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Home My WebLink AboutPC_2017-02-07_AgendaPacket WEBSITE: www.atascadero.org http://www.facebook.com/planningatascadero @atownplanning Scan This QR Code with your smartphone to view Planning Commission Website CITY OF ATASCADERO PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA Regular Meeting Tuesday, February 7, 2017 – 7:00 P.M. Historic City Hall Council Chambers 6500 Palma Avenue, 4th Floor Atascadero, California 93422 CALL TO ORDER Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call: Chairperson Jan Wolff Vice Chairperson Duane Anderson Commissioner David Bentz Commissioner Mark Dariz Commissioner Jerel Seay Commissioner Dennis Schmidt 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. Speakers 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.) 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 DECEMBER 6, 2016 City of Atascadero Planning Commission Agenda Regular Meeting, Feb. 7, 2017 Page 2 of 4 WEBSITE: www.atascadero.org http://www.facebook.com/planningatascadero @atownplanning Scan This QR Code with your smartphone to view Planning Commission Website PLANNING COMMISSION BUSINESS OATHS OF OFFICE: A. Administration of Oaths of Office Marcia Torgerson, City Clerk, will administer the Oath of Office to new Planning Commissioners Ryan Betz, Josh Donovan, and Tom Zirk. PRESENTATION: B. Recognition of outgoing Planning Commission members David Bentz and Dennis Schmidt. PLANNING COMMISSION REORGANIZATION: C. Election of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson The Commission will select a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORTS 2. PLN 2016-1624, TREE REMOVAL PERMIT FOR 7710 BALBOA ROAD 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. Property Owner: Anthony & Elizabeth Graves, 7700 Balboa Rd., Atascadero, CA 93422 Certified Arborist: Whit’s Turn Tree Care, PO Box 1784, Templeton, CA 93465 Project Title: PLN 2016-1624 / TRP 2016-0210 Project Location: 7710 Balboa Road, Atascadero, CA 93422 APN 050-051-031 (San Luis Obispo County) Project Description: The applicant proposes a secondary dwelling unit using cylindrical pier footings to minimize grading and ground disturbance. The residence will be constructed about 2 feet from the base of a 24-inch valley oak tree, which the project arborist has determi ned will be damaged. The applicant requests a tree removal permit for the tree. General Plan Designation: Rural Estates (RE) Zoning District: Residential Suburban (RS) City Staff: Katie Banister, Assistant Planner, kbanister@atascadero.org, Phone: 470-3480 Staff Recommendation: The Planning Commission adopt PC Resolution 2016-A approving Tree Removal Permit 2016- 0210. City of Atascadero Planning Commission Agenda Regular Meeting, Feb. 7, 2017 Page 3 of 4 WEBSITE: www.atascadero.org http://www.facebook.com/planningatascadero @atownplanning Scan This QR Code with your smartphone to view Planning Commission Website 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 invited t o 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 the Commission will discuss the item and take appropriate action(s).) 4. PLN 2016-1608, SIGN ORDINANCE UPDATES COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND REPORTS DIRECTOR’S REPORT ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting will be on February 21, 2017 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. Applicant: City of Atascadero, 6500 Palma Ave., Atascadero, CA 93422 Project Title: PLN 2016-1608 / ZCH 2016-0182 Project Location: Citywide Project Description: The proposed project consists of minor amendments to the Title 9, Chapter 15, Signage. This Chapter is commonly known as the “Sign Ordinance.” City Staff: Alfredo Castillo, Associate Planner, acastillo@atascadero.org, Phone: 470-3436 Proposed Environmental Determination: The project is exempt from CEQA based on Section 15061.(3) “General Rule” since CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt PC Resolution 2017-A recommending that the City Council introduce an Ordinance for first reading, by title only, to approve PLN 2016-1608 based on findings. City of Atascadero Planning Commission Agenda Regular Meeting, Feb. 7, 2017 Page 4 of 4 WEBSITE: www.atascadero.org http://www.facebook.com/planningatascadero @atownplanning Scan This QR Code with your smartphone to view Planning Commission Website 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 concerning 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 remarks 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 Minutes of 12/6/16 Page 1 of 4 CITY OF ATASCADERO PLANNING COMMISSION DRAFT MINUTES Regular Meeting – Tuesday, December 6, 2016 – 7:00 P.M. City Hall Council Chambers 6500 Palma Avenue, Atascadero, California CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 p.m. Chairperson Wolff called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and Vice Chairperson Anderson led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Bentz, Dariz, Bourbeau, Schmidt, Seay, and Vice Chairperson Anderson and Chairperson Wolff Absent: None Others Present: Recording Secretary, Annette Manier Staff Present: Community Development Director, Phil Dunsmore Assistant Planner, Katie Banister APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: By Commissioner Bentz and seconded by Commissioner Dariz to approve the Agenda. Motion passed 7:0 by a roll-call vote. PUBLIC COMMENT The following person spoke during public comment: Gary Spencer, who spoke about the remodel at Nardonne’s at 8501 El Camino Real. Chairperson Wolff closed the Public Comment period. Community Development Director Dunsmore gave the Commission a report on the Nardonne’s project and surrounding properties. ITEM NUMBER: 1 DATE: 2-7-17 1 PC Draft Minutes of 12/6/16 Page 2 of 4 PLANNING COMMISSION BUSINESS None CONSENT CALENDAR 1. APPROVAL OF DRAFT ACTION MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 15, 2016 MOTION: By Commissioner Bentz and seconded by Commissioner Bourbeau to approve the consent calendar. Motion passed 7:0 by a roll-call vote. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORTS None 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).) 2. PLN 2016-1619, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR 9071 PALOMAR Property Owner/Applicant: Chuck Atkinson, 9071 Palomar Ave., Atascadero, CA 93422 Project Title: PLN 2016-1619 / CUP 2016-0304 Project Location: 9071 Palomar Ave., Atascadero, CA 93422 APN 030-071-055 (San Luis Obispo County) Project Description: The applicant proposes to construct a 1,056 square-foot metal building intended to house a recreational vehicle. Existing structures on the property include the residence, a garage with attached home office, a studio, and a storage building. The proposed building would be the 4 th accessory structure greater than 120 square feet in size on the property. General Plan Designation: Single-Family Residential (SFR-Y) Zoning District: Residential Single-Family (RSF-Y) Proposed Environmental Determination: The project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (Section 15303, CEQA Guidelines). Class 3 exemptions include new construction of accessory structures such as garages. City Staff: Katie Banister, Assistant Planner, kbanister@atascadero.org, Phone: 470-3480 2 PC Draft Minutes of 12/6/16 Page 3 of 4 EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS: Commissioner Bourbeau drove by the property, spoke with the property owner, and walked the site. Commissioners Seay and Chairperson Wolff drove by the property. Assistant Planner Banister presented the staff report and answered questions from the Commission. The addition of this detached accessory structure would increase the number of accessory structures on the property to four (4). This is not an oversize accessory structure. Staff is recommending the shower remain in the unpermitted poolhouse. The applicant is working with staff to legalize unpermitted structures and the poolhouse will require a deed restriction. Commissioner Bentz noted for the record the importance of making sure this project meets existing code in regards to the placement of the building over the leach field , as per noted on Page 13 of the staff report. PUBLIC COMMENT The following persons spoke during public comment: Chuck Atkinson. Mr. Atkinson answered questions from the Commission. Chairperson Wolff closed the Public Comment period. MOTION: By Commissioner Bentz and seconded by Commissioner Bourbeau that the Planning Commission adopt PC Resolution 2016-A approving Conditional Use Permit 2016- 0304 allowing a 1,056 square-foot detached accessory structure in addition to the three existing detached accessory structures based on findings and subject to conditions of approval . Motion passed 7:0 by a roll-call vote. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND REPORTS Commissioners asked about the Wendy’s site, Walmart, and the Westar property near Staples. Community Development Director Dunsmore gave the Commissioners an update on Wendy’s, Walmart, Coco’s, Santa Maria Brewery, the Westar property, and the Hoff property. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends the Planning Commission adopt PC Resolution 2016-A approving the construction of a 1,056 square-foot metal building, based on findings and subject to conditions. 3 PC Draft Minutes of 12/6/16 Page 4 of 4 DIRECTORS REPORT Community Development Director Dunsmore stated that the next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for December 20, 2016, however, because there are no items scheduled at this time, the meeting will likely be cancelled. Community Development Director Dunsmore gave an update on Sign Handbook revisions and the lot near the Rancho Tee Motel. ADJOURNMENT – 7:48 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for December 20, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, Council Chambers, 6500 Palma Avenue, Atascadero. MINUTES PREPARED BY: ____________________________ Annette Manier, Recording Secretary 4 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2 DATE: 2-7-17 Atascadero Planning Commission Staff Report – Community Development Department Katie Banister, Assistant Planner, 470-3480, kbanister@atascadero.org PLN 2016-1624 Tree Removal Permit (TRP 2016-0210) 7710 Balboa Rd SUBJECT: The applicant is requesting the removal of one (1) 24-inch valley oak tree for the construction of a proposed secondary dwelling unit. RECOMMENDATION: Staff Recommends: The Planning Commission adopt Resolution PC 2017-A to allow the removal of one (1) native tree, based on findings and subject to mitigation. Situation and Facts: 1. Property Owner / Applicant: Anthony and Elizabeth Graves 7700 Balboa Rd. Atascadero, CA 93422 2. Project Address: 7710 Balboa Rd (APN 050-051-031) Atascadero, CA 93422 3. Certified Arborist: Rodney Thurman, Whit’s-Turn Tree Care PO Box 1784 Templeton, CA 93465 4. General Plan Designation: Rural Estates (RE) 5. Zoning District: Residential Suburban (RS) 6. Site Area: Approximately 3.73 acres 7. Existing Use: Single-Family Residence 5 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2 DATE: 2-7-17 ANALYSIS: The proposed tree removal is located adjacent to a proposed secondary dwelling unit. The property site is sloped from 12% to over 30%. The proposed secondary unit has been sited adjacent to the primary residence and is including cylindrical pier footings to minimize grading and ground disturbance. The 24-inch valley oak proposed for removal will be within 2-feet of the proposed structure and therefore, may sustain root damage significant enough to require removal of the tree. Project Location Map Subject Site: 7700 / 7710 Balboa Rd. 6 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2 DATE: 2-7-17 Evaluative Criteria for Tree Removal Atascadero Municipal Code Section 9-11.105 (d) (3) provides the criteria the Planning Commission should use when evaluating tree removals. (i) The potential effect that tree removal could have on topography, knowing that hilltops, ravines, streambeds and other natural watercourses are more environmentally sensitive than flat or gentle sloping lands; (ii) The potential effect that tree removal could have on soil retention and erosion from increased flow of surface waters; Staff comment: The site is heavily wooded and a majority of the trees are proposed to be retained. Proposed Tree to be removed (Tree #1) Proposed Secondary Dwelling Unit Existing Primary residence 7 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2 DATE: 2-7-17 (iii) The potential effect that tree removal could have on the ambient and future noise level; Staff comment: No impact to ambient noise level will occur due to removal of the tree. (iv) The potential effect that tree removal could have on the ability of existing vegetation to reduce air movement and wind velocity; Staff comment: The site is heavily wooded and the removal of the subject tree will not affect air movement in the vicinity. (v) The potential effect that tree removal could have on significantly reducing available wildlife habitat or result in the displacement of desirable species; Staff comment: The site is heavily wooded and the removal of the subject tree will not affect wildlife habitat. (vi) Aesthetics; Staff comment: The site is heavily wooded. The removal of the subject tree will have a negligible effect on the site aesthetics. (vii) The number, size, species, condition and location of trees to be removed; Staff comment: The applicant has designed the proposed structure with an alternative foundation system to minimize impacts to surrounding trees and topography. The removal request for one (1) native Valley oak tree is reasonable based on the scope of the project. (viii) The special need to protect existing blue and valley oaks because of regeneration problems; Staff comment: The tree proposed for removal is a valley oak tree. Multiple valley oak trees exist on the project site and are proposed to remain. The removal of one (1) valley oak tree will not individually or cumulatively impact regeneration within this area of the City. (ix) The cumulative environmental effects of tree removal. Staff comment: The removal of the proposed native tree will not have cumulative environmental impacts. The west side of Atascadero contains heavily wooded areas that remain undisturbed and a large portion of the subject site remains wooded and integrated into the su rrounding ecosystem. 8 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2 DATE: 2-7-17 Tree Mitigation The Atascadero Municipal Code requires mitigation 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. Required mitigation includes the payment of $400.00 into the tree mitigation fund or the replanting of eight (8) 5-gallon native oak trees. 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. (v) The tree is obstructing proposed improvements that cannot be reasonably designed to avoid the need for tree removal, as certified by a report from the site planner and determined by the Community Development Department based on the following factors: a. Early consultation with the City, b. Consideration of practical design alternatives, c. Provision of cost comparisons (from applicant) for practical design alternatives, d. If saving tree eliminates all reasonable use of the property, or e. If saving the tree requires the removal of more desirable trees. 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 – Arborist Report Attachment 2 – Draft Resolution PC 2017-A Bond payment for tree #31, impacted 45% : 9 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2 DATE: 2-7-17 ATTACHMENT 1: Arborist Report PLN 2016-1624 10 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2 DATE: 2-7-17 11 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2 DATE: 2-7-17 12 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2 DATE: 2-7-17 13 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2 DATE: 2-7-17 14 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2 DATE: 2-7-17 15 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2 DATE: 2-7-17 16 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2 DATE: 2-7-17 17 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2 DATE: 2-7-17 18 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2 DATE: 2-7-17 19 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2 DATE: 2-7-17 ATTACHMENT 2: Draft Resolution PC 2017-A PLN 2016-1624 DRAFT RESOLUTION NO. PC 2017-A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ATASCADERO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING PLN 2016-1624 (TRP), TO ALLOW THE REMOVAL OF ONE (1) VALLEY OAK TREE TOTALING 24-INCHES DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT (DBH) 7710 Balboa Rd / Graves APN 050-051-031 WHEREAS, an application was received from Anthony and Elizabeth Graves, 7700 Balboa Rd, Atascadero, California, 93422 (Property Owner), and by Rodney Thurman, Whit’s- Turn Tree Care, PO Box 1784, Templeton, California, 93465 (Arborist), for a Tree Removal Permit to remove one (1) valley oak tree totaling twenty-four (24) inches diameter at standard height. WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed the proposed Tree Removal Permit application on February 7, 2017, 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: 1. The tree is obstructing proposed improvements that cannot be reasonably designed to avoid the need for tree removal, as certified by a report from the site planner and determined by the Community Development Department based on the following factors: a. Early consultation with the City, b. Consideration of practical design alternatives, c. Provision of cost comparisons (from applicant) for practical design alternatives, d. If saving tree eliminates all reasonable use of the property, or e. If saving the tree requires the removal of more desirable trees. SECTION 2. Approval. The Planning Commission of the City of Atascadero, in a regular session assembled on February 7, 2017, and resolved to approve Tree Removal Permit 2016-0210 (PLN 2016-1624), subject to the following: 20 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2 DATE: 2-7-17 EXHIBIT A: Conditions of Approval EXHIBIT B: Required Tree Removal Mitigation EXHIBIT C: Site Plan 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: ( ) ABSTAINED: ( ) ADOPTED: CITY OF ATASCADERO, CA _________________________________________ Jan Wolff Planning Commission Chairperson ATTEST: ___________________________________ Phil Dunsmore Planning Commission Secretary 21 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2 DATE: 2-7-17 EXHIBIT A: Conditions of Approval / Mitigation Monitoring PLN 2016-1624 Conditions of Approval PLN 2016-1624 7710 Balboa Rd 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 that 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 tree removal. Ongoing PS 3. The owner or applicant shall mitigate the tree removal by replanting native trees, making appropriate payment to the tree mitigation fund, or a combination thereof as shown in Exhibit B. Larger box trees may be substituted for five-gallon replacement trees per the Atascadero Native Tree Guidelines. Tree removal PS 4. Payment to the tree mitigation fund or approval of a tree replanting and irrigation plan shall occur before trees are removed. Tree removal PS 5. If tree replanting is selected, the owner or applicant shall provide