Planning Commission Meeting Update

November 30, 2005                      Wednesday                             6:00 p.m.

Discussion on Public Hearing Item 3 will begin no later than 7:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL:      Commissioners Carlyn Christianson, Alice Loh, Andrea Miller, Orval Osborne, Andrew Carter, Chairperson Michael Boswell  (one vacancy)

Commissioner Loh was absent.

ELECTION:        Election of Vice-Chair

Commissioner Osborne was elected Vice-Chairperson

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

The order of the agenda was not modified.

MINUTES:  Minutes of November 9, 2005.  Approve or amend.

The minutes of November 9, 2005, were returned to staff to include specific discussion, to return to the Commission for approval.

 BUSINESS ITEM:

1.        Update on possible Revenue Ballot Measure – Presentation by Finance Director Bill Statler

Bill Statler discussed the fiscal challenges facing the City.  He explained that the City has had to close annual budget gaps for three straight fiscal years my means of service cuts. One of the service areas that has been deleted is the neighborhood paving program. Calls for Fire and paramedic services have increased over the last 10 years indicating a need for increased funds/revenue measures. Funding is also needed for protecting senior services and city improvements.

 PUBLIC HEARINGS:

2.        2178 Johnson Avenue.  U 162-05;  Review of a wireless telecommunications facility on the roof of an existing building (former General Hospital); PF zone; Cingular Wireless, applicant.  (Tyler Corey)

 On a motion by Commissioner Osborne, seconded by Commissioner Christianson, the Commission voted 4-0 (Carter refrained) to approve the Use Permit to allow a wireless telecommunications facility on the roof of the former General Hospital building.  Chair Boswell commented that he did not support the facility’s design and wanted reassurance that approval of the Use Permit would not “lock in” the facility design or constrain the ARC during their review of the project. 

3.        Citywide.  GPA and ER 149-98;  Review of the October 2005 draft Conservation and Open Space Element of the General Plan to update and consolidate resource conservation policies, including amendments to the Conservation, Open Space, Land Use, Energy Conservation, Circulation, and Water and Wastewater Management Elements; City of San Luis Obispo, applicant.  (continued from November 9, 2005)  (Jeff Hook)

Commissioners took public testimony and focused their discussion on proposed changes to the October 2005 Draft Conservation and Open Space Element (COSE) policies on “green building” energy conservation design standards (Policy 4.21.6), and on proposed General Plan amendments, with particular emphasis on changes to the Land Use and Open Space Elements.  The Commission reviewed proposed amendments to the Housing and Circulation Elements and began its review of proposed Land Use Element amendments.  The Commission also indicated its intent to review legislative drafts showing possible changes to the Land Use and Open Space Elements in connection with the October 2005 Draft Conservation and Open Space Element to ensure that open space and conservation policies in these elements are carried forward in the new element.  The Commission continued its review of the General Plan amendments to its December 14, 2005 regular meeting.

 COMMENT AND DISCUSSION:

4.        Staff

A.    Agenda Forecast 

Staff provided an agenda forecast. 

5.        Commission 

The meeting ADJOURNED to the regular meeting of the Planning Commission scheduled for Wednesday December 14, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 990 Palm Street.