Planning Commission Meeting Update

August 27, 2008                  Wednesday                                7:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

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

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:  Agenda accepted  

MINUTES:  Minutes of August 13, 2008.  Minutes accepted as presented.  

PUBLIC COMMENT:   

Shawn McNabb showed photos and expressed his concerns over the 300 Lawrence Drive project.  He believes that changes have occurred to the approved plans and that the Planning Commission should review the revisions.   

Dan Caldon also stated that he believes significant changes have been made to the approved 300 Lawrence Drive project plans. 

Commissioner Stevenson responded that staff is preparing a written response to these concerns and that the Commission would be copied the correspondence.  

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.        2238 Broad Street.  R/U 70-08:  Request to add the mixed-use overlay zoning to the site’s existing Neighborhood-Commercial and Service-Commercial zoning designations and consideration of an Addendum to update the previously-adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration; and request for a use permit to allow a mixed-use project, including exceptions for building height and a side yard setback, and a 30% shared and mixed-use parking reduction; C-N-H zone; Rick Moses, applicant.  (Continued to September 10, 2008)  (Pam Ricci)

 Item continued to September 10, 2008.  

2.        Stenner Ranch Easements.  GPC 100-08:  General Plan Consistency for:  1) Sale of City property with retention of conservation easement; and 2) Acquisition of conservation easement on Stenner Ranch; City of San Luis Obispo, applicant.  (Neil Havlik) 

 Neil Havlik presented the report and explained the background and purpose of the conservation easements. 

Chairperson Stevenson questioned whether the City was receiving enough in terms of protecting rural character.  He thought the agreement should contain more restrictions on grading, building envelopes, and size of structures.  Commissioner Ashbaugh was also concerned about impacts to the oak woodland.   

The other Commissioners shared some of these concerns, however, the majority was confident that acquiring the conservation easements was in conformance with the General Plan.  On motion by Commissioner Ashbaugh, seconded by Commissioner Wells, the Commission voted 6:1 (Stevenson) to recommend to the Council that the proposed transactions are consistent with the General Plan.   

3.        730 & 748 Foothill Blvd.  TR 108-07:  Tentative tract map and environmental review for six airspace condo units with requests to allow the trash enclosure within street yard setback and to allow portions of covered porches within part of the Foothill Blvd. setback area; R-4 zone; Foothill Courtyard LLC, applicant.  (Brian Leveille) 

Brian Leveille provided the staff report and explained the four issues that resulted in the earlier continuance and how the applicant responded to each of them. 

The applicant discussed how the plans addressed the previous concerns of setback exceptions, circulation, fence height, and trash containers.  Several neighbors to the site spoke in favor of the project as providing new, quality housing in proximity to Cal Poly. 

The Commission had no questions and appreciated the efforts of staff and the applicant to address their site concerns.  On motion by Commissioner Multari, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter, the Commission voted 7:0 to recommend approval of the tract map and Negative Declaration to the Council.               

Commissioner Brodie recused herself due to a potential conflict of interest and was absent the remainder of the meeting. 

4.        Citywide. GPI 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.  (Jeff Hook) 

Jeff Hook, Senior Planner, presented the staff report recommending the Commission review Chapter 5, Architectural Standards, and continue discussion of the Draft Plan to the Commission’s October 22, 2008, meeting.  He summarized the changes to the draft plan and explained that eight building types are included as part of the form-based codes for the area as well as five different street types.   

There were no public comments. 

Commissioners discussed the Plan’s architectural styles and standards, and generally supported the three architectural styles as being consistent with planning area’s character and with the Plan’s goals.  Commissioners questioned whether the ARC’s direction to use “real” rather than “faux” exterior building materials was a meaningful distinction and were concerned that such standards could add to the cost of developing housing.  Commissioners felt the ARC needed to be specific about the intent of the architectural standards and noted that many of the newer building materials (such as Hardie Plank siding) are indistinguishable from their original counterparts and should be allowed to be used.  Commissioners reviewed text wording and asked staff to ensure that the Plan is clear where design flexibility is appropriate and where standards are mandatory.

On a motion by Commissioner Christianson, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter, the Commission voted 6:0 to continue the item to the October 22, 2008, regular meeting. 

COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: 

5.        Staff 

a.      Agenda Forecast – Deputy Director Murry provided the agenda forecast and clarified the discussion item for September 10, 2008, on Sphere of Influence Area No. 9.  

6.        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.