drip irrigation to new trees until they are established. Tree planting PS 22 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2 DATE: 2-7-17 Exhibit B Required Tree Removal Mitigation PLN 2016-1624 Evergreen Native Trees (inches)Deciduous Native Trees (inches)Totals dbh notes dbh notes 1 1 24 tree #1 2 2 3 3 4 4 Total 0-inches Total 24-inches 24-inches Mitigation Requirement req'd tree replacements:0 five gal trees req'd tree replacements:8 five gal trees Proposed Replanting 0 five gal trees Proposed Replanting 0 five gal trees 0 five gal trees 0 fifteen gal trees 0 fifteen gal trees 0 fifteen gal trees 0 box trees (24'')0 box trees (24'')0 box trees (24'') Remaining Mitigation 0 five gal trees Remaining Mitigation 8 five gal trees 8 five gal trees Tree Fund Payment:-$ Tree Fund Payment:400.00$ 400.00$ 23 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 2 DATE: 2-7-17 Exhibit C Site Plan PLN 2016-1624 24 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Atascadero Planning Commission Staff Report – Community Development Department General Plan & Housing Element Annual Progress Report 2016 (PLN 2006-1133) RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that the City Council direct Staff to submit the attached 2016 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, Additionally, this report will serve as an update to the Department’s yearly activities. The Community Development Department’s Mission Statement: 25 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 The Community Development Department provides wh at is termed as “development services” in concert with other departments such as Public Works and the Fire Department. Service range from customer inquiries, construction plan review, building inspections, planning and zoning entitlement, to assisting in code enforcement activities. The Community Development Department consists of 15 Staff members working in both the Building Division and Planning Division. The following is a summary of the Community Development Department’s activities in 2016. These activities include the department’s annual year end statistic, but also include a quick update on the department’s activities in meeting the City Council’s 2015 - 2017 Action Plan items, which reflect the goals established for the City through its strategic planning efforts. The Report, which is shown fully in Attachment #1, contains a full documentation of the department’s activities. In brief, 2016 was a very productive year for Community Development. On average, the department processes approximately 701 con struction permits per year. In 2016, the department processed 1,295 construction permits, reviewed 79 planning projects, and performed final inspections on 842 structures. Significant projects that were completed included the sign campaign/cleanup, the rewriting of the sign regulations, the re-writing of the zoning/land use definitions, and the completion of a new zoning guidelines handbook. These accomplishments were completed with the overall goal of promoting efficiency, and enhancing economic development, consistent with City Council goals. The graphic on the following page summarizes the City Council’s action plan items for Community Development: 26 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 2015-2017 Community Development Action Plan Items: 27 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 2016 Building Division By the Numbers: 28 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 2016 Planning Division By the Numbers: 29 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 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 public outreach and input effort by the City Council, Planning Commission, City staff and its consultants. The 2002 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 through 2025. This annual report will reflect the activities that the department has done in 2016 in meeting those goals and objectives outlined by the General Plan, which is contained in the 2 nd section. 2016 Housing Activities and Report: The 3rd 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): $77,100 for 2016 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. 30 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 2016 Housing Production: For 2016, the City issued building permits on 120 new residential units. Table 2 shows the breakdown of new residential units for 2014 that were issued by income type. The 120 residential building permits issued represents a 26% increase in production over 2015. Of the total number of residential permits issued for new units, 41% of the units were units dedicated to extremely low, very-low, and low income families. As a whole, 83% of the new units issued are dedicated to “workforce” housing. Table 2 2016 New Residential Housing Units Building Permits Issued Very Low Low Moderate Above Moderate Total 2016 Permitted Units Issued 45 25 29 19 118 Secondary Units Issued 0 0 0 2 2 Total 45 25 29 21 120 The City is currently in what is known as the “5 th cycle” reporting period (2014-2019 Housing Element). 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 the goal established by San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) and HCD on the total number of units, and has exceeded the amount of moderate income units. It is projected that the City will meet its above moderate targets for the 5th cycle within the next year. The total number of units that are expected during the 2014 through 2019 RHNA period is 393 units. To date, 393 units have already been issued permits. Additionally, 721 units are already entitled for 2017 and beyond. The City will exceed RHNA expectations for this cycle. The City is making significant progress on meeting State goals on housing for all income groups. Because of the amount of affordable houses produced in both the current and previous cycle, the City has become eligible for grant funding that can be used towards upgrades for City parks. The State offers this grant funding specifically for Cities and Counties that meet or exceed its affordable housing goals. 31 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Table 3 RHNA Totals By Percentage 2014-2019 Very Low Low Moderate Above Moderate Total Percentage of Target Goal 49% 42% 252% 88% Total Units Issued 50 36 174 145 393 With the ending of the Dormant Permit Program (2.5 percent of units were issued that were a part of this program), the availability of projects that were considered “off the shelf” has dwindled substantially. With raw land for development within the City at a premium, developers are now seeking projects that require entitlements residential construction including speculation on conversions of non-residential land uses for residential use. FISCAL IMPACT: None. ATTACHMENTS: 1. 2016 General Plan Annual Report 32 2016 Annual General Plan Progress Report 33 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 1 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 CITY OF ATASCADERO CITY COUNCIL Tom O’Malley, Mayor Roberta Fonzi, Mayor Pro Tem Brian Sturtevant, Councilmember Heather Moreno, Councilmember Charles Bourbeau, Councilmember PLANNING COMMISSION Duane Anderson, Commissioner Ryan Betz, Commissioner Mark Dariz, Commissioner Josh Donovan, Commissioner Jerel Seay, Commissioner Jan Wolff, Commissioner Tom Zirk, Commissioner COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Phil Dunsmore, AICP, Community Development Director David Muehlhausen, Deputy Director Callie Taylor, Senior Planner Kelly Gleason, Senior Planner Alfredo R. Castillo, AICP, Associate Planner Katie Banister, Assistant Planner Annette Mainer, Administrative Assistant Charles Dickey, Building Inspector Bruce St. John, Building Inspector Ryan Hofstetter, Building Inspector Jamie Striegel, Administrative Support Assistant 34 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 2 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 Lara Huskey, Administrative Support Assistant Judi Schaeffer, Clerical Assistant Table of Contents 1.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 City Council Adopted Goals ............................................................................................. 3 1.2 Community Development Department ............................................................................. 4 2.1 General Plan Activities .................................................................................................... 5 3.1 2016 Planning Division Applications & Entitlements ........................................................ 8 3.2 2016 Building Division Applications & Inspections ..........................................................10 3.3 Housing & Residential Growth ........................................................................................12 3.3 Non-Residential Development ........................................................................................13 4.1 Action Plan Goals & Community Development ...............................................................15 4.2 Economic Development ..................................................................................................15 4.2.1 DeCou Lumber Property / Solano Road General Plan Amendment ............................15 4.2.2 El Camino Real Corridor Study ...................................................................................16 4.2.3 Colony Square ............................................................................................................17 4.2.4 Del Rio Road Commercial Area Specific Plan .............................................................17 4.2.5 La Plaza (Hoff Property)..............................................................................................18 4.2.6 Customer Service Image.............................................................................................18 4.2.7 Permit Streamlining .....................................................................................................18 4.2.8 Business Advocate Program .......................................................................................19 4.2.9 Eagle Ranch ...............................................................................................................19 4.3 Common Sense Regulation & Reform ............................................................................19 4.3.1 Sign Ordinance Revisions ...........................................................................................20 4.3.2 Land Use Definitions and Modernization .....................................................................20 4.4 Environmental Stewardship ............................................................................................22 4.4.1 Balance Environmental and Economic Development Goals ........................................22 4.4.2 Leader in Solar Permits ..............................................................................................22 35 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 3 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 Section 1 – Introduction 1.1 Introduction The General Plan is a comprehensive statement of the City of Atascadero’s goals and how those goals will be achieved over the long term. Policies and programs in the General Plan provide guidance to residents, key stakeholder, staff, and decision makers on development related issues. The General Plan is adopted and amended by the City Council after careful consideration and public testimony from their constituents. Every year, the City produces a report on the status of its General Plan and provides an overview of actions taken to implement this comprehensive plan during the past year, consistent with California Government Code section 65400. This report is provided to the City Council, as well as, residents and other interested parties to assist in gauging the progress the City is making on the programs that are being implemented. The annual report fulfills the requirements of State law. 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 7, 2017. The City Council accepted this report and adopted resolution 2017 -0__ on February XX, 2017 for submittal to both the Office of Research and Planning (OPR) and Housing and Community Development Department (HCD). 1.2 City Council Adopted Goals Every two years, the City Council performs a strategic planning process that takes into account the City’s General Plan’s goals and objectives. The City Council adopts goals and provides an action plan as a part of a comprehensive process to deal effectively with the many challenges and issues facing the City. This process provides the Council an opportunity to discuss the many issues and 36 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 4 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 priorities throughout the community and focus the organization on those Council priorities. 1.2 Community Development Department The Community Development Department is responsible for implementation of the General Plan, as well as other development services activities throughout the City. The Community Development Department consists of two (2) divisions: Planning and Building. Additional City Departments assist in development services including Public Works, Emergency Services (Fire Department). Additional activities in which the department is involved in includes business licensing and tax certificate processing, and code enforcement. The department consists of 15 employees in both divisions and performs many of the day to day interactions with customers, and residents. The department’s customer service counter, is known as the “permit center” and serves as the central location for all for City Services. The permit center is located on the first floor of Historic City Hall, and is open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Historic City Hall Front Counter 37 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 5 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 Section 2 – General Plan Activities 2.1 General Plan Activities 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 a policy document, the General Plan esta blishes 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. 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 pla n 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: 38 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 6 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 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 January 2015 with the City’s adoption and certification of the 2014-2019 Housing Element Update. City Staff has updated the General Plan on the City’s website that included all updated zoning maps, general plan maps, and The following is a list of updates to the General Plan since the document’s adoption: 39 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 7 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 List of General Plan Amendments Since Adoption 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 07-14 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 GPA 2014-0028 January 2015 HOS Element / Safety 2014-2019 Housing Element GPA 2014-0030 February 2016 Land Use Map Atascadero Grove / Halcon GPA Following is a brief overview of actions taken in 2016 relative to each individual Element: Land Use Element / Open Space and Conservation The Atascadero Groves / Halcon GPA was approved by the City Council on February 2016. This was a general plan map change only with no text amendments. Circulation Element (Adopted June 2002) No text amendments to the Circulation Element occurred in 2016. Noise & Safety Element (Adopted June 2002) No text amendments to the Noise & Safety Element in 2016. Housing Element (Adopted on January 2015) No Housing Element amendments in 2016. The City’s progress in meeting the goals, policies, and objectives of the City’s General Plan are covered in Attachment 2. 40 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 8 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 Section 3 – Planning & Building Yearly Activities 3.1 2016 Planning Division Applications & Entitlements 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 79 applications for various permits including tree removals, Design Review Committee Reviews, Conditional Use Permit Amendments, Administrative Use Permits and Conditional Use Permits. Of these permits, one (1) General Plan amendment was processed (Atascadero Grove / Halcon Road GPA), and three (3) Zoning Ordinance changes were made. These efforts included:  PD Overlay for Atascadero Grove / Halcon Road (PD No. 33);  Land Use definitions and ordinance streamlining and modernization;  City Sign Ordinance. Planning Applications had a slight decrease this year versus last year. The City processed a number of Administrative Use Permits (AUP) in connection with the City’s Improve Atascadero Signage campaign. Additionally, DRC reviews increased, in particular to non-residential development. 41 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 9 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 75 33 48 22 46 77 88 79 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Planning Applications 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Tree Removal CUP AUP Cert. of Comp. DRC Lot Line Adj. Final Map Zone Change Subdivision GPA Address Chg ABC Road Abandon 16 12 15 5 11 5 4 3 3 1 2 1 1 Application Types 42 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 10 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 3.2 2016 Building Division Applications & Inspections The Building Division is responsible for administration and enforcement of State and 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 2016, the Building Division received 1,295 building permit applications and issued 1,103 building permits. This is a 22% increase in permit application activities and 32% increase in permit issuance when compared to 2015. This increased activity of construction plan review is covered by the city’s in-house plan-checker for minor commercial improvements, and residential permits. More complicated permits are reviewed by an outside consulting group, however the City has reduced the amount of plan checks going to outside consultants by utilizing in-house reviews for better customer service and expediency. The City is nearing its historic highs from the mid - 2000’s in regards to building applications received. During the past year, City building inspectors made 3,829 construction and safety- related inspections associated with building permit activity. The Building Division “finaled” or completed 842 building permits. The building department on any given day carries three (3) inspectors to complete inspection in the field. 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 1335 467 1295 Building Permits Building Permits 43 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 11 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 Construction valuation is a good indicator of the level of private investment in building and construction. This is particularly of value when home owners elect to invest in upgrades to their homes including additions, alternations, and new structures. A breakdown of valuation from 2013 to 2016 is included in the table below. Over the last two years, a substantial amount of valuation is shown in the residential market versus the commercial, which was not the case in 2013 and 2014, however non-residential valuation and remodels/additions has remained steady over the last three years. 