Planning Commission Meeting Update

April 25, 2007                  Wednesday                                7:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

ROLL CALL:      Commissioners Dan Carpenter, John Ashbaugh, Amanda Brodie, Diana Gould-Wells, Andrea Miller, and Chairperson Carlyn Christianson Absent:  Vice Chair, Charles Stevenson  

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: Agenda was accepted as proposed. 

MINUTES:  The minutes of April 11, 2007 and April 18, 2007 were approved as written.   

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.        1925 Sydney Street. ANNX, GP/R, TR and ER 4-05: Request to annex approx. 70 acres (13 acres for 9 homes and 57 acres of open space), amend the General Plan Land Use Map and Zoning Map to R-1 (Low-Density Residential) and C/OS (Conservation/Open Space), and relocate the Urban Reserve Line; tentative tract map creating 12 residential lots and 1 open space lot; and environmental review; King Ventures, applicant. (Phil Dunsmore) 

Following a presentation by staff on the wide range of concerns regarding the project, numerous members of the Johnson Avenue neighborhood spoke in support of the staff recommendation to deny the annexation request as proposed. The neighborhoods, discussion focused on inconsistency with General Plan Policies in addition to the site’s known wildfire hazards, slope instability, and potential visual impacts. Based on staff’s recommendation to deny the project to the City Council, the Commission discussed the potential project alternatives. Following a brief discussion and on a motion by Commissioner Brodie, seconded by Commissioner Ashbaugh, the Commission voted 5-1 (Miller) to recommend denial of the proposed annexation.    

2.        1854 Sydney Street.  ANNX, GP/R, TR and ER 126-06: Request to annex approx.  88.96 acres; amend the General Plan Land Use Map and Zoning Map to Low-Density Residential (R-1) and Conservation/Open Space (C/OS) and relocate the Urban Reserve Line; tentative tract map creating 6 residential lots and one open space lot; and environmental review; H&D, R&K, D&N Filipponi, applicant. (Phil Dunsmore) 

Following an extensive staff presentation that discussed the extreme slope, access, and visual concerns with the project area, numerous members of the Johnson Avenue neighborhood spoke in support of the staff recommendation to deny the annexation request as proposed.  Concerns brought up by the neighborhood confirmed staff’s concerns regarding slope instability, drainage, grading, access, wildfire risk, and the potential visual impacts of development on this sensitive site. On a motion by Commissioner Carpenter, seconded by Commissioner Gould_Wells, the Commission voted 6-0 to recommend denial of the proposed annexation.   

3.        1700 Harmony Way.  ANNX, GP/R, TR and ER 142-04: Request to annex approx. 11.54 acres; amend the General Plan Land Use Map to Low-Density Residential and Conservation/Open Space and prezone the property to R-1 and C/OS and extend Urban Reserve Line; tentative tract map creating 12 residential lots; and environmental review; Roger Brown, applicant. (Phil Dunsmore)  

Following a brief staff presentation, numerous members of the Harmony Way neighborhood spoke in opposition to the proposed annexation request.  On a motion by Commissioner Brodie, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter, the Commission made Findings and voted 5-1 (Miller) to recommend denial of the proposed annexation.  Commissioner Miller felt that the item should be continued to explore annexation options should an alternative gravity water system be available. On a separate motion made by Commissioner Miller and seconded by Commissioner Ashbaugh the Commission voted 4-2 (Brodie, Carpenter) to recommend that the City Council reconsider placing this property within the City’s Sphere of Influence. 

4.  1600 Bishop and 2220 Flora Streets.   ANNX, GP/R, TR and ER 135-06: Request to annex approx. 23.61 acres; amend the General Plan Land Use Map and Zoning Map from Conservation/Open Space (C/OS-40)  to  Low-Density Residential (R-1) and relocate the Urban Reserve Line; tentative tract map creating 26 residential lots; and environmental review; R-1 and C/OS-40 zones; County of San Luis Obispo, applicant.  (Phil Dunsmore)     

Following an extensive staff presentation that reccomended continuance of the item to address policy conflicts, numerous members of the Johnson Avenue neighborhood spoke in opposition to the proposed annexation request.  After two failed (3-3) motions to continue the project with direction, on a third motion by Commissioner Ashbaugh, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter, the Commission made Findings and voted 5-1 (Miller)  to recommend denial of the proposed annexation.  The findings for denial were based on General Plan policy inconsistencies. Miller opposed the motion because she felt that the project area had some potential for future development if the development plan were to be re-configured. 

COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: 

4.        Staff 

A.     Agenda Forecast         Deputy Director Davidson provided the forecast.   

5.        Commission 

ADJOURN to the regular meeting of the Planning Commission scheduled for Wednesday, May 9, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 990 Palm Street.