas River and Cerro Alto
Campground.
8. Cooperate with LAFCO and the County to incorporate the Eagle Ranch into
the City's Sphere of Influence for eventual annexation.
Complete
9. It is the City's position, that Eagle Ranch shall be developed within the City
and any development of the site prior to annexation will be opposed.
On-going, Specific Plan
process has begun
10. Prior to the annexation of Eagle Ranch a Specific Plan shall be approved by
the City which will provide a comprehensive development plan for the
property that address issues including, clustering of Colony lots, public
facilities, circulation facilities, parks, open space, conservation easements,
and a fiscal analysis of service costs.
On-going
11. Update and maintain the Zoning Ordinance to designate the Eagle Ranch
property as a future Specific Plan area to be subject to future environmental
and site-specific review prior to annexation.
Complete
12. Require the approval of a planned development and master plan of
development prior to supporting any LAFCO annexation request of property
located north of the San Ramon interchange on the westside of US 101
On-going
Policy 1.3: Enhance the rural
character and appearance of the City,
including commercial corridors,
gateways and public facilities.
1. Update and maintain the Appearance Review Manual to include provisions
for rural character design features, street trees, landscaping, parking,
fencing, screening, and architectural design (except for single family
development), with standards tailored to specific areas of the City, including
commercial corridors, and gateways such as Highway 101 and Morro Road.
Appearance Review
Manual updated in 2011
with new images.
Allocation of funds/staff
needed to incorporate
additional criteria.
2. Require landscaping and/or screening to buffer non-residential uses from
residential areas.
Implemented through
zoning ordinance and
appearance review.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
3. Continue to support the Neighborhood Preservation Program.
On-going
4. Update and maintain the Sign Ordinance with higher standards for the
quality and visual impact of signs. On-going with potential
priority for review in FY
2015-2016. City has
initiated a signage clean-
up campaign beginning
in March 2015,
5. Develop incentives to encourage existing uses to upgrade to contemporary
design standards, including frontage and parking lot landscaping, and the
screening of loading and service areas.
Implemented through
appearance review and
Design Review
Committee.
6. Work with Caltrans to implement a freeway landscape and maintenance plan
for the Highway 101 corridor.
On-going
7. Develop a program to abate uses solely devoted to outdoor storage. On-going through Code
Enforcement
8. Beautify the City's primary entryways by creating Civic Gateways. The
freeway and other vehicular approaches to Atascadero shall be made more
attractive through judicious application of the elements including
landscaping, civic monuments, and rural character site development.
On-going. Gateway
Monument Features
completed in 2007 for
Northbound 101.
Wayfinding signage
installed in 2012.
9. Continue abatement programs to remove unsafe buildings, and require the
cleanup of premises and vacant lots with code violations. Clean-up
campaigns and beautification of existing facilities and neighborhoods shall
be encouraged.
On-going
10. The City will develop standards and undergounding districts to require the
undergrounding of existing utilities within the Urban Core.
On-going
11. New utilities will be undergrounded in all proposed subdivisions and
development projects.
Implemented during plan
review of new
construction.
Policy 1.4: Ensure that “darkness” remain
a rural characteristic by requiring that all
exterior lighting does not result in
1. Amend and maintain the Sign and Zoning Ordinances to require that all non-
decorative exterior lighting shall be shielded to direct light toward buildings or
Completed
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
significant off-site spillage or glare. the ground.
2. Provide street lights only in the Downtown, along El Camino Real, at major
intersections, and locations where street safety is of concern.
On-going
Policy 2.1: Ensure that new development
is compatible with existing and
surrounding neighborhoods.
1. Require that the appearance, mass and scale of multi-family development is
compatible with adjacent single-family neighborhoods.
Appearance Review and
DRC reviews required for
development.
2. Develop standards and procedures to allow the Planning Commission to
grant up to a 15% density bonus for attached multi-family project of
exceptionally high design quality through the Conditional Use Permit
process.
2011 Housing Element
Implementation
Addressing this issue. To
be amended as a part of
Council approval.
3. Update Public Works standards for roadways to provide for street trees and
landscaping consistent with the community's rural character.
On-going
4. Allow for alternate road standards in rural areas in order to minimize grading
and tree removals.
On-going
5. Do not allow single-family planned developments on prime multi-family sites
with all of the following characteristics:
a) site area greater than two acres
b) slopes less than 10%
c) arterial or collector street frontage
d) neighborhood is appropriate for multi-family development.
On-going
6. Require Conditional Use Permit approval for social establishments, including
senior citizen facilities, in residential areas.
On-going
7. Residential second units shall be permitted in all single -family residential
districts consistent with the requirements of the zoning ordinance.
“Guesthouses” and “granny units” shall be considered second units for
purposes of issuing building permits and collecting capital facility impact
Completed and codified
in City’s Zoning
Ordinance.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
fees.
Policy 2.2: Allow for the orderly
development of neighborhoods by
allowing for the consideration of lot size
reduction for lots that are significantly
larger than the surrounding
neighborhood.
1. Within the Urban Services Line allow for planned developments to approve
lot sizes below district minimums in the SE, SFR-Z and SRF-Y land use
areas only, when no more than two (2) lots are surrounded on all sides
within the same land use designation by non-conforming lots. Minimum lot
sizes shall not exceed maximum General Plan densities of the next lowest
single-family land use designation.
On-going
Policy 2.3: Incorporate Pedestrian and
Transit Oriented design concepts into
new residential and commercial
development within the Urban Core.
1. Incorporate urban design concepts from the Air Pollution Control District's
Transit Oriented Design Guidelines into new projects within the Urban Core.
On-going
2. Update the Appearance Review Manual to include pedestrian and transit
oriented design concepts.
Appearance Review
Manual updated in 2011
with new images.
Allocation of funds/staff
needed to incorporate
additional criteria.
3. Pedestrian walkways shall be prioritized in new residential developments
and between residential developments and commercial areas.
On-going and review
during entitlement
process
Policy 3.1: Encourage retail businesses at
efficient and attractive nodes along El
Camino Real and Morro Road with mixed
office and residential uses between those
nodes.
1. Designate the southeast corner of the Curbaril Avenue and ECR intersection
for a master planned retail commercial use.
On-going, South El
Camino Real Visioning
Plan started ground work
for this task.
2. Designate and protect the east side of the Del Rio Road and El Camino Real
intersection for a master planned retail commercial use.
Complete. City Council
adopted Del Rio Road
Commercial Area
Specific Plan in 2012.
3. Designate parcels northwest of the Santa Barbara and El Camino Real
intersection known as Dove Creek for a mixed-use planned development.
Complete. City Council
adopted Dove Creek
Master Plan in 2004.
4. Designate the area between San Jacinto Avenue and Rosario Avenue along Implemented.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
El Camino Real for neighborhood commercial and office uses.
5. Develop incentives to attract new businesses to under utilized locations
along El Camino Real.
Under review due to the
dissolution of the RDA by
the State. City Council
should consider
exploring the use of a
corridor planning as an
Economic Development
tool.
6. Require new development to comply with provisions of the Appearance
Review Manual specific to the El Camino Real corridor, including the
incorporation of landscaping and pedestrian walkways, and providing
reciprocal driveway access easements between sites, where feasible.
On-going
7. Conditionally allow mixed-use or exclusive multi-family infill development in
the mid-block portions of General Commercial areas along El Camino Real.
On-going
8. Preserve primary intersections for commercial development with a land use
overlay that requires the approval of an overall Master Site Development
Plan prior to approval of any development plans.
On-going
9. Conditionally allow, mixed-use office and multi-family development along
Morro Road, provided each development has an office or commercial
frontage use with recessed parking.
Implemented.
10. Utilize the Capital Improvement Program to prioritize street tree planting,
streetscape improvements and street repair projects along El Camino Real.
On-going through the
use of grant funds,
general revenue and
CDBG Funds.
11. Amend and maintain the zoning ordinance to require Conditional Use Permit
approvals of bars, dance halls, night clubs, drive through restaurants, and
service stations (all gasoline sales uses).
Implemented.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
12. Develop street design standards for El Camino Real that provide for street
trees, landscaping, and pedestrian comfort.
On-going
Policy 4.1: Cooperate with Atascadero
Main Street Organization to promote
downtown as the City’s cultural,
entertainment, and commercial center,
and to concentrate governmental facilities
downtown.
1. Provide mixed-use/pedestrian scale zoning and development standards for
the downtown. Encourage government, arts, entertainment, recreation,
business facilities and residential uses to be mixed in multi-story buildings
with sidewalk orientation and recessed or off-site parking.
Implemented through the
Downtown Atascadero
Revitalization Goals and
Plan
2. Continue to implement the Main Street Program and the Downtown
Revitalization Plan.
On-going
3. Develop a master plan for the Sunken Garden and surrounding block to
establish the area as a vibrant dining, community gathering area and civic
destination.
On-going however
funding limited due to
loss of RDA funds.
4. Integrate Atascadero Creek and Stadium Park into the function and
experience of Downtown.
On-going however
funding limited due to
loss of RDA funds.
5. Encourage the relocation of the Junior High School to an area outside of the
Downtown.
On-going
6. Mixed-use multi-family residential development is allowed up to 16 du/ac,
higher densities may be approved through a planned development process.
The 2011 Housing
Element updated
eliminated the need for
this program.
Policy 4.2.: Enhance the appearance of
the downtown area and improve
pedestrian circulation.
1. Update and maintain the Appearance Review Manual to specify pedestrian
oriented design requirements for the Downtown area.
Appearance Review
Manual updated in 2011
with new images.
Allocation of funds/staff
needed to incorporate
additional criteria.
2. Review all architectural design, signs, parking, and circulation for
development within the “D” land use category to ensure compatibility with the
Downtown Revitalization Plan.
On-going and reviewed
as a part of the building
permit/land use
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
entitlement process.
3. Develop a comprehensive streetscape and pedestrian access plan for the
Downtown area.
On-going consistent with
the Downtown Visioning
Plan and additional plans
completed by Public
Works.
Policy 5.1: Reduce multi-family densities
and increase single-family lot sizes as site
slope increases.
Completed and codified
in the Zoning Ordinance.
Policy 5.2: Require hillside development
and subdivisions to blend in with
surrounding topography.
1. Update and maintain the Appearance Review Manual to include standards
for hillside design and grading including driveway design and slopes,
undergrounding of utilities, and erosion control.
Appearance Review
Manual updated in 2011
with new images.
Allocation of funds/staff
needed to incorporate
additional criteria
2. Update and maintain the Zoning Ordinance to require structures to be
located below prominent ridgelines visible from City streets, when alternative
building sites are available.
Completed and codified
in the Zoning Ordinance.
3. Update the Zoning Ordinance to include standards for minimizing hillside
grading, cuts, fills, and ridgeline disturbance.
On-going.
4. Prohibit development on slopes 30% or greater, unless no other feasible
building site exists.
On-going.
5. New lots with slope averaging 30% or greater are not permitted except when
they contain building envelopes with less than 20% average slope (including
driveways and leach fields), and when the creation of such parcels includes
an offer of public dedication or easement that would directly benefit City
residents, and where native tree impacts are minimal.
On-going.
6. Require the building envelopes, driveways, leach fields with schematic
grading plans to be provided for all lot line adjustments, parcel maps, and
tract maps proposed on sites with slopes greater than 10%.
On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
7. The City shall require open space uses in hazard lands including those
areas subject to inundation, high wildland fire risk, and high levels of seismic
or other geological hazard as identified in the Safety Element.
On-going.
Policy 5.3: Prevent unnecessarily
intensive grading of development sites.
1. Update and maintain the Municipal Code to require approval of grading
plans prior to any site disturbance.
Implemented as a part of
the zoning ordinance
update.
2. Limit grading to the minimum area necessary to accomplish site
development.
On-going.
Policy 6.1: Ensure that development does
not degrade scenic and sensitive areas,
including historic sites, creeks, riparian
corridors, wetlands, woodlands, hillsides
and other valuable habitats.
1. Encourage use of planned developments to cluster projects around open
space easements, parks, open space dedication and minimize impacts to
natural resources.
On-going.
2. Seek funding to purchase or require dedication of areas of unique habitats or
scenic value, especially in areas lacking adequate park facilities and open
space.
On-going through open
space fee collection
3. Require native trees and plant species to be incorporated into landscaping
plans.
On-going and completed
during plan review.
4. Scenic and sensitive lands including creeks, riparian corridors, wetlands and
other areas of significant habitat value shall be protected from destruction,
overuse, and misuse by the use of zoning, tax incentives, easements, or fee
acquisition.
On-going through open
space fee collection
5. Public and private development in close proximity to scenic and sensitive
lands, including creek reservations, wooded areas, flood plains, prominent
view sheds and historic sites shall be designed to minimize impacts.
On-going and completed
during plan review.
6. Scenic and open space easements, parklands and open space dedications On-going, fees collected
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
shall be required as mitigation for subdivisions and development projects
that impact, floodplains, creek reservations, wooded areas, scenic
backdrops, sensitive areas, historic sites, cultural sites, and similar areas.
as a part of development
impact fees.
7. The City shall carefully evaluate both public and private projects to require
the preservation of trees, watersheds, natural slopes, and other natural
features.
On-going and completed
during plan review.
8. Subdivisions shall be reviewed in accordance with the Appearance Review
Manual and the principle of maintaining the rural and natural character of the
community.
On-going and completed
during plan review.
9. Attention shall be paid to the aesthetic result of land division. Building sites
shall minimize disruption of natural slopes, native vegetation and watersheds
by the careful selection of building sites, leach fields and driveways. Building
designs inappropriate for hillside locations shall not be approved.
On-going and completed
during plan review.
Policy 6.2: Protect prehistoric cultural
resources from disturbance associated
with development.
1. Maintain a current GIS-based map of generalized areas of known
archaeological resources.
On-going.
2. For discretionary projects within the generalized areas of archaeological
resources, require Phase I surveys to determine the extent and significance
of archaeological sites prior to approval.
On-going and completed
during plan review.
3. For discretionary projects located in areas of known resources, require
Phase II surveys to determine the significance and mitigation requirements
for identified resources.
On-going and completed
during plan review.
4. Require short and long-term mitigation measures for significant
archaeological resource sites; include avoidance of impacts, burial under
sterile fill, and/or monitoring of earthmoving activities.
On-going and completed
during plan review.
5. If determined appropriate by a qualified archaeologist, actively involve Native
Americans with any work located within known archaeological sites.
On-going.
6. If archaeological resources are unearthed during construction, suspend all
earth-disturbing work until appropriate mitigation is established.
On-going.
Policy 6.3: Encourage conservation and 1. Actively utilize the Historic Overlay zoning district to protect known historic On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
preservation of neighborhoods, Colony
Homes and sound housing, including
places and buildings of historical and
architectural significance.
structures, significant Colony homes and colony sites.
2. Develop a GIS based mapping inventory and protection ordinance for the
historic Colony homes.
On-going.
Policy 6.4: Encourage conservation and
preservation of structures and houses
that have historical and architectural
significance.
1. Protect historic buildings and sites. Atascadero's historic buildings and
features shall be preserved and protected in recognition of the role the
community's past plays in its present and future. Historic overlay zoning
shall be utilized to protect appropriate historic districts.
On-going.
2. Utilize the State Historic Building Code to encourage rehabilitation,
preservation, restoration or relocation of historic buildings listed or deemed
on the local, State or Federal register.
On-going.
3. Implement the Historic Site (HS) overlay zone to help preserve and protect
historic Colony homes.
a) Develop and adopt a comprehensive inventory of historic resources.
b) Identify (HS) overlay boundaries on zoning map.
On-going but no Historic
Site Overlay zone has
been adopted.
4. Utilize the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for
Rehabilitating Historic Properties to assess proposed improvements to
historic properties.
On-going and completed
during plan review.
5. Update the PD (Planned Development) overlay zone to include retention and
rehabilitation of historic resources as a primary justification for PD zoning
regulation standards.
On-going.
6. Update the City’s Appearance Review Manual to include preservation
guidelines for preservation, rehabilitation, and maintenance of historic
properties.