2014 2015 2016 32.9 15.8 18.2 3.1 3.8 3.5 2.3 2.4 2.4 Building Valuation (in $ millions) New Residential Res. Remodel/Addition Non-Residential 44 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 12 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 3.3 Housing & Residential Growth The 2016 California Department of Finance data estimates that the City’s population is 30,879 residents. This is a 1.6 percent increase over 2015 estimates and 8.3% growth since the 2010 census. Housing & Population 2016 Update Housing & Population 2010 Census 2016 Percentage Increase Total Housing Units 11,505 12,214 5.8% Total Population 28,310 30,879 8.3% New residential units constructed in 2016 consist of predominately attached, multi - family housing, 90 units of both townhouse and apartment units, and 30 units were considered single-family residential. Of the total number of housing units that were issued in 2016, 60 units were deed restricted as affordable housing. These restrictions or “set-asides” specifically target households with income s that are considered very-low, and low income, consistent with established guidelines published by The San Luis Obispo County Affordable Housing pricelist. The following are a list of major residential construction projects that were issued building permits for the construction of new housing units. Major Residential Project Construction 2016 Project Name Address Housing Type Number of Units Number of affordable units Atascadero Triangle Atascadero Ave/ Navjoa SFR 11 11 Knolls at the Avenida 9355 Avenida Maria Apartments 60 60 Amapoa Condos 8105 Amapoa Duplex 4 0 Woodridge Ranada Circle Townhomes 20 20* Oakhaven Village 11155 El Camino Real SFR 3 3* * Units deemed moderate based on sales price as established by the San Luis Obispo County Previously approved project List State housing law requires that each municipality establish quantified objectives for their fair share of regional housing needs by income group. Deed-restricted affordable housing units count towards meeting the quantified objectives, and housing built at densities the State of California presumes are affordable quality as well. The quantified objectives are for the period of 2014 -2019 Housing Element. The Housing element includes goals policies, and programs to accommoda te affordable housing program that meet the City’s quantified objectives, mixed-income housing, housing variety and tenure, and special needs housing. 45 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 13 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 2014-2019 Atascadero Share of Regional Housing Need (RHNA) Very Low Low Moderate Above Moderate Total 2014-2019 Reporting Period Totals 98 62 69 164 393 2014 Permitted Units Issued 2 1 80 95 178 Secondary Units Issued 0 0 7 0 7 Subtotal 2 1 87 95 185 2015 Permitted Units Issued 1 0 56 27 84 Secondary Units Issued 0 0 2 2 4 Subtotal 1 0 58 29 88 2016 Permitted Units Issued 45 25 29 19 118 Secondary Units Issued 0 0 0 2 2 Subtotal 45 25 29 21 120 Total Units Issued 2014-2019 48 26 174 145 393 Remaining RHNA 50 36 -105 19 0 49% 42% 252% 88% 100% The Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) requires that each City file an annual housing progress report, including an update of housing goals, policies and objectives. This report is included as Attachment 2. This report is normally due by April 1st of each year, however due to the City participating in a grant for park funding, this report will be submitted no later than February 24, 2017. 3.3 Non-Residential Development While residential construction continues to soar over the last few years, non -residential construction, remodel, etc continues to steadily increase. Non -residential improvement projects that were permitted included new restaurant spaces such as Mr. Pickle’s, J’s Burgers, and Nardonne’s. The following table shows non -residential permits that were issued in 2016 for non-residential development, along with the building evaluation that was provided as apart of building permit issuance. 46 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 14 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 2016 Non-Residential Building Permits Issued Business Name Permit Status Address Project Type Valuation Salon Envy Under Construction 7319 El Camino Real Minor tenant Improvements $4,810.00 Paper Cake Events Construction Complete 8793 Plata Lane Minor tenant Improvements $5,000.00 Nardonne's Pizza Under Construction 8501 El Camino Real Minor tenant Improvements $18,000.00 Urgent Care Atascadero Construction Complete 9700 El Camino Real Minor tenant Improvements $20,000.00 Plaza Del Camino Construction Complete 7111 El Camino Real Minor tenant Improvements $20,000.00 New Cellphone Tower Construction Complete 13655 Santa Ana New Cell Phone Tower Replacement $20,000.00 Mr. Pickle’s Construction Complete 7177 El Camino Real Minor tenant Improvements $25,000.00 J's Burgers Construction Complete 8605 El Camino Real Minor tenant Improvements $30,000.00 New Hotel Signage Under Construction 920 El Camino Real New Monument Sign $35,000.00 New Cellphone Tower Construction Complete 8055 El Camino Real New Cell Phone Tower $60,000.00 Sunset Honda Construction Complete 8720 El Camino Real Minor tenant Improvements $100,000.00 Smart & Final Construction Complete 8200 El Camino Real Major Tenant Improvement $125,000.00 Ceneca Family Agencies Under Construction 6850 Morro Road Major Tenant Improvement (Office) $150,000.00 New Medical Office Under Construction 7770 Morro Road Major Tenant Improvement $165,000.00 New Dental Office Under Construction 8390 Morro Road Major Tenant Improvement $180,000.00 Fitness Evolution Construction Complete 8665 El Camino Real Major Tenant Improvement $200,000.00 McDonalds Under Construction 6500 Morro Road Major Tenant Improvement $380,000.00 47 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 15 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 Section 4 – City Council Action Plan Implementation 4.1 Action Plan Goals & Community Development The Community Development Department strives to meet the goals and action plan established by the City Council. The yearly activities by the department, including day to day activities such as answering questions from residents, builders, and other parties regarding zoning and building, inspections, code enforcement, and all other activities assist in delivering effective customer service to the constituents that the department serves. Of the nine (9) goals established by the City Council, four goals are closely tied, or completely implemented by the Community Development Department:  Economic Development;  Common Sense Regulation and Reform;  Environmental Stewardship. 4.2 Economic Development The Community development Department is tasked to focus on identified commercial hot spots, along with working to reduce the number of vacant store front. Coupled with this, the department is tasked to build partnerships with local business interests. Economic development projects are not short term projects, but rather long term projects that require Community Development Staff to work with property owners, investors, consultants, and other interested parties from concept development to construction. The bulk of the Community Development Department’s activities center around economic development, whether it be through a long term project like W almart, or simple building permits such as residential additions. The Department strives to deliver a quality customer service experience. The following are highlights of activities that the department worked on in 2016 to meet economic development goals established by the City Council. 4.2.1 DeCou Lumber Property / Solano Road General Plan Amendment In November 2015, the owner of DeCou Lumber requested a General Plan Amendment to convert existing general commercial designated land into higher density residential uses. At that time, the Council elected to remove this property from the “commercial hot spot” list, but elected to hold off on authorizing Staff to move forward on processing an application for a General Plan Amendment from commercial to residential uses. Since that time the property owner continues to have conversations with Staff in regards to the 48 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 16 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 future uses of the property, which includes potential residential uses. City Staff has provided the property owner with information on a 2nd request to City Council and potentially moving forward with an amendment to the City’s General Plan based on the preliminary findings of the El Camino Real Corridor study. City Staff continues to meet with the property owner to discuss long range planning that will need to occur prior to considering a General Plan Amendment. 4.2.2 El Camino Real Corridor Study From the November 2015 Council Meeting, the City Council directed City Staff to review a “bigger picture” of commercial vacancies along the corridor, and future residential growth. In one of the larger work efforts of 2016, City Staff completed the Preliminary El Camino Real Corridor Study. This study was completed in May 2016 with a presentation to City Council and contain the following “takeaways”:  The Vacancy Rate for El Camino Real is actually lower than other cities in the County;  Significant vacancies are for spaces that are less than 2,500 square feet;  Significant lack of available commercial space for spaces between 5,000 to 10,000 sf exists throughout the corridor and in the City;  The City has a diluted commercial corridor;  The City has over 600 residential units available for construction in the next 18 months;  An additional 800 units may be entitled over the next two years for residential construction ranging from apartments, townhomes, small lot single family dwellings, and typical large lot residential development;  The City has a lack of large, green field development areas for clean tech or other job generating uses that provide living wages to our local economy; and  There are opportunities to combine parcels and create nodes and districts for various commercials and job generating uses that provide a greater jobs/housing and revenue balance. From this preliminary Study, Staff was tasked to further explore ways to create a master plan to help guide future economic development growth of the corridor. In November 2016, City Staff submitted for a Caltrans grant through its sustainable communities grant program entitled “El Camino On the Go! Multi-modal Strategies to Reduce GHG&VMT” with a focus on economic development and transportation. City Staff identified a total grant amount of $175,000 needed with an in-kind match. The City will be notified in Spring 2017 if it is awarded the grant. The grant was well received by initial Caltrans review and had support from such organizations including the Atascadero Chamber of 49 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 17 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 Commerce, SLOCOG, the North County Bicycle Coalition, and the San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition in its inclusive approach to transform the corridor into a economic hub of the Community. 4.2.3 Colony Square City Staff continues to work with the new property owner of Colony Square to develop the “L” portion, which is located next to the former “Rancho T” motel. The property owner is excited to be working with the City in regards to construction of the new footbridge connecting the City Hall Parking Lot (scheduled to be rehabilitated as a part of the footbridge), and a new entry plaza connecting City Hall to Colony Square. The funds to construct the bridge were a part of the 2010 redevelopment bond, which identified specific projects in 2010 for use of these bonds. The property owner is currently working with an architectural team to design a new restaurant building. 4.2.4 Del Rio Road Commercial Area Specific Plan Another large work effort is implementation of the Del Rio Road Commercial Area Specific Plan. Commonly known as the “Walmart / Annex” project, this is one of the largest economic development drivers in the City. Staff actively worked with Walmart’s design team in plan checking grading and roadway improvements. The City Council review an improvement agreement at their May 2016 meeting and has completed two review of on-site grading plan, off-site improvements, and two rounds of final map improvements. Residents, as well as interested business owners, have inquired about an opening date for Walmart since it was announced that the company submitted for building permits in February of 2016. The delay has not been on the City’s end, but rather off-site improvements for the roundabout at El Camino Real / Del Rio Road. The City is working with a property owner at the 50 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 18 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 intersection on driveway improvements / traffic flow to ensure safety of the roundabout. This is the last remaining piece that will allow Walmart to move forward with submittal of revisions to grading of improvements, and issuance of construction permits. The Annex portion of the project was purchased by Madonna Enterprises in late 2015. Since that time, this group has been an active participant in discussions with Walmart on intersection improvements, interchange improvements etc. Additionally, the new ownership group has reviewed the previous owner’s development plans and has revised them to better fit current and future market conditions and wishes to move forward with Phase 1 of the Annex. They have submitted an application in late January 2017 for development of this first phase which is proposed to be a hotel versus general retail uses. This application will be reviewed by both the DRC and Planning Commission by late spring of 2017. 4.2.5 La Plaza (Hoff Property) One of the most exciting developments on the Hoff Property was that it was sold by the Hoff Family to a local developer with experience developing both commercial property in Paso Robles and residential development in Atascadero. The new owners have a new vision for the La Plaza property and are actively seeking new partnerships with neighboring property owners. The new owners have a vision to complete a multi-phase development stretching from East/West Mall to Traffic Way. City Staff participated in a “design charrette” with the owner’s architectural design team and the owner is expected to submit amendments to the master plan of development that better align with a complete block vision for the Downtown. The property owner and City Staff are actively working together in a public/private partnership to provide much needed synergy to this development. La Plaza re-design and amendments should be before the DRC, Planning Commission, and City Council sometime during summer 2017. 4.2.6 Customer Service Image The Community Development Department is often the “face” of the City, with many customer interactions. The Department developed a customer service committee which is focus on first impression and front counter service, and ways to better improve interactions with customers and efficiencies. Along with this committee, City Staff provides as much information as possible for building permits including handouts, checklists, and other items. Additionally, Staff has provided permit estimates, on-site meetings, and other requests as needed. 4.2.7 Permit Streamlining A key to economic development is a process that is efficient from point A to point B. The building division, planning division, and other departments involved in “development services”. In 2016, City Staff continues to explore ways to expedite permit reviews. The building division adheres to very tight time frames for plan check reviews, as wel l as subsequent reviews based on the correction list provided by City Staff versus re-review of the entire plan set. Additionally, if a submitted building plan check goes through a 3rd round of “clarifications/corrections”, Staff meets with the design professional to go over the comments provided by City Staff for consistency with the California Building Code. These meetings have been useful for applications and design professional to immediately remedy buildings plans with issues and obtain a building permit for construction. 51 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 19 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 4.2.8 Business Advocate Program Community development department Staff offers intake and pre-application meetings with every new business interested in locating within the City. With this process, Staff is able to advocate while offering support early in the process. This has been offered through the City’s Office of Economic Development. These meetings have been fundamental for potential new businesses here in the City, as the business owners, property owners, brokers, and City Staff help identify potential issues in building permits, or State / Federal permitting, as well, as provide an open line of communication. This business advocacy process has been utilized for such business as:  Dark Nectar Coffee (opening soon);  Santa Maria Brewing Company;  Dead Oaks Brewing Company;  Winco;  Taco Roco. 4.2.9 Eagle Ranch The Eagle Ranch Specific Plan has been a long-range entitlement project for the development of 650 homes, village center, and tourist commercial pads west of highway 101. The app licant, the City and its environmental consultant are now ready to release both the Specific Plan and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for public review. The EIR will be available for public review in February 2017. 4.3 Common Sense Regulation & Reform Common Sense reform is a goal established by the City Council as a way to implement common sense updates to City Codes, improve appearance in the City of Atascadero s commercial corridor, and implement permit streamlining and efficiencies. The following are major tasks that help to achieve the common sense regulation and reform goal by the City Council in 2016. 52 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 20 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 4.3.1 Sign Ordinance Revisions The Sign Ordinance had not been revised in any major work effort since the 1990’s. The ordinance itself was cumbersome, technical, and not well understood by sign professionals, business owners, and City Staff. A work effort that began in late 2014 cumulated into a revamped, less restrictive, and modernized sign ordinance. The sign ordinance was adopted by the City Council in September 2016, with a major emphasis on adding additional signage for businesses to be visible off of El Camino Real, as well as, providing businesses a set of sign tools to craft their business message. The ordinance outreach included discussion with City Council, business owners, signage professionals, and the Chamber of Commerce. City Staff will continue to be proactive in regards to ensuring a valid sign ordinance that is enforceable and contributes to enhancing the City’s business corridor. Rather than waiting 20 years to update the ordinance, City Staff will be taking amendments as needed to ensure a functioning sign ordinance. 