Planning Commission Meeting Update

August 8, 2007                  Wednesday                                7:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

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

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:

Agenda was accepted as presented.   

PUBLIC COMMENT:   

Astrid Gallagher spoke in support of the Planning Commission’s decision to respect historical buildings in the downtown height ordinance recommended to Council.    

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.        642, 2201 Emily Street and 2238 Broad Street.  TR 62-05: Request for a tentative tract map to create a residential and  commercial condominium subdivision within an approved mixed-use project ; C-N-H and C-S-H zone; H/D Maymont LLC, applicant.  (Pam Ricci) 

Commissioner Stevenson recused himself due to a conflict of interest, because he owns property within 500 feet of the proposed project. Deputy Director Davidson gave the staff report; there was no discussion. On motion by Commissioner Ashbaugh, seconded by Commr. Gould-Wells, the Commission voted 5:0 to recommend approval of the tentative tract map to the Council. 

2.        Citywide. GPI and ER 49-06: Review land use and phasing strategy, form-based codes, street and building character and general regulations in the Draft South  Broad Street Corridor Plan; City of San Luis Obispo, applicant.  (Continued from June 13, 2007)  (Jeff Hook) 

Senior Planner Jeff Hook explained that the purposes of the meeting were to review the Draft South Broad Street Corridor Plan’s land use strategy, form-based codes, and economic development/phasing strategy.  He gave a slide presentation and introduced Michael Young, planning consultant, who explained how form-based codes would be applied using a “mock” development project.  Consultant Gary London described the economic strategy and responded to questions.  Three citizens spoke on the draft Plan, and commissioners questioned the consultants and staff and provided detailed comments.  Commissioners generally supported the Plan’s overall land use concept, but had concerns and questions about many details, including plan length and organization, parking, land use transition and compatibility, street design and circulation, cul-de-sac street ends at Broad Street, infrastructure improvements and financing, and possible economic tools to implement the Plan.  Commissioners asked staff to provide information on the questions raised, and unanimously continued the item to a special workshop/study session style meeting on Wednesday, October 17, 2007.      

3.        1119, 1123, 1125, 1127, 1129, 1137 Garden and 712, 720, 722, 728, 736, 742 and 748 Marsh Street.  ER 124-06; Public scoping meeting to discuss the workscope of the Environmental Impact Report being prepared for the Garden Street Terraces project; C-D-H zone; Garden Street SLO Partners, applicants. (Tyler Corey) 

Associate Planner Tyler Corey presented the staff report, recommending the Commission receive public testimony and provide input to City and consultant staffs on any additional workscope items or environmental issues that need to be evaluated in the Garden Street Terraces Project EIR. Dan Gira, Amec Earth & Environmental, described the key environmental issue areas and range of alternatives that will be addressed in the EIR.  Carol Florence, Oasis Associates, applicant’s representative, provided a presentation for the Commission and public on the details of the project, including project history, public outreach and prior CHC and ARC conceptual reviews. 

Two people spoke during the public hearing portion of the meeting. Boz Schrage, felt that this project is a test to City standards and guidelines, including building setbacks, height, cultural resources and affordable housing.  Richard Stevens, expressed concerns over the construction phase of the project and its potential impacts to Garden Street businesses. There were no further comments made from the public. 

The Commission provided the following comments regarding the EIR workscope:  

1.            Discuss the current shortage of available curation space in the area.

2.            Provide a thorough analysis of construction phasing, including coordination with APCD.

3.            Consider expanding the traffic analysis to include additional intersections further from the project site as well as project impacts to alternative modes of transportation.

4.            Consider an alternative that includes a reduction to the number of residential units provided within the project. 

COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: 

4.        Staff 

A.     Agenda Forecast 

Deputy Director Davidson gave the Commission the agenda forecast.   

5.        Commission 

The meeting ADJOURNED to the regular meeting of the Planning Commission scheduled for Wednesday, August 22, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 990 Palm Street.