On-going with City Staff
flyer created to help with
the process.
7. Develop incentives for retaining and rehabilitating Atascadero’s historic
resources including:
a) Exceptions to development regulations;
b) Conservation districts;
On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
c) Staff technical assistance;
d) Program to facilitate relocation instead of demolition; and
e) Mill’s Act contracts.
Policy 7.1: Ensure that the native trees of
Atascadero are protected from new
development in order to retain the natural
character of the community.
1. Enforce all provisions of the Atascadero Native Tree Ordinance as a high
priority.
On-going and completed
during plan review.
2. Maintain a current Geographic Information System (GIS) based inventory
map of all native woodlands, plant communities, sensitive habitats,
connective habitat and wildlife corridors. Require lot line adjustments,
subdivision maps, and development permits to minimize impacts on mapped
resources that are identified as sensitive, and provide mitigation as
requirement by the Native Tree Ordinance.
On-going.
3. Update and maintain the Appearance Review Manual to include standards
requiring building siting, mass and scale to be compatible with surrounding
natural features.
Implemented separately
as a handout available at
the front counter.
4. Require lot line adjustments and tentative subdivision maps on sites with 25
percent or greater native tree canopy cover to establish locations of building
sites, driveways, and leach fields that will minimize native tree impacts.
On-going and completed
during plan review.
Policy 7.2: Protect and replenish native
tree populations, including saplings.
1. Continue to implement and enforce the Native Tree Ordinance to protect and
replenish native tree species within the City. Construction permits for both
residential and non-residential development shall be required to preserve as
many native trees as possible. Buildings shall be designed to utilize existing
trees in the landscaping pattern. Any trees removed shall either (1) be
replaced with like species, (2) in-lieu contributions made to the City's tree
replacement fund or (3) have Planning Commission approved conservation
easements created depending on the characteristics of the affected site.
On-going.
2. Augment the City Geographic Information System to include a native tree
GIS database to assist decision-makers with analyzing development
proposals.
Implemented.
3. The City shall implement a comprehensive program for street tree planting
and maintenance within the Urban Core and all major routes and
approaches to the community.
On-going.
4. Require planting of large canopy shade trees in new projects, in part to On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
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provide shading adjacent to buildings to conserve energy use.
Policy 8.1: Ensure that development along
Atascadero Creek, Graves Creeks, the
Salinas River, blue line creeks, and
natural springs, lakes, or other riparian
areas does not interrupt natural flows or
adversely impact riparian ecosystems and
water quality.
1. Work with other agencies to implement the Erosion Control Assistance
Program for review of development proposals to minimize sedimentation of
creeks and the Salinas River.
On-going.
2. Update the Appearance Review Manual to include provisions for preserving,
reclaiming and incorporating riparian features in conjunction with new
development.
Appearance Review
Manual updated in 2011
with new images.
Allocation of funds/staff
needed to incorporate
additional criteria.
3. The waterways in the City shall be maintained in a natural state and
concrete channelization creeks shall be prohibited.
On-going.
4. The City shall strongly discourage underground piping, and unnecessary
disturbance of creeks and streams, and encourage use of bridges and
arched culverts. Any alterations required for public safety will be guided by
this policy.
On-going.
5. Allow flood protection measures (such as selective brush cleaning), low-
impact trail development, streambed maintenance and bank protection along
streams where appropriate with necessary permits.
On-going.
6. Prohibit new structures or disturbance of riparian habitat along creek banks
except for restoration purposes.
On-going.
7. Maintain a current GIS-based map of the riparian areas within Atascadero. On-going.
8. Prior to permit approval, refer projects along blue-line creeks to the Corps of
Engineers, Department of Fish and Game, Regional Water Quality Control,
and Upper Salinas-Las Tablas Resource Conservation District.
On-going through the
use of precise plans.
9. Creek reservations and the Salinas River shall be preserved for open space
and recreational use, with appropriate areas left in their natural state for
public enjoyment and habitat purposes. Any recreational use of the River
and creeks shall minimize its impact on the habitat value and open space
On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
qualities of the creeks.
10. Land disturbance shall be minimized in proximity to watercourses including
necessary flood protection measures, such as selective brush clearing,and
low-impact trail development.
On-going.
11. Areas subject to flooding, as identified through flood hazard overlay zoning
and flood maps, shall be protected from unsound development consistent
with the City's flood hazard ordinance requirements.
On-going.
12. The City shall adopt and maintain an ordinance that identifies existing and
potential well sites and aquifer recharge areas, including sufficient buffers to
protect them from contamination. The ordinance shall define restricted and
prohibited land uses within the wellhead/recharge protection zones and
provide for the review and approval by both the City and the Atascadero
Mutual Water Company of any project or development within the specified
zones. The ordinance will establish a policy to provide for the monitoring of
activities within these protection zones.
On-going.
13. Support the establishment and protection of floodable terraces, wetlands,
and revegetation along creeks and streams.
On-going.
Policy 8.2: Establish and maintain
setbacks and development standards for
creek side development.
1. Adopt and maintain a creek setback ordinance that will establish building
setbacks and development standards along the banks of Atascadero Creek,
Graves Creek, blue line creeks and the Salinas River to ensure the
uninterrupted natural flow of the streams and protection of the riparian
ecosystem with flexible standards for the downtown area.
Creek setback ordinance
work began in 2005,
withdrawn. Council
should provide direction.
2. Prior to adoption of a creek setback ordinance an interim 35-foot creek
setback shall be in effect along Atascadero Creek and Graves Creek until
March 1, 2005. All other 7.5 min USGS quadrangle blue line creeks shall
have an interim 20-foot setback. The interim setbacks shall be subject to the
following:
a) On Atascadero Creek and Graves Creek setbacks shall be measured
from the edge of the creek reservation.
b) All other blue line creek setbacks shall be measured from ordinary high
water mark.
c) The Planning Commission may approve exceptions to the interim creek
Creek setback ordinance
work began in 2005,
withdrawn. Council
should provide direction.
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2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
setbacks in the form of a Conditional Use Permit if the finding can be
made that creeks, riparian areas and site improvement will not be
negatively impacted by the exception.
Policy 8.3: Preserve public creek reserves
for public access, and ensure that
recreational use does not impact habitat
value and open space qualities.
1. Develop park, trail, and recreational amenities where appropriate in public
creek reserves.
On-going.
2. Require the dedication of trail easements and access points as part of
subdivision maps or development permits consistent with the Circulation
Element.
On-going.
Policy 8.4: Review and regulate all
proposed on-site wastewater disposal
systems to protect public health and
water quality.
1. Update and support a Memorandum of Understanding or similar agreement
between the City of Atascadero and Regional Water Quality Control Board
regarding the standards for the design, approval, exception process,
installation, and maintenance of on-site wastewater disposal systems.
On-going. Regional
Water Quality Control
Board adopted rules and
regulations regarding this
in 2012 with
implementation in March
2014.
2. Require percolation testing of all proposed subdivision lots that will not be
served by sewer.
Implemented through
plan review.
3. The City's Sewer Master Plan shall address sewering areas with a high
concentration of existing lots below 1/2 acre and areas with extremely
severe soil percolation constraints.
On-going.
Policy 8.5: The City shall implement a
storm water control program consistent
with the requirements of the National
Pollution Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) Permit Program (Phase II).
1. Adopt and implement an Urban Storm Water Quality Management and
Discharge Control ordinance.
City Council Adopted in
stormwater management
plan in 2010.
2. Include design guidelines to minimize impervious surfaces and decrease off-
site storm flows in the Appearance Review Manual.
Text contained in
stormwater management
plan as well as new
Regional Water Quality
Control Board rules.
3. New development shall be required to maintain historic off-site storm flows
unless improvements are made that maintain historic downstream and
upstream flows.
On-going and completed
during plan review.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
4. The City will develop a storm water master plan including shared detention
facilities.
City Council Adopted in
stormwater management
plan in 2010.
5. Require Erosion Control Plans and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans
(SWPPP) for development on sites of 1-acre or more and on smaller sites
with slopes over 10%.
On-going consistent with
the SWMP.
6. The City will continue to notify project applicants and actively inspect
sediment and erosion control mitigation measures from October 15 to April
15 of each year.
On-going.
Policy 9.1: Allow agricultural practices,
including keeping livestock and farm
animals, on parcels of appropriate size in
Rural Estate, Suburban Estate, and Single
Family Residential areas, provided that
natural features and residential neighbors
will not be adversely impacted.
On-going.
Policy 9.2: Adequately regulate allowed
agricultural practices and keeping of
domestic animals on rural and
agricultural lands consistent with the farm
animal regulations of the City Zoning
Ordinance.
On-going.
Policy 10.1: Ensure efficient and adequate
solid waste disposal by reducing waste
volumes through recycling and other
methods.
1. Pursuant to State law, institute a program to achieve maximum recycling of
waste products generated by the community to prolong the useful life of
landfill.
On-going.
2. Continue to reduce solid waste through source reduction, curbside recycling,
green waste collection, and recovery, in cooperation with the Integrated
Waste Management Board (SLO IWMA).
On-going.
3. Develop effective and efficient recycling programs for multi-family
developments and businesses.
On-going.
4. Encourage recycling programs at City facilities, projects, and programs to
the maximum extent feasible.
On-going.
5. Support actions which conserve energy and encourage energy conservation. On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
Consumption of non-renewable resources should be minimized. Renewable
resources should be recycled or replenished.
Policy 10.2: Support ongoing water
conservation efforts.
1. Coordinate water conservation programs with AMWC as required by State
Water Efficiency Regulations.
On-going.
2. Consider expansion of reclaimed water use. On-going.
3. Encourage the incorporation of water conservation measures in new
development.
On-going with
implementation of water
efficient landscape
ordinance on 2009.
Policy 10.3: Support regional efforts to
maintain clean air.
1. Require dust control and emissions limitations during project construction. On-going.
2. Adopt circulation policies that encourage vehicle trip reductions. On-going.
3. Concentrate new intensive development at identified nodes to help reduce
vehicle trips. On-going.
4. Support regional programs to maintain clean air by adopting transportation
and land use policies which encourage vehicular trip reductions.
On-going.
5. Support the development of park and ride locations in appropriate locations. On-going.
Policy 10.4: Ensure that development in
mineral resource areas is appropriate and
compatible with existing uses.
1. Review extraction proposals for conformity with the State Surface Mining
and Reclamation Act.
On-going.
2. Review the Zoning Ordinance to identify compatibility issues for uses in the
vicinity of mining areas, and amend the Ordinance as appropriate.
On-going.
3. Carefully evaluate proposals to extract mineral resources from the Salinas
River channel to ensure conformity with the State Surface Mining and
Reclamation Act and all other applicable resource agencies, surface mining
criteria contained within the Zoning Ordinance, and flood hazard zoning
standards.
On-going.
Policy 10.5: Encourage soil conservation
by minimizing grading and preventing
erosion.
1. Require soil retention and erosion control as conditions of approval for
development projects consistent with standards of the Regional Water
On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
Quality Control Board.
2. Amend the Municipal Code to require sediment and erosion control
measures on projects, consistent with National Pollution Discharge
Elimination System requirements.
On-going.
Policy 10.6: Utilize new technologies to
improve convenience for City residents,
reduce dependency on nonrenewable
resources, increase ecological and
financial efficiencies, and better inform
the citizenry.
1. Facilitate and support development of infrastructure necessary for all
residents to use and benefit from new communication technologies.
On-going.
2. Monitor information technology development to ensure compatibility with City
infrastructure.
On-going.
3. Strive to expand opportunities for all citizens to participate in City
governance through use of communication technologies.
On-going and expanded
into the use of social
media.
4. Continue to make essential City documents available for immediate retrieval
by electronic transfer technologies.
On-going.
5. Review all proposed residential subdivision maps for consistency with
section 66473 of the Subdivision Map Act requiring lot orientation to consider
passive and natural heating and cooling opportunities.
On-going.
Policy 11.1: Acquire parkland needed for
future development of park and recreation
facilities and ensure that park
improvements are consistent with
adopted master plans to accommodate
future growth.
1. Develop an overall Parks and Recreation Master Plan to provide for the
long-term needs of all City residents. All planned major facilities shall be
incorporated into the General Plan Land Use Element.
On-hold due to financial
constraints of the City,
however City Staff has
worked with the
Atascadero Mutual Water
Company to Reduce
water usage.
2. Prepare and maintain master plans for all City park facilities, including
management requirements.
Park Master Plan
updates to Colony Park,
Zoo, Lake Park, and
Paloma Park complete.
3. Provide recreation opportunities in each quadrant of the City, including multi-
purpose sports complexes, tennis courts, play areas for children, equestrian
On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
trails, bikeways, jogging paths, and community centers.
4. Parkland shall be acquired and /or dedicated at a ratio of 5 acres /1000
residents consistent with the Quimby Act.
On-going.
5. Encourage the acquisition of open space and sensitive lands beyond the
ratio of 5 acres /1000 residents.
On-going.
6. Pursue ownership of Paloma Creek Park, and /or execute a long-term
agreement with the State to acquire or lease the site, and analyze its
expansion into a regional sports facility.
On-going.
7. Require new subdivisions along the Salinas River to provide controlled
public access to the Salinas River and De Anza Trail for pedestrian and
equestrian recreation.
On-going and
implemented for new
development along this
area.
8. Support the development of equestrian staging areas and trail systems
throughout the community including a Salinas River / De Anza trailhead at
the north end of town and other appropriate locations.
On-going through the
Salinas River Trail Grant
program.
9. Acquire and improve a neighborhood park site in the vicinity of Del Rio Road
and El Camino Real.
On-going.
10. Require a pocket park to be dedicated and improved on the triangular lot
west of the library in conjunction with any residential development of the
parcel.
On-going.
11. Future development of the Eagle Ranch property shall include a system of
parks, recreation facilities, trails, and equestrian facilities.
On-going and included
as a part of Eagle Ranch
concept plans.
Policy 11.2: Encourage joint use of school
facilities for public recreation purposes.
1. Work with the School District to formulate a program for joint use of facilities
to attain a system of school-park complexes.
On-going.
Policy 11.3: Encourage park development
on or adjacent to schools where
appropriate.
1. Work with the schools to acquire and develop parks and facilities as
appropriate, and execute necessary agreements to allocate maintenance
and operation costs for joint use.
On-hold.
Policy 11.4: Encourage cooperative park
and facility development programs.
1. Work with the County and other agencies to acquire and develop parks and
facilities as appropriate.
On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
Policy 11.5: Develop a method of
financing park and recreational facilities
and services throughout the City using a
variety of revenue sources.
1. Acquire parkland through developer dedications (updating fee levels as
necessary) or other financing mechanisms.
On-going.
2. Use in-lieu fees to develop mini-parks. Mini-parks are hard to
maintain from a City
Stand Point. Private
development may
include them but fund the
maintenance of such
facilities.
3. Finance park operations in part through user fees where appropriate. On-going.
Policy 12.1: Provide specialized
recreation opportunities based on
projected needs and standards identified
in parks master plans.
1. Plan for funding on-going operations and maintenance to finance
development of special facilities, a multi-purpose sports complex, tennis
courts, recreation centers, play areas for children, equestrian trails, bike and
jogging paths, and community centers.
On-going.
Policy 12.2: Emphasize the importance
of recreation facilities as community
resources.
1.Promote the Zoo, Lake Park, and other City parks as unique and valuable
attractions On-going and City
recently completed a
new visitor’s center to
add to user experience.
2. Establish a community/youth recreation center in the vicinity of downtown.
Implemented and
constructed. Community
center is open.
3. Provide for public transportation connections to public parks and recreation
facilities.
On-going.
4. Provide a comprehensive signage program for pedestrian walkways,
bikeways, equestrian trails, and recreation trails.
On-going through the
City’s wayfinding
program and other
sources.
Policy 12.3: Develop and implement a
program to improve water quality in
Atascadero Lake with specific water
quality standards to be provided in the
This section is now
implemented through the
City’s Stormwater
Management Plan.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
Policy 13.1: Facilitate convenient
location of goods and services needed by
local residents.