4.3.2 Land Use Definitions and Modernization As part of the larger picture, City Staff proposed modifications to the “Land Use Definitions” (Chapter 3 the City’s Zoning Code) for ease of use and to better reflect the economic landscape. This portion of the Zoning Code defines hypothetical land uses so that staff and the public can easily understand and interpret what land uses are appropriate in each zoning district. The amendments, adopted by the City Council in September 2016, simplified land use definitions to make it easier for the public to determine just what they can do with their property, and is designed to recognize current development trends and land uses that are not currently categorized. 53 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 21 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 Along with these amendments, some reorganization of the zoning code is being proposed to ease the use of the code and to add descriptions of zoning districts that were not previously codified. This re-organization will group the Zoning districts and their standards into logical sections. Additionally, City Staff produced an easy to use and read “Zoning Handbook” that took the regulations for development within the City in handbook form with illustrations, tables, and other easy to interpret functionality to better assist residents, builders, and other interested parties. These efforts were completed in-house with no use of an outside consultant. 54 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 22 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 4.4 Environmental Stewardship Balancing environmental stewardship with economic development and ensuring that Atascadero maintains its community charm by embracing its natural beauty, and maintaining open space and rural character is the long term objective of this goal. This at time may clash with moving our local economy forward, however, the Community Development Department continues to be stewards of Atascadero raw nature and beauty. 4.4.1 Balance Environmental and Economic Development Goals One of the keys to balancing environmental and economic development goals is to facilitate and expedite the construction of local retail nodes including Colony Square and the Del Rio Road Commercial area specific plan. While this may sound counter-intuitive, the rationale is that these nodes would provide goods and services to our local residences in areas that are currently underserved, thereby reducing vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse emission. This would also serve to capture what is known as “retail leakage”. Retail leakage occurs when residents from one municipality shop at another municipality, therefore depriving their local municipality of residence sales tax dollars. City Staff is working with the Walmart and the owners of the annex to develop the Del Rio Road Specific Plan area for both economic development and GHG reduction. Additionally, the El Camino Real Master Plan / Corridor Study is slated to be a corridor plan that focuses on land use, economic development, and transportation to transform strip commercial development into economic development nodes to further reduce vehicle miles travel and further both goals of environmental stewardship through a vision of El Camino Real as a multi - modal corridor, as well as prominence as a hub for economic development for the City. 4.4.2 Leader in Solar Permits Atascadero was the first city on the central coast to provide on-line permit submittal for Solar PV permits. The City is in full compliance with AB2188 and continues to expedite solar permits in less than 2 days after submittal. Community Development Department Staff provides example solar stock details to assist homeowners and business with solar permit requests, and provides checklists, diagrams, and labeling guidelines. The City was awarded Sun Shot Solar Award for our role in expediting and expanding solar programs. t:\- 06 plns\pln 2006-1133 annual housing report-general plan\2015-2019 reporting period\2016\pc-sr-2016.apr-ac.doc 55 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Page | 23 Annual General Plan Progress Report – 2016 Attachment 1 2025 General Plan Policies and Programs Review 56 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 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. This is completed on a project by project basis. 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 9. Require the approval of specific plans consistent with Government Code On-going; Specific Plans approved for Las Lomas 57 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status Section 65450 for single family residential project of 100-units or greater. / 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 comment on development proposals in the area between Vineyard Drive and Cuesta Grade, between the ridges east of the Salinas River and Cerro Alto On-going 58 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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 and EIR will be released in February 2017. 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, however this is slated to be a department work effort in 2017. 2. Require landscaping and/or screening to buffer non-residential uses from residential areas. Implemented through zoning ordinance and appearance review. 3. Continue to support the Neighborhood Preservation Program. On-going 59 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 4. Update and maintain the Sign Ordinance with higher standards for the quality and visual impact of signs. A new Sign Ordinance and sign Handbook was codified in 2016. 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 significant off-site spillage or glare. 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 the ground. Completed 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 1. Require that the appearance, mass and scale of multi-family development is Appearance Review and 60 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status is compatible with existing and surrounding neighborhoods. compatible with adjacent single-family neighborhoods. 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. Reviews are completed on a project by project basis. 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 fees. Completed and codified in City’s Zoning Ordinance, however due to new State Law, will need to be revisited for consistency in 2017. 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 61 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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. Completed on a project by project basis. 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. Completed through Prime Commercial Policy, however potential revisions per Council direction. 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 El Camino Real for neighborhood commercial and office uses. Not complete. Preliminary El Camino Real Corridor Study contains potential work plan for consistency with this program 5. Develop incentives to attract new businesses to under utilized locations along El Camino Real. El Camino Real Corridor Study provides City Council with economic development incentives that may be implemented through City Wide policies. 62 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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. Implemented through mixed-use policy. Potential Policy revisions may be implemented per City Council Direction. 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. Completed through Prime Commercial Policy. Potential revisions per Council direction. 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. 12. Develop street design standards for El Camino Real that provide for street trees, landscaping, and pedestrian comfort. Due to a rash of trees dying because of the drought, the Planning and Public Works department will be working on this as a part of a tree program and as a part of a future El Camino Real Corridor Study. 63 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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. City continues to encourage relocation, however this decision is ultimately up to the AUSD 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 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 pedestr ian oriented design requirements for the Downtown area. Pedestrian oriented design requirements are completed on a project by project basis. 2. Review all architectural design, signs, parking, and circulation for development within the “D” land use categor y to ensure compatibility with the Downtown Revitalization Plan. On-going and reviewed as a part of the building permit/land use 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. 64 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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. City Fire Department and Public Works has created standards for driveway designs and slopes and erosion control. 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. Implemented through the building permit process. 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. Implemented through the building permit process. 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. 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 Implemented as a part of the zoning ordinance 65 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status plans prior to any site disturbance. 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 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. On-going, fees collected 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. 66 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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 preservation of neighborhoods, Colony Homes and sound housing, including places and buildings of historical and architectural significance. 1. Actively utilize the Historic Overlay zoning district to protect known historic structures, significant Colony homes and colony sites. On-going. 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 1. Protect historic buildings and sites. Atascadero's historic buildings and features shall be preserved and protected in recognition of the role the On-going. 67 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status that have historical and architectural significance. community's past plays in its present and future. Historic overlay zoning shall be utilized to protect appropriate historic districts. 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. 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; c) Staff technical assistance; d) Program to facilitate relocation instead of demolition; and e) Mill’s Act contracts. On-going. 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, On-going. 68 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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. 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 provide shading adjacent to buildings to conserve energy use. On-going. 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 This is completed on a project by project basis. 69 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status development. 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 qualities of the creeks. On-going. 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 zon ing 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 On-going. 70 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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. 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 was withdrawn, however the Regional Water Quality Control Board is requiring the City adopt a new ordinance to meet State mandates. The City faces fines if not codified. Public Works will take the lead on this item as it is a part of its Stormwater Management Plan. 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 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. Creek setback ordinance was withdrawn, however the Regional Water Quality Control Board is requiring the City adopt a new ordinance to meet State mandates. The City faces fines if not codified. Public Works will take the lead on this item as it is a part of its Stormwater Management Plan. 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. 71 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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. 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 On-going. 72 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 15 of each year. 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. Consumption of non-renewable resources should be minimized. Renewable resources should be recycled or replenished. On-going. 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 New State mandated 73 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status development. water conservation ordinance will be codified as a part of Building Code text amendments in Feb 2017. 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 Quality Control Board. On-going. 2. Amend the Municipal Code to require sediment and erosion control measures on projects, consistent with National Pollution Discharge Elimination System requirements. On-going. 74 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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. Individual park master plans are complete. 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 trails, bikeways, jogging paths, and community centers. On-going. 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 On-going. 75 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status agreement with the State to acquire or lease the site, and analyze its expansion into a regional sports facility. 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. 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 76 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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 recr eation 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 Parks and Recreation Master Plan. This section is now implemented through the City’s Stormwater Management 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. 77 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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. The City has taken a lead on marketing and tourism and promotion of new events. 2. Encourage hotel, conference, and resort development and protect potential sites from conversion to other uses. On-going. Construction of the Carlton, and Holiday Inn Express complete. Marriot Springhill Suites to be completed in early summer 2015.Additional lodging facilities are anticipated with the Eagle Ranch Specific Plan, as well as the Del Rio Road Commercial Area Specific Plan. 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. 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 On-going. 78 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status problems and opportunities can be anticipated and planned for. 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 commercial and industrial development. The preliminary El Camino Real Corridor Study illustrates new areas that may accommodate such uses 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. This is a recommended work action as a part of the Preliminary El Camino Real corridor study. 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, however due to the small parcels along highway 101additional incentives may be necessary. 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 desire d business expansions and reuse On-going. Policy 15.1: Growth should be directed On-going. 79 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status to areas where services can be provided in a cost-effective manner. 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. 8. All residential projects of 100 or more dwelling units shall be required to On-going and completed 80 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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. 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 s) Public Utilities t) Water u) Emergency Services (Level of Service 2 & 3) On-going. 81 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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. 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 82 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status Streets Act. The el Camino Real Corridor Plan may address this specifically for El Camino Real. 6. Maintain an equitable funding and capital expenditure system for roadway improvement that includes requiring developers to provide f or 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 residences are not directly impacted and 1. Require new commercial development design to avoid diverting traffic through existing residential neighborhoods. On-going. 83 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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 pathways, equestrian trails, multi-use trails 1. Require all subdivisions and developments to provide bikeway and trail alignments and facilities consistent with the Bikeway and Trail Diagram Error! Reference source not found. and any applicable Bicycle On-going and completed as a part of the City’s 84 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status and bikeways to connect neighborhoods, schools, commercial, and recreation areas, in accordance with the Bikeway and Trail Plan. 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 high 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 formal trails and maintain access to existing trails. On-going. 85 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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. 2. Support efforts to improve shuttle service to downtown and major shopping and employment centers. On-going. 86 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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 (SEMS) procedures, as well as National Incident Management System (NIMS). 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. 5. Continue to implement and maintain the adopted Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) consistent with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000). The City recently adopted the latest update to the LHMP in 2015. 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. 87 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 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 regional efforts to disaster response. This includes working with neighboring fire departments through mutual aid and supporting a regional Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). On-going 4. Support the efforts and education of people with disabilities to respond appropriately to emergencies. On-going. 5. Develop an emergency evacuation program for the neighborhoods in the west hills that are subject to high fire hazards. On-going. 6. Coordinate circulation element street designations and road improvement projects with evacuation routes. On-going. 7. Support disaster education and preparedness programs geared towards residents through programs such as Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) or other community based efforts. On-going with training completed periodically for residents 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 On-going. 