Planning Commission Meeting Update

June 14, 2006                       Wednesday                                7:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL:      Commissioners Charles Stevenson, John Ashbaugh, Peter Brown, Andrew Carter, Jason McCoy, Vice Chairperson Carlyn Christianson, and Chairperson  Andrea Miller 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: Commissioners or staff may modify the order of items. 

MINUTES:  Minutes of May 24, 2006. Approve or amend. 

The minutes were approved as submitted. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:   

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.   851 & 860 Humbert Avenue.  GP/R, ER and ABAN 27-06: Request to amend the General Plan Land Use Element Map from Services and Manufacturing to Medium-High Density Residential and the Zoning Map from M to R-3-S; street abandonment of Frederick Street and a portion of Humbert Avenue, and environmental review; M zone; Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo, applicant. (Jaime Hill)  

On a vote of 5 to 0 (Commissioners McCoy and Brown were absent), the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval to City Council of a Mitigated Negative Declaration, General Plan Amendment and Zone change for property located at 851 and 860 Humbert; and Abandonment of portions of Fredrick Street and Humbert Avenue, based on findings and subject to mitigation measures and conditions.

 While all the Commissioners where generally supportive of the project, Commissioners Stevenson and Ashbaugh expressed concerns related to circulation, potential safety issues related to increased trespass on the Union Pacific Rail Road property, and compatibility with neighboring industrial uses. The discussion focused on circulation and the need for an additional pedestrian crossing to the east side of the railroad, particularly given the additional residences that are being proposed to the west and the increased trips that will be made to Sinsheimer Park and elementary school. Commissioners Christianson and Carter, and Chairwoman Miller all felt that these issues were more appropriately discussed during future review of a development project, rather than during the GP/R/ABAN process.

 Commissioner Stevenson made the motion to support staff’s recommendation, recommending approval to City Council of a Mitigated Negative Declaration, General Plan Amendment and Zone change for property located at 851 and 860 Humbert; and Abandonment of portions of Fredrick Street and Humbert Avenue, based on findings and subject to mitigation measures and conditions. Commission Stevenson added two conditions to those recommended by staff, to direct the ARC to look at design features that would discourage trespass over Union Pacific rail lines and to consider the interface between industrial and residential uses when reviewing site and building proposals. After some discussion about the proximity of bus stops and transit lines to the site, and development of the Victoria Street extension as a private versus public street, Commissioner Ashbaugh seconded the motion, noting that the project entitlements before them were the land use designation and abandonment only, and not a development project. Chairperson Miller supported the motion saying that the project will be a welcome replacement to the now vacant property and improve the continuity of development in this area.

 Several members of the public spoke, including Carol Hatley of the San Luis Obispo Housing Authority and Jeff Dillion, project architect, who discussed design and financing details of the future project.  One adjacent neighbor spoke about his concern that he would continue to be able to utilize his property, which is zoned Manufacturing, as work/live in the future, although it is currently a single family residence. The Commissioners pointed out that a condition of approval would require that future occupants be notified of the adjacent industrial uses and potential noise exposure. Steve DeMartini also spoke, noting that many of these same issues were raised with the review of the De Tolosa residential development on Los Osos Valley Road.

 The project is scheduled for final review by the City Council on July 18^th..

 COMMENT AND DISCUSSION:

 2.        Staff

         A.    Agenda Forecast

 3.        Commission

ADJOURN to the regular meeting of the Planning Commission scheduled for Wednesday, June 28, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 990 Palm Street.