1. Update and maintain the Zoning Ordinance to allow grocery stores and
medical and professional offices at appropriate neighborhood nodes.
Implemented.
2. Update and maintain the Zoning Ordinance to allow office, business, and
health care services in the Commercial Park Zoning District.
Implemented.
Policy13.2: Encourage planned office
development in appropriate locations.
1. Formulate a planned development process for office uses.
On-going.
Policy 13.3: Expand tourist commercial
nodes to serve the traveling public at
freeway interchanges and develop tourist
destinations based on the Atascadero's
rural character.
1. Promote tourism and travel industries.
On-going.
2. Encourage hotel, conference, and resort development and protect potential
sites from conversion to other uses.
On-going. Construction
of a Downtown Hotel and
a new hotel on the end
complete. Springhill
Suites Hotel is under
construction.
3. Update and maintain the Zoning Ordinance to allow additional uses in the
Tourist Commercial zoning district.
Implemented.
4. Promote the community's rural character, open space and oak woodlands in
attracting tourist and develop tourist destinations based on these features.
On-going.
Policy 13.4: The City shall continue to
take a long range view of its fiscal
condition, and specifically the possibility
of enhancing revenues, in order to
maintain and, where ever possible and
desirable, enhance current levels of
service.
1. The City will work towards preparing a long range economic plan (often
called a “strategic plan”) to develop a strategy for future fiscal health so that
projected levels of service can be maintained and enhanced.
On-going and completed
with the City’s budget
cycle.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
2. The City will annually adjust its long range revenue and expenditure
projections to track changes in the City’s fiscal situation, so that both
problems and opportunities can be anticipated and planned for.
On-going.
3. The City will review it developer fees on a regular basis. On-going.
4. The City will minimize its road maintenance responsibilities by requiring
private funding mechanisms such as assessment districts for the
maintenance of new local streets.
On-going and completed
as a part of HOA/CCR’s
and other funding
mechanisms.
Policy 14.1: Encourage existing uses
to continue providing needed products
and services.
1. Continue to support Chamber of Commerce efforts to market goods and
services available in Atascadero, including those produced locally. On-going.
2. Identify locations with adequate land to accommodate new commerc ial and
industrial development.
On-going.
Policy 14.2: Attract new development
and land uses that provide jobs and
services for residents, provided that
those uses are consistent with the City’s
character.
1. Update the Zoning Ordinance to allow craft uses in appropriate locations,
including multi-tenant incubator spaces.
On-going.
2. Update the Municipal Code to adequately regulate home occupation uses Implemented.
3. Update the Zoning Ordinance to allow commercial recreation development at
the northern gateway to the City.
On-going.
Policy 14.3: Plan for a regional
commercial center near Highway 101.
1. Update the Zoning Ordinance to allow regional retail (including auto and
home furnishing) uses in appropriate locations.
Implemented.
Policy 14.4: Ensure that City
regulations and processes support
economic development opportunities.
1. Review and Update the Zoning Ordinance to address any regulatory
impediments to attracting target businesses, and to facilitate desired
business expansions and reuse
On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
Policy 15.1: Growth should be directed
to areas where services can be provided
in a cost-effective manner.
On-going.
Policy 15.2: Maintain an updated
Capital Improvements Program (CIP) that
forecasts needs at least five years into the
future and conforms to General Plan
policies and programs.
1. The Planning Commission shall annually review the Capital Improvement
Program for consistency with the General Plan and forward its findings to the
City Council
On-going with the last
update completed in
2012.
2. Prepare and implement master storm drainage plans.
On-going with the Public
Works department.
Policy 15.3: Ensure that adequate
service capacity and facilities exist prior
to approving new development.
1. Coordinate with the Atascadero Municipal Water Company to provide for
adequate facilities and water supplies.
On-going.
2. Require all new projects and new development requiring domestic water to
be served by the Atascadero Municipal Water Company unless a waiver is
granted by the Planning Commission through a Conditional Use Permit.
On-going.
3. Coordinate with other local and regional public service providers to identify
and ensure adequate service levels for all public services and facilities.
On-going.
4. Update the municipal code to require new single-family residential
development on lots within 200-feet of an existing public sewer system to be
required to extend and connect to the public sewer when topographically
possible.
Implemented.
5. Continue to support regional planning for solid and hazardous waste
disposal.
On-going.
6. Continue to provide police and fire staffing and facilities as necessary to
meet community needs.
On-going.
7. Incorporate public safety measures in development project design. On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
8. All residential projects of 100 or more dwelling units shall be required to
prepare a Fiscal Impact Report prior to any discretionary approvals. The
Fiscal Impact Report shall analyze all revenues, service costs and facilities
costs associated with a project. The City shall require the establishment of
Facilities Districts and / or Maintenance Districts to cover revenue short falls
on a project.
On-going and completed
as a part of the Dove
Creek and Woodlands
Specific Plan.
Policy 15.4: Extend services only when
the City has funding for additional
improvements identified in the CIP.
1. Include in the CIP a prioritized list of projects, timing, cost estimates,
responsible department, and funding sources.
On-going.
Policy 15.5: Two tiers of public service
will be provided within the City based on
the Urban Services Line (USL).
1. The Urban Services Line defines the area that will eventually be furnished
with major public and quasi-public services. This area will be served by
some or all of the essential urban services, including :
a) Creekway & Horse Trails
b) Solid Waste Disposal
c) Cultural Facilities
d) Storm Drainage (based Master storm drainage plans for
selected sub-drainage basins)
e) Streets and sidewalks
f) Improvement Districts
g) Street Sweeping
h) County Library
i) Street Trees
j) Parks
k) Public Utilities
l) Emergency Services (Level of Service 1)
m) Water
n) Sewers
On-going.
2. The Rural Services Area is the area outside of the USL and consists of the
remainder of the City within the City boundaries. Services to be provided
are:
o) Creekway & Horse Trails
p) Rural Streets
q) Solid Waste Disposal
r) Improvement Districts
On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
s) Public Utilities
t) Water
u) Emergency Services (Level of Service 2 & 3)
v) Fire risk management program with backyard burning
Sewering of areas with poor percolation and high rates of septic system failure
Policy 15.6: Ensure that new
development pays the cost of providing
and/or installing all capital facilities
needed to support it, including the
infrastructure necessary to attract high -
tech and professional support
businesses.
1. Continue to condition approval of new development on collection of impact
fees and/or construction of facilities, as appropriate, adequate to fund
facilities to serve new development.
On-going.
Policy 15.7: Continue to support
effective regional planning for solid and
hazardous waste disposal.
1. Continue to require solid waste collection within the City.
On-going.
2. Maintain on going communication with solid waste disposal service
providers.
On-going.
Circulation
Policy 1.1: Plan, fund and implement
circulation improvements necessary to
comply with adopted City safety and level of
service standards, and the General Plan
Circulation Diagram.
1. Maintain an updated Capital Improvement Plan and pursue construction
of the circulation system improvements of the Circulation Element.
On-going.
2. Require dedications and new development to be consistent with the
Circulation Diagram and the Circulation Facilities Diagram.
On-going
.
3. Enhance vehicular, bicycle, pedestrian access and travel within the
Downtown.
On-going and completed
with new bicycle lanes
along El Camino Real
and Lewis Avenue
4. Preserve options for future transportation facilities in advance of
development by such means as identifying routes, reserving rights-of-
way, establishing setbacks to accommodate future road width, and
limiting access along arterials.
On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
5. Design future roadway extensions and connections to allow travelers to
choose reasonably direct paths to destinations.
On-going. General Plan
Amendment needed to
address the Complete
Streets Act. City Council
needs to provide input
6. Maintain an equitable funding and capital expenditure system for roadway
improvement that includes requiring developers to provide for
construction of their fair-share portion of arterial, collector, and local
streets at the time of development
On-going.
Policy 1.2: Provide regional facilities to
minimize through-traffic intrusion on local
streets and to avoid barriers to local traffic.
1. Cooperate with Caltrans and SLOCOG to prepare a US 101 North
Corridor Study and the Atascadero Route 101/El Camino Real Corridor
Study.
On-going.
2. Coordinate transportation planning efforts with local, regional, State and
federal agencies, to maintain and upgrade State roadways, where
appropriate, including the elimination of existing substandard conditions
at freeway interchanges.
On-going.
3. Provide sufficient capacity on arterial and collector streets to discourage
through traffic on local roadways.
On-going.
4. Restrict truck traffic by ordinance to designated routes identified in the
Truck Route Diagram except for access to local destinations.
On-going.
5. Trucks routes shall be clearly mark with a comprehensive signage
program.
On-going.
6. Establish a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of
Atascadero and Caltrans that identifies the City's responsibility for
collecting fees and funding improvements for US 101.
On-going.
7. Update the City's Capital Facilities Fees consistent with the requirements
of AB 1600 and include funding for Caltrans facilities.
On-going.
Policy 1.3: Maintain LOS C or better as
the standard at all intersections and on all
arterial and collector roads. Upon City
Council approval, accept LOS D where
1. Require new commercial development design to avoid diverting traffic
through existing residential neighborhoods.
On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
residences are not directly impacted and
improvements to meet the City’s standard
would be prohibitively costly or disruptive.
2. Require traffic studies and updating of the City traffic model for all
projects involving amendments to the zoning map or General Plan land
use diagram or circulation element.
On-going.
3. Locate high traffic generating uses along arterial streets with a minimum
number of driveways. Driveways and access points should be shared
whenever possible.
On-going.
4. Encourage mixed-use development with residential and commercial
densities high enough to increase the rider base for local and regional
transit systems.
On-going.
Policy 1.4: Preserve the winding, tree-
lined nature of the city street system in
hillside areas.
1. Continue to allow flexible street design standards to allow roads to curve
around hillsides to preserve rural character and help limit vehicle speed.
On-going.
2. Develop a program and development standards for planting street trees
and landscaping on arterial streets and at major intersections.
On-going.
Policy 1.5: Maintain an adequate and
well-designed supply of off-street parking,
particularly in commercial, industrial, and
higher- density residential areas.
1. Require all development to provide sufficient and convenient parking
areas with minimal conflict with street traffic.
On-going.
2. Require shared parking via reciprocal easement in commercial and
industrial areas whenever possible.
On-going and completed
as necessary.
3. Require off-street parking areas to include landscaping, screening,
lighting and shade trees to mitigate adverse visual impacts and provide
comfort for users.
On-going.
4. Update and maintain the Parking Ordinance to reflect current parking
trends and uses.
On-going.
Policy 2.1: Provide for a comprehensive
system of creekside trails, roadside
1. Require all subdivisions and developments to provide bikeway and trail
alignments and facilities consistent with the Bikeway and Trail Diagram
On-going and completed
as a part of the City’s
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
pathways, equestrian trails, multi-use trails
and bikeways to connect neighborhoods,
schools, commercial, and recreation areas,
in accordance with the Bikeway and Trail
Plan.
Error! Reference source not found. and any applicable Bicycle
Transportation Plans.
adopted Bicycle Master
Plan.
2. The Bikeway and Trail system shall be comprised of Class I, Class II,
Class III and multi-use trails that are appropriate the location and
projected use as defined in Error! Reference source not found..
On-going.
3. Adopt and maintain a Bicycle Transportation Plan that will provide
development standards and classifications for all trail corridors.
Adopted in 2012.
4. Road abandonment request shall be reviewed for potential trail locations.
Where roads are not desirable but pedestrian access would provide a
public benefit a trail right-of-way shall be provided.
On-going.
5. Access, protection, and expansion of the historic De Anza Trail is a hi gh
priority.
On-going and active with
De Anza Trail Grant.
6. Local bikeway and trail projects shall be coordinated with regional
projects whenever possible.
On-going.
7. Develop a trail master plan for Atascadero Creek between Camelita Road
and the Salinas River.
On-going.
8. A pedestrian and bicycle connection between Atascadero and Templeton
shall be coordinated with SLOCOG, San Luis Obispo County and
Caltrans.
On-going and active with
De Anza Trail Grant.
9. Provide a system of pedestrian and equestrian trailhead access points to
the Salinas River corridor that prevent motor vehicle access.
On-going.
10. Require that all major subdivisions and lot line adjustments involving 20
or more lots to provide a bikeway and trail plan.
On-going.
11. Work with private property owners on the westside of town to establish On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
formal trails and maintain access to existing trails.
12. Plan for a pedestrian and equestrian bridge across the Salinas River at
Curbaril Avenue
On-going.
Policy 2.2: Accommodate bicycles at
major destinations including downtown, bus
stops, schools, and other public facilities.
1. Encourage the use of bicycles by designing bicycle facilities and access
points into all new development projects.
On-going as a part of the
development review
process.
2. Require adequate and safe bicycle access and bicycle parking in
conjunction with new development.
On-going as a part of the
development review
process.
Policy 2.3: Promote walking as an
alternative to vehicle travel in retail district
and multi-family areas.
3. Develop pedestrian-friendly design standards that apply to all residential
and commercial projects and require construction of adequate sidewalks
and/or pedestrian trails in new development.
On-going as a part of the
development review
process.
4. In conjunction with the Safe-Routes to School Program, adopt and
maintain a sidewalk system map identifying the locations of required
sidewalks. The system will consist of continuous routes that connect
higher density neighborhoods, schools, parks, shopping areas, and work
places.
On-going.
5. Sidewalks shall not be required in single-family areas with lot sizes of ½
acre and greater, but walkable shoulders and / or trails will be required.
On-going
6. Enhance the Downtown streetscape so that it is an enjoyable experience
for pedestrians.
On-going and completed
with Lewis Avenue
Bridge, El Camino Real
Bridge and other
streetscape
improvements completed
as a part of the RDA
program.
Policy 3.1: Promote alternatives to
single-occupancy vehicle travel, particularly
for commute trips.
1. Seek funding for programs that promote transit, ridesharing, bicycling and
walking.
On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
2. Support efforts to improve shuttle service to downtown and major
shopping and employment centers.
On-going.
Policy 3.2: Encourage expansion of
public transit as needed to meet the
changing needs of the area for local and
regional access, including fixed route and
demand response where appropriate.
1. Work with Central Coast Area Transit and SLORTA to encourage use of
local and regional public transit.
On-going.
2. Provide fixed routed transit with bus shelters along El Camino Real.
On-going.
3. Support and encourage the use and expansion of Park & Ride facilities.
On-going.
Policy 3.3: Comply with the
Transportation Demand Management
program requirements of the San Luis
Obispo County Clean Air Plan to reduce
peak period trip generation.
1. Support programs to encourage employers to promote transit use, such
as flexible work schedules.
On-going.
Safety & Noise
Policy 1.1: Support response programs
that provide emergency and other services
to the public when a disaster occurs.
1. Provide required training to ensure the readiness of response teams.
On-going.
2. Follow statewide Standardized Emergency Management System
procedures.
On-going.
3. Reduce the time and effort required to obtain permits for emergency
repair work, including coordinating with State and Federal agencies prior
to any event.
On-going.
4. Maintain and upgrade critical facilities. On-going.
Policy 1.2: Help prepare and organize
residents to respond appropriately to
1. Support education in the schools that teaches children how to avoid On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
disasters.
dangers and behave during an emergency.
2. Support the efforts of many organizations – government, radio,
newspapers and TV stations, utilities, emergency response providers, the
Office of Emergency Services, and our health community – that provide
outreach and education to the community.
On-going.
3. Support the efforts and education of people with disabilities to respond
appropriately to emergencies.
On-going.
4. Develop an emergency evacuation program for the neighborhoods in the
west hills that are subject to high fire hazards.
On-going.
5. Coordinate circulation element street designations and road improvement
projects with evacuation routes.
On-going.
Policy 1.3: Coordinate with County and
State agencies, news media, and others
working to reduce the risks of disasters
through effective preparedness, response
and recovery.
1. Establish a Point of Information (PIO) to meet with agency and media
representatives.
On-going.