88 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status data that can be used for emergency preparedness and response. 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 improve the efficiency and decrease the cost of disaster response and recovery. 1. Assist with public and private rebuilding efforts, provision of housing for displaced residents, and resumption of service, business and government functions. On-going. 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. 5. Update and maintain the City’s Multi-Hazard Emergency Response Plan (MERP), including creating long-term disaster recovery policies and procedures. 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. 89 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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. 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, On-going. 90 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status and personnel requirements. 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 Department specific to the geography of Atascadero. On-going. 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 On-going. 91 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status ways to prevent loss. 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. 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 sprink lers on new construction throughout the City. 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. 10. Continue to review and maintain the adopted Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) by working cooperatively with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire) and the San Luis Obispo County Fire Department. On-going and implemented. 92 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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 construction of new structures in the mapped fault traces. On-going. 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. 5. Continue to work with property owners to retrofit all unreinforced masonry buildings (URM) consistent with applicable adopted building codes. The City has one (1) remaining building on this list and continues to work with the property owner to find a solution. Policy 4.2: Ensure that structures are designed and located to withstand strong groundshaking, liquefaction, and seismic settlement. 1. Enforce California Building Code 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 Title 8 of the Municipal Code as necessary to promote seismic safety in structural designs. On-going. 3. Enforce the California Building Code (CBC) and local requirements for addressing liquefaction potential in the design of structures. On-going. 93 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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 instabi lity, 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 plans demonstrate prior to development that the hazard can be reduced to a less than significant level. On-going. 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 building code 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. 2. Encourage residents to participate in Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training or other types of programs to improve community wide response 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 On-going. 94 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status safety 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. 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. 95 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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. 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 effective mitigation measures to reduce noise in outdoor activity areas and interior spaces to or below the levels specified for the given land use. 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 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 noise level standards unless effectiv e noise mitigation measures have been incorporated into the design of the development to reduce noise exposure t o or below the levels specified. 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 on lands designated for noise-sensitive uses. This policy does not apply to noise levels associated with agricultural operations. On-going. 96 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status Policy 6. The City shall consider implementing mitigation measures where existing 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 proposals 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 of architecturally attractive materials and buffered with landscaping. On-going. 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. 97 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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, and local police departments to actively enforce the California Vehicle Code sections relating to adequate vehicle mufflers. On-going. 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. On-going. 98 City of Atascadero 2025 General Plan Policies & Programs Review Attachment 1 Policy Program Status 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. 99 ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 3 DATE: 2-7-17 Attachment 2 – 2016 HCD Housing Progress Report 100 Attachment 2page 1 of 9-1100 0SF OUSDAR144555 year deed restriction115+0O* Note: These fields are voluntary0Reporting Period201412Housing Development InformationProject Identifier(may be APN No., project name or address)67Moderate-IncomeUnit CategoryAmapoa Condos 2-45+20120OOSouthside Villas OANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORTHousing Element Implementation(CCR Title 25 §6202 )JurisdictionCity of AtascaderoHousing with Financial Assistance and/or Deed RestrictionsNote 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.20 moderate units sales price deemed affordable using County housing formula8Housing without Financial Assistanceor Deed RestrictionsAssistance Programs for Each DevelopmentTenureR=RenterO=OwnerAffordability by Household IncomesSee InstructionsSee InstructionsAtascadero Triange PPSHUSDA2019Annual Building Activity Report Summary - New Construction Very Low-, Low-, and Mixed-Income Multifamily Projects (10) Total by income Table A/A3 ► ► 0104113104 23 (9) Total of Moderate and Above Moderate from Table A3 ► ► Total Unitsper Project5+602045 25SFTable A355aEst. # Infill Units*34Very Low-IncomeLow-IncomeAboveModerate-Income4443 moderate units Sold or sales price deemed affordable using County housing formula366Woodridge Townhomes0Atascadero Family ApartmentsDeed RestrictedUnits061160 (11) Total Extremely Low-Income Units*Oak Haven Village101 Attachment 2page 2 of 9-Reporting Period2014ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORTHousing Element Implementation(CCR Title 25 §6202 )JurisdictionCity of Atascadero2019Table A31623. 5+ Units(3) Acquisition of Units(4) The Description should adequately document how each unit complies with subsection (c )(7) of Government Code Section 65583.10000(1) Rehabilitation Activity 0 00Annual 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 voluntary0(5) Total Units by Income(2) Preservation of Units At-RiskExtremely Low-Income*Annual Building Activity Report Summary - Units Rehabilitated, Preserved and Acquired pursuant to GC Section 65583.1(c)(1)00000004. Second Unit6. TotalTOTAL UNITSVery Low-Income1601. Single Family125. Mobile Homes7. Number of infill units*No. of Units Permitted for Moderate0000No. of Units Permitted for Above Moderate00002Affordability by Household Incomes2. 2 - 4 UnitsPlease 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) Activity TypeTable A2Low-Income0102 Attachment 2page 3 of 9-Reporting Period2014ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORTHousing Element Implementation(CCR Title 25 §6202 )JurisdictionCity of Atascadero2019Note: units serving extremely low-income households are included in the very low-income permitted units totals.RHNA Allocation by Income Level50163 Year6Total Units to Date (all years)198-94Total Units ► ► ►Total Remaining RHNAby Income LevelYear3Non-deed restricted00Year23645 48Year4Year1Year5Income Level262019Deed RestrictedTable B2017ApaEnter Calendar Year starting with the first year of the RHNA allocation period. See Example.2016 2018 2020 20218 690Deed RestrictedLowDeed RestrictedModerate076Non-deed restrictedNon-deed restricted1622Permitted Units Issued by Affordability 393156Remaining Need for RHNA Period ► ► ► ► ► 164 Total RHNA by COG.Enter allocation number:393 21120Above Moderate 10618529 Year8Year7Very Low 058882500000292014 2015103 Attachment 2page 4 of 9-Reporting Period2014ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORTHousing Element Implementation(CCR Title 25 §6202 )JurisdictionCity of Atascadero20191.1.7 PD Overlays 6/30/20191.1.8 Continue to maintain an affordable housing density bonus ordinance that establishes procedures for obtaining and monitoring density bonuses in compliance with State lawCompleted1.1.6 Rural Residential Zone 1/27/2018Staff has yet to begin work on this ordinance. A work plan should be factored in with any Zoning Code updates.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.6/30/20191.1.3 Continue to Allow Manufactured Housing and Group HousingProgram Description(By Housing Element Program Names)Name of Program ObjectiveTimeframein H.E.Status of Program Implementation1.1.5 Allow and encourage Downtown Housing20 unitsA new owner of the former Hoff property, known as "La Plaza" will be amending the master plan of development to potentially include housing development.25 unitsTable CProgram Implementation StatusOn-going on a per project basis.City Staff is currently working two separate developers to issue 92 units utilzing PD overlays in 2017-2018 N/AProvide 20 Units100 affordable units 6/30/2019The 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 areaThe Eagle Ranch Specific Plan will be available for Public Review February 2017.6/30/20199 manufactured homes have been permitted. The City modified its mobile home definition to clarify that manufactured / mobile home definition.75 Units1.1.1 Street and Infrastructure Improvement ProjectsN/A 6/30/20191.1.2 Specific Plans for residential projects of 100 or more units6/30/20191.1.4 Support the extension and expansion of sewer service for the Eagle RanchN/AThe City issused 60 units in 2016 for the Density Bonus. 104 Attachment 2page 5 of 9-Reporting Period2014ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORTHousing Element Implementation(CCR Title 25 §6202 )JurisdictionCity of Atascadero20191.1.14 Continue to maintain Chapter 12 of the Zoning Ordinance (Condo Conversion Ordinance)1.1.15 Continue to work with non-profit agencies1.1.16 Continue to encourage developers to work with agencies to obtain loans for development of new multifamily rental housing for low income households6/30/2019Completed6/30/2019The city has approved 5 second units since 2014.15 units2018The City will need to re-evlaute the 2nd unit ordinace in light of recent state legislation in regards to acessory dwelling units.20161.1.12 encourage the development of second units, the City should consider reduced development impact fees for second units as part of an AB 1600 study1.1.11 encourage the development of second units, the City will evaluate the development standards and update the Zoning Ordinance for second units 15 unitsThe City Council may direct Staff to review such a program as a part of the 2017-2018 Fiscal Year.N/AN/A50 UnitsN/A1.1.13 amnesty program that would reduce or eliminate fees for unpermitted second units2018Staff will continue to review this ordinance as a part of a new initiative to review City Zoning Ordinance yearly. No condo conversions have been proposed.Staff has worked with PSHH and produced 11 low income units and worked with Corporation for a Better Housing to produce 60 very low and low income units. The City has met and exceeded this goal.City Staff to develop options to be presented to the City Council as a part of its affordable housing update to expend in-lieu fees collected by the City.1.1.10 Adopt an inclusionary housing ordinance that requires residential developments to provide deed-restricted, affordable units or an in-lieu fee1.1.9 Continue to monitor the impact of the City’s current inclusionary housing policy on production of market rate housing in response to market conditionseN/A 6/30/2019The City Council has directed Staff to review the City's current inclusionary housing policy and Staff will produce a white paper on this topic by 3rd quarter of 2017.70 units 2017The City Council may direct Staff to craft affordable housing ordinance as a part of its strategic planning innatives. 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.Status of Program ImplementationName of Program ObjectiveTimeframein H.E.105 Attachment 2page 6 of 9-Reporting Period2014ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORTHousing Element Implementation(CCR Title 25 §6202 )JurisdictionCity of Atascadero201920171.1.18 Amend the Zoning Ordinance to allow a waiver of the two-story height limit in the RMF Zone1.1.17 Continue to contract with the San Luis Obispo Housing Authority for administration of the Section 8 housing voucher program1.1.19 City should consider amending the Zoning Ordinance to establish efficiency or micro detached units consistent with the California Building Code1.1.20 Amend the zoning ordinance to modify CUP requirements for multi-family housing.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.N/A2.2.1 Continue to implement Historic Site overlay districtN/A 6/30/20192.2.2 Maintain GIS mapping of historic building and sites6/30/2019The 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.2.1.1 investigate ways to meet its housing needs through rehabilitation and preservation of existing units 30 units 6/30/2019City Staff will be exploring Block grants and other funding mechansims to achieve this goal.6/30/20192017201810 unitsN/AN/AN/AN/A2.1.2 Participate in federal grant programs25 units 6/30/2019The 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 desnisty scale for sloped lots in Zoning Ordinance6/30/20196/30/2019The City will continue to maintain its sliding scale of density for sloped lots.6/30/2019Tthis is an on-going effort.This maybe completed earlier as a future work effort as directed by City Coincil through strategic planning goals.This will be completed concurrently with building code updates for adoption of the 2016 CBC and for consistency with SB 1069 in February 2017.City Staff to present this proposed change as a part of its overall affordable housing discussion.The Housing element has outlined implementation measures that City Staff will follow.2.1.4 Monitor Subsidies/affordabilityN/AN/ACity Staff continues to monitor the status of affordable housing rental units and for sale units in partnership with the SLO County Housing Authority1.1.21 Assisting in the housing needs for persons with Developmental Disabilities106 Attachment 2page 7 of 9-Reporting Period2014ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORTHousing Element Implementation(CCR Title 25 §6202 )JurisdictionCity of Atascadero20193.1.4 partnerships with Solar Providers for installation of PV panels and other alternative electrical services for low-income householdspartnerships with Solar Providers for installation of PV panels and other alternative electrical services for low-income households6/30/2019In partnership with PG&E and San Luis Obispo Green Build, there are various brochures available to homeowners that detail energy conservation.6/30/2019N/AN/ACity staff continues to work with developers and homeowners to help site and development to avoid environmental impacts.N/AThe City continues to encourage local churches to provide temporary shelters for the homeless population.4.1.4 Expand the Emergency Shelter (ES) Overlay ZoneN/ACity Staff will review this ordinance as a part of any work effort to amend the City's Zoning OrdinanceCity Staff will continue to monitor the City's Homeless shelter for consistency with State Housing Policy.6/30/2019N/A4.2.1 ADA Compliance with California Building Code4.1.5 Information and complaint referral services for Fair Housing Act Compliance4.1.6 Farmworker housing do not conflict with Health and Safety Code Sections 17021.5Program 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 2018The City will continue to work with local non-profits and obtain CDBG grant funding for this programCity Staff continues to comply with ADA standards for new and change of occupancy building projects.6/30/20194.1.1 Temporary use of churches as homeless shelters4.1.2 Local Motel VouchersN/AN/AThe City's building department continues to enforce Title 24 requirements upon review of building plans that require energy reports.3.1.2 Energy Conservation Outreach3.1.1 Promote environmentally sustainable building practices3.1.3 Title 24 complianceN/AN/AN/A6/30/20192016Completed6/30/2019on-going6/30/2019Due to Staffing issues in 2015, this item was not completed, however Staff will provide a resource handout for the front counter and on its website by Summer 2016.This was completed as a part of the Land Use definition update in 2017.The City will continue to partner with non-profits by providing housing lists and affordable unit locations to assist in targeting these income groups.N/A107 Attachment 2page 8 of 9-Reporting Period2014ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORTHousing Element Implementation(CCR Title 25 §6202 )JurisdictionCity of Atascadero20195.2.1 Development Standards and Construction methodsN/A 6/30/2019As City staff identifies issues with the municipal code and advance construction methods, the City will amend the code as necessary.6.1.3 Process Streamlining 6/30/2019N/AThe 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.5.1.2 Constraints on financing for multi--family developmentHousing 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.20165 unitsN/A6/30/2019City Staff continues to work with developers, key stakeholders, and property owners on overcoming constraints in project design to help facilitate financing.City Staff continues to comply with ADA standards for new and change of occupancy building projects.N/ACity Staff attend economic roundtables and other events as continuing education of these impacts.4.3.1 Adopt a policy to determine allocation of the City Affordable Housing In-Lieu funds to support the creation of new affordable housing units in AtascaderoProgram Description(By Housing Element Program Names)4.3.2 Work with non-profits to identify funding sources for very-low/extremely low income groups5.1.1 Understanding economic and employment impacts on housingN/AStaff provides pre-application and technical assistance to all projects when requested.N/A6.1.5 Pre-Application and technical assistance for affordable housing projects6.1.1 Consolidating all actions relating to a specific projectStaff continues this practice for ease of tracking.N/A6/30/2019This is on-going through the City Council's initative of common sense regulation and reform initiatives.6/30/20196.1.4 Maintain pre-approved stock development plans6/30/20196.1.2 Review minor project modifications through the Design Review Committee and more substantial changes through a conditional use processN/AN/ACompletedCity Staff worked with Corporation of a Better housing to 45, deed restricted, very-low income units. 