Planning Commission Meeting Update

February 13, 2008                  Wednesday                                7:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

ROLL CALL:      Commissioners Dan Carpenter, Michael Multari, John Ashbaugh, Amanda Brodie, Vice-Chairperson Charles Stevenson and Chairperson Carlyn Christianson (Commissioner Gould-Wells, absent) 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:  Accepted as presented  

MINUTES:  Minutes of January 23, 2008:  Approved as modified.  

PUBLIC COMMENT:  None  

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.        467 Hill Street.  U 187-07:  Request to add executive suite uses to the allowable use list established for the site and extend hours of operation for the use from        7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to 24 hours a day for up to 4 employees for office/phone work; R-1 zone; Robin Rossi, applicant.  (Tyler Corey) 

Item was continued to a date uncertain to provide proper notice and allow for additional research on land uses.       

2.        730 & 748 Foothill Blvd.  TR/ER 108-07:  Tentative tract map and environmental review for six airspace condo units with requests to allow the trash enclosure within street yard setback, fence height exception, and building setback reductions along Foothill Blvd; R-4 zone; Foothill Courtyard LLC, applicant.  (Brian Leveille) 

Staff presented the staff report recommending approval of the tract map and negative declaration to City Council.  The project architect provided additional information on the project.  The project had received positive comments from the ARC and support for requests for the requested fence and setback exception.  

The commission had concerns about vehicle maneuverability and the requested height and setback exceptions.  On a motion by Commissioner Stevenson, seconded by Commissioner Ashbaugh, on a 6:0 vote, the item was continued to the date of March 12, 2008, to allow the applicant time to address the commission’s concerns over setbacks, fence height, open spaces/surfaces, and other development standards.  

3.        1290-1292 Foothill Blvd. and 123, 125, 137, & 175 Crandall Avenue.  U/GP-R/ER 109-05; General Plan amendment and rezone from Medium High Density Residential (R-3) to High Density Residential (R-4), use permit to allow fraternity, and environmental review; R-3 zone; Kevin Hauber, applicant.  (Brian Leveille) 

Staff presented the staff report recommending the Planning Commission recommend approval of the project to the City Council.  Brian Leveille, staff planner, highlighted the project’s sustainable design features and noted a condition of approval not included in the resolution that the project contribute a “fair share” of the traffic improvements at Foothill and California Blvd. 

Commissioner Multari noted his opposition to the traffic improvement condition from Public Works since the project would reduce traffic with its close proximity to Cal Poly. John Knight, project representative, gave some background on the project.  Steve Gordon, President of the Fraternity, discussed the neighborhood outreach program and the desire to respect the surrounding neighborhood.  

On a motion by Commissioner Multari, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter, the commission voted 6:0 to recommend approval of the rezone, general plan amendment, and Negative Declaration to the City Council. 

On a motion by Commissioner Stevenson, seconded by Commissioner Brodie, the Planning Commission voted 5:1 to recommend approval of the use permit, but not recommending the condition from Public Works on traffic improvements and adding a condition to require that the bathroom near the dining room and one of the units be designed as handicapped accessible.  

4.        11980 Los Osos Valley Road.  ANNX/ARC/GP-R/ER 7-07; Discussion of the scope of the EIR for a project to annex and develop vacant agricultural land along Los Osos Valley Road with a new retail center; Irish Hills Plaza East LLC, applicant. (Phil Dunsmore) 

Staff presented an overview of the project and the proposed timelines for the EIR. Public testimony from approximately six members of the public was taken in regards to the EIR scope. Issues raised included prime ag land, competition with downtown, open space preservation, General Plan consistency, and impacts to Prefumo Creek. Nearby residents also discussed concerns regarding visual and noise impacts to the nearby residential neighborhood. The Planning Commission discussed the scope of the EIR and stressed the importance of realistic project alternatives and compliance with General Plan policies.  Commissioners were also concerned about the bridge and how the road connection to Dalidio would be completed in the future.

 COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: 

5.        Staff 

A.     Agenda Forecast:  Deputy Director Davidson provided the agenda forecast.   

6.        Commission:  Commission requested that this years’ Retreat be scheduled for discussion at the meeting when the Oaths of Office are given and the new Chair and Vice-Chair are selected (scheduled for April 9, 2008.)     

ADJOURNMENT  Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Planning Commission regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection in the Community Development, 919 Palm Street, during normal business hours.