Policy 1.4: Expand and update the
database of safety related information,
including Geographic Information System
(GIS) data, and convey that information to
the public and decision makers.
1. Maintain an updated City GIS hazard map with information on fire hazard
areas, native plant fuel loads, flood zones, un-reinforced masonry
buildings, underground storage tanks, landslide areas, earthquake faults,
pipelines, high voltage electrical transmission lines, railroads, state
highways, underground storage tanks, and evacuation routes.
On-going.
2. Seek from other government, academic and private organizations new
data that can be used for emergency preparedness and response.
On-going.
3. Share hazard information with nearby jurisdictions, private and public
organizations, and the general public.
On-going.
Policy 1.5: Perform assessments aimed
at reducing or eliminating long-term risks to
1. Assist with public and private rebuilding efforts, provision of housing for
displaced residents, and resumption of service, business and government
On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
improve the efficiency and decrease the cost
of disaster response and recovery.
functions.
2. Provide assistance to agencies and organizations involved in disaster
recovery.
On-going.
3. Identify agencies needed to participate in assessing damage, providing
citizens with care and shelter, and repairing critical infrastructure. On-going.
4. Ensure duplicate storage of essential City records. On-going.
Policy 2.1: Enforce federal regulations
regarding placement of structures in
floodplains, and maintain appropriate
standards for development in flood-prone
and poorly drained areas (refer to Figure II-
8).
1. Augment existing GIS and other data regarding low-lying areas with
information obtained during storms.
On-going.
2. Develop a prioritized list of proposed capital improvement projects for
low-lying, flood-prone areas, and seek funding for those projects.
On-going.
3. Perform flood-related preventive maintenance and repair, and ensure that
all flood-related work in riparian areas minimizes impacts to biological
resources.
On-going.
Policy 2.3: Prepare the City to respond
to flood emergencies.
1. Train City personnel to a level appropriate to their positions and
responsibilities to respond to flood emergencies.
On-going.
2. Require new subdivisions to construct a system of all weather emergency
access connections consistent with the City's Emergency Evacuation
Plan.
On-going.
3. Identify and map appropriate evacuation routes for neighborhoods along
the Salinas River.
On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
Policy 2.4: Minimize the risk of dam
failure.
1. Work with State and Federal agencies to assist with inspection and
maintenance of the Salinas and Atascadero Lake Dams.
On-going.
2. Maintain a dam failure evacuation plan to guide public officials that
includes use of the emergency alert system to notify the public.
On-going.
Policy 3.1: Carefully site and configure
new development in higher fire risk areas
1. Encourage the clustering of lots and buildings in higher fire hazard areas
to reduce the need for multiple response teams during fires.
On-going.
2. Require Fire Department and Atascadero Mutual Water Company review
of subdivision design to ensure adequate fire flows and access for
emergency vehicles, and compliance of structures with Fire and Building
Codes.
On-going.
3. Require fire resistant material in building construction in fire hazard areas.
On-going.
4. Require defensible space around all structures, especially in higher fire
hazard areas.
On-going.
Policy 3.2: Plan for adequate facilities,
equipment, and personnel to meet fire
fighting demands.
1. Update the Fire Department Master Plan every five years.
On-going.
2. Continue to plan for future facility, equipment, communication system,
and personnel requirements.
On-going.
3. Coordinate with the County to obtain information generated during the
update of the Salinas River Area Plan relevant to improving fire
suppression capabilities.
On-going.
Policy 3.3:. Sustain the ability of the Fire
Department to respond to emergencies.
1. Prepare, adopt, and maintain standards of coverage for the Fire On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
Department specific to the geography of Atascadero.
2. Maintain mutual aid agreements with other fire and emergency service
agencies in rural areas of the community On-going.
3. Train Fire Department personnel in wildfire risk assessment. On-going.
4. Maintain a fire-related GIS database to assist decision-makers with
analyzing development proposals, and update the database when new
CDF/County Fire Department fire hazard severity maps become
available.
On-going and Fire
Department reviews
development proposal
based on the
construction or
entitlement type.
5. Develop GIS based fuel load mapping in conjunction with the native tree
mapping program.
Implemented.
6. Provide ongoing fire prevention public education programs. On-going.
7. Develop and codify uniform standards for maximum slope of streets,
driveways, and fire access roads for all new development.
Implemented and
codified in both the
subdivision and zoning
ordinance.
8. Continue to cooperate with the Atascadero Mutual Water Company to
improve and expand fire flows and hydrant locations.
On-going.
Policy 3.4: Adopt programs to reduce
the impacts of fires.
1. Develop regulations that balance the need for defensible area around
homes with the preservation of Native Trees and habitats.
On-going.
2. Inform homeowners of fire dangers, appropriate responses to fire, and
ways to prevent loss.
On-going.
3. Continue to promote the efforts of the Fire Safe Council. On-going.
4. Train fire fighters to educate property owners and the public.
On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
5. Require Fire Department review of development plans to assure
adequacy of access for equipment, water supplies, construction
standards, and vegetation clearance.
Implemented. Fire
Department reviews
development plans to
ensure fire safety
standards are met.
6. Ensure that sufficient water supplies are available for protection of
structures and encourage built-in fire protection systems such as
sprinklers.
On-going.
7. Require the installation of residential fire sprinklers on new construction in
all areas with a fire response time of 8-minutes or greater.
Implemented. California
Building Codes now
require fire sprinklers in
new construction for all
residential and non-
residential applications.
8. Amend to Municipal code to require the installation of fire sprinkler
systems of all commercial and industrial buildings regardless of size. Implemented. California
Building Codes now
require fire sprinklers in
new construction for all
residential and non-
residential applications.
9. Support the Memorandum of Understanding between the Atascadero City
Fire Department and the Air Pollution Control District that allows burning
within the Urban Reserve Line of Atascadero where a fire hazard is
present and the vegetation cannot be abated by any other means or other
alternatives.
On-going with CalFire.
Policy 4.1: Ensure that developments,
structures, and public facilities adequately
address geologic and seismic hazards.
1. Disseminate information to the public to improve awareness of geologic
hazards and seismic safety.
On-going.
2. Continually update information about faults and geologic hazards
(including GIS data and geologic and fault mapping), and encourage the
California Division of Mines and Geology to provide new and updated
geologic hazard data for inclusion in the database.
On-going.
3. Conduct studies to assess seismic activity within the Nacimiento fault
zone in the southwestern part of the City and SOI prior to approving
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
construction of new structures in the mapped fault traces.
4. When projects are proposed in geologically hazardous areas, require
development applicants to submit reports, technical documents, and
plans reviewed by a State-licensed independent geologist or geotechnical
engineer, and that include that expert’s opinion as to whether documents
were prepared in accordance with standard practices, applicable codes,
and regulations pertaining to geologic hazards.
On-going.
Policy 4.2: Ensure that structures are
designed and located to withstand strong
groundshaking, liquefaction, and seismic
settlement.
1. Enforce UBC provisions pertaining to grading and construction relative to
seismic hazards.
As a part of the building
permit process, the City
enforces all aspects of
the California Building
Code, as adopted by the
City.
2. Update the UBC as necessary to promote seismic safety in structural
designs.
On-going.
3. Enforce UBC requirements for addressing liquefaction potential in the
design of structures.
On-going.
4. Require geotechnical studies for development in areas with moderate to
high liquefaction potential that include analysis of seismic settlement
potential and specify appropriate mitigation.
On-going.
Policy 4.3: Avoid development in areas
at risk for slope failure when possible, and
ensure that hillside developments employ
appropriate design and construction
techniques.
1. Continue to require slope stability assessments by appropriate registered
professionals for developments in areas of known slope instability,
landslides, or slopes steeper than 10 percent.
On-going.
2. Require slope stability studies for subdivisions prior to delineating lot lines
and building envelopes.
On-going based on slope
selection of sites.
3. Prohibit new development in areas of high risk landslide activity, unless On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
plans demonstrate prior to development that the hazard can be reduced
to a less than significant level.
4. Prohibit expansion of existing structures or developments in areas of high
risk landslide activity, except when it will reduce the potential for loss of
life and property.
On-going.
5. Require development proposals to mitigate landslide and slope stability
impacts on neighboring property, structures, and infrastructure. On-going.
6. Enforce UBC provisions and other applicable ordinances regulating
development on sloping ground.
On-going.
Policy 4.4:. Improve the ability of City
personnel to respond to seismic
emergencies.
1. Train City personnel to a level appropriate to their position and
responsibilities to adequately and safely respond to seismic emergencies.
On-going.
Policy 5.1: Reduce the potential for
exposure to humans and the environment
from hazardous substances.
1. Require businesses that use, store, or transport hazardous materials to
ensure that adequate measures are taken to protect public health and
safety
On-going.
2. Work with Caltrans to require all transport of hazardous materials to
follow approved routes.
On-going.
3. Work with Union Pacific to ensure adequate precaution and
preparedness regarding rail transport of hazardous materials.
On-going.
4. Coordinate with AMWC to protect well fields from hazardous materials.
On-going.
Policy 5.2: Reduce the potential for
pesticide exposure to humans and the
environment.
1. Ensure that emergency first responders and dispatch operators know to
contact the County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office for technical
assistance in the event of a pesticide-related emergency.
On-going.
2. Work with pesticide applicators (including commercial users and
homeowners) to ensure necessary measures are taken to protect public
health and safety.
On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
3. Provide information and technical guidance to encourage implementation
of Integrated Pest Management strategies.
On-going.
Policy 5.3: Minimize potential hazards
and spills from oil and gas pipelines and
underground storage tanks.
1. Work with pipeline owners and operators and appropriate County and
State agencies to develop adequate prevention and cleanup strategies.
On-going.
2. Work with property owners, AMWC and County Environmental Health to
abate Leaking underground storage tanks and monitor existing tanks for
leakage.
On-going.
Policy 5.4: Support County efforts to
maintain a high level of radiation emergency
preparedness and ensure that the public
receives necessary information about the
Diablo Canyon Power Plant.
1. Coordinate with County and PG&E to review and update information
about emergency preparedness and evacuations.
On-going.
Policy 5.5: Address unreinforced
masonry buildings consistent with State
Law.
1. Continue to require reinforcement necessary to meet adopted structural
standards of buildings identified pursuant to State law.
On-going.
2. Work with property owners and the redevelopment agency to develop
programs to reinforce and preserve historic masonry structures within the
downtown district.
With the dissolution of
the RDA, the City
continues to work with
building owners to
reinforce UMB’s in the
City on a case by case
basis.
3. Utilize GIS to map the location of all unreinforced masonry buildings in
the City.
Implemented. The
Building Division
maintains and updates
this list as buildings are
removed or reinforced.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
Noise
Policy 1. The noise standards in this chapter represent maximum acceptable noise levels. New development
should minimize noise exposure and noise generation. The City shall maintain a Noise Ordinance that implements the
requirements of the Noise Element.
On-going.
Policy 2. New development of noise -sensitive land uses shall not be permitted in areas exposed to existing or
projected future levels of noise from transportation noise sources which exceed 60 dBn or CNEL (70 Ld,/CNEL for
playgrounds and neighborhood parks) unless the project design includes effe ctive mitigation measures to reduce noise
in outdoor activity areas and interior spaces to or below the levels specified for the given land use in Error! Reference
source not found..
On-going.
Policy 3. Noise created by new transportation noise sources, including roadway improvement projects, shall be
mitigated so as not to exceed the levels specified in Error! Reference source not found. within the outdoor activity areas
and interior spaces of existing noise sensitive land uses.
On-going.
Policy 4. New development of noise-sensitive land uses shall not be permitted where the noise level due to
existing stationary noise sources will exceed the nois e level standards of Error! Reference source not found. unless
effective noise mitigation measures have been incorporated into the design of the development to reduce noise
exposure to or below the levels specified in Error! Reference source not found..
On-going and reviewed
based on noise sensitive
land uses.
Policy 5. Noise created by new proposed stationary noise sources or existing stationary noise sources which
undergo modifications that may increase noise levels shall be mitigated so as not to exceed the noise level standards
of Error! Reference source not found. on lands designated for noise-sensitive uses. This policy does not apply to noise
levels associated with agricultural operations.
On-going.
Policy 6. The City shall consider implementing mitigation measures where existi ng noise levels produce
significant noise impacts to noise-sensitive land uses or where new development may result in cumulative increases of
noise upon noise-sensitive land uses.
On-going.
1. The City shall review new public and private development propos als to
determine conformance with the policies of this Noise Element.
On-going.
2. Allow noise barriers and modifications to buildings containing noise-
sensitive uses only when site planning alone cannot adequately
accomplish noise reduction.
On-going.
3. Require all noise barriers and sound attenuation walls to be constructed On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
of architecturally attractive materials and buffered with landscaping.
4. Amend the zoning ordinance to require masonry sound attenuation
barriers between commercial and residential districts.
On-going.
5. When mitigation must be applied to satisfy the policies in Chapter 3.3, the
following priorities for mitigation shall be observed, where feasible:
First: Setbacks/open space separation
Second: Site layout/orientation/shielding of noise-sensitive uses with
non-noise-sensitive uses
Third: Construction of earthen berms
Fourth: Structural measures: acoustical treatment of buildings and noise
barriers constructed of concrete, wood, or materials other than earth
On-going
6. Where the development of a project subject to discretionary approval may
result in land uses being exposed to existing or projected future noise
levels exceeding the levels specified by the policies, the City shall require
an acoustical analysis at the time the application is accepted for
processing. For development not subject to discretionary approval and/or
environmental review, the requirements for an acoustical analysis shall
be implemented prior to the issuance of a building permit. The
requirements for the content of an acoustical analysis are given in the
following section.
On-going based on the
type of use proposed.
7. The City shall develop and employ procedures to ensure that noise
mitigation measures required pursuant to an acoustical analysis are
implemented in the development review and building permit processes.
On-going.
8. The City shall develop and employ procedures to monitor compliance
with the policies of the Noise Element after completion of projects
requiring noise mitigation.
On-going.
9. The City shall enforce the State Noise Insulation Standards (California
Code of Regulations, Title 24) and Chapter 35 of the Uniform Building
Code (UBC).
On-going.
10. The City shall request the California Highway Patrol, the County Sheriff, On-going.
City of Atascadero
2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review – Section F
Policy Program Status
and local police departments to actively enforce the California Vehicle
Code sections relating to adequate vehicle mufflers.
11. The City shall purchase new equipment and vehicles only if they comply
with noise level performance standards based upon the best available
noise reduction technology. Alternatives to the use of existing noisy
equipment, such as leaf blowers, shall be pursued.
On-going.
12. The City shall periodically review and update the Noise Element to
ensure that noise exposure information and specific policies are
consistent with changing conditions within the City and with noise control
regulations or policies enacted after the adoption of this element.
On-going.
13. The City shall make the Acoustical Design Manual available to the public
so that the public can incorporate noise reduction measures into private
projects consistent with the goals and policies of this Noise Element.
On-going.
14. The City shall consider one or more of the following mitigation measures
where existing noise levels significantly impact existing noise-sensitive
land uses or where cumulative increase in noise levels resulting from new
development significantly impact noise-sensitive land uses:
a) Rerouting traffic onto streets that have low traffic volume onto
streets that do not adjoin noise-sensitive land uses.
b) Rerouting trucks onto streets that do not adjoin noise-sensitive
land uses.
c) Construction of noise barriers.
d) Lowering speed limits
e) Acoustical treatment of buildings
f) Programs to pay for noise mitigation such as low cost loans to
owners of noise-impacted property or establishment by developer
fees.
On-going.
ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3
DATE: 2-17-15
Attachment
Section 3 – 2014 Housing Element Progress Report
Attachment 1
page 1 of 8
-
O 1500
30-year deed
restricted per
affordable
housing policy
2 deed restricted units plust 10
units sold or sales price deemed
affordable using County housing
formula
Southside Villas 5+O 0 0 16 0 16
12 moderate units Sold or sales
price deemed affordable using
County housing formula
30-year deed
restricted per
affordable
housing policy
7 deed restricted moderate 2nd
unit casitas
West Front Village
(duplex)2-4 O 2 1 3 0 6
30-year deed
restricted per
affordable
housing policy
Deed restricted Very Low, Low
Income Units
Sycamore Place 2-4 O 0 0 12 0 12
87Estancia (Las Lomas /
Woodridge SP)SF
West Front Village SF O 0 0 8 0 8
8 moderate units Sold or sales
price deemed affordable using
County housing formula
Las Lomas
Apartments 5+R 0 0 0 20 20
0
2019
Annual Building Activity Report Summary - New Construction
Very Low-, Low-, and Mixed-Income Multifamily Projects
(11) Total Extremely Low-Income Units*
Dove Creek 2-4 Units
Portion
Villas at Montecito
Oak Haven Village
Vista Dorada (Las
Lomas/Woodridge
SP)
Oak Ridge Estates
(3F Meadows)
4
4 moderate units Sold or sales
price deemed affordable using
County housing formula
12 moderate units Sold or sales
price deemed affordable using
County housing formula
18 moderate units Sold or sales
price deemed affordable using
County housing formula
20
0
77
Table A
162
0
77
4
1212
8
Housing without
Financial Assistance
or Deed Restrictions
Assistance
Programs
for Each
Development
Tenure
R=Renter
O=Owner
Affordability by Household Incomes
Unit
Category
5 5a
Est. # Infill
Units*
3 4
Very Low-
Income
Low-
Income
Above
Moderate-
Income See Instructions See
Instructions
(10) Total by income Table A/A3 ► ► 2 1
0
30-year deed
restricted per
affordable
housing policy
ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORT
Housing Element Implementation
(CCR Title 25 §6202 )
Jurisdiction City of Atascadero
Housing with Financial Assistance
and/or
Deed Restrictions
0
Reporting Period 2014
1 2
Housing Development Information
Project Identifier
(may be APN No.,
project name or
address)
6 7
42
0
Note below the number of units
determined to be affordable without
financial or deed restrictions and
attach an explanation how the
jurisdiction determined the units were
affordable. Refer to instructions.
Moderate-
Income
20
82
(9) Total of Moderate and Above Moderate from Table A3 ► ► ► ► ► ►
SF O
* Note: These fields are voluntary
0
0 0SFO
O
OSF
SF
Deed
Restricted
Units
0
0
42
Total Units
per
Project
0
O
0
00
2-4
Attachment 1
page 2 of 8
-2019
ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORT
Housing Element Implementation
(CCR Title 25 §6202 )
Jurisdiction City of Atascadero
Reporting Period 2014
No. of Units Permitted for
Moderate 00 1 5
Table A2
0
7.
Number of
infill units*
180
54
0
1.
Single Family
3. 5+
Units
Affordability by Household Incomes
2.
2 - 4 Units
(2) Preservation of Units At-Risk 0
Annual Building Activity Report Summary - Units Rehabilitated, Preserved and Acquired pursuant
to GC Section 65583.1(c)(1)
(5) Total Units by Income
4.
Second Unit
Extremely
Low-
Income*
TOTAL
UNITS
Please note: Units may only be credited to the table below when a jurisdiction has included a program it its housing element to rehabilitate, preserve or acquire units
to accommodate a portion of its RHNA which meet the specific criteria as outlined in GC Section 65583.1(c)(1)
6.
Total
Activity Type
No. of Units Permitted for
Above Moderate
0 0
0
0 0
0
0
18
5.
Mobile Homes
0
(3) Acquisition of Units
(4) The Description should adequately document how each unit complies with
subsection (c )(7) of Government Code Section 65583.1
0
0
0
0
(1) Rehabilitation Activity 0 00
Annual building Activity Report Summary for Above Moderate-Income Units
(not including those units reported on Table A)
* Note: This field is voluntary
* Note: This field is voluntary
Very Low-
Income
Low-
Income
0 0
Table A3
Attachment 1
page 3 of 8
-2019
ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORT
Housing Element Implementation
(CCR Title 25 §6202 )
Jurisdiction City of Atascadero
Reporting Period 2014
20192014201520162018
Year
6
98
2
Permitted Units Issued by Affordability
Enter Calendar Year starting with the first year of
the RHNA allocation period. See Example.
Year
8
Year
7
Very Low
69
208
185
95
Remaining Need for RHNA Period ► ► ► ► ►
164
Total RHNA by COG.
Enter allocation number:393
Above Moderate 95
185
69
0
Deed
RestrictedLow
Deed
RestrictedModerate
11
76Non-deed
restricted
Non-deed
restricted
1
2020 2021
61
76
11
2
96
1
Total Units
to Date
(all years)Year
4
Year
1
Year
5
Table B
2017
Income Level
Deed
Restricted
Non-deed
restricted 0
Year
2
62
Regional Housing Needs Allocation Progress
-18
Total Units ► ► ►
Total
Remaining RHNA
by Income LevelYear
3
RHNA
Allocation by
Income Level
Note: units serving extremely low-income households are included in the very low-income permitted units totals.
Attachment 1
page 4 of 8
-2019
ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORT
Housing Element Implementation
(CCR Title 25 §6202 )
Jurisdiction City of Atascadero
Reporting Period 2014
1.1.16 Continue to work with non-
profits
Staff will continue to encourage use of PDs for high quality design.
N/A
Provide 20 Units
100 affordable units On-going
The City will be working with the developers of the Eagle Ranch
Specific Plan to identify location and the size of expansion
necessary to accommodate growth in that area
Only one project (Eagle Ranch) meets this criteria at this time.
Applicants are completing a Specific Plan.
On-going Since 2007, 11 manufactured units have been issued
On-going
Table C
Program Implementation Status
On-going on a per project basis.
1.1.13 Updating 2nd Unit Ordinance On-going
1.1.15 Adopt vertical mixed-use
ordinance Completed Completed in 2013
1.1.9 Rural Residential Zone 2014 Staff has yet to begin work on this ordinance. This may need to
carry over into the next housing element cycle.
1.1.12 Adopt an inclusionary housing
ordinance 2013
N/A
1.1.10 Adopt an affordable housing
density bonus ordinance that
establishes procedures for obtaining
and monitoring density bonuses
1.1.11 Update feasibility analysis of
inclusionary housing policy to reflect
current market conditions
25 units
2012
Completed
N/A
City staff has reviewed work from consultant. Based on market
trends and the uptick on older projects, the affordable housing
policy in place is working. Additional work may be directed by the
City Council.
N/A On-going Staff has no intentions on modifying this ordinance at this time.
Completed in 2013
1.1.14 Maintain Condo Conversion
Ordinance
1.1.8 PD Overlays / PD 25 On-going75 Units
1.1.3 Street and Infrastructure
Improvement Projects N/A On-going
1.1.4 Specific Plans for residential
projects of 100 or more units On-going
1.1.6 Support the extension and
expansion of sewer service for the
Eagle Ranch
On-going
1.1.5 Continue to Allow Manufactured
Housing and Group Housing
Program Description
(By Housing Element Program Names)
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E.Status of Program Implementation
1.1.1 Un-accomodated need from
previous RHNA (2001-2006)
Adequate sites for 2001-
2006 RHNA Completed
1.1.2 Provide adequate sites
146 low and very low income
units at 20 units per acre for
2007-2014 RHNA
Completed City Council amended the zoning code and general plan for
adequate sites as a part of the City's Housing Element adoption
The City amended the General Plan and the Zoning Ordinance,
that provided adequate sites for 505 very low and low-income units
at a minimum of 20 dwelling units per acre “by right” (without a
Conditional Use Permit or other discretionary action) on certain
sites or in certain zones. At least half (50 percent) of these sites
were zoned for residential uses only as a part of the housing
element adoption.
Housing Programs Progress Report - Government Code Section 65583.
Describe progress of all programs including local efforts to remove governmental constraints to the maintenance,
improvement, and development of housing as identified in the housing element.
At this time, Staff feels the inclusionary policy provides the flexibility
necessary to provide affordable units. Council may direct staff to
continue to explore adoption of an inclusionary housing policy.
2nd Unit ordinance will need to be reviewed as a part of the 2014
housing element.
70 units
40 units
N/A
50 units Staff is working these organizations providing support where
necessary.
1.1.7 Downtown Housing 20 units
Staff will continue to work with developers of the Colony Square
project for redesign of the residential units. This compoent remains
as a part of the development. Additional development interest in
downtown housing remains.
Attachment 1
page 5 of 8
-2019
ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORT
Housing Element Implementation
(CCR Title 25 §6202 )
Jurisdiction City of Atascadero
Reporting Period 2014
on-going
on-going
The City will continue to maintain this overlay district to preserve
and protect historic colony homes.
The City continues to maintain GIS data in regards to historic
buildings and sites.
2.2.2 Maintain GIS mapping of historic
building and sites
3.1.2 Energy Conservation Outreach
N/A
City Staff continues to monitor the status of affordable housing
rental units and for sale units in partnership with the SLO County
Housing Authority
Table C
Program Implementation Status
50 units
The City will continue to maintain its sliding scale of density for
sloped lots.
3.1.1 Promote environmentally
sustainable building practices on-going
suspended
2.2.1 Continue to implement Historic Site
overlay district
1.1.19 Amend the zoning ordinance to
establish minimum density for medium
and high density uses
Completed Completed in 2013.
1.11.20 Two story height limit wavier in
RMF Zone with CUP
on-going
suspended
The City's building department continues to enforce Title 24
requirements upon review of building plans that require energy
reports.
3.1.3 Title 24 compliance
N/A
2.1.2 Participate in federal grant
programs 25 units on-going The City will continue to participate in obtaining these funds and will
seek how to gain additional grants with the loss of the RDA.
2.1.3 Maintain sliding scale ordinance on-going
on-going
The City's RDA was dissolved in 2/1/2012 because of state
legislation. The continuation of this program will be evaluated based
on the outcome of what the State wants to do with the City's existing
RDA housing fund.
Status of Program Implementation
2.1.5 Monitor Subsidies/affordability
2.1.4 Allocate funds in the RDA housing
set aside for rehabilitation
N/A
N/A
on-going Staff provides necessary assistance in completing applications for
funds
on-going
2.1.1 investigate ways to meet its
housing needs through rehabilitation
and preservation of existing units
30 units on-going
While this is on-going, the City has lost its primary funding tool
when the RDA was dissolved. The City will continue to find ways to
rehabilitate structures.
Program Description
(By Housing Element Program Names)
Housing Programs Progress Report - Government Code Section 65583.
Describe progress of all programs including local efforts to remove governmental constraints to the maintenance,
improvement, and development of housing as identified in the housing element.
Name of Program
1.1.18 Continue contract for Section 8
housing participation
1.1.17 Work with developers to help
obtain loans
The City continues its contract with the San Luis Obispo Housing
Agency.
N/A 2012 Staff has yet to commence this ordinance. This will be reviewed and
carry over into next housing element cycle.
40 units
N/A
3.1.4 AB 811 implementation
4.1.1 Temporary use of churches as
homeless shelters
Objective Timeframe
in H.E.
on-going
In partnership with PG&E and San Luis Obispo Green Build, there
are various brochures available to homeowners that detail energy
conservation.
on-goingN/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
This program has been suspended due to pending litigation
because fannie and freddie mac would not issue loans.
The City continues to encourage local churches to provide
temporary shelters for the homeless population.
N/A
N/A City staff continues to work with developers and homeowners to
help site and development to avoid environmental impacts.
Attachment 1
page 6 of 8
-2019
ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORT
Housing Element Implementation
(CCR Title 25 §6202 )
Jurisdiction City of Atascadero
Reporting Period 2014
5.2.2 Track affordable housing projects
4.3.5 2nd Floor Downtown Residential
Units
4.3.4 Work with non-profits to identify
funding sources for very-low/extremely
low income groups
5.1.1 Understanding economic and
employment impacts on housing
10 units
5 units
N/A
on-going
N/A
N/A
6.1.1 Consolidating all actions relating
to a specific project
N/A The City tracks all housing projects and provides status updates to
both the Council and Planning Commission.
on-going
Staff continues this practice for ease of tracking.
4.3.2 Leverage Redevelopment Funds
Completed in 2013.
N/A
suspended The City created 2 units through this program. At this time the
program has been suspended due to the dissolution of the RDA.
on-going RDA funds are no longer available. City Staff will work with non-
profits for any grant funding opportunities.
on-going City Staff attend economic roundtables and other events as
continuing education of these impacts.
N/A
n/a
on-going
suspended
5.2.1 Development Standards and
Construction methods on-going As City staff identifies issues with the municipal code and advance
construction methods, the City will amend the code as necessary.
4.3.1 First time buyers program for
Low-Income households 5 units suspended
This program has been suspended due to the dissolution of the
RDA. Staff will seek any grant funding available to continue this
program.
The City continues to support proper permitting of group housing in
accordance with state law. The City will completed changes to the
RMF zoning that clarifies that both small and larger residential care
facilities are permitted by right.
Name of Program Timeframe
in H.E.Status of Program Implementation
4.2.2 Reasonable Accommodations -
Fair Housing Act N/A Completed
Completed4.1.4 SB 2 Compliance
Objective
4.2.1 ADA Compliance with California
Building Code
4.1.2 Local Motel Vouchers
City Staff continues to comply with ADA standards for new and
change of occupancy building projects.on-going
N/A
This program has been suspended due to the dissolution of the
RDA. This program may be continued once direction is given by the
State on the future of the City's Housing set aside fund.
on-going
Completed in 2013.
4.3.4 Affordable Housing Participation
Checklist on-going
5.1.2 Constraints on financing for multi-
-family development
75 units
This program has been suspended due to the dissolution of the
RDA. This program may be continued once direction is given by the
State on the future of the City's Housing set aside fund.
N/A
N/A
The City will continue to utilize the checklist to evaluate affordable
housing projects for any potential future funding that may become
available.
City Staff continues to work with developers, key stakeholders, and
property owners on overcoming constraints in project design to help
facilitate financing.
Table C
Program Implementation Status
Program Description
(By Housing Element Program Names)
Housing Programs Progress Report - Government Code Section 65583.
Describe progress of all programs including local efforts to remove governmental constraints to the maintenance,
improvement, and development of housing as identified in the housing element.
4.1.3 Residential Care facilities on-going
4.3.3 Housing Rehabilitation Funds suspended
40 units
The City will continue to work with local non-profits and obtain
CDBG grant funding for this program
Attachment 1
page 7 of 8
-2019
ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORT
Housing Element Implementation
(CCR Title 25 §6202 )
Jurisdiction City of Atascadero
Reporting Period 2014
Completed
City Staff solicited a proposal for completion of this.6.1.8 Review impact fees
Housing Programs Progress Report - Government Code Section 65583.
Describe progress of all programs including local efforts to remove governmental constraints to the maintenance,
improvement, and development of housing as identified in the housing element.
6.1.6 Incentives for developers for
units that are affordable to lower
income households
6.1.7 Single Room Occupancy policies
Staff utilized the DRC to make determinations that may necessitate
further entitlement such as a CUP.
Staff provides pre-application and technical assistance to all
projects when requested.
6.1.2 Minor modifications through
adjustment procedure and substantial
changes through a CUP.
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E.Status of Program Implementation
N/A
Table C
Program Implementation Status
Program Description
(By Housing Element Program Names)
The City's process streamlining is already expediting projects.
Developers can defer development impact fees until final
occupancy.
Completed in 2013.
N/A
N/A
6.1.5 Pre-Application and technical
assistance for affordable housing
projects
6.1.4 Maintain pre-approved stock
development plans on-going
6.1.3 Process Streamlining on-going
on-going
Completed
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A 2012
on-going
The City created the Design Review Committee in 2010 to help with
project streamlining and review. The DRC has been helpful in
working out issues that normally would have been dealt by Planning
Commission or simply at a staff level.
Stock plans are available for larger projects.