6/30/20196/30/20196/30/20195.2.2 Track affordable housing projects N/AThe City tracks all housing projects and provides status updates to both the Council and Planning Commission.108 Attachment 2page 9 of 9-Reporting Period2014ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORTHousing Element Implementation(CCR Title 25 §6202 )JurisdictionCity of Atascadero20196/30/2019N/A 6/30/2019CompletedN/AN/A 2018N/A6.2.1 1. Following amendment of the General Plan Conservation and Safety Elements to comply with AB 162 related to floodplain mapping, the City will amend the Housing Element, if needed, for consistency6.1.9 Monitor impact fees and the Capital Facility Fee schedule to identify barriers to housing development, particularly affordable units2018 This will be completed with future Zoning Ordinance Work Plans6.1.7 Consider amending the zoning ordinance to allow single-room occupancy units (SROs) by right in the Residential Multi-Family (RMF) zoneThis has been completed as a part of the 2014-2019 Housing Element update.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.This is an on-going effort.N/A6.1.6 Incentives for developers for units that are affordable to lower income householdsThe City's process streamlining is already expediting projects. Developers can defer development impact fees until final occupancy.Program Description(By Housing Element Program Names)City Staff is currently working on a CAP fee amendment. This may be included in this current work effort.6.1.8 Modify the Capital Facility Fee schedule to index fees based on size of unit, providing lower rates for small units. Indexed rate shall apply to apartments and second units109 Atascadero Planning Commission Staff Report - Community Development Department Alfredo R. Castillo, AICP, Associate Planner, 470-3436, acastillo@atascadero.org Title 9 Planning and Zoning Text Amendments – Sign Ordinance PLN 2016-1608 (City of Atascadero) SUBJECT: This action consists of Text Amendments to the City’s Sign Ordinance, contained in Title 9 Planning and Zoning, based on review from the City Attorney’s office and City Council direction in regards to murals. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution PC 2016-A, recommending that the City Council introduce an ordinance for first reading, by title only, to approve PLN 2016-1608 based on findings. SITUATION AND FACTS: 1. Applicant: City of Atascadero, 6500 Palma Ave. Atascadero, CA 93422 2. General Plan Designation: Citywide 3. Zoning District: Citywide 4. Environmental Status: Exempt from CEQA (Section 15061.(3)(b). No significant environmental impact. ITEM NUMBER: ITEM NUMBER: 4 DATE: 2-7-17 110 DISCUSSION: Background: In September 2016, the City Council approved a comprehensive streamlining and overhaul of the City’s sign ordinance. This effort capped a year and half campaign in which City Staff, the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses worked together t o clean up the City’s commercial corridors of sign clutter, lower fees for sign permits, and helped update the sign ordinance. As a part of this effort, the City produced a sign handbook that graphically depicted the new sign ordinances changes. Prior to adoption, the City Council had questions surrounding the proposed art mural policies being codified into the sign ordinance. The City Attorney’s office reviewed the ordinance based on direction from the Council, and through its review, has provided some minor amendments and clarifications to the sign ordinance text to ensure content neutrality, and ensure the ordinance is consistent with the latest case law. Analysis: The proposed amendments to the sign ordinance are considered minor in nature. The following is a summary of the proposed changes to the City’s sign ordinance:  Add additional findings of intent to the sign ordinance to strengthen the ordinance in the event of a challenge and to formulate grounds for approval or denial of permits issued for signs.  Removal of duplicative language on prohibited signs.  Elimination of arts and murals from the Sign Ordinance on advisement of the City Attorney. The Administrative Use Permit (AUP) process will still be utilized for Murals and the previous City Council Policy on murals will continue to be used to process these types of applications.  Codifying “Painted Wall Signs”, which are commercial messages (that differ from an art mural) and how they may be used as signs. This was too ambiguous in the previous update and has be clarified with the proposed amendments.  Clarification of temporary non-commercial signage pertaining to federal / state / local elections.  Allowing temporary for sale and temporary non -commercial signage in residential zones, as this was a clerical error for the first ordinance.  Codifying an appeals process to ensure a fair hearing and due process.  Other minor revisions for consistency and clarification. Proposed Environmental Determination The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Section 15061.(3), (b)) exempts activities which are covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. The proposed text amendment will not have any significant adverse environmental impacts associated with this project application. 111 CONCLUSIONS The proposed amendments to the sign ordinance do not change the intent and help to strengthen the ordinance that was previously approved in September of 2016. Per City Council direction, review of the art and murals section is recommended to be eliminated from the sign ordinance at this time. ALTERNATIVES 1. The Commission may recommend modifications of the text amendments to the City Council. 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 recommend the City Council deny some or all of the proposed text amendments. The Commission should specify the reasons for denial of the project and recommend an associated finding with such action. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment 1: Draft Resolution 2016-A 112 RESOLUTION PC 2017-A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ATASCADERO, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL AMEND THE ATASCADERO MUNICIPAL CODE BY APPROVING PLN 2016-1608/ZCH 2016-0182 TITLE 9 ZONING ORDINANCE CODE TEXT AMENDMENTS (Citywide/City of Atascadero) WHEREAS, an application has been received from the City of Atascadero (6500 Palma Ave., Atascadero, CA 93422), to consider Text Amendments to Title 9, Chapter 15, known as the Sign Ordinance; and WHEREAS, a Notice of Exemption was prepared for the project and made available for public review in accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and, WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has determined that it is in the best interest of the City to enact these amendments to Title 9 Planning and Zoning of the Municipal Code; 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 Planning and Zoning Text Change 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 Planning and Zoning Text Amendments; and, WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Atascadero, at a Public Hearing held on February 7, 2017, studied and considered amendments to PLN 2016-1608; and, NOW THEREFORE, the Planning Commission of the City of Atascadero takes the following actions: SECTION 1. Findings for Approval of a Zone Text Change. The Planning Commission recommends the City Council as follows: 1. The Text Change is consistent with General Plan policies and all other applicable ordinances and policies of the City. 2. This Amendment of the Sign Ordinance will provide for the orderly and efficient use of lands where such development standards are applicable. 113 3. The Text Change will not, in itself, result in significant environmental impacts. SECTION 2. Recommendation of Approval. The Planning Commission of the City of Atascadero, in a regular session assembled on February 7, 2017, resolved to recommend that the City Council introduce for first reading by title only, an Ordinance that would amend the City Planning and Zoning Code Text with the following: EXHIBIT A: Zone Text Change – Chapter 15 – Signs 114 On motion by Commissioner ________ and seconded by _____________, 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: ______________________________ Phil Dunsmore, AICP Planning Commission Secretary T:\- 16 PLNs\PLN 2016-1608 Sign Ordinance\Atascadero Sign Ordinance 2017.docx 115 EXHIBIT A: Categorical Exemption PLN 2013-1462 / ZCH 2013-0168 Title 9 Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments 116 EXHIBIT B: Zone Text Change – Title 9 Zoning Ordinance PLN 2016-1608 – Sign Ordinance Revisions Chapter15 SIGNS Sections: 9-15.001 Title 9-15.002 Intent 9-15.003 Applicability 9-15.004 Exempt Signs 9-15.005 Sign Permits Required 9-15.006 Prohibited Signs 9-15.007 Allowed Signs By Zone 9-15.008 Types of Signs & Standards 9-15.009 Freeway Signs 9-15.010 Sign Materials, Design & Calculations 9-15.011 Design Exceptions 9-15.012 Sign Maintenance and Abandoned Signs 9-15.013 Non-Conforming Signs 9-15.014 Code Enforcement 9-15.015 Signs on City Property 9-15.016 Substitution Clause 9-15.017 Severability Clause 9-15.018 Definitions Appeals 9-15.019 Definitions 9-15.001 Title This chapter shall be known and cited as the Sign Ordinance of the City of Atascadero. This chapter is based on the City’s responsibility to protect the general public’s health, safety and welfare. The spirit of this chapter is based on the City’s desire to protect the economy and aesthetics of the community. The City finds that it is in the interest of both aesthetics and traffic safety that sign information be kept to a minimum. 9-15.002 Intent The purpose of this chapter is to establish sign regulations that are intended to: (a) Maintain and improve the aesthetic environment and overall community appearance to foster the City’s ability to attract sources of economic development and growth; (b) Encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication in the City and reduce possible traffic and safety hazards from confusing or distracting signs; (c) Implement quality sign design standards that are consistent with the City’s General Plan, Zoning Ordinance and Appearance Review Guidelines; (d) Enable fair and consistent enforcement of these sign regulations; (e) Minimize possible adverse impacts of signs on private and public property in order to maintain property values and to maintain a positive City image; 117 (f) Enhance traffic safety by ensuring that signage does not distract, obstruct or otherwise impede traffic circulation and to safeguard and preserve the health, property, and public welfare of Atascadero residents, businesses, and visitors through prohibiting, regulating, and controlling the density, location, and maintenance of signs. (g) Generally limit commercial signage to on-site locations in order to protect the aesthetic environment from the visual clutter associated with the unrestricted proliferation of signs, while providing channels of communication to the public. (h) Limit the size and number of signs to levels that reasonably allow for the identification of a residential, public or commercial location and the nature of any such commercial business. (h) Regulate signs in a manner so as to not to physically interfere with or obstruct the vision of pedestrian or vehicular traffic. (i) Avoid unnecessary and time consuming approval requirements for certain minor or temporary signs that do not require review for compliance with the city's building and electrical codes, while limiting the size and number of such signs so as to minimize visual clutter. (j) Respect and protect the right of free speech by sign display, while reasonably regulating the structural, locational and other non-communicative aspects of signs, generally for the public health, safety, welfare and specifically to serve the public interests in community aesthetics and traffic and pedestrian safety. (k) Enable the fair, consistent and efficient enforcement of the sign regulations of the city. (l) Regulate signs in a constitutional manner, which is content neutral as to noncommercial signs and viewpoint neutral as to commercial signs. All administrative interpretations and discretion are to be exercised in light of this policy and consistent with the purposes and intent stated in this section. 9-15.003 Applicability (a) The provisions of this chapter are applicable to all signs constructed or altered after the effective date of the ordinance codifying this chapter. (b) Nonconforming signs shall be revised to conform to the provisions of this chapter where an entitlement for construction other than minor additions or interior alterations is occurring or where a change of use occurs. (c) All signs that are not specifically exempted from this chapter are subject to the appearance review guidelines and an approved sign permit. (d) The sign design standards herein are intended to be the maximum standards allowable without an administrative use permit or conditional use permit. 9-15.004 Exempt Signs Types of exempt signage. The following sign types are exempt from the requirement of a building permit provided that the sign is consistent with the standards of this chapter. The size and placement standards set forth below and in subsequent sections must be adhered to in order for such sign to qualify as exempt. (a) Signs on Properties Under Construction. With an aggregate area of forty (40) square feet, attached to a fence or construction related structure, not exceeding eight (8) feet in height, and made of a lightweight material such as vinyl. One (1) sign per street frontage. 118 (b) Directory Signs. Wall mounted for pedestrian use, with an aggregate area of twenty (20) square feet, placed lower that 5-feet on the wall surface. (c) Non-illuminated Decorations. Special event decorations, may be in place up to sixty (60) days, except for signage listed in section 9-15.006. (d) Hazard Signs. As long as a hazard exists. (e) Residential Signs and Home Occupations. With an aggregate area of two (2) square feet. (f) Window Signs and Lettering. Limited to lettering, graphics and perforated window film. Maximum area per Table 15.1 and Table 15.2. Posting of signs related to the operation of the business not to exceed (4) square feet (hours, restaurant ratings, etc.) are excluded from aggregate sign calculations. (g) Official Government Flags. Signs, flags and notices. (h) Landscaped Signs. Consistent with Section 9-4.127. (i) Official Safety and Directional Signs. Safet y and directional signage that is consistent with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, California edition (MUTCD). (j) Temporary signage in accordance with Table 15.1 and Table 15.2. (k) Vehicle Signs. Painted signs, magnetic signs, decals, or logo wrap adhered to a vehicle, unless parked for the primary purpose of displaying the sign, refer to section 9- 15.006(g). 9-15.005 Sign Permits Required (a) Except as hereinafter provided, no permanent sign shall be constructed, displayed or altered without an approved building permit. Signs are permitted under the various use classifications or locations specified in this chapter. (b) Where noted in this code, additional approvals Planning Entitlements may be required for signage that does not conform to the specified sign regulations or when noted as required based on signage type or location. (1) When signs are proposed for a project subject to entitlement approval, a separate entitlement is not required. The application for entitlement shall include complete information per this section, and any other information determined to be necessary for community development department review. (d) Application. Applications for a building permit for the establishment, alteration or relocation of a sign shall be made to the City, and shall include the following items for processing: (1) Application Form. (2) Site Plan. Showing location of all existing structures on site, and location of proposed sign(s) with all distances to structures and property lines noted. Show any grading required for monument signs. (3) Elevations. Provide drawings of all building elevations, specifying all dimensions of signs, including lettering, length, height, width and depth of projecting letters if applicable. Provide building elevations showing location of existing and proposed signs on walls, including dimensions to building structural features such as roof, windows, doors and finished grade. For a monument sign, show plan and side views of proposed sign. (4) Colors and Materials. Provide samples of proposed colors and materials, and/or a color rendering for all signs including rendering of full building elevations for sign program applications. 119 (5) Structural Calculations. When applicable, provide all structural specifications and calculations as required by the Chief Building Official or their designee. 9-15.006. Prohibited Signs Prohibited Signs. The Following sign types are prohibited within the City of Atascadero. (a) Off-site signs, except as approved through agreement with the Redevelopment Agency, or its successor agency and except as noted below for off-site subdivision signage.; (b) Abandoned signs. A sign is considered abandoned when any of the following is met: (i) For a period of ninety (90) days or more, there is no sign copy appearing on the sign; (ii) Where the establishment to which the sign is attached has ceased operation; (ii) Where the sign is deteriorated, damaged or destroyed to 50% or greater of the replacement value of the structure/sign; (c) Confusing sSigns that simulate in color or design any traffic sign or signal, or which makes use of words, symbols, or characters in such a manner to interfere with, mislead, or confuse pedestrian or vehicular traffic.; (d) Digital display / LED messaging signs including animated, moving, flashing, blinking, reflecting, glaring, or revolving, or any other similar sign, except electronic message boards displaying time, temperature, or required prices of gasoline or similar fuels, or the display of noncommercial notices or messages.; (e) Roof signs.; (f) Snipe signs or any other sign attached to a tree, utility pole, fence post, etc. (g) Mobile signs. Commercial Signs on vehicles when the vehicle is parked for the purpose of displaying said sign and /or directing traffic to a business when any of the following is met: (i) Location. Vehicle(s) is parked off-premise; (ii) Time. Vehicle is parked for a duration of more than two (2) hours within a 24- hour period of time, off-premise. (h) Inflatable signs.; (i) Wall mounted cabinet signage where the frame or external structure is a box, either in rectangular, square, or similar box like appearance, and the sign face is flat and/or the background is light colored and non-decorative in nature, with little or no articulation and comprised of plastic, or other similar type of material.; (j) Feather flag signs; (k) Signs, including non-commercial signs that are placed or encroach into the right- of-way without a valid encroachment permit or prior approval of the City Engineer or the Engineer’s designee. (m) Signs emitting audible sounds, odors or particulate matter. 9-15.007 Allowed Signs By Zone (a). Permitted Signs by Zones. The following are the signs types that are permitted by zone as shown in Table 15.1. 