Planning Commission Meeting Update

July 8, 2009                           Wednesday                             7:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

ROLL CALL:      Commissioners Michael Boswell, Michael Draze, Eric Meyer, Airlin Singewald, Mary Whittlesey, Vice-Chairperson Michael Multari, and Chairperson Charles Stevenson 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:  Accepted. 

MINUTES:  Minutes of June 24, 2009.  Approved as amended. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:  David Brodie encouraged the creation of a historic preservation element to preserve local heritage.   

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.  City-Wide.  GPI 53-09:  Annual progress report on General Plan program implementation; City of San Luis Obispo – Community Development Department, applicant.  (James David) 

James David, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report, recommending the Planning Commission forward the 2008 Annual Report on the General Plan to the City Council for acceptance.  He noted that in 2008 there was a slight increase in population, slowing in commercial development, and completion of significant projects that implement the General Plan. 

Commissioners added they would like the report to have more summary tables, and focused their discussion on the City’s jobs/housing balance.  On motion by Commr. Boswell, seconded by Commr. Meyer, the Planning Commission voted 7:0 to recommend that Council direct staff to evaluate Land Use Element Policy 1.10.4 in order to clarify policy direction and to broaden options to meet the intent of the jobs/housing balance concept. On a second motion by Vice-Chair Multari, seconded by Commr. Whittlesey, the Commission voted 7:0 to forward the 2008 Annual Report on the General Plan to the City Council for acceptance.

2.   11980 Los Osos Valley Road.  GPA/R/ER/MS/ANNX/U 7-07:  Review of the Final EIR for a project to annex and develop vacant agricultural land along Los Osos Valley Road with a new retail center (Prefumo Creek Commons); a request to amend the General Plan from Interim Open Space to General Retail; a request for a Use Permit to allow a retail store up to 140,000 sq. ft.; and a request to subdivide the property into 4 lots with a 5^th lot for open space; Irish Hills Plaza East, LLC, applicant.  (Phil Dunsmore)

Phil Dunsmore, Associate Planner, presented the staff report, recommending the Planning Commission forward recommendations to the City Council to certify the Final EIR; Approve the Tentative Parcel Map and Use Permit; and approve the Annexation and General Plan Amendment for the project.  Staff noted recommended changes to several project conditions for the map and recommended changes to mitigation measures associated with Air Quality.  Staff recommended the Commission accept findings of overriding considerations for Significant environmental impacts associated with Noise and Air Quality associated with the project. 

Following testimony from numerous speakers that was focused on the existing traffic constraints associated with Laguna Village Shopping Center, the Commission discussed the components of the project and the EIR. At 11:30 p.m., the Commission voted to continue the project to a date certain, July 22, 2009. No action was taken on the project. 

COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: 

3.   Staff 

a.  Agenda Forecast – Doug Davidson, Deputy Director provided the forecast. 

4.   Commission 

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.