Attachment 1
page 8 of 8
-2019
ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORT
Housing Element Implementation
(CCR Title 25 §6202 )
Jurisdiction City of Atascadero
Reporting Period 2014
General Comments:
September 2, 2003
Page 1 of 20
Atascadero Planning Commission
Staff Report - Community Development Department
Callie Taylor, Senior Planner, 470-3448, ctaylor@atascadero.org
Nichole Garner, Planning Intern, 470-3470, ngarner@atascadero.org
PLN 2014-1515
Amendment to CUP 2000-0014 / TPM 2014-0102
Home Depot Center Master Plan of Development Amendment
Proposed Drive-through Restaurant
805 El Camino Real
(Atascadero 101 Associates / Garing Taylor)
SUBJECT:
The proposed project consists of an application to amend the Home Depot Center
Master Plan of Development. The subject site is a vacant parcel located between
Staples and El Camino Real. The Master Plan Amendment proposes reducing the size
of an unbuilt, previously approved 18,000 square foot (sq. ft.) retail building to 10,000
sq. ft., and adding a 4,500 sq. ft. drive-through restaurant. A Tentative Parcel Map
(TPM) is proposed to subdivide the existing lot into two (2) parcels.
RECOMMENDATION:
Design Review Committee Recommends Planning Commission:
1. Adopt Resolution PC 2015-0002 approving an amendment to Conditional Use
Permit 2000-0014 (Home Depot Center Master Plan of Development) to allow a
drive-through restaurant, based on findings and subject to Conditions of Approval
and Mitigation Monitoring; and,
2. Adopt Resolution PC 2015-0003 approving the proposed Tentative Parcel Map
2014-0102, based on findings and subject to Conditions of Approval and Mitigation
Monitoring.
ITEM NUMBER: 4
DATE: 2-17-15
Situation and Facts
1. Applicant: Garing Taylor & Associates
141 S. Elm St., Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
2. Property Owner: Atascadero 101 Associates
2925 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, CA 92626
3. Project Address: 805 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422
APN 049-045-022
4. General Plan Designation: Commercial Park (CPK)
5. Zoning District: Commercial Park (CPK); Planned Development #9
6. Site Area: 2.16 acres
7. Existing Use: Parking lot & vacant grading building pad
8. Environmental Status: Consistent with the Mitigated Negative Declaration
prepared for the phased development of the Home
Depot commercial center and certified by the Planning
Commission on March 16, 1999
DISCUSSION:
Surrounding Land Use and Setting:
North: Residential Single Family (0.5 acre lot min) (RSF-X)
South: Rural Suburban (RS)
East: Commercial Park (CPK) / Planned Development #9
West: Commercial Park (CPK) / Planned Development #9 & HWY 101
Background
The Master Plan of Development for the project site was originally approved i n March
1999. The project included a Planned Development 9 (PD-9) overlay to allow the
phased construction of 239,000 sq. ft. of commercial buildings on 27 acres at the north
end of El Camino Real. Soon after the original approval, the master plan was amended
to include a ±128,000 sq. ft. Home Depot and a 13-lot Parcel Map. The center included
Phase I on the east side of El Camino Real with the Home Depot, a large retail
outparcel, and two (2) drive-through buildings. Phase II was located on the west side of
El Camino Real with two (2) large retail buildings and one (1) drive-through. The Master
Plan of Development and PD-9 designation apply to both sides of El Camino Real.
1999 Home Depot Center Master Plan of Development
Several subsequent Conditional Use
Permit (CUP) Amendments have been
approved over the past 15 years to
modify the Master Plan of Development.
The most recent CUP Amendment was
for the Marriott Spring Hill Suites,
located in Phase 2 on the west side of
El Camino Real, and approved in 2012.
Phase I is currently constructed with the
Home Depot, Starbucks drive-through, a
nail salon, 8,000 sq. ft. retail (mattress
sales), and a 14,600 sq. ft. Staples retail
building. All parking lots, project
landscape, and site access points have
been installed.
One (1) vacant building pad remains in
Phase 1 next to Staples. The site is
currently approved for an 18,000 sq. ft.
retail building.
Phase 1
Phase 2
Staples
Vacant
pad
Starbucks
Phase I, vacant pad approved for
18,000 sq. ft. retail next to Staples
Design Review Committee
The City’s Design Review Committee (DRC) reviewed the proposed project in
September 2014. The DRC requested minor modifications be made to the architecture
of the drive-through restaurant, and requested a crosswalk be considered between the
new hotel and proposed fast food restaurant. On a 5-0 vote, the DRC recommends the
Planning Commission approve the proposed project with these modifications.
ANALYSIS:
Proposed CUP Amendment for Drive-through Restaurant
The current CUP Amendment proposes a 4,500 sq. ft. drive -through restaurant near the
east side of El Camino Real. The restaurant would be located in the existing parking
lot on the vacant parcel next to Staples. The drive -through entrance and exit are
designed to take access directly from the interior parking lot; therefore the drive-through
will not conflict with any of the center’s main drive aisles or ad jacent city streets. A wide
landscape planter is provided on the backside of the drive-through to help with
screening and provide a buffer next to El Camino Real.
The existing graded building pad next to Staples is proposed to be modified to allow a
10,000 sq. ft. retail building. This is a reduction in size from the 18,000 sq. ft. building
which was previously approved for this location with the Master Plan of Development.
Proposed Site Plan for Drive–through Restaurant & 10,000 sq. ft. Retail
Proposed
Drive-through
restaurant
Existing
Starbucks
Proposed reduction
to future retail at
this location
Existing
Staples
Parking
The existing number of parking spaces on the subject site would be reduced by the
addition of the new drive-through restaurant. Three (3) existing rows of parking located
on the south end of the parcel between Staples and El Camino Real wo uld be removed
to accommodate the new drive-through restaurant. One (1) new row of parking would
be added on the north end of the parcel next to the new retail building. The added
parking on the north end of the parcel is made possible due to the reducti on in size of
the retail building from the previously approved 18,000 sq. ft. down to 10,000 sq. ft.
Although total number of parking spaces in the center will be reduced, sufficient parking
will remain to serve the shopping center for all proposed and existing uses. A parking
calculations table has been provided (see Attachment 3), which identifies that the site is
currently well under-parked and adequate parking is available to meet the Municipal
Code requirements. Based on the approved uses for the Master Plan of Development,
a total of 699 parking spaces are required to serve the entire shopping center, including
the hotel and conference center. A total of 1,105 parking spaces would be provided
with the proposed amendment.
Landscape
A conceptual landscape plan has been submitted. The planting scheme is consistent
with the existing landscape within the shopping center. Shade trees are provided
throughout the parking lot and adjacent to all drive aisles and city streets. A bio swale is
proposed between the drive-through restaurant and El Camino Real, located in a wide
landscaped area near the project’s main entrance. All new plantings shall be drought
tolerant, consistent with the City’s water efficient Landscape Ordinance. Any areas
which are disturbed by construction shall be relandscaped prior to final.
Proposed Conceptual Landscape Plan
Proposed
Conceptual
Landscape
Plan
Proposed Drive-through Elevations
The proposed drive-through restaurant is designed to match the architecture of the
adjacent retail buildings. The building is proposed with two-toned beige and tan stucco
walls, a clay tile roof, reddish toned slate tile as an accent, and canvas awnings which
are similar to those used at Starbucks next door.
At the September DRC meeting, the Committee discussed making minor modifications
to the rooflines to create a more three-dimensional massing. These modifications have
been incorporated by the project architect in the proposed elevations.
Proposed Drive-through Elevations
Proposed Retail Elevations:
The 10,000 sq. ft. retail building proposed adjacent to Staples is designed to match the
existing Staples building. The two-toned color scheme wraps around the building with
some upper moldings to add articulation on the side and rear facades. The west
elevation includes pop outs, and the rear of building steps back, in order to avoid a large
blank façade facing El Camino Real. Staff and DRC recommend the elevations for this
building be approved as proposed.
Proposed Retail Building Elevations
Signage
Building mounted wall signs are identified on the proposed elevations for both buildings.
Wall signs are proposed on all four (4) sides of the drive-through restaurant. The signs
are appropriately scaled to the size of the building. For the re tail building, wall signs are
proposed on front and west side elevation facing El Camino Real. Signs shall be
designed to meet the size allowances identified in the existing CUP conditions of
approval, consistent with the existing Staples building and Sta rbucks drive-through.
Monument signs on El Camino Real and two (2) pylon signs were previously approved
for the project; no new free standing signs are proposed with this CUP Amendment.
Staples
Tentative Parcel Map
Tentative Parcel Map 2014-0102
has been submitted in order to
subdivide the existing 2.16 acre
lot into two (2) parcels.
The 10,000 sq. ft. retail building
is proposed on Parcel 1, which
would be 1.30 acres. Parcel 2
would contain the drive-through
on its own separate 0.86 acre
lot. Shared access and parking
are provided throughout the
development via existing
agreements and easements.
Traffic and Circulation Study
A complete traffic analysis has been provided in order to determine if the new drive-
through will generate traffic numbers that may have potential impacts on the adjacent
city streets and intersections. The analysis assumes that fifty percent (50%) of all
restaurant traffic would be considered internal capture, pass -by, or diverted-linked trips
and would not be considered new to the study-area. The remaining fifty percent (50%)
would be considered primary trips. Cumulative traffic volumes were forecast assuming
development of current approved and pending projects, including multifamily and single
family residential development near El Camino Real and the Del Rio Road Area Specific
Plan (Walmart and the Annex).
The analysis concluded that the project would not generate significant impacts to the
study-area intersections based on the City’s traffic impact thresholds. Based on the
traffic volumes and the acceptable levels of service forecast for the surrounding
intersections, installation of traffic signals would not be warranted as a result of the
project. Intersections and Highway 101 ramps will operate at a level of ser vice A or B.
See Attachment 4 for complete report.
Proposed Parcel Map
New Pedestrian Crossing
At the September DRC meeting, it was requested that the applicant and staff look into
the possibility of installing a crosswalk on El Camino Real to provide a pedestrian
crossing between the new hotel and the proposed fast food restaurant. The project’s
traffic engineer has considered the proposal and is recommending that a crosswalk be
installed just north of the proposed driveway intersection that will serve the hotel.
Proposed crosswalk on El Camino Real to connect hotel and restaurant
This segment of El Camino Real is forecast to carry low daily traffic volumes that are
well below the acceptable capacity. The Traffic & Circulation Study states that the
roadway segment is relatively flat and straight thus a driver’s visibility would not be
impaired to see pedestrians crossing the street. The traffic study also recommends
installing advanced warning pedestrian crossing signs in order to alert drivers of
possible pedestrians in the roadway. The crosswalk and warning signals have been
incorporated as conditions of approval for installation in conjunction with the proposed
drive-through restaurant.
Proposed
Crosswalk
Environmental Review
The proposed Master Plan of Development Amendment and TPM are consistent with
the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) which was originally prepared for the phased
development of the Home Depot commercial center and certified by the Planning
Commission on March 16, 1999.
The 1999 MND considered the phased construction of 239,000 square feet of
commercial buildings on 27 acres, and included three (3) drive -through buildings. The
MND includes a comprehensive list of mitigation measures to address any potential
impacts to air quality, traffic, biological resources, aesthetics, noise, drainage, and other
environmental factors. Prior amendments and site plan changes to the Home Depot
center were found to be consistent with this 1999 CEQA document.
The proposed 10,000 sq. ft. retail building and 4,500 sq. ft. drive-through restaurant on
the subject parcel are consistent with the original project scope for CEQA purposes.
The updated Traffic and Circulation Study show that the proposed amendment will not
have new traffic impacts which would be inconsistent with the original CEQA and
adopted mitigation measures. The site has been previously graded and no additional
tree removals are proposed with the amendment.
General Plan Consistency
The proposed project is consistent with the following General Plan Lan d Use Element
Goals and Policies:
Land Use Program 1.1.7: Within the Urban Core encourage infill development or
revitalization or reuse of land already committed to urban development where utili ties
and public services exist.
Goal LOC 13: Provide a sound economic base to sustain the City’s unique character by
establishing a range of employment and business opportunities and generate sufficient
revenue to support adequate levels of public services, and environment, social and
educational quality.
Land Use Policy 13.1: Facilitate convenient location of goods and services needed by
local residents.
Goal LOC 14: Retain and expand existing business and attract new businesses to
improve the availability of goods and services.
Conditional Use Permit Findings
The CUP process provides the opportunity for the public and the Planning Commission
to review the specifics of land use proposals, such as the appropriateness of use,
architectural design, site design, landscape, signage, and specific standards of the
Zoning Ordinance. The Planning Commission must make the following five findings in
order to approve the proposed CUP Amendment within the commercial park zone:
1. The proposed project or use is consistent with the General Plan, as well as the City’s
Appearance Review Manual and any pertinent City policy or criteria adopted by
ordinance or resolution of the City Council.
Staff Comment: The retail and restaurant use at this location are consistent with the
General Commercial designation of the General Plan and the General Plan Land
Use Element Goals LOC 13 and LOC 14, Policies 13.1 and Land Use Program
1.1.7. The proposed signage complies with the original conditions of approval. The
Design Review Committee has reviewed the proposal and is recommending
approval with the incorporated architectural changes which were made.
2. The proposed project or use satisfies all applicable provisions of the Title (Zoning
Ordinance).
Staff Comment: As conditioned, the project satisfies the special use permit
provisions for of Atascadero Municipal Code, including the Planned Development #9
overlay zone. The existing parking is adequate to serve the proposed use.
3. The establishment, and subsequent operation or conduct of the use will not,
because of the circumstances and conditions applied in the particular case, be
detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of the general public or persons residing
or working in the neighborhood of the use, or be detrimental or injurious to property
or improvements in the vicinity of the use.
Staff Comment: The proposed retail use and drive-through restaurant, located within
an existing commercial park development, will not be detrimental to the general
public or working person’s health, safety, or welfare.
4. That the proposed project or use will not be inconsistent with the character or the
immediate neighborhood or contrary to its orderly development.
Staff Comment: The proposed buildings would fill a vacant space located in an
existing retail shopping center. The change of use will help to bring people to the
shopping center where they will be able to find a variety of goods and services in
one location.
5. That the proposed use or project will not generate a volume of traffic beyond the
safe capacity of all roads providing access to the project, either existing or to be
improved in conjunction with the project, or beyond the normal traffic volume of the
surrounding neighborhood that would result from full development in accordance
with the Land Use Element.
Staff Comment: The proposed project and use, as conditioned, is consistent with
the traffic projections and road improvements anticipated within the General Plan. A
Traffic and Circulation Study has been prepared which identifies that existing
intersections and roadways are sufficient to accommodate the proposed uses.
Based on staff’s analysis in the preceding sections, it appears that all of the required
findings for approval of CUP 2000-0014 can be made.
Conclusion:
The applicant has submitted an amendment to the Home Depot Center Master Plan of
Development to construct a 10,000 sq. ft. retail building and a 4,500 sq. ft. drive-through
restaurant in place of the previously approved 18,000 sq. ft. retail building. The
proposed TPM would subdivide the existing lot into two (2) parcels in accordance with
the two buildings proposed. Based on the above analysis and incorporated conditions,
staff believes that the findings for approval of the CUP amendment and TPM can be
made.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The Commission may include modifications to the project and/or conditions of
approval for the project.
2. The Commission may determine that more information is needed on some
aspect of the project and may refer the item back to the applicant and staff to
develop the additional information. The Commission should clearly state the type
of information that is required and move to continue the item to a future date.