120 Table 15.1 – Allowed Sign Types Based On Zone Sign Type P Permitted Sign** AUP Administrative Use Permit Required**  (blank) Not Permitted **building permit requirements per section 9-15.005 and 9-15.007** Total Aggregate sign Area (square feet) and may be divided by using one (1) or more sign Types Based on Sign Type Based on Sign Type 150 sf 50 sf 100 sf Ag Zone Residential Zones Non-Residential Zones (CS, CN, CR, CPK, CT, IP, I) Downtown Zones (DC, DO) Public Zones (P, OS, L, LS) 1. A-Frame P P P P 2. Art & Wall Murals AUP AUP AUP AUP AUP 3. Awning P P P P 4. Banner P P P 5. Building Name P P P P P 6. Changeable Copy AUP AUP AUP AUP AUP 7. Freeway Oriented1Facing AUP 8. Home Occupation P P 9. Information Kiosks 10. Private Light Pole P P P P 11. Ground Monument Sign P P P P 12. Multi-Tenant Freestanding P P 13. Projecting P P P 14. Projected Image P P P P 15. Off-Site Subdivision AUP AUP 16. Neighborhood Identification P 17. Single Tenant Freestanding Sign P P P 18. Suspended P P P P 19. Temporary For-Sale P P P P P 20. Temporary Non- Commercial P P P P P 21. Tenant Directional P P P P 22. Wall P P P P 23. Window Lettering P P P P Notes: 1 Freeway signs are regulated by section 9-15.009 121 9-15.008 Types of Signs & Standards (a) Allowed Signs and Standards. The following signs are permitted within the City of Atascadero as shown in Table 15.2. Additional standards may be applicable as contained in this chapter. Allowed Signage Types – Table 15.2 Sign Type Permit Required Zones Allowed Max. Sign Area1 Number of sign(s) permitted Max. Height2 Special Requirements 1. A-Frame None All Zoning Districts except Residential 10 sf 1 per street frontage 5 ft. (a) Must be located outside of Right- of-way on business property, except as allowed by encroachment permit in the East Mall and West Mall parkway area. (b) Minimum height is 3-feet. 2. Art and MuralsPainted Wall Sign Yes A All Zoning Districts except Residential ll Zoning Districts 40 sf in P, L, LS zonesN/A 1 per building face with a public street frontage or parking lotN/A Based on building heightN/ A (a) May not exceed one (1) square foot per lineal foot of building frontage. (b) For tenants greater than 10,000 square feet in size, an additional one hundred and fifty percent (150%) more sign area may be permitted. (c) Wall signs shall be located below the top of the parapet or roofline on single story buildings and below the second floor sill on multi-story buildings. (d) Painted signs do not require building permits but require planning review.AUP required prior to installation for review limited to size, placement, and duration. 3. Awning Yes All Zoning Districts except Residential 50% of awning face 1 per Business Based on building height (a) Minimum vertical clearance from the ground of eight (8) feet. (b) May project a maximum of five (5) feet into the public right-of- way with approved encroachment permit (c) Shall be securely attached to the buildings and well maintained. (d) No supports or poles may be located in the public right-of-way. (e) Shall complement the building they are attached to. 4. Banner No All Zoning Districts except Ag & Residential 40 sf 1 per Public street frontage N/A (a) May be in place for a maximum of thirty (30) days. (b) All banners must be down a minimum of sixty (60) days before any new banner may go up (c) Banners must be secured flat against a building or secure 122 Allowed Signage Types – Table 15.2 Sign Type Permit Required Zones Allowed Max. Sign Area1 Number of sign(s) permitted Max. Height2 Special Requirements structure placed in the ground. (d) Nonprofit events shall be exempt from size and number of banners (e.g., farmers market). 5. Building Name Identification Yes All Zoning Districts except Ag & Residential 20 sf 1 per building Based on building height (a) Signage used to identify the building not the tenant(s). 6. Changeable Copy Yes All Zoning Districts l Based on AUP 1 per business 12 ft. (a) AUP required. (b) Size of changeable copy to be determined by the AUP. (c) Design of changeable copy sign shall be determined by AUP. (d) Sign is non-digital. 7. Freeway OrientedFacing Yes * * * *Refer to section 9-15.010 8. Home Occupation No All Ag & Residential Zones 2 sf 1 per residential unit 4 ft for ground mounted and 6 foot for wall mounted . (a) Requires issuance of a valid business license prior to placement. (b) Signage is permitted as a part of a residential occupancy in a mixed-use development. 9. Information Kiosks Yes All Zoning Districts Based on AUP Based on AUP Based on AUP (a) For the permanent and / or temporary display of information. (b) Limited to civic activities, advertising for local events. (c) AUP required. 10. Private Light Pole3 Yes Non- Residential Zones / Public Zones 6 sf for each pole 25% of the total number of light poles; Based on Not to exceed Light Pole Height (a) A permanent light pole within a parking lot or property may be utilized for temporary banner or signage that does not count towards total aggregate sign area. (b) Eight (8) feet minimum vertical clearance or as required by the California Building Code, whichever is greater. (c) Light Pole located on private property. (d) A maximum of two (2) signs per pole. (e) Signage on poles shall be placed within decorative frames or brackets. 123 Allowed Signage Types – Table 15.2 Sign Type Permit Required Zones Allowed Max. Sign Area1 Number of sign(s) permitted Max. Height2 Special Requirements 11. Ground Monument Sign Yes All Zoning Districts Except Residential 60 sf CN, CP, CR, CS, CT, CPK, IP, I 1 per 200 lineal foot 6 ft. (a) Minimum base height shall be one (1) foot. (b) Maximum base height shall be four (4 feet) (c) Base does not count towards sign face area. (d) Base shall have decorative hardscaping and shall be consistent with the architecture of the building(s) it serves. (e) Bases shall be located in a landscape planter. (f) Cabinet type signs shall be prohibited. (g) Monument signs in DO/DC require a building to be setback a min. of 10-feet from back of walk. (h) Bases shall be located in a landscape planter and setback three (3) feet from the back of sidewalk in the DO/DC zone. 50 sf L,LS,P,OS 40 sf DC, DO, AG 12. Multi-Tenant Freestanding Yes Non- Residential Zones 50 sf + additional 10 sf per tenant Max. 100 sf 1 per property 12 ft (a) Two (2) or more tenants required. (b) Minimum base height shall be four (4) feet. (c) Base does not count towards sign face. (d) Base Articulation. Base shall be consistent with architecture of multi-tenant building. (e) Bases shall be located in a landscape planter and setback five (5) feet from the back of sidewalk. (f) Cabinet monument type shall be prohibited. (g) A singular pole is prohibited. 13. Projecting Yes All Zoning Districts except Ag & Residential 15 sf 1 per business N/A (a) Minimum ground clearance must be eight (8) feet, or as regulated by the California Building Code. (b) May encroach up to five (5) feet within the public right-of-way with issuance of an encroachment permit. 14. Projected Image No* *Electrical permit may be required. All Zoning Districts except Ag l N/A 1 per business / residence N/A (a) Laser lights or projected image signs used to project an image, logo, or other graphic in a building, structure, sidewalk or other surface. (b) Projected image signs may be in place a maximum of thirty (30) calendar days and not be utilized for a minimum of sixty (60) days thereafter. 124 Allowed Signage Types – Table 15.2 Sign Type Permit Required Zones Allowed Max. Sign Area1 Number of sign(s) permitted Max. Height2 Special Requirements (c) Installation of new electrical components shall be consistent with the California Building Code or successor code. (d) Flashing, distracting lights shall not be utilized. 15. Off-Site Subdivision Yes Ag & Residential Zones / Non- Residential Zones 40 sf 3 per subdivision 10 ft. (a) Subdivision tracts of five (5) or more lots may be permitted to install off-site directional advertising signage. (b) Subject to the approval of an AUP. (c) Subdivision shall be located within the City of Atascadero. (d) No flags, banners or other decorations shall be affixed to the sign. (e) The signs shall not be illuminated. (f) All signs shall be located on private property with written permission from the property owner provided to the City. (g) The signs shall be removed prior to final occupancy of the last unit in the tract or after a period of three (3) years whichever is less. (h) The applicant may apply annually for a one (1) year time extension for active construction projects. 16. Neighborhood Identification Yes Residential Zones 36 sf 1 per arterial / collector street frontage 6 ft (a) Residential Single Family / Multi- Family Developments of five (5) units or more. (b) Minimum base height shall be one (1) foot. (c) Maximum base height shall be three (3 feet) (d) Base does not count towards sign face area. (e) Base shall have decorative hardscaping and shall be consistent with the architecture of the building(s) it serves. (f) Bases shall be located in a landscape planter on private property, (g) Cabinet type signs shall be prohibited. (h) Signs shall front on either ana designated arterial or collector road. 17. Single Tenant Freestanding Yes All Zoning Districts 60 sf 1 per property 6 ft (a) Sign face shall be elevated, a minimum of one (1) foot off the 125 Allowed Signage Types – Table 15.2 Sign Type Permit Required Zones Allowed Max. Sign Area1 Number of sign(s) permitted Max. Height2 Special Requirements except Residential ground. (b) Bases shall be located in a landscape planter and setback a minimum of two (2) feet from the back of sidewalk. (c) Cabinet monument type shall be prohibited. (d) A singular pole is prohibited. (e) Signs in DO/DC require a building to be setback a min. of 10-feet from back of walk. 18. Suspended Yes All Zoning Districts except Ag & Residential 15 sf 1 per public street frontage N/A (a) Minimum ground clearance of eight (8) feet or as regulated by the California Building Code or successor code. 19. Temporary For-Sale No All Zoning Districts 6 sf all other lots 1 sign per street frontage; 1 sign per highway frontage 6 ft. (a) Signs must be removed fourteen (14) days after close of sale. 32 sf for lots fronting a highway 20. Temporary Non- Commercial No All Zoning Districts 6 sf for yard sign in residential zones 12 per property Maximum area for all signs not to exceed 32 sf 5 ft (a) A maximum of nine (9) months. (b) Must be removed a minimum of ninety (90) days before any new non-commercial signage may be placed. (b) Prohibited in the public right-of- way. (c) 32 sf freestanding in commercial zones 21. Tenant Directional No All Zoning Districts N/A N/A 5 ft. (a) Does not count against total aggregate sign area. (b) Design shall be consistent with the architectural style and features of the building façade. 22. Wall Yes All Zoning Districts except Residential 40 sf in P, L, LS zones 1 per building face with a public street frontage or parking lot Based on building height (a) May not exceed one (1) square foot per lineal foot of building frontage. (b) For tenants greater than 10,000 square feet in size, an additional one hundred and fifty percent (150%) more sign area may be permitted. (c) Wall signs shall be located below the top of the parapet or roofline on single story buildings and below the second floor sill on multi-story buildings. (d) Painted signs do not require building permits but require planning review. Based on building frontage for all other non- residential zones 126 Allowed Signage Types – Table 15.2 Sign Type Permit Required Zones Allowed Max. Sign Area1 Number of sign(s) permitted Max. Height2 Special Requirements 23. Window Lettering / Perforated Window Film / Window Graphics No All Zoning Districts except Ag & Residential Not to exceed 1/2 of window area in all other zones * * *See section 9-15.004(f) Not to exceed 1/3 of window area in DC/DO Zone Notes: 1. Maximum Sign Area measured in square feet (sf). 2. Maximum Height measured in feet (ft) and from finished grade for all sign types. 3. Additional Light Pole signage regulations contained in subsection 9-15.007(b)(2). (b) Special Sign Types and Criteria. The following are additional signage types defined by the City and criteria required for their uses. (1) Gas Station Canopies. In addition to the signs allowed above, a maximum of twenty (20) square feet of signs, logos and or color banding shall be permitted on no more than two (2) sides of a pump island canopy structure. The remainder of the pump canopy fascia shall be of an architectural treatment consistent with site architecture. (2) Light Pole Signage. The following shall be prohibited to be placed on light poles: (a) Posting of signage or messages above the height of the light pole structure; (b) Digital display message signs; (c) Internally illuminated signage; (d) Changeable copy signage; (e) Faded, torn, or otherwise damaged signage. 9-15.009 Freeway OrientedFacing Signs Freeway oriented facing signs shall adhere to the below standards. Approval of an AUP shall be required for all Freeway oriented signage. (a) Businesses located on freeway frontage of Highway 101, and that are a restaurant, service station, provide lodging, or are a dealer of new automobiles, may have a pole mounted freeway oriented sign with an area not to exceed one (1) square foot of sign area per lineal foot of freeway oriented building frontage up to one hundred fifty (150) square feet, whichever is less. Pole mounted signs shall not exceed fifty (50) feet in height or the minimum height necessary for effective visibility (see Section 9-15.011(c)). (b) Where the principal use is planned shopping, office or industrial complex with five (5) or more tenants, a building-mounted freeway oriented sign may be allowed with a maximum area not to exceed one (1) square foot for each lineal foot of building frontage up to sixty (60) square feet per principal tenant, whichever is less. (c) Where the building area of a single tenant building exceeds ten thousand (10,000) square feet, a building-mounted freeway oriented sign may be allowed with a maximum area not 127 to exceed one (1) square foot for each lineal foot of building frontage up to sixty (60) square feet, whichever is less. (d) Where the building area of a single tenant building is less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet, a building-mounted freeway oriented sign may be allowed with a maximum area of forty (40) square feet with a maximum letter height of fourteen (14) inches. (e) Freeway wall signs shall be constructed of individual three-dimensional letters or logos. Rectangular box or cabinet signs shall not be allowed along the US 101 frontage. Signs may be internally illuminated pan channel letters or externally lit individual letters. 9-15.010 Sign Materials, Design & Calculations (a) Sign Faces Counted. Where a sign has two (2) faces containing sign copy, which are oriented back to back and separated by not more than twenty-four (24) inches at any point, the area of the sign shall be measured using one (1) sign face only. (b) Wall Mounted Letters/Logos. Where a sign is composed of letters individually mounted or painted on a building wall, without a border or decorative enclosure, the sign area is that of the smallest area within which all letters and words can be enclosed. (c) Three-Dimensional Signs. Where a sign consists of one (1) or more three- dimensional objects such as balls, cubes, clusters of objects, or sculptural or statute-type trademarks, the sign area shall be measured as the area of the smallest rectangle within which the object(s) can be enclosed, when viewed from a point where the largest area of the object(s) can be seen. (d) Sign Materials and Design. Signs shall utilize materials, colors, and design motifs that are compatible with the architecture and color of the buildings on-site and adjacent properties. (See Refer to Appearance Review Guidelines.) (e) Sign Messages. Sign messages shall be limited to the identification of the business or the type of activity conducted on the premises. (f) Sign Programs. A master sign program must be provided for locations with five (5) or more tenants or businesses. Such programs shall be approved by an AUP or concurrently with a CUP for the development. Sign programs may also include wayfinding programs or civic sign programs. (g) Franchise and Logo Signs. Businesses that are part of a franchise or corporation may not exceed the maximum sign area allowed in their zone including franchise or logo signs. (h) Illumination. If signs are proposed to be illuminated, signs shall be indirectly lighted by continuous, stationary, shielded light sources, directed solely at the sign, or internal to it. All light sources for signs are to be shielded so as not to be directly visible from off-site. (i) Freestanding Signsage. All freestanding or monument signsage displaying either a commercial or non-commercial message shall adhere to the following criteria: (1) When located in the Corner Clear Zone, the sign shall not exceed thirty (30) inches in height. (2) Signs shall not obstruct a motorist’s view of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, traffic-control signs, or signals, or otherwise represent a hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic. (3) Signs shall not impede a pedestrian’s free use of the sidewalk. (4) Signs shall be securely affixed to the property on which they are placed. (5) Signs may not be posted without the permission of the property owner. (j) Code Standards. All signs established in this City must comply with all current editions of the California Building Code, or successor adopted building code for anchoring, 128 foundations, windloads, illumination, and design standards. Awning Signs and projecting signs require structural plans to be done by a licensed architect or civil engineer. 9-15.011 Design Exceptions The sign area or other limitations of this chapter may be modified, increased or decreased through approval of an administrative use permit. In reviewing an administrative use permit, the following findings shall be made: (a) The need for such signing is consistent with based on the purposes set forth in Section 9-15.002; (b) The opportunity to combine signs for more than one (1) use on a single sign structure has been considered; (c) For freeway oriented signs, the sign area and height are the minimum needed to achieve adequate visibility along the freeway due to highway ramp locations and grade differences; and (d) Conformance with all other applicable codes and ordinances of the City, including, but not limited to, the Zoning Ordinance, General Plan and its several elements, and the appearance review guidelines. 9-15.012 Sign Maintenance and Abandoned Signs All signs established in this City are subject to this code regarding safety, maintenance, and repair. All signs are to be properly maintained in a safe and legible condition at all times. Any sign that is fifty percent (50%) or more of the replacement cost of the sign or deteriorated, must be repaired and brought into conformance with this chapter will be presumed to be abandoned as defined in Section 9-15.018. 