3. The Commission may deny the project. The Commission must specify the
reasons for denial of the project and make an associated finding with such
action.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Location Map, General Plan, and Zoning
Attachment 2: Aerial Photo
Attachment 3: Parking Calculations
Attachment 4: 2014 Traffic and Circulation Study
Attachment 5: 1999 Certified Mitigated Negative Declaration
Attachment 6: Draft Resolution PC 2015-0002, CUP Amendment
Attachment 7: Draft Resolution PC 2015-0003, Tentative Parcel Map
ATTACHMENT 1: Location Map, General Plan and Zoning
Zoning: Commercial Park (CPK); PD #9
General Plan Designation: Commercial Park (CPK)
Subject Site
Master Plan of
Development Area
ATTACHMENT 2: Aerial Photo of Home Depot Center: Phases I & II
900 El Camino Real
Master Plan of Development Phase II
Marriott hotel & 2 retail outparcels
Phase I
Home Depot Center
Subject Site of CUP Amendment:
Proposed drive-through restaurant
& 10,000 sq. ft. retail building
ATTACHMENT 3: Parking Calculations
ATTACHMENT 4: 2014 Traffic and Circulation Study
See Following
ATTACHMENT 5: Mitigation Monitoring Program
Per Mitigated Negative Declaration Certified March 16, 1999
For the Home Depot Commercial Center Phase I & II
ATTACHMENT 6: Draft Resolution PC 2015-0002: Amendment to Conditional Use Permit
DRAFT RESOLUTION PC 2015-0002
RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ATASCADERO, CALIFORNIA APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO
CUP 2000-0014 TO MODIFY THE APPROVED MASTER PLAN OF
DEVELOPMENT TO ALLOW A DRIVE-THROUGH RESTAURANT
ON APN 049-045-022
(Atascadero 101 Associates/ Garing Taylor)
WHEREAS, an application has been received from Atascadero 101 Associates, 2925
Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, (Owner) and Garing Taylor & Associates 141 S. Elm St.,
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 (Applicant) to consider a project consisting of an Amendment to
Conditional Use Permit 2000-0014 (Home Depot Master Plan of Development) to allow a
10,000 square foot retail space and a 4,500 square foot drive-through restaurant in Phase I on a
2.16 acre parcel at 805 El Camino Real (APN 049-045-022); and,
WHEREAS, the site’s current General Plan Designation is Commercial Park (CPK);
and,
WHEREAS, the site’s current zoning district is Commercial Park with a Planned
Development Overlay #9 (CPK/PD-9); and,
WHEREAS, the commercial center is subject to a Master Plan of Development approved
in the form of a Conditional Use Permit; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed amendments are consistent with the previously certified 1999
Mitigated Negative Declaration prepared for the project; and,
WHEREAS, the laws and regulations relating to the preparation and public notice of
environmental documents, as set forth in the State and local guidelines for implementation of the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) have been adhered to; and,
WHEREAS, a timely and properly noticed Public Hearing upon the subject application
was held by the Planning Commission of the City of Atascadero at which hearing evidence, oral
and documentary, was admitted on behalf of said Master Plan of Development Amendments;
and,
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Atascadero, at a duly noticed
Public Hearing held on February 17, 2015, studied and considered amendments to CUP 2000-
0014, after first studying and considering the Certified Mitigated Negative Declaration prepared
for the project; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, the Planning Commission of the City of Atascadero takes the
following actions:
SECTION 1. Findings for Approval of CUP 2000-0014 Amendment. The Planning
Commission finds as follows:
1. The proposed project or use is consistent with the General Plan and the City’s
Appearance Review Manual; and,
2. The proposed project or use satisfies all applicable provisions of the Title (Zoning
Ordinance) including provisions of the PD-9 Overlay Zone; and,
3. The establishment, and subsequent operation or conduct of the use will not, because
of the circumstances and conditions applied in the particular case, be detrimental to
the health, safety, or welfare of the general public or persons residing or working in
the neighborhood of the use, or be detrimental or injurious to property or
improvements in the vicinity of the use; and,
4. That the proposed project or use will not be inconsistent with the character or the
immediate neighborhood or contrary to its orderly development; and,
5. That the proposed use or project will not generate a volume of traffic beyond the safe
capacity of all roads providing access to the project, either existing or to be improved
in conjunction with the project, or beyond the normal traffic volume of the
surrounding neighborhood that would result from full development in accordance
with the Land Use Element; and,
6. The Master Plan of Development standards or processing requirements will enhance
the opportunity to best utilize special characteristics of an area and will have a
beneficial effect on the area, and the benefits derived from the Master Plan of
Development amendment and PD-9 overlay zone cannot be reasonably achieved
through existing development standards or processing requirements.
SECTION 2. Approval. The Planning Commission of the City of Atascadero, in a
regular session assembled on February 17, 2015, resolved to amend the existing Master Plan of
Development for the Home Depot center with the following amendments to Conditional Use
Permit 2000-0014:
EXHIBIT A: Conditions of Approval
EXHIBIT B: Amended Site Plan (Phase I and II Overall)
EXHIBIT C: Parking Calculations (Phase I and II)
EXHIBIT D: Site Plan: Amended parcel, Pad 3 and Building C
EXHIBIT E: Demo Plan: Amended parcel, Pad 3 and Building C
EXHIBIT F: Grading and Utility Plan: Amended parcel, Pad 3 and Building C
EXHIBIT G: Landscape Plan, Pad 3 and Building C
EXHIBIT H: Elevations: Drive-through restaurant
EXHIBIT I: Floor Plan: Drive Through Restaurant
EXHIBIT J: Elevations: Retail Building C, 10,000 sq. ft.
EXHIBIT K: Floor Plan: Retail Building C, 10,000 sq. ft.
EXHIBIT L: Crosswalk Location on El Camino Real
On motion by Commissioner _____________, and seconded by Commissioner __________ the
foregoing resolution is hereby adopted in its entirety by the following roll call vote:
AYES: ( )
NOES: ( )
ABSTAIN: ( )
ABSENT: ( )
ADOPTED:
CITY OF ATASCADERO, CA
______________________________
Planning Commission Chairperson
Attest:
______________________________
Planning Commission Secretary
EXHIBIT A: Conditions of Approval
Conditional Use Permit 2000-0014 Amendment 2015: Drive-Through restaurant
Conditions of Approval
Home Depot Center
Master Plan of Development CUP 2000-0014 Amendment 2015
For Drive-through Restaurant and Retail Building
Timing
BL: Business License
GP: Grading Permit
BP: Building Permit
FI: Final Inspection
TO: Temporary
Occupancy
FO: Final Occupancy
Responsibility
/Monitoring
PS: Planning Services
BS: Building Services
FD: Fire Department
PD: Police Department
CE: City Engineer
WW: Wastewater
CA: City Attorney
Planning Services
1. This Conditional Use Permit Amendment shall apply to modifications to the Home
Depot Center Master Plan of Development regardless of owner.
Ongoing PS
2. This amendment applies to APN 049-045-022, located in Phase I (East side of El
Camino Real). All previous approvals within the Master Plan of Development,
and previous conditions of approval, will remain in effect unless specifically
modified or superseded by this resolution and attached Exhibits.
GP / BP PS
3. The approval of this use permit shall become final and effective for the purposes
of issuing building permits fourteen (14) days following the Planning Commission
approval unless prior to the time, an appeal to the decision is filed as set forth in
Section 9-1.111(b) of the Zoning Ordinance.
Ongoing PS
4. The Community Development Department shall have the authority to approve the
following minor changes to the project that (1) modify the site plan project by less
than 10%, (2) result in a superior site design or appearance, and/or (3) address a
construction design issue that is not substantive to the Master Plan of
Development. The Planning Commission shall have the final authority to approve
any other changes to the Master Plan of Development and any associated
Tentative Maps unless appealed to the City Council.
BP PS, CE
5. Approval of this Conditional Use Permit Amendment shall be valid for twenty-four
(24) months after its effective date. At the end of the period, the approval shall
expire and become null and void unless the project has received a building permit
or a time extension.
BP PS
6. The applicant shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City of Atascadero
or its agents, officers, and employees against any claim or action brought to
challenge an approval by the City, or any of its entities, concerning the
subdivision.
Ongoing
7. All subsequent Tentative Maps, Lot Line Adjustments and construction permits
shall be consistent with the Master Plan of Development contained herein.
FM / BP PS, CE
8. All exterior elevations, finish materials, and colors shall be consistent with the
Master Plan of Development as shown in attached EXHIBITS subject to the
following provisions:
All exterior material finishes shall be durable, high quality, and consistent with the
architectural appearance.
All trash storage, recycle storage, and air conditioning units shall be screened
BP PS
Conditions of Approval
Home Depot Center
Master Plan of Development CUP 2000-0014 Amendment 2015
For Drive-through Restaurant and Retail Building
Timing
BL: Business License
GP: Grading Permit
BP: Building Permit
FI: Final Inspection
TO: Temporary
Occupancy
FO: Final Occupancy
Responsibility
/Monitoring
PS: Planning Services
BS: Building Services
FD: Fire Department
PD: Police Department
CE: City Engineer
WW: Wastewater
CA: City Attorney
from view behind architecturally compatible or landscaped enclosures.
Thematic mission/Mediterranean style lights shall be added to all building entry
features.
Any exterior light fixtures shall be compatible with building design and the light
fixtures currently installed in the shopping center, subject to staff approval.
Final color selection shall include compatible earth toned colors, subject to staff
approval.
9. All roof-mounted equipment shall be screened from view in all directions. BP / FO PS
10. All ducts, meters, air conditioning equipment and all other mechanical equipment,
whether on the ground, on the structure or elsewhere, shall be screened from
public view with materials architecturally compatible with the main structure and
painted to match the color of the surrounding building area. Gas and electric
meters, electric transformers, and large water piping systems shall be completely
screened from public view with approved architectural features and/or landscape
plantings.
BP / FO PS
11. All outdoor trash enclosures will be constructed of decorative masonry materials,
solid masonry, split face block or stucco, with solid metal doors. The perimeter of
all such facilities shall be landscaped when visible to the public.
BP / FO PS
12. All site work, grading, and site improvements shall be consistent with the
amended Master Plan of Development as shown in the attached EXHIBITS
GP / BP PS, BS, CE
13. A final landscape and irrigation plan shall be approved by the City prior to the
issuance of building permits and shall be included as part of site improvement
plan consistent with EXHIBIT G, and as follows:
A final landscape and irrigation plan shall be consistent with the water
efficient landscape ordinance.
Any landscape areas disturbed by construction shall be relandscaped prior to
final.
A minimum 10-foot wide landscape planter shall be provided along the entire
project street frontages.
Large canopy London Plane Tree (Plantanus acerifolia) street trees will be
planted along the El Camino Real street frontages at 30-feet on-center.
All exterior meters, air conditioning units, and mechanical equipment shall be
screened with landscape material.
All areas shown on the landscape plan shall be landscaped by the developer
prior to the final of the first building permit on-site.
All landscaping shall be drought tolerant. Turf areas shall be minimal and
BP PS, BS
Conditions of Approval
Home Depot Center
Master Plan of Development CUP 2000-0014 Amendment 2015
For Drive-through Restaurant and Retail Building
Timing
BL: Business License
GP: Grading Permit
BP: Building Permit
FI: Final Inspection
TO: Temporary
Occupancy
FO: Final Occupancy
Responsibility
/Monitoring
PS: Planning Services
BS: Building Services
FD: Fire Department
PD: Police Department
CE: City Engineer
WW: Wastewater
CA: City Attorney
used only for recreation or event area purposes only. Low-lying drought-
tolerant ground cover shall be used in parking areas & frontages in place of
turf.
The plant palette shall include only species which have a high rate of survival
in Atascadero’s climate zone. No thorny materials shall be placed adjacent to
the bike trail.
Parking lot trees are required to have large canopies and good shading
characteristics
Native variety oak trees shall be incorporated into the landscape plan.
All parking lot planter areas will include a reasonable combination of trees,
shrubs and ground cover plantings
All slopes in excess of 2:1 shall be planted with slope stabilizing plant
materials and installed with jute or nylon mesh.
14. All building and/or free standing site signs will be consistent with Master Sign
Program (AUP 2000-0001) and attached EXHIBIT H and J
BP PS
15. A photometric plan shall be submitted with building permits to ensure
compliance with Municipal Code standards, and ensure no off-site glare.
Building mounted light fixtures shall utilize lower wattage bulbs and/or be fully
shielded, cut-off light fixtures in order to eliminate visible light sources and
prevent off site glare.
BP PS
16. A cross walk shall be installed on El Camino Real to provide a pedestrian
crossing between the hotel and the new fast food restaurant. The crosswalk
shall be located just north of the proposed driveway intersection that will serve
the hotel, as identified in EXHIBIT L and the October 2014 ATE Traffic Study.
Advanced warning pedestrian crossing signs shall be installed in order to alert
drivers of possible pedestrians in the roadway, with final design specifications
subject to City Engineer approval. The crosswalk and warning signals shall be
installed prior to final of the drive-through restaurant.
FO PS/PW
17. A bicycle storage rack with capacity for four bicycles shall be provided in a
convenient and secure location near the front doors of each new building.
BP PS
18. Landscape maintenance within the street medians shall be the responsibility of
the applicant. The applicant shall enter into a landscape maintenance agreement
with the City for the medians and any other offsite landscaping. The form of the
agreement shall be approved by the City Attorney and City Engineer.
FO CA
CE
19. The project shall comply with all applicable District regulations pertaining to the
control of fugitive dust (PM-10) as contained in section 6.4 of Air Quality
Handbook. All site grading and demolition plans notes shall list the following
regulations:
A. All material excavated or graded shall be sufficiently watered to prevent
excessive amounts of dust. Watering shall occur at least twice daily with
GP / BP PS
Conditions of Approval
Home Depot Center
Master Plan of Development CUP 2000-0014 Amendment 2015
For Drive-through Restaurant and Retail Building
Timing
BL: Business License
GP: Grading Permit
BP: Building Permit
FI: Final Inspection
TO: Temporary
Occupancy
FO: Final Occupancy
Responsibility
/Monitoring
PS: Planning Services
BS: Building Services
FD: Fire Department
PD: Police Department
CE: City Engineer
WW: Wastewater
CA: City Attorney
complete coverage, preferably in the late morning and after work is
finished for the day.
B. All clearing, grading, earth moving, or excavation activities shall cease
during periods of high winds (i.e. greater than 20 mph averaged over one
hour) so as to prevent excessive amounts of dust.
C. All material transported off-site shall be either sufficiently watered or
securely covered to prevent excessive amounts of dust.
D. The area disturbed by clearing, grading, earth moving, or excavation
operations shall be minimized so as to prevent excessive amounts of
dust.
E. Permanent dust control measured identified in the approved project
revegetation and landscape plans shall be implemented as soon as
possible following completion of any soil disturbing activities.
F. Exposed ground areas that are planned to be reworked at dates greater
than one month after initial grading shall be sown with fast-germinating
native grass seed and watered until vegetation becomes established.
G. All disturbed areas not subject to revegetation shall be stabilized using
approved chemical soil binders, jute netting, or other methods in
advance by the APCD.
H. All roadways, driveways, sidewalks, etc. to be paved shall be completed
as soon as possible. In addition, structural foundations shall be
completed as soon as possible following building pad construction.
I. On-site vehicle speed shall be limited to 15 mph for any unpaved
surface.
J. All unpaved areas with vehicle traffic shall be watered at least twice per
day, using non-potable water.
K. Streets adjacent to the project site shall be swept daily to remove silt
which may have accumulated from construction activities so as to
prevent excessive amounts of dust from leaving the site.
L. Wheel washers may be required when significant offsite import or export of
fill is involved.
20. Low flow plumbing devices shall be installed where possible in buildings. BP PS
21. A will serve letter shall be obtained from the Atascadero Mutual Water Company
to ensure adequate flow rates and water service is available.
BP PS / BS
Public Works Department Conditions
1. Prior to the issuance of building permits the applicant shall submit plans and
supporting calculations/reports including underground utilities, erosion control and
grading/drainage plans prepared by a registered civil engineer for review and
approval by the City Engineer.
GP / BP CE
2. Prior to the issuance of building permits the applicant shall submit calculations to
support the design of any storm water structures or pipes. Closed conduits shall
be designed to convey the 10-year flow with gravity flow, the 25-year flow with
head, and provide safe conveyance for the 100-year overflow. Storm water
collection system shall include provisions for capturing fuel spills using methods
acceptable to the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
GP / BP CE
Conditions of Approval
Home Depot Center
Master Plan of Development CUP 2000-0014 Amendment 2015
For Drive-through Restaurant and Retail Building
Timing
BL: Business License
GP: Grading Permit
BP: Building Permit
FI: Final Inspection
TO: Temporary
Occupancy
FO: Final Occupancy
Responsibility
/Monitoring
PS: Planning Services
BS: Building Services
FD: Fire Department
PD: Police Department
CE: City Engineer
WW: Wastewater
CA: City Attorney
3. Drainage basins or underground structures, if proposed, shall be designed to
desilt, detain and meter storm flows as well as release them to natural runoff
locations in accordance with the City of Atascadero Engineering Department
Standard Specifications and Drawings Section 5 or as directed by the City
Engineer.
GP / BP CE
4. Applicant shall submit a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) if
greater than 1.0 acres is disturbed. The Regional Water Quality Control Board
shall approve the SWPPP.
GP / BP CE
5. All public improvements shall be constructed in conformance with the City of
Atascadero Engineering Department Standard Specifications and Drawings or as
directed by the City Engineer
GP / BP CE
6. The applicant shall enter into a Plan Check / Inspection Agreement with the City if
required by the City Engineer.
GP / BP BD
7. The applicant shall be responsible for the relocation and/or alteration of all
existing utilities which interfere or conflict with proposed improvements.
GP / BP CE
8. The applicant shall install all new utilities underground. GP / BP CE
9. Prior to issuance of building permits the applicant shall pay all sewer annexation
and connection fees.
GP / BP CE
10. Prior to issuance of building permits the applicant shall submit a grading and
drainage plan prepared by a registered civil engineer for review and approval by
the City. All existing and proposed easements and all existing and proposed
utilities shall be shown on the plans.
GP CE
11. Prior to the final inspection, the applicant shall submit a written statement from a
registered civil engineer that all frontage improvement, grading and drainage work
has been completed and is in full compliance with the approved plans, City Codes
and Standards and the Uniform Building Code (UBC) as applicable.
FO CE
12. The applicant has submitted a project specific Traffic Study (Traffic Study). The
Traffic Study indicated that a traffic signal at the San Ramon El Camino Real
intersection was not warranted based on the cumulative + project + existing traffic
volumes. The City’s 2006 Master Facilities Plan and Development Impact Fee
Update Report identifies this intersection as being signalized in the future.
Therefore, a portion of this project’s Traffic Impact Fee will be applied towards the
eventual signalization of this intersection.
If project uses change from what is shown in the 2014 traffic report update, then
the installation of the signal shall be revisited and may be required to be installed
by the applicant.
Ongoing CE
13. Project applicant shall submit plans for the installation of a lighted crosswalk,
thermoplastic striping, and signage at the midblock crosswalk on El Camino
Real. Plans, equipment and specifications shall be acceptable to the City
GP / BP CE
Conditions of Approval
Home Depot Center
Master Plan of Development CUP 2000-0014 Amendment 2015
For Drive-through Restaurant and Retail Building
Timing
BL: Business License
GP: Grading Permit
BP: Building Permit
FI: Final Inspection
TO: Temporary
Occupancy
FO: Final Occupancy
Responsibility
/Monitoring
PS: Planning Services
BS: Building Services
FD: Fire Department
PD: Police Department
CE: City Engineer
WW: Wastewater
CA: City Attorney
Engineer prior to the issuance of an encroachment permit.
14. No structures shall be constructed over any storm drainage facilities or
easements.
BP CE
15. LID features such as bioswales shall be incorporated into the parking lot and
onsite frontage landscape areas as feasible to filter the run off drainage before it
leaves the site. The project shall comply with Section 5, Drainage, of the City’s
Standard Drawings and Specifications.
GP / BP CE
Fire Department Conditions
1. Location of fire hydrant(s) to be determined by the Fire Marshall. BP FD
2. Fire Lane locations to be determined by the Fire Marshall. Fire lanes to be
designed for proper width for truck access. Red curb or no parking signs to
be installed.
BP FD
3. Access roads and turning radiuses must meet ladder truck access
standards.
BP FD
EXHIBIT B: Amended Site Plan (Phase I and II Overall)
EXHIBIT C: Parking Calculations (Phase I and II)
EXHIBIT D: Site Plan: Amended parcel, Pad 3 and Building C
EXHIBIT E: Demo Plan: Amended parcel, Pad 3 and Building C
EXHIBIT F: Grading and Utility Plan: Amended parcel, Pad 3 and Building C
EXHIBIT G: Landscape Plan, Pad 3 and Building C
EXHIBIT H: Elevations: Drive-through restaurant
EXHIBIT I: Floor Plan: Drive-through Restaurant
EXHIBIT J: Elevations: Retail Building C, 10,000 sq. ft.
EXHIBIT K: Floor Plan: Retail Building C, 10,000 sq. ft.
EXHIBIT L: Crosswalk Location on El Camino Real
ATTACHMENT 7: Draft Resolution PC 2015-0003: Tentative Parcel Map
DRAFT RESOLUTION PC 2015-0003
RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF ATASCADERO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING
TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 2014-0102, A TWO LOT SUBDIVISION
CONSISTENT WITH A PD-9 MASTER PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT ON
APN 049-045-022
(Atascadero 101 Associates/ Garing Taylor)
WHEREAS, an application has been received from Atascadero 101 Associates, 2925
Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, (Owner) and Garing Taylor & Associates 141 S. Elm St.,
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 (Applicant) to consider a project consisting of a Tentative Parcel Map
to allow a two (2) lot subdivision of a 2.16 acre parcel at 805 El Camino Re al (APN 049-045-
022); and,
WHEREAS, the site’s current General Plan Designation is Commercial Park (CPK);
and,
WHEREAS, the site’s current zoning district is Commercial Park with a Planned
Development Overlay #9 (CPK/PD-9); and,
WHEREAS, the commercial center is subject to a Master Plan of Development approved
in the form of a Conditional Use Permit; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed two lot Tentative Parcel Map is consistent with the previously
certified 1999 Mitigated Negative Declaration prepared for the project; and,
WHEREAS, the laws and regulations relating to the preparation and public notice of
environmental documents, as set forth in the State and local guidelines for implementation of the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) have been adhered to; and,
WHEREAS, a timely and properly noticed Public Hearing upon the subject Tentative
Parcel Map application was held by the Planning Commission of the City of Atascadero at which
hearing evidence, oral and documentary, was admitted on behalf of said application; and,
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Atascadero, at a duly noticed
Public Hearing held on February 17, 2015, studied and considered Tentative Parcel Map 2014-
0102, after first studying and considering the Certified Mitigated Negative Declaration prepared
for the project; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, the Planning Commission of the City of Atascadero takes the
following actions:
SECTION 1. Findings of Approval for Tentative Parcel Map, the Planning
Commission of the City of Atascadero finds as follows:
1. The proposed subdivision, design and improvements as conditioned, is consistent with
the General Plan and applicable zoning requirements.
2. The proposed subdivision, as conditioned, is consistent with the proposed Planned
Development Overlay District #9 Master Plan of Development (CUP 2000-0014).
3. The site is physically suitable for the type of development proposed.
4. The site is physically suitable for the density of development proposed.
5. The design and improvement of the proposed subdivision will not cause substantial
environmental damage or substantially and unavoidably injure fish and wildlife or their
habitat.
6. The design of the subdivision will not conflict with easements acquired by the public at
large for access through, or the use of property within, the proposed subdivision; or
substantially equivalent alternative easements are provided.
7. The proposed subdivision design and type of improvements proposed will not be
detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of the general public.
SECTION 2. Approval. The Planning Commission of the City of Atascadero, in a
regular session assembled on February 17, 2015, resolved to approve Tentative Parcel Map
(TPM 2014-0102) subject to the following:
Exhibit A: Tentative Parcel Map 2014-0102, AT14-0050
Exhibit B: Conditions of Approval / Mitigation Monitoring Program.
On motion by Commissioner ______________________, and seconded by Commissioner
_________________________, the foregoing resolution is hereby adopted in its entirety by the
following roll call vote:
AYES: ( )
NOES: ( )
ABSTAIN: ( )
ABSENT: ( )
ADOPTED:
CITY OF ATASCADERO, CA
______________________________
Planning Commission Chairperson
Attest:
______________________________
Planning Commission Secretary
Exhibit A: Tentative Parcel Map 2014-0102
Exhibit B: Conditions of Approval
Conditions of Approval
APN 049-045-022
805 El Camino Real
Tentative Parcel Map 2014-0102, Tract #AT14-0050
Timing
GP: Grading Permit
BP: Building Permit
SIP: Subdivision
Improvement Plans
FM: Final Map
TO: Temporary
Occupancy
FI: Final inspection
FO: Final Occupancy
Responsibility
/Monitoring
PS: Planning Services
BS: Building Services
FD: Fire Department
PD: Police Department
CE: City Engineer
WW: Wastewater
CA: City Attorney
AMWC: Water Comp.
Planning Services
1. The approval of this Tentative Parcel Map shall become final and effective
following approval of the 2015 amendment to CUP 2000-0014, Home Depot
center Master Plan of Development.
FM PS
2. Approval of this Tentative Parcel Map shall be valid for two years after its effective
date. At the end of the period, the approval shall expire and become null and void
unless a final map is recorded or an extension of time is granted pursuant to a
written request received prior to the expiration date.
FM
PS
3. The Community Development Department shall have the authority to approve
minor changes to the project that (1) result in a superior site design or
appearance, and/or (2) address a design issue that is not substantive to the
Tentative Parcel Map and that the Final Map is in substantial conformance with
the Tentative Map.
FM
PS
4. The granting of this entitlement shall apply to the property located at 805 El
Camino Real (APN 049-045-022) regardless of owner.
On going PS
5. The subdivider shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City of Atascadero
or its agents, officers, and employees against any claim or action brought to
challenge an approval by the city, or any of its entities, concerning the
subdivision.
FM PS
6. The Final Map shall be drawn in substantial conformance with the approved
tentative map, and in compliance with all conditions set forth herein, shall be
submitted for review and approval in accordance with the Subdivision Map Act
and the City’s Subdivision Ordinance.
FM PS
Public Works Department Conditions
1. The applicant shall monument all property corners for construction control and
shall promptly replace them if disturbed.
FM PW
2. The applicant shall acquire title interest in any off-site land that may be required
to allow for the construction of the public improvements. The applicant shall
bear all costs associated with the necessary acquisitions. The applicant shall
also gain concurrence from all adjacent property owners whose ingress and
egress is affected by these improvements.
FM PW
3. Drainage easements shall be provided, as needed, to accommodate both
public and private drainage facilities.
FM PW
Conditions of Approval
APN 049-045-022
805 El Camino Real
Tentative Parcel Map 2014-0102, Tract #AT14-0050
Timing
GP: Grading Permit
BP: Building Permit
SIP: Subdivision
Improvement Plans
FM: Final Map
TO: Temporary
Occupancy
FI: Final inspection
FO: Final Occupancy
Responsibility
/Monitoring
PS: Planning Services
BS: Building Services
FD: Fire Department
PD: Police Department
CE: City Engineer
WW: Wastewater
CA: City Attorney
AMWC: Water Comp.
4. The Final Map shall be acceptable to the City Surveyor or City Engineer prior to
the map being placed on the agenda for City acceptance.
FM PW
5. Prior to recording the parcel map, the applicant shall submit a map drawn in
substantial conformance with the approved tentative map and in compliance
with all conditions set forth herein. The map shall be submitted for review and
approval by the City in accordance with the Subdivision Map Act and the City's
Subdivision Ordinance.
FM PW
6. Prior to recording the parcel map, the applicant shall set monuments at all new
property corners. A registered civil engineer or licensed land surveyor shall
indicate by certificate on the parcel map, that corners have been set or shall be
set by a date specific and that they will be sufficient to enable the survey to be
retraced.
FM PW
7. Prior to recording the parcel map, the applicant shall pay all outstanding plan
check/inspection fees.
FM PW
8. Prior to recording the parcel map, the applicant shall have the map reviewed by
all applicable public and private utility companies (cable, telephone, gas,
electric, Atascadero Mutual Water Company). The applicant shall obtain a
letter from each utility company indicating their review of the map. The letter
shall identify any new easements that may be required by the utility company.
A copy of the letter shall be submitted to the City. New easements shall be
shown on the parcel map
FM PW
9. Prior to the issuance of building permits the applicant shall submit plans and
supporting calculations/reports including underground utilities, erosion control
and grading/drainage plans prepared by a registered civil engineer for review
and approval by the City Engineer.
GP / BP CE
10. Prior to the issuance of building permits the applicant shall submit calculations
to support the design of any storm water structures or pipes. Closed conduits
shall be designed to convey the 10-year flow with gravity flow, the 25-year flow
with head, and provide safe conveyance for the 100-year overflow. Storm water
collection system shall include provisions for capturing fuel spills using methods
acceptable to the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
GP / BP CE
11. Drainage basins or underground structures, if proposed, shall be designed to
desilt, detain and meter storm flows as well as release them to natural runoff
locations in accordance with the City of Atascadero Engineering Department
Standard Specifications and Drawings Section 5 or as directed by the City
Engineer.
GP / BP CE
12. Applicant shall submit a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) if
greater than 1.0 acres is disturbed. The Regional Water Quality Control Board
shall approve the SWPPP.
GP / BP CE
13. All public improvements shall be constructed in conformance with the City of
Atascadero Engineering Department Standard Specifications and Drawings or
GP / BP CE
Conditions of Approval
APN 049-045-022
805 El Camino Real
Tentative Parcel Map 2014-0102, Tract #AT14-0050
Timing
GP: Grading Permit
BP: Building Permit
SIP: Subdivision
Improvement Plans
FM: Final Map
TO: Temporary
Occupancy
FI: Final inspection
FO: Final Occupancy
Responsibility
/Monitoring
PS: Planning Services
BS: Building Services
FD: Fire Department
PD: Police Department
CE: City Engineer
WW: Wastewater
CA: City Attorney
AMWC: Water Comp.
as directed by the City Engineer
14. The applicant shall enter into a Plan Check / Inspection Agreement with the
City if required by the City Engineer.
GP / BP BD
15. The applicant shall be responsible for the relocation and/or alteration of all
existing utilities which interfere or conflict with proposed improvements.
GP / BP CE
16. The applicant shall install all new utilities underground. GP / BP CE
17. Prior to issuance of building permits the applicant shall pay all sewer
annexation and connection fees.
GP / BP CE
18. Prior to issuance of building permits the applicant shall submit a grading and
drainage plan prepared by a registered civil engineer for review and approval
by the City. All existing and proposed easements and all existing and
proposed utilities shall be shown on the plans.
GP CE
19. Prior to the final inspection, the applicant shall submit a written statement from
a registered civil engineer that all frontage improvement, grading and drainage
work has been completed and is in full compliance with the approved plans,
City Codes and Standards and the Uniform Building Code (UBC) as applicable.
FO CE
20. The applicant has submitted a project specific Traffic Study (Traffic Study).
The Traffic Study indicated that a traffic signal at the San Ramon El Camino
Real intersection was not warranted based on the cumulative + project +
existing traffic volumes. The City’s 2006 Master Facilities Plan and
Development Impact Fee Update Report identifies this intersection as being
signalized in the future. Therefore, a portion of this project’s Traffic Impact Fee
will be applied towards the eventual signalization of this intersection.
If project uses change from what is shown in the 2014 traffic report update,
then the installation of the signal shall be revisited and may be required to be
installed by the applicant.
Ongoing CE
21. Project applicant shall submit plans for the installation of a lighted crosswalk,
thermoplastic striping, and signage at the midblock crosswalk on El Camino
Real. Plans, equipment and specifications shall be acceptable to the City
Engineer prior to the issuance of an encroachment permit.
GP / BP CE
22. No structures shall be constructed over any storm drainage facilities or
easements.
BP CE
23. LID features such as bioswales shall be incorporated into the parking lot and
onsite frontage landscape areas as feasible to filter the run off drainage before
it leaves the site. The project shall comply with Section 5, Drainage, of the
City’s Standard Drawings and Specifications.
GP / BP CE