9-15.013 Legal Non-conforming signs The use of a legal nonconforming sign may continue as follows: (a) Free-Standing and Attached Signs. A legal non-conforming sign shall not be: (1) Increased in area; (2) Moved from its location on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title unless required by law or pursuant to this title; (3) Be provided with increased or intensified lighting; (4) Changed to an advertisement for a business not occupying the premises or a product not sold on the premises. (b) Sign Copy. The advertising copy on a legal nonconforming sign may be changed, except as provided by subsections (a), (c) and (d) of this section. (c) Discontinued Use. If the use of a building or land associated with a legal nonconforming sign is discontinued for a period of six (6) months or more, any signage shall be removed and conform to the provisions of the chapter. (d) Public Nuisances. Any legal nonconforming sign which is found to present danger to the public or becomes abandoned due to disrepair or lack of proper maintenance may be declared a public nuisance and abated as set forth in Chapter 9-8 (Enforcement). (e) Destroyed Signs. If a legal nonconforming sign is destroyed to the extent of fifty percent (50%) or more of its replacement cost prior to its destruction by fire, explosion or act of God, it may be restored only if it is brought into full conformance with the provisions of this 129 chapter. If the sign is damaged to the extent of less than fifty percent (50%) of its replacement cost, it may be restored to its former legal non-conforming status. 9-15.014 Code Enforcement. The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced pursuant to Section 9-8.101 et seq., of Title 9 and Title 12, Code Enforcement or its successor code. 9-15.015 Signs on City Property Any sign placed on property owned by the City of Atascadero, or within the right-of-way of a dedicated public street without the permission of the City may be removed by the City without prior notice. This section shall not be interpreted consistent with the requirements of to violate the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and the free speech clause of Article I of the California Constitution. 9-15.016 Substitution Clause Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, the extent that this section allows a sign containing a commercial message, a non-commercial message shall be allowed to the same extent. The non-commercial message may occupy the entire sign area or any portion thereof, and may substitute or be combined with the commercial message. The sign message may be changed from commercial to non-commercial message to another, as frequently as desired by the sign’s owner, provided that the sign is not prohibited and the sign continues to comply with all requirements of this section. 9-15.017 Severability Clause If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phase of this sign ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this sign ordinance. The City Council of the City of Atascadero hereby declares that it would have adopted the Sign Ordinance in each section, subsection, sentence, or phase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more section, subsections, sentences, clauses, or phases be declared invalid. 9-15.018 Appeals. (a) General Procedure. Any person seeking to appeal a decision granting or denying an application for issuance of a building permit for a sign, revoking a permit or ordering the remediation or removal of a sign, may appeal such action, first to the planning commission, if pertaining to a decision of the Planning Director or their designee, and if dissatisfied with the decision of the planning commission, then to the city council in the manner provided by this section. (b) Effective Date of Decision. Decisions of the director or planning commission under this chapter will be final and conclusive on the fourteenth (14) consecutive calendar day following the date of the director's or planning commission's decision, unless an effective timely and complete appeal is filed as provided in this section. (c) Form of Appeal. An appeal must: 130 1. Be in writing on a form provided by the department of community development; 2. Identify the director's or planning commission's action to which the appeal relates; 3. Be filed with the department prior to the decision to which the appeal relates becomes final; and 4. Be accompanied by a processing fee in an amount set by the city council. (d) Stay of Proceedings. The timely filing of an effective appeal will stay the decision of the director or planning commission to which the appeal relates pending final action by the planning commission or city council on the matter. (e) Hearing. The department will expeditiously schedule a hearing before the planning commission or city council, as applicable, not later than 30 days after the notice of appeal is received by the city and give written notice of the time and place of the hearing to the appellant; provided, however, the hearing may be held after such 30-day period upon the request or concurrence of the appellant. Action on the appeal will be taken at the time of the hearing by the planning commission or city council, as applicable, unless the appellant requests a continuance. (f) Judicial Review. Any person dissatisfied with the final action taken by the city council may seek prompt judicial review of such decision pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.8 or successor code. 9-15.018019 Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply: Abandoned Signs. A sign is abandoned when for a period of ninety (90) days or more, there is no sign copy appearing on the sign, or where the establishment with which the sign is associated has ceased operation for a period of ninety (90) days or more, or where it is relatively clear that the sign has been forsaken or deserted. Any sign which is a conforming sign not in use, but which could be re-used in conjunction with the ownership or operation of a new business on a property, shall not fall under the definition of abandoned. Alteration. Any change of size, shape, illumination, position, location, construction or supporting structure of an existing sign. Animated Sign. A sign with action or motion, rotating, flashing or color changes, excepting therefrom wind actuated elements such as flags, banners, streamers, whirligigs or other similar devices, and public service signs such as time and temperature units. Balloon, Inflatable Signs, or Inflatable Attention-getting Devices. Any air or gas filled device located, attached, or tethered to the ground, site, merchandise, building, or roof and used for the purpose of signage, advertising or attention-getting. Banner. Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is attached to a building or other structure. Flags, as defined in this section, shall not be considered banners. Building Complex. A building or group of buildings on one (1) or more lots or building sites containing three (3) or more separate businesses. 131 Building Face. The outermost surface of any exterior wall of a building, but not including cornices, bay windows, balconies, or other architectural features which extend beyond the general outermost surface of such exterior wall. Building Frontage. Building Face that fronts a public street or shared common parking area within a commercial center, measured in linear feet from the edge of wall to the edge of wall. Cabinet Sign. Also referred to as “can sign”. A sign that contains all the text and/or logo symbols on the display face of an enclosed cabinet Canopy Sign. Any sign that is part of a projecting awning, canopy, or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door, entrance or window or outdoor service area, or otherwise attached to a building face. Changeable Copy Sign. A sign with changeable copy, regardless of the method of attachment or the materials of construction, that is non-digital. Commercial Message. Any wording, logo or other representation that, directly or indirectly, names, advertises or calls attention to a commercial or industrial business, product, good, service or other commercial or industrial activity.] Commercial Signage. Any sign with wording, logo, or other representation that, directly or indirectly, names, advertises, or calls attention to a business, product, service, or other commercial activity. Corner Clear Zone. The area at a street corner inscribed by a line drawn between points established by measuring back fifteen (15) feet from the beginning of the curb radius along the curb line, or edge of pavement when there is no curb, and the face of the curb or edge of pavement. Construction. A property that has been issued a building permit by the City of Atascadero for activities related to demolition, remodel, or new construction of a property. Digital Display. The portion of a sign message made up of internally illuminated components capable of changing a message periodically. Digital displays may include but not limited to LCD, LED, plasma, or high intensity displays (hid). Dormer. A structure located above the height of a wall projecting from a sloping roof that is enclosed on both sides and top, and does not project above top of the roof structure. Dwelling Unit. Any building or portion thereof which contains living facilities, including provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation. Enforcement Officer. Any City official or agent designated by the City Manager as having authority to enforce the provisions of this article. Flag. A device, generally made of flexible materials, usually cloth, paper or plastic, usually used as a symbol of a government, school, or religion, and not containing a commercial message. Freestanding Sign. Any sign supported by structures or supports that are placed on, or anchored in, the ground which are independent from any building or other structure. This definition may include pole signs, ground signs and monument signs. Freeway OrientedFacing Sign. A sign oriented to be viewed primarily from Highway 101, which identifies a business engaged in the provision of food, lodging, motor vehicle fuel, or the sale of motor vehicles. 132 Feather Flag. Also known as a blade sign, teardrop sign, or similar type of temporary signage that is constructed of cloth, canvas, plastic fabric, or similar lightweight, non-rigid material and that is supported by a single vertical pole mounted into the ground or portable structure for means of advertising. Ground Sign. Any freestanding sign greater than six (6) feet in height and supported wholly by uprights, braces, or poles in or upon the ground and where any supports or angle irons are enclosed in a wood, plastic, metal or other decorative form, such that the angle irons or supports are not visible. The entire bottom of a ground sign is generally in contact or in close proximity to the ground. Height. The height of any sign shall be the measurement from the top of the sign cabinet, including all ornamentation and supports, to the existing grade beneath the sign. Illegal Sign. Any sign placed without all required governmental approval and/or permits at the time such sign was placed or is an existing sign which was not constructed in accordance with the ordinances and other applicable laws in effect on the date of construction, did not receive government approval or permits, or a legal nonconforming sign that has exceeded its authorized amortization period. Illuminated Sign. Any sign employing the use of lighting sources for the purpose of decorating, outlining, accentuating or brightening the sign area. Incidental Sign. A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary to the use of the lot on which it is located, such as no parking, entrance, loading only, telephone and other similar directives. A sign that also includes a commercial message is not considered incidental. Legal Nonconforming Sign. A sign which was legal when first erected, with all necessary permits, but due to a change in the law it became nonconforming. Light Pole Signage. A temporary banner or sign that isd designed to be attached to a permanent light pole and where the temporary sign element can be changed without modifying the structure. Lot Frontage. Those portions of a lot or building site which abut a public street. For purposes of determining frontage on corner lots and through lots, all sides of a lot abutting a public street (excluding an alley) shall be considered frontage. Marquee. A permanent roofed structure attached to and supported by the building and projecting beyond the building face. Mobile sign. The use of a moving trailer, automobile, truck, or any other vehicle to display commercial or noncommercial messages primarily for advertising purposes unrelated to the principal use of such vehicle. Monument Sign. A freestanding sign which is supported by a base which extends the entire length of the sign area and is an integral part of the design. Multi-Faced Sign. A sign with two or more sign faces where any two sign faces are oriented such that they have an interior angle of greater than forty-five (45) degrees from each other. Murals. A large picture, image (including but not limited to painted art) which is painted, constructed, or affixed directing only a vertical building wall, which may or may not contain text, logos, and/or symbols. May also include a mural sign. Noncommercial Signage. Any signage which is not determined to be commercial signage, as defined herein. 133 Noncommercial MessageSpeech. Any message which is not determined to be a commercial message speech as defined herein. [Alternative: “Any wording, logo or other representation that does not directly or indirectly, name, advertise or calls attention to a commercial or industrial business, product, good, service or other commercial or industrial activity.”] Nonstructural Trim. The molding, battens, caps, nailing strips, lattice, cutouts, or letters and walkways which are attached to the sign structure. Obscene Signs. Signage when taken as a whole, which to the average person applying contemporary statewide standards, appeals to the prurient interest and as a whole depicts or describes in a patently offensive way sexual conduct which lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value. Off-Site Commercial Signage. Signage that is not located on the site of the business, accommodations, services, or commercial activity served by the sign. On-Site Commercial Signage. A sign advertising the business, accommodations, services or commercial activities provided on the site on which the sign is located. For the purposes of this chapter, all signs with noncommercial messages are deemed to be on-site, regardless of location Permanent Sign. Any legal sign designed or used in excess of forty-five (45) days. Permitted Sign. Signs permitted pursuant to this this chapterarticle. Pole Signs. A sign wholly supported by one pole and separated from the ground by air. Portable Sign or A-frame Sign. Any freestanding, moveable sign. Prohibited Signs. Signs specified in Section 9-15.007 of this chapter or any sign not specified in Section 9-15.008 through 9-15.010, nor in compliance with the design criteria for this chapter. Projecting Sign. A sign which projects more than twelve (12) inches from the exterior face of a building wall or facade and which uses the building wall as its primary source of support. Project Entrance Sign. An on-site sign used to identify the name of an apartment housing complex, Mobilehome Park, condominium subdivision or other residential subdivision. Projected Image Sign. A sign which involves an image projected on the face of a wall, structure, sidewalk, or other surface from a distant electronic device such that the image does not originate from the plan of the wall, structure, sidewalk, or other surface. Roof Sign. A sign erected upon or above a roof (angled surface) or a parapet of a building or structure, and not contained within a dormer (flat surface). Setback Area. The setback area shall be that area defined as the required minimum yard as specified by the Zoning Ordinance for each Zoning District, unless a specific setback is designated within this chapter. Sign. Any device, fixture, placard, or structure that uses any color, form, graphic, illumination, symbol, or writing to advertise, announce the purpose of, or identify the purpose of a person or entity, or to communicate information of any kind to the public, with the exception of the following: (1) Such devices not exceeding one (1) square foot in area and bearing only property numbers, post box number, names of occupants or other similar identification on a site; (2) Flags and other insignia of any government not displaying a commercial message; (3) Legal notices, identification, informational or directional/traffic controlling devices erected or required by government agencies; 134 (4) Decorative or architectural features of buildings, except letters, trademarks or moving parts; (5) Holiday decorations and lights; (6) Government traffic controlling devices are not considered signs for purposes of this chapter due to their distinct purpose. Sign Area. The entire area contained within the frame, cabinet or fixture, including all ornamentation or decoration used to attract attention. In the case of pole signs, that area above the supporting column, provided such supporting column is not decorated or displayed with advertising. The area of signs painted on walls, individual letter signs, trough signs, and other directly illuminated signs, shall be calculated on the basis of the smallest rectangle, circle or spherical figure that will enclose the entire copy area of the sign. The area of any two (2) or more faced signs or type signs having any interior angle of more than forty-five (45) degrees (multi- faces signs) shall be the total area of all faces or panels. If all interior angles are forty-five (45) degrees or less, the greatest sized panel or face shall only be counted as the sign area. Sign Copy. Any words, letters, numbers, figures, designs or other symbolistic representation incorporated into a sign with the purpose of attracting attention to the subject matter. Sign Face. The surface of the sign upon, against, or through which the message is displayed or illustrated on the sign. Sign Structure. Any structure that supports or is capable of supporting any sign as defined in this section. A sign structure may be a single pole and may or may not be an integral part of the building. Site. A lot, or group of contiguous lots, with or without development, in single ownership, or having multiple owners, all of whom join in an application for signage. Snipe Signs. Signage that is attached to trees, utility poles, in-ground wires or to other objects that has a message appearing on it. Street. A public or private highway, road or thoroughfare which affords the principal means of access to adjacent lots. Temporary For Sale Sign. Temporary signage for properties that are for sale or rent. Wall Sign- (Add definition) Utility Pole. An outdoor pole consisting of either wood, metal, or other similar material, installed by an entity operating under the jurisdiction of the California Public Utilities Commission or other similar state or federal agency to support telephone, electric, and other cables. Yard Sign. A sign no larger than five six (56) square feet in size comprised of light weight material such as vinyl, canvas, fabric, or other similar materials that are staked, or framed